Customers Swoop On ATM Machines Across Abuja, Empty Them Of Cash

December 24, 2016

Despite the economic recession and the general cry of economic hardships, many Nigerians have swooped on various ATM machines across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where they completely emptied them of the cash.
Investigation by our correspondents showed that as early as Monday, December 20, many bank customers have besieged the ATM machines at various points.
It was learnt that in some of the machines, the queues were sometime so long that those who did not have enough patience got scared.
It was gathered that many customers used to withdraw as much as 500,000 from more than three different ATM machines.
This was even as managers of some banks expressed surprise that Nigerians could be so rich that they would clear millions of Naira which they used to load into the machines.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has congratulated Christians across the country, particularly the residents of the FCT, on the occasion of Christmas celebration.
He advised them, in his Christmas message, to pray for peace and continued unity of Nigeria and that they to use the occasion to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and imbibe his teachings.
He reminded Christians that the life of Jesus Christ is primarily premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty as well as spirituality, and should be the focal point on this auspicious day.
Muhammad Bello said that the celebration calls for sober reflection and spiritual rejuvenation as Jesus Christ lived his life for mankind.
The minister asked Christians to imbibe the spirit of Christmas especially the lessons from the life and times of Jesus Christ to assist the nation move out of its present economic predicaments.
“As you pray for the nation, I enjoin you to also pray for its leadership, for God to continue to guide, protect and give President Muhammadu Buhari, the strength and the wisdom to steer the affairs of the nation to effectively surmount the present challenges being experienced.”
The minister used the occasion to charge all residents of the FCT irrespective of our religious belief or political inclination to continue to live in peace and harmony.
While assuring that the FCT Administration would continue to guarantee the security of the lives and property of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister said that all security outfits in the Territory are adequately prepared to be on top of any unexpected security breach during and after the festive period.
The minister, however, counseled that security should be made the business of every resident of the Territory by always reporting any suspicious movement to the law enforcement agents. [myad]

Nigerian Army Crushes Boko Haram, Conquers Sambisa Forest

Greenbarge Reporters

December 24, 2016

Nigerian army has announced the crushing of Boko Haram and conquering of the notorious Sambisa Forest, which had been the main hideout of the group.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement he personally signed today, Saturday, said: “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.
“I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice.
“I, therefore, call on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will expose all the terrorists hiding among the populace.
“Further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity. May God be with them.
“I also want to congratulate and commend the able leadership of the Nigerian Army in particular and indeed, that of the Armed Forces in general, for making this possible. This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North East, but the country in general. But we must not let our guards down.
Once more, congratulations to our troops and all who, in one way or the other, contributed to this most commendable and momentous effort. May the Almighty continue to be with you.
“I wish you a Merry Christmas and a most rewarding and peaceful Year 2017 ahead.” [myad]

University Of Port Harcourt Expels 22 Students Allegedly Belonging To Cult

Greenbarge Reporters

December 24, 2016

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt has expelled 22 students of the University alleged to belong to some cults. They were also accused of assaulting a female lecturer.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the university, Dorcas Otto, in Port Harcourt said that the students were also found to be undermining security on the campus.
According to the statement, the decision to expel the students was taken at the 426th Senate Meeting of the university.
It said that eight of the students were expelled for being part of different cult groups, two students expelled for assaulting a female lecturer and disrupting a congress meeting of the department.
“Twelve other students expelled were former presidents of faculty associations.”
The Senate also announced that the institution has closed for the Christmas/New Year Break and will resume on January 3, 2017. [myad]

Buhari Did Not Snub South East Economic And Security Summit, Presidency Explains

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

Presidency has debunked the insinuations in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari snubbed the recent South-East Economic and Security Summit in Enugu, saying that the timing of the Summit was not conducive.

A statement by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the President was presented with a request to attend the Summit by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, whi he (the President) happily accepted.

“The visit to Enugu was scheduled for Thursday 22nd as can be found on the weekly programme. After this was done, some other stakeholders from the South East came and advised him not to go, in view of the closeness of the date to Christmas; that given the sensitivity of the period to the people, a presidential visit may come with overexertion and possibly, be disruptive of Christmas.

“In view of this, President Buhari requested that the event be pushed forward to January, 2017. Given his nature, he did not insist. He said if the change of date is not possible, then the event can go on without him. That is what the organizers chose to do.”

Garba said that the President did not, and he absolutely has no reason to snub anyone. [myad]

Gov Fayose Turns Prophet, Says New Party Will Emerge In 2017 To Defeat APC In 2019

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

Ayodele Fayose has come up as not just a governor of Ekiti state, but a prophet who sees tomorrow and claimed that he predicted 20 things that would be experienced in 2016, 90 percent of which he said the Holy Spirit led him to predict and had came to pass.
“The Holy Spirit has once again led me to tell Nigerians what may happen in 2017. We therefore need prayer to avert further calamities in Nigeria.”
In a statement which he personally signed, Fayose said that a new (major) political party that will wrestle power from the APC will emerge.

According to him, Crisis in the APC will deepen as former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will officially show intention to leave the party and declare his intention to vie for the office of the president in 2019.

“2017 will be a defining year for Nigeria as there will be major revolution and uprising against the Federal Government because of economic hardship.”
Prophet Fayose predicted that Dollar will go as high as N600 to $1 and that the APC-led Federal Government will still not have solution to the economic problems of the country as the economy will move from recession to depression.
He said that about four ministers will be removed and that there will be more pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
“A former Head of State/President may pass on.

“Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano will be re-elected.
“EFCC: Magu may face prosecution.
“There will be boost in agriculture.” [myad]

Court Freezes More Accounts Of Patience Jonathan In Alleged Kleptocracy Forfeiture Action

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

Wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the freezing of Ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan’s several bank accounts in corruption proceeds hidden in bank’s around the country.

The action is believed to be the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action brought against a first lady in the country’s history.

The restraint of funds announced today includes accounts with Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Eco Bank and Fidelity bank.

More details later. [myad]

Senator Abe Accuses Gov Wike Of Playing Politics Of Rascality In Rivers

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, on the platform og the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State of playing what he called politics of rascality.

Senator Abe condemned the decision of the governor of Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to swear in the duly elected APC members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as rascality and impunity.

“This kind of rascality and impunity that we are experiencing in Rivers State will not be allowed and tolerated,”

The Senator, who spoke to news men in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State insisted that the law makers elected on the platform of the APC will march into the Rivers State House of Assembly to participate in the deliberations of the House.

He said that the option for the APC lawmakers to march into the state House of Assembly to begin their function has become expedient following the insistence of Governor Nyesom Wike that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly would not swear them in.

“If the Speaker will not swear them in, they will match into the House of Assembly and take their place because they have been returned”.

He asked well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the actions of the governor as such could derail our democracy even as he contended that swearing-in of members of the House was not constitutional but ceremonial, arguing that in the absence of the swearing-in, the elected legislators have the right to participate in the deliberations.

“There is no constitutional requirement for swearing-in law makers in the country. It is a ceremony, which the Speaker may perform if he so chooses. If he chooses not to swear them in, that cannot in anyway de-legitimize their membership of the House of Assembly. So, the Speaker has a choice. He can swear them in, which is what he is expected to do as the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly or he can refuse and they will go into the House of Assembly and take their seats without his permission because he has no right to sit as a tribunal over the return of any legislator.”

Senator Abe also indicated that he will challenge the Commission of Inquiry setup by Governor Wike to investigate the act of violence and other matters that occurred during the December 10 re-run elections in Rivers State.

He said that although the setting up of the commission by the governor appeared amusing, there is the need to challenge it in Court as such Commission is intended to produce documented indictment on the leaders of APC.

“I think this is the joke of the year. Like every other joke that has been reduced to pen and paper, we are going to treat it seriously. We will challenge that so-called commission in the Court,”

Senator Abe said that it has become necessary to challenge the commission because such commission should be unbiased but past commissions setup by the governor had demonstrated that the intention was to indict APC members and exonerate PDP members from any culpability.

He added that the setting up of the commission runs against the legal maxim that one cannot be a judge in his own case.

Senator Abe expressed discontent that the governor will perpetuate a lot of atrocities and impunity, only to setup a commission of inquiry to exonerate himself and his party and blame the APC.

He said that the governor chose to setup the commission having heard that the Inspector-General of Police had commenced investigation in some allegations against the governor.

“Because the Inspector-General of Police has asked the Police to investigate allegations and the circumstance of the things that happened here and then the chief suspect says that he has no confidence in the investigation of the Police and went ahead to setup his own inquiry. This is a man that for the past one week has done nothing but to express his bias. He has already indicted everybody that he can indict and then he is setting up a commission of inquiry. How would any other person have confidence in that kind of inquiry when his bias is known; his prejudice is clear? Like every other commission that has been set up by this administration, it is design with one thing and only one thing in mind to indict leaders of All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.” [myad]

Minister Cautions Christians To Stop Defacing Federal Capital City With Posters

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has asked Christians to stop defacing the capital city with all types of posters on evangelism.

The minister, who received in audience in his office today, Friday, the new executives of the FCT chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), asked the new leadership to help reach out to their members to stop indiscriminate pasting of posters which deface the city.

He assured them that his government would strengthen collaboration with religious organizations in the capital city as a way of fostering unity and harmony.

The minister, who congratulated the new executive committee over their election, called for proactive engagement to nip security challenges in the bud, even as he promised to work with the new CAN leadership to build on the work of their predecessors.

Earlier, the former FCT CAN Chairman and now the Chairman of CAN, North Central Zone, Rev. Israel Akanji who led the delegation, said that CAN has received enormous support from the FCT Administration over the years and appreciated the tremendous support they have been enjoying during festive periods.

The Chairman commended the minister for the interfaith collaboration which he government has encouraged. [myad]

Promotion Galore At Maritime Agency, 76 Management Staff Benefit

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of 76 Management Staff of the Agency to their next grade levels.

The promotions were approved at the 34th meeting of the Board which held in Lagos from 20th to 21st, December, 2016 under the chairmanship of General Jonathan India Garba (rtd).

Eight Deputy Directors were promoted to the level of Directors, 15 Assistant Directors were promoted to Deputy Directors while 56 grade level 14 officers were promoted to their next grade of Assistant Directors.

Those who were promoted to Directors include the Agency’s Spokesperson, Hajia Lami Tumaka, Head of Procurement department, Mr. Sani Mohammed, Head of Financial Services department, Mr. Olayemi Abbas and his counterpart in Cabotage department, Mr. Hassan el-Yakub.

Others are the Coordinator of Western Zonal Operations, Hajia Aisha Jummai Musa, Head of Marine Environment Management department, Mrs. Susan Asagwara, Head of Shipping Development department, Mr. Akin Akinyosoye and his counterpart in Legal Services, Mr. Suleman Abdulsalam.

The promotion went through a rigorous process where independent consultants were engaged to carry out the exercise.

Similarly, the Executive Management of the Agency has also approved the promotion of a total number of 222 non-management staff between grade levels 4-14.

Meanwhile, the Governing Board has enjoined the newly promoted staff to dedicate themselves to duty as the promotions will undoubtedly come with more responsibilities, adding that henceforth promotion exercises in the Agency will be conducted as at when due. [myad]

ECOWAS, President Jammeh On Collision Course With Military Power

Greenbarge Reporters

December 23, 2016

As President Yahya Jammeh plans to cling to power in spite of international opposition, the West Africa’s regional bloc, Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) is flexing muscle, threatening a military action to flush him out of power.

This is even as President Jammeh had long tagged ECOWAS as an intruder into the internal affairs of the Gambia.

ECOWAS is said to have put standby military forces on alert in case President Jammeh does not step down when his mandate ends on January 19.

ECOWAS commission president, Marcel de Souza said this on Malian TV on Thursday night.

Jammeh has vowed to stay in power despite losing a Dec. 1 election to rival Adama Barrow, raising the possibility that regional powers may intervene to oust him if diplomacy does not succeed in persuading him to leave.

“We have put standby forces on alert if he does not (step down) on Jan. 19 when his mandate ends,” De Souza said.

“No one has the right to oppose the will of the people.”

Barrow’s surprise victory and Jammeh’s initial decision to concede power after 22 years in power was seen across Africa as a moment of hope. But the president changed his mind a week later and said again on Tuesday that he would not step down, rebuffing efforts by West African leaders to persuade him.

Jammeh said that the electoral count was flawed and that ECOWAS has no right to meddle in Gambia’s internal affairs.

The regional bloc has mandated Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to act as mediator to offer Jammeh an “honourable exit,” but if he does not take it then forces might be deployed, De Souza said.

The BBC quoted De Souza as saying in an interview that Senegalese troops would lead any military intervention.

Senegal is Gambia’s only territorial neighbour and has a frequently stormy relationship with the country, having sent troops there during a 1981 coup.

Senegal has indicated that military action would be an absolute last resort.

Diplomats say ECOWAS would probably seek approval from the U.N. Security Council for the use of force. ECOWAS deployed troops to Liberia and Sierra Leone during civil wars in the 1990s, setting a precedent for possible intervention.

A first step for raising pressure once the handover date passes is likely to be targeted sanctions by the U.N. and others, diplomats say, also raising the possibility that Jammeh could be offered asylum abroad.

Barrow’s supporters suggested on Thursday that the president might not immediately be prosecuted for alleged human rights abuses during his rule.

“Justice is absolutely essential … but we are going to take the route to truth and reconciliation,” said coalition spokesman Halifa Sallah at a meeting with the African Bar Association.

Gambia’s Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge on Jan. 10 from Jammeh’s ruling party which wants to overturn the election result.

(NAN). [myad]

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