Buhari Is Proud Of Lagos And Kebbi State Governors Over LAKE Rice

December 23, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that he is proud of the governor of Lagos, Omowunmi Ambode and his Kebbi state counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu for the success they have achieved, partnership to produce local rice that has been christened LAKE Rice – Lagos-Kebbi Rice.

The President, who commended the two governors for their commitment to bringing to fruition, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country’s rice requirement, expressed delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice, especially at this period of recession.

“It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations.”

According to President Buhari, what the two states have done is “evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and propelled by agriculture, away from substantial dependence on oil and gas for national revenue.”

The President recalled that in his 2017 Budget presentation before the National Assembly, he said that “a new era is rising in which we must grow what we eat and consume what we make,” adding that the LAKE Rice achievement is in furtherance of the set goal.

He advised other state governments to replicate the laudable example of LAKE Rice and other staple crops and dairy products; even as he pledged that his government is ready to continue to support such initiatives by providing the enabling environment, policies and incentives for agriculture to thrive in order for the nation to achieve food security.

He is optimistic that going forward, Nigeria will attain rice sufficiency by year 2019.

Also, the minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi has said that President Buhari is eager to reflate the Nigeria’s economy and deliver to the people the gains of his administration.

A statement by the Director of press and public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs. Yetunde Sonaike, quoted the minister as saying that one of the core mandates of the present administration was to fulfil the needs and aspirations of Nigerians, adding that government would ensure it achieve its promises.

The minister said that the ministry was able to complete the Abuja–Kaduna Railway modernisation project and provided safety measures at the nation’s airports through rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure within the airports.

He said that there were also ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure at the seaports and the railway as well as instilling financial discipline in the ministry and its agencies among others.

Amaechi said the focus of the government was the rehabilitation of the old railway lines of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri and also ensuring that the construction works on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Rail line was completed within the specified time.

According to him, the government is determined to ensure that works on Lagos-Kano Rail line commence in earnest to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers unhindered.

“The construction work on the Lagos-Ibadan segment of the Coastal Rail line will commence in January 2017.”

On the issue of the National Fleet for the maritime sector, the minister said that government had gone far in getting interested investors to come in.

He said that the government was mindful of the provision of the law which stipulates 60 per cent for local investors and 40 per cent for foreign investors. [myad]

AEDC Cuts Off Electricity Supply To Chibiri Community Over Debts Owe By Some Customers

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has cut off electricity supply to Chibiri community, a suburb of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over none payment of bills by some of its customers in the community.

Information available to Greenbarge Reporters confirmed that many others who have been paying their bills were joined in the offence committed by none paying customers and similarly thrown into darkness.

It was gathered that the officials of the company have placed the responsibility of asking the none paying consumers on those who have been paying, as a condition for reconnecting the community.

One of the customers who had been paying his bill simply said: “the AEDC officials are simply shifting their responsibility, of going after those that are owing them to others, and punishing those who have been paying. This is unfair.”

More facts are being gathered and will shortly be published. [myad]

None Payment Of Salary: Workers Shut Down Taraba Secretariat

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

Taraba State government’s workers have shut down the state secretariat in the state capital, Jalingo to protest against the non-payment of their salaries.

The protesters carried placards, some of which read: “One year of impunity and insensitivity must stop’’, “salary is a right not a privilege’’, “Starter Up must go’’ and “pensioners have right to a dignified living.”

Acting on the platform of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), the workers accused the state government of insensitive to their plights.

Addressing the workers, Mr. Peter Gambo, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said on Thursday that they were protesting against other irregularities in the payment of salaries of workers and pensions of retirees in the state.

He said that local government workers and teachers have not been paid for eight months and have been subjected to untold hardship.

The chairman listed other irregularities as illegal deductions from salaries and subjection of workers to meaningless screenings and futile verifications by the government.

Gambo also alleged that the union dues were deducted indiscriminately without being remitted to the respective accounts of the unions and that government had given no explanations for this.

“Government has shown that the welfare of workers in the state is not its priority. Workers have been subjected to all kinds of belittling treatments in the name of screening and verification that have not yielded any fruits apart from subjecting them to extreme hardships.

“The consultant has proven to be very incompetent in handling payment of salaries while the bank handling payment has clearly shown that it is confused. All these must stop now”, he said.

The state Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Angyu, addressed the protesters, saying that the government is aware of the workers’ complaints and is already taking steps to address them.

Angyu appealed to the workers to end the protest and make way for “peaceful and civilized discussions on the way forward.” [myad]

Your Focus Should Be On Foreign Direct Investment In Nigeria, FCT Minister Charges New Ambassadors

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has advised 47 newly appointed career Ambassadors to explore possibilities of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nigeria in general and the FCT.
The minister gave the advice today, Thursday, when the Ambassadors paid him a working visit at in his office in Abuja.
The Minister emphasized that with Foreign Direct Investment, the economic challenge the nation is facing today would become a reduced to a minimum level as the nation’s dependence on imported goods and services would drastically reduced.
Muhammad Bello said that there are a lot of investment opportunities in Nigeria and FCT which could be marketed by the new Ambassadors to their host countries.
According to him, the FCTA would leverage on their expertise to sell Abuja to the world even as he drew attention to opportunities for light industries in the capital city Territory.
He said that the Idu Industrial Layout has been provided with adequate infrastructure for such purpose, adding that his government has provided an enabling environment for would-be genuine investors.
The minister reminded the Ambassadors that Abuja is the only city that is a creation of law in Nigeria, the home to all Nigerians including the new Ambassadors, and the window through which the world sees the country.
Muhammad Bello assured them that his Administration would continue to guard the Abuja Master Plan and that all the diplomatic plots meant for embassies and High Commissions in the city would be protected.
The Minister prayed that the new Ambassadors would make the nation proud, saying: “you know all the challenges of the Federal Capital Territory because all of you live here and therefore you can best market the city by bringing Foreign Direct Investment to tackle all those challenges.”
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye who led the group, said that the visit is part of the induction programme organized for the new Ambassadors to acquaint and remind them of the government policies in terms of protocol and its priority in terms of domestic agenda.
These, he said, are built into the change, good governance, economic, security and anti-corruption stands of the Muhammadu Buhari government.
“This is to help identify the foreign policy component of the government programme to enable the new Ambassadors go out there to engage and advance the domestic agenda of Nigeria.” [myad]

Niger Gov Surprises Christians: Donates Bus, Sponsors 117 On Pilgrimage To Jerusalem

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has surprised Christians in the state, with the donation of a new bus to their umbrella body, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and promise to sponsor 117 Christians to Jerusalem on pilgrimage.
The governor, whose action was interpreted to mean that his government is not marginalizing Christians and any other group in the state, that the gesture is part of effort to allay the fears that Christians are being marginalized in the state.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, quoted the governor as debunking the notion in some quarters that the Sharia court in the state was created by his government.
He said that the outcry of marginalization by Christians in the state was not caused by his administration but that it is an age-long situation, which will be laid to rest soon as he had ordered the immediate employment of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers across the state by January 2017.
Governor Bello spoke when the leadership of CAN, led by the State Chairman, Rev. Mathias Echioda,‎ paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.
He assured them of cordial relationship, saying that both Islamic and Christian Religious Knowledge would be taught in schools to help improve students’ moral lessons.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, who spoke to news men at the first Ni‎ger State Christmas Carol Festival, which held 40 years after it was last observed, appealed to Christians to shun every form of division and to speak with one voice to achieve results.
“For the fact that Mr. Governor sponsored the first Christmas carol since the inception of the state 40 years ago, it shows that the government is not religiously biased and despite the ban on pilgrimage sponsorship to the Holy land, the Governor in his own benevolence still sponsored 117 Christians to Israel and the first batch left on Monday.”
Vatsa called on Christian politicians to come together and champion a cause for Christians as well as a positive course that will benefit the state rather than continuously complaining and making accusations. [myad]

Nigerian Christians Raise Eyebrow Over Membership Of International Islamic Group

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an umbrella body of all the Christians in Nigeria has raised eyebrow over the membership of Nigeria in the General Assembly of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILMC).

In a statement, Media Assistant to the CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, Pastor Bayo Oladeji said that Nigeria’s membership of the IILMC without the backing of the country’s law should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

There have been reports that the IILMC recently appointed the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele as its Chairman during its 17th Governing Board meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

IILMC is an international institution established by central banks’ monetary authorities and multilateral organizations to create and issue short-term Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments to facilitate effective cross-border Islamic liquidity management.

“By creating more liquid Shari’ah-compliant financial markets for institutions offering Islamic financial services (IIFS), the IILMC aims to enhance cross-border investment flows, international linkages and financial stability,” the corporation discloses on its website.

The leadership of CAN, however wondered when Nigeria became a member of this Islamic body, stressing that the government’s action was a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially Section 10.

Section 10 states that “The Government of the Federation or a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion”

According to CAN, the action by the government of Nigeria on accepting to head IILM amounted to denouncing Nigeria as secular, insisting that Nigeria therefore cannot join any organization that has a religious connotation.

Against this background, CAN said Nigerians should focus on some pertinent questions with intent to make the government offer right answers. The questions are as follow:

*What is Nigeria doing in Islamic and Shariah compliant organization?

*Who authorized the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to join this organization?

*What provision of our constitution supports our membership of a religious association as a secular state?

*If the argument is that we are a multi-religious state, does having many religions in a state define that state as multi-religious state? Will that not contradict section 10 of the 1999 constitution at the same time?

*When did the National Assembly pass the law to do away with our secular status?

*When did our Constitution change to allow this alliance that seems to portray Nigeria as Islamic? Is the National Assembly aware of all the treaties regarding these Islamic organizations to which Nigeria is now a member*?

CAN statement read, “We also recalled how President Muhammadu Buhari not only smuggled Nigeria into the “34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism” but he and his government poured invectives and venoms on those who spoke against his unconstitutional action.

*Do we need to repeat our concern that almost all the heads of security paramilitary agencies in Nigeria today are Muslims as if Christians have become second class citizens or rather lack competent officers to in charge! Has Nigeria become an Islamic state?

*We also recall the controversy surrounding the funding of Jaiz bank, an Islamic institution, with the public money by the immediate past CBN Governor with impunity.

*Recently, when the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu overhauled the heads of the 17 parastatals and agencies under his watch, 13 out of 17 of them were and are Muslims! Is this government saying it is only Muslims that can be trusted?

*A government that is interested in the unity and peace of the country should not be taking actions such as the lopsidedness of its appointments at the expense of one religion with impunity.

*We have noted with dismay that this government is not a listening government and this is dangerous for the future wellbeing of our nation. Is it democracy we are practicing or a rigid dictatorship?

*Equally, we are surprised by the argument being canvassed in some quarters that

Nigeria is not a secular but a multi-religious nation. Assuming but not conceding that Nigeria is a multi-religious state, should the government policies be pro one of the religions at the expense of the others?

*Many of our Christian brothers and sisters are being killed like rams in hundreds by the Fulani herdsmen while our security agencies look elsewhere all because none of their heads is a Christian.

*This is not the Nigeria dreamt of by our founding Fathers and it is high time the government woke up to its constitutional responsibilities.

*Christians have equal rights with our Muslim counterparts since the 1999 Constitution recognizes the multiplicity of religions and we will no longer pretend as if all is well with Nigeria.

*Let it be stressed here that we love our Muslim brothers and sisters in this nation and we are aware that we cannot do without one another.

“However, we need to drum it loud to the ears of this present administration to always consider our plural state in terms of ethnicity and religion and ensure balance not only on the issue of appointments but on other issues which would continue to portray the government as being partisan towards one particular religion.” [myad]

I Don’t Believe In Pastors, Bible, They Are Fake – Kemi Olunloyo

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

A popular US-based Nigerian born controversial journalist and social media enthusiast, Kemi Olunloyo, has said that she doesn’t believe in Bible and Pastors, saying that they are fake.

The fearless writer, who recently revealed that she would marry in 2017 said that she would never respect pastors and the Bible, saying that they were all fakes.

In a Christmas message to her teeming fans, Miss Olunloyo said that even God never endorsed the Bible.

Her post reads in full:

“Many of u fans all over social are asking me how I knew about Jesus and God if not the bible. Stupid dumbass question. The answer is FROM MY UGLY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER who told us stories. I don’t believe or read the Bible. I will never touch it again. It is full of fake stories.

God NEVER ENDORSED the Bible! He asked us to worship him directly not thru a book or pastor. If more people were spiritual like me rather than being religious, this will be a better world.

I became a born again spiritual being Sunday December 25th 2011 and now this Sunday December 25th 2016 #Kesus is back. Remember Kesus, my spiritual name. I don’t do church, don’t respect pastors or read the Bible. So many versions of it too.

That King James (Lebron) version is the FAKEST! The real King in the biblical days was not even A CHRISTIAN and his royal biblicalness had no business writing a BIBLE. Christianity has nothing to do with Christmas! Jesus was not even born December 25th either.

Lies everywhere. 400 ppl got blocked off my verified Facebook page’s 77,000 and I’m ready to block another 400 who insult me.

There is an Igbo guy in my inbox now who says he wants to marry me and get rid of my bachelorette reality show, good looking and all and I must “give my life to Jesus” begging me.

He says if I do he will give me $100K aka N48M. He’s a company CEO. You can’t even “buy” me with these Jesus freak lines. I already love Jesus and God and that’s why my Christmas name is#KESUS.

Absolutely no bibles, pastors or church. Religion is the biggest lie to mankind. I see ppl heading to #Mecca to stone the devil. The devil is already in ur home, office, everywhere and many DIE in stampedes there! I’m not religious, I’m spiritual.

STAY SPIRITUAL! I LOVE YOU ALL!!#MerryChristmas‎. [myad]

London Court Frees Ibori, Places him Under House Arrest

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

A London court which yesterday ordered the release of the former Governor of Delta State in Nigeria, Chief James Onanefe Ibori from prison, is reported to have also placed him under house arrest in London.

Ibori was released from prison, where he spent six years following his conviction for stealing and laundering Nigeria’s money. He was initially jailed for 13 years but was due for release on Tuesday, December 20, after serving full six years.

Reports reaching us indicate that the London court had ordered that his movement should be restricted to his St. John’s Wood residence. He was also ordered to be reporting to the London Metropolitan Police every week.

The Nigerian politician is due back in court next month for deportation hearing.

Ibori, who was once London store cashier, was jailed for fraud totalling nearly £50 million in April 2012.

He evaded capture in Nigeria after a mob of supporters attacked police but was arrested in Dubai in 2010 and extradited to the UK, where he was prosecuted based on evidence from the Metropolitan Police. [myad]

Malabu Oil Deal: I Will Defend Myself At Appropriate Time – Bello Adoke

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

My attention has been drawn to the charges filed by the EFCC against me and other named individuals and companies in respect of OPL 245 Settlement Agreement involving Malabu Oil & Gas Limited and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited. The charge of aiding the commission of money laundering offences preferred against me has finally confirmed the orchestrated plans to bring me to public disrepute in order to satisfy the whims and caprices of some powerful interests on revenge mission.
I wish to reiterate that I acted within the actual and ostensible authority of the Office I occupied to broker a settlement between Malabu Oil & Gas Limited and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited in order to ward off the over US$2 Billion Dollars liability in damages for breach of contract which the country would have been exposed to in the likely event of the success of Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited’s claim before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
The Terms of Settlement ensured that the interests of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Malabu Oil & Gas Limited and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited were duly acknowledged and provided for in the Settlement Agreement. The Federal Government of Nigeria was entitled to the Signature bonus which was duly paid; Malabu Oil & Gas Limited surrendered its title to OPL 245 for a consideration and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited was re-allocated OPL 245 which its had previously substantially de-risked in consideration for withdrawing their over US$ 2 Billion Dollars claim for breach of contract against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Since the Parties aforementioned, faithfully discharged their respective obligations under the Settlement Agreement, one cannot comprehend how the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation which brokered the Settlement was expected to renege from the agreement by denying Malabu Oil & Gas Limited the benefits associated with the relinquishing of their title to OPL 245 already warehoused in a joint FGN/Shell Escrow account, or to prevent the subsequent re-allocation of the relinquished OPL 245 to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited when the company had already furnished consideration for it
to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
I am of the respectful view that it should be clear to any person dispassionately reviewing the transaction to confirm that I had no personal interest in the transaction; I did not take any benefit from it, I had requisite approvals from the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to broker the settlement and execute the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement. I am therefore unable to rationalize the charge of aiding the commission of money laundering offences preferred against me by the EFCC. But be that as it may, I hope to at the appropriate time make myself available to defend the charge for whatever it is worth.
. Adoke is a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. [myad]

The World Is Not Celebrating Me Because I’m Woman, Serena Complains

Greenbarge Reporters

December 22, 2016

Former World table tennis champion, Serena Williams, has complained that she is not being celebrated as being the “greatest tennis player of all time” because she is a woman.
The American lady said that the scenario would have been completely different had she been a man.
“I think if I were a man, I would have been in that conversation a long time ago. I think being a woman is just a whole new set of problems from the society that you have to deal with, as well as being black, so it’s a lot to deal with – and especially lately,” Serena said in an interview for ESPN vertical, “The Undefeated.
“I’ve been able to speak up for women’s rights because I think that gets lost in colour, or gets lost in cultures. Women make up so much of this world, and, yeah, if I were a man, I would have 100% been considered the greatest ever a long time ago,” she added.
The 35-year-old has notched up a total of 22 career Grand Slam titles so far, equaling German Steffi Graf’s record for most titles in the Open Era. [myad]

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