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]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has said that the outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko is planning to abscond before the expiration of his eight years tenure on February 23 that he is supposed to handover.
“Mimiko is making plans to relocate to Canada or China, thereby evading possible arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for interrogation and prosecution and to launder his last minutes’ loots.
In a statement today, Tuesday by the publicity secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the party said: “If this happens, it will create complexities and pit-holes in the smooth take-off for incoming Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
“Mimiko’s plan is designed to create complexity and pit-holes in the smooth take-off of the new administration as against the seamless transition he once promised.
“The governor has concluded plans to proceed on a 10-day vacation and to delegate power to his deputy to act as governor prior to the handing over date.
“He had transmitted a notification letter the state House of Assembly under the leadership of the former Speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele, some days before her removal from office over N15 million fraud allegation.
“This arrangement failed because the former Speaker could not announce or read the governor’s vacation letter at the plenary as a result of her removal.”
Adesanya alleged that Mimiko planned to sneak out of the country to a neighbouring country through the land border, before travelling through a chartered flight to either Canada or China.
“We, therefore, call on security agencies to beef-up security and surveillance in and around the country’s borders to prevent the outgoing governor and his cronies from escaping with alleged state’s looted funds,’’ he stated.
Reacting to the allegation, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, described it as the imagination of the writer.
He said, “I’m a member of the transition committee and am aware that the governor and the governor-elect met three days ago to fine-tune the transition programme and they had useful discussion.
“I am aware that there are lined up projects to be commissioned by the governor between now and the handover day, so if somebody is coming up that the governor is planning to proceed on vacation, that means such person is coming from outer space.
“This is concocted information. There is no outer of truth in what he is saying.”
The Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has said that traditional rulers will continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of his administration.
The Emir spoke today, Thursday, when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, along with six other ministers paid him a courtesy visit in his palace. The visit was on the side-lines of the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone.
The Emir said: “speaking on behalf of majority of traditional rulers of this county, we will offer help anytime and anywhere we are called upon.
“We trust the president of this country, we know him to be a man of discipline and we hope he can tidy up things that are very rough now.
“We pray that on his sojourn to England, he will get better and return to us in good health so that he can continue the good work that the majority of Nigerians expect.”
The Emir also expressed confidence in members of cabinet of the president, particularly those on the entourage.
“When the names of ministers were made public, we said, yes, this time around, we are very serious and ready for good governance.
“Though it took time for Mr President to name his cabinet but it is better late and to select good hands that can deliver.
“We are very optimistic that this administration will make positive impact on the nation and the people.”
The monarch called on Nigerians to support the change agenda of the administration.
Earlier, the Information minister said they were in the palace to pay homage to the monarch after the town hall meeting for the North central states of Kwara, Kogi and Niger.
He also said that they were particularly impressed with the quality of traditional rulers that attended the town hall meeting from the three states.
The minister noted that the town hall meeting was a very robust engagement with the people and they would take the recommendations therefrom to the president for consideration.
He thanked the Emir for his role in ensuring peace in his domain and the country.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has narrated the issues he discussed on phone with President Muhammadu Buhari who is now going through medical attention in the United Kingdom.
“Let me first say the President is hale and hearty. I spoke to him just this afternoon and we had a fairly long conversation, he is in good shape and very chatty.
“The President was interested in knowing about the budget process and how far we had gone’’, especially with efforts aimed at taking the country out of recession.
“As you know we had a meeting today with the private sector on the economic recovery and growth plan and he was interested in knowing what was happening with that, with the economic recovery and growth plan and what we are doing with the private sector.”
“And of course I informed him of what we are seeing, the protest matches and some of what the feedback is, what people are saying about the economy and all of that,’’ Osinbajo added.
The Acting President, who spoke to news men today, Monday, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “just as he has said in his letter to the National Assembly, he needs to go through a cycle of tests and once the test results are seen, he will receive medical advice. We should expect him very soon.”
The Acting President said that at the appropriate time the President will be able to discuss his health status, adding: “before you determine your health status, you must be able to run the necessary tests, and do what doctors have asked to be done, and await the outcome of that before one can talk about any kind of health status.” [myad]
No fewer than 285 drivers have been declared wanted in connection with the disappearance of 3.5 million truck tyres from the store of Dangote Group and other theft. The missing tryes have the company’s imprints.
The Coordinator of the company’s National Patrol Unit, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, a retired Commissioner of Police, told newsmen in Lokoja that each tyre of the company had an identification number and the number was registered against the driver’s name at collection point.
”Already, 285 drivers identified to have collected 285 tyres have been declared wanted while a number of others are on the run. Already, we have stopped their salaries and we are looking for them. So far, about 3.5 million tyres are missing from the company and we believe they are in circulation within and outside the country. We are determined to recover them.
”We are appealing to those patronizing the drivers and who encouraged them to steal our tyres to stop forthwith. Dangote tyres are customized and marked. Dealers and vulcanisers should please beware.
”People should ensure that the tyres they buy either as new or second hand are not customized Dangote tyres. We have arraigned some drivers and dealers caught with tyres and efforts are being made to arrest vulcanisers involved,” he said.
According to Magaji, security agents are presently on the trail of an identified kingpin who comes to Obajana and Kano to buy the tyres of the drivers.
“Our appeal to vulcanisers is to always look out for our logo on the tyres and report accordingly,” the coordinator said.
He said that the president of the group of companies, Dr. Aliko Dangote, had expressed concern over the incident, adding that the company was trying by all means to stop the ugly development.
The former commissioner of police appealed to those in custody of the tyres to return them “quietly,” either to the company or to the nearest police station to avoid unpleasant consequences, if caught.
He expressed Dangote’s gratitude to the media for sensitizing Nigerians on the zero-tolerance disposition of the management of the company for reckless driving and illegal haulage.
Magaji noted that while illegal haulage had dropped by about 85 per cent, accidents involving Dangote vehicles had reduced drastically, adding that a silent revolution was going on in the company’s transport section to sanitize it.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed the feeling of the Presidency to the hardships which Nigerians are going through.
Professor Osinbajo admitted, in his opening remarks at the consultative forum between the Economic Management Team (EMT) and the Private Sector on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, which is to be launched later this month that Nigerians have the right to complain about the slowness of the economy.
“We hear you clear; those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and even those who are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship. We hear you loud and clear. You deserve a decent life and we are working night and day to make life easier.”
The Acting President recalled the words of President Buhari a few months ago quoting Buhari as having said: “I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis, the recession for many individuals and families is real. For some it means not being able to pay school fees, for others it is not being able to afford the high cost of rice, millet, or of local or international travel. And for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.
I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary, and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices.”
Osinbajo said that the journey out of the damage caused by years of neglect and corruption is bound to be difficult but that there is a glorious light at the end of the tunnel.
“Let us work together, steadfastly and patiently for the economic change that will come very soon.” [myad]
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