The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has called on Nigerians to support Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s call for religious harmony and national unity for the sake of growth and development of the nation. BMSG made the call today in Abuja in a statement by the Coordinator of the group, Malam Muhammad Labbo and the Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke. “When there is no religious tolerance and national unity, peace becomes elusive and there will hardly be room for implementation of government programs and projects that will promote the welfare of citizens. “Such situation will also make it difficult for both local and foreign investors to be attracted to the country.” The Group described the call for unity, which the Acting President made on the 7th of February, 2017 in Benin, Edo State as “the words of a true leader.” BMSG recalled Osinbajo’s saying at every opportune time that “hate is the enemy of Faith and our Nation” , adding that it is coming at a time when unpatriotic statements and comments from some Nigerians have become the order of the day. The Group observed that the unpatriotic statements which were made when the nation’s polity is so heated up, were uncalled for and that Nigeria needs supportive comments and not comments that are divisive. BMSG called on other leaders to toe the line of the call for religious harmony and national unity and to advise Nigerians to ensure that the call is observed in practice as well. The Group believed that the call for harmony and unity is a sure way for a lasting and enduring peace which will ultimately lead to economic prosperity for the nation.
“Nigeria is implementing an ambitious economic reform agenda designed to deliver long-term sustainable growth and reduce reliance on oil and gas revenues while reducing waste and improving the efficiency of government expenditure. At the heart of the agenda is a commitment to invest in developing Nigeria’s infrastructure through a target 30% annual budget commitment to capital expenditure. We are establishing the building blocks for long-term growth and making the hard decisions that must be made to reset our economy appropriately.” These were the words of the minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun when the federal government announced the pricing of US$1 billion notes under its US$1 billion Global Medium Term Note programme The Federal Republic of Nigeria announces that it has priced its offering of US$1 billion aggregate principal amount of notes under its newly established US$1 billion Global Medium Term Note programme. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 7.875% and will mature on 16th February 2032 with a bullet repayment of the principal. The Republic intends to use the proceeds of the Notes to fund capital expenditures in the 2016 budget. The Notes represent the Republic’s third Eurobond issuance, following issuances in 2011 and 2013. The Notes were approximately 8 times oversubscribed with orders in excess of US$7.8 billion compared to a pre-issuance target of US$ 1.0 billion demonstrating strong market appetite for Nigeria. This is despite continued volatility in emerging and frontier markets and shows confidence by the international investment community in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda. The offering attracted significant interest from leading global institutional investors. The Notes will be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and available to trade on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market. The Republic will apply for the Notes to be eligible for trading and listed on the Nigerian FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The pricing was determined following a roadshow led by Mrs. Adeosun as well as, the minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele: the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo and the Director General of the Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, to key global financial centres. Commenting on the Notes’ pricing, the DMO Director General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo said that with the launch of priced its third Eurobond issue. Nigeria has successfully extended the tenor of its borrowing programme in the international capital markets to 15 years, at a price that reflects belief in the quality of its cash flows and government. “The Eurobond is the latest step in a broader debt strategy designed to significantly re-balance our debt profile towards longer term financing and reduce the burden of interest on our annual budget.” [myad]
The death has occurred of Malam Abdulrahman Ozi-Usman in Okene local government area of Kogi state. Abdulrahman died today, Wednesday, February 8 at the age of 60 after a protracted illness. He retired in 2010 as Assistant Superintendent of Prison (ASP) in the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) after serving for over 30 years. He worked at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna up to the time he was downed by advanced debate. He is survived by a wife, six children, grand children, brothers, among who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Editor-In-Chief of Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited (GMCL), publisher of an online medium, Greenbarge Reporters. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. In a condolence message, the Board and Management of GMCL prayed that God would grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss. In a message by the Director of ICT, Abdulrahman Salawu, the company recalled the good work the deceased had done for the upliftment of Ebira land and Kogi state, as well as Nigeria and prayed to God to grant him eternal rest in His bosom. [myad]
Police officers, this Tuesday evening, dumped an unidentified man at the general hospital in Kuje, the headquarters of Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediately left the hospital without giving details about the man to medical personnel on duty.
Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters said that the police officers, riding in a patrol vehicle, gained entrance into the premises of the hospital and uploaded the man, who was unconscious at the entrance of the hospital, and before any of the medical officers would go out to inquire about the man, the police men drove out of the premises.
The hospital operating workers were left in confusion as there was no one to give detail information of the man who remained lying unconsciously where the police dumped him as the time out correspondent left the scene, two hours after the man was dumped.
None of the hospital staff was ready to speak on the incidence, as they said that since the police did not take the victim into the hospital to give detail to appropriate medical officer, the victim was presumed not have been taken to the hospital.
Efforts to get the police comment failed, as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kuje was not available, even as a police man on duty who begged to remain anonymous said the Kuje police division was not aware of such case. [myad]
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has commended the police for the professional away they handled the protests by Nigerians in some parts of the country against the federal government on the poor economy.
“I commend the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his officers for handling the protests with professionalism and respect for the rights of citizens. We are committed to a continuous engagement with our people to explain government policies, receive advice and criticism.” A statement by the senior special assistant to the acting President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande quoted the acting President as saying that cabinet ministers have gone round eight States so far, holding town hall meetings.
“There will be more of such meetings in the other States that are yet to be visited. With complete focus on improving the economy every day, the recession will soon be history.” [myad]
An investigative panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has revealed how 23 electoral officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shared the sum of N360 Million as bribe from the Rivers State Government to rig the December 10, 2016 legislative rerun election in the state.
The panel, which presented its report in Abuja today, Tuesday, said that so far, N111 million has been recovered from the 23 suspects.
The chairman of the panel, DCP Damian Okoro said:” the sum total of N111.3 million was recovered from 23 electoral officials out of N360 million.”
He said that some of the suspects got N15 million each while three senior electoral officers got N20 million each.
Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has assured Nigerians that the total rehabilitation of the Abuja airport runway for smooth operations and deliver would not go beyond six weeks.
Amaechi, who acknowledged the pains which the closure of the airport would cause the economy, said that his ministry will ensure the reopening after due rehabilitation is concluded in six weeks.
Amaechi gave the assurance when he appeared alongside his colleague ministers at a town hall meeting organized by the ministry of information, Lai Mohammed in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Amaechi said: “we are saying that the Abuja Airport runway was built to last for twenty years but we have been using it for thirty four years. It has become extremely dangerous to continue using it, the way it is right now. We need to close it to rebuild it and reconstruct it.
“The foundation is almost gone and what we are asking for is patience. If we don’t close it we will be exposing lives. One of the constitutional responsibilities of the President is to protect lives and property. So you can’t deny us that responsibility. We believe that if we close it by March, in six weeks time we shall be able to reopen it. We know it is challenging for our economy. We think that we will keep to those six weeks.”
While explaining issues concerning Maritime, particularly in the North Central, Amaechi noted that his ministry was determined to commission the Baro River Port by the first quarter of next year.
“We met abandoned Maritime. Our target this year is that by first quarter of next year we shall be commissioning Baro River Port. We are in the process of awarding the contract for the last equipment that they will use at the River Port. NIWA is there working hard. I understand the sentiments of Baro. The only reason why we have not gotten the contractor at Lokoja part is that we don’t trust the contractor and I have directed NIWA to go and look for the process of terminating that contract and get a new contractor to complete the project and that mandate, we have from Mr. President.”
“The other mandate that will interest you is the Central Railway Line, the Itakpe/ Ajaokuta Railway Line. If you go back there now the contractors are back to site. We have sent them back to site. That is a 32 years project. Under this government we have decided and agreed with the contractors that we will complete it first quarter of next year.
“Even Baro will be completed first quarter of next year. The other thing that will interest you is the Narrow Gauge Railway Line that transverses your state (Kwara) to Minna. We are about to start negotiations with General Electric (GE). The Narrow Gauge will start if we successfully conclude our conversation. Before the end of this year, from Lagos to Ajaokuta to Ibadan to Ilorin to Minna and onward to Kano we will revive that railway line”.
“We believe that between the first and second quarters we would have completed the negotiations and you will see more activities on the train. Once we conclude it, it will create employment.
“The other one that will also interest you is the Standard Gauge which everybody is clamouring for. We have awarded the contract for the Lagos to Ibadan Standard Gauge Line. By the time they complete that we will be awarding Ibadan to Ilorin and the prayer you should make is to ask the National Assembly to kindly approve for us the borrowing plan that was sent to them.
“Out of that borrowing plan, 6.1billion dollars is meant for railway. For the Lagos to Ibadan, you have 1.5billion dollars. The loan has been approved by the China Exim Bank, the only thing holding us today is that the NASS is yet to approve the borrowing plan. As citizens from the North Central, please kindly appeal to the NASS to approve the borrowing plan.
“When that is completed the next phase of the railway will be from Ibadan to Minna or Ilorin. Currently, we are also looking for loan to do Kano to Kaduna for that Standard Gauge Rail Line.” [myad]
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has issued a warrant of arrest on former Governor of the state, and currently, the nation’s minister mines ans stell development, Kayode Fayemi over alleged corruption.
The assembly had on Thursday last week, summoned Fayemi to appear before it today, Tuesday to defend himself, threatening to issue a warrant of arrest. But the minister failed to honour the invitation, making the assembly to make good its threat.
The assembly said that pursuant to Section 129(1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution, it has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibahim Idris, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu and other security agencies, including international Police to immediately arrest the serving Minister.
The decision was taken at the plenary through a resolution by the lawmakers.
Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti today, Tuesday, Speaker Kola Oluwawole; the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr. Samuel Omotoso and the Leader, Tunji Akinyele, said the summon was to enable the minister to defend the allegations.
Omotoso recalled that the assembly had earlier summoned the former governor on March 10 and August 27, 2016 with a reminder on January 30, 2017, which were declined by Fayemi.
“During Governor Kayode Fayemi’s government, he awarded a N304m contract for planting of flowers for urban renewal project in Ado Ekiti. Over 50% of the contract sum had been paid but there is no single flower anywhere.
“The former governor also purchased 133 vehicles for royal fathers. The vehicles were given out in August 2013 and the contract papers were done in November. This was a clear case of misappropriation.
“He also paid N24m for the construction of Awedele Market. The money was paid to a phoney company and no construction was seen. The most disturbing was that, eight days to the expiration of his tenure, Fayemi withdrew a sum of N852m from University Basic Education Commission account which he was not a signatory to and diverted to other areas we could not trace.
“The former governor also paid a sum of N115m for the construction of a new Governor’s office. But no structure was put in place as we speak. The same was witnessed in the construction of the State Pavilion, the governor’s lodge and the 5km road projects, where billions were diverted. He even took N4bn loan four days before he left office.
“All these needed explanations. The summon was not meant to harass him. This is just an opportunity for him to clear his name. But should The security agencies failed to bring him here, then we will go the legal way, because we have the constitutional powers to summon any former or serving chief executive.” [myad]
Ace Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde celebrateed her 39th birthday today, Tuesday, along with daughter, Meraiah Ekeinde.
The actress wished her and daughter, Meraiah happy birthday and appreciates friends who took time to send birthday greetings to her.
She wrote on her Instagram page: “realomosexy’, Yahhh… Happy birthday to US. @miiimiii_e love you and God continually shine his eyes on you. Thanks for all your messages so far friends…was kidnapped since yesterday by you know who…lol…responding to all now Her daughter also basked in the love expressed by friends and family members on her day. She happily wrote:
miiimiii_e Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes so far. I feel so blessed to be loved. By the way my outfit was made by me #Riah #aquarius #Fashionstudent #africanqueen.”
Omotola’s husband, Captain Ekeinde was not to be left out of the fun as he also took to his Instagram page to celebrate his jewels on their special day.
“Happy birthday mama @realomosexy and mimi @miiimiii_e.”
Friends, fans and Family have been sending loving messages to her on this special day. [myad]
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The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has called on Nigerians to support Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s call for religious harmony and national unity for the sake of growth and development of the nation.
The death has occurred of Malam Abdulrahman Ozi-Usman in Okene local government area of Kogi state.
