EFCC Boss Vows To Bring Corrupt Nigerians Who Think They’re Above Law To Book

January 3, 2019

Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has made it clear that the Commission will bring to book, high ranking Nigerians who have always thought that thy are above the law in 2019.

“With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.”

Ibrahim Magu, who was speaking to officers today, Thursday in Lagos, said that Commission would continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

He insisted that the Commission would continue to be committed to carrying out its duties “in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the Law”.

He commended the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, even as he said that the Judiciary remains key to winning the corruption fight.

“Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the Judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018. Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”

He called for the unalloyed collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.

Air Force Releases Names Of 5 Officers Who Perished In Crashed Helicopter In Borno

Editorial staff

January 3, 2019

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has released the names of five military officers who died in a helicopter crash yesterday, Wednesday while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State.

In a statement today, Thursday, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola gave the names as Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – Pilot in Command; Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – Co-Pilot; Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim – Flight Technician; Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – Gunner and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – Gunner.

“These gallant fallen heroes made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our Fatherland, for which the NAF, and indeed the entire Nation, owes them an unending debt of gratitude.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the families of the 5 fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.

“The CAS was in Maiduguri today, 3 January 2019, to convey the condolences of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammed Buhari, to personnel of the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE over the unfortunate loss.

“While in Maiduguri, the CAS also received a condolence visit from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

“The NAF appreciates the overwhelming support shown by the general public to the Service over the sad incident. We continue to solicit your understanding and support as we daily strive to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Meanwhile, in a statement today, Thursday, the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that President Buhari expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, and relations of five people who lost their lives in a military helicopter crash January 2 in Damasak, Borno State.

President Buhari said that rather than dampen the morale of troops fighting insurgency in the North-east, the unfortunate development would rather bolster their resolve to completely eliminate all evildoers within the shortest possible time.

Why I Asked President To Declare State Of Emergency In My State – Zamfara Gov

Editorial staff

January 3, 2019

The Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has said that asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare state of emergency in his state to show that his concern has always been that there should be security irrespective of his personal feelings.

Governor Yari, who spoke to news men today, Thursday shortly after an audience with President Buhari explained that his called for a state of emergency was in support of some politicians who have been calling for the same, saying that he is ready to sacrifice his position as governor for the purpose of ensuring security for the people in the state.

The governor hoped that if the security agencies are serious, the insecurity in the state would soon be brought under control.

“There is no place being occupied by the armed bandits in Zamfara state. They live and operate in the forest. They strike and run. Most of the camps are known by locals.”

Buhari Challenges Women, Youths To Be Drivers Of Campaign For His Election

Editorial staff

January 3, 2019

President Buhari inaugurates APC Women and Youth Campaign Team at the State House on 3rd Dec 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged women and youths in Nigeria to stand up be the drivers of the ongoing campaign for his re-election in February this year for second term.

The President, who today, Thursday, inaugurated the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stressed that the action “shows the importance with which we view the role of women and youths as the backbone of the Nigerian electorate.

“As such, they should be the drivers of our campaign; more so, they are the major direct and indirect beneficiaries of our social investment programmes.”

The President, who charged the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team to reach out to all Nigerians door-to-door and remind them why his government needed another four years, however acknowledged that in the political struggles over the years, he had been enjoying the support from the same group of Nigerians.

“My association with you has been for very long and is characterized by loyalty to the cause of change.

“I am happy to tell you that we have made numerous landmark achievements and the CHANGE remains unshaken and continues until we return Nigeria on track to assume its rightful place among the comity of nations.”

President Buhari wants members of the team to accord him the same loyalty and support which they exhibited in 2015, even as he reminded Nigerians about the plans, the good work and achievements of his government.

“Tell the people why they should give us another four years. Our dream is to sustain CHANGE so that all systemic distortions can be corrected and we can enjoy the fruits of being Nigerians under the banner of freedom. It is also our hope that our unborn children will inherit a better nation.”

He commended the party men and women for their unwavering support and commitment, even as he appealed to them to redouble their efforts and re-elect him in February, “so that they can witness the next level of CHANGE.

“To all Nigerians, I appreciate your love and support. I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015. Please do not be distracted, our country is on course.”

Hanza Abdullahi: Nigeria Has Lost Disciplined, Focus Military Officer – Buhari

Editorial staff

January 3, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the former Governor of Kano State, Air Vice Marshal Hamza Abdullahi, who died today at the age of 74 as a disciplined and focus military officer.

According to the President in a condolence message today, Thursday, issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the late military officer was fully committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

The condolence message which was directed to the government and people of Jigawa State, late Hamza Abdullahi was one of those who worked assiduously to ensure successful movement of the nation’s capital city from Lagos to Abuja.

Buhari stressed that the sacrifices and good heartedness of the former governor will always be remembered, most remarkably in revitalizing the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPE) for women and children in Kano State.

The President Buhari then consoled the family, friends and Hadejiya community members over the death of Hamza Abdullahi, who also served the country as Minister of Works and Housing, and Minister of Federal Capital Territory.

Hamza Abdullahi, who hails from Hadejia in Jigawa state, died in a German hospital after suffering from a brief illness. He was born on March 2 1945 and died at the age of 74 years.

He was survived by three wives and many children.

Student Union Describes ASUU As Selfish, Hypocritical

Editorial staff

January 2, 2019

ASUU National President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has described the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a selfish and hypocritical union.

NANS said that while SUU is agitating for funds for infrastructure development in Nigerian universities, its primary motive for the industrial action is the payment of members earned allowances.

The student union’s President, Comrade Danielson Akpan, in an interview, argued that on several occasions when the Federal Government permitted the students’ union to attend the negotiation meetings it had with ASUU, the leadership of ASUU rejected it.

According to him, if there is nothing ASUU is hiding from the students’ union, why would it on two occasions, reject their representatives.

“ASUU said they are fighting for the students and at the same time denied students’ union representatives access to the negotiation meeting to contribute to the discussion or even act as observers.

“It is only in Nigeria that you have education sector sold into strike as it were, without recourse to the students; without giving a thought to the challenges it brings to the sector. Our people fail to understand that incessant strike reduces the quality of education.

“How do you expect a student that has been at home for two months to be able to cope with academics? People study, knowing that there are lectures, assignments and may be in preparation for examinations.”

To the government, Akpan said: “the government cannot constantly reach agreement and floor the agreement, it is unacceptable.

“However, when these two interests begin to clash, it is the students that suffer and of course, the parents. You will agree with me that the parents have spent more within the past few months in taking care of their wards and their children.

“Of what benefit is this strike to our system? If we say it is because of poor funding of the sector, strike has been on for at least two decades and has not in any way improved the system.”

Source: Vanguard

Boko Haram: Buhari Dispatches Defence Minister On Fact-Finding To Maiduguri, Chad

Editorial staff

January 2, 2019

Defence minister Dan Ali addressing Journalists

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali on fact-finding mission to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and the neighbouring Republic of Chad.

The Presidential directive came following the recent attacks in parts of Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

The minister, who spoke to news men today after a two-hour crucial closed door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Military Command and Control Centre, said: “I am here on the instruction of Mr. President, to come and see the happenings in the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafia Dole.

“I have been briefed by the Commander and the Chief of Army Staff. I am here to know what is expected, what the president should do to make things work and I have been briefed.

“So, I will take home all the briefings by each and every of the commanders here.”

Dan-Ali, who also left for the Republic of Chad after the meeting, expected to hold a meeting with his Chadian counterpart in view of recent attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists on areas bordering Chad and Nigeria.

The officers at the meeting with the minister were the Chief of Training and Operations, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters and Theatre Commander, Operation Lafia Dole, Major General Benson Akinroluyo; senior Officers in charge of the Air Force and Navy components of the operations, as well as some field commanders.

It Is Not Correct To Say Our Embassy In Nigeria Is Closed – US

Editorial staff

January 2, 2019

The U.S Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General Office in Lagos have made it clear that they have not closed down for normal diplomatic duties to Nigerians.

A statement today, Wednesday, from the Information Office of the Public Affairs Section, Abuja, for the USCG Lagos Information Section, said that speculations of alleged closure of the embassy in Abuja and consular office in Lagos were incorrect.

The statement stressed that normal services at the Consular Sections were ongoing, saying however: “American Centers and Education USA offices operating on embassy and consulate grounds that are managed by Mission Public Affairs Sections will remain closed throughout the shutdown.

“American Spaces, such as American Corners operated by partner institutions and located off embassy or consulate grounds, however, will remain open,’’ the USCG Lagos Information Section says.

PDP Alleges Plot To Rig 2019 Elections; INEC Says It’s A Lie

Editorial staff

January 2, 2019

Nigeria’s main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has again raised alarm over plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the 2019 general elections even as the Independent National Electoral Commission said that it is a lie.

The PDP in a statement by its Director of media and publicity for the Presidential Campaign Organization alleged that APC and the Presidency are mounting pressure on the election arbiter to drop the display of results at the polling units as well as the electronic transmission of polling figures to INEC server from its electoral guidelines.

In quick response, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the allegations that it was plotting to compromise the electoral guidelines to pave way for the alteration of 2019 general elections results, and asked the party to provide the evidence in its possession to prove the allegations.

The PDP said in its statement today that the APC and Buhari Presidency are mounting pressure on INEC to drop the requirements so as to pave way for their planned alteration of results and allocation of fictitious figures to President Buhari during the collation process.

“The Buhari Presidency is desperate to remove these requirements because the display of results at the polling units ensures that results posted at all levels remain those originally announced at the various polling units, while the electronic transmission to INEC server ensures that the results from the polling centres are not tampered with.”

INEC insisted that the PDP should either provide evidence of its allegation: “otherwise, the PDP should cure itself of this recurring hallucination which I am sure Nigerians no longer buy. Certainly, INEC is not into the rigging business.”

Source: NAN.

Katsina Gov Rises To Tackle Rising Armed Robbery, Kidnapping Cases

Editorial staff

January 2, 2019

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has risen to tackle the rising insecurity with bandits robbing and kidnapping people across the state.

The governor, in an extra-ordinary security meeting he held with stakeholders in Katsina today, Wednesday, lamented that the citizens are on daily basis being harassed by bandits and kidnappers that are on rampage in the state.

“The Katsina Government organised this one-day joint security and stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the state’s current insecurity challenge.

“Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers, kidnappers and armed bandits who arrest rural people at the grassroots at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, they kill their victims.

“The people of Katsina in the 34 local governments now sleep with one eye closed and the other opened.

“Our state is in a dangerous situation. Travelers are afraid of being stopped on the highway and arrested by kidnappers who demand ransom.”

Governor Masari said that the situation is so bad that some thieves stole some electrical equipment near the Government House at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Katsina.

“I am calling on all stakeholders to come out with solutions that will assist the security agencies to discharge their duties.”

The governor urged the stakeholders not hide any criminal, and reveal vital information about criminals during the meeting.

“This time around, we should be able to make sacrifices that will make our state safe and will allow people to go about their lawful business without fear of being arrested by armed bandits and kidnappers.”

Soldiers, the Police, Department of Security Service (DSS) and other security outfits and traditional rulers attended the meeting.

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