Corruption Depends On The Issue Raised In The Media Every Day – Ex President Jonathan

October 25, 2016

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that corruption “depends on the issue raised in the media every day.”

He went to say: “I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria. There is corruption.
“If you look at corruption, there is almost no country that is free. The degree varies, the perception varies.
“Transparency International talks about the way corruption is being perceived in different economies. Why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived?

“You will see that it has become a major topic whenever there is a change of government….”

Ex President Jonathan who was responding to a question after his lecture on Youth Entrepreneurship at the famous Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, insisted that allegations of corruption are not unique to his administration or Nigeria.
He admitted that there were some issues about the ongoing probe of some of those who served under him, especially, the former National Security Adviser, retired Sambo Dasuki, but that some of them were over blown.
“I’d say exaggerated and they give a very bad impression about our nation.
“They said the National Security Adviser (Sambo Dasuki) stole $2.2 billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion.
“We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the Army and so on and so forth and you are still saying $2.2 billion. So where did we get the money to buy all those things?
“You cannot say the National Security Adviser stole $2.2 billion. It is not just possible.”
Jonathan said that since some of the corruption cases are in court, he would allow the legal processes to reveal the facts of the matter.
“One thing about the issue of corruption is that these matters are in court. Let’s allow some of these processes to end.
“Lately, some judges’ (homes) were also invaded. There are so many things involved and we have to follow up these matters to conclusion before we know the fact.
“I don’t want to be seen as a former president challenging what the sitting government is doing so I have decided to keep quiet for the court to look into them.” [myad]

President Buhari Raises Task Force To Rebuild Boko Haram Ravaged North East

Greenbarge Reporters

October 25, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari is reported to have okayed a Task Force to rebuild North East with the mandate to restore the infrastructural facilities that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern states within six months.
The Minister Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who announced this when he visited the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, over the weekend, said that the task force would look at health, nutrition, water and environmental challenges and provide quick solutions to the problems.
The task force is to be coordinated by the office of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, while the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, is the Chairman.
Adewole said that each of the components – Water, Health, Environment – is headed by a Minister, adding that the Minister of Health is coordinating health and nutrition components of the task force.
He said that the task force would work in Borno ,Yobe and Adamawa States with more emphasis on Borno State.
He added that budget for the programme had been approved, stressing that they were now developing work plan to swing into action and provide the necessary facilities in the States.
The Minister said the Task force would work under the umbrella of the Presidential Initiative for the North East, which would be inaugurated by President Buhari soon.
Adewole further said that the Federal Ministry of Health in her capacity has provided health commodities worth about N1.2 billion to Borno State.
The first consignment, for about N400,000 million, was already in Maiduguri, adding that the second batch would follow later.
He said that the Ministry would continue to partner with Borno State in the area of healthcare delivery.
He added that the challenges of Borno State and other North Eastern States affected not only North East, but the whole country.
In his remarks, Durkwa appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government in re-building Borno State.
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Health for providing health commodities to the state.
He promised that the Government of Borno State remains committed to partner with the Federal Government and Development Partners to ensure that Borno State was rebuilt again. [myad]

President Buhari Promises To End Violence Against Children

Greenbarge Reporters

October 25, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised children in Nigeria to end all forms of violence against them as quickly as possible.

“I say to children in Nigeria – on this historic day, we make a pledge: we commit to protecting each and every one of you from violence.”

The President, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, today, Tuesday, launched an ambitious campaign to End Violence Against Children by 2030.

This is against the background of the fact that millions of children are reported to be suffering some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence every year in Nigeria. A survey carried out last year by the National Population Commission, with support from UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that approximately 6 out of 10 Nigerian children experience one of these forms of violence before they reach 18.

The 2030 End Violence Against Children Campaign, supported by UNICEF and USAID, builds and expands on the success of just-ended Year of Action to End Violence Against Children, launched by the President in September 2015.

President said at the launch: “the Year of Action has created a wonderful momentum to end violence against children. We have a clear moral, legal and economic imperative and a global obligation to take action to end the suffering of children who live under the shadow of violence.”

During the Year of Action, Lagos, Cross River, Benue and Plateau States all heeded the President’s call to launch their own State campaigns; Bayelsa became the 23^rd State in Nigeria to domesticate the Child’s Rights Act and nine States joined hands to develop a model child protection system to put the Child’s Rights Act into practice.

The Sustainable Development Goals, agreed last month by all members of the United Nations, including Nigeria, include a call on every country in the world to end all forms of violence against children by 2030.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal to end violence against children, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development announced that it will convene representatives from key Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as Civil Society and Faith Based Organizations to develop a National Plan of Action.

UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Regional Director, Manuel Fontaine, said: “Ending violence against children is everybody’s business,” “With this campaign, Nigeria has shown it is determined to mobilize political will and resources to tackle all forms of violence against children wherever it happens” [myad]

EFCC Arrests Ex Jonathan Spokesman, Reuben Abati

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Media.

An official in the commission hinted this evening, Monday that Abati was brought to the commission’s office in the early hours of the afternoon.

Abati, who was arrested on allegation of receiving some undisclosed amount of money from former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, is expected to spend at least Monday night at the office of the anti-graft agency.

Dasuki is currently being tried by the EFCC for his management of arms funds under him, in what is now known as #Dasukigate.

Abati’s arrest brings to at least three, the former aides of Jonathan who are currently in EFCC custody.

A former minister of state for defence is still with the commission since last week Monday when he voluntarily surrendered himself after staying away for months from the country; while Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Jonathan campaign spokesperson, was arrested on Friday and is still with the commission. [myad]

Yes, I Belong In Kitchen, Living Room, Other Room – Gov Wike’s Wife, Justice Eberechi

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

The wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has supported President Muhammadu Buhari who said that his wife, Aisha belongs in his kitchen, the living room and the other room, saying that she belongs to the kitchen, the living room and every room created by God.

She was speaking at the 10th Biennial Diocesan Women’s Guild Conference Thanksgiving Service of the Anglican Diocese of the Niger Delta North in Saint Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike said: “All women have been through a lot as they strive to build the society. Our contributions to societal development cannot be underestimated.

“I belong to the kitchen, I belong to the living room and I belong to every room created by God. So also other women. We are created by God to do more. In my own case as a judicial officer, I also belong to the courtroom. Other women belong to different rooms, depending on their professional calling.”

“Women are very important to the development of any community. They form a larger percentage of the workforce that keeps the society.”

It would be recalled that the President reactions was in response to an ‘explosive’ interview his wife granted the BBC, where she stated that she may not support her husband in the 2019 Presidential election if he decides to go for second term.

In his response, President Buhari, who was in Germany on a three-day visit, laughed and replied, “I don’t know which party she belongs to, but all I know is that she belongs to my kitchen, the living room and the other room.” [myad]

Chinese Are Coming With $1Billion Investment In Nigerian Economy – Innoson Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma has said that some Chinese firms have indicated interest in investing about one billion dollars in the Nigerian economy within the next 12 to 24 months.

Chukwuma made this known today, Monday when he had a meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with a delegation from the Innoson Group and some Chinese business interests, including Shangdong Broadcasting Group.

Innoson Group Chairman said that his company is collaborating with three Chinese firms: Shangdong Broadcasting Group, and Shangdong Cable Interactive Services regarded as leading biggest TV operators, and Inspur Group, said to be China’s foremost leader in Cloud Computing solution suppliers and IT service provider.

Chief Chukwuma detailed the investments intended by the Chinese firms to include:

*a credit facility of $300m for local production and supply of 5-8 million Set-Top Boxes for the Digital Switch-Over in broadcasting in the country to meet a target date of June 2017.

*an investment of $100m to establish technology-based Direct-To-Home Digital Bing Television Stations.

*a further investment of $600m for Smart City CCTV camera and IT solutions for taxation, both using Cloud Computing, and E-Education IT solutions with big data centers in all federal universities and polytechnics in the country.

According to the Chairman of Innoson Group, “every plan to make a success of all these projects have been concluded between our two parties.”

Responding, Vice President Osinbajo said that the Muhammadu Buhari administration would continue to actively pursue a plan for the massive manufacturing and production of goods in the country as much as possible.

He said that in doing so, the government will collaborate with business interests that can facilitate the plan, adding that manufacturing in Nigeria is a primary objective of the government.

He said that it is because of the administration’s commitment to spur manufacturing and local production in the country that the initiative of Innoson Group to work with Chinese partners is being addressed as a strategic collaboration.

The Vice President said: “the initiative is bound to yield very good fruits and do very well,” adding also that the timing is right “as we are at a point that we must engage technological solutions in our development plans.”

Professsor Osinbajo said that the importance of competition and competitive pricing in such an effort cannot be overemphasized, saying: “in all we try to do, we believe there must be competition, competitive prices and plans.”

The Deputy Minister of the Communist Party in Shandong Province and Chairman of the Shandong Broadcasting Group, Mr. Liu Baoju, and Mr. Huang Gang, Senior Vice President of Inspur Group were among dignitaries in the business delegation at the meeting. [myad]

I Won’t Demand Any Loyalty From My Successor, Governor Oshiomhole Swears

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who will bow out of office after eight years, has made it clear that he did not intend to be any kind of godfather to the incoming governor, whom he helped to win the recent governorship poll under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Answering questions from news men at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Monday, Oshiomhole said that having dealt a fatal and final blow on godfatherism in the state’s politics, he would not want to be identified with it.

Oshiomhole said that the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, will not be under compulsion to be loyal to him, saying his loyalty should be to the people of the state.

“I am not the state, I am only one out of about four million Edo people. So his obligation and his loyalty should be to the people of Edo State.

“The oath of office he is going to subscribe to says that he will defend the Constitution of Nigeria, he will do everything to uplift the quality of life of Edo people.

“Nothing in his oath of office will include ‘I shall not betray my predecessor’ because I have no interest to be betrayed.

“For me, I have presided over Nigeria Labour Congress for eight years and I had a successor, there was no story of me having conflict with my successor because conflict only arise when you refuse to accept that when your tenure is over, it is over.”

Oshiomhole said that there is nothing wrong in him campaigning for Obaseki during the campaign period.

He savored the moment he presented the staff of office to the new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, saying that it remained the greatest moment of his eight years tenure as the governor

He said that the excitement he derived from the event was next to the one he experienced when he was signing his oath of office at the beginning of his first term in 2008.

“It was a great moment for me when I presented the staff of office to the new Oba of Benin. I was full of excitement that was only next to the one I experienced when I was signing my oath of office.” [myad]

Minister Beckons On Herdsmen To Join In Ridden Abuja City Of Roaming Cows

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has asked members of the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to send their representatives to join theTask Force set up to get rid of roaming cows in the federal city.

The minister, who had a meeting with the group in his office today, Monday, stressed that the government would not sit down and watch cattle roam about on the street of Abuja, struggling with vehicle and human traffics.

He insisted that herdsmen must move their cattle out of the Federal Capital City because there is no way, such animals can co-habit with the residents.

He added that even for safety reasons, cattle should not roam on the streets and highways in the city, saying: “you have to understand that when Abuja Environmental Protection Board says cattle should not roam the city, it is not because they want to prevent cattle breeders from raring cattle in the FCT. Basically, it is just for safety. It is for safety of your cattle and above all, safety of the citizens.

“In a modern city, it’s not possible for animals and vehicles to move together on the roads because this could cause accidents which in some cases could be fatal, and it is our duty to protect lives and property.”

Muhammad Bello asked the Association to nominate some of their members to serve in the Ministerial Task Force Team on Environment under the Chairmanship of Squadron Leader, Abdullahi Adamu Monjel to ensure that there is smooth communication between FCTA and the Association.

“You can give him some number of educated young men in your communities who will be part of some of these Committees so that they will be able to communicate.”

The minister said that the FCT Administration has identified new grazing reserves that will cater for their requirements.

“A total of 33,485 hectares have already been earmarked for grazing reserves to cater for about 7 million herds of cattle comprising of Paikon Kore – 8,500 hectares, Karshi – 6,000 hectares, Kawu in Bwari – 9,000 hectares and Rubochi in Kuje which is 9,985 hectares.”

He said that the critical issue is compensation for the farmers that are there but assured that his Administration will work together with the National Assembly to resolve that amicably.

The Minister said that the Administration may reach out to the host communities to work out a situation where compensation does not have to be in monetary terms because of the large expanse of land involved.

“Nothing should prevent the communities that are there and the Fulanis living together because you don’t always have to move people away.”

The Minister thanked Miyatti Allah for its support to the FCT Administration and also to the Federal Government and asked them to continue to support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Earlier, the Chairman of the FCT Chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Malam Yahaya Isah promised to continue to interface with the government to promote peaceful co-existence.

He assured that his Association will enlighten the members not to breed their cattle on the streets and highways of Abuja again. [myad]

Ahead Of November 8 Poll: Clinton Trounces Trump In ‘Swing States’

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

Hillary Clinton sought Monday to cement her lead over Republican White House rival Donald Trump, looking to conquer swing states including Florida and Ohio where early voting has already begun.

With barely two weeks before Election Day, Clinton and Trump are blitzing the nation’s crucial battlegrounds where the race will be won or lost November 8.

But voters in Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, Cleveland and Las Vegas are already going to polling stations to cast ballots — with initial indications suggesting a surge in early voting among Clinton’s Democrats.

No less than 37 of the 50 states provide in-person voting in advance of the big day, and all offer some form of absentee ballots by mail.

“We’ve got to get people turning out. That’s the most important thing we can do,” Clinton said Monday on WZAK radio station in Cleveland.

In 2012, fully a third of all ballots were cast in advance, according to the Census Bureau. The Clinton campaign is counting on an even larger early turnout this year, as it expands its efforts to mobilize committed and undecided voters alike, particularly in swing states Florida, Nevada and North Carolina.

“It is possible, because there is so much access to early voting, that we could build an insurmountable lead in those keys states before election day,” Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said this month.

Some six million Americans have already voted, according to election expert and University of Florida professor Michael McDonald.

“Nothing can go wrong now. My vote’s in,” Hannah Widlus, 61, told AFP after casting her ballot for Clinton at a Chicago polling station crowded with morning voters.

Normally she would not vote early, but Widlus said she was eager to do so in part because of “the circumstances of the current election,” which she said “has been made a mockery of this year.”

Early ballots are not counted until Election Day, but a look at who is requesting or casting them shows gains for Clinton, particularly in Nevada, where her ground game is prodigious, and in Florida, where Republicans usually dominate early voting.

“At a comparable time in 2012, registered Republicans had a lead of 5.3 percentage points over Democrats in returned mail ballots” in Florida, McDonald wrote in Monday’s Huffington Post.

“As of Saturday, the Republican lead was 1.6 percentage points.”

Campaigning for Clinton in Las Vegas at the weekend, President Barack Obama drove the advance voting message home: “Everybody has got to vote early,” he said. “That’s how we won in ’08. That’s how we won in 2012. That’s how we’re going to win in 2016.”

– ‘We’re winning’ –

Most polls put Trump a few points behind Clinton in Florida. Trump was hosting two rallies in the state Monday, while Clinton campaigns there on Tuesday and then Wednesday, her 69th birthday.

“The truth is I think we’re winning,” Trump said at a farmers’ roundtable in Boynton Beach, Florida, adding he believed he was ahead in Ohio and Iowa.

“We’re doing great in North Carolina,” and “I think we’re doing great in Florida, I think we’re going to win Florida big.”

Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway appeared to contradict her candidate, admitting Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “we are behind,” but nevertheless insisting that the race was not over.

“We’re not giving up. We know we can win this,” she added.

Clinton, the former secretary of state vying to become America’s first female president, leads the Republican real estate mogul nationally by about six points according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls. She also leads in most battleground states.

A new national ABC News poll showed her leading by 50 percent to 38 percent — her highest score since the race to succeed Obama began.

Conscious that winning the minority vote will help lead her to victory, Clinton meanwhile campaigned Sunday at a mainly black church in Durham, North Carolina.

Obama narrowly won the southeastern state in 2008, but lost it to Mitt Romney four years later.

Clinton is now pulling out all the stops to try and win it back, returning there Thursday with potent surrogate Michelle Obama. It will be the first joint rally for the former and current first ladies. [myad]

Prophet Predicts Rice Selling At N5,000, Dollar Exchanging For N150, Fuel N30

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2016

Prophet Ade Okeowo of Word of Liberty Evangelical Ministry, Ikorodu, Lagos State, has predicted that Nigeria will soon experience a turnaround as prices of commodities will crash in no time.

He specifically mentioned that God told him that the cost of bag of rice and fuel, will be drastically reduced.

He made this revelation in a chat with news men during which time he asked Nigerians to stop casting blames on President Buhari, as he needed time to fix the country.

“That’s what God has revealed to me. Listen to me attentively; I am not speaking my words but God’s. Now, people buy rice N25, 000 per bag but God told me that we’re going to buy a bag of rice as cheap as N5, 000. A US dollar will exchange for as low as N150 and fuel will sell for as low as N30 or N40 per litre. That’s what God said will happen in this country.”

Asked if his prophecies will come to pass during Buhari’s administration, the cleric said: “God didn not tell me that one, but He revealed to me that all of these and more beautiful things will happen after all the pains, but Buhari’s efforts will lead to that.

“Nigeria will be forced to a stage of break up but God will intervene.”

The Prophet further noted that Buhari is not to blame for the economic woes.

“We should not blame anybody. People should not even hold Buhari responsible at all. From what God has revealed to me, He sent Buhari to Nigerians as an angel.

“God has also revealed to me that Buhari shouldn’t be worried, that everything will soon be alright. God showed me that Nigeria is like a second hand car (Tokunbo). We all know that if you buy a second hand car, it’s surely not in a perfect state. You will be fixing this today, that tomorrow until it’s fully fit. And it’s not something that will be done overnight.

“We all need to understand that if we want the country to move forward. Buhari is the one buying all the spare parts to repair the damaged car called Nigeria. By the time he completes the repair, the vehicle will move and everybody will enjoy it. That’s just the parable of Nigeria’s situation now.

“Everything will soon be alright. There are many Josephs that God is going to use to uplift this country, and Buhari is one of them.”

Recalling the other prophecies of his that have also come to pass in recent times, the Prophet said: “I predicted the Olympic soccer final. I said Germany would defeat Nigeria, it came to pass. I even said it’s going to be 2-0. I said the gold medal was for Brazil, they all came to pass.

“I predicted President Jonathan would lose the 2015 presidential election, a lot of people didn’t believe it. Even some prophets almost bet their lives on it that Buhari would lose, but it was revealed to me that Buhari would win and he won.

“Even, God revealed to me that no matter what other governorship candidates in Oyo do, Abiola Ajimobi will emerge victorious and it came to pass. I still have a message for him.”

The father of two concluded by saying: “God told me to warn Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to beware of the way he chose his commissioners so that they will not destroy his government.

“Also, Governor Amosun of Ogun State should be careful of some people in the state, because some of them are hell bent on destroying his government as well.” [myad]

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