Osinbajo Says APC Will Come Out Of Current Tension Stronger

May 13, 2018

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerged stronger from the tension it went into during the state congresses of the party last weekend.

Professor Osinbajo who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after attending the inauguration of President Maada Bio as the new President of Sierra Leone in Freetown, the nation’s federal capital, said: “in politics, as you know, there will always be tensions. But the party is strong and the leadership and membership of the party are committed to ensuring that the party remains strong and continues to offer the hope and promise it has always offered and given to the people.”

He was sure that a lot of the issues will be resolved in due course, stressing that the tension is the normal order of thing.

“There will be some disagreements; there will be those who may feel that they need certain preferences or certain things which may not have been done earlier on. I don’t think there is any major problem.”
this was even as President Muhammadu Buhari described the successful completion of the APC primaries in Ekiti State where over 30 aspirants contested to fly the flag of the party as the governorship candidate as having further validated its credentials of true internal democracy.

Congratulating Dr. Kayode Fayemi, current minister of mine solid minerals, who emerged as the governorship candidate, President Buhari said that the APC is fully prepared to the country to another level of development.

President Buhari commended all the participants in the keenly contested position, who passionately worked hard to serve the state as governors, even as he advised them to keep upholding the values and philosophy of the party by supporting the APC candidate in the forthcoming elections.

President Buhari believes that Fayemi’s track record in the state as a reformist, with a penchant for building educational infrastructure and promoting the welfare of the ordinary people, will bolster his chances at the forthcoming polls. [myad]

Shiite Attacks Ambassador John Campbell

Greenbarge Reporters

May 13, 2018

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiite, has launched attack on former American Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell over a write up he posted on the website of the American think-tank organization, titled: “Nigeria’s Treatment of Shia Minority Recalls That of Boko Haram.”

In a statement by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, the Shiite expressed displeasure with Ambassador Campbell for drawing similarities between the dreaded Boko Haram and the Islamic Movement, “under the able leadership of our illegally detained Leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.”

Describing the Ambassador’s write up as a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting and mischief, the Shiite spokesman said: “the assertion that there are striking ideological similarities between IMN and Boko Haram, at least for outside observers is most unfortunate.

“His claim that both see the secular state as evil, both want an Islamic state based on Islamic law, and both want the end to Western influence, including in education is grossly misleading.

“Equally mischievous was his summation that both also seek the end of northern Nigeria’s traditional political and religious elite. For IMN, the model appears to be the aspirations of the post-revolutionary Iranian Islamic state. Boko Haram’s vision appears more nebulous and less developed, but both try to function as a state-within-state.”

“For the records, we and Boko Haram are clearly poles apart. As Sheikh Zakzaky himself repeatedly pointed out, Boko Haram is the creation of the oil hungry west; a claim Ambassador Campbell erroneously claimed is implausible. However, it is on record that the equally dreaded ISIS organization wreaking havoc in the Middle East, to which Boko Haram gives its allegiance, is the creation of the US.

“Hence to claim that Boko Haram wants, “an Islamic state based on Islamic law,” and the end to Western influence, including in education and also seek the end of northern Nigeria’s traditional political and religious elite, is superfluous to say the least. It is however clear to all that Islam as a state religion was not established by the holy Prophet Muhammad through terroristic activities to which all these western created groups are known today.

“Boko Haram simply sprang up, hitherto unknown to anybody as to its teachings, schools and media and started terrorizing people. On the contrary, the Islamic Movement is a mass movement and its leader, Sheikh Zakzaky has been calling for inter and intra-faith unity, tolerance and peace for decades. He is reputed to have sheltered and protected Christians in Gyallesu, Zaria during post 2011 election violence. He always adds his voice for the oppressed irrespective of their religion or region or any other geographical or social divisions whatsoever!

“We therefore view any attempt to compare the Islamic Movement, which has been in existence for the past four decades, with Boko Haram as a subtle but malicious attempt to tarnish our image and pave way for further violent suppression against us.

“The former Ambassador should have stated the whole truth. The naked truth is that the federal government decided to suppress the Islamic Movement on the behest of Saudi Arabia, an agent and ally of the West, killing over a thousand civilian souls and destroying properties worth billions of Naira in its wreak.

“The Islamic Movement is rightly demanding for justice to the victims of these state sponsored terrorism, starting with the unconditional release of Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife and all the others under detention since the Zaria pogrom of December 2015.

“On these we will not blink, nor falter. The general public and the international community should particularly note that we have been unduly oppressed by this Buhari regime like none before it, and must be made to take responsibility for its actions. It is now 882 days that our leader has been languishing in detention despite a valid court order to free him, and everybody knows justice delayed is justice denied.” [myad]

Institute’s Boss Appeals For More Government Investment In ICT Skills

Greenbarge Reporters

May 13, 2018

The Administrator of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Nigeria’s foremost ICT capacity building institute, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, has appealed to governments at all levels to invest more in the development of ICT knowledge and skill.

According to the boss of the DBI, which is an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), investing more in the ICT capacity building, is the only way the country will maximize its investments in ICT infrastructure.

Speaking during a brief engagement with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Dr. Ikechuchwu made it clear that without much investment in skills and training, the nation cannot optimally harness the possibilities and potentials that are inherent in the deployment of infrastructure across the country.

He noted that so far, emphasis has been on funding of ICT hardware procurement, without much attention paid to ICT funding that should be spread across hardware, software and skills acquisition.

“There are two ways to funding ICT: infrastructure side and soft side (skills and knowledge). On the hard side which is the infrastructure side, it is easy to perceive the investment that is being made and often times that’s what the government talks about (buying computers, equipment, installing gadgets etc.), but the most important part is the skills and the knowledge that people need to harness the potential in those hardware investments.

“We had made a case sometime in 2016 at the capacity building symposium organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that the investments in USPF (universal service provision fund) across Africa instead of being channelled wholly and exclusively to ICT infrastructure should be dedicated to ICT skills development, in that if someone is investing $10million in ICT infrastructure, 10 per cent of the money should go for ICT skills development especially targeted at the youths now commonly called the millennials.

“They are the ones who will use the infrastructure to innovate, create and develop the things that will make the future happen, but as long as we don’t make that investment then it means that you’ll put a piece of ICT equipment in an office and nobody is using it because the skills are not there.

“A typical phone, for example, can do a lot for us but because the knowledge of the use of the phone is not available, meanwhile we’ve invested a lot of money buying this device, we limit ourselves to just making calls and sending text messages.” [myad]

2019: Igbo Group Vows To Mobilize 5 Million Votes For President Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

May 12, 2018

An Igbo pro Buhari group, known as One Destiny Organization, has vowed to mobilize five million votes for President Muhammadu Buahri’s re-election in 2019.
National Co-ordinator of the organization, Ohiri Lewis, who said he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of Buhari’s impressive performance, hinted that his group had commenced intensive sensitization of Nigerians in the six geo-political zones on Buhari’s achievement.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has performed well and needs another term in office to consolidate his achievements. We have commenced intensive sensitization of Nigerians across the six geo-political zones on Buhari’s achievements.

“He has performed well in office. In fact, I was lured to join APC following his impressive achievements since he assumed office. Many Nigerians are of the opinion that Mr. President deserves another term of four years to enable him stabilize our economy and successfully return the nation to the joyous path of social justice and prosperity.”

Ohiri, who is a patron of several pro Buhari groups, said that the president has won many Nigerians to his side through his anti corruption policy, insisting that one tenure would not be enough to correct PDP’s 16 years misrule.

On political developments in his home state, Abia, Ohiri dismissed reports that he joined the APC to scuttle some people’s political ambition in the state and added that hence, Abians are highly enlightened to make the right choice in the 2019 general elections.

“I am more committed to President Buhari’s re-election project. Abia people are well enlightened and really know what good governance is all about. They are democratically inclined to make the right choice when time comes.” [myad]

Buhari Is Ready For 2019, Produce Your Candidates, Presidency Challenges Other Parties

Greenbarge Reporters

May 12, 2018

The Presidency has confirmed that, fresh from medical checkup in the United Kingdom, President Muhammadu Buhari is fully ready to campaign to face any political opponents for the 2019 election for a second term.

Answering questions from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he joined others to welcome the President from London yesterday, Friday, presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu advised other political parties to hurry up and produce their Presidential candidates to face Buhari in 2019.

He said that the return of the President is a good notice to opponents to get ready for the contest in 2019, adding: “we use this opportunity to put the opponents on notice: are you ready for 2019? President Buhari is ready for 2019; come, let’s go.”

Garba Shehu, who is the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, said that the return of Buhari to Nigeria from medical checkup in the UK testified to the fact that there was nothing to worry about “as we earlier said.”

On arrival yesterday, President Buhari had said: “I just went for further medical checkup and I’m alright.” [myad]

Gov. Ugwuanyi Pledges To Support CBN Solar City In Enugu

Greenbarge Reporters

May 12, 2018

The Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has pledged to support the construction of the first solar powered estate being built by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Cooperative in partnership with Geometrix Homes and Estates Limited, in Enugu.

The Governor made the pledge when the National Executive Committee of the CBN Cooperative led by its president, Isa Aminu Buhari and the Management of Geometrix Homes and Estates Limited paid a courtesy call on him at the Government House.

While briefing the Governor, Isa Aminu Buhari said that the project, which is one of the first set to be built across the states with their partner Geometrix Homes and Estates Limited, is intended to be environmentally friendly and will solve the perennial energy problem which afflicts most homes in Nigeria as a result of fossil fuel powered energy.

The solar city project is situated at the reserved section of the Emene Industrial Layout. It is the second of a series of solar powered estates to be developed across the country by the CBN Cooperative in partnership with Geometrix Homes and Estates Limited.

The proposed estate comprises of over 170 plots sitting on a land area of over 14 hectares. It will be a fenced and gated neighborhood with Asphalted Streets, good drainage and well landscaped lawns. Other facilities such as internet backbone, security and cleaning services, etc will be provided. All the Houses within the Estate will be powered by solar energy along with street lights.

Aminu Buhari highlighted the details of the estate, saying that the project plan includes the construction of an 18km State government road from Innoson Junction along Abakiliki Road to the estate site that will equally be provided with solar street lights.

He thanked the governor for his laudable developmental projects especially in the area of infrastructural development and housing which has enabled the state to be an investment destination in the South East.

He enjoined the Governor to use his good offices to provide an enabling environment for the smooth take off of the project especially in the area of statutory approvals, security and inter- agency corporation.

In his own remarks at the occasion, the CEO/MD of Geometrix Homes and Estates Ltd., Arc. Uche Uche said they were in the state to help develop and beautify the state capital, Enugu.

He said that the concept of powering an estate with solar energy was coming to Enugu state for the first time and hope that it will usher in a new era of eco-friendly and sustainable dwelling concepts within the state even as he promised to deliver the project with quality materials and within the specified period.

In his response, the governor thanked the CBN Cooperative Society and the management of Geometrix Homes and Estates Limited for sitting such an innovative and strategic project in Enugu. He said it will serve as a catalyst for infrastructural development and enhance standard of living. He promised that the project will receive Maximum Corporation from his government. He also expressed his willingness to attend the foundation laying ceremony and flag off that will take place by the first week of June. [myad]

2 Factional Chairmen Emerge In APC Lokoja Local Government Congress

Greenbarge Reporters

May 12, 2018

Two chairmen have emerged in Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State during the Local Government congress conducted by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) today, Saturday.

Our reporter said that Alhaji Maikudi Bature and Alhaji Usman Mamanlafia emerged new factional chairmen at different venues where the congress held around Lokoja, the State Capital.

Alhaji Maikudi is said to be loyal to the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello while Alhaji Usman has the backing of the embattled APC chairman in the State, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo.

The two congresses were held at Lokoja Local Government Hall, opposite Crowther Memorial College and St Luke’s Model Primary School Adankolo simultaneously.

The factional Chairman Maikudi Bature was elected by 248 delegates from across the ten Wards of the Local Government Area.

Haruna Isah, Chairman Congress Committee for the Local Government, said the twenty seven member local government executives emerged by affirmation and described the Congress as most peaceful ever.

Isah, who is an aide to the governor of Kogi State, also commended the orderly conduct of delegates, saying that the laid down rules by the party and INEC where duly followed.

In his remarks, Adoga Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Donor Agencies, said the APC members have spoken as one united family, saying that the party in Lokoja LGA is rancour free, and united in one purpose.

He charged the newly elected executives to use their emergence to move forward the party.

Also speaking, Hon Shiru Lawal, Administrator of Lokoja LGA, described the turnout of party members despite the rain as sign of good things to come for the party in the area.

The Administrator called on the newly inaugurated executives to reach out to others who are not in the fold, with a view to improving the chances of the party in future election.

In an acceptance speech, the newly elected factional Chairman, Bature Maikudi, says his emergence would not be taken for granted.

He further noted that his new position would spur him to meet with the challenges and expectations of the people of the local government area.

The other congress at St. Luke’s Model Primary School Adankolo, Lokoja, which produced Usman Mamanlafia as the new chairman of APC Lokoja Local Government, saw the emergence of Abubakar Nagogo Maiyaki as the new secretary.

The newly elected chairman pledged to carry along all segment of the party and urged those aggrieved to close ranks in the interest of the party. [myad]

Atiku Jubilates As Buhari Returned From UK, Wishes Him Vitality

Greenbarge Reporters

May 12, 2018

Former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed happiness for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his four-day medical trip to the United Kingdom.

In a tweet today, Atiku said: “I pray that God continues to grant him good health and vitality.”

He wrote: “I welcome @NGRPresident @MBuhari back to the country from his medical trip to the UK.”

The presidential jet which brought President Buhari from London touched down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 6:45pm.

On arrival, Buhari told the Nigeria Television uthority (NTA): “I went for further medical checkup. I am alright.” [myad]

Buhari’s Men At Sarki Abba’s Daughter Wedding

Greenbarge Reporters

May 11, 2018

Top men in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) with the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired General Babagana Monguno (left), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha (second right) attended the wedding reception of Rasheeda, daughter of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Domestic and Social Matters, Alhaji Sarki Abba (shaking hand with Osinbajo). The reception was held today, Friday, May 11 at the Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja. Photo by Sunday Aghaeze. [myad]

Pastor Divorces Wife After 21 Year Marriage For Allegedly Sleeping With Church Members

Greenbarge Reporters

May 11, 2018

Fifty three year old Pastor Joshua Ibeneme has sent his wife, Uzoamaka Ibeneme packing after 21 years in marriage for allegedly sleeping with his church members.

The pastor had approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos, seeking for the dissolution of the marriage for what he called ‘her messing around with his church members.’

“My wife had sexual affair with two of my church members, a deacon and a bishop. Both of them were telling my other members that they slept with my wife because she enticed them.

“Whenever I return from a trip, my last born always tells me that men came to pick and drop my wife. Even God told me to divorce her or else she will destroy my ministry,” he claimed.

The petitioner said that his wife denied him sex for five years.

“My wife starved me of sex for more than five years; whenever I want to sleep with her, she would give one excuse or the other and in fact, she has moved out of my room to a separate room.

Ruling in the case today, Friday, presiding judge, Akin Akinniyi dissolved the marriage on the ground that the pastor had remained adamant in spite of the mediation by the court and family.

“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court is, therefore, left with no option but to grant him his wish and pronounce the union dissolved.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Pastor Joshua Ibeneme and Mrs. Uzoamaka Ibeneme dissolved today.

“Both of you will henceforth cease to be husband and wife, each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested.

“The court wishes both of you well in your future endeavour.

“Any squabble between both you from now on shall be treated as criminal and any violation of this judgment will be regarded as contempt of court and will attract imprisonment without option of fine,” Akinniyi ruled. [myad]

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