Mugabe Throws In The Towel As Damocles Of Impeachment Hangs In Air

November 21, 2017

Robert Mugabe has resigned as Zimbabwe’s President; just at the time the parliament began an impeachment process to end his nearly four decades of rule.

The 93-year old had hanged onto power for a week after an army takeover and expulsion from his ruling ZANU-PF party. The party had sacked him and asked him to leave power.

Wild celebrations broke out at a joint sitting of parliament when Speaker Jacob Mudenda announced Mugabe’s resignation and suspended the impeachment procedure.

The origin of Mugabe’s sudden downfall lies in rivalry between members of Zimbabwe’s ruling elite over who will succeed him, rather than popular protests against his rule.

The army staged what looked like a coup last week after Mugabe sacked ZANU-PF’s favourite to succeed him, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

It was believed that Mugabe was preparing a ground for his wife, Grace to ascend the presidency after him.

The 52 year old Grace is known to her critics as “Gucci Grace” for her reputed fondness for luxury shopping.
Mnangagwa, a former security chief, known as The Crocodile, is expected to take over as president.

Source: Reuters[myad]

Female Saxophonist, Tolu Adeniyan, Excites Fans In Ondo

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

Leading female saxophonist, Tolu Adeniyan, otherwise known as Fulness Sax, sent fans into excitement at the weekend with her brilliant performance at a life changing concert held at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo state.
The young star, who took the stage by storm, performed various inspiring songs which the fans sang along with great excitement.
Fulness Sax was very much comfortable on the stage as the event was more of a reunion and a home coming for the young talent who left the institution few years ago.
Speaking at the event, Fulness who was full of excitement about the success of the concert and the warm reception by the students, expressed satisfaction with the turnout.
“This is more of home coming for me. I am very excited to be here and I will always make effort to come back if I have the opportunity. I am always very excited when playing this instrument, which is taking me places. I have been doing this for some years and it is already a part of me. I started playing saxophone some years back here and I feel very excited doing it again tonight.”
She thanked the fans for the warm reception particularly, for coming out to be part of the great event. She promised to return for a bigger event as soon as possible.
Fulness, a graduate of Mass Communications who began her saxophonist career at the AAUA is one of the most sought after female saxophonists by various organizations for major events in Nigeria.[myad]

Buhari Gives Marching Order To Police Boss: Visit Zamfara And Report Back To Me

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to visit Zamfara state where some bandits were reported to have killed some innocent people.
The President, who asked the IGP to report back to him about his findings on the deadly attacks after such visit, also condemned the Boko Haram suicide bombers that killed scores today, Tuesday, in Mubi, the Adamawa state.
A statement today, Tuesday, by the Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu said that Buhari also directed the Police boss to deploy more police personnel to prevent further attacks by armed bandits in Zamfara State.
The directive to IGP to personally visit Zamfara state followed recent killings and wanton destruction carried out by unknown gunmen on communities in Shinkafi and Maradun Local Government Areas of the state.
On the early Tuesday morning suicide bomb blast in a mosque in Mubi, Adamawa State, President Buhari described it as “very cruel and dastardly.”
He sympathised with families of the several victims, government and people of the state, even as he assured that government would do everything required to secure the state from the deadly menace of Boko Haram.
The President called on the people in the entire Northeast to be more vigilant and report suspicious persons to security agencies in order to avert further attacks on soft targets by the terrorist group.
President Buhari prayed that God would console the bereaved families in the Adamawa and Zamfara incidents, heal the injured, and grant rest to the souls of the departed.[myad]

Nigeria, America Sign MoU On Commercial Investment Dialogue

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on an investment instrument titled US-Nigeria Commercial Investment Dialogue (CID)
The two countries signed the MoU at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja, today, Tuesday.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah signed on behalf of Nigeria while US Secretary of Commerce Mr. Wilbur Ross signed on behalf the USA
The CID is designed to deepen commercial and investment ties between both countries
It allows for exchange of information between the two business communities and the governments on key commercial and investment matters of importance to improving the business climate, fostering greater economic growth, modernization and job creation.
With the agreement signed, the two countries commit to strengthening their commercial and investment relationship by leveraging private sector participation; targeting the elimination of trade barriers and other obstacles to commercial and investment relationships; modernization, and integration into the global economy through value supply chains; and cooperation for mutual benefit among others
In his statement, Enelamah expressed delight in the signing of the MoU, adding that the process commenced with the previous administration of President Barack Obama.
“This continues to demonstrate our commitment as a government to leverage partnerships for economic growth and development.”
This was even as Mr. Ross described the CID as the newest instrument of U.S. engagement with Nigeria, which he said leverages the voice of the private sector in the effort to enhance the bilateral commercial and investment relationship.
“I am encouraged that the CID will be an effective tool to partnering with the private sector to deepen our bilateral tradeand investment relationship.”
The CID will be co-chaired at the Ministerial level by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (or their designees)
Initial focus areas are infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment and regulatory reform.[myad]

Wait For Supreme Court Verdict, Buhari Appeals To Feuding Political Gladiators In Liberia

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Liberian counterpart President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to all aggrieved parties in the current political challenge in Liberia to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court on the issue at stake.
Receiving in audience today, Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, who is the current Chairman of ECOWAS, Buhari expressed the hope that the outcome of the country’s Supreme Court verdict would be acceptable to all in order to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
On the political situation in Guinea Bissau, the President told the ECOWAS Chairman that the leading political actors in the country should agree to a resolution and a transition that would pave way for elections in the country in 2018.
This was even as the visiting ECOWAS Chairman said that he had to meet with President Buhari on a number of challenges facing the West African region, and sought his counsel on the best way to resolve the issues.
Gnassingbe said that they reviewed the political situations in Liberia, Guinea Bissau and Togo, and also talked about the ongoing reform in ECOWAS.
He said that they were both satisfied with the progress made so far in implementing the reform in the regional body, expressing support for the rules and regulations endorsed by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers as guide for the selection of leaders of the ECOWAS Commission.
The ECOWAS Chairman said that the institution’s Heads of State meeting will be held in Abuja in December.[myad]

Electricity Regulatory Commission Renews Licence For Afam IV Power Plant For Electricity Supply

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has renewed the power generation licence for Afam VI Power Plant, a 650MW-capacity facility that has delivered over 24.16 million Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity into the Nigerian grid between inception between 2008 and 2016.
Afam VI is owned by The Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture (SPDC JV) and located in Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government area of Rivers State.
Presenting the renewed licence to the leadership of SPDC at the Commission’s office in Abuja today, Tuesday, the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, described SPDC JV as a committed partner in the Nigerian power sector adding that the company’s belief in the sector and its resolve to help it develop were remarkable.
“We hope for greater efficiency and improved operations from Afam VI in the next 10-year phase of your operations just as we look forward to working together to resolve some of the challenging issues in the power sector.”
Receiving the licence, the General Manager, Gas of SPDC, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, described the Afam VI as a model worthy of emulation by government and other players in the power sector.
“Here’s a power plant with a dedicated gas plant operating with high uptime generating clean and efficient power from the combined cycle of three gas and one steam turbines.”
He lamented the challenges of debt, power evacuation and off-take which he said prevented the plant from delivering optimally at 15 percent of the total national grid-connected electricity.
Afam VI uses combined cycle gas turbine technology that burns 40 percent less gas than plants using older open cycle technologies. This also contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, Afam VI power plant supplied approximately 12% of the nation’s grid-electricity.
Built with the most efficient technology in the industry and utilising waste heat energy from the gas turbine exhaust, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbine without consuming any additional gas, thereby considerably reducing its carbon footprint.
As a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the United Nations Executive Board for Climate Change, Afam VI Power Plant eliminates over 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, while also maintaining excellent safety standards.
The operations at Afam VI have generated subcontract opportunities and employment for over 150 staff from the 16 host communities. It also provided hands-on and offshore training for 15 youths in Electrical, Mechanical and Instrumentation engineering on Combined Cycle Power Plant operations and maintenance. All the trainees are already employed in the Nigerian power industry. Arrangements have been concluded for the training of another 15 community youths.
The power plant also won SPDC the Best Company in Climate Action Award in the 2016 edition of Sustainability, Enterprise, Responsibility Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (SERAs–CSR), an annual event to celebrate organisations that invest resources to improve the socioeconomic living conditions of people in Nigeria and Africa.[myad]

Buhari Congratulates Obiano, Vows To Ensure Clean Elections No Matter Who Loses

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who was re-elected for a second term in the Saturday election in Anambra State.
The President commended the people of the State, other governorship candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers as well as security agencies and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the election.
(he President said that the processes leading to the election and its peaceful conduct and outcome, have shown that his government’s electoral reform is bearing positive fruits.
“This is very encouraging and I am determined to give Nigeria free and fair elections, no matter which way the results swing.”
He expressed delight at the conduct of the candidates post-election results, describing it as “heart-warming and a renewal of confidence in the sanctity of the ballot which deepens our nation’s democracy.”
President Buhari advised the INEC to improve on areas of logistics as the nation braces for governorship elections and the main general elections in 2019.
The President called on the victorious governor Obiano to rededicate himself to building on his achievements that endeared him to the electorate and swayed the overwhelming majority of votes in his favour.
President Buhari assured the Governor-elect that the Federal Government is ready to work with him for the greater harmony, peace and development of not only Anambra State but the entire country.
He wished the returning governor a successful new term in office.[myad]

President Buhari Demands To Know Why Nigeria Airways Failed

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has demanded to know why the Nigeria Airways collapsed even as he said that he is under tremendous pressure from some prominent Nigerians to establish another national carrier for Nigeria.

The President, who received the president of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Dr. Muyiwa Aliu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisted that Nigerians need to know how the nation lost the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways.

“I also support a national airline for both patriotic and economic reasons.

“We have enough trained citizens, including pilots and engineers. But Nigerians need to know how we lost the one we had.”

The President said that his government’s determination to speed up the improvement of aviation infrastructure in the country to aid economic development.

He said that his commitment to working with regulatory agencies in the aviation sector to make air travel safe throughout the country. [myad]

Death Awaits Cultists, Terrorists In Ekiti As Gov Fayose Signs Bill Into Law

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2017

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has signed into law, the bill prohibiting secret cults, terrorism and prescribing death sentence on anyone caught in the act.

While appending his signature to the bill at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti today, Monday, governor Fayose said that the law was a confirmation of the unwavering commitment of the state government to combating terrorism in the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the governor frowned at the resurgence of the scourge in the state, especially among students in tertiary institutions.

“From now, any person who is a member of a secret cult, whether or not the person is in possession or in control of any offensive weapon but commits the offence, is liable to conviction to death.

“Any person who gives financial or material support or assistance to a secret cult or in any manner sponsor the activities of a secret cult, commits an offence under this law and is liable for conviction to imprisonment for life” he said.

The governor further warned that anybody, who intentionally encouraged the organising of a secret cult meeting or activities in places such as houses, nightclubs, hotels and other places would be committed to life imprisonment.[myad]

Buhari’s Government Now Feeds 5 Million School Pupils In 19 States Free

Greenbarge Reporters

November 20, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s National Home-Grown School Feeding (NHGSF) Programme is said to have spread to 19 states across Nigeria.

The states are Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa and Niger.

According to information made available to news men today, Monday, by the senior special assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, over five million pupils in 28,249 schools in the 19 states are currently been fed under the programme, while Kano and Katsina states are expected to be added to the beneficiaries states in the coming weeks.

Akande said that over 50,000 cooks are currently engaged under the programme, adding that the school feeding programme, which is part of President Buhari administration’s N500 billion National Social Investment Programmes, has a target to feed 5.5 million schoolchildren by the end of 2017.

He sid that the School Feeding Programme is now collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health to deliver an integrated de-worming programme for pupils in all public primary schools, from classes 1 to 6 across in 17 states which he said is currently under the NHGSFP in the country.

“At least 243 Local Government Areas will benefit from the deworming exercise in the 17 states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Niger, Osun, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Anambra, Benue, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Delta and Plateau states.

“The integrated programme, which is scheduled for the first and second week of December in these states, will deliver three different drugs for the treatment of diseases endemic to specific states; particularly schistosomiasis; soil-transmitted helminths and river blindness/onchocerciasis. The drugs to be distributed are Albendazole, Ivermectin and Parazaquintel.

“Supported by the Federal Government, three facilitators would be within the states for the period to achieve these objectives and ensure that the pupils in these states are de-wormed.”[myad]

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