Ghana Confers Highest National Honour On Nigerian Billionaire, Mike Adenuga

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October 29, 2016

The government of the Republic of Ghana has conferred on a Nigerian billionaire, Mike Adenuga, its highest national award of ‘Companion Of The Star of Ghana.’

At a ceremony in Accra, Ghana today, Saturday, Ghanaian President, John Mahama bestowed the honour on the Nigerian tycoon in recognition of the immense contributions he has made to Ghana’s economic growth.

Adenuga, who is referred to as ‘The Bull’ in Nigerian business circles, has assets worth more than $8 billion in Ghana alone, according to a citation read during the ceremony by President John Mahama.

“Throughout Africa, you are acclaimed as one of the most astute and successful entrepreneurs and investors, controlling one of the continent’s largest business empires, comprising oil and gas, telecommunications, aviation, banking and real estate,” President Mahama said.

Adenuga’s companies are also among the largest corporate taxpayers in Ghana.

Apart from Adenuga, the only Nigerians who can lay claim to such an honor from Ghana are former Presidents of Nigeria.

Adenuga hence becomes the first Nigerian outside government to receive Ghana’s highest national honor.

Adenuga, 63, is the founder of Globacom, Nigeria’s second largest mobile telecoms company with more than 25 million subscribers. He also owns Conoil Producing, Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil exploration company, as well as Conoil PLC, a leading oil marketing company in Nigeria.

He is the single largest property owner in Nigeria and, owns an extensive property portfolio in Ghana, South Africa, France, U.K and the United States. [myad]

Radio Biafra Suffers Major Setback As Facebook Shuts Its Account And That Of Its sponsors

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 29, 2016

Radio Biafra, the promoter of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), agitating for the breakaway of Igbo people from Nigeria, has suffered a major setback as the Facebook shut down its account and the account of the principal officers of the IPOB itself.

The principal officers whose accounts were also shut were Uche Alphonsus Mefor, Clifford Iroanya, Uchenna Asiegbu, Austin Ofomah, et al. This was even as there were speculations that the shutdown is not unconnected with the recent visit to Nigeria by Facebook proprietor, Mr. Mark Zuckerberg.

Others reasoned that the shutdown was because of the overwhelming support by Biafrans, South Easterners, and South Southerners for Donald Trump ahead of the forthcoming U.S. Presidential elections. [myad]

Probing Of Past Governments: I Won’t Join The Bandwagon – Gov Ganduje Of Kano

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 29, 2016

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has said that he is aware of several probes of past governors by his colleagues in other states, but that he would not jump into the bandwagon of probing his predecessors.

Ganduje, who spoke to news men at an interactive session in Sokoto today, Saturday, said: “though there are so much issues of probe across most of the states and the country, but in Kano State, I will not probe the past administration.
“We are only committed to ensuring that all government’s uncompleted projects and programmes left by the past administration are put into use for the benefits of our state.
“Moreover, we will ensure completion of all projects that are due and genuine as well as initiate more in such direction for the overall development of the society.”
The governor said that their retreat in Sokoto was aimed at discussing issues relating to the party as an institution in order to design a change in the party administration.
“This is to change the usual tradition of party administration in Nigeria, as once election has held, usually, political parties go into hiding and become inactive.
“So, we are all here in Sokoto in order to deliberate on how we can strengthen our party in Kano State and address the demands of the masses.”
Governor Ganduje said that the political party leader will as well be educated in order to maintain the internal democracy in the system. [myad]

We’ll Get Masterminds Of Saturday Twin Blasts In Maiduguri – Army Assures

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 29, 2016

The Nigerian Army has given assurance that it would apprehend those who were behind the Saturday twin bomb blasts which killed at least nine persons in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Colonel Mustapha Anka, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, who spoke today, Saturday in Maiduguri, said that the blast occurred at the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons camp and the NNPC fuel station along Damboa Road.
“At about 7.05 a.m. this morning, there were twin simultaneous suicide bomb explosions at the entrance of Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons camp and NNPC Mega Filling Station, Damboa Road, Maiduguri.
“At the Bakassi IDPs camp, a suspected female suicide bomber ran into a group of men and women at the entrance while they were coming out of the camp, killing 5 men and injuring 11 women.
“The bodies of the dead men and the injured women have been evacuated. At the NNPC, a female suicide bomber followed a fuel tanker in Keke NAPEP tricycle with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualty but was prevented from gaining access to the station by another vehicle.”
According to Anka, the suicide bomber exploded killing the three occupants of the tricycle with no report of injuries.
He said that the Acting General Officer Commanding, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, had already visited the scene to get first class information.
“The Acting GOC 7 Division has already visited the place and appealed to the people to be calm as concerted efforts were on to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“Troops and security agencies have been mobilised and the injured have been evacuated while efforts are ongoing to comb the general area as well as entries and exits of Maiduguri.
“While we commiserate with the families of the late victims of this cruel act and wish those injured speedy recovery, we would like to assure the public that efforts are ongoing to track those behind the dastardly acts.
“However, it is equally important to reiterate the need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. Citizens are enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the security agencies.”
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency, in a statement, has also confirmed the killing of nine persons in the blasts.
NEMA spokesman, Sani Datti, confirmed too that nine persons were killed and 24 persons injured and evacuated to various hospitals from the explosion scenes in Maiduguri.

In a statement in Abuja, Datti said that one of the explosions occurred at the entrance to the Bakasi Internally Displaced Persons camp, while the second happened at the NNPC filling station along Damboa Road, Maiduguri.
He said that the injured persons had been evacuated from the scene of the incidents and admitted to various hospitals in Maiduguri.
“As at the time of this report, the NEMA rescue team had evacuated victims. More updates on the incidents and rescue details will come later,” the spokesman said. [myad]

Ex-minister Obanikoro Coughs Out N100 Million Loot To EFCC

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 29, 2016

Ex Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has refunded the sum of N100 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A top associate of the former minister said that the former minister was yet to be released after the payment of the N100 million as at yesterday, Friday.

The EFCC had given a bail condition to Obanikoro, who has been in custody since October 21, to refund the sum of N100 million as a major condition for his bail.

In his statement to the commission, Obanikoro had said that he paid the sum of N2.3 billion to the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and another N1.7 billion to Senator Iyiola Omisore.

However, the commission was said to have questioned his claim that N785 million of the N4.7 billion, traced to Silva McNamara, was spent on the campaign against Boko Haram in Lagos and other parts of the South-West.

He had said that N200 million was spent on surveillance activities and another N200 million and N385 million on operations under the supervision of Silva McNamara, a company in which, the commission says, he has interest. [myad]

Gimba Weds Fatimah Buhari In Daura

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 28, 2016

57 year old Alhaji Gimba Yau Kumo, today, Friday, married the second daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Fatima in Daura, the President’s country home.

Gimba is former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Hajiya Fatima is one of the president’s children from his first wife, Safinatu Muhammadu Buhari. [myad]

28 Candidates Jostle For Ondo Governorship Seat

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 28, 2016

No fewer than 28 candidates representing their political parties have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to contest the Ondo Governorship election scheduled for Saturday, 26^th November.

In a document issued by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, 28 Political Parties and their candidates have been cleared by the Commission to contest the election.

The list of candidates and their parties released are as follows:

GOVERNOR – AMUDA OLADARE A

DEPUTY – AMBODE ALEXANDER ABIODUN A

GOVERNOR – YINKA OLOYEDE OROKOTO AA

DEPUTY – ABIOLA OJO AA

GOVERNOR – FRANCIS ADETUWO OGUNJUMELO ACPN

DEPUTY – IKUSIKA GRACE OLANIKE ACPN

GOVERNOR – OLUSOLA ALEX OKE AD

DEPUTY – DAUDA GANNY OLUWADARE AD

GOVERNOR – MARGARETA MODUPE OGUNYOKU (OJO) ADC

DEPUTY – AGANMAYO ISEOLUWA ADC

GOVERNOR – OLUYI FOLASHADE HELLEN APA

DEPUTY – OWOEYE DAMILOLA JONATHAN APA

GOVERNOR – OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU APC

DEPUTY – ALFRED AGBOOLA AJAYI APC

GOVERNOR – FRANCIS ADEYEMI ALAO APGA

DEPUTY – FAMUSIPE RUFUS IDOWU APGA

GOVERNOR – FUNMILAYO JENYO ATAUNOKO BNPP

DEPUTY – OLAJOBI OLALEKAN ABIMBOLA BNPP

GOVERNOR – FASUA PETER OYELEYE CPP

DEPUTY – OWOLABI SALIU YUSUF CPP

GOVERNOR – ADEEYO MATTHEW BOLORUNDARO DPC

DEPUTY – OLAIYA REMILEKUN MARGARETH DPC

GOVERNOR – FALANA OLAMIDE JULIANA DPP

DEPUTY – LAWRENCE KEHINDE FESTUS DPP

GOVERNOR – ODEDEYI OLUMUYIWA JOHN HDP

DEPUTY – OLOWOKANGA SAMUEL HDP

GOVERNOR – SAMUEL OLUWATOYIN AKOGUNRIN ID

DEPUTY – FAMUAGUN OLUWATOSIN MOSES ID

GOVERNOR – DANIEL OLUDARE OGUNGBEMI KOWA

DEPUTY – FAUSAT ADEOLA ALIU KOWA

GOVERNOR – ADEUTI STEPHEN TAYE LP

DEPUTY – AKINBAMIRE ADEBAYO BENSON LP

GOVERNOR – OBAYORIJU JIMOH ABASS NCP

DEPUTY – OWOLABI OLALEKAN STEPHEN NCP

GOVERNOR – OLUWADARE BADA NNPP

DEPUTY – JONATHAN AJINDE SUNDAY NNPP

GOVERNOR – AYIBIOWU MOSES IGE NUP

DEPUTY – OJO AKINWALE OLADAPO NUP

GOVERNOR – OLUWASEGUN ODIDI PDC

DEPUTY – OLATUNJI LEO SEGUN PDC

GOVERNOR – JIMOH IBRAHIM FOLORUNSO PDP(Court ordered)

DEPUTY – ALABI EBENEZER OMOTAYO PDP(Court ordered)

GOVERNOR – ADENIYAN ABIODUN DANIEL PPA

DEPUTY – OLADELE TOLANI BAMITALE PPA

GOVERNOR – ORUNMOLUYI TEMIDOLA OLAGBEGI PPN

DEPUTY – ONISEMO MICHAEL OLADAPO PPN

GOVERNOR – ARIGBEDE ROLAND GBENGA PRP

DEPUTY – OLADELE PAUL OLUWASESAN PRP

GOVERNOR – OLU AGUNLOYE SDP

DEPUTY – MODUPE AKINDELE MARTINS SDP

GOVERNOR – OLUGBENGA AKINWALE FALAIYE UDP

DEPUTY – SEIBU LAMIDI UDP

GOVERNOR – AIDI BOLARINWA ELIJAH UPN

DEPUTY – TIEWEI JULIUS UPN

GOVERNOR – ANTHONY ADENIYI ADENIRANYE YDP. [myad]

Afe Babalola, Senator Osita Izunaso Receive Presidential Birthday Wishes From Buhari

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 28, 2016

A legal practitioner, Chief Afe Babalola and the National Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Party (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso have received Presidential birthday wishes from President Muhammadu Buhari as they turned 85 and 50 respectively tomorrow, Wednesday, October 30.

In a statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described Babalola as a legal luminary, educationist and philanthropist.

President Buhari said that his birthday of a man like Babalola who epitomizes unique and enviable qualities that every nation will want projected in its leadership and citizenry is a milestone.

The President said that the legal luminary’s lifestyle exemplifies discipline, diligence, honesty and wisdom, the virtues which he said he employed from childhood to succeed against the vicissitudes of poverty and deprivation, and climbed steadily to reach the pinnacle of his career as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

President Buhari said that Aare Babalola has the pride to look back with at his achievements, which include the God-fearing act of always catering for the poor and under privileged, and mentoring of lawyers from his Emmanuel Chambers that have turned Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Attorneys-General and Ministers of Justice.

The President also extoled the patriotism and commitment of Aare Babalola to nation building through regular counseling of leaders, representation of the Federal Government and founding of one of the best universities in Africa.

Also in a statement by the senior special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the President described Senator Osita as an accomplished journalist, politician and philanthropist, who has used his God-given abilities and resources for the benefit of humanity.

He extolled the exemplary lifestyle and conduct of Senator Osita who at the golden age of 50, has creditably demonstrated great leadership skills with towering records as a former distinguished lawmaker and current APC chieftain.

President Buhari said that Senator Ostia’s commitment to providing care and support to Persons Living with Disability through his Kpakpando Foundation; and the decision to celebrate his golden jubilee with the less privileged is worthy of emulation by all, particularly young and aspiring leaders. [myad]

Pastor, His Wife, Their Friend Arrested For Swindling Church Of $1.2 Million

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 28, 2016

The sound of corruption has since reached House of God in far away Virginia, the Unted States of America, as a Pastor, his wife and their friend are being charged for swindling the Church of the sum of @1.2 Million. The three are being indicted by a Federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy.

According to the report, Terry Wayne Millender, who serves as pastor for Victorious Life Church in Alexandria; his wife, Brenda; and a friend, Grenetta Wells, who is also affiliated with the church, were all recently indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy.

Authorities say the charges stem from an investment scam in which the Millenders and Wells convinced congregations to invest in their company, Micro-Enterprise Management Group, which allegedly helped poor people in developing countries through the provision of small, short-term loans to start or build up existing businesses by working with a network of established microfinance groups, Fox5DC reports.

The trio allegedly underlined their business’s Christian mission and promised guaranteed rates of return. Some investors gave sums ranging from $40,000 to $400,000, authorities say.

However, instead of using the money for its intended mission, the Millenders and Wells allegedly conducted risky trading on the foreign-exchange currency market and also helped fund the purchase of a lavish $1.75 million residence for the Millenders and other personal expenses for the defendants.

When parishioners began to question when they would get their money back, the defendants blamed delays on the 2008 financial crisis, authorities say.

“It didn’t really come as a shock, it was more of a sigh of relief,” Eric Brown, a former church member, told Fox5DC. According to the news station, Brown’s family was one of those who invested in the alleged fraud scheme, although they are not a part of the federal case.

“I asked him like, ‘Hey, that’s a nice car,’” Brown told the station regarding one conversation he said he had with Terry Millender. “He said, ‘Yeah, $100,000 car. If you save up your money, God’s going to bless you.’ Come to find out now, it was actually part of our money.”

Both Terry Millender and Grenetta Wells were held without bond until another hearing set for Wednesday. Brenda Millender was released after the initial hearing.

Source: Lailas, Fox5DC. [myad]

US Poll: Clinton Scores 46 Percent Among Registered Voters, Against Trump’s 37 Percent – CNBC Survey

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Greenbarge Reporters

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October 27, 2016

With only a dozen days to go before the election, Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton has maintained her lead by 46 percent among the registered voters as against the Republican nominee, Donald Trump’s 37 percent.
According to the latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey, after weeks and months of what many Republican strategists called verbal and strategic missteps by Trump, and despite potentially ruinous revelations from leaked Clinton campaign emails, the Democrat leads the Republican nominee by 46 percent to 37 percent among registered voters in a two-way race and by the same margin among likely voters. In June, Clinton led by just 5 points.
The CNBC survey of 804 Americans around the country, including all age and income groups, was conducted by Hart Research Associates on the Democratic side and Public Opinion Strategies on the Republican side. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 points, meaning Clinton’s lead could be as large as 16 points or as small as 2 points.
The survey was conducted from October 21 to 24.
One hope for the Trump campaign: Among the 17 percent who are undecided, 31 percent are Republicans, compared to just 22 percent who are Democrats and 36 percent who are independents. “A chunk of people could move to Trump and close the gap,” said Micah Roberts, the Republican pollster for the survey.
“These people are going to have to show up.” But Roberts thinks it’s doubtful enough could break for Trump to put him over the top.
The poll appears to tell a story of a candidate who has been incapable of capitalizing on any of his perceived advantages. For example, its shows plenty of anger in the country, with 79 percent angry or dissatisfied with the political system, but an inability by Trump to harness that anger and turn it into political support.
Nowhere is that failure more apparent than on the economic front. It shows that Americans’ views on the economy have barely budged from the mediocre levels of optimism that have prevailed since the recession ended. Yet Clinton leads Trump 44 percent to 36 percent among those who are dissatisfied with their own financial situation in life. And she has a commanding lead among those who believe the economic system is rigged for the wealthy, 54 percent to 28 percent.
“Trump has lost whatever advantages his business background had afforded him,” said Jay Campbell, pollster with Hart Research.
Clinton widened her lead on several major issues, including immigration, trade and the budget deficit. She’s even turned around a perceived advantage Trump had on who is best for the stock market, to a 1 point lead from a 9-point deficit.
Trump has only lukewarm support from his base, with just 78 percent of Republicans supporting his candidacy, 6 points below the level Clinton enjoys from Democrats. Economically, Clinton is winning among the poorest and the wealthiest Americans, and Trump is statistically tied with her for the middle-income groups.
Trump also lags on issues such as national security and foreign policy that are traditional GOP strengths. Asked who is best on terrorism and homeland security, respondents support Clinton 47 percent to 36 percent, a sharp turn from the June survey where Trump held a 2-point edge.
Even Trump’s own voters, by 48 percent to 40 percent, are more motivated to vote against Clinton than for him; Clinton’s voters are more motivated to vote for her than against him by 51 percent to 39 percent. [myad]