I Have Confidence In President Buhari And His Government – Asiwaju Tinubu

October 30, 2017

The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaku Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared his confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari and the government he is running.
Tinubu, who dismissed the rumour making the rounds that he had fallen apart from President Buhari and the APC government as “fake news,” stressed that his support and confidence in the Buhari’s government is never in doubt.
The APC national leader, who answered reporters’ questions after a close door meeting with President Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, Monday, said: “we worked hard to bring about the government: there are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lean itself to gossips, insinuations and all of that.
“But once you create leadership and is functioning, you don’t have to babysit that leadership unless there is a loss of confidence and I don’t have that.”
The APC chieftain said that he was not known to shy away from speaking out his mind and even rebelling if it is necessary, but that he had not seen anything that can be described as myth and cable in the Buhari’s government.
“We are the party of the people for the people and by the people and this is democratic environment. Each of us has his or her role to play and that is why we are playing it. I don’t believe in the myth, I believe in confidence building, the trust that we have in the president. In the journey of democracy, you are going to have twists and turns; you are going to have conflicts. Conflicts resolution mechanisms is inbuilt on how you handle your party and the governance and the party are joined by the hips.
Tinubu also dismissed as false and an imagination of the ignorant ones, allegation that there is panic ahead of the APC’s National Executive Council (NEC) tomorrow, Tuesday, and asked “why do you want to know? Are you a member of our party?”
The APC chieftain, who was former governor of Lagos State, recalled the history of 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, assuring that the APC government is on course and will remain on course “and we will remain focused to those necessary things about development, welfare and progress of our people.”
He admitted that it is not easy to face the challenges which the APC government has been contending with, arguing that APC inherited such challenges from the PDP government.
“We are sorting that one out actually. So, few steps we will find happiness and development in the future of our country.
When his attention was draen to calls by different groups for the President Buhari to run for second term in the 2019 Presidential election, Tinubu snapped: “don’t discuss that with me.”

[myad]

Who Is Boss Mustapha, The New SGF?

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2017

Boss Gida Mustapha, who has just been appointed as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), by President Muhammadu Buhari, comes from Hong local government area of Adamawa state, the same with the sacked SGF, Babachir David Lawal.

Boss Gida Mustapha is a lawyer, management consultant, politician, business man and boardroom guru of considerable repute and was Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority. He had vast public sector experience, legal background, extensive travels and contacts in both government and business.

Born in Adamawa State, Boss Mustapha attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa state and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980.

From 1980 to 1981, Boss Mustapha did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Directorate of Legal of legal Services at the Army Headquarters and was in charge of review of Court Marshall Proceedings.

After his National Service, he joined Sotesa Nigeria Limited, an Italian consultancy firm, as an Executive Director in charge of Administration, leaving in 1983 to join the prestigious law firm Messrs Onagoruwa & Co in Lagos.
With his law practice fully taken off, he was appointed Principal Counsel in the firm Messrs Mustapha & Associates, His legal interests and expertise included privatization commercialization and Liberalization of Public Companies/Corporate and Government Parastatals. He was also involved in preparation of varied and miscellaneous banking documents such as Debentures, Guarantees, Mortgages, Bonds and Loan Syndications.

One of Boss Mustapha’s career highlights was his appointment as a member of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), serving meritoriously from 2000 to 2007. At the PTF, he was responsible for production of an up-t0-date comprehensive project and programme report, including location, coverage and whether performed, performing or abandoned production of final report of Assets and Liabilities, examination of the Administrative structure and cost effectiveness of pf Projects and Services among other duties.
Boss Mustapha also played key leadership roles at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) serving as Social Secretary and Chairman at the Yola branch.

After his stint at the PTF in 2007, Boss Mustapha was appointed Principal Partner of the law firm, Adroit Lex. His law practice and the burning desire to serve the larger society conspired to attract him into politics.

At various times, he was member Federal Republic of Nigeria Constituent Assembly (1988-1989), Chairman People’s Solidarity Party-Gongola State (1989-1990), state chairman, Social Democratic Party-Gongola State (1990-1991). He was even a gubernatorial candidate for SDP in Adamawa state in 1991. He was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria from 2010 to 2013.

In 2007, he again played a prominent role, serving as the Deputy Director General of the party’s Presidential campaign Organization. His services remained in high demand after the fusing of ACN joined forces with other parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was a member of NCC and Secretary, APC Presidential Campaign Organization Mobilization (2015) and member, APC Transition Committee (2015). He is also a member, APC Board of Trustees.

In addition to the NBA, Boss Mustapha is a member of various professional bodies including African Bar Association (ABA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association, International Bar Association (IBA) and Human Rights Institute (HRI). But his accomplishments go beyond politics and the Bar; he is respected boardroom guru, having been appointed into the boards of several companies in the manufacturing financial services as well as oil and gas sectors. He is the National Vice President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship international Nigeria.

Boss Mustapha has travelled extensively visiting no fewer than 30 countries, and always taken interest in how waterways assets are managed in those countries.

Boss Mustapha is married with children. He enjoys golf, lawn tennis, travelling, documentary films, charity work and meeting people. [myad]

BREAKING: Finally, Buhari Sacks Babachir, Oke; Appoints Mustapha New SGF

Greenbarge Reporters

October 30, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally sacked the embattled suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke.
A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke.
“The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr Lawal, and has appointed Mr Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment takes immediate effect.
“President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations.” [myad]

Boko Haram Recruited Us As Boat Operators, Arrested Insurgents Confess

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

File photo: Some previously arrested suspected Boko haram members

Two suspected members of Boko Haram in Borno state, Jamilu Adamu and Garba Adamu, arrested by the Nigerian soldiers have confessed that they were abducted by Boko Haram leadership and turned into boat operators.
The two suspects, who said that they belonged to the Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram terrorists group, said that they escaped to Gishiri village from Boko Haram terrorists because of the concerted efforts of the military on the terrorists.
They told the soldiers of 93 Battalion, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, that their escape was also done in realisation of the fallacy of the Boko Haram terrorists’ ideology.
According to a statement by Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, the suspects were found loitering around Gishiri village in Ibbi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The statement said that preliminary investigation showed that they hailed from Kirta village in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was further confirmed that they were fishermen in Kereta before they were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.
Meanwhile, soldiers of 121 Battalion of 26 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, were said to have routed out Boko Haram terrorists that were taking refuge in the surroundings of Dure in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.
The statement said that the soldiers engaged the terrorists and smoked them out of their hideouts at Jango, Nduma, Gobara, Bala Ibrahim, Fulani Rogo and Takwala villages and environs in Gwoza Local Government Area.
It said that during the operations, the soldiers neutralised three Boko Haram terrorists and captured one other alive, adding that several of them escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The troops also recovered one Fabrique Nationals (FN) rifle, one G3 rifle, charged magazines and a pair of military camouflage uniform suspected to be used by the terrorists to disguise as military personnel.”
The statement confirmed that one soldier sustained injury during the operation and that he had since been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post for medical attention.
“The captured terrorist has been taken into custody for further interrogation and onward passage to relevant agencies.”

CBN Governor Advises International Investors To Move Fast To Nigeria Where It Is Happening

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele has advised international investors to move fast to Nigeria where the economy in all sectors is picking up.
Emefiele told members of the London Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom over the weekend that the returns on investment in Nigeria in all sectors of the economy are now among the best in the world.
The CBN governor, who was addressing an elite gathering of capital and money market players, investment bankers, treasurers and other fund managers at the Stock Exchange, said: “Nigeria is ready for business.”
At a forum which was organised by the London Stock Exchange in collaboration with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Emefiele, who drew intermittent applause from the gathering, told the story of how Nigeria emerged from what was it’s worst recession in decades.
He took time to explain the ongoing economic reforms and the huge opportunities available to investors in several sectors, among which are agriculture, solid minerals and infrastructure.
Participants commended the CBN for its ingenious management of the foreign exchange market which saw to the recovery of the Naira as well as the reforms in the funding of agriculture as demonstrated in the success of the Anchor Borrowers Programme and the establishment of the highly successful Investors and exporters window of the foreign exchange market.
Present at the occasion were the British Minister for International Developemt, Hon. Priti Patel: CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Mr. Nikhil Rathi; CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the Director General of Debt Mangement Office (DMO), Mrs Patience Oniha; Edo state Governor, Dr. Godwin Obaseki and the Group CEO of Afrinvest, Mr Ik Chioke, .
Also at the occasion, the Nigerian Banking sector report, conducted by Afrinvest, was launched, showing that Nigerian banks remain resilient and profitable inspite of the headwinds emanating from the current economic situation in the country.
One of the highlights at the occasion was the honour given to the CBN governor, Emefiele to ring the opening bell for trading at the Stock Exchange.[myad]

Agric Sector Holds Key To Economic Boom For Nigeria, Top Oil Chieftain Predicts

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

Managing Director of Rainoil Nigeria Limited, Engineer Gabriel Ogbechie has made it clear that agricultural sector holds the key to the economic boom for Nigeria, away from the oil.
Ogbechie, who has for long, been a major player in the downstream segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, stressed that investment in Agriculture, ICT, real estate and other potent non oil sector are the major ways to reignite and grow economies globally.
The top player in the oil and gas sector, who spoke in Lagos as a Guest Lecture of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Economic and Community Development Lecture, advised Nigerians to participate fully in agricultural business.
Speaking on the topic: ‘Exploring Investment Opportunities in Nigeria,’ the Rainoil MD said: “with a population of about 193 million people, which accounts for about 2.53 per cent of the world population, Nigeria presents a very large market for food and agricultural products.”
He observed that Nigeria’s food import bill for 2016 stands at about $22billion (N6.9tn), which represents about 93 per cent of the 2017 budget, which he described as unsustainable if the economy must grow, hence Nigerians need to now invest heavily in the sector to tap into the huge opportunities therein and support the government’s efforts to take our economy to greater heights.
“Available statistics also show that Nigeria is blessed with an estimated 84 million hectares of arable land, representing 77.7 per cent of her total land area, out of which a far less than 50 per cent is currently cultivated, which he said presents lots of investment opportunities.”
According to him, contrary to widely held beliefs that the oil and gas sector is the mainstay of the nation’s economy, he noted that the oil and gas sector contributes only 9.6 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product GDP while the food and agricultural sector accounts for 24.4 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP as at 2016.
He said that though the oil and gas sector contributes more in terms of foreign exchange earnings as the country produces about 9.4 million barrels of crude oil per day, which translates to $50million or N90billion per day, but that a refocusing on investments in the agricultural and related sector will open up the economy.
“Apart from the agricultural sector, Engr Ogbechie also disclosed that great investment opportunities exist in the Information and Communications Technology ICT sector of the nation’s economy, accounting for about 9.8 per cent of GDP as at 2016.
“From a paltry $50 million ICT investment in 2001, the investment profile has grown to over $70 billion in 2016, even as the sector has experienced 3.9 per cent GDP growth rate in the last 15 years. Statistics also show that active telecoms subscribers stood at 139 million as at August 2017, while active internet subscribers stood at 91.6 million in June 2017, with the sector spending well over $1 billion annually on the purchase of foreign software.”
It was gathered that indigenous technology start-ups such as paystack – online payment platform, developed by two Nigerians, secured $1.3 million seed investment fund from both international and domestic investors, while Andela, another Nigerian technology start-up based in Lagos and New York, obtained a $24 million funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Ogbechie, who has also invested massively in agriculture in Delta State, also listed the real estate and construction segments of the economy as another area with huge investment opportunities, accounting for 3.9 per cent of the nation’s GDP in 2015, with a projected GDP growth rate of 10 per cent and an estimated investment in the sector well over $13.65 billion.
He cited the World Bank, 2014 projection, which said that a total of N59. 5 trillion would be needed to plug the housing gap in the country with an affordable housing deficit of 17 million houses with Lagos accounting for 2.9 million of that with an estimated cost of $363 billion, among several other sectors including entertainment.
The President of the Club, Isichei Osamgbi, while speaking at the event, which coincided with some of the activities marking the Economic and Community Development Month, urged Nigerians to help Government move the economy forward by taking the the Guest Speaker’s advise of investing in agriculture and other relevant sectors like ICT and real estate amongst others, to grow the economy and creat jobs for the good of everyone.
He observed that if every successful business person come forward with their views like the guest speaker to share their business experience, the nation will be the better for it, nothing that Ogbechie having worked at PriceWater Coopers before moving on to set up Rainoil Nigeria Limited, which is today a major player in the downstream segment of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria is still unrelenting in investing to grow Nigeria economically, as well a pushing his dream of winning more converts to see the golden opportunities in agriculture for the nation and its citizens. [myad]

Soldiers Discover Boko Haram Night Market In Borno

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

Soldiers Discover Boko Haram Night Market In Borno

Nigerian Soldiers have discovered a night market established in Boboshe in Borno state where Boko Haram insurgents display for sale, newly harvested farm produce.
The soldiers, of the 112 Task Force Battalion and Mobile Strike Teams of 22 Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in collaboration with some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), stumbled on the market following credible information from well meaning Nigerians.
A statement by the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said that the soldiers carried out clearance operations in Gawa, Bone, Kajeri 1, Kajeri 2, Kube, Dubula, Boboshe 1 and Boboshe 2 villages of Borno State.
“During the operation, the gallant troops discovered that the terrorists had make shift night market in Boboshe with newly harvested farm produce on display for sale.
“After conducting a thorough search of the vicinity, they recovered three Isuzu vehicles, four Dane guns, one Dummy gun, suspected to be used for training of inducted Boko Haram terroists and mattresses hidden under shrubs, amongst several other items ahead of Bone village.”
The statement said that the soldiers rescued five persons that were taken captives by the Boko Haram terrorists gang at Boboshe 1 and Dubula.
The soldiers appealed to members of the general public to continue to volunteer credible information to security agencies in the ongoing clearance operations in the North East.[myad]

We’re Not Being Transparent For Nigerians To Clap For Us, Osinbajo Explains Buhari’s Policy

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that the commitment of the government of Muhammadu Buhari to transparency is not meant simply to attract an applause and cheap commendation from Nigerians.
“These are commitments that we made with all sense of seriousness, not because we are looking for applause or commendation, but because we are convinced they are in our best interests.”
Professor Osinbajo, who spoke during a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt, on the side-lines of the just-concluded EITI Beneficial Ownership Conference, in Jakarta, Malaysia, stressed that Buhari’s government embraced transparency because that is the only way for Nigeria to move forward towards achieving positive development.
“It is in our enlightened self-interest to do so because of the strategic nature of this sector to our economy. So we are doing this more for ourselves.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Buhari administration’s commitment to a sustained EITI implementation in Nigeria and the establishment of a publicly accessible register of the ultimate owners of companies operating in the country.
Even in his keynote address, Professor Osinbajo said that the EITI implementation is in line with Buhari administration’s anti-corruption drive, and the commitment which he made at the May 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit.
The Vice President stressed that the administration will continue to support the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to deliver on its mandates.
The EITI Chairman, a former Prime Minister of Sweden, pledged that the EITI board and secretariat will continue to support Nigeria in its initiatives. Reinfeldt praised Nigeria for attaining what he called “meaningful progress” at the last validation despite the complexity of EITI operation in Nigeria.
Validation, which provides an independent assessment of EITI implementation, is used to assess whether a country implementing the EITI has met the requirements for compliance with the EITI Standard.
The EITI, a global standard to promote prudent management of oil, gas and mineral resources, is implemented in 52 countries, including Nigeria, which signed up to the initiative in 2003 and started implementation in 2004. The implementation of EITI in Nigeria is backed by the NEITI Act 2007. Nigeria is regarded as one of the leading EITI-implementing countries as its operations have shaped the evolution of the global body.
The EITI Beneficial Ownership Conference brought together representatives of governments, companies and civil society groups to exchange ideas and share practices on how to end secret ownership in the extractive sector in all EITI-implementing countries by January 2020.
Others at the bilateral meeting include the Minister of State for National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who is also a member of the EITI board; the Nigerian Ambassador to Indonesia, Hakeem Balogun and the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio. [myad]

Buhari Admires Balarabe Musa’s integrity, Uprightness At 81

Greenbarge Reporters

October 29, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the former civilian governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, as a “man of unassailable integrity and untainted record of public service.”
In a tribute to Alhaji Musa on the occasion of his recently celebrated 81st birthday anniversary, President Buhari said: “even Musa’s worst enemies and critics cannot dispute his remarkable reputation for integrity and selfless service to the people.”
According to the President, Balarabe Musa is one of Nigeria’s brightest stars of integrity and sterling principles, adding: “the octogenarian has lived to his reputation by avoiding any conduct associated with corruption and dishonour.”
President Buhari recalled that his close association with Alhaji Musa in the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) had enabled him to appreciate the radical politician’s patriotism and his commitment to build strong opposition in the country in order to deepen democracy.
The President also praised Musa’s independent-mindedness, stressing that the principled politician can criticise even his friends, associates and allies when it comes to politics.
He advised other politicians and younger citizens in particular to emulate Alhaji Musa’s virtuous life of integrity, selflessness and patriotism in order to make Nigeria achieve progress.
The President wanted Nigerians to see politics as public service and not an opportunity to amass wealth overnight at the expense of the ordinary people or the voters.
This is even as he prayed to God to continue to bless the elder statesman with better health, more wisdom and longer life in the service of the country. [myad]

Burkina Faso’s Number 1 Goalkeeper Dies At 37

Greenbarge Reporters

October 28, 2017

The Burkina Faso’s number one goalkeeper, Abdoulaye Soulama has been reportedly died at the age of 37 after a brief illness.

Abdoulaye, who starred for the senior national team of Burkina Faso, The Stallions, was said to have been hospitalized at the beginning of the year at the Banfora Regional Hospital.

According to reports, the first choice goalkeeper, who had also formerly played for Asante Kotoko FC, Hearts of Oak and ASFA Yennega of Burkina Faso, passed away in Bobo Dioulasso.

Following his return from Ghana where he spent a large part of his career, Abdoulaye Soulama was out of football and stayed in his hometown in Banfora before losing his life in Bobo-Dioulasso where he was receiving medical care.

He was buried in his hometown, Banfora today, Saturday, according to Islamic conventions. [myad]

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