Osinbajo Warns Foreign Investors: Swing Into Action Now Before It’s Too Late

August 7, 2017

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has warned foreign investors to take advantage of the government’s policy of opening up numerous opportunities before they later regret for delays.
Professor Osinbajo warned: “anyone who doesn’t invest in Africa or Nigeria in 10 year’s time, they would be queried by their establishment, by their businesses that “you just missed out on the best possible opportunity” and you know that it is easy to miss out on the best possible business opportunity.
“Really, Nigeria is a place that is waiting to happen and it will happen. That’s really the point. It will happen. The truth of the matter is that any country that opens itself to free enterprise, the way Nigeria is opening itself to free enterprise, will somehow find that it will work.”
The Acting President, who spoke today, Monday, at Nigeria Initiative for Economic Development at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, gave an example of MTN which took the bull by the horns at the time many investors in telecommunications industry thought it would not happen.
“I remember that I was counsel; I was a lawyer, teaching in the university but also in corporate practice when the first telecom licenses were to be issued. And I recall that at the time, even the most optimistic of the investors (because we had only 400,000 telephone lines at the time) thought well, maybe, in five years, we will double the number of lines or maybe triple the number of lines and then we will make profit in about five years or ten years.
“There were so many who thought, well, it may not be worth it. Aaaah! You know, the business environment is a difficult one. But in about a year of the licenses being granted all of those who did not invest in it, the big telecom companies who did not invest in it, found themselves holding the short end. They realized that it was a huge mistake because in five years, MTN had shown that the telecom sector in Nigeria was just incredibly profitable.
“They had made profit in one year. MTN alone now has something in the order of about 12 million or so lines if not more, and that’s one of the telecom companies that we have.”
Professor Osinbajo drew the attention of investors to power sector, which he said, is going to be much bigger and better than even the Tele-communications industry.
He announced that now, there is a massive payment assurance scheme of over N701 billion that the federal government is infusing into the power value chain to free up that value chain.
“Once we are able to do that and we address the issue of tariffs, we open it up again. And then people can come in and the big investors can come in and invest in power.
“This is a country of 180 million people and in another 10 years’ time, we are probably going to be the sixth or seventh largest country in the world. There is no way we are not going to need power, whether it is off-grid power or on-grid power. Power is required by everyone where we have a major power deficit. “So, we are going to open up that power sector and anyone who invests in power sector will definitely make money. No question.”
The Acting President also talked about the abundant opportunities in the agriculture sector and other sectors that are waiting to be explored. [myad]

Governors, Ministers, Aliko Dangote, Others To Attend 1st Online Publishers’ Conference, Thursday

Greenbarge Reporters

August 7, 2017

Members of Guild Of Corporate Online Publisher

Some state governors, ministers, Service Chiefs, President of Dangote, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and others are expected to attend the first ever National Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), a group for the highest strata of Nigerian media professionals in online publishing.
The Conference, to be held at Renaissance Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, August 10, has as its theme: “Sustaining Growth through Diversification of the Economy.”
A statement by GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, disclosed that Governors Nyesom Wike, Abdulafatah Ahmed and Darius Ishaku of Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States respectively have confirmed their presence at the conference as Special Guests.
Others are the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi.
Others who have confirmed their attendance are the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Group Chairman, Mutual Assurance Plc, Chief Akin Ogunbiyi; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria LNG, Tony Attah; the Chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh; the Director, United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja; and the Founder, Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun.
Keynote Speakers at the conference are university teacher, Prof. Akin Onigbinde; the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bayo Onanuga; and a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.
Former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Sun Newspapers and now the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, and the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph Newspapers as well as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, will participate in the discussion.
A new GOCOP executive council will be inaugurated at the conference.[myad]

Buhari Has Changed Military From Being A Channel For Distributing Political Campaign Funds – Group

Greenbarge Reporters

August 7, 2017

Buhari Media Support Group has reminded governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state how President Muhammadu Buhari has successfully changed the Nigerian army from being a channel for distributing political campaign funds to a more responsible body.
The Group, in a statement signed by the Acting Chairman, Austin Braimoh, and its Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke, dismissed claims by Governor Fayose that the current set of military is corrupt, mischievous and ill-motivated, arguing that the military, under its current leadership, is professional and far from corrupt.
The group insisted Buhari government had taken steps to the rid the military of corruption and change them from the past notorious image on human rights.
“Unlike the previous administration, where the military made the institution a vehicle for the channeling of funds to fund political campaigns and elections, of which Governor Fayose was a beneficiary, the Nigerian Military under Buhari has been reformed and refocused leading to unprecedented feats at the war front.”
The group said that the Nigerian Military is a longstanding symbol of Nigeria’s unity and this must not be toyed with by divisive and hate-brewing politicians.
The group lamented the under-reporting of the achievements of the Nigerian Military in the war against Boko Haram, and the unnecessary and unpatriotic prominence given to pockets of Boko Haram’s guerilla attacks on the media.
It called on the politicians and the media to be agents of unity and eschew comments that sow division in the country. [myad]

Mauritanians Vote To Sack Senate

Greenbarge Reporters

August 7, 2017

Mauritanians have voted to abolish the upper house of their parliament, the Senate, in a controversial referendum that was boycotted by the opposition.
The result is seen as a victory for President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who is accused by his rivals of trying to extend his mandate, which he denies.
He called the referendum after the Senate rejected his proposals to change the constitution.
Turnout was 53.73%, with 85% of voters supporting the change, officials said.
But members of the opposition denounced an “electoral farce which has given way to open-air fraud”.
Mr Abdel Aziz, who described the Senate as “useless and too costly,” said that the move to abolish it would improve governance by introducing more local forms of lawmaking.
He is barred by the constitution from running a third term. He came to power in a coup in 2008, elected president the following year and won a second term in 2014.
The president is a key ally of the West and neighbouring states in countering Islamist extremist groups.
In the same referendum, held on Saturday, voters also supported a change to the national flag.
The current green flag with yellow Islamic crescent and star will also feature red bands to honour the blood spilt by those who fought for freedom from France.[myad]

Fed Govt Withdraws Nomination Of 2 ICPC Board Members Under Probe For Alleged Corruption

Greenbarge Reporters

August 6, 2017

The federal government has removed the names of two persons, Maimuna Aliyu and Sa’ad Alanamu from the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC)
The two persons are believed to currently under probe by the same ICPC for alleged corruption to the tune of about N1 billion.
An investigative website, ICIR, had exposed the alleged fraudulent activities perpetrated by the two individuals whose appointments Acting President Yemi Osinbajo approved last week Tuesday.
The website indicated that while Sa’ad Alanamu is reportedly being investigated on corruption charges allegedly committed when he headed some institutions in Kwara state, Maimuna Aliyu is said to have a long-standing case of abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of public funds against her.
Senior special assistant to Acting President Osinbajo on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, in a series of tweets today, Sunday, said that the government had confirmed that the individuals were undergoing probe.
“We are stepping down 2 of the new ICPC board nominees who have ongoing investigation issues with the commission as this presents a conflict,” he wrote.
“This case presents a peculiarity as we have confirmed that the agency in which they are to serve is indeed investigating the two of them.
“A basic check showed no court convictions against them. But when weighty petitions come up this administration ‘ll always do the right thing.
Akande acknowledged that existence of allegations or petitions against someone shouldn’t necessarily disqualify them from considerations for appointments.
[myad]

Buhari Calls On Nigerians To Rise Against Evil Men In Their Midst

Greenbarge Reporters

August 6, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari, today, Sunday, reacted to Ozubulu church killing by unidentified gunman in Anambra state, calling on all Nigerians to rise against evil men in their midst.
“All Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men.”
In a strongly worded statement by the the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said President Buhari condemned the attack, describing the it as an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.
He said that there was no justification whatsoever to target Church worshipers and kill them in cold blood, adding that this kind of atrocity “plumbs the depth of depravity and extreme cruelty of the kind that words cannot adequately express.”
According to the President, there is no religion that does not lay constant emphasis on the sanctity of life.
The President expressed his deep felt sympathy with the families of the victims, the Church leadership and the government of Anambra State, reassuring Nigerians of his administration’s firm and uncompromising commitment to protect their lives and property at all times.[myad]

Problem Of Nigeria Is Lack Of Management Of Available Resources, Osinbajo Insists

Greenbarge Reporters

August 6, 2017

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has once again diagnosed the problem that had retarded the progress of Nigeria as being more of lack of management of the nation’s resources than the availability of same.
“The problem is not about the availability of resources, but it is the management.”
The Acting President, who spoke at the Presidential Villa when he received Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, Houston, US-based Nigerian doctor who successfully led a medical team that operated on a foetus, winning US and global acclaim for the feat, justified his postulation by wondering how the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government is able to do more when funds are scarce than in the days when oil was selling at over $100 per barrel.
“When we were making over a $100 per barrel, we were owing oil JVC cash calls, not able to pay salaries and owing contractors. Now that we are down in earnings by 60%, we have sorted out the problem of cash calls and are able to support states to pay salaries.”
According to the Acting President, this country can be well run, adding: “we produce the best in every way, but it will take a lot of doing, by good men and women. This is what i have learnt in the past over two years here. If we do the right things, day by day, we’ll change and improve the Nigerian situation significantly.”
He expressed happiness that Nigeria has been producing the best in every way and that its citizens have been shining in various ways around the world.
“As we continue to do what is right in public service, the country is bound to reach the top, globally, as a people.
Osinbajo said: “our country continues to shine in various ways, your achievement is remakable in every sense. People are bound to wonder. It’s the kind that fables are made of. And this is from someone who is Nigerian-trained.”
Dr. Olutoye who was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by members of his family including his wife and parents had, in a rare medical feat that drew global applause, brought out a foetus from a mother-Margaret Boemer’s womb to remove a tumour from the foetus, and then restored the unborn baby to the womb successfully. The mother then continued to carry the pregnancy to term, and later on, delivered the baby safely and well. She named the baby Lynlee Hope.
Earlier, Dr. Olutoye had attributed his medical successes in the US to his Nigerian training and education up till the university.
“All we have achieved from primary to university is from Nigeria, and I believe that Nigeria will surpass what we have achieved out there.”
Dr. Olutoye is a graduate of Medicine from the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife.
[myad]

Ozubulu Church Killing Carried Out By Igbo Business Partner From Anambra – Police

Greenbarge Reporters

August 6, 2017

Some dead worshipers at the scene of the incident, Ozubulu, in Anambra State

The police in Anambra state has revealed that a man who killed eight worshippers and injured 18 others in Sunday early morning attack on St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area targeted his business partner with whom he had misunderstanding overseas.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, who threw more light on the mystery shooting and killing of worshippers in a church did not name the gunman and his business partner, but said that the gunman is an indigene of the area.
“Intelligence report/Preliminary investigation proved that it is a fight between the two sons of the community living outside Nigeria that caused the incident, because one of them built the church where the incident happened.
“We gathered that worshippers for 6 o’clock Sunday mass at St. Philip Ozobulu were in the service when a gunman, dressed in black attire covering his face with a cap, entered the church and moved straight to a particular direction and opened fire.
“The man, after shooting at his targeted victims still went on a shooting spree, killing and wounding other worshippers.”
The commissioner said that information available to police showed that the attacker was speaking undiluted Igbo language at the time he was firing at worshippers.
Garba Umar said that though no arrest had been made, the police already learnt that the attack followed a quarrel between two natives of Ozubulu residing overseas.
Describing the act as sacrilegious, the commissioner of police said it was wrong for the perpetrators of the act to extend their quarrel into the church.
“Such conduct shows the people behind the act do not fear God.”
He said the police had launched a manhunt on those behind the act and gave an assurance that everybody behind the act would be brought to justice.
He said that the police are on top of the situation.’’
*Full statement of the Police:
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Umar has warned that the command will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the shooters at St Philip’s Catholic Church Amakwa Ozubul.
Unknown gunmen had today Sunday, 6th August 2017 entered the church, while the mass was going on and shot at worshipers.
Following a distress call, men of the police force rushed there and are presently rescuing the worshippers.
The hospital authority has confirmed 8 persons dead,and 18 injured. The command assures ndi Anambra that the police is on top of the situation and will fish out the perpetrators soon.
Intelligence report/Preliminary investigation proved that it is a fight between the two sons of the community living outside Nigeria that caused the incident,because one of them built the church where the incident happened. It is sacrilegious but for now,is still premature to disclose the identities, we will brief the public after investigation is concluded.
Commissioner Umar commiserates with all those who lost their loved ones the act and pledges that the command would not rest on its oars until perpetrators are brought to book.
However, citizens are advised to be vigilant and report suspicions movements and actions in their locality.
SIGNED
Asp NWODE NKEIRUKA
PPRO ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND
[myad]

BREAKING: Unidentified Gunmen Storm Church In Anambra, Kill Score

Greenbarge Reporters

August 6, 2017

Unidentified gunmen were said to have stormed St. Philips Catholic Church in Ozubulu, in Anambra State today, shooting at worshippers sporadically.
The invaders, who were said to have forcefully entered the church while service was in full swing, succeeded in killing many worshippers while others sustained various degree of injuries from the panicky run-for-dear-life.
The incidence, according to eye witness accounts, occurred at about 7.30am today, Sunday, when the church was jam packed by worshippers.
As at the time of publishing, no official statement was issued and no group claimed responsibility for the early morning tragic shooting. More details later.
[myad]

`Kano Gov To Igbos In North: We Will Not Allow You To Leave Even If You Wish To

Greenbarge Reporters

August 5, 2017

Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has assured Igbos in Kano and other parts of the North that they don’t need to leave as a result of the recent quit notice issued by Arewa Youths.

The governor, who made spoke at a meeting with the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) and Igbo Traditional rulers in the 19 northern states, led by IDA President-General, Chief Chi Nwogu, at the Government House in Kano, said: “even if you want to go on your own, we will not allow you to leave.

“There is a difference between I will not go and there is no where I can go. You don’t have anywhere to go, this place is your home.

“Those advocating ethnic agitation from the East are not speaking for all Igbos. Those of us, who as youth witnessed the Civil war, will never advocate secession.”

Governor Ganduje said that the Northern youths who issued quit notice to Igbos in the region have also been called to order by elders, including governors and the Sultan of Sokoto.

“When you have youths who have no elders, they are similar to riding a horse without a bridle. It can behave anyhow and anything can happen. This is what is happening.”

[myad]

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