Buhari Working On Retirement-Made-Easy For Civil Servants

March 28, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured civil servants in Nigeria that his government is working on a formula that will make their retirement from the service a joyful one.

“The dignity of retired public servants who sacrificed their lives for this country will be restored.

“We will ensure all hard working Nigerians in the private sector, both formal and informal, can retire without fear.

President who spoke today, Thursday at the formal launching of Micro Pension plan for Nigerians that are not fully captured in the formal corporate sector, said that his government is currently working tirelessly to sanitize some of the rot within the pension system it inherited from the previous governments.

“I want to assure all Nigerians that this Government remains committed to resolving all pending issues on pension payment in the federal public sector despite the lean resources of Government.”

The President expressed surprise that today, millions of traders, farmers and other entrepreneurs in various cottage industries are completely excluded from the different pension programs in existence.

Recalling one of the three core pillars of his Government, which is the creation of a diversified and inclusive economy, Buhari said that this can only be achieved by creating an enabling environment for farmers, entrepreneurs and SMEs.

“In the past three years, we provided grants, concessionary loans and technical support through our SME clinics to farmers, traders and SMEs. We have seen lives positively change because of these initiatives.

“The Micro Pension Plan is the natural next step. The program guarantees that when these hard working citizens retire, they can still live in dignity and comfort.”

The President encouraged Trade Associations, Unions, Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders in the informal sector of the economy to join hand with the Government and the Pension Industry to enlighten their members and the general public on the benefits of the Micro Pension Plan.

He assured that the Federal Government will continue to support the National Pension Commission to ensure a successful roll-out of the product by the pension operators for the benefit of the target participants.

He directed the Financial System Strategy 2020 to support this initiative within the framework of its activities especially as it relates to financial inclusion.

“We must all come together to ensure these reforms are fully implemented and their positive impact is felt by the rightful beneficiaries.”

Breaking: Abuja Court Revokes Nnamdi Kanu’s Bail, Orders His Arrest

Greenbarge Reporters

March 28, 2019

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, has revoked the bail granted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and that he should be rearrested immediately.

A report by Channels Television said that Justice Binta Nyako gave the order in a ruling today, Thursday.

“She explained that the court gave the order because Mr Kanu had failed to appear in court after his bail was granted in April 2017,” the report said.

Nnamdi Kanu has since returned to his base in the United Kingdom after initial stay in Israel following his escape from Nigeria amidst military crackdown at his family home in Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Abia State.

Buhari’s Alleged 3rd Term Plan: Evil Thinkers At Work – Senator Lawal

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

Senator Ahmad Lawan, who has been adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Presidency of the ninth Senate, has described those who have been bandying news around about his plan to amend the country’s constitution to pave way for President Muhammadu Buhari to go for third term as President after 2013 as evil thinkers.

“To say that Senator Ahmad Lawan will amend the constitution to keep him (President Buhari) in office beyond 2023 is just the height of evil thinking and bad politics taken too far.”

In a statement today, Wednesday, by his spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the possible Senate President described such allegation as fake news, saying that the story is a desperate plot concocted by “evil and desperate politicians” bent on frustrating the emergence of Senator Lawan as Senate President in the 9th National Assembly.

“This is just a very desperate attempt by detractors and some politicians who want to taint the good image of the Senate Leader, and the future Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.”

“When we (Senators) met the President two days ago, he (President) was very emphatic that he has stood for election five times, and this is his last.

“The President made it clear that he wants to retire quietly to his home, on the basis of which he is going to work very hard these four years since Nigerians have given him this opportunity, to leave a lasting legacy behind.”

“The President’s statement clearly shows that he is a full democrat who knows that our constitution only provides for second term which he has gotten, and for which he is grateful to Nigerians.

“Therefore, to come back to say that Senator Ahmad Lawan will amend the constitution to keep him in office beyond 2023 is just the height of evil thinking and bad politics taken too far.

“The public should discountenance that and focus on supporting a very genuine and transparent process that will lead to the emergence of our own choice leaders as Senators-elect when the 9th Senate unveils.”

16-Member Team Leaves For Tunisia For 2019 African Wrestling Championship

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

A 16-member Nigeria wrestling team, led by Commonwealth Games gold medalists – Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborududu, yesterday, Tuesday, left Nigeria aboard a Turkish Airline enroute Istanbul to Tunis where the 2019 African Wrestling Championship will be holding.

The team is made up of 16 wrestlers and five officials.

The list of the team which was released today, Wednesday, by the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), showed that eight-time African champion, Oborududu will be aiming for another record feat in Tunisia as she will be competing in the 68kg of the women’s freestyle.

Adekuoroye who is ranked fourth in the world in the women’s 57kg will also be in action.

Others include another Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Aminat Adeniyi who will compete in the 62kg.

Other members of the women’s team are Genesis Mercy (50kg), Nweke Rosemary (53kg), Kolawole Esther (55kg), Nwoye Ifeoma (59kg), Balogun Sunmisola (65kg), Hannah Reuben (72kg) and Onyebuchi Blessing (76kg).

The men’s team has Welson Ebikewenimo (57kg), Amas Daniel (65kg), Nworie Emmanuel (71kg), John Emmanuel (74kg), Agiomor Ekerekeme (79kg) and Bibo Melvin (86kg).

The team will be handled by the duo of Purity Akun and Victor Kodei, while the NWF President, Daniel Igali will lead the contingent to the North African nation today.

Igali made it clear that the team is poised to defend the title it won at the 2018 edition in Rivers State.

“We are going with full female team but we cannot afford to go there with the full team of the men’s team due to lack of fund. We are the defending champion in the female event while we are also the champion in the men’s event as we topped Egypt by three points at the last edition in Port Harcourt. I am sure we can retain our title in the female team but I know it is going to be tough particularly with the host team, Tunisia because they are also in good shape for now.”

The female team is expected to compete on March 30 while the men’s team will take to the mat on March 31.

Man Tells Court How N769.5 Million Was Paid Into His Account In 2014 For Doing Nothing

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

A software developer, Eyo Bassey Francis has told the Federal High Court in Lagos how the sum of N769.5million was transferred in tranches to his account by the former Executive Director of Projects in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli for doing nothing.

Francis, who is the first prosecution witness in Omatsuli’s money laundering trial, said the huge sum was not for any particular contract.

He said that he came in contact with Omatsuli in 2014 and told him that he ran an online platform, and that he did a lot of imports and was able to source for foreign currencies.

“He later called me on phone and told me that some money will be transferred to my account.

“I got initial sum of N80 million transferred into the Heritage Bank account of one of my companies, Asiladrrin Global Consulting Ltd.

“When the money was paid I converted it to dollars as directed by the first defendant (Omatsuli),” Francis said.

The witness said N340 million was also paid into his firm’s account in two tranches of N160 million and N180 million on Omatsuli’s instruction.

He said he also converted the money, which he said came from Starline Consultancy Services Ltd, into dollars and disbursed it as directed by Omatsuli.

“Sometimes in January 2015, I also got a call from the first defendant telling me that I will be getting a payment from a company known as Building Associates.

“I later got an inflow of N349, 650, 000 into the Heritage Bank account of my company, College-Pro Synergy Ltd.

“I was furnished with an account of a firm, Greenhouse Investment, owned by the Special Assistant on Finance to the then NDDC’s MD to which I transferred N100 million.

“The balance was converted to dollars as directed by Mr. Tuoyo,” the witness said.

Asked by prosecuting Counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho if he executed any contracts for the companies from which funds were transferred to him, he said: “I never had any contract with Starline Consultancy Services Ltd or business relationship with it.

“I never had any contract with Building Associates.”

Under cross-examination by Omatsuli’s lawyer Prof Amuda Kehinde (SAN), the witness said he did not transfer any money to the first defendant’s account.

“I don’t have any documents on the instructions the first defendant gave me,” he said.

Francis said he did not know what the money sent to his accounts was meant to be used for.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Omatsuli for allegedly receiving N3.6billion bribe from a contractor, Starline Consultancy Services.

He was charged with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu on 45 counts.

EFCC said Omatsuli of procured Momoh and Building Associates to utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy Services.

It accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of a total sum of N3, 645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification.”

The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned until April 11 for continuation of trial.

We’re Behind Saraki In His Effort To Liberate Nigeria From Draconian Rule – Kwara PDP

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

The Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its support behind the defeated Senate President in the February 23 election in his Senatorial area, Senator Bukola Saraki in what it called, ‘his effort to liberate, emancipate and free the country from draconian and autocratic rule.’

In a statement today, Wednesday, the State chairman of the party, Kola Shittu, assured Saraki, who is the outgoing Senate President, of the continued support of the party, saying that the party’s executive and members stand firmly behind him in all his struggles.

“All our party members across Kwara state are urged to remain steadfast and loyal to the party and should not allow the little setback of the outcome of the March 2019 general election discourage and or instill fear in them as the party’s leadership are making efforts at repositioning the party towards regaining her lost victory.”

Campaign For Nov Kogi Gubber Poll Begins, 17 Parties Adopt Son Of Late Prince Audu

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

Subtle campaign for the Lugard House, the seat of Kogi State government has began in the state as no fewer than 17 political parties are said to have adopted Mustapha Audu, the son of the late politician, Prince Abubakar Audu.

It has been confirmed that Mustapha Abubakar Audu will run for the governorship position of the State on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), as the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello gets set to run on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mustapha Audu has already rallied round the leadership of the 17 parties and assured them that he will work with them bring a new beginning to Kogi State.

He asked everyone to join the train to liberate the state.

“The race to Lugard House has begun. Today, we are bringing a new beginning; we are bringing something new. We are here to liberate the people of the state who are tired of hunger, starvation and suicide due to none payment of salaries.

“I urge every lover of freedom to brazen up for the journey of liberation about to take off.”

He called on party faithful to steer clear of violence as they go about their campaigns and that they should ensure that they protect their votes at the election, scheduled for November.

Prince Mustapha Audu is one of the sons of late Abubakar Audu, who died on the day of the last governorship election that was later declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Buhari Describes Jagaban As Strong Pillar Of Nigeria’s Democracy

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom in Niger state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s Democracy.

In a statement today, Wednesday to felicitate with Tinubu, who is the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), on his 67th birthday coming up tomorrow, March 29th, President Buhari admired his selflessness in serving his country, and making life better for many.
The President recalled some of the sacrifices of the party chieftain to include standing up against injustice in 1993 when the June 12 elections were annulled, which led to his going on political exile for many years, and a protracted legal battle with the Federal Government when funds for Lagos were withheld.
He said that Asiwaju’s uncompromising posture in the face of injustice and refusal to follow the path of least resistance for personal gains stand him out today as a rare breed and one of the cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy, especially with his track record of persistence, consistency and effective leadership.
Buhari said that Asiwaju Tinubu is the father of modern Lagos State, even as he commended him for his visionary and inclusive leadership style.
He acknowledged that Tinubu laid the foundation for a modern and technologically driven city, and ensured that every successive leader in the state sticks with the masterplan of a greater Lagos.
President Buhari rejoices with family members, friends, political and business associates of the Jagaban on this auspicious milestone, which is further brightened with the many successes recorded at the recently concluded polls by his strong leadership.
The President believes that the best years of the APC National Leader are still ahead, even as he prayed to God to grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country he loves so much.

3 Presidential Candidates Who Scored Less Than 10,000 Votes Challenge Buhari’s Re-election In Court

Editorial staff

March 27, 2019

President Buhari and his Vice Osinbajo receive Certificate of Return from INEC Chairman in Abuja on 27th Feb 2019

Three other presidential candidates whose combined total votes in the February 23 Presidential election in Nigeria were below 10,000, have gone to the Presidential Election petition Tribunal to challenge the re-election of Present Muhammadu Buhari.
The Presidential candidates are that of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP,) Chief Ambrose Owuru; Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM,) Aminchi Habu and Coalition for Change (C4C,) Geff Chizee Ojinka,. They asked the tribunal to invoke its powers and quash the declaration of President Buhari as the bonafide winner of the 2019 presidential election.
In their separate petitions, they alleged that the election was characterised by manifest irregularities, adding that the Electoral Act was not substantially complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
HDP’s Chief Ambrose Owuru, whose petition marked as CA/ PEPC/001/2019, cited the APC and the INEC as Respondents. His otal votes in the presidential election was 1,663.
Also, PDM’s Habu, in another petition registered as CA/PEPC/004/2019, equally challenged the outcome of the presidential poll.
Similarly, in its own petition marked CA/PEPC/003/2019, C4C and its presidential candidate, Ojinka, also urged the tribunal to nullify President Buhari’s election.
The C4C garnered a total of 2,391 votes at the presidential poll and cited the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as the 2nd Respondent in its case.
The Petitioners contend that the election was vitiated by substantial non compliance with mandatory statutory provisions, which irregularity substantially affected the election such that the 1st Respondent was not entitled to be returned as the Winner of the Presidential election.

Algeria’s Army Chief Threatens Ailing President Abdelaziz, Says He’s Unfit For Office

Editorial staff

March 26, 2019

The Algeria’s influential army chief, General Ahmed Gaid Salah, has threatened 82 year old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was struck by stroke and has been on wheel chair since 2013.

The army chief is set to declare the ailing President unfit for office, a move that could pave the way for the ailing leader’s ouster amid weeks of mass protests against his lengthy rule.

The declaration by General Ahmed, in a speech carried on state television, was the latest sign that Bouteflika’s core allies were increasingly seeing his departure as the way to solve Algeria’s biggest political crisis in decades.

Virtually every day, tens of thousands of protesters have marched in cities across this North African nation demanding that Bouteflika should step down.

General Ahmed said: “we must find a way out of this crisis immediately, within the constitutional framework.”

The army chief, who is among the most powerful men in Algeria, added: “the only guarantee for political stability” is to launch the constitutional process that would empower lawmakers to determine whether Bouteflika is fit to exercise the duties of the presidency.

The 82-year-old wheelchair-bound leader has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke and recently spent two weeks in a medical facility in Switzerland.

If the measure to declare him unfit is approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament, Bouteflika would be forced to step down. Then, the president of the Senate would take hold of the reins of government until elections are held.

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