National Council Of State Privatizes Afam Power Plant

September 4, 2017

The National Council on Privatization (NCP), which is chaired by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the commencement of the privatization of Afam Power plants 1-5 to inject additional power into the national grid and improve electricity nationwide.

At a meeting of the Council today, the Council also approved the pursuit of an out-of-court settlement involving the privatisation of Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

The move aims to resolve the lingering dispute between the Federal Government, BFIG and United Company RUSAL through the mediation of the Secretariat with the active collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

The council advised that “the mediation efforts should take a holistic view of the entire sector and the overriding national interests to jumpstart industrial development through the steel sector in arriving at a resolution on the matter.”

The council reviewed the proposals presented by its Secretariat, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the reform and restructuring of various sectors of the economy.

Furthermore, the council approved the immediate revocation of the concession of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, and the immediate commencement of a fresh privatization of Yola Electricity Distribution Company.

These approvals, the council noted, were aimed at giving traction to key infrastructure facilities in the country that are presently under concessions, but have been adjudged to be performing sub-optimally.

These decisions were taken during the meeting of the NCP, which is the highest decision making body on policies relating to the privatization and commercialization policies of the Federal Government, on August 22 and 23, 2017 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Other key decisions taken by the council include the approval of the amendments to the Work Plan for the conclusion of the transaction involving the concessioning of Terminal “B” Warri

“The restructuring of the BOA is in alignment with the Government’s desire to make financing options readily available to farmers for an aggressive diversification of the Nigerian economy,” the council stated.

It further stated that it approved the immediate commencement of the reform and commercialization of the River Basins Development Authorities to revitalize the irrigation and river basin potentials for agricultural purposes.

Similarly, to harness the nation’s untapped tourism potential, the council approved the partial commercialization of the National Parks using three key national parks as pilot projects.

[myad]

Indonesian Court Jails Judge 8 Years For Receiving $10,000 Bribe From Importer

Greenbarge Reporters

September 4, 2017

An Indonesian Court in Jakarta has sentenced a Constitutional Court judge, Patrialis Akbar to eight years in prison for corruption having been found guilty of receiving 10,000 dollars from a meat importer.

The money was intended to influence the outcome of a judicial review on the livestock and animal health law, according to prosecutors.

Akbar was the second Constitutional Court judge to be jailed for corruption.

In 2014, the then chairman of the court, Akil Mochtar, was sentenced to life in prison for receiving millions of dollars in bribes from politicians in return for favourable rulings on local election disputes.

The Constitutional Court examines judicial review petitions and rules on disputes in local and national elections.

Indonesia ranks 90th out of 176 in the corruption perceptions index compiled by German-based corruption watchdog Transparency.

Source: NAN[myad]

I Returned To Reposition Nigeria – President Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

September 4, 2017

President Buhari with select group of Elders, Politicians and Youth in Daura Katsina on 4th Sept 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he returned to Nigeria from his medical trip in London to reposition Nigeria and make livelihood for Nigerians better.

The President, who is in Daura, Katsina State, to observe this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, also assured Nigerians of his continuous commitment to serving the nation, attributing his recent convalescence to a divine act of the almighty God.

Buhari spoke today, while receiving associations of farmers, businessmen, youths, elders and politicians from Katsina at his country home, Daura.

He said that he returned to the country with renewed hope and strength to pursue policies that will improve the livelihood of the people, and reposition Nigeria for good.

“Considering the challenges we are facing as a nation, we have been doing our best to provide sustainable solutions, and we will keep doing our best.

“I am happy you came here today, and I am thankful for all the prayers. You are leaders of various groups at the grass root, and you are closer to the people so you understand these problems as well. We need your support.”

In his remarks, the leader of the group of associations, Zannan-Daura, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Daura, said the President’s return signalled God’s interest in turning around the fortunes of the country. “On behalf of all the elders here, we are grateful to God you returned alive, and in good health.” Daura, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, said that the President’s life of patience, endurance and contentment is exemplary, even as he prayed that God would give him more strength and wisdom to lead the country.

Earlier, President Buhari received the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and his entourage. [myad]

Nigerian Judiciary Is Still Cash-And-Carry, Presidency Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

September 4, 2017

The Presidency is still in lamentation about the corruption that is walking tall in the Nigerian judiciary, saying: “to obtain a court ruling you must pay through your nose; to obtain a certified true copy of judgment you must pay through nose; to cause a court bailiff to serve a court process you must pay through your nose.

“To get a case to be assigned after filing you must pay through your nose. Even in the Supreme Court to get an appeal to be assigned for hearing you must pay through your nose.”

The Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, who made the lamentation in s statement in Abuja today, Monday, said that a case he filed at the Supreme Court 10 years ago is yet to be assigned a date for hearing due to corruption and inefficiency.

According to him, lawyers and litigants “pay through their noses” to have cases assigned or court papers served.

The judiciary, he said, was averse to reform and should learn from the Kenyan example where every stakeholder worked towards an efficient justice system.

“Why is the judicial system in Nigeria adverse to change? Look at Kenya and how it has reformed its own system!

“See how effective and efficient the judiciary is in Kenya. See how audacious, bold, courageous and fearless judges in Kenya are.

“See how an election petition was heard within dispatch just three weeks after it was filed. See how lawyers work together with the bench to deliver a landmark judgment.

“In Nigeria lawyers would devise all manners of legal maneuverings steeped in crass legal technicalities to frustrate justice. The judgment would be leaked several weeks before delivery.”

According to him, the appellate courts are chaotic and have refused to adopt technology despite increased funding.

“Before I was given an appointment while in law practice, I have appeals I have filed in the Court of Appeal for the past six years but till now have not been heard. I also have several appeals I filed in the Supreme Court since 2007 till now no date have been given for hearing of these appeals.

“The registries in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively are a study in chaos, disorderliness and confusion. They have refused to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to organize their registry in line with international best practices.”[myad]

China Tells Youths: Go To School To Learn Science, Stop Going To Church

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

A man prays during Christmas mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 24, 2009. China officially allows freedom of religion, but in practice, the ruling Communist Party restricts independent worship by forcing groups to register with the government. About 15 million Protestants and five million Catholics worship at official churches, according to official data. AFP PHOTO/LIU Jin (Photo credit should read LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images) — A man prays during Christmas mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 24, 2009. Photo credit: LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Chinese Government has stopped youths attending churches in the country but rather asked them to go to school to study science and other subjects.

. The government also directed the youths as a matter of state policy, to stop attending religious sermons and other related activities across China. This is in a bid to tighten their grip on religious activities.

The country’s President, Xi Jinping, had, last year, said that young people must study science, believe in science and develop a ‘correct’ worldview and set of values.

“It could be that the government is concerned that young people going to church or religious activities may challenge their monopoly on truth and the government’s ability to instill its own historical narratives and worldview through the public education system‎.”

A researcher for Amnesty International, William Nee, who spoke to MailOnline UK, said, “At this point it’s unclear how widespread the ban on children attending church services are in China, but these alarming reports seem to be coming in from fairly diverse areas throughout the country.”

Nee said that the move reflects the tightening control of religion in “particular Islam and Christianity under the present administration” in the Asian country.[myad]

Atiku’s Presidential Campaign For 2019 Begins In South-South

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

The presidential ambition of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, is gathering momentum as a group under the aegis of United Atiku Abubakar Support Group, has commenced campaign in his support ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the State Coordinators for the group in Calabar on Friday, Zonal Coordinator for the group in the South-South Zone, Comrade Godswill Mathew, urged youths in the Niger Delta region to support Atiku.

Mathew stated that it was time for the Niger Delta people to decide their own fate.

The group stressed that they were sure that if Atiku is given the mandate to lead, he would tackle poverty and boost the nation’s human capital development.

“We want to inform Nigerians especially those in the South South Zone that our leader, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is one of the finest Nigerians with the capacity to lead our dear country to achieve prosperity and economic freedom.

“As a Zonal cordinator for the support group, we have the mandate of the National to inaugurate state coordinators and their executives across the six states of the zone, an exercise that we are kick-starting today with the formal inauguration of the Cross River State Support Group for 2019.

“The state coordinators will be empowered to inaugurate the local governments and then the ward coordinators. This exercise will be replicated across the states in the zone,” Mathew said.[myad]

I Am Neither PDP Member Nor Presidential Aspirant Anywhere, Aliko Dangote Protests

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has protested against those who have been linking him to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the fact that he is being wooed to contest the 2019 Presidential election in the party.
In an interview Daily Times, the richest man in Africa said that those who are floating such news are enemies that are trying to set him on a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari and the current government.
Dangote said that he is not interested in politics and advised those linking him with presidential dream to perish the thought, as his passion is to prove jobs for Nigeria’s teeming youths.
“I am an entrepreneur. My passion is to create jobs for Nigerians and not otherwise.
“I am not interested in politics and this is authoritative. No member of any think tank committee has contacted me. People should stop dropping my name for the 2019 presidency.
“This whole thing is an attempt by people who do not like me. “They are doing all these with a view to putting me on a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party. They are people who are jealous of the successes I have so far recorded in business.
“My passion is for business development, provision of jobs and wealth creation, not politics. “I have never shown interest in politics. I’m not interested in politics. I am not a politician. My passion has always been business and business.
“Buhari is like a father to me. Nobody should try to set me on a collision course with President Buhari. That will not work. I have high regard and respect for the President.
“For emphasis once again, I am not a politician. I can’t and won’t confront President Buhari. “They should leave me out of any high wire politics and horse trading.
“I also seize this opportunity to warn name droppers to desist from their infamous act. They should stop using my name for politics. They should not set me on collision course with President Buhari and the government in power.
“By the time the ongoing Dangote refinery in Lagos and the sugar projects come on stream fully, there will be a great positive development and thousands of jobs created that will change the narrative in the country. That is my passion.”

[myad]

President Erdogan Extends Formal Invitation To Buhari For October 9th Summit Of D8 In Turkey

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has extended formal invitation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the 9th Summit of D8, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation coming up end of October in Istanbul, Turky.
Erdogan, who called Buhari to congratulate him on his recovery from medical condition that took him abroad, wished him sound health and success in his efforts to lead Nigeria out of the socio-economic challenges.
President Buhari answered the call on his cellphone in his Daura country home, where he observed Eid-el-Kabir.
Buhari expressed his gratitude to his Turkish counterpart for the call and the good wishes.[myad]

Buhari To Igbos In The North: Ignore Arewa Youth Quit Notice, You’re Well Protected

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari withKatsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari and Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk — President Muhammadu Buhari with Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari and Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Igbos residing in the Northern part of Nigeria of their safety! against the backdrop of a quit notice issued to them by the Northern Youths sometimes ago.
The President insisted that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live, work and raise their families in any part of the country without restrictions.
Buhari, who spoke today, Saturday, when he Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Bello Aminu Masari, at his Daura country home gave assurance that the Federal Government would guarantee the security of everyone in the country.
He said that his government would ensure the protection of all Nigerians from harassment by reasons of their states of origin, tribes or ethnic backgrounds.
“Every Nigerian has a right to live, work and thrive in any part of the country, irrespective of their backgrounds.”
Speaking to newsmen after the visit, Governor Masari said that President Buhari had brought honour and pride to his home state by living a life of integrity, fairness and kindness to all, which he said, is a reflection of his fear of God.
He said that the President’s leadership style had attracted positive global attention to the state, and the country, even as he prayed that God would continue to uphold him in good health.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk and members of his cabinet.[myad]

Soldiers Killed Scores Of Boko Haram Insurgents In Sambisa Hideout, Spokesman Na

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya has narrated how the officers killed several members of Boko Haram in their hideout in Garin Maloma area in Sambisa Forest.
In a statement, Air Commodore Adesanya said that the Nigerian Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (iSR) platform had earlier sighted the Boko Haram insurgents when they gathered under some trees in Sambisa forest.
“Consequently, a combination of NAF fighter aircraft namely the F7-Ni, Alpha Jet and L-39 ZA aircraft was detailed to carry out air interdiction on the BHT gathering.
“The Alpha Jet aircraft acquired and attacked the target with bombs, neutralising many of the BHTs. Thereafter, the F-Ni aircraft immediately conducted a bomb attack, which resulted in the death of more BHTs.
“The L-39ZA aircraft then followed through by strafing fleeing terrorists with rockets, killing most of them in the process. After the attacks, a few BHT survivors were seen scampering from the location.”
The Air force spokesman also announced that officers of the Force had conveyed the Director General of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and other NEMA officials to Makurdi to give effect to the Presidential directive to assist flood victims in Makurdi.
He said that the NAF Beechcraft King Air aircraft was used to convey the team.[myad]

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