Kidnapping, Crimes: Shake Up In Police, As Kaduna Boss Is Redeployed

May 1, 2019

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has re-jig the police force, including redeployment of Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdulrahaman, as part of the efforts in the fight against armed banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes across the nation, with special focus on Kaduna and other contiguous States.

The IGP ordered the immediate redeployment of Ahmed Abdulrahaman to the Force Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters, Abuja even as another Commissioner of Police, Aji Ali Janga, who until now was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Bauchi State, has been redeployed to take over as the new helmsman in Kaduna Command.

A statement by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, listed other Commissioners of Police affected by the shake up as Habu Sani Ahmadu, former Commissioner of Police in Intelligence Unit, who is now posted to Bauchi Command, Omololu Shamsudeen Bishi is redeployed from Benue State Police Command to the Central Criminal Registry (CCR), Alagbon Lagos even as Mukadas Mohammed Garba moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Benue State Command as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the State and the erstwhile CP in charge of CCR Alagbon, Lagos has now been moved to Force Headquarters, Abuja as the CP in charge of Armament.

The Inspector General charged the newly posted/redeployed Commissioners of Police and other strategic commanders nationwide to take urgent steps towards initiating and implementing concrete crime prevention strategies aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space under their watch from the activities of monstrous criminal elements in society.

What Makes Buhari’s Government Workers-Friendly, By Osinbajo

Greenbarge Reporters

May 1, 2019

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has listed qualities that made the preset government of Muhammadu Buhari different from the previos ones and stand it out as workers-friendly one.

Speaking today, Wednesday as the workers celebrate May Day at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital, Professor Osinbajo said that on assumption of office in 2015, in spite of the daunting economic challenges, which confronted the country at the time, Buhari government ensured that no worker was retrenched across the country.

“We further kept faith with this commitment by providing bailout funds for States unable to pay salaries and other benefits in order to pay accumulated arrears. We also released the Paris Club refunds owed since 2005 to make sure workers were not owed anything.
“We also ensured the payment of outstanding benefits of retrenched Nigerian Airways workers owed for decades. We also ensured the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), also paid arrears owed to parastatals and Civil Service pensioners covering 101,393 Civil Service pensioners on all grade levels and 76,310 parastatals pensioners across 186 agencies.
“This is in addition to arrears paid to pensioners in the Police and Customs Services in 2016 and 2018. Our administration also settled the issue of benefits of Nigerian Armed Forces and Paramilitary personnel who were dismissed and later pardoned for participating on the side of the secession in the course of the Civil War from 1967-1970. All of these veterans have now been paid their benefits.”
The Vice President looked at the government’s Social Investment Programmes which he described as the largest of its kind in Africa, directed at ensuring that the government provides opportunities in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
According to him, the largest numbers of Nigerian workers are informal workers, including petty traders, smallholder farmers, artisans and tradesmen, adding that they deserve the government respect and the protection of all labour laws.
“Our N-Power programme currently employs 500,000 young Nigerian graduates and additional 75,000 in specialized training as builders, automotive technicians and in other vocations. We have also expanded this programme to include technicians in animation and also specialists in other areas of technology.
“Our Homegrown School Feeding Programme where we now feed 9.5 million children daily in 30 States, provides opportunities for over a 100,000 cooks and farmers across the country.
“Our TraderMoni and MarketMoni schemes provide almost 2million loans to petty traders in all States of the Federation. At the Next Level of our administration, we intend to expand the scope of these micro-credit loans to traders and artisans.
“Our Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has also provided over 1million loans to smallholder farmers across the country. Already, that scheme is being expanded to cover yet another one million farmers all across the country.”
Osinbajo stressed that this year’s Workers’ Day theme: “Another 100 Years of Struggle for Jobs, Dignity and Social Justice in Nigeria’’ is not merely a headline for the celebration, but that Buhari’s government truly believes that the Nigerian citizen, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid, must be the central focus of all economic planning and budgeting.
“The welfare and well-being of all these Nigerians who work everyday and render honest services every day is the true benchmark of our commitment as government and a people to social justice and dignity of all Nigerians.
“We will continue to commit ourselves to the cause of improving the lot of every working Nigerian and providing for those who cannot work.”
The Vice President reassured workers that the government is determined to fully implement the new N30,000 National Minimum Wage which President Buhari signed into law recently.

Oyo Gov Elect Accuses Federal Govt Of Imposing N30,000 Minimum Wage On States

Greenbarge Reporters

May 1, 2019

The Oyo state Governor-Elect, Seyi Makinde, has accused the federal government of imposing the N30,000 new minimum wage for civil servants on state governments.

Makinde, who answered reporters’ questions on the sideline of the induction programme for returning and newly elected governors, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Wednesday, vowed to renegotiate the new minimum wage with the state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

According to the governor elect, Oyo cannot pay the new National Minimum Wage of N30,000 just signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Makinde said that the federal government should not impose a national minimum wage on states since Nigeria is a federation, adding that it is for this reason that the call for the restructuring of the country had become necessary.

The Governor-Elect said that though the President had signed the minimum wage into law, but that he personally believed that individual states should have been allowed to negotiate this “because conditions of living in Lagos are obviously not the same as living in Ibadan.

“And I will definitely say without fear or favour that it’s part of the reasons why we are thinking restructuring. That’s a federal system of government.

“We have a federation but the state governments I believe, are no subordinate to the federal government. They are coordinating governments.

“Then, when the federal government makes a law that says ‘well, we are going to pay 30,000 as minimum wage,’ what’s the condition in my state? Can we support it? I don’t think.

“We are going to engage the Nigeria Labour Congress in my state and we see how we go from there.”

Akoshile Heads Daily Times As MD/Editor-In-Chief

Greenbarge Reporters

May 1, 2019

A veteran journalist, go-getting administrator and a long time strategist for Media Trust Limited, publisher of Daily Trust, Sunday Trust and Aminiya, Alhaji Aliu Moyosore Akoshile has been appointment to head the famous Daily Times of Nigeria.

His appointment was validated by the Board of Directors of the Folio Communications Limited, publishers of The Daily Times titles in a statement released yesterday, Tuesday.

the Board of Folio Media Group, the holding company for the conglomerate, said the appointment is with effect from today, 1 May, 2019.

The Folio Board said that Akoshile is an accomplished media executive with hands-on experience in turn-around management and competitive strategy, adding that he will lead a team of dedicated journalists and creative thinkers to reposition The Daily Times titles by deploying disruptive innovations and digital solutions to deliver great value to readers, advertisers and other clients.

Akoshile is expected to provide the overall thought leadership to Folio Communications Limited, publisher of the Daily Times and its associated business units to derive optimal value from the positive image of the flagship brand.

A versatile journalist and media business strategist, Akoshile is bringing to his new role a wealth of experience spanning over three decades and cutting across key segments of integrated marketing communication.

He started his journalism career with the Daily Times group in 1986 and, since then, he has traversed the media landscape as a reporter, senior correspondent, bureau chief, associate editor and editor-in-chief.

He has worked at different times for Jos-based Nigerian Newsweek, Citizen magazine, Weekly Trust and Kilimanjaro.

He was until recently, Associate Director of Daily Trust where, for nearly eleven years, he supervised the entire revenue departments and crack-teams that were responsible for the company’s sustained performance and growth. A consummate brand manager, Akoshile has gained over a decade experience in PR and advertising practice. He was acting General Manager of Vascaust Communication Limited, a Lagos-based PR and advertising firm, and later served as pioneer Head of Corporate Affairs of NUB International Bank, a legacy bank of FCMB Plc.

He obtained a Bachelor’s degree with honours in Mass Communications from the University of Lagos in 1987 and a Master’s degree in International Relations & Strategic Studies from the University of Jos in 1993.

He attended executive leadership training on strategic management at the University of Oxford, UK; Howard University School of Business, Washington DC; and the Lagos Business School/Pan African University.

Akoshile is a member of the International Press Institute (IPI); Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Advertising Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria (APCON), and Nigerian Institute of Management (chartered) NIM.

He attended the global summit of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), and the annual event of the African Media Forum (AMF).

A keen golfer and polo enthusiast, he is passionate about the environment and climate change as well as issues of human rights with special focus on girl child education.

We Can’t Celebrate Zainab’s Release Until Leah Sharibu Is Freed – Northern Christians

Greenbarge Reporters

April 30, 2019

Northern State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that they would only join in celebrating the release from Saudi Arabian detention, of Zainab Habibu Aliyu until Leah Sharibu, who was abducted from Government Girls Technical Science College, Dapchi, Yobe State by Boko Haram is also freed.

In a statement today, Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, canvassed for the swift release of Leah Sharibu, even as he decried the unjust imprisonment of innocent Nigerians who have suffered harsh punishment for offences they have not committed.

“We cannot celebrate the release of Zainab and forget Leah Sharibu who did not commit any crime but has been in captivity for over a year now.

“We, therefore, appeal to President Buhari to direct his security agencies to double their efforts and get Leah released and reunited with her parents. Leah, too, wants to enjoy the protection of her leaders.”

The Christian body insisted that President Buhari should treat all Nigerians equally, adding that the prompt effort by government in the release of Zainab should be sustained for all and in the future, because this is what we want to see from the leaders in this country.

“We are compelled to ask this important question: Are all Nigerians equal or some are more equal than others?

“We are aware that many innocent citizens of our country have been arrested, some killed and others are still in detention; but we have not heard any directives from Mr. President to his Attorney General to take action about them with this kind of urgency.

“If we want our citizens to be proud of their government and country, then we need to show equal concern about what happens to everyone in this country.”

3 Tiers Of Government Share N617.56 Billion March Revenue; Minimum Wage May Wait

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

The three tiers of Government in Nigeria have shared N617.56 billion as revenue generated in March even as there are indications that the new N30,000 minimu wage to workers may not be paid until it is cash-backed.

The N617.56 billion revenue for March showed a decrease of about N2.29 billion from what was shared in February.

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, who spoke to news men today, Tuesday at the end of the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, explained that the implementation of the new minimum wage had technically commenced and that arrears would be paid once its cash-backed.

According to the Accountant General, mineral revenue reduced by N41.65 billion, moving from N350.09 billion in February to N308.4 billion in March, adding that the non-mineral revenue increased by N13.88 billion, from N124.3 billion in February to N138.2 billion in March.

He said that in March, the federation crude oil sales increased by 49.18 per cent, resulting in increased federation revenue of about 240.23 million dollars.

“Also, the average crude oil price increased from 63.62 dollars to 79.06 dollars per barrel.

“Lifting operations were adversely affected by production Shut in and Shut down at various terminals due to technical issues, leaks and maintenance.

“Revenues from Oil Royalty, import and Excise duties increased remarkably while Petroleum Profit Tax decreased marginally, ” he said.

Ahmed Idris said that the Federal Government received N208.39 billion, states got N105.7 billion and local governments received N81.49 billion.

In addition, N39.59 billion, representing 13 per cent of the mineral revenue was shared to oil producing states.

Ahmed Idris said that as at April 25, the money left in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was 183 million dollars.

He said that was the amount remaining in the ECA after withdrawals were made some months back to procure some necessary Military hardwares.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum, Mahmoud Yunusa said that the Forum had appointed the Commissioner of Finance, Kogi state as acting Head of the Forum, adding that he would handle the affairs of the Forum pending when the State Governors appoint new commissioners under the next administration.

Police Announce Arrest Of Kidnapper Of UBEC Chairman And His Daughter

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

The police force headquarters in Abuja has announced the arrest of one of suspects responsible for the kidnapping of the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar and his daughter, Yesmin Mohammed.

The father and daughter who were kidnapped yesterday, Monday along the Abuja-Kaduna highway have since been released and undergoing medical investigations in an undisclosed hospital.

In a statement today, Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping, while investigations aree ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

Frank Mba said that one AK-47 riffle was recovered from the suspect who is currently in custody.

“Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar, the Chairman of UBEC and his daughter, Yesmin Mohammed, who were kidnapped along Abuja-Kaduna expressway have been released.

“Meanwhile, one male suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime. One AK 47 rifle also recovered. Investigation into the incident is on-going.”

Mahmood’s driver was killed in the operation along Kaduna-Abuja road.

There has been no information about other commuters who were abducted by the bandits.
Armed bandits have taken over the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway which has been deserted by travellers following the deadly activities of the criminals which include kidnapping and armed robbery.

Despite the massive deployment of security personnel along the highway, bandits have continued to operate in the most daring manner, killing and abducting people plying the road.

The road has been deserted by many commuters who now travel to and from Kaduna by train.

Nigeria, UK Hold First Economic Development Forum

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari and Theresa May at the state house Abuja.

For the first time, Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK), today, Tuesday, held Economic Development Forum, during which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced that investor-interest is on the rise in Nigeria based on the tracking of investment.

The Economic Development Forum was signed in August 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Theresa May in London as a platform to foster economic and development ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Addressing the Forum which held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Professor Osinbajo said that the tracking showed a 37 percent increase from 2017 to 2018.
The Vice President said: “we have seen increased investor interest in Nigeria by the investment announcements that we track, with $90.9 billion of investment announcements in 2018, a 37 percent increase over the $66.4 billion tracked in 2017. We are interested in these announcements because we know that if we nurture them correctly, we can turn them into actual investments.
“There is also a steady rise in investor confidence, with an increase in the number of significant deal announcements. 18 days ago, Jumia, an online marketplace company that started in Nigeria, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the first African start-up to do so. It received such a warm investor response, that it has since appreciated over 125 percent!”
The Vice President said that already, there are four Nigerian companies listed on the main board of The London Stock Exchange, adding that only one Nigerian company, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc is listed in both Nigeria and the UK.

“It is also fascinating that about half of the companies on the FTSE 100 have exposure to Nigeria.
“By leveraging the EDF, I hope that we will continue to build on the existing foundation and work together on recording increased trade and investment flows, particularly in the areas where we have comparative advantages.”
He said that in trying to boost investors’ confidence the Buhari administration is fully aware of the challenges that have hindered the business and investment environment in the country.
“We have taken these challenges as opportunities and have made the extensive build-out of modern infrastructure (both hard and soft) as the main thrust of our Administration.
“In the last three years, the government has allocated and disbursed over N3.5 trillion from the National budgets to infrastructure.
“The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has made significant progress in reducing bottlenecks, eliminating redundancies and increasing transparency across government ministries, departments and agencies.
“There is undeniable evidence that the Buhari administration is repositioning the Nigerian economy for true growth and shared prosperity.”

UBEC Chairman Pays Kidnappers N13 Million For His, And Daughter’s Release

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Alhaji Mohammed Mahmood, who was kidnapped alongside his daughter, Yasmin, by unidentified gunmen along the Kaduna-Abuja express-way yesterday, Monday, have been released after the family raised the sum of N13 million ransom for the kidnappers.

Information reaching us indicated that the chairman and his daughter were freed by their captors today, Tuesday, following his directive to the family members through audio recording that they should quickly raise the fund before it was too late as he was given one hour to get the fund.

The audio recording was done through phone conversation between Alhaji Mahmood and his relation called Saleh, yesterday, Monday night.

In the recording, Alhaji Mahmood said: “Saleh, please be hurry, time is not on our side. It would take some time before we decide on the collection point, and we have planned to resolve this issue within one hour. Let them go anywhere and get the money within one hour.”

But Saleh responded that they were able to raised N13 million and if the kidnappers demanded the money in Dollars, they would have given the ransom money to them.

Saleh said: “We are on it and we were able to raised N13 million. The challenge we are having now is night and somebody told me if it would reach in the morning, he would give us N50 million and if they demanded the money in dollars, we would give them this night.”

The UBEC Chairman then said that the kidnappers were taking good care of them even though his daughter was wounded on her leg during the operation.

He said: “I understand, but if you can get it (money), then go and get it anywhere. We don’t want it to pass one hour, these people are taking good care of us, Yasmin was wounded on her leg, but they are assisting her. Please go anywhere and get the money.”

Alhaji Mahmood was abducted alongside his daughter while travelling from Kaduna to Abuja yesterday, Monday. During the incident that took place around Katari village, his driver was shot dead.

Defection: Saraki, Dogara Describe Those Who Want Court To Sack Them As Interlopers, Busybody

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have described those who went to court, asking that they and others who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should be sacked from the National Assembly as meddle-some interlopers, busybody and strangers in the matter.

Saraki, Dogara and other lawmakers asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to therefore dismiss the suit which was instituted against them and 52 others on account of their defection from their various political parties in 2018.

They claimed that an advocacy body, Legal Defense and Assistant Project (LEDAP) which instituted the suit against them and praying for their removal from the National Assembly had no locus standi to institute the case.

Saraki, Dogara and the 52 national lawmakers averred that the advocacy body was neither a political party nor a voter from their various constituencies and as such has no legal basis to press that their seats be declared vacant.

LEDAP, through its counsel, Jubrin Okutekpa had approached the court praying for an order to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant on the reason that there was no division in their parties when the defections were made.

The body also asked the court to invoke section 251 of the 1999 constitution to compel the lawmakers to refund all monies collected since the defections.

However, Saraki and the defected senators in their preliminary objection argued by Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), prayed Justice Okon Abang to dismiss the suit of the plaintiff on the grounds that it disclosed no cause of action against them.

Magaji submitted that the advocacy body did not stand for either the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any registered political party in the country or claimed to be a voter and as such has no legal status to have filed the case against them.

The senior lawyer, told the court to hold that the advocacy body is a meddle-some interloper, busybody and stranger in the matter.

Magaji further argued that the failure of the plaintiff to join the political parties in the suit was fatal to the case, adding that in all the processes they filed in the court, there was no where they claimed to be acting for any political party, voter or member of their various constituencies where they lawmakers were elected and as such have no power to litigate over the issue or than claiming to be a mere Non-Governmental Organization.

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