CBN Bitter Over Media Allegation Faceless Agents Guzzling N32 Billion

February 4, 2019

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed bitterness over a report by a Nigerian medium, the BusinessDay newspaper alleging that faceless agents have been pocketing over N32bn annually in the apex bank’s financial system.

The management of the CB in a statement by the apex bank’s director of Corporate communications, Isaac Okorafor, described the report in its entirety as false, saying that report is unfounded and untrue.

The statement which challenged BusinessDay to provide the names and also verifiable evidence of collusion between the so-called faceless agents and officials of the CBN, who are working to perpetuate these so called Fx racket schemes.

“We would also urge the management of BusinessDay to contact the CBN prior to making such spurious allegations, as we were denied the benefit of responding to this article.

“The CBN wishes to remind BusinessDay, as most financial observers have noted, that the Fx rates across various markets governed and regulated by the CBN, have been converging, leaving no room for arbitrage opportunities in Nigeria’s Fx market.

“For avoidance of doubt, the CBN will continue to act in the best interest of Nigeria and shall ensure it remains focused on its core mandate of sustaining the stability in the FX market.”

Buhari Educates Atiku On What Is Corruption

Editorial staff

February 4, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has provided a list of what constitutes corruption, as against what the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar had earlier provided.

President Buhari used the opportunity of the swearing in of the Chairman and Members of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Board said: “the abuse of public office for private gain represents corruption in its worst form. The circumvention of public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit is another form of corruption.

“The abuse of public office for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs is also corruption. The diversion of State revenue or miss-application of budgeted funds falls into the same category.”

The President lamented the damage which unbridled corruption has inflicted on the nation’s development aspirations. According to the President, apart from deliberate and wanton looting of the national wealth and common patrimony, corruption has eroded the nation’s values and ethical foundation as a nation.

Buhari regretted that corruption has negatively affected the country’s political, economic and social life, adding that those who are opposed to the fight against corruption berated his government for its focus, determination and single mindedness. “They pretend that they do not know what corruption is. But Nigerians know what corruption is. Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it.”

President Buhari expressed satisfaction with the ICPC law which he said is robust enough to assist government to sanitize the public sector of corruption in service delivery, public procurement, diversion of public revenue, deliberate misuse of public funds, and so on.

He said that despite the anti-corruption drive of his government, some agencies of government still divert or refuse to fully account for revenue generated.

“Rather than obey constitutional provisions and extant rules and regulations, such agencies continue as if nothing has changed.

“We are determined to ensure that every agency of government account for public revenue generated or expended. I am looking forward to ICPC’s support both for enforcement of anti-corruption laws and submission of policy measures and directives to prevent revenue leakage and diversion.

“In this regard, I urge you to collaborate with other government agencies such as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation towards mitigating wrong-doing in public expenditure. Furthermore, I look forward to receiving anti-corruption recommendations linked to e-Government standards and principles.

“ As the old saying goes – “Prevention is better than cure”. Your statutory mandate recognizes this principle. Therefore, I encourage you to come up with strong preventive policy measures and strategies for government’s endorsement to take us to the NEXT LEVEL in the fight against corruption. I am aware that the ICPC laws empowers you to make proposals to assist government in this fight.

“Just about a month ago, I opened your Corruption Risk Assessment training for anti-corruption agencies in Africa. That initiative, in support of my role as the AU anti-corruption champion is welcome, and I Iook forward to seeing ICPC distinguish itself as a leading institution in Africa in building capacity to conduct and implement corruption risk assessments.

“But charity must begin at home. Therefore, your skills and expertise must be demonstrated in identifying MDAs highly prone to corruption and what must be done to bring about better governance.

“I am also aware that you have set up Anti-Corruption Transparency Unit in Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This is an important step towards corruption prevention and ensuring full compliance with government’s anti-corruption measures and our laws.

“I encourage you to make effective use of our ACTU in MDAs by receiving reports directly from such Units and taking enforcement measures to assist government realize its objectives of a cleaner public service.”

How America Temporary Suspends Travel Ban On Atiku Till After 2019 Poll

Editorial staff

February 4, 2019

Nigerian presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar visited Washington two weeks ago to meet with top U.S. diplomats and lawmakers thanks to a temporary suspension of a travel ban linked to decade-old bribery scandals, according to people familiar with the matter.

The U.S. administration has not commented on Atiku’s status or his travel, but several U.S. diplomats and others familiar with the visit told Reuters that the former vice president has been banned from entering the United States for the past several years after he figured prominently in two corruption cases.

For Atiku’s supporters, the fact that he was able to visit Washington on January 17 and 18 without being arrested was proof that the allegations were baseless.

“It is fake news, and we showed that,” said Harold Molokwu, who heads the U.S. chapter of Atiku’s People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria.

Several U.S. government officials said the travel ban was waived temporarily by the U.S. State Department after lobbyists mounted a campaign among congressional lawmakers arguing that the administration should not snub the leading challenger to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 16 election.

One person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Atiku was allowed to enter because the United States saw little benefit to creating bad blood with the man who might be the next leader of Africa’s most populous nation and the continent’s biggest oil producer.

Lobbyists hired by Atiku said they sought to overcome resistance at the State Department by securing support from members of Congress for the visit, as well as arguing that the top U.S. official for African affairs, Assistant Secretary Tibor Nagy, had an obligation to encourage democracy in the seventh most populous country in the world.

“Assistant Secretary Nagy was pleased to meet with him and share the U.S. government’s expectations that Nigeria’s elections be free, fair, transparent, and peaceful, and reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” a State Department official said, stressing the department had not requested the waiver.

Buhari first took power in a military coup in the 1980s but was democratically elected in 2015. He is seeking a second term in part on an anti-corruption platform.

Atiku’s visa troubles stem from when he served as Nigeria’s vice president, from 1999 to 2007.

He figured prominently in the corruption trial of former U.S. Representative William Jefferson, who was accused of trying to bribe Atiku in an effort to expand a technology business in Nigeria. Jefferson was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to 13 years in prison. His sentence was subsequently reduced.

Separately U.S. Senate investigators in 2010 alleged that one of Atiku’s four wives helped him transfer more than $40 million in “suspect funds” into the United States from offshore shell companies.

At least $1.7 million of that money was bribes paid by German technology company Siemens AG, according to Senate investigators. Siemens pleaded guilty to bribery charges in 2008 and agreed to pay a $1.6 billion fine.

Atiku has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Neither he nor his wife face criminal charges in the United States.

“These issues have been addressed several times in the past and we do not wish to comment further on them,” a spokesman for Atiku said when asked about the corruption allegations.

Atiku’s whirlwind visit to Washington last month was put together with the help of two U.S. lobbying firms.

Holland & Knight was hired by Atiku personally in December to help him secure a visa, in part by enlisting members of Congress to request one on his behalf, according to a lobbyist for the firm. It has been paid $80,000 so far.

Ballard Partners was hired by Atiku’s political party at a rate of $90,000 per month in September, before Atiku emerged as the party’s candidate, according to U.S. disclosure filings.

The firm’s lobbyists worked to set up a meeting with Nagy, arguing it would show that the United States wanted to encourage free and fair elections in a country where graft is endemic.

“We are not asking the administration or anyone to take sides, but to merely demand the same level of freeness and fairness,” Ballard lobbyist Jamie Rubin told Reuters.

Aside from Nagy, Atiku met with business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and at least two Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives who specialize in foreign affairs, Representative Michael McCaul of Texas and Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.

Neither requested a visa waiver for Atiku, spokespeople for the two congressmen said.

Atiku stayed at the Trump International Hotel, owned by the president, and met with several hundred Nigerian expatriates there, according to two people who attended the gathering.

The luxury hotel is the subject of several lawsuits that allege Trump is violating an anti-corruption clause in the U.S. Constitution that limits the president’s ability to accept gifts from foreign governments.

Atiku’s supporters say they chose the hotel because they were able to book rooms at a discounted rate with only a few days’ notice.

“I think it was because of the availability of the space,” said Uche Udemadu, an official with the U.S. chapter of the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria.

A spokeswoman for the hotel declined to comment.

Source: Reuters

My Death’ll Have Been A Breaking News, Vice President Osinbajo Imagines

Editorial staff

February 3, 2019

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has imagined how his death in a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi State, would have been a breaking news in local and international media but that God did not allow such to happen.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke during a thanksgiving service, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of Grace, Lokoja, Kogi State said that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and other occupants of the helicopter that crashed.

“Only God can take the glory for saving my life and that of the nine crew members on aboard. No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine crew on board.

“God is the one who can do all things, and only him can take the glory; we return the glory back to him. We are here to say thank you, thank you Jesus. We bless his name forever and ever.”

He prayed to God to bless all the people that showed concern when they heard the news of the crash in the state, the nation and the world at large.

“All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one,” Osinbajo said.

Earlier, in a live telecast from the RCCG HQ, Lagos, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, asked the congregation to rise and give glory to God for saving the life of Osinbajo in the crash.

According to Adeboye, the devil wanted to take the life of the vice president but God put the devil to shame.

He asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the VP and all the people aboard, for his supernatural protection, saying Nigeria would not mourn.

In his sermon entitled: “Carriers of Glory,” Adeboye, said for anybody to carry glory he must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

Taking his lesson from the Bible in the book of Matthew 5: 14- 15, he said: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

“As a carrier of glory, anywhere you arrive the darkness will automatically dissapper.

“When God begins to use you, the glory belongs to God, so you must learn to always give glory to God.

“Do not take the glory to yourself because it is not yours, it belongs to God.”

Buhari To Osinbajo After Crash: I’m Proud Of Our Partnership In Service Of Nigeria

Editorial staff

February 3, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the relationship between him and his number two man, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who despite the helicopter crash yesterday in Kabba, Kogi State which he survived still concinued with the campaign engagement in the state.

“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.”

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari praised Osinbajo for continuing with his campaign activities despite the crash.

Buhari said that it takes tenacious spirit and amazing spiritual strength to survive a helicopter crash “without being paralysed by its impact.

“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 engagement, despite the shock of the crash.”

Those Who Endorsed Atiku Are Attracted By Cash – Keyamo

Editorial staff

February 3, 2019

The spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Campaign Organization, Festus Keyamo has said that the five socio-cultural groups which endorsed the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar have been attracted by cash flow.

“In the past, it used to be that some of these individuals have used the names of these groups and platforms to purport to represent their people and as such enjoyed huge government patronage. The proceeds of this patronage have never trickled down to their people they purport to represent but ended up in their pockets and benefitted only their immediate families. This is in perfect tune with the campaign promise of Atiku Abubakar to enrich only his friends. Therefore, like bees and honey, these people and Atiku Abubakar are attracted to themselves.

In a statement today, Sunday, in reaction to the endorsement, Keyamo said that there is no fraud bigger than that of known PDP members and/or hardened PDP sympathizers wearing the apparel of socio-cultural groups, purporting to represent entire regions and endorsing their own political party.

He said that the impression given through such endorsements is that PDP is expanding its support base an attempt to deceive Nigerians, saying that these are groups that supported PDP in 2015 and lost the election along with PDP.

“Therefore, their excuse that they are supporting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar because of the bogey called ‘restructuring’ is nothing but a subterfuge. In any case, Ohaneze had said in its earlier release that the first reason they are endorsing Atiku Abubakar is that his running mate is an Ibo man.

“Unfortunately for them, President Muhammadu Buhari has managed to navigate his way directly to the masses who they purport to represent and is ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach the people directly. Their annoyance is that they have been eliminated as middlemen. That is why the bond between the masses and President Muhammadu Buhari continue to grow on a daily basis.

“The curious question we ask is that, where were these social-cultural groups all these years when the PDP squandered our resources and failed to develop critical infrastructure in their respective regions? Are they saying that they are satisfied with the level of developments of infrastructure in their respective regions during the 16 years of PDP rule? Where is the outrage of these socio-cultural groups as the Buhari administration has so far recovered from PDP members and their allies a total of nearly N800billion, 407 mansions, 259 automobiles, farmlands, filling stations, etc – all belonging to the Nigerian people? Where is their outrage? Instead they are endorsing these same set of people who perpetrated this evil against the Nigerian people.”

Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders, Pan-Niger Delta, Middle Belt Forums Endorse Atiku

Editorial staff

February 3, 2019

Five pan-Nigerian socio cultural groups, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and Middle Belt Forum have collectively endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Receiving the leaders of the groups in Abuja, Atiku said: “I am moved to tears that in the midst of deep divisions and deliberate use of instrumentalities of state to set our people against themselves in the last three and a half years, responsible and respected leaders across Nigeria have agreed to come together for the purpose of endorsing my candidature for the February 16th,2019 Presidential elections.”
The PDP flag bearer said that the endorsement by what he called “the leading lights of our nationalities” is a loud statement that there is hope for the country as it goes to the polls in a few days.
“Today we put aside all our prejudices to elect a President with religion and ethnicity playing no role in our elections.
“I profusely thank our Leaders across the country who have created this wonderful moment for
us to come to the table of brotherhood. Once again, and in the words of our old National Anthem, we can proudly sing: “Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand”
“This has buoyed me to lead a Pan-Nigerian team that will give practical interpretation to what has been done by the time I take leadership of our country, by the grace of Allah, on May 29, 2019.
Many countries of the world have been led into disintegration by strongmen (one in each country) and we have seen how individuals who understand the management of diversities have rallied their people for unity.
“I have been chosen to unite our people and exactly that I will.
“I will run a properly federated Nigeria through constitutional reforms to bring out the best from ALL sections of Nigeria to make Nigeria work again like in the past when the Saudi Royal family came to Nigeria to access Medicare.
“We will promote an inclusive Nigeria based on productivity that every section of Nigeria will bring out the best under their soil, and in their brain to make Nigeria assume its position in Africa and the global community.
“It would be 100% for every section of Nigeria as I would not understand any arithmetic outside that.
I enjoin our people across Nigeria to come out en-mass to vote on February 16 to pull our country from the brink and propel it to greater heights so we can live a better life.
Take my words as a covenant with Nigeria.”

Impeachment Threat On Gov Ambode: Asiwaju Tinubu Intervenes

Editorial staff

February 3, 2019

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the move by the Lagos State House of Assembly to impeach the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Asiwaju, according to his spokesman, Tunde Rahma, rallied round the APC stateholders in the state, including Lagos central Senatorial Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, his deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Adebute, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, his Deputy, Hon. Wasiu Esinlokun to resolve the logjam.

The APC Chieftain, at a meeting held today, Sunday at Marina, Lagos, said that the meeting was held on behalf of entire Lagosians.

He recalled that in the last one week or so, there has been some talk about a conflict between the Executive and the Legislature in Lagos, saying: “this is of great concern to us.

“We looked at the source of the conflict, which is normal in a democracy, and that is why there are also conflict-resolution mechanisms. We examined the grievances on both sides. As leaders, we also looked into areas where there has to be compromise. In order to build institutions and encourage consensus-building, we have to do what is right.

“There is no impeachment. Let there be more communication and consensus-building and understanding. All these are inbuilt in the democratic system.

“We thank the Speaker and the leadership of the House. We thank the Governor and the Deputy Governor. They have all demonstrated respect for the party leadership in Lagos. You know when Lagos sneezes, other areas catch cold. We are happy that we are able to resolve the conflict and things will start moving well going forward.”

Responding, one of the leaders of the party in the state, Prince Tajudeen Olusi said that Asiwaju Tinubu’s stand had confirmed the decisions that had earlier reached.

He admitted that conflict is an institutional part of the governance, advising the Executive and Legislature to work together.

“We have reached a decision that they must work together amicably. And very soon, both the Legislature and the Executive must resolve the grey areas in their relationship.”

Ohinoyi To Osinbajo: Thank God For Surviving Crash

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2019

The Ohinoyi (first class chief) of Ebiraland in Kogi State, Alhaji Dr. Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim seems whispering prayer to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over his survival of helicopter crash at Kabba, Kogi State. Osinbajo was in the palace of Ohinoyi as he arrived Okene to continue his town hall meeting with stakeholders in the area.

Anti-Corruption Fight: Nigeria Needs God’s Guidance, Prayers – Buhari

Editorial staff

February 2, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari says fighting corruption needs God’s guidance and prayers as he pledged to redouble his administration’s efforts toward promoting peace and prosperity, and to fight corruption to a standstill.

The president made the pledge when he met with members of Jigawa State Council of Traditional Rulers at the government house, Dutse.

Buhari, who spoke in Hausa language, said his first attempt to fight corruptionwhen he was Head of State was unsuccessful because corruption fought back and he ended in jail for over three years.

He, however, stated that as a civilian president he had studied the system and hence the ongoing crusade against corruption would continue to yield fruitful results as property and monies recovered from looters would be deposited into the nation’s treasury.

“When I was fighting corruption as head of state, they said I was in a hurry to wipe out corruption in the society, and I ended up in jail for over three years. “Now, that due process is being followed in the fight against corruption they are complaining that I’m too slow. “Before, they said I was in a haste, now they are saying I’m slow – even calling me “Baba Go Slow’’.

“You can see, governing Nigeria needs God’s guidance and payers.
“Let me assure that I will not relent in the fight against corruption and I want to use this opportunity to thank you for your continuous prayers,’’ he said.

Buhari thanked the traditional rulers for their support and prayers for the government and Nigeria, and promised that the APC-led government would continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at uplifting the standard of living of all citizens.

On agriculture, the president commended the governors of Lagos, Kebbi, Ebonyi and Jigawa states for embarking on various agricultural programmes aimed at making the country self-sufficient in food production.

He pledged that the federal government would continue to provide agricultural loans as well as inputs to farmers at lower rates to boost food production.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Jigawa Council of Traditional Rulers and Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the Buhari administration in the last three and half years.

He pledged that members of the state traditional council would continue to pray for the government and for peace and stability in the country.

The Emir, however, enjoined the government to create more job opportunities for unemployed youths as a way of addressing social unrest in the society.

Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, who also spoke at the event, lauded the president for making Jigawa one of the best performing states in agricultural activities in the country.(NAN)

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