We Won’t Kill Nigerians By Floating Naira, CBN Dares IMF

April 22, 2017

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made clear to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigerian government will not kill Nigerians by agreeing to float the country’s local currency, the Naira.

The CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, who made this known on the sideline of the ongoing IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, emphasized that floating Naira and other undesirable economic policies will amount to killing Nigerians.

Okorafor, who was obviously reacting to calls by the IMF for the Naira to be floated, said that it would not make sense for the country to introduce a policy that will ‘kill’ Nigerians.

“If we float the naira and allow speculators and those with corruption money and all the people who create the bubbles to launch into the market, you can yourself imagine the kind of situation we will find ourselves. Our economy has its own peculiarities, and we cannot kill our people in the name of floating the naira.”

Okorafor said that the Nigerian market is extensively liberalized already and that the call for the floating of the naira is unnecessary.

”Yesterday, when Madame Lagarde (IMF boss) was discussing the economy of Egypt, she lamented the devastating inflation that is in that country.

“Egypt has half of our population, Egypt receives about $12 billion in foreign aids and several billions in tourism. We are 180 million people, our infrastructure is so poor and the productive capacity cannot be fast enough to rise to benefit from massive depreciation.

“If you float the naira today, and given the discoveries by security agencies, you’ll discover that our case will be terrible.

“If Egypt today has an inflation rate of almost 31 per cent, remember Angola also has about 36 percent inflation, ours is at 17.26 per cent. [myad]

How We’re Addressing 17 Million Housing Deficit In Nigeria – Finance Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has said that Nigeria is critically addressing the estimated housing deficit of 17 million units which was brought about by various factors.

Adeosun, who spoke today, when she met with representatives from International Finance Institutions at the World Bank Spring Meetings said: “delivering affordable housing is critical to the delivery of our reform agenda and is one of the key pillars for implementation we have been discussing in Washington this week.

“Nigeria has an estimated housing deficit of 17 million units, and with an estimated increase of 900,000 annually. Some of the reasons for this are clear.

“Interest rates are high for both developers and home buyers, and the tenure of debt remains too short. As a result, we have to find a way to accelerate the provision of affordable homes. That is why we have established the Family Homes Fund.

“We have requested N100 billion in the 2017 budget and for the subsequent three years as part of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), this is seed funding from the government, but this is not solely a public sector scheme, it will be a partnership with the private sector and we are looking to mobilize additional resources from domestic and external sources.

“The Fund will enable us to deliver discounted mortgages for home owners, while also enabling access to attractive funding mechanisms for developers. We are piloting in 6 states and

the results of those pilots will guide long term programme implementation.”

The Minister is conducting a series of meetings on the implementation of some of the critical projects in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan including meetings on Housing, Water, Power and Food Security.

“Many of these projects are already well advanced and we have had a series of productive meetings in Washington with development partners to advance those projects and hopefully accelerate implementation so we can meet the ambitious but achievable goals we have set ourselves.” [myad]

We’ll Conduct Probe Of Suspended SGF, NIA Boss In Close Session – Presidency

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

The Presidential Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe certain allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engineer Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke has said that it would conduct the robe in close session.

“All its proceedings will however be in closed sessions to avoid speculations, allow for full disclosure and enhance the pace of proceedings.”

A statement by the senior special adviser to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the 3-man probe panel, Laolu Akand, said that the panel will invite all relevant officials and private individuals who may be connected to both cases.

“It will also obtain and scrutinize documents that may throw some light on the issues raised in both cases.”

Other members of the probe panel are the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami and National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Munguno. The panel was set up to investigate allegations of legal and due process violations made against the SGF and the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Laolu Akande assured that the panel which is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline, “will conduct its work with utmost diligence and without fear or favour.” [myad]

My husband’s Woman Friend Requested Him To Return Her Pant, Wife Tells Court

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

42-year-old mother of four, Mrs. Taiwo Bolumade has narrated how a woman friend of her husband, 45 year old Olajide, once sent him a whatsApp message requesting him to return her pant in his possession.

“A whatsApp message entered with my friend’s picture appearing on the screen begging my husband to return her pant. I showed my husband the message; he confessed that he was having an illegal affair with her that I should forgive him.

“I also went to my friend’s house to confront her for having an illegal affair with my husband. She also begged me that I should not let her husband hear about it and promised to end the relationship with my husband.”

These revelations finally led an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State to terminate the 18-year old marriage.

Apart from proving a point that her husband has been dating her married friend, Taiwo Bolumade also said that her husband was in the habit of threatening to kill her with dangerous weapons at the slightest provocation.

“My husband is used to beating me up using dangerous weapons; recently he threatened to kill me.

“Anytime I received a call, my husband would demand for my cell phone to know if it were a man that called; and if I refused to surrender it to him, he would beat the hell out of me.

“He once attacked me on the bed with a cutlass; threatening to machete me but I escaped by the whiskers.”

The mother of four claimed that her husband had refused to eat food prepared by her in the past three years.

But Olajide denied the allegation of infidelity and accused his wife of having affair with another man, adding: “my wife is having an affair with a man; I had caught them severally behind a transformer where they were always meeting around 11p.m.

“She and her lover arrested me on two occasions, accusing me of always calling her lover’s cell phone and threatening his life, an allegation I knew nothing about.”

Olajide described the mother of his children as “an ingrate,” alleging that he bought two cars for her when his business was booming but when it crashed, she started misbehaving.
“In fact, she even invited the police to arrest me claiming I stole her N100,000 of which I am innocent of.”

In his judgment, the President of the Court, Adegboyega Omilola, said: “since both parties had consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

“This court, therefore, pronounces the marriage between Mrs Taiwo Bolumade and Mr Olajide Bolumade dissolved today.

“Both parties are no longer husband and wife; they are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestations.” [myad]

Dana Air Aircraft Collides With Bird Midair, Aborts Trip In Lagos

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

A Dana Air aircraft en-route Port Harcourt yesterday, Friday, collided with a bird midair minutes after it took-off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and had to abort the trip by returning quickly to the departing point.

Communications Manager of the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that the captain took a professional decision by returning to the Lagos airport.

“A bird strike is a collision between a bird and an aircraft that is airborne and as per standard safety procedure which is the hallmark of our operation, our pilot returned to base.

“Our guests have however been put on another aircraft to ensure that their itinerary is not entirely disrupted.

“The aircraft is currently being evaluated by our engineers to determine the effect of the bird strike on its affected engine.”

The manager assured Dana Air’s customers that the airline would continue to give priority to their safety and comfort.

The General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sam Adurogboye, told NAN that the air return was a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward occurrence.

Adurogboye said that the pilot acted according to Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as such the incidences should not be sensationalized.

“The pilot did the right thing by returning to base.

“The aircraft had already lost one engine as a result of the bird strike and the standard practice is that the pilot should land at the nearest airport.

“Once such incident occurs, it is mandatory for the airline to make a report to the NCAA.”

Adurogboye also restated NCAA’s commitment to the safety and security of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

This is the third incident recorded by the Nigerian aviation sector in the last 72 hours.

An Aero Contractors flight NG316 en-route Lagos, from Port Harcourt, was on Tuesday engulfed in smoke about 20 minutes after take-off, causing panic among the passengers.

Similarly, two aircraft belonging to Air Peace were on Thursday involved in a ground collision at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

Source: NAN. [myad]

Police Rescue 2 Kidnapped Turkish Men, Arrest 5 In Akwa Ibom

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

Nigerian police have announced the rescue of two Turkish men kidnapped earlier this month in the southeast with five suspects arrested.

The police spokesman in Akwa Ibom State, Deputy Superintendent Okechukwu Chukwu, said in a statement that the two Turkish nationals were rescued on April 19 and that there was no casualty.

“No casualty was recorded during their rescue but five suspects were arrested. No ransom was paid, and investigations are ongoing. The Turks have been reunited with their families.”

The pair, who worked for a construction company, were abducted on April 11 in the town of Eket in Akwa Ibom state. [myad]

Cultism: Police Arrest 16 University Students In Bush

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

The police in Imo State has charged 16 students of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, respectively for an alleged involvement in cult related activities in the state.

In a statement in Owerri, the state capital today, Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, said that the suspected cultists were arrested on April 14, in a bush in Ihiagwa community in the Owerri West Local Government Area of the state

Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, alleged that the suspects were members of a cult group known as of Africa confraternity.

“In a renewed onslaught against the menace of cultism in Imo State, operatives of the state police command on April 14,2017, arrested over 16 suspected cultists in a bush in Ihiagwa in the Owerri West LGA. They are members of the of Africa confraternity. Suspects have been charged to court, accordingly.”

According to the PPRO, three live cartridges and expended SMG ammunition were recovered from the undergraduates.

Enwerem listed the names of the suspects as

Oluwoke Herto , 24, Leader Of the Of Africa

Onyegbule Chukwunenye 24,

Chibueze Okpara, 17

Uzoma Kingsley 25

Chisom Nwosu, 23

Oscar Ojinaka OSCAR, 25

Ebuka Ejekeme

Uchenna Ehum

Christian Ejekeme,

Lucky Anyanwu

Uche Okoro

Chinecherem Okeke

Michael Igbokwe

Chima Agugua

Victor Egbu

Nelson.

The Police spokesperson made it clear that the new commissioner of police in the state, Chris Ezike, is committed to reducing cultism and criminal activities. [myad]

How My Link With Bangladesh Helped Me To Defeat Boko Haram, Army Chief Narrates

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

The Chief of Nigerian Army Staff, Lieutenant General. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has given a run-down of how his link, by way of a military training in the Bangladesh National Defence, helped him in organizing officers and men of the Nigerian army to defeat Boko Haram fighters, especially in the North East of the country.

General Buratai, who spoke today, Saturday in Lagos when he received the Bangladesh Army Chief of Staff, General Abu Shafiul Huq, said that the course he underwent in 2008 proved to be very useful in the counter insurgency operations in Nigeria.

He said that the lessons he learnt during the course have been partly responsible for the success being recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists, saying: “the Bangladesh experience in counter insurgency is something that I brought to bear in the efforts to rid Nigeria of Boko Haram since my appointment as the Chief of army staff.”

He advised military personnel across the world to take the issue of insurgency and terrorism seriously because they are difficult battle to overcome.

“Counter insurgency should be utmost importance to army across the world, the army in particular bears the brunt as they confront terrorists in very difficult terrain and indeed, sometimes within the population.

“It is a very, very difficult experience and it will continue to be difficult but it – insurgency can be countered through the use of intelligence. Counter insurgency is at best an intelligence operation.”

The Bangladesh military chief commended the Nigerian army for the success it had recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He said both his country and Nigeria had a lot of experience and knowledge to share in counter insurgency operations, saying that his visit was to explore ways both countries could further strengthen their relationship. [myad]

Sacked PenCom Boss Goes Into Hiding As Security People Invade Her Office

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

Sacked Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu, has gone into hiding as the operatives of the Department of State Service raided her office, possibly to force her out of office.

Anohu-Amazu, who was sacked on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, was said to have refused to hand over to her successor. She was believed to be still in charge as at Friday despite her disengagement.

It was gathered that when the DSS operatives stormed the PenCom office today, Saturday, Mrs. Anohu-Amazu evaded arrest and went into hiding.

However, the DSS had ordered that she appears in the office on Monday. [myad]

Parishioner Hangs Self Inside Church In Rivers

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2017

A young parishioner, simply identified as Kachi, was found hanging in the early hours of Friday inside the hall of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Port Harcourt, rivers State capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased, an indigene of Imo, was a devoted Catholic and former Mass servant of the church.

Some parishioners at the scene told NAN that the deceased was a taxi driver who carried out his business along the popular Aggrey/Borokiri road in the city. They parishioners expressed shock over the incident and wondered why the deceased would commit suicide, especially as he was considered a devoted Christian.

One of the parishioners who identified himself as Magnus, said that late Kachi was popularly known as Fabregas due to his football skills and dedication to youth activities in the church.

“Kachi, until his death, was about 20 years old; unmarried and a hard working young man who was loved. We tried to locate where he lived, but we were unable to do so due to the fact that he moved to a new apartment, which was unknown to us.

“As we speak, nobody has come out to say exactly why Kachi killed himself,” he said.

Another member of the church, who gave her name as Nkechi, alleged that the deceased took his life because the owner of the taxi retrieved the vehicle from him a few days ago.

“Kachi was not married and had been sleeping in the church hall.

“The taxi he drove was on hire-purchase and I learnt that the owner of the vehicle took back the car; maybe because he wasn’t meeting up with conditions of their agreement.

“I learnt that he took his life out of frustration caused by the seizure of the vehicle,” she said.

The Rivers Police Command had yet to confirm the report, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Omoni Nnamdi, did not answer calls or replied to messages sent to his cell phone by NAN.

The church authority has also not commented on the development.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the deceased has been taken to an undisclosed morgue in Port Harcourt. [myad]

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