Presidency To Sule Lamido: You Are Suffering From Intellectual, Moral Bankruptcy

November 12, 2017

The Presidency has described series of verbal attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari by the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, especially on the issue of the war against corruption, as a reflection of the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the opposition in the country.

In a reaction to the latest of such verbal attack, published in some media platforms today, Saturday, a Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu said that there is a grand plan by politicians seeking the destruction of national institutions such as the courts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and everything good that the nation stands for.

“It is only in Nigeria that a leader will divert money belonging to the public into his children’s account then turns round to start pontificating on public morals, in the process subjecting the nation’s honest leadership to daily attacks based on falsehood.

“It is even worse that such a person, facing criminal prosecution will start going round saying he wants to be president. Is this not one of the reasons why other countries are laughing at Nigeria? This is hooliganism. It is not opposition politics.

“The nation’s war against corruption, spearheaded by EFCC, is incidentally formulated by the past PDP administration. “It is a tragic irony that the leaders of the same party are doing their utmost to weaken or destroy it. Watch it, is that why he is seeking to lead the country?

“Time and again, President Buhari had lamented that strongmen had destroyed the country’s strong institutions and that it will take strong men to rebuild them. He deserves the support of everyone to rebuild such institutions because they serve a common good.”

Appealing to opposition politicians to give President Muhammadu Buhari the support he needs to rebuild national institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission they either stifled or destroyed, the Presidential Spokesman challenged the presidential candidate to convince Nigerians that his trenchant attacks against the government and the judiciary were not a smokescreen to becloud the atmosphere of his criminal prosecution.

“In his diatribe published in the Vanguard newspaper last week, it is clear that the former governor not only set out to mock the President but the judiciary and important national institutions as part of an orchestrated plot to divert public attention from his scam related cases.

“If President Buhari’s war against corruption as he said, was a mockery what does one say of Governor Lamido’s sworn efforts to to sabotage the country’s efforts to rid itself of the cancer of corruption?

“If accountability of public officials is the very essence of a mature democracy, it is indeed ironic that a politician seeking the leadership of the country making a mockery of institutions and leaders seeking to entrench that.

“As a country, Nigeria settled for President Buhari not just as President but the watchman of people’s wealth. The citizens are happy with that and the whole world is applauding. African Union, the AU just named him as the Champion of the war against corruption. Opposition politicians like Governor Lamido need to come to terms with the fact that their act needs updating.” [myad]

Editors Beg Niger Delta Avengers To Drop Idea Of Renewed Threat Of Attacks

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2017

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has expressed worry over the threat by the Niger Delta Avengers to resume attacks on oil facilities in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The Guild asked the Avengers to drop the threat and embrace dialogue in resolving their grievances.

The Guild also advised the Federal Government not to resort to the use of force in resolving the matter, saying that the use of force has never solved any problem.

The Guild, in a communique at the end of its meeting of its Standing Committee in Katsina, described its members as stakeholders in the task of nation-building.

“We seize this opportunity to appeal to traditional rulers in the region to use their offices and goodwill to call the Avengers and any other militant group in the region to order. As royal fathers and leaders of thought, we urge them to play a leading role in the resolution of any breakdown in communication between the Federal Government, oil majors and the militants. We cannot afford another bout of force majeure by oil majors on account of insecurity in the region.”

The Guild expressed worries on the recent show of military force in the quest to neutralise the threat of the militants.

“This move has done little to calm the tension, instead it has aggravated it. We urge caution and restraint.”

The Guild urges the government to dialogue with all stakeholders, including the aggrieved militants to resolve the problems in the region, insisting that the only path to peace is dialogue.

The Guild notes that renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta will reduce Nigeria’s daily oil output, which will in turn deny the country the benefits of the current marginal increase in the price of crude, addung that anything that is capable of returning Nigeria to economic recession should be avoided.

The Guild also notes the increasing crime rate in the country, especially kidnappings and communal clashes and calls on security agencies to rise to the occasion.

The Guild urges the Federal Government to deploy the relevant security agencies to check the pervasiveness of these crimes.

The spread and frequency of kidnappings as well as other criminal activities do not only threaten the nation’s socio-political stability, they also rob Nigeria of income as potential investors are scared of coming into the country while in some instances, existing investors are being forced to leave the country. Either way, the nation loses.

On the 2018 budget proposal currently before the National Assembly, the Guild is concerned about the size of the recurrent as against the capital expenditures. This trend, which is inimical to any country’s development, has continued for so long. We urge prudence and innovative budgeting in order to achieve a reversal in the nearest future.

On the state of the media, the Guild is worried that in spite of the country exiting economic recession, the media industry is mired in distress. We recommend that stakeholders should come together to seek the way forward. [myad]

Senator Grace Accuses Those Linking Her To N23 Billion Diezani Loot Of Mischief

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2017

One time Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, Senator Grace Folasade Bent has washed her hands off the ongoing probe of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over alleged N23 billion loot.

She made it clear that at no time her name was linked to the loot by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) neither had she ever been arrested, describing those who reported that the EFCC had arrested her as mischief makers and malicious.

In a statement today, Sunday, in Abuja, Senator Bent made it clear that what was published against her was pure falsity which according to her, was baseless from all indications.

She said that she had nothing to do with any financial scam or fraud during or after her tenure in the Senate and has never been found wanting in any shady deal with anyone.

Senator Bent felt scandalized and upset by reports that were featured mostly online, alleging that she was a beneficiary of the so called Diezani largesse and that she was arrested by the EFCC in connection with missing ecological funds.

The former Senator said: “EFCC never arrested me on any allegation, since I did not commit any fraud. I wonder where such atrocious reports linking me with financial scam sprouted from.

“To set the record straight, I had to contact the EFCC for clarifications and to clear every mist of doubt created on my person by the report.

“I was not aware of the reports at first. Well wishers from far and near drew my attention to what was published against me. It was, indeed, damaging and I condemn the publications with all vehemence. I do not know what the authors had gained for attempting to damage my hard earned reputation.”

The Senator who represented Adamawa South Senatorial District between 2007-2011 said that her distraught over the media report escalated more because no one approached her for enquiries or clarifications on any issue before the publication, despite being always available to the media.

She advised media to desist from publishing reports aimed at tarnishing the reputations of innocent public servants, especially those who have served Nigeria meritoriously in different capacities.

Senator Bent said however, that she was not deterred by those trying to pull her down politically, adding that she would continue to remain focused and steadfast in her desire to do greater exploits in politics while serving the people of Adamawa and Nigeria in general. [myad]

I’m Yet To Decide Whether Or Not To Join Politics, Oyo Industrialist, Chief Shina Says

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2017

A popular Socialite and Chairman of Aquilla Group, Chief Shina Peller, has confirmed that pressures have been mounting on him to join the politics and contest election into position but had been resisting such pressures.

He said: “for now, my business is my priority, although I have been receiving pressures from people from every corner to get involved in politics but I’m yet to make up my mind.”

Shina Peller, who was a guest at Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo state chapter, Ibadan recently, said that his people wanted him to take advantage of his popularity and influence in the state for politics.

The Iseyin-born philatropist said: “my popularity didn’t just start today. It has always been my desire to do everything I can in whatever capacity to assist people and encourage younger ones even from my days as a student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso.” [myad]

Falana Angry With Nigerian Pastors Who Enrich Selves At Expense Of Poor Christians

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

Human rights Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has expressed dissatisfaction on the way some pastors in Nigeria are enriching themselves from the sweat of the poor Christians all in the name of salvation.

Falana, who spoke at the continuous Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF), emphasized that Nigerian pastors have taken pleasure in draining their attendees, deploring the opulence which they display while the vast majority of their followers wallow in abject poverty.

He openly criticized the General Administrator of Recovered Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, for saying that RCCG will have whatever number branches as could be expected under the circumstances.

Falana would have liked to see Adeboye and different ministers concentrating on different establishments like schools and healing facilities, instead of continually increasing the church branches.

“The vast majority of the wealthiest ministers on the planet are from Nigeria, yet our kin are getting poorer.

“On the off chance that a large number of us had not gone to mission schools worked by the Catholics and the Anglicans… however what are we fabricating now? What are our houses of worship giving us?

“They are promising to manufacture houses of worship in each road. Every one of the stockrooms in Apapa worked by Awolowo have all progressed toward becoming holy places and business focuses.

“I heard that one of my associates, (Minister Enoch) Adeboye, said that he would love to build churches wherever in order to make it simple for worshipers to walk to them.”

It is on record that Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie had also condemned Adeboye’s remark, expressing that there is no purity in expanding church branches. [myad]

Secondus Picks Quarrel With Faceless PDP Members Allegedly Blackmailing Him

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

One of the strong contenders to the office of the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has picked quarrel with those whose names he did not mention.

He displayed his displeasure with what he called ‘various insinuations and misleading stories’ about his ambition to lead the party, describing the action of the faceless party members as character assassination which he said would collapse.

The PDP chairmanship aspirant, in a statement by his media director, Ike Abonyi, gave reasons why his detractors would fail, saying that he is in the race because he finds himself more suitable for the National Chairmanship position in the party at this time and because the position is zoned to the South.

He stressed that he knows that he has more experience for the task involved in National Chairmanship position than anybody in the race, adding that he is also without any encumbrance of corruption.

“With less than 18 months to general election, the party leadership cannot afford those who would learn on the job; the party need someone who can hit the ground running and Secondus is perfectly the man

“Majority of the PDP members across the country and in diaspora are anxious to regain power at the center and they are aware of the enormous challenges ahead hence their desire to have a National Chairman who would come and hit the ground running.

“If majority of the delegates to the party’s National Convention across the six geo-political zones are angling for Secondus, it must be seen from their genuine desires to have the party restored to its winning ways. Therefore blackmail and character assassination of Secondus would collapse because they are standing on malice and Vendetta.” [myad]

CBN Governor, Emefiele, At Bankers Dinner In Lagos

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele (left), participated at the 2017 Annual Bankers’ Dinner Night on Friday, November 10 during which time he delivered a keynote address on the challenges and achievements of the apex bank. [myad]

Pastor Sends Out, Man Who Wants To Marry Another Woman As His Wife Is In Italy Prostituting

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

The General Overseer and founder of Heaven International Fire Ministry in Benin, Edo State, Pastor James Chinwuba, has sent out from his church, a man, Endurance Itsegbe, who brought another woman for marriage solemnization after he sent his first wife to Europe for prostitution.

Information reaching us indicated that the Pastor had called out the couple who had already printed their wedding cards, and embarrassed them in front of the congregation. He asked the couple to go out of his church in the presence of the congregation.

A family member of the man’s original wife told the congregation that they haven’t heard from their daughter since she went abroad and that their in-law had earlier denied plans for a new marriage when confronted.

According to Pastor James, Endurance Itsegbe got married to the woman, sent her abroad to hustle and make money for him, while he planned another wedding in Nigeria; unknown to him that the pastor has been informed of his secret dealings.

It was gathered that his bride, Joy Charles was aware that he was originally married.[myad]

I Left PDP Because It Was Destroyed Beyond Respires, Obasanjo Reveals

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he left Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he discovered that the party had been destroyed beyond what he could be associated with at that point.

Obasanjo expressed surprise that some people who destroyed the party made it impossible for it to retain power at the centre, adding that there was no reason why the party should not have ruled Nigeria for 50 years as believed by some people, but that the party caused its own problem.

“That has happened in some other countries like Germany, where a party runs the affairs of the county for decades, but of course, that is not the history in our own case.”

Obasanjo, who spoke when one of the national chairmanship aspirants, Raymond Dokpesi visited him at his Ota farm in Abeokuta, Ogun state today, Saturday, said that those who destroyed the PDP were still in it and that they would not leave until the running of the party is taken over by determined, selfless, upright and honest people.

“If we are just saying PDP has a crisis, which is self-made and that the Supreme Court had resolved the crisis for us, we are just deceiving ourselves.

“The Supreme Court has taken a right decision as an apex court should, but as a party, only that cannot help you to do it all.”

He prayed that PDP would get its national convention right, adding that the chairmanship of the party is very important.

“I had four PDP chairmen under in eight years. So, I know what it takes to have a good or bad chairman for a party.”

The former two-term President advised Dokpesi to use his media assets well for the interest of the country to avoid and correct past mistakes.

Obasanjo, who said that he and some other Nigerians worked hard for the success of the party and the county, advised PDP to manage its success.

Earlier, Dokpesi said that he was in Abeokuta to seek the prayer and blessings of Obasanjo in his ambition to become the PDP national chairman, adding that anyone aspiring to be national chairman of a political party must consult with the former president.

“I am much aware that you are not interested in partisan politics but you are the father of the nation. You are much committed to the unity, stability and continue the existence of this country.

“You have dedicated all your life to the building of this country.

“Therefore, anything that is good for this country is a matter of interest to you,’’ Dokpesi said.

He said that PDP would continue to plead for the forgiveness of Obasanjo for its trespasses and transgressions.

Dokpesi stressed the need for both the ruling and opposition parties to be strong “even as 2019 is fast approaching.”

Source: NAN.[myad]

How We Resisted Attempt To Scuttle Restriction On 41 Items – CBN Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2017

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has given details of how he and his team had doggedly resisted attempt in many quarters to stop the implementation of the Bank’s policy that restricts importers of certain items access to foreign exchange from the Nigerian Forex market. He added that such resistance has led to improvement in the domestic production of those items and a reduction in Nigeria’s import bill.

Emefiele emphasized in Lagos at the weekend that in spite of opposition to the introduction of the policy restricting 41 items from Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, the faithful implementation of the policy had seen to the considerable decline in Nigeria’s import bills.

From an average of about US$5.5 billion, he disclosed that the nation’s monthly import bill had fallen consistently to US$2.1 billion in 2016 and US$1.9 billion by half year 2017.

Citing the example of Psaltry International Limited (PIL), an agro-allied company based in Oyo State, he said the introduction of the policy had reversed the fortunes of the starch-producing company. He noted that prior to the policy; Psaltry had only few customers and a huge backlog of inventory. However, due to the policy, he disclosed that the company now has over 50 multinational clients including Nestle and Unilever, thereby saving the country $7 million in foreign exchange drawdown over the two years of the policy.

Emefiele said that the access restriction policy had freed Nigeria from the perennially embarrassing importation of toothpicks, adding that as part of the gains from the policy and in line with an agreement reached with Unilever, which moved its production facility to another country a few years ago, the company had agreed to commission a new Blue Band Factory in Agbara, Ogun State before the end of 2017.

He said that the implementation of the policy had had a great impact on Nigeria’s import bill and boosted local rice production in Nigeria. He recalled that Nigeria, in 2012, imported about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice from a trading partner, noting that, in 2016, one full year of implementation of the policy, rice exports to Nigeria had fallen by 99 percent to only 784 metric tonnes.

“These are clearly verifiable successes of government’s attempts to create jobs locally, improve the wealth of our rural population, improve industrial capacities and ultimately attain economic growth in Nigeria,” he noted.

Emefiele expressed delight that the Nigerian economy had recorded positive growth after five consecutive quarters of negative growth, thereby signaling its exit from recession. He also noted the downward trend in headline inflation from 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to the September 2017 figure of 15.98.

The CBN Governor equally expressed gladness that the Naira had appreciated from over N500/US$1 to about N360/US$1. While noting that the economy had seen stability in the exchange rate of the naira for over six months, he affirmed that the exchange rate was not only stable, but was also converging across various windows and segments of the market.

He noted that since the establishment of the Import and Export Window, the CBN had recorded about US$10 billion in autonomous inflows through this window alone. According to him, this reflected the effect of the increased transparency which that window accorded the foreign exchange market and its impact of improving investor confidence and business sentiments.

Speaking on the country’s reserves, Emefiele noted that the reserves had recovered significantly from about US$23 billion in October 2016 to over US$34.3 billion as at November 3, 2017.

“The accretion in reserves does not only reflect increased inflow but also our shrewd FX demand management strategy,” he added

In assessing the country’s rating on the ease of doing business, he disclosed that the World Bank’s ease of doing business indicator for 2018 showed that Nigeria, with a score of 52.03, improved 24 places to rank 145 out of 190, standing above the regional

average score of 50.43 recorded for sub-Saharan Africa. This is even as he noted that the Bank’s effort had reinforced the Presidential initiatives to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Speaking on the economic outlook for 2018, Emefiele warned fiscal and monetary authorities against complacency and over-confidence because of current positive developments in the economy. Rather, he urged all to strive to improve and sustain the pace of recovery.

Although he noted that the import bill had dropped, he stressed that Nigeria’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors still had a long way to go if the country were to attain self-sufficiency in those sectors. Nevertheless, he assured that the CBN, on its part, would continue to fine-tune its policies and strategies based on its understanding of evolving developments and supported by in-house technical analysis and simulations. He assured that the CBN would remain proactive in ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians is optimised at any point in time.

Emefiele noted that, that barring any unforeseen shocks, Inflationary pressure will continue to ease, expressing optimism that the rate may return to very low double digit or high single digit levels during the next year. He also expressed hope that the foreign exchange reserve will continue to grow; stressing that Nigeria can attain a foreign reserve position of about US$40 billion by end of 2018.

He also expressed hope that the economic recovery would consolidate and that the exchange rate stability currently being witnessed would continue. While expressing hope for even stronger policy coordination, collaboration and cooperation in 2018, he hinted that monetary policy stance could change when the underlying fundamentals become supportive. [myad]

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