Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has hailed his players in spite of their 2-0 loss to Super Eagles of Nigeria in their Group D match in the ongoing World Cup tournament.
The coach, who vowed that his team is still in the race for a place in the World Cup last 16, said: “I have to hail my players, they gave everything, they tried what they could but it was just not our day in so many ways.
“It’s a strange fact that we are still in the race,” Hallgrimsson told reporters after the match, adding: “we didn’t think we would go through this World Cup without a loss and losses are always difficult to swallow.”
He said that he had been impressed with the Luka Modric-inspired side, who are already through from Group D thanks to a stunning 3-0 win over Argentina yesterday, Thursday.
“We only need to beat Croatia, which is possibly easier to say than do. We’ve played Croatia four times in four years and we’ve often said we’re like a married couple trying to get divorced but we always meet up again.
“They have had two really, really good performances in the World Cup. The last one was a shining example of how good Croatia is.”
Two stunning second-half goals from Ahmed Musa sunk Iceland, who faded badly after half-time and missed an 82nd minute penalty, which could have given them a lifeline, when Gylfi Sigurddsson blazed over the bar.
Croatia sit pretty with six points at the top of Group D. Nigeria are second on three points while Iceland and Argentina have just one point apiece from their opening 1-1 draw, though Lionel Messi’s side are bottom on goal difference.
Iceland’s fate is no longer in their own hands, however, as Nigeria will join Croatia as qualifiers from Group D if they beat Argentina on Tuesday.
But any other result in that match could see Iceland squeeze through with a victory against familiar opponents Croatia at the same time.
Iceland went through ahead of Croatia in UEFA qualifying to reach Russia while the Eastern Europeans needed a playoff to secure their place.
The Nigeria Police Force has rolled out 5,000 personnel comprising the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention scheduled for tomorrow, June 23 in Abuja.
The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja today, Friday, said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the implementation of the arrangement to ensure a secured and hitch-free convention.
He said that the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), the Police Mounted Troop, Dog Section (K9), the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), the Police Air-wing and the Force Armament Unit were other instruments deployed for the event.
He said that the police air-wing and the Force Armament Unit were deployed under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, to ensure adequate security for the accredited participants at the convention.
Jimoh Moshood said that two police helicopters and six armoured personnel carriers were also deployed for security at the convention.
“Personnel of other security and safety agencies are also being deployed to complement the force in ensuring adequate security and a hitch-free convention.”
He said that only accredited delegates and party officials bearing the APC clearance/identification tags would be allowed into the venue.
“Personnel of all Security and Safety agencies deployed for the security of the convention must also wear the certified identification tag conspicuously at the venue,” he said.
The spokesman said that only one aide would be allowed to follow their principals into the venue of the convention.
“The Nigeria police force hereby warns all unauthorized individual(s) and group(s) who have no business with the convention to steer clear of the venue.
“The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons who try to disrupt the orderliness and conduct of the convention.
“The Personnel deployed are under strict instruction to be civil, polite but strict and firm in the discharge of their duties during the convention,” he said.
He said that there would be diversion of traffic from all the routes to the Eagle Square from Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Shagari Way and other Roads leading to the venue of the convention.
“Road users and other members of the Public are advised to use alternative routes. The diversion of traffic will take effect from 2200Hrs of 22nd of June, 2018 till the end of the convention,” he said.
He said that any member of the public with complaint or observation on security issue can call the following numbers 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 for immediate response.
Also, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will deploy over 1,000 personnel for effective traffic management during the APC convention.
The Corps’ Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, on Friday, said that 30 patrol vehicles, five ambulances, 10 motorcycles and three tow trucks will also be rolled out for the exercise.
Similarly, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will deploy 900 traffic management personnel, 100 patrol vehicles, 17 motorcycles and 15 tow trucks for the convention.
The FCTA Transport Secretary, Kayode Opeifa, announced this in a statement signed by Ifeanyi Ughamadu, an Assistant Director in the secretariat today, Friday.
No fewer than 6,800 APC delegates are expected to be in Abuja for the convention billed to hold at the Eagle Square on Saturday, according to the event’s planning committee.
Opeifa said in view of the expected influx of vehicular and human traffic into the city, traffic would be diverted from the Shehu Shagari Way where the Eagle Square is located.
According to him, vehicular movement will be diverted at Ralph Sodeinde Street by `Bullet Building’ to link the Central Business District.
“Motorists will also be diverted at Kur Mohammed Street and Constitution Avenue at Bayelsa House to Central Business District.
“Traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way will equally be diverted at Ralph Sodeinde Street by Finance Junction to Central Business District.
“Motorists will also be diverted at Kur Mohammed Street or Constitution Avenue by Benue Building to link Central Business District,’’ he said.
Opeifa said men of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services and other relevant traffic management agencies would be deployed to the convention venue and adjoining routes for seamless traffic flow.
He solicited the understanding and cooperation of motorists and other road users with the authorities over the temporary route reordering during the convention period.
The Nigeria’s secret police, known as Department of State Security (DSS), has a Senator representing Abia-South, Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe over the disappearance of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Senator Abaribe was one of the prominent Nigerians who stood as surety to Nnamdi Kanu before he was released from Kuje prison, as he faced multiple trial for leading agitation for the carving out of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.
Abaribe’s Special Adviser, Nwokoma Okorie, said today, Friday that his boss was picked up in the morning at his barber’s shop in the Apo area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Senator had been under the watchful eyes of the DSS since he stood surety for Nnamdi Kanu, who has not been seen since the Nigerian Army stopped him from disrupting the gubernatorial election in Anambra State by occupying his family home at Umuahia, Abia State, last year.
Senator Abaribe is already due to appear on June 26 before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja to explain the whereabouts of Kanu.
The Presidency has swiftly responded to the claim by the National Assembly members that they worked on the controversial 2018 budget in the overall interest of Nigeria, alluding to the fact that they used some tricks and subterfuge to distort it as earlier stated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement today, Friday, shortly after the National Assembly addressed news men, justifying their actions on the budget, the special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that throughout the budget consideration process, the executive, through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, was in touch with the National Assembly.
He said that the executive was approached by the National Assembly who indicated that they intended to increase the benchmark price by US$5, from US$45 to US$50, adding that out of the US$5 increase the National Assembly informed the Executive that they intended to utilize US$2 (amounting to about N170 billion) for projects selected by themselves.
“They asked the Executive to suggest important projects that could be accommodated with the funds arising from the balance of US$3. “After some consideration, the Executive was of the view that an increase in the benchmark price of crude oil to US$50 was not unrealistic and the President decided to accept this in the spirit of compromise required for a successful budget exercise. The Executive had, in that spirit, suggested that from the additional funds arising out of the US$3 increase, $1.25 from the increase should not be appropriated as expenditure, but utilized to reduce the deficit in the budget. The Executive therefore restricted itself to submitting, for the consideration of the National Assembly, important items that could be funded from US$1.75 of the US$3 increase. NASS eventually raised the benchmark price to US$51, apparently to accommodate the additional allocations to Health and NDDC. “The Executive is therefore surprised that with an additional sum of N170 billion Naira available for the National Assembly to spend on Constituency Projects, together with the sum of N100 billion Naira, already provided for in the Budget, that the National Assembly should feel it necessary to cut allocations to important national projects, and thereby distort the Budget, in order to further increase their allocation for Constituency projects. How much is enough! “The President’s position is clear from paragraph 12k of the President’s speech, where he said “About 70 new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.”
National Assembly has said that President Muhammadu Buhari made the scatting remarks on the 2018 national budget, shortly after signing it on Wednesday, because he was not properly briefed by his aides about the situation on the ground.
“It is our firm belief that if the President had been properly briefed by his appointees, he would not have raised most of the concerns that he did in his remarks at the budget signing. We therefore want to urge all Executive appointees to ensure that they brief Mr. President with the truth and facts of their engagement, to promote healthy and harmonious relationships between the Executive and the Legislature.” Speaking to news men today, Friday in Abuja on “The President’s Budget Speech: Our Response,” the lawmakers said it had become necessary for them to give members of the public an insight into what transpired during the appropriations process and how they arrived at the decisions that are contained in the 2018 budget.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and the his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon Abdulrazak Namdas, who signed the press briefing on behalf of the two chambers of the National Assembly, recalled that when the National Assembly passed the 2018 budget, it gave reasons why the budget was increased and why certain projects and programmes had to be provisioned for.
They said that due to recent developments, it is necessary to let Nigerians know the justification for their actions on the 2018 budget, which were based on their Constitutional responsibilities. “Adjustments and reductions in the locations, costs and number of projects approved were made in order to address geo-political imbalances that came with the Executive proposal. The introduction of new projects was done to ensure the promotion of the principles of Federal Character as contained in Section 14, subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which states that “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria…” The number of projects had to be increased in order to give a sense of belonging to every geo-political zone of the country to ensure socio-economic justice, equity, fairness, and to command National loyalty. “Within the context of the provisions of Sections 4, 80 and 81 of the Constitution, everything that the National Assembly has done is within its powers. “Furthermore, Chapter 2 of the Constitution emphasizes the need for balance, inclusivity, and equity in the distribution of national resources. The annual budget, which symbolizes the distribution of these resources must reflect the aforementioned values, which we swore to uphold. “These Constitutional provisions, in addition to a recent Court judgment have affirmed the fact that the budget process is a ‘joint effort’ that must reflect the input of both the executive and the legislature — the latter being the closest representatives of the people. However, we are fully aware that the Executive has the exclusive responsibility to execute all parts of the Appropriation Act once it is signed into law.” Part of the statement is reproduced here: It is our firm belief that if the President had been properly briefed by his appointees, he would not have raised most of the concerns that he did in his remarks at the budget signing. It is therefore inevitable for the legislature to give members of the public an insight into what transpired during the appropriations process and how we arrived at the decisions that are contained in the 2018 budget. With the aforementioned background, let us respond to each of the issues raised. On the issue of the period when the budget proposal was submitted and when it was passed by the National Assembly, it is necessary to remind Nigerians that although the budget was submitted in November, as at March 15th 2018 (5 months and 8 days after the budget submission), Mr. President was still directing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to compel the Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to appear before the committees of the National Assembly to defend their respective budget. In addition, up till April (6 months after the budget submission), the Executive was still bringing new additions to the 2018 budget which the National Assembly in good faith and in the spirit of collaboration and harmonious working relationship accepted. More importantly, the 2017 budget, was signed into law on June 5th, 2017 and by the provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution, which defines the Financial Year as “any period of 12 months beginning on the first day of January in any year, or other date as the National Assembly may prescribe” – the 2017 budget lapsed on the 5th of June 2018. This same provision is replicated in the 2017 Appropriation Act. It is important to also note that if not for the fact that the 2017 budget elapsed on the 5th of June 2018, the Federal Government would not have recorded notable capital projects for the just ended financial year. This is because the Federal Government only started releasing funds for capital projects in December 2017 when the funds from the Federal Government’s loans were released and disbursed to contractors. On the issue of an Organic Budget Law to improve the budgetary process, the proposed law is pending in the National Assembly and cannot be considered without the amendment of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which gives the President the power to propose “estimates” at ANYTIME in the financial year. Nigerians need to know that during the last Constitutional Review exercise, the National Assembly in its wisdom amended this provision and it was approved by over two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly. The new Constitution Amendment requires the President to submit the budget not later than 90 days to the end of the financial year. As of today, the President has not yet signed this Constitutional Amendment Bill which would have helped us to have a proper budget calendar, which shall eventually lead to the realization of the proposed January to December budget cycle. It was stated that the legislature made cuts amounting to N347 billion which were meant for 4,700 projects. Again, these reductions of N347 billion were made from low priority areas to higher priority areas to support the generation of employment for our youth by MSMEs. We took the decision to reduce the funds in some areas in order to ensure balance and equity in the spread and utilization of our national funds. Additionally, the figures given amounts of the reductions made by the National Assembly were unduly exaggerated as we did not make any substantial reduction on any project to the extent of affecting its implementation. To give the exact detail of the projects where we made deductions, it should be noted that the counterpart funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/Ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project, was reduced by only N3,956,400,290 – which represents only 1.78 % of the total N222,569,335,924 submitted by President Buhari. This left these projects with N218,612,935,634 which cannot negatively affect their implementation. This obviously contradicts the claim that these projects lost “an aggregate of N11.5 billion”. Specifically: A. The counterpart Funding for 3050mw Mambilla Hydropower Project was reduced from N8.5billion to N8.2billion (a reduction of N300million); B. The construction of the Second Niger bridge including access roads phases 2a and 2b in Anambra and Delta states and other projects in the South East were reduced from N10billion to N9.1billion (a reduction of N900million); C. The construction of Bodo-Bonny road with a bridge across the Opobo channel in Rivers State was reduced from N10billion to N8.7billion (a reduction of N1.3billion); D. The funding for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was reduced from N20billion to N18billion (a reduction of N2billion), which would not significantly affect the construction of the road in one appropriations cycle; E. The Railway Projects (Counterpart Funds): 1. Lagos-Kano (ongoing) 2. Calabar-Lagos (Ongoing) 3. Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Aladja (Warri) (Ongoing) 4. Port Harcourt- Maiduguri (New) 5. Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi in Niger Republic (New) 6. Abuja-Itakpe and Aladja (Warri)-Warri Port and Refinery including Warri new Harbour (New) 7. Bonny deep Sea Port & Port Harcourt of N162,284,335,924 was retained by the National Assembly as presented by Mr. President; and F. The National Assembly increased the aggregate funding for the East-West Road from N11,285,000,000 to N12,085,000,000 because we realized the strategic importance of the road to the entire oil producing areas of our country and the fact that the road project has lingered for too long; Addressing the issue of the Second Niger Bridge project, apart from early works, as of today, there is no existing contract for the Second Niger Bridge in spite of frequent requests from the National Assembly. The N900million reduced from the N10billion proposed by the Executive was deployed to fund ancillary roads that connect to the Bridge. It should again be noted that the N12.5billion and the N7.5billion appropriated for the Second Niger Bridge in the 2016 and 2017 budget by the National Assembly were never utilized for the project. We also need to call the attention of the public to the fact that the National Assembly allocated an additional N2billion to the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway project. This was more than the Executive proposed. As part of the implementation of the 2017 budget, the contracts for 15 roads were awarded by the Federal Executive Council with no budgetary provisions. Realizing the importance of these projects, the National Assembly decided to spread the N3.9billion saved from the earlier mentioned projects funding to facilitate the take-off of these projects that include: the rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Shagamu road in Lagos State; the rehabilitation of 9th Mile-Orakam to Benue Border; and the general maintenance of Pankshin – Ballang – Nyelleng – Sararele – Gindiri road in Plateau State, etc. These are the projects purported to be “project inclusions without conceptualization.” On these projects, the National Assembly needs to be commended by Mr. President for helping to to support the take-off of these awarded but unfunded projects. Furthermore, it was stated that the budget of the FCT was cut by N 7.5 billion. This is true. The legislators stand by this decision because, through its oversight of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the National Assembly discovered that in the 2016 and 2017 budget cycle, there was a severe non-performance of the budgetary allocations to the FCT. During the two years in question, over 50% of the funds that were allocated and released to the FCT were not utilized. These funds were ultimately returned to the treasury. Hence, in order to ensure that scarce resources were allocated in accordance to ‘needs over wants’, funding for the FCT which has historically been under-utilised were allocated to other MDAs that have demonstrated the capacity to implement their allocation for the development of the nation and its people. It was part of the allocation that we spread over the roads for which contracts were awarded with no budgetary allocation. On the provisions for strategic interventions in the health sector which were said to be cut by an aggregate of N7.45billion, it is on record that for the first time since the National Health Act was enacted in 2014, the National Assembly made provision of an additional N55billion for funding primary healthcare through the Basic Primary Healthcare Fund which will be sourced from 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Thus, contrary to the claim that the health sector suffered any budgetary cuts, we actually provided more funds that will make access to health services possible for over 180 million Nigerians. The presence of this provision for primary healthcare will help us to eliminate the prevalence of maternal, infant and child mortality as well as create a healthier population. With this increased funding, we will be able to ensure that all Nigerian children get the necessary immunization that keeps various diseases away from them and ensure that mothers are well-catered for during childbirth. On the issue of the 104 Unity Schools across the nation and the claim that N3billion was cut from their funding, Nigerians need to know that after careful consultation by the committees of the National Assembly with stakeholders in the sector, the National Assembly actually provided an additional N3.7billion more for meal subsidies in these 104 Unity Schools. Furthermore, it was claimed that the provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira and that this will further delay the completion of this critical project. However, for the avoidance of doubt, it is necessary to again clarify that during the budget defense and oversight processes, the National Assembly discovered that out of the N2billion contract for the Enugu Terminal Building, N1.7billion had already been paid to the contractor. And what is left to complete this project is justN300million. Hence, the National Assembly approved N500million for the project — which is even N200million more than was required. We refer Nigerians to a publication in THISDAY newspaper published in April and titled “Giving Enugu Airport a Facelift” and written by the newspaper’s Aviation correspondent, Chinedu Eze, where the Minister of State (Aviation), Mr. Hadi Sirika was quoted as saying “We just last week released N1.7billion to the contractor and hopefully also, within the shortest possible time, we will release another N300million for him so that they can quickly finish the airport terminal. This will bring the airport to its desired standard.” In the case of statutory transfers where the increase in the National Assembly’s budget was isolated, it is important to note that the increase in the oil price benchmark from the projected $45 to the actual price of $51 generated additional N523.65 billion for the Federal Government. Thus, based on agreement between the National Assembly and the Executive as represented by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the additional revenues were allocated among the three arms of government as follows: a. The Executive’s proposal for the National Judicial Council was N100billion, however, the National Assembly appropriated N110billion which represents N10 billion increase; b. The Executive’s proposal for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was N71,195,023,529, however the National Assembly appropriated N81,882,555,891 — which represents a N10,687,532,363 increase; c. An additional N33,981,437,188 was also appropriated for the outstanding liabilities to the NDDC by the Federal Government to enable the commission settle some of its contractors that were owed over N1 trillion ; d. The National Assembly received an additional N14.5billion in funding; e. In order to ensure that they are able to meet their mandate, the National Assembly increased the Public Complaint’s Commission’s budget from the N4,200,000,000 proposed by the President to N7,480,000,000 — which represents a N3,280,000,000 increase; and f. Lastly, the National Human Rights Commission’s budget was increased from N1.5billion to N3,013,745,000, which represents a N1,513,745,000 increase. It is therefore very clear that the three arms of government benefited from the increase which was mutually agreed on with the Ministry of Budget and Planning. In fact, we have correspondences addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly from Ministry of Budget making requests on how to spread the increment arising from the Benchmark differentials. It should be noted that the budget of the National Assembly as at 2014 was N150billion, which is still N10.5billion more than our current figure despite increased national challenges that requires: frequent public hearings held on almost a daily basis at high costs; and intense oversight, which has become more thorough and incisive in order to check the Executive. The N139.5billion budget of the National Assembly represents less than 1.5percent of the entire N9trillion budget. Does it not make sense to use 1.5percent to protect the other 98.5percent? The public should note that this increase in the legislature’s budget was also necessitated by the drastic inflation of the last four years; the need to rehabilitate the National Assembly’s deteriorating facilities, like the elevators which shutdown almost weekly; spending hundreds of millions to procure diesel to constantly power the entire complex; and the need to immediately upgrade the security facilities of the complex. It is important to point out at this juncture that the collapse of the CCTV system facilitated the mace theft in April. Finally, the following 24 additions, which were done to the 2018 Appropriations Bill, due to the increase in the benchmark price of oil were duly appropriated by the National Assembly after full consultations, and in many cases, requests by the Executive branch through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. Augmentation to unity schools meal subsidy in Education Sector. 3,701,587,104 Outstanding liability on exchange rate differential for 2015 & 2016 Bea ongoing remittances to 12 Bea countries (scholarship). 3,265,720,064 Rehabilitation of block C, D, G & H at the Headquarters and Lagos state office of Federal Ministry Of Industry, Trade & Investment. 1,207,942,115. Construction of Kashimbilla/Gamovo multipurpose dam. 2,000,000,000 Strengthening public health against LASSA fever/other outbreaks: procurement and installation of incinerators, procurement of personal protective equipment, ribavirin and laboratory reagents and training of health personnel, construction of isolation ward at university of Abuja teaching hospital, Gwagwalada. 2,000,000,000 Fast Power Programme Accelerated Gas and Solar Power Generation. 12,500,000,000 Expansion and reinforcement of infrastructure in 11 distribution companies to reduce stranded generation capacity. 30,000,000,000 Alternative energy development fund. 1,000,000,000 Completion of headquarters building (FMWA). 500,000,000 Construction of 3000 capacity maximum security prison in Abuja (Phase I). 6,031,862,972. Procurement of 3 x jf17 thunder aircraft. 12,792,939,682 Security vote (including augmentation of shortfall in operational funds) for Nigerian Navy. 3,000,000,000 Department of state security – pensions (including arrears). 6,318,326,710 Contributions to international Organisations. 11,000,000,000 Contingency. 2,800,000,000 Military operation: Lafiya dole & other operations of the armed forces. 3,000,000,000 Subscription to shares in international Organisations. 11,000,000,000. SDG special projects 3. 8,000,000,000 Contingency (capital). 2,000,000,000 Promotion, recruitment & appointment for police service commission. 5,393,947,080 Additional provision to some security agencies. 10,000,000,000 Additional provision of 82b naira on critical federal roads e.g. rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano 10b naira, rehabilitation of Lagos-Badagry-Seme road 4b naira, rehabilitation/dualisation of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene-Aba-Owerri Road 7b. 92,000,000,000 Additional 12b naira to new federal universities. 12,000,000,000 National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS). 4,000,000,000. TOTAL. 245,512,325,726. It is important to state that on many occasions, Mr. President emphasized to the nation the urgent need to develop our human capital, which are our people and especially the youth. It is on this note that the National Assembly should be commended to the degree that most of the human development projects were captured in the budget by the legislature. Nigerians should note that due to the back and forth that we have experienced in the past, the improvement of the budgetary process should be a higher priority than trading blames. This trading of blames and unnecessary scapegoating is not healthy — as it creates needless conflict between the two arms of government. Finally, in order to ensure that all Capital Projects in the 2018 budget receive their necessary financing in the 2018 budget, we call on Mr. President to present the borrowing plan to the National Assembly so that we can approve it.
Ahmed Musa dribbles Iceland goalkeeper to score the second goal
Super Eagles’ ‘wonder boy,’ Ahmed Musa, struck twice on the net of the national team of Iceland at the ongoing World Cup tournament in Russia to enable Nigeria obtain a comfortable position.
With the 2-0 game today, Friday, Ahmed Musa had not only become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups but has secured a spot for Nigeria in the knockout stage if Eagles beat Argentina on Tuesday in Group D’s final round of fixtures.
Nigeria, with captain John Obi Mikel sitting deeper in midfield than against Croatia, slowly worked their way into the game with Victor Moses a constant threat on the right flank.
Musa made the game safe with his second, controlling a long ball without breaking stride and beating Kari Arnason before rounding Halldorsson and powering his shot past two covering defenders on the line.
A draw would be enough to eliminate the Argentines but would leave Nigeria’s fate hinging on the outcome of Iceland’s game against Croatia.
Ahmed Musa, who came into the starting line-up in place of Alex Iwobi, struck half-volley just after half-time before he added a second with 15 minutes to go to make the Group D game safe.
Iceland got a lifeline in the 82nd minute with a VAR-awarded penalty but dead-ball specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson blazed over the bar.
With Croatia heading the group on six points Nigeria knew a second defeat would mean elimination and Iceland started brightest after coach Heimir Hallgrimsson changed to a 4-4-2 from the 4-5-1 he had used in the 1-1 draw with Argentina.
Alfred Finnbogason, who scored the equaliser against Argentina as a lone striker, was joined up front by Jon Bodvarsson and the pair quickly made an impact.
Captain Aron Gunnarsson launched a long throw into the box and, after Bodvarsson had made a nuisance of himself, a push gave Iceland a free-kick just outside the area.
Gylfi Sigurdsson struck it smoothly round the wall but 19-year-old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was able to make the save high to his right.
The pace inevitably dropped with the temperature still a stifling 31 Celsius at the 6:00 pm local time kick-off.
The match became a stalemate until 10 minutes before half-time when Iceland came close to opening the scoring but Leon Balogun’s glancing header just did enough to thwart Gylfi Sigurdsson and Birkir Bjarnason lurking at the back post.
And on the stroke of half-time Finnbogason came within a whisker of doubling his World Cup tally when he flashed wide Gylfi Sigurdsson’s whipped in free-kick.
Gerhot Rohr brought on wing back Tyronne Ebuehi for Bryan Idowu at the start of the second half and Nigeria came out full of running.
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The tireless Moses was released down the right and his cross was met by Musa who teed up the ball deftly with the outside of his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net.
As he wheeled away in celebration his knee caught Ragnar Sigurdsson in the back of the head and the Iceland defender needed treatment, a bandage and a change of shirt after sustaining a nasty cut.
Wilfred Ndidi forced Hannes Halldorsson into a fine fingertip save with a wickedly dipping shot from distance in the 58th minute.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight in the discipline, team-work and indomitable spirit displayed by Super Eagles in their match with national team of Iceland. In a congratulatory message to the players who defeated their Group D opponents in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Russia, President Buhari advised them sustain the winning streak in their subsequent matches to make Nigerians to be proud of them. He asked them not to limit themselves but sustain the current winning momentum by going all out against their last group opponent, Argentina, next week. “I am confident that if our players believe in themselves, they can qualify out of their difficult group and even go very far in the tournament. “With determination, nothing is impossible.” The President called on all Nigerians to continue to rally round the Nigerian ambassadors with their prayers and other forms of support.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the current resort by journalists to trade on what he called ‘fake news’ in the present upsurge of social media over the traditional investigative reporting thereby beclouding good journalism.
“In an environment where fake news dwarfs investigative reporting, good journalism matters. For survival in an increasingly competitive field, good journalism matters. Good journalism promotes Good Governance. I, therefore, urge participants to give depth to the topic in your discussions and conclusions.”
President Buhari spoke today, Thursday, at the opening of the 67th World Congress of International Press Institute (IPI) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Buhari observed that responsible journalism is a means to ensure good governance and democratic principles in the country, adding that the dynamics of the information age has shown that responsible journalism will naturally negate the promotion of hate speech including propagation of fake news in any discerning society.
“The changing media landscape, the explosion of the social media and the rapidly evolving new technology, have had a profound impact on media business and media practice. It is satisfying, therefore, that you have chosen an appropriate theme for your conference: Why Good Journalism Matters: Quality Media for Strong Societies.
“In a world where the borderline between hate speech and free speech has become blurred, good journalism matters.
The President narrated the effort of his administration to tackle insecurity in the country, saying that Boko Haram has been degraded as it no longer holds any territory in the country.
He assured that relative peace in the country made it possible for the IPI congress to take place in Abuja for the first time.
“Your annual congress is holding in Nigeria during a period of global terrorism. Nigeria experiences that scourge through Boko Haram, which has been technically degraded and has no territorial hold anywhere, anymore, in its northeast operational base. The Internally Displaced Persons are gradually returning to their communities in reasonable safety and security.
“It is a reflection of your assessment of Nigeria as a safe country that you gave the country the hosting right for this conference. As you have seen since your arrival, you made a wise and right choice.”
This was even as the IPI Executive Director, Barbara Triinfi, lamented that independent journalism is under attack as press freedom is being eroded around the world.
“As we gather here today from different countries to open IPI’s 67th World Congress, there is a sense that independent journalism is under attack and press freedom has eroded all over the world.
“From Mexico to the Philippines, from Zimbabwe to Turkey, from Russia to Ethiopia, journalists are being imprisoned. They are denied access to justice. They are threatened and insulted on social media. They are directly targeted and labeled as traitors and enemies of the state and they are killed, shot in front of their houses, on their way to work, by killers who know that murdering journalists is the easiest way to silence them and ensure that the stories of corruption they were investigating, the wrongdoings they had uncovered will never be revealed.
“At least 43 journalists have been killed so far in 2018 in places like Afghanistan, Mexico, India, Pakistan or the Philippines to mention a few.
“Also here in Nigeria, a country with a very lively news industry which enjoys a good degree of press freedom, safety has been a serious problem for journalists, not only those covering the areas where insurgents are active but also journalists covering corruption have been targeted.” [myad]
The South East Senate Caucus has expressed shock over reported cut in the 2018 budget allocation to the Enugu Airport Terminal from N2 billion, sustained by the two aviation committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, to N500 million that was finally signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, Wednesday.
The Chairman of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and lawmakers from the region said that the caucus had summoned an emergency meeting of South East lawmakers to unravel when the cut was effected and by who.
He added that “no right thinking Igbo man would support any cut on allocation for projects in the South East region.”
Abaribe, who said that the budget documents were verifiable, noted that “we are committed and determined to find out who made the cut.”
He said that the caucus actually lobbied for the Enugu Airport Terminal allocation to be increased to N3.5 billion until the Ministry of Aviation told members of the caucus that what they had was an envelope which could not be increased beyond the N2 billion allocation.
Abaribe, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, said that N30 billion was smuggled into the power budget without his committee’s knowledge, adding that the N30 billion was listed for expansion and re-enforcement of infrastructure in the distribution companies to reduce stranded firms.
He added that the amount never passed through the Senate Power committee, and asked:“where did such huge sum of N30 billion come from?
“Let the budget office and other relevant bodies conduct self examination. Such self examination will go a long way to clear gray areas.
“In the case of the Enugu Airport Terminal and the Second Niger Bridge, we want to find out at what point the cut was made.” [myad]
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that 37 percent of Nigerians do not use banks for keeping of their monies.
The apex bank’s Director of Banking and Payment Systems, Dipo Fatokun, who made this known today, Thursday at the third Annual Banking Security Summit organized by MAXUT Consulting in partnership with OneSpan, global data security company in Lagos, recalled that the apex bank in 2010 in Mexico made a commitment to reduce the population of unbanked Nigerians to at least 20 per cent by 2020.
“We made a commitment in Mexico then to reduce the number of unbanked to at least 20 per cent by 2020, then in 2010 we observed that over 46 per cent of bankable Nigerians didn’t have access to financial services.
“This was a major concern to the CBN and we made a commitment that in 10 years time, we would reduce the figure to far below 20 per cent.
“Today it’s not a good story because we have not done much, less than two years to 2020, at the last count we are just 37 per cent. A lot of work needs to be done.”
Fatokun, who was represented by the CBN Deputy Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Musa Jimoh, said that the apex bank is still committed to reducing the country’s unbanked population.
He said that the move was part of the bank’s financial inclusion strategy aimed at ensuring greater participation in the nation’s financial sector.
Delivering a keynote address on “Preparing for Open Banking in Nigeria,” Fatokun said the survey conducted then showed banking penetration was relatively low due to lack of access to financial services and cost of banking services.
He said that people were afraid to bring their monies to banks because of banking charges, and that complex experienced in opening of accounts contributed to the trend.
According to Fatokun, the apex bank had introduced several policies to promote financial inclusion in the country such as mobile money to enable banks provide banking services to the poor.
He said that the CBN also had a review of bank charges to reduce with a view to reducing them as well as the introduction of super agents.
Fatokun said the apex bank also reviewed Know Your Customer guidelines to tone down the requirements for opening Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 bank accounts to promote financial inclusion. He noted that no nation could progress or truly develop if majority of its population was under-banked or had no access to financial services.
Speaking on open banking, he said the concept had been democratized, and that the investments of Nigerian banks in technology was good enough to designate them as technology companies. Fatokun promised that the CBN would continue to work with other countries to understand how to grow the country’s financial system.
He said that the apex bank would support FINTECH to enable it provide a very suitable banking ecosystem.
“For our system to be recognized we have to key into global trends. Right now, as we speak, we have set up some committees to look at open banking innovation and others,” Fatokun said.
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National Assembly has said that President Muhammadu Buhari made the scatting remarks on the 2018 national budget, shortly after signing it on Wednesday, because he was not properly briefed by his aides about the situation on the ground.
