2019 UTME: JAMB Begins Sale Of Form January 3

December 20, 2018

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced January 3, 2019 as the commencement date for the sale of forms for the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Jamb said that the registration window would be open for six weeks for prospective candidates.

The Board also said that it will discontinue the use of cyber cafes for registration of candidates beginning from the next examinations in 2019.

This was announced today, Tuesday by JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during his meeting with proprietors of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres at the University of Lagos.

“We are no longer going to allow the cyber cafes to do the registration exercise for prospective candidates because they are extorting candidates and overcharging them.

“They also do services they do not have the capacity to do, coupled with the fact that there was no way of tracking them because they were not registered.

“Another major reason is the mix-up they create on the data of the candidates. Some will just ask the candidates to write their names and other details down for them.

“On accumulating such data, they now get all of them mixed-up, thereby creating problems for these candidates.

“We know there will be uproar because they make a lot of illegitimate money from these services, but we cannot leave the candidates at their mercy.

“Particularly when people will make noise that it is JAMB that was extorting them.”

Professor Oloyede said that JAMB has so far accredited 718 centres where prospective candidates can walk in to do their registrations.

He said that the 2019 general elections would not hinder the sale of UTME forms as the board had adjusted its examination schedule ahead of the election.

“We thank INEC for giving us an early notice and so, it is expected that the exercise will be hitch-free.”

The JAMB Registrar also revealed that officials of the agency would be visiting the United Kingdom next week to see what ways the body can use technology to have smooth conduct of examinations at its centres for visually impaired candidates.

“Next week, some of our officials will be in the United Kingdom where all the assessment bodies, who are attending to the blind, will meet.

“They will meet with a view to finding the best technology to use for these special candidates at a better price, because of the exchange rate.

“However, those with Braille machines, they are available; we will give them and those who do not have, we want to encourage them, whatever best method available to us, we will deploy because we want to be as inclusive as possible.

“That is also why we have set up a committee of experts under Prof. Peter Okebukola, to look for all-inclusive methods to be able to attend and bend it to suit the purposes of all these peculiar candidates.”

He warned CBT proprietors the Board will not tolerate JAMB-related materials at their various centres, saying “JAMB will continue to partner with you, empower good CBT centres to do things properly, as all essential services will henceforth be done by our good CBT centres.

“But to whom much is given, much is expected and so as we restrict services to you, you will be rewarded accordingly.

“But that does not stop there, as we will also beam our searchlight by tracking you also, to ensure that you remain in the right track.

“Do not pack up your centres and convert it to another thing, after the UTME, because we can come at any time for inspection.”

Ex Gov Kwakwaso’s Political Allies Dump Him In PDP, Return To APC In Kano

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

President Buhari with L-R: Alh, Aminu Dabo, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, Gen Danjuma Danbazau, Sen ISA Zarewa and Engr Mu’azu Magaji as he meets with Former APC Members who are on their way back to the Party in State House on 19th Dec 2018

Many political allies of the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who followed him to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have returned to APC.

They include the former Kano State deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar; former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Architect Aminu Dabo; the immediate past National Treasurer of the PDP, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa; Security Adviser to Kwankwaso, retired General Danjuma Dambazau; Engineer Mu’azu Magaji, Senator Isa Zarewa who left in protest against the last APC primaries, and others.

The returnees, who were led to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Vila, Abuja, today, Thursday, by the Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru, assured the President that they are ready to work with everyone to record yet another historic victory in the 2019 general elections.

President Buhari, who received them back into the APC fold, called on stakeholders in the APC all over the country to work for genuine reconciliation “for the benefit of our people and our nation.”

President Buhari said that the party is large enough to accommodate everyone and promised to speak to the leadership of the party and government in Kano to accommodate and work with the returnees.

President Buhari Warns Police Against Torture, Extra-Judicial Killings

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

President Buhari presents Award to the Best Female Cadet Evangeline Babuba during the Passing Out Parade Ceremony of the 1st Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy in Kano State on 20th Dec 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned men and officers of the Nigeria police against trture, extra judicial killings and other acts which tend to bring the community in conflict with them.

The President stressed that unprofessional conducts such as illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, torture and violation of fundamental human rights are not acceptable and must be avoided by the Police at all times.

President Buhari, who addressed the convocation and passing out parade of 602 graduands of the First Regular Cadet Course at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State today, Thursday, said: “we must abide by the constitutional code of conduct in policing our people.

”The Police in its efforts to fight crime must work in partnership with the community. You cannot properly police the people without their consent.”

President Buhari used the occasion to remind police officers to shun corruption and resist all temptations that impede the integrity and professionalism of the Force.

”It is appropriate to warn you as Police Officers not to see yourselves as being above the Law. You must be above board and resist all temptations. Be contented with your salaries and allowances.

”The Government recently increased your general emoluments to make you more efficient and effective in the discharge of your duties. With this increase in your salaries, you have less reason to fall into temptations of financial or other inducements.

”Let me again reiterate that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption is the major reason why the Nigerian economy has not developed at the rate of other comparable countries.

”If we must develop and reap the fruits of our democratic dispensation we must shun corruption at all levels. It is, therefore, your responsibilities and other anti-corruption agencies to kill corruption before Corruption overtakes Nigeria.”

The President commended the police for the successes it has recorded in the fight against various aspects of crime in the country, even as he acknowledged that they had worked closely with the military in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East.

”I am aware that you have just deployed over 2000 Police Officers including Special Forces to the North East to support the efforts of the Military.

”The success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East cannot be related without mentioning the support you are giving to the Military. The group is no longer occupying any Nigerian Territory as it used to before the advent of this administration.

”The recent attacks by the Boko Haram group can be likened to attempts of defeated insurgents to re-organize its ragtag and scattered individuals. This, however, will not be possible as adequate strategic plans have been put in place in conjunction with our neighbouring countries to completely wipe out the group.”

On the 2019 elections, President Buhari reiterated that it is the duty of the police, supported by other security agencies to adequately secure the elections.

“You must do everything possible to make the election violence free to avoid ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying on sites, attack on electoral officers and other acts which might negatively impact on the elections and their outcome, ” the President said at the event attended by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other senior police officers.

“The elections must be conducted in a violence free environment for it to be adjudged credible, free and fair in the eyes of both local and international observers.”

The President pledged that his administration will continue to do all that is possible to make the Nigeria Police efficient and responsive to the security needs of the country by providing the necessary assistance to make its operations technology based.

Buhari congratulated the graduands on successfully completing the five years training programme in the institution, and enjoined the new officers to be courageous, brave and determined in the fight against all forms of crime in the country.

The President is happy that he is the first serving President to witness the passing out parade of the first batch of Nigeria Police Academy Cadet Officers.

“You should consider yourselves privileged, not only for being able to complete the course but for being adjudged worthy in character, fitness and in learning to pass out as Cadet Assistants Superintendents in the Nigeria Police Force.”

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a sword of honour to the best graduating Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shuaibu Aminu by the President.

He also presented an award to the best female graduating Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Evangeline Babuba.

Court Stops NASS Workers From Continuing With Strike

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

National Industrial Court of Nigeria has directed the striking National Assembly under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), to suspend their strike which they embarked on to demand the payment of the accumulated allowances.

The workers have been jointly dragged to court by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

In a ruling today, on the Order of interim injunction issued through suit number NICN/ABJ/360/2018, Justice Sanusi Kado directed the leadership of PASAN and their agents to refrain from proceeding on strike.

Saraki and Dogara, had, in their motion ex parte, filed on December 18, sought the order of the court to restrain PASAN members from proceeding on strike pending the determination of the motion on notice before it. The motion on notice was deposed to by a legal practitioner in the office of the Senate President, Sambo Ndahi.

PASAN had, on Monday, embarked on a four-day warning strike over unpaid allowances to the tune of N2.7bn.

PASAN members were stopped from gaining access to the National Assembly on Wednesday when President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2019 appropriation bill.

Punch

2019: Allied Peoples Movement Adopts Buhari As Its Presidential Candidate

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

The Allied Peoples Movement has adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate.

The National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, at the launch of the party’s campaign in Ogun State today, Thursday, presented the party’s flag for the number one office to Buhari, who is also the All Progressives Congress presidential (APC) candidate.

Alhaji Yusuf Dantelle, while presenting the flag to Buhari, who was represented by the APM governorship candidate in the state, Adekunle Akinlade, congratulated the people of Ogun State for standing against injustice.

“I congratulate you not just for handing over the flag to the next governor of the state, but for standing up to claim what is your own, for standing for freedom and for standing for the emancipation of your land.

“On behalf of the APM family and the people of Ogun State, Baba is the next president of Nigeria. This flag is for Baba, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“With the mandate of the entire APM family, this flag signifies the adoption of President Buhari as the presidential candidate of Ogun State and Nigeria.”

Akinlade, in his response, thanked the APM chairman and assured him that he would deliver the flag to the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress and the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, “to pass it on to Mr. President that our great party, APM in Ogun State, has adopted him as our presidential flag bearer.”

Source: Punch

Presidency Faults Report Of Amnesty International On Herders, Farmers Conflict

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

The Nigerian Presidency has faulted Amnesty International’s report on the conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria which it said has put to question the validity of the Amnesty’s evidence-gathering.

In a statement today, Thursday, explaining some points, the senior special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that Amnesty International got some of its facts wrong.

“It is not correct to state in any way that the problem between farmers and herders is a new thing over the last three years. It has been happening for over 100 years. Colonial Powers Britain and France had regularly recorded these conflicts which are available in Archives.

“It is equally untrue that government has done nothing. Alleged human rights abuses have been investigated. Clashes have been reduced through government’s actions.

“This progress is due to the strong determination of the administration to punish rights violators no matter who they are, including the military through Orderly Room trials, Court Martials and the regular courts.

“This administration has given absolute freedom to the National Human Rights Commission and set an important record by paying compensation to the victims of the rights abuses. The Apo Six, for instance, had received compensation to the tune of N135 million. Just a few months back, the President signed the law against torture.

“In an interim report in October this year, the International Criminal Court, ICC, stated that:

“The Nigerian authorities appear to have taken concrete steps in fulfilling their primary responsibility of investigating and prosecuting ICC crimes. While there seem to be a tangible prospect of further proceedings against members of Boko Haram including high level commanders, at this time, the same cannot be said of NSF in particular since the Nigerian authorities deny any allegations against the latter.”

“Every country experiencing any level of insecurity or insurgency either as a matter of external aggression, or even more sensitively, internal conflict is confronted with complex and sensitive issues. Nigeria is no exception.

“The government is very much concerned about the sad and unfortunate loss of lives and properties, and the collateral broken/threatened communal relationships and societal mutual trust occasioned by attacks our nation has experienced.

“As a nation, we remain unrelenting in securing our country, and restoring peace in troubled areas. Although the complications that attend internal conflicts are present in Nigeria, the courage to confront both the conflicts and their complexities remain a matter of priority to this Administration.

“Indeed, reputable global organizations have recognized that the efforts of our security forces, who work tirelessly to secure our communities, are yielding results. An example of this is the recently published Global Terrorism Index Report, 2018, which acknowledged the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, stating that:

“Total deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 1,532 in 2017, a decrease of 16 per cent from the prior year. The decline follows the 63 per cent drop in deaths in Nigeria in the preceding year, and a 34 per cent drop in 2015. This highlights the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken in Nigeria and its neighbours, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.”

“Curiously, the Amnesty International report “Harvest of Death: three years of bloody clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria”,” appears to be inconsistent with the Report above. Global Terrorism Index Report is considered a credible source even for Amnesty International covering the same period and the same terrain.

“However Amnesty International in addition to stating inaccurate casualty figures misleadingly alleges that the government has failed to protect affected communities and refused to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of these attacks. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“This administration has continued to work ceaselessly to enhance security in affected parts of the country, ensure that victims are provided with relief, and that criminals are arrested and prosecuted. It is careless and mischievous to misrepresent the facts and thereby mislead the public.

“Our security forces are not going to be deterred, neither will their morale and effort be affected by any tendentious report that mischaracterizes the important sacrifice they make to protect citizens at great risk of injury or death.

“It is the global norm and custom that assessors and commentators are fair and factual in their reportage and accounts of incidents and situations so that they do not endanger the lives of security personnel or worsen conflicts. Nonetheless, our security forces will continue to intensify ongoing and new multi-pronged approaches to conflict resolution.

“The Federal Government welcomes fair and constructive assessments aimed at dousing tension and promoting mutual communal confidence, safety and security, but rejects inflammatory statements, reports or assessments that stoke tension and deepen mistrust and thereby intensify conflicts and violence.

“As part of a more comprehensive intervention and response to the violence and conflict, the Federal Government deployed security forces to affected areas, empanelled fact-finding missions, and repeated visits and engagement by the most senior government and security officials/special forces including the President as well as relocating command and control apparatus to such areas. Further, the National Economic Council established a 10-man Committee on farmers/herdsmen clashes, headed by the Vice President.

“These high-level security operations and attention have led to the arrest of many people responsible for perpetrating violence. As a result, relative calm and peace have been restored to many communities. There have been 500 arrests, with many convicted and as a result, relative peace and calm have been restored in many of the affected areas. Of particular note was the arrest and conviction of Alhaji Tashaku Aliyu and others who were apprehended in connection with the killing of 2 priests and 17 worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on April 24th, 2018 in Benue State. In addition, seven herdsmen that were involved in the kidnapping of a farm owner have been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ondo State High Court.

“Beyond the security measures, President Muhammadu Buhari also authorized a mechanism and released NGN10 Billion for the rehabilitation of farms and farming communities to provide relief to affected areas. During a visit to Nasarawa State in February 2018, the President also reiterated his condemnation of the violent conflicts and their perpetrators and his administration’s commitment to protecting citizens and mitigating their losses. He said:

“I also want to assure the people of the North Central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day and night to ensure peace and stability return. We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order. The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated. I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute any persons found with illegal arms. I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.

“This position was again reiterated by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in June 2018 during his visit to Plateau State, where he held meetings with community leaders and condoled with the people.

“A vital component of our successes or any success in similar conflicts is accurate reporting and credible intelligence. We encourage reporters to be accurate and citizens to provide information about known or even suspicious activities or persons to ensure we succeed in preventing attacks, and eliminating this scourge.

“Finally, and in the interest of openness, the Federal Ministry of Justice is analysing the Amnesty International Report for further responses, and actions where applicable and necessary.

“The Federal Government also appeals to communities not to be provoked or inflamed by this misleading report to seek or pursue reprisal action against others within their communities, but to remain assured that the government will continue to take steps to secure citizens and promote amicable conflict resolution as well as peaceful co-existence.”

Garba Shehu however thanked the organization for confirming a fact that the conflict is not about religion and that it is being stoked by local politicians and that this whole problem is about scarcity of resources.

Minister Pleads With Buhari To Intervene In $69.3 Million Counterpart Fund Debt On Kano, Lagos Terminals

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika

Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the $69.3 Million counterpart funding debt on the Kano and Lagos airport terminal.

The minister, who spoke at the commissioning of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja terminal today by the President, said that his ministry is committed to rounding up the Kano, Lagos project soon as the contractor has gone ahead to implement it as approved.

He said that the contractor recently slowed down the pace of work on the two airport terminals “due to non-payment of $69.3 million counterpart funding by government.

“May I respectfully at this point, request Mr. President’s kind intervention in this regard, please.

Mr. President, during the budget presentation yesterday at the National Assembly, you stated unparallel achievements of this administration that cannot be controverted even by the worst enemy, especially given the circumstance we found ourselves as a nation.

“I am very happy to say that you are walking your talk also in Aviation.”

Senator Sirika that the Kano and Lagos projects represent the phase two in the effort to position Nigeria on top of Africa airport facilities.

He said that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, under President Buhari, Abuja and Lagos Airports were certified by the regulators, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices (SARPS), adding that the other Airports will be certified in 2019.

“After 34 years of brazen neglect, Abuja runway became unsafe, threatening lives daily, we shut it down completely and reconstructed it within 6 weeks. Ontime and on budget. For this reason and other improvements, the Airport Council International in October, 2018 awarded NAIA Abuja the most improved in safety in Africa

“Following the selfish ‘killing’ of Nigeria Airways Limited, its workers entitlement was painfully ignored by the Government that committed the crime for a dozen of years. N45Bn was verified by this Government and half was paid immediately and the balance half is in 2019 appropriation as per your directives sir

“PHC International Airport is Commissioned and the domestic is about to be completed. From worst to Best!

• Abuja International Terminal is completed and being commissioned now

• ICAO has designated the FAAN AVSEC training centre in Lagos as the regional Aviation Security Training Centre of excellence for West and Central African region

• Similarly, NCAT Zaria has been designated as the ICAO regional training centre of excellence for Africa and IATA authorised training centre. On the 11th of May 2016 and 12th April 2017 ICAO awarded the college Highest number of training instructors course conducted and Highest number of ICAO courses conducted

• N4.5Bn Fire fighting simulator is being installed at the college as well as a B737 full motion flight simulator

• Calibration aircraft has been procured and will be delivered in February 2019

• Our Meteorological Agency NIMET has been awarded ISO 9001 2015 version by WMO, making Nigeria the only country to achieve this feat in Africa

• We installed LLWAS in several airports in the country….sosoliso

• We retained the FAA Cat1 status, without recourse to foreign consultants

• We scored 96.45% in safety audit conducted by ICAO

• In Nov 2017 we hosted the ICAO world Aviation Forum IWAF 3, the 1st outside Montreal, with over 70 countries in attendance and very many at ministerial level. The theme was ‘financing the development of aviation infrastructure’

• In July 2017 we hosted ICAO RPAS symposium, the attendance was similar to that of IWAF3. This focus on Nigeria by the world Aviation has never been witnessed before the coming of your leadership Mr President

• The contribution to GDP has risen from 0.4% to 0.6%

• This growth is best seen when Q1Q2 2017 is compared to Q1Q2 2018 where domestic operations grew by 33% and International by 13.5%

• The new Civil Aviation act and that of our agencies has been passed by FEC and is now before NASS

• AIB app has been launched and is available on google and apple stores to ease reporting of accidents and incidents

• Safety bulletin has been published for the first time in the history of AIB and as many as 39 final reports have been released

• Nigeria under your leadership attained level 3 out of 4 in areas of state safety programme of ICAO thereby moving from red to green on ICAO’s dash board

• We have developed and published Performance based navigation procedures for 18 airports as well as introduced standard instrument departures and standard arrival routes at LOS, ABV, KN and PHC

• Mr President you approved zero duty on aircraft and spares to assist industry players to provide the needed service and make some decent profit

• We met over $600 million dollars earned revenue unrepatriated by foreign airlines, despite the crunch, however you directed it be paid and it was paid

Before I conclude this remark sir, permit me to report on the 5th stakeholder forum held last month here in Abuja.”

The minister recalled that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal is the second in the series of Airport terminals to be commissioned from the projects funded by the China-Exim bank loan of $500 million with a counterpart funding of $100 million from the debt management office.

He said that from political and economic perspectives, the airport is very strategic to Nigeria not only because it is the gateway to the nation’s capital but also because it the second busiest airport in the country and the fastest growing in passenger traffic in West and Central Africa, with an average growth rate of 8 percent, where the world average growth is 5.8 percent.

“The Airport processed 5,709,012 passengers in 2017. This volume equals to about 13 times the total number of passengers recorded by Ghana as a country.

“The terminal building you are about to commission Mr President, has annual passenger capacity of 15m covering a space of approximately 56,000m2. It also has the following facilities as well as capabilities;

• 72 check-in counters

• 5 baggage collection carousels

• 28 immigration desks at arrival and 16 at departure

• 8 security screening points

• 8 passenger boarding bridges

• Walkway to link the FCT metro rail

• Additional apron for remote parking of aircraft

• Linkway to domestic wing

And many other facilities that are properly designed and laid out in accordance with modern requirements for airport operations.

Mr President will recall FEC approval of the second tranche for the funding of the phase two of this project in the sum of $461,795,551.02. The phase takes into cognisance, additional facilities that will enhance airport efficiency. These includes but not limited to

• Construction of additional apron

• Multi-level car park

• Fire station

• Additional boarding bridges

• Connection between the old and the new terminals

• Facility and boarding bridge to accommodate Airbus A380.”

Buhari Vows To Make Nigeria Leader In Aviation Sub Sector In Africa

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

President Buhari commissions new Terminal Building of Abuja International Airport on 20th December 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to make Nigeria to be leader in aviation sub sector of the economy in Africa.

He declared that his government is committed “to developing Nigeria into Regional air transportation hub and thereby assuming its leadership in the aviation sub sector in Africa.”

The President, who commissioned the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja today, Thursday, said that with the commissioning of the Terminal, Nigeria is moving towards achieving and meeting global aviation standards in facilitation, passenger processing and service delivery in tandem with international best practices.

“This Administration recognises aviation as a catalyst for economic growth and as such will continue to encourage and support the actualization of projects that will place Nigerian Airports amongst the best in the world.”

President Buhari said that the commissioning of the terminal reflected his government’s deliberate policy to sustain the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure.

“We are gradually closing the infrastructural deficit bedevilling our country.

He recalled that on the October 25 this year, he commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal, during which time the minister of State for Aviation promised that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal, Abuja would be completed and ready for commissioning before the end of the year.

“Today, that promise has been kept. I wish to commend the Honourable Minister and his team for a job well done.

“I am happy to note the progress being made in both the airports and sea ports on the implementation of the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business. Government officials manning these gateways are to sustain the momentum and ensure travellers in and out of the country have the best of experience as a necessary complement to the ultra-modern terminal.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal is the first airport terminal to be connected to rail transport system in the Country and indeed in the region. This has provided passengers and other airport users with a choice in the mode of transport to and from the city centre. I recall taking a ride from the City Metro station to the Airport on the day the rail line was commissioned.

“Let me once again appreciate the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation), the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the China Exim Bank for their financial support and the various roles they played leading to the successful completion of this project. Let me also commend the contractor Messrs CCECC for delivering this project on time.”

Atiku Has Confirmed His Link To Killer Herdsmen – Buhari Media Group

Editorial staff

December 20, 2018

A group supporting President Muhammadu Buhari, known as Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has picked a statement credited to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar that if Buhari is elected in the 2019 election, the herders, farmers killings will continue, saying that this is a confirmation of Atiku’s link to the long-drawn conflicts.

In a statement today, Thursday, by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO described the statement by Atiku as irresponsible, especially coming from an individual that was once a heartbeat away from being the nation’s President.

“It sounded more like a ‘Freudian slip’ from an individual who was once accused by a leader of the Northern Elders Forum(NEF), Paul Unongo of being the financier of militant herdsmen.

“When the former minister made that allegation earlier in the year, at the height of the conflicts in North Central Nigeria, the PDP Presidential candidate threatened legal action if Unongo did not apologize, but there is no record that Atiku went to court.

“Now he has made comments that appear to suggest that he has links to those who have been carrying out attacks on farming communities in some parts of the country.”

The pro-Buhari group also recalled that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar issued a similar threat of violence just before PDP’s presidential primaries in 2010 while playing the ethnic card.

“Atiku is on record to have said at a PDP stakeholders conference that violence is inevitable if the party drops its zoning arrangement to hand the presidential ticket to the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

“His exact words at ThisDay Dome, Abuja that made headlines the following day were ’Let me again send another message to the leadership of PDP that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable. ‘

“Now he’s saying emphatically that ‘killings by herdsmen will continue and ultimately spark series of ethno-religious crises that will be irreversible’ if President Buhari gets a second term.

“Does this not amount to a tacit confirmation of rumours that Atiku, as one notable Nigerian with several heads of cattle, has strong links to those referred to as killer herdsmen.

“Afterall, he recently boasted at a campaign rally in Sokoto that he has more cattle than the President.”

BMO noted that if the PDP Presidential candidate is suggesting that he is the only man that could end killings that are as old as the Nigerians state, then it is safe to demand that he comes out clean on his links with the killers

NASS Members Have Succeeded In Disgracing Themselves And Nigeria – Ex Senate President

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2018

Third Republic Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, has said that members of the National Assembly, who booed President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 budget presentation today, Wednesday, have succeeded only in disgracing themselves and Nigeria as a nation.

“The president, being a symbol of authority of the country, any disgrace on him is a disgrace on the entire nation. So, the disgrace is not for President Muhammadu Buhari. It is a disgrace on the entire nation whom they claim to be representing.

“The president, irrespective of any performance, represents the dignity of the nation.

In a statement he signed today, Wednesday, Senator Ebute said: “I think people will interpret their action as the refusal of Mr. President to allow them loot the national treasury in the name of constituency projects.

According to him, the lawmakers’ action might have been caused by Buhari’s failure to allow the them to dip their hands into the national treasury, saying that booing a president is unprecedented in history of democracy in the country.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the incident, insisting that the lawmakers’ action did not demonstrate mature conduct of people who were supposed to be members of the National Assembly: Senators and honourable members.

Senator Ebute said that the concerned lawmakers thought that they wanted to disgrace the president when in actual fact, they ended up disgracing themselves.

“If he has performed much below expectations or committed any breach of the Constitution, they should have been able to muster enough support to impeach him rather than denigrate themselves, thinking they were denigrating Mr President. They disgraced themselves and the entire nation. It has never happened before.”

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