The Nigerian Senate has put to a lie, media report that it refused to confirm the appointment of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
The Senate leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume who spoke to news men shortly after he had a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the Senate only stepped down Magu’s screening last Thursday “pending when security issues concerning him are cleared”.
He said that the Nigerian Senate would confer with Buhari on his next line of action on Magu in view of the security report against him, saying also that the Senate had not indicted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, of abuse of office.
The Borno Senator said that investigation by the Senate on the SGF is still ongoing even as he advised Nigerians to stop making premature conclusions. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has successfully kept the memory of his late father alive by identifying with the grassroots in his home state.
The President, who commiserated with Dr. Bukola as he clocked 54 on December 19, described the Senate President as “one of the most influential politicians of our time who has made tremendous impact on the country.”
While wishing the Senate President many more prosperous years ahead, the President called for closer cooperation between the executive and the legislature to ensure the smooth implementation of government policies and programmes.
According to President Buhari, despite the principle of separation of powers, both arms of government should be united in the promotion of the common good of the people.
He said that whatever differences that may occasionally arise between the two branches of government should not be allowed to compromise their common goals of promoting the greater progress and development of Nigeria. [myad]
An unidentified gunman, dressed in a suit and tie, has shot and killed Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, 62 year old Andrei Karlov at a photo exhibition in the Turkish capital on Monday,
Ambassador Andrei Karlov was said to be delivering a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in Ankara when the man fired at least eight shots, according to the AP photographer in the audience.
The assailant was reported to be chanting in Turkish: “don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!” He was referring to the Syrian city where Russian bombardments have helped drive rebels from areas they had occupied for years during the war.
He also shouted “Allahu akbar,” the Arabic phrase for “God is great” and continued in Arabic: “We are the descendants of those who supported the Prophet Muhammad, for jihad.”
The gunman approached Karlov as he lay on the ground and shot him at least one more time at close range, according to the AP photographer. The attacker also smashed several of the framed photos hung for the exhibition. There was panic as people ran for cover. Three other people were wounded in the attack, NTV said.
According to an Associated Press photographer who witnessed the shooting, police later killed the assailant.
The attack came a day before a meeting of Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign and defense ministers in Moscow to discuss Syria. Russia and Iran have backed Syrian President, Bashar Assad throughout the nearly six-year conflict, while Turkey has supported Assad’s foes.
Karlov was shot “when an unidentified assailant opened chaotic gunfire during a public event in Ankara,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. She said Russia was in contact with Turkish officials about the incident.
The U.S. State Department spokesman, John Kirby said U.S. officials were aware of reports about the shooting.
“We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” Kirby said.
The United Nations condemned the attack.
“There can be no justification for an attack on an ambassador … and we very much hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Melih Gokcek, the mayor for Ankara, told reporters outside the exhibition center that the “heinous” attack aimed to disrupt newly-re-established relations between Turkey and Russia.
Relations between Russia and Turkey were badly strained by the downing of a Russian warplanes at the Syrian border in November 2015, but Turkey’s apology earlier this year helped overcome the rift. The leaders of the two countries, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have held several meetings in recent months and spoken frequently over the phone.
Russia and Turkey have co-sponsored the evacuation of civilians and rebels from Aleppo and also discussed the prospect of organizing a new round of peace talks in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana.
The Russian ambassador to Turkey who was fatally shot was a career diplomat.
Karlov joined the diplomatic service in 1976. He served as Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang in 2001-2006, and later worked as the chief of the Foreign Ministry’s consular department. He had served as the ambassador to Turkey since 2013. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has painted a gloomy picture of the funding for Nigeria foreign missions, saying that for now “I regret that the resources available to fund our missions abroad will not be as robust as we would like.”
The President, who declared open today in Abuja, an induction course organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Nigerian Career Ambassadors-designate who were recently cleared by the Senate, President Buhari, said that the prevailing economic circumstances have led to a restructuring of Nigerian missions abroad.
He reminded the Ambassadors-designate: “as we are all making great sacrifices at home, we also expect you to similarly make judicious use of the resources put at the disposal of your missions. “As Heads of missions, you will be held accountable for the utilisation of all resources under your control. These are lean times, and all of us are expected to do more with less.”
President Buhari asked them to change the narrative of Nigeria outside the country by playing up the positive values and outstanding contributions of Nigerians in the global arena.
“I want to emphasise your duty to change the narrative of Nigeria as seen by the outside world. For far too long, we have allowed Nigeria to be defined by others, always emphasizing our negatives. To the average foreigner, Nigeria evokes 419, terrorism, militancy, communal and religious clashes, insecurity, corruption and all our other faults.
“You have the duty to correct this narrative by taking the initiative to define and portray our country for what it truly is. We are a nation of 180 million vibrant, enterprising, hardworking, hospitable and peaceful people. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities as strengths such that we are the leading country on the continent. Therefore, you will need to mobilise, sensitise and motivate all your staff so that together you engage with your host governments, the private sector and other segments of the society to explain that Nigeria is much more than the negative image portrayed to them.”
President Buhari also enjoined them to leverage on the achievements of Nigerians within the country and in Diaspora, saying: “Think of people like Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Chinedu Echeruo who founded Hotspot application which he sold to Apple for over a billion Dollars; think of Bayo Ogunlesi, who runs over a billion Dollar Infrastructure Fund and is now Adviser to US President-elect; and Jelani Aliyu, an accomplished car designer at General Motors. Indeed, these and other hardworking Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora have never forgotten their roots and have been making significant contributions to their communities back home, and even to our economy through their huge remittances.”
He urged them to sustain the work ethic characterized by the love of country, professionalism, excellence, integrity and honour associated with the “Nigerian diplomatic tradition established in 1957 by the pioneers of the Nigerian Foreign Service, sometimes referred to as the “Twelve Apostles” and also “bequeath same to succeeding generations.”
President Buhari also charged the Ambassadors-designate to stress Nigeria’s commitment to international peace and security through contributions “to nearly every UN peacekeeping initiative since 1960 when we achieved our independence. In addition, we are the stabilizers and shock absorbers of West Africa having helped to contain potentially de-stabilizing developments in the sub-region.”
He urged the Ambassadors–designate always to be mindful of the national priorities that “revolve around the economy, security, anti-corruption, good governance, agricultural transformation and infrastructural development, including rail, roads and power” and use their roles “as Principal Representatives to build meaningful partnerships to attract foreign investments, new skills and technologies.”
President Buhari stressed that “as Nigerian Ambassadors, you must set the standard of putting Nigeria first in all your actions. You must show leadership, fairness and justice to all. Discipline, probity, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption must be your watchwords. You are expected to project the best image and traditions of our country in your conduct and all you do.” [myad]
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has deployed security agents to hunt down suspected fraudsters who operate fake Facebook accounts in his name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
A statement by his chief spokesman, Muhammad…quoted the minister as saying that the fake Facebook accounts contain his photograph, and that the fraudsters have been using it to promote non-existing land offers, contracts, employment opportunities among others, and request innocent members of the public to pay certain amounts of money for these services.
“The general public should be aware that the FCT Minister has one Facebook account mainly for information dissemination about this Administration’s strides for the purpose of educating the public only.
“The FCT Administration conducts the businesses of governance through the recognized official channels in its Mandate Secretariats, Departments and Agencies using due process and transparency, and not through any social media platforms.
“The Minister will not either by himself, through personal aides, other individuals or organizations solicit for money or ask members of the public to patronize any regulated activity of the FCT Administration through his Facebook page or any other social media platform.
“The Administration thus, wishes to advise all those engaging in such unscrupulous acts to desist forthwith as security agencies have been directed to closely monitor their activities and deal with them in accordance with the provisions of the law.” [myad]
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has come up with a new method of tackling smuggling across Nigeria’s boarders with the use of technology as an enabler.
The minister, who spoke at the commencement of the workshop by the Nigerian Customs Service on the integration of the National Vehicle Identification System, at the Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Monday, said the initiative is aimed at introducing technology to counter the activities of smugglers and boost revenue collections.
“Going forward, we are introducing a new system where all vehicles will be registered using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), effective 31st March, 2017. Customs clearance will be linked to the VIN and this in turn will be required by each State Government at the point of vehicle registration. Effectively, any vehicle on which duty has not been paid will not be able to be registered and driven in Nigeria. We are using technology to make smuggling an unprofitable venture.”
The minister said that revenue would be increased by reduction in leakages through the nation’s porous borders, adding that there would also be a reduction in import under-declaration and evasion of duty payments.
Mrs. Adeosun said that the public would be advised to ensure that they obtain proof of customs duty payment when purchasing a vehicle to avoid being saddled with the liability of unpaid duties and related penalties.
The Minister said that Nigeria loses Billions of Naira annually due to the activities of smugglers even as she described the VIN system as a powerful tool against this illicit and dangerous practice, which sees stolen, accident wrecked and other unsafe vehicles brought into Nigeria.
“The VIN provides a form of identity for each vehicle that will be linked to proof of ownership and connected to a centralised database. Another advantage of the VIN is that the original vehicle manufacturers will be aware of vehicles imported into Nigeria. This information is important where safety and other recalls are issued internationally. The Manufacturers will now have no excuse for not extending the benefits of such recalls to Nigerian customers.
“The objective is to ensure transparency and accountability in the collection of duties; a central system for tracking all vehicles coming into Nigeria independent of point of entry, shared database for all regulatory and enforcement agencies and requirements. As we expand the database to cover all cars, we will be able to tackle car theft and non- insurance of vehicles among others.”
According to the minister, this collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Commission and Federal Inland Revenue Service will be instrumental to achieving this objective.
She said that the programme is also expected to significantly boost vehicle security and the easy transfer of vehicles from one owner to the other.
Those who were in attendance at the workshop were the Customs Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Secretary of the Joint Tax Board, Muhammed Lawan Abubakar, Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, and AIG Alkali Baba Usman, who represented the Inspector General of Police. [myad]
Facts have emerged to show that no fewer than 4,820 people commit suicide across the United Kingdom every year, even as a member of the Parliament described it as “unacceptable,” insisting that ministers should consider strategies to help bring down the numbers.
Tory MP and committee chairwoman, Sarah Wollaston said: “4,820 people are recorded as having died by suicide in England last year, but the true figure is likely to be higher. This means 5,000 people per month, 160 per day and nine people per hour.
“Suicide is preventable and much more can and should be done to support those at risk. I hope to see the most important messages from witnesses to our inquiry taken into account by the Government in their renewed suicide prevention strategy.
“The committee will scrutinize the updated strategy and then hold a follow-up hearing before publishing a full report.”
The Commons Health Committee suggested restricting access to “harmful internet content” which might encourage people to take their own lives.
Wider help for public mental health services and targeted support for at-risk groups through early intervention should also be prioritized, MPs who are part of the committee urged.
Those bereaved by suicide should also receive better primary and secondary care.
This was even as the committee had said media guidelines on the reporting of suicide are being widely ignored and greater attention should be paid to breaches of the rules. [myad]
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Phillipo Grandi, has expressed satisfaction with the way the Nigerian government is handling the welfare of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Mr. Grandi, who spoke when he met President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja praised “Nigeria’s determination to resolve the humanitarian crisis”
The UN High Commissioner, who had earlier visited Cameroun, Niger, and Chad, as part of his tour of the Lake Chad Basin region, said that his visit to Maiduguri, in Borno State, afforded him the opportunity “to see the excellent work being done by the authorities, with support of the international community.”
He stressed that he is leaving Nigeria with the conviction that things were under control, stressing: “a lot remains to be done, but I see progress. I have seen the protection given to the rights and privileges of civilians in the North-east, and it is commendable.”
Mr. Grandi said the UN would always be willing to assist Nigeria with resources and the needed expertise to resettle displaced persons.
This was even as President Buhar gave assurance that Nigeria will continued to be guided by international best practice and standards in rehabilitating millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) spawned by the Boko Haram insurgency.
President Buhari said that Nigeria is making efforts to domesticate the Kampala Convention, which legally binds governments to protect the rights and wellbeing of people forced to flee their homes by conflict.
The President lauded the military, which he said has created a safe passage that has made it easier to help the displaced persons.
He disclosed that different mechanisms have been put in place to care for the displaced, in areas of nutrition, health, physical and spiritual rehabilitation, among others.
“About 150,000 refugees have also come back home from across the borders. Our sleeves are rolled up to face the challenges head-on, along with our strategic partners, “the President said, adding that Nigeria appreciated the continued collaboration of the United Nations. [myad]
The famous American business magazine, Forbes has voted the richest man in Africa and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote as one the most powerful persons in the world. He rubs shoulders with such other world leaders in this category as Russian President, Vladimir Putin, American President-elect, Donald Trump and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
The magazine, in the latest edition naming 74 World Most Powerful People showed that the 64 year old Russian President, Vladimir Putin is the most powerful in the world, ahead of Mr. Donald Trump who is second on the list. Dangote ranked as the second most powerful on the African continent.
The Nigerian business mogul has constantly featured in the list since 2013 when he was listed as the only black African so rated by the same Forbes Magazine in the list of 100 most powerful persons.
Listed as number 71 most powerful last year ahead of the American President-elect, Dangote moved up the ladder of influential people as he was named as the 68th most powerful in the world weekend, coming only after the Egyptian President, Abdel el-Sisi, who was adjudged the most powerful in Africa and 44th in the world.
While the German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ranked the third most powerful person in the World, out-going American President, Barack Obama placed 48th on the list.
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis is the fifth most powerful person while the world Richest, Bill Gates comes seventh. Chinese President Xi Jinping comes before the Pope in number four while the Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg is the number 10 most powerful person in the world.
The Forbes reports that there are nearly 7.4 billion people on planet earth but the listed 74 men and women make the world turn.
The magazine is well known for its lists and rankings, including its lists of the richest Americans (the Forbes 400) and rankings of world’s top companies (the Forbes Global 2000). Another well-known list by the magazine is the The World’s Billionaires list.
As at 2013, Dangote was the only African listed among the most Powerful people in the world before the Egyptian President now recently featured on the list.
Dangote, the business magnate, had won the ‘2016 African Business Leader Award,’ organized by the Africa-America Institute (AAI), in New York in September.
The Dangote Foundation, the most endowed Foundation in Africa established by him also won the ‘2016 African Philanthropy of the Year Award,’ at the All Africa Business Leaders Award (AABLA), put together by CNBC Africa, in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2016.
It would be recalled that last month, Dangote was named among the 50 world most influential personalities by Bloomberg, the renowned United States-based news media with bias for business and financial news reporting.
The group of personalities chosen by the Bloomberg Market consisted of CEOs, world leaders as well as religious leaders. As expected, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and Pope Francis made the list with Dangote at number 41 on the list.
According to Bloomberg, those on the list “build companies and assemble fortunes. They run banks, or hope to disrupt them. They shape economies and spread ideas. They manage money and wield the clout that goes with the billions of dollars they invest.”
The Bloomberg said of him: “Aliko Dangote, Founder, Dangote Group, Africa’s most successful businessman, built his fortune in sugar, textiles, and cement in his native Nigeria, where today, he is a political as well as a financial power broker. He is expanding in other countries and may list his cement company in London Stock Market.”
A piece written by Paul Wallace, a reporter with the media outfit, said: “Dangote is fetes like royalty. He has businesses ranging from cement to sugar to energy in a dozen sub-Saharan countries. He’s a fixture at elite gatherings such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
No African has ridden the continent’s halting march out of poverty toward potential prosperity as spectacularly as its richest person, the Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote.
Also, another list compiled by business news network CNBC, which highlights those who, have disrupted industries, sparked change and exercised an influence far beyond their own companies, listed Dangote among 24 others.
“As CNBC embarks on its second quarter-century, it faces a world completely altered from when it started. The 25 men and women listed [here], from different parts of the world and across different industries, have, for better or worse, been the rebels, icons and leaders in the vanguard of that change,” it said.
“Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, built his fortune in two distinct phases, riding the changes that led to Nigeria becoming the continent’s largest economy,” CNBC said.
“Expanding his empire from his native country to West Africa, and then across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa, Dangote showed that it was possible to create wealth in the region by means other than tapping the continent’s abundant natural resources.”
The business news network added that Dangote’s proposed building of an oil refinery is typical of his vision and will allow him to move into producing fertiliser and polypropylene as well.
“Dangote’s model was straightforward from the get-go: to dominate sectors protected from new entrants, and to use scale and his trucking and distribution system to drive prices down to levels that let him crush domestic rivals. He has pursued success with single-minded focus, and has many critics,” said CNBC. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has finally swung into action to probe some of the top members of his government, including ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff and other top government officials who have been accused of being involved in corruption in the past few months.
In a terse two-paragraph statement, Sunday, by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari said that any of the officers found to be truly corrupt would be shown the way out.
The statement reads: “The attention of the presidency has been drawn to a number of reports in the media, in which various accusations of corruption have been leveled against some top officials in the administration.
“In that regard, President Buhari has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing. If any of them are liable they will not escape prosecution.”
In recent times, allegations of corruption have been leveled against the Buhari’s senior officials, including the minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, Secretary to the Government of the Federtion (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.” [myad]
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