Buhari’s Govt Has Created Over 6 Million Jobs In Agric Sector Alone, Labour Minister claims

November 2, 2017

Minister of Labour and employment, Chris Ngigi

The minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has claimed that so far, President Muhammadu Buhari has created between five and seven million jobs in agricultural sector alone.
He said that most of the jobs were created in the area of rice farming.
“From rice tilling, harvesting, sending to the paddies, mills, and even where people are making the jut bags; transportations, people are getting jobs. So, that value chain alone from agric is enormous.
He said that when Buhari’s government promised jobs, many Nigerians tried to quantify such jobs in terms of white collar jobs for graduates from universities, polytechnic.
“But they don’t want to look at the blue collar jobs. Agriculture and agric chains alone have created more jobs.”
On the N-power, Dr. Ngige, who spoke to news men today, Thursday, shortly after he had a close door meeting, said that the government had created millions of jobs.
“Skill acquisition from the NDE and other agencies of government, jobs are being created. We give them tools as plumbers, electricians, cosmetologists, shoe makers, tilers and several other areas. We have created several jobs.”
The labour minister said that the talk on new minimum wage would be accelerated with the organized Labour.
“We are going to fast tract the process by working very fast. The committee on the national minimum wage will have terms of reference that will set the time frame for them to conclude the work. I am sure the President will ensure that the process is completed in time.”[myad]

How Jide, Bola Tinubu’s First Son Died And News Kept Secret From His Father

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

About 30 years old Jide, the first son of the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was said to have died after collapsing.

A family source said that Jide collapsed and died from what was suspected to be a heart attack around 9 pm yesterday, Tuesday.

The family source said that immediately after he collapsed, close family members rushed him to hospital on Lagos Island where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

It was gathered that the news of his death was kept secret because the father, Bola Tinubu, was in Abuja attending the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC.

Public announcement of the death of Jide, was made today, Wednesday in a twitter by the Chairman of APC in Lagos, Otumba Henry Ajimole, when he tweeted: “it’s with regrets that I inform you of the demise of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the Son of Our dear and esteemed Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The deceased was a law graduate of the University of Liverpool, England. He obtained a Masters degree in Maritime Law from the University of London and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.

The late lawyer had served as Promoter of TSL Limited and also worked in the Legal Department of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from January 2000 to September 2001. Prior to this, he had brief stints with Cargo Maritime, Paris, France, a firm of shipbrokers that specialize in petroleum product tankers, and Ocean and Oil Services Ltd.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a telephone conversation with Asiwaju Tinubu today, Wednesday, said that he was deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of his first son.

The President described the transition of Jide as “sad and painful,” adding that the nation has been denied the services and potentials of the resourceful lawyer.

He prayed that God will grant the Tinubu family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, and comfort all who mourn the passage of the promising gentleman. [myad]

APC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Buhari, Silent Over His Second Tenure

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, but silent over the possibility of his running for the second term in the 2019 election.
Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting in Abuja yesterday, Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that a vote of confidence was passed on President Buhari but that there was no motion on the adoption of the president for second term.
“The motion that was put was after the Minister of Agriculture had briefed the NEC about the activities and achievements of his ministry. One of the NEC members said we should move a motion passing a vote of confidence on Mr President. There was no formal motion moved on the issue of second term for Mr President.
“Somebody in the crowd shouted that we should move a motion and we don’t even know that member. But the motion that was formally moved was that NEC should pass a vote of confidence on Mr President and that was after the brief given by the Minister of Agriculture, especially when he said that by 2018, Nigeria will have no need to import a single grain of rice. That is the context and I need you to understand that very well.
“The only discussion or conversation on 2019 was the activity of the party in 2018, especially the issue of convention. It was agreed that since we have all these activities lined up, including the mini convention, congresses and elective convention, a small team be set up to put dates to these party activities up to 2018. There was no discussion about election of 2019 or who will be the party flag bearer. The committee will decide when all these activities will take place. The NEC also passed absolute vote of confidence on [Chief John Odigie] Oyegun and the NEC.” [myad]

Dasuki Appears In Court, Claims He Could Not Remember What Happened In Metuh’s Case

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, appeared before Federal High Court in Abuja today, Wednesday, told the court that he could not give accurate account what happened in his office in 2014 because of his two years in detention.
Dasuki responded to the court subpoena for him to give evidence in the trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh on N400 million corruption charges.
The former NSA, in his brief remarks, before Justice Okon Abang at the instance of Metuh,
confirmed that he knew Metuh but that he could not recall without reference to his records, the transaction of 2014 upon which Metuh was put on trial by the Federal Government.
Led in evidence by Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN) Counsel Metuh, Dasuki told Justice Abang that he had been kept in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) for over two years and had no access to records of his office that could make him refresh his memory to give accurate evidence.
He recalled the caution issued to him by the court to the effect that he would be prosecuted if he gives inaccurate evidence in the trial of Metuh, adding that in order to give accurate evidence, he needs to have a recourse to his records to be able to give accurate evidence.
Counsel to Metuh had to apply for an adjournment to enable Dasuki to have access to his records to enable him to give correct evidence. Adding that from all indications, Dasuki is ever willing and ready to cooperate to give reliable evidence.
However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir opposed the application for adjournment, adding that major documents needed by Dasuki to give evidence are in the custody of the court and that Metuh’s counsel should be compelled to use the documents on the witness. He urged Justice Abang not to grant the adjournment.
In his ruling, Justice Abang adjourned ruling on the application for adjournment to November 3, 2017.
Meanwhile the Court of Appeal has fixed November 13, 2017 for hearing of the Appeal filed by Dasuki in which he prayed the court to set aside the subpoena issued on him by Justice Abang on the ground that he had been in the custody of DSS for over two years and may not be able to give accurate evidence in the trial of Metuh.
Similarly, in the motion brought by former President Goodluck Jonathan praying Justice Abang to set aside the subpoena issued to him to appear in court to give evidence for Metuh, the Court in a brief ruling held that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the motion argued by Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN) for Jonathan on the ground that the former President has not been formally served with the subpoena.
Justice Abang said all issues raised by Jonathan against the subpoena can only be canvassed after he had being served with the Subpoena personally as required by the court. [myad]

2019 Presidency: Those Campaigning For Me Are My Enemies – Orji Kalu

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described those who have been pasting his posters and campaining for him to run for Presidency in the 2019 election as his enemies.
Orji Kalu, who is also a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, was reacting to posters of him that have gone viral, one of which has an inscription: “Vote Orji Kalu for President on the platform of the APC.”
The former governor, in a statement in Abuja, distanced himself from such posters, which he said, are fake campaign posters.
According to him, the posters are the handiwork of political jobbers and speculators, who are afraid of his unstoppable political feat.
In the statement which was issued by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Orji Kalu declared that his support for the candidature of Buhari if he so desires to run in 2019 was not shaking, adding that the North should be allowed to complete its eight years before the Igbo will have “their rightful turn in 2023.
“After a two-week business trip to China, to my surprise on my way from Nnamdi Azikwe International airport, Abuja this morning, I sighted the malicious posters in my name with the caption: ‘Kalu for President.’
“It is definitely the handiwork of some politicians who are either afraid of my political capacity or enemies of the present administration as I have continually maintained my support for Mr. President.
“The action of these jobless politicians is a ploy to damage the robust relationship I have with President Buhari and the top hierarchy of the APC.?
“Such political blackmail is not only disheartening but unhealthy for Nigeria’s growing democracy.
“While I call on the unsuspecting public, especially members of the APC, to disregard the vicious posters, I am also reaffirming my unflinching and unaltered support for Mr. President.
“I will contest in 2019 by the grace of God but definitely not for President.”
The APC chieftain appealed to the political class to play the game by the rules, even as he called on the electorate to be wary of desperate politicians.
He made it clear that the collective interest of Nigerians is paramount and should be placed above selfish ambitions.[myad]

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Angry With Buhari For Not Picking SGF From Southeast

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

The umbrella body of Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze, is angry with President Muhammadu Buhari for not appointing a South Easterner as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) even after the ruling party zoned it to the region.
The body said in a statement signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo that the President has failed again to play father figure which his office demands in presiding over a plural and divergent society.
“The President’s action has further denied the people of the region a strong place in the executive arm of the administration.”
The Ohanaeze boss expressed regret that the President by his action, has failed to seize the opportunity of running an inclusive government and assuaging the feelings of Ndigbo by side tracking them again in the appointment of the SGF.
“It also shows the President’s insensitivity to the over flogged issue of marginalization of Ndigbo by his administration.
“We had thought that the recent meeting of South East leaders with the President at the Aso Rock Villa opened an avenue for a new relationship with the zone which appointing an SGF from the area would have helped to cement especially as the ruling party originally zoned the position to the region.”
According to Chief Nwodo, the President’s remarks on the South East Ministers in his cabinet during the meeting could not have been a good reason to continue sidetracking them over a position that was zoned to them, especially when such appointment would have helped to heal wounds and reconcile a disgruntled people.
Chief Nwodo considered as saddening, the fact that Buhari, who he said, has had the enviable opportunity of working across the country in his military career and has been a huge player in the polity for almost two decades, cannot find somebody from the South East he can trust for the SGF position.
The Ohanaeze leader advised the President to open his mind and have a positive attitude about Ndigbo, whose contributions to the socio economic and political development of the country is not in doubt.

[myad]

Nigeria Signs MoU To Recover 321 Million Dollars Stashed Away In Swiss By Treasury Looters – Malami

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

The Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has announced that Nigeria has moved to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Swiff for the recovery of the sum of 321 Million Dollars which Nigerian looters stashed in that country.
Malami said, when he briefed news men today, Wednesday, on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting: “we are in agreement substantially, with Swiss, for the recovery of additional sum of 321million dollars. That memorandum of understanding has been substantially agreed between Nigeria and Swiss. We intend to now execute or to sign off the agreement during the Global Assets Recovery Forum taking place in December, in US, which is on assets recovery coming up in December.
He said that a memo he raised, seeking the approval of the council to allow him to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, was approved.
The memo, he added, also seeks to develop an instrument of ratification which would give him the powers to ensure the repatriation of the funds.
The implication of which is that the MoU as negotiated between Nigeria and Swiss has been agreed and ratified by council and then the Attorney General has been mandated to execute the agreement that will see to the repatriation of the 321million dollars and added to it to develop the instrument of ratification that will be expected from both sides of the device which will constitute the basis for the signing of the agreement in December in US during the global forum on assists recovery.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, Nigeria succeeded in recovering 85 million dollars relating to Malabu issues from U.K. [myad]

APC Governors Endorse President Buhari For 2019

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have formally endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 Presidenrial election, for his second tenure.
Speaking to news men shortly after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said that the future of the country would be good with President Buhari who remained a personality with the greatest amount of integrity and impeccable character.
This was even as Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said that he and many APC members would support President Buhari if he decides to contest again in 2019 because of his performance in the last two and a half years.
Also, the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, said that he and his supporters have resolved to work for the President if he continued to perform well and carry everybody along.
“Do we have any other person that will challenge the President again? Whatever you call it, as far as we are concerned, we have one President and that is the ticket we will fly,” Lalong said.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that the president has been showing the right leadership and taking the right steps through the ongoing reconciliation moves.
Okorocha said that he would back President Buhari if he decids to run again.
“My President is very democratic. If Mr President wants to run for election, he will follow all the processes. And if he is the person, we will all support him. In the APC, there is no imposition of candidate. If Buhari is running, I will allow that man to continue,” Okorocha said. [myad]

Judicial Council Receives 1, 124 Corruption Cases, Chief Judge Of Nigeria Confirms

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) who doubles as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, has announced that the Council has so far received a total of 1, 124 corruption cases from the various jurisdictions across the country.
He said that this followed the Chief Judge’s directive to the Heads of Court to compile and submit a compendium of all corruption cases being handled by their various jurisdictions.
Justice Onnoghen, who spoke today, Wednesday, at the formal inauguration of the Corruption and other Financial Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) at the Complex of the National Judicial Council, said that the Committee was formed as part of the commitment of the Judiciary to lend support to the efforts of the present regime, to rid the nation of corruption.
He promised that all aspects of judicial duties would be scrutinised, improved and re-aligned towards reform.
He explained that all the institutions of the Judiciary and Heads of all the Courts have been advised to provide the Committee with all the necessary information and support to enable the Committee make decisions from informed perspective.
The Chief Judge said that Justice Ayo Salami should have headed the Committee but that he withdrew on personal ground. He hoped that the respected Judicial Officer will be available for other national judicial assignments in the near future.
He commended the Members for accepting to serve their fatherland through this assignment.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria said that the choice of the members was purely on merit and recognition of their track records of service to their fatherland, as well as contributions to the development of the country’s law and jurisprudence.
He appealed to them to come up with strategies that will help eliminate the delays and its attendant effects on the speedy disposal of corruption cases.
He advised the Committee to do all it can to justify the high level of public confidence reposed in it.
The Committee is expected to among other things propose Practice Direction, for consideration and approval of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in order to compliment the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and serve as a guide to as well as applicable Rules in all Courts designated for corruption cases.
He advised the prosecution and defence counsel to shun all unethical antics employed to delay hearing and determination of corruption cases as Heads of Courts have been directed to report such counsel. He added that such counsel will be referred to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (in the case of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) or the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (in the case of other Legal Practitioners) for staff disciplinary measures.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Justice Suleiman Galadima, expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for inviting them to serve the nation.
He assured him that the members would bring to bear their wealth of experiences to ensure the purpose for which the Committee was set up.
He pledged that the Committee would strictly adhere to the Terms of Reference. [myad]

President Buhari Celebrates Nigeria’s World Bank Ranking On Economic Performances

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with what he called “the phenomenal improvement of Nigeria” on the World Bank’s Doing Business latest rankings.
The President said the the rankings which were released today, Tuesday, moved up Nigeria to 24 places in the rankings, and also placed Nigeria among the Top Ten Reformers globally.
A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that Buhari congratulated all Nigerians on this very significant step forward.
He said that it symbolizes the real success achieved by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), the National Assembly and State Governments.
According to him, such bodies have contributed immensely in making it easy for people to register their businesses speedily, obtain licenses and approvals from government agencies without encountering unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.
President Buhari said: “it also reflects our efforts to make it easy for foreign business visitors to obtain visa on arrival, pass through our airports and do their businesses with ease and speed.”
He commended PEDEC, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, for a job well done, even as he said that he looks forward to even greater achievements for the nation.[myad]

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