Rumour Of Buhari’s Death Won’t Do Nigeria Any Good, Lawmaker Cautions

January 29, 2017

A member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State, Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, has cautions Nigerians to desist from the unfounded rumour of the death of President Muhammadu Buhar, which he said would not do Nigeria any good.

Agbonayima said in a statement that some persons had irresponsibly instigated and reported the rumour that the president might have died, adding: “we should pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other persons in positions of authority rather than wish them dead. We should be our brothers’ keepers. It is a sin to God and to mankind to wish anybody dead.

“We should pray for the success of our leaders and the progress of our nation, especially now that we are passing through economic recession that has brought untold hardship to Nigerians, particularly the poor masses.

“Nigerians must manifestly show love to President Buhari. He is the one God has enthroned to direct the affairs of this nation at this time. If President Buhari succeeds, Nigeria succeeds. The progress of our nation should be of utmost priority to all of us.

“We must endeavour to shun partisan interest and ethnic nationalism and join hands together in support of the president to rebuild our nation and redirect our economy on the path of recovery and sustainable growth.” [myad]

CBN Swears It Has No Business In Allocating Foreign Exchange To Bank Customers

Greenbarge Reporters

January 29, 2017

The Central Bank of Nigeria has made it clear that it had no business allocating foreign exchange and does not deal directly with bank customers. The bank also made it clear that it does not fix FOREX rates for transactions by individuals or companies.

The bank, in a statement today, Sunday, by the acting director of Communications, Isaac Okorafor said that it had already directed Deposit Money Banks (DBMs) to forward the evidence of FOREX sale to end users and to advertise same in national dailies, saying: this is “in line with our principle of transparency.

“Since the introduction of the new FOREX Policy in 2016, we have published, monthly, the evidence of sale from DMBs, as received from the banks and without any alteration by us in the spirit of transparency. We have recently observed, however, that some DMBs forwarded inaccurate data, which were erroneously published and gave a wrong impression of disparate rates;

“The DMBs involved in providing inaccurate data have since been issued queries accordingly. Some have returned a response indicating that some of the figures were related to formatting errors, which do not affect the true rates of the affected transactions.

“As the constitutionally authorized industry regulator mandated to manage the FOREX market, maintain external reserves and to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency, we wish to state unequivocally that the CBN has a duty to perform and would not indulge in acts capable of discrediting the FOREX market.

“We therefore wish to reiterate that the sale of FOREX under the new policy is most transparent and it is not intended to benefit any individual or corporate body in anyway.

“While we appreciate the concerns of stakeholders, we urge all concerned to verify information on matters relating to the Bank and use our available channels to lodge their complaints.”

The spokesman said that the clarification became necessary following media reports alleging irregularities in the rates at which foreign exchange was obtained by some individuals and companies from different DMBs under the new Foreign Exchange Policy, which prioritizes FOREX sales to manufacturers, agriculture, plant and machinery, critical raw materials, among others. [myad]

Ebonyi Governor Moves To Engage 50,000 Farmers, 8,000 Civil Servants To Grow Agric

Greenbarge Reporters

January 29, 2017

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has announced plans by his government to engage over 50,000 farmers this year to boost agriculture and improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.

The governor, who received in audience, a team from an international group, Zero Hunger Forum, in Abakaliki, added that 8,000 civil servants would also benefit from FADAMA 3 programme.
The governor expressed gratitude to the leader of the Zero Hunger Forum and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for being part of the global efforts to end hunger in 2030, and assured that his administration would give full support to the team.

Giving a rundown of some efforts made by his administration to eradicate hunger in the state, Umahi, said:”IFAD injected over N4 billion into the society by reason of empowering over 6,000 farmers, which of course, we supported the farmers by way of standing in for them in their 50 % equity contribution.

“Through direct funding, over 15,000 farmers were funded directly by the state government. That is to me stomach infrastructure.
“So this year, we are targeting over 50,000 farmers to partner with and to see how we can begin to eradicate hunger in Ebonyi State.”
On civil servants, Governor Umahi, said:” We want to marry them together and we have started the process of borrowing N1 billion from the banks and then to use it to pay the counterpart funding of FADAMA 3 of our civil servants. So we are targeting 8,000 civil servants that will benefit from this N1 billion in a way of counterpart funding on FADAMA 3 programmes.
“Our idea is that our civil servants who are interested should be able to go to work on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, they should go to farm and then be able to work through this programme”.
Umahi said that Ebonyi State would depend largely on the assistance of the Zero Hunger Team in the area of seed certification and knowledge transfer to attain its desired height in the area of agriculture.

The governor, who heads one of the committees for the successful implementation of the zero hunger projects, commended the programme initiators for choosing Ebonyi as one of the pilot states in Nigeria.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Dr. Kenton Dashiel, had explained that they were in the state to find out how Zero hunger forum could add value to the agric policy of the state government.
He commended governor Umahi for his agricultural revolution in the state, which he said, has assisted in great measure towards ensuring food security in the country.
The highlight was a point presentation by the Zero hunger team on how to improve crop yields in the state. [myad]

Peterside Calls For Media Partnership On Economic Diversification

Greenbarge Reporters

January 29, 2017

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called for media partnership on the government’s drive to diversify the economy for growth and create alternative opportunities for investments

Peterside, who received in audience, leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its National President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile, at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos, acknowledged that media is the interface between the public and the Government.

He asked the practitioners to be professional in their reporting as people look up to them as the major source of information, especially as the government seeks to diversify the economy from oil.

“We urge you to support the Government as it diversifies the economy for a better future for the entire Nigerian populace. You have to be fair and professional while reporting Government activities in order not to create unnecessary panic amongst the public.”

The NIMASA boss said that the maritime industry is ready to take over from oil as the leading revenue earner in the country and called on all stakeholders to look into the opportunity that abound in the sector.

“The ocean is a resource a country can leverage on to grow its economy and blessed with a coastline of about 853km and 250 nautical mile Exclusive Economic zone, we must begin to take advantage of the maritime opportunities available to us to grow our economy”.

Earlier, Abdulwaheed Odusile, who had on his entourage the Chairman of the Lagos branch of the NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye said that his colleagues will do more to focus on government activities geared towards revamping the economy. [myad]

Junaid Mohammed Speaks For Boko Haram Insurgents, Says They Are Still Alive

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2017

A former House of Representatives member, Dr. Junaid Mohamed has turned spokesman of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, saying that anyone who says they have been defeated is “telling lies.”

In an interview, Mohammed insisted: “Boko Haram is still alive and well” even if the terrorists are not holding any territory in the country.

“See, you have to look at the areas which he (President Muhammadu Buhari) promised to look at. He promised that he was going to see the back of Boko Haram. I admit that he has done something in terms of what has been happening in the north-east.

“I said and I repeat, Boko Haram is still alive and well. Even if they are not holding territory for a prolonged period in Nigeria, there is no denying the fact that they are still holding areas in the northern part of Nigeria, Ditto in Niger Republic and part of Northern Cameroon.

“Whoever says they have been defeated is telling lies and taking diabolical liberties with a lack of the thorough knowledge that one is supposed to have before commenting on such matters.” [myad]

California Moves To Secede From U.S, To Form Its Nation

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2017

California has made a move to secede from the United States of America and form a new country to be known as “Calexit.”

The proposal for California to secede from the U.S. was submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday, according to a report.

The proposed “Calexit” initiative was a name borrowed from the UK’s “Brexit” departure from the EU.

“Calexit” would ask voters to repeal part of the state constitution that declares California an inseparable part of the U.S.

A recent poll found that one in three California residents would support a possible secession from the U.S. due to their opposition to President Donald Trump, according to the proposal.

No mention has been made of the president in the proposal.

If the proposal qualifies for the ballot and is approved by voters, it could be a step to a future vote on whether the state would break away from the rest of the nation.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla said the group behind the proposal, ‘Yes California Independence Campaign’, was cleared to begin attempting to collect nearly 600,000 voter signatures needed to place the plan on the ballot.

“In our view, the United States of America represents so many things that conflict with Californian values.

“And our continued statehood means California will continue subsidising the other states to our own detriment, and to the detriment of our children,” the Yes California Independence Campaign’s website says.

(NAN). [myad]

Man Dies Leaving Behind 86 Wives In Niger

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2017

A super polygamist in Niger State of Nigeria, who married 86 wives, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Masaba is dead. He died in his residence today, Saturday, at Bida, Niger State at the age of 93, after a brief illness.

His Personal Assistant, Alhaji Mutairu Salawudeen Bello, who confirmed Masaba’s death, said that the man died today, Saturday.

“From Allah we come, to Him we shall all return; we announce the death of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bello Masaba this afternoon. He was aged 93, and died after a brief illness,” Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in a telephone interview.

A sobbing Bello told NAN that his boss would be buried at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 29. He said that the man had a premonition of his death and prepared for it.

“Baba (Masaba), told us that his time was up; he personally told me that he had completed his divine assignment and was ready to meet his creator.

“He also told us to remain dedicated to the cause of Islam and urged us never to deviate from his teachings on righteousness, piety and total submission to the will of Allah.

“He warned us to shun adultery but said that we should marry our women because it is ‘Hallal’ (right), before Allah,” Bello said.

( NAN). [myad]

Jigawa Asks Intending Pilgrims To Deposit N1 Million Ahead Of 2017 Hajj

Greenbarge Reporters

January 28, 2017

The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has directed intending pilgrims for the 2017 pilgrimage from the state to Saudi Arabia, to deposit N1 million.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Ibrahim Hashim, who spoke to newsmen in Dutse, the state capital today, Saturday asked the pilgrims to deposit the amount with the board’s Zonal Officers in its 13 centres across the state.
Hashim listed the centres as Dutse, Birninkudu, Kirikasamma, Kafinhausa, Gwaram, Maigatari, Gumel, Ringim, Hadejia, Kaugama, Jahun, Kazaure and Roni.
He said that the deposit should be made pending official announcement of the 2017 Hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The spokesperson asked the pilgrims to make available to the board, 18 passports and half-body photographs with white background.
According to him, the board has provided the zonal officers with the necessary materials for smooth collection of the deposit.
Hashim warned the pilgrims to strictly work with only zonal officers to avoid fraudsters.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn the intending pilgrims that they should not give their money to anyone except the zonal officers.
“We have not assigned any agent or middleman between the pilgrims and our zonal officers,” he said.[myad]

Dino Melaye Apologizes For Foisting Yahayah Bello On Kogi People As Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

January 27, 2017

The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Dino Melaye has apologized to the people of Kogi state for being part of those who foisted Alhaji Yahaya Bello on them a year ago.

Melaye who spoke at a news conference today, Friday in Abuja, to mark Yahaya Bello’s one year in office, said he was sorry for installing Bello as the governor, arguing that Bello was not even dding that a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and should never be addressed as one.

“I was one of the people who installed the undeserved Gov of Kogi State 1 year ago. But I’m now saying sorry. Quote me well: Yahayah Bello is a small rat in politics.

“There is no way a governor can run his office without the party. The entire APC is here and he is nowhere to be found.

“There was someone who came and met me from PDP that I should thank the governor for helping him at the tribunal. We built this party when he was not there; we laboured and won election when he was not there; Yahayah cannot destroy our party.

“When other governors are celebrating one year in office with 1000km road construction, Yahayah is celebrating with 5 boreholes only.

“We want to separate APC from Yahayah Bello, because he is not a member of APC.

“It’s only in Kogi we see a man who served government for 35 years and coming for his pension, being referred to as Ghost Pensioner.

“Hundreds kogites have died in the last 1 year due to hypertension inflicted on them by Yahayah Bello.” [myad]

Ondo Assembly Sacks Speaker, Deputy Over Alleged N15 Million Fraud

Greenbarge Reporters

January 27, 2017

Ondo State House of Assembly has impeached its speaker, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele over alleged N15million naira fraud. The Assembly also sent the Deputy speaker, the majority leader and other leaders packing.

Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters however indicated that the Speaker and other leaders were suspended even as legislature quickly appointed their replacements.

Those who were picked in their places today, Friday, immediately after dispensing with the former leaders are

Fourteen out of the twenty-six Ondo State House of Assembly lawmakers on Friday evening sacked their speaker, Malachi Coker, from Ilaje constituency II as acting Speaker, while Hon. Ayodele Arowole from Owo state constituency I was picked as his deputy. Also, Hon. Olamide George from Akure north State constituency was appointed as the Majority leader.

The suspension of the principal leaders of the Assembly followed an incident, where the house paymaster was allegedly caught by members of the assembly with the sum of N15million at the premises of the Assembly.

When confronted, the paymaster said he was acting on the instruction of the suspended speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele, who ordered him to bring the money to her residence.

The House which eventually sat at about 5pm moved that the leadership under Akindele had failed, as the lawmakers were not aware of the approval of the said sum.

It was gathered however that the removal of Akindele as the speaker was beyond the ‎issue of fraud as majority of the lawmakers were said to be preparing the ground for the incoming governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to be sworn-in on February 24.

The sacking of the speaker was said also to have been carried out by the lawmakers who felt that she had not been protecting their interest despite her closeness with Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Recently, the lawmakers rejected 38 bills sent to the Assembly by Mimiko on the ground that the governor must pay them their allowances before they could act on them. [myad]

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