Group Commends Buhari’s Peace Move To Senate For Unity Of Purpose

March 30, 2017

The Buhari Media Support Group has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to constitute a high-powered committee, headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, towards finding a lasting solution to the lingering Executive- Senate face-off.

In a statement by the Chairman of the group, Muhammad Labbo and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, it said that as a father of the nation, President Buhari has made a bold move to ensure that the disagreements between both arms of government do not distract his administration from the laudable policies, initiated for the continuous delivery of democracy dividends to the Nigerian people.

The group advised the Senate to reciprocate the good gesture of President Buhari by ensuring that they key into his vision to serve Nigerians selflessly, as well as win the war against corruption.

“The Senate is hereby reminded that the expectations of Nigerians from them are high, especially as the country is currently facing challenges in different areas.”

The group also appealed to the Senate to quickly deliberate and pass the 2017 appropriation bill to enable the executive to embark on its implementation for the overall benefit of all Nigerians. [myad]

Tony Okpanachi Heads Newly Licensed Development Bank Of Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2017

A renowned banker and erstwhile Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tony Okpanachi, has been appointed by the Federal Ministry of Finance to head the newly licensed Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).

The announcement was contained in a statement by the Director of information in the ministry, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta.

The statement said that before his appointment as Managing Director/ CEO of DBN, he was the Deputy Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

Prior to that, he was the Managing Director, Ecobank Kenya and Cluster Managing Director for East Africa (comprising Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethiopia). He was also at various times Managing Director of Ecobank Malawi and Regional Coordinator for Lagos and South West of Ecobank Nigeria.

The new helmsman was described as seasoned Banker with over 26 years’ experience.

He holds a Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business School UK and a Master of Science degree in Economics from University of Lagos.

The statement said that Okpanachi will be supported by the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Ijeoma Ozulumba and Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Olu Adegbola.

It named other Board members of DBN to include Dr. Shehu Yahaya (who was the interim MD of DBN and former Executive Director, AfDB) as Chairman; Uche Orji as Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Mohammed Kalif, of the African Development Bank.

Independent Directors of the DBN are former Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Philips Oduoza; President and CEO, African Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Alli; Chairman, FBN Merchant Bank, Alhaji Bello Maccido; Founder/Managing Director, JNC International Limited, Mrs Clare Omatseye and the Managing Director, CEO Excel Professional Service Limited, Mr. Oladimeji Alo.

The statement said that the ministry had earlier received notice from the regulator that it was free to commence operations of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) focused Development Bank of Nigeria.

Speaking at a recent strategy retreat with the management team, board members, and other key stakeholders of DBN in attendance, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun reaffirmed the importance of the DBN’s mandate and assured them of the public sector support needed to ensure the DBN’s success.

According to Adeosun: “despite limited access to financing, MSMEs contribute a significant 45% to the national economy. If these institutions could have reliable access to working and investment capital at low cost, the multiplier effect on economic growth and job creation would be significant.” [myad]

INEC Chairman Beats All To Become President Of ECOWAS Election Network

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has beaten others to win the Presidency of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).

In a keenly contested election held during a meeting of the ECOWAS electoral commissions today, Wednesday, Professor Yakubu garnered 10 votes to defeat Guinean representative who got four votes.

The Republic of Benin and Guinea Bissau emerged first and second vice-presidents respectively, while Burkina Faso clinched the position of treasurer.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, said that the election of Professor Yakubu followed two days of intensive deliberations on how to deepen the conduct of free, transparent and credible elections and by extension strengthen democracy in the sub-region.

According to Oyekamni, the three-day meeting, which began on March 27 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, focused on constitutional and legal frameworks, civic and voter registration, register of voters, electoral logistics, results collation and transmission and technological innovations among others. [myad]

Outbreak Of Meningitis Kills Over 260 In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

More than 260 people have died in Nigeria as a result of the African country’s recent meningitis outbreak—eight times more than the number of deaths caused by the disease in 2016.

In a series of tweets, Nigeria’s Center for Disease Control (NDC), said that there were 1,828 suspected cases of meningitis reported so far in 2017. Across the country’s 15 states, 269 Nigerians had died as at Monday, compared to the 33 people killed by the disease back in 2016.

Although there is a meningitis vaccine, Nigerian officials are concerned that there could be a new strain of the disease being transmitted from neighboring countries and refugees who have flocked to Nigeria.

Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole told BBC News that the potential foreign strain of meningitis that is affecting Nigerians could be resistant to the vaccine usually administered to prevent the spread of the disease; that may explain the relatively high number of fatalities from the virus this year.

Meningitis, which can be spread by a virus or bacteria, causes the meninges, a protective covering surrounding the brain and spinal cord, to swell. In cases of bacterial meningitis, which is common in some African countries including Nigeria, the infection can turn into meningococcal disease.

The NCDC said serotype C, a particular strain of Neisseria meningitides or meningococcus, was responsible for the epidemic ravaging the country. About 90 percent of meningitis serotypes classified as A, B and C are behind meningococcal disease, which can cause respiratory and nerve dysfunction as well as death if untreated, according to the World Health Organization.

Although meningitis bacteria is generally airborne, people can be infected through respiratory secretions as well.

Nigeria, which lies along Africa’s sub-Saharan meningitis belt, hasn’t faced a major meningitis outbreak since 2009, when 156 people died from the disease. [myad]

Yes, I Impregnated My Student, Vice Principal Admits; Promises To Take Responsibility

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

Vice Principal of the Government Day Secondary School, Tunga-Minna in Niger, Malam Mohammed Kuyizhi has admitted before the state’s Child Rights Protection Agency (CRPA), that he is responsible for the pregnancy of a 16-year-old student in the junior school under his care.

At the Agency, Mohammed Kuyizhi, pleaded for leniency and promised to take responsibility for the pregnancy and the teenager.

The Director-General of the agency, Hajia Mariam Kolo, who presided over the case today, Wednesday in Minna, said that the matter was reported to the agency by a teacher, after the girl’s guardian informed the school that her ward was pregnant for the teacher.

Hajia Mariam Kolo said that the agency, after receiving the report, sent an invitation letter to the accused to come and defend himself, adding that the case would be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

“Already, the victim has been taken to the hospital for medical examination. We shall make sure she gets justice.”

Hajia Mariam Kolo quoted the victim as telling the agency that the accused was a very close friend to her guardian and had consistently visited their (victim’s) home.

“The girl also said that the accused had sex with her three times in his office.

“She further said that she was always given between N50 and N100 for her transport, after the affair with the teacher,” Hajia Mariam Kolo said.

The Director-General further quoted the minor as accusing the teacher of giving her some pills after she informed him of the pregnancy, but that she threw them away.

She said that the girl, however, confessed to taking the pills when they were offered to her a second time.

According to the Director General, the girl experienced severe pains after taking the pills, forcing her to inform her guardian.

Kuyizhi admitted to the sexual affair, but claimed that the girl seduced him into the act. [myad]

Dog Kills Its Owner In London

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

A 41 year old man, named locally as Mario Perivoitos has been bitten to death by his own Staffordshire bull terrier inside his home. He was said to have been bitten on the neck during the incident, which occurred at around 10.30pm on Monday last week, police said.

A neighbour said that the man pleaded to those around: “take the dog off me”, as he was attacked by the animal.

He was rushed to hospital after the incident at his flat in Wood Green, north London, but tragically died two hours later.

Members of a crew making a BBC documentary were present at the time of the attack and called an ambulance, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said. It has been claimed that Mario was taking part in the documentary.

The cause of his death was recorded as hypovolemic shock and damage to the airway consistent with a dog bite after a post-mortem.

Neighbours claimed Mario’s Staffie was a “good dog.” They also revealed how Mario used to live with his Cypriot mother, who is now in a care home.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said they heard “banging” and “shouting” on the night of the incident.

They said: “I knew him for six years but we never talked with him.

“I heard noises, but I didn’t see anything to be honest. It happened last week at night time. It was about 10 o’clock or 11 o’clock.

“It was inside his flat. There was a lot of noise. There was banging, shouting, banging doors, someone calling ‘Mario, Mario’.

“I just saw him on the floor, outside the door. In front of his door.

“I don’t know how he came out, nothing.”

They added: “He had the dog since I came here. His dog was okay, it never attacked, never… it was a good dog.” [myad]

Senate Goes Haywire, Slams 6 Month suspension On Senator Ndume

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

Nigeria Senate has began a fight against itself as it sent one of its own, Senator Ali Ndume on six month suspension. The other Senators felt bitter with Ndume on his allegation against Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.
The Senators claimed that Ndume accused Saraki of involving in clearing SUV Jeep with fake papers and Senator Melaye with fake certificate.
Presenting the report at the Plenary today, Wednesday, the chairman of Senate Committee on Ethics and Privilege, Senator Samuel Anyawu cleared both Saraki and Melaye of allegation raised against them which was adopted by Senate.
More details later. [myad]

Buhari Nominates Kogi University Lecturer, Ex Gombe State CPC Chairman As New Ministers

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed and forwarded the names of the Dean of the Faculty of management sciences at the Kogi state university, Anyigba, Professor Stephen I. Ocheni and former chairman of Gombe State Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Hassan Suleiman to the Senate for confirmation as ministers.
They are appointed to take the place of late minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi who died in an accident and minister of environment, Amina Mohammed, who was appointed and is now serving as Deputy Secretary of the United Nations (UN) in New York.
Ocheni, a professor of public sector accounting/Dean, Faculty of management sciences at the Kogi state university, Anyigba, was born at Uwowo, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State on 25th June 1959.
He attended Howard University, Washington,DC, USA 2006.
Professor Ocheni is regarded as one of the foremost advocates of the Treasury Single Account policy
He was the chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Committee inaugurated in May 2016 by governor Yahaya Bello.
He is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA)
Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI)
Fellow, Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (FCE)
He was director (Finance & Accounts) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja 2003 —2010 , Director, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation Abuja. Sept 1998 — Nov 2003, Permanent Secretary, Kogi State. 1997- 1998.
The second nominee, Hassan Suleiman is believed to have a history of interfering with governance in his native Gombe state.
He was part of the members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in Gombe State who recently formed a group, Adalchi, to broaden support for President Muhammadu Buhari and ensure better representation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the state.
His group ensured that the APC in Gombe State broke into two factions, with each suspending members of the other from the party.
Sulaiman Hassan was said to have been earlier nominated for ambassadorial appointment by President Buhari and that the nomination triggered the launch of the new group: “the Adalci group” by others to get attention from the president, who was the leader of the defunct CPC.
The Suleiman faction of CPC members decided to regroup to resist the activities of party leaders in the state, who they accused of jeopardising the efforts and policies of the Buhari-led federal government and marginalising them in the state.
He is regarded as a core grassroots politician. [myad]

Dino Melaye Acts ‘Clown,’ Wears Academic Gown To Senate Session

Greenbarge Reporters

March 28, 2017

The controversial Senator, representing Kogi West Senatorila District, Dino Melaye, who was just emerging from hullabaloo about his academic qualification, played a clown today, Tuesday, by wearing a full academic gown to the senate plenary session.

Melaye, who shocked lawmakers and appeared while others were already seated, did not retire to his seat immediately.

Instead, he took a long walk around, exchanging pleasantries with his colleagues, who were thrown into laughter. It took the intervention of the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye to restore sanity to the floor.

Melaye’s action is unconnected to his recent travails, wherein he is being accused of forging his university degree certificate.

The controversy was finally laid to rest yesterday, when the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Professor Ibrahim Garba, told the Senate Ethics committee that Melaye graduated from the institution. [myad]

Buhari, Osinbajo Exemplify True Meaning Of Teamwork – Asiwaju Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

March 28, 2017

Former two-term Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as two excellent men that exemplified teamwork and the true meaning of unity of purpose.

These are “two men of different backgrounds, faiths and professional experiences (who) forged themselves into a team, managing complex matters of governance in a seamless, smooth manner.”

Asiwaju Tinubu, who spoke in Lagos at the 9^th Colloquium in his honour as he clocked 65 years today, Tuesday, applaud President Buhari who he said, meticulously followed the constitution in temporarily transferring the helm of affairs of the nation to the Vice President.

“A selfless leader, President Buhari set the stage by giving strategic policy direction. Showing himself equally selfless, our VP, as acting president, worked as the faithful arm of the President, diligently putting in action what President Buhari had directed him to do.

“Try as critics might, they could not create any space between the President and his deputy. This is how things are when people are united in vision and purpose. As President Buhari and his VP have been, we all must become.”

Tinubu saw it as gratifying to mark his birthday in this good way, saying that he was honored.

According to him the event is about that which a people united in purpose must do to improve their beloved country.

“We build the nation we seek by forcing ourselves to become that nation, day by day, step by difficult step. “We do so by casting aside the prejudices of yesterday to forge a more just society where no Nigerian is held down because of his place of origin, his faith or social station.

“But we all have the chance to rise by dint of honest labor and constructive enterprise. This is as God intended us to be. We have no choice but to achieve this destiny.”

Asiwaju Tinubu praised Vice President Osinbajo who he said, led a group of fellow commissioners who worked together during his time as governor of Lagos.

He acknowledged that Osinbajo and this creative group had turned this event into an annual reality.

“Each year, they assemble creative minds to address the issues that stand in the way of our national greatness. As result, the colloquium gets better by the year.

“In this and so much else, the VP has proven himself a true servant of the Nigerian people.” [myad]

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