Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife received, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, 21 Chibok girls who were released by their captors, Boko Haram insurgents today, Thursday.
Some faces of the 21 released Chibok girls that were received today, Thursday, by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed cast a sympathetic look at the Chibok girls, who, after their released by the captors, Boko Haram, were received at the Presidential Villa by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has announced that eight more Nigerian judges and two court registrars are now under investigation for alleged corruption. In a statement reacting to a media report trying to drive wedges between the Commission and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the one hand and the Commission and the Department of State Services (DSS) on the other, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, made it clear that there is no friction with the office of the AGF and that the Commission is not involved in inter-agency squabbles with the SSS. “Indeed, the Commission, along with the SSS, ICPC, Police and the office of the AGF, is a member of a technical committee that meets at the highest level of government to collaborate and coordinate strategies against corruption. The last such meeting was as recently as today.” Uwujaren said that the EFCC investigations were proceeding well in the fresh and unrelated probe and that the eight judges and two registrars found culpable would soon be arrested and charged to court. Their names were however not disclosed. “Some of the suspects who have been invited have made useful statements that have been of great assistance to the investigations.” Uwujaren added: “in due course, those who have cases to answer would be arrested and charged to court.” Below is the full statement by the EFCC. Re: Why AGF Shuns EFCC, Sends Judges’ Cases to DSS The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a story in the Thursday, 13 October edition of The Punch, headlined, ‘Why AGF shuns EFCC, Sends Judges’ Cases to DSS’. The story, quoting some unnamed sources, tried to drive wedges between the Commission and the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the one hand, and the Commission and the Department of State Services (DSS) on the other. It alleges among others, that the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, frustrated by the alleged tardiness of the EFCC in handling petitions forwarded to it, now sends the same cases to the DSS. EFCC wishes to put on record, that there is no friction with the office of the AGF and the Commission is not involved in inter-agency squabbles with the DSS. Indeed, the Commission, along with the DSS, ICPC, Police and the office of the AGF, is a member of a technical committee that meets at the highest level of government to collaborate and coordinate strategies against corruption. The last such meeting was as recently as today. Further, it must be stated that of the seven judges who are subject of the DSS raids, only one of them previously featured in a petition on alleged corruption to the EFCC. Investigation into the petition had reached an advanced stage, when one of the judges got a Federal High Court order to stop further investigation by the Commission. EFCC is still trying to vacate that order for the investigation to proceed unfettered. However, Nigerians deserve to know that the nature of professional investigation of financial crimes is highly discrete and not given to theatre. The subject usually does not know the Commission is amassing evidences against him or her for several months before the strike. Therefore, the notion that a petition is submitted today and the next things that follow are instant arrests, prosecution and convictions is highly misleading. In this regard, EFCC is currently investigating eight (8) judges and two (2) court registrars. Some of the suspects who have been invited have made useful statements that have been of great assistance to the investigations. In due course, those who have cases to answer would be arrested and charged to court. Wilson Uwujaren Head, Media & Publicity. It would be recalled that the State Security Services raided the homes of seven other judges and arrested them over graft charges. Justice Mohammed Liman could not be arrested in Port Harcourt as the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike and the police blocked SSS operatives from doing so. The arrested judges were released on bail on Sunday. The SSS however said that eight others might soon be rounded up to answer questions regarding alleged corruption. [myad]
The Presidency has given out the names of the 21 Chibok school girls released by Boko Hara mealier today, Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, released the names today, Thursday after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with them.
Twenty one out of the more than 200 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls held since April 2014 were released today, Thursday following negotiations between the Buhari-led government and the the Boko Haram, brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government.
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Force Team on Environmental Sanitation have impounded 32 cows, 38 sheep and prosecuted 16 herdsmen that owned the animals. They were charged in the Sanitation Mobile Court and were summarily convicted. The enforcers of the law which bans grazing of cattle in the capital city made the arrest and seizures of the animals within a week of their operations. A statement by the chief spokesman of the FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule said that the AEPB and the Task Force Team tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibit to secure the conviction of the arrested herdsmen. He said that the exercise was carried out in compliance to the directive of the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello. He had directed the AEPB and the Task Force Team on Environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis. He said that those who were arrested have already been made to pay various fines to serve as a deterrent to others. [myad]
The American University of Nigeria (AUN) went into high pitch celebration over the release of 21 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists 913 days after their abduction from the village of Chibok in Borno state.
The University, in a statement today, Thursday, recalled that the kidnapping had caused an international outcry and social media sensation captured in the collective demand of “#BringBackOurGirls,” and many people throughout the world continue to closely monitor news of their fate.
The President of the institution, Margee Ensign, was quoted as saying: “I am thrilled that the young women have been released and hope that after they recover they are able to continue their lives and education in peace.”
Dr. Ensign said that AUN has a special bond with all of the victims and their families, adding that out of the 58 Chibok girls who escaped that night in April 2014, 24 are now studying at AUN on full scholarships provided by a donor from the U.S.
“They are placed under a preparatory Foundation program at AUN where they receive specialized tutoring in English and math. Last year two of the young women were admitted into the university’s undergraduate programs, having met JAMB requirement, and four more were fully enrolled this fall.
“We are happy beyond words that some of our sisters and friends are now free,” said one of the Chibok students, who is now an undergraduate studying to be a medical doctor. “We hope and pray that those still held will be given their freedom soon, and that some will join us here so that we can all work to rebuild our home.”
Dr. Ensign commended the Nigerian government for its ongoing efforts to seek the release of the women, and urged authorities to work tirelessly to free those still being held. “We stand ready to help rebuild the lives of all of these young women and their families.”
The statement said that the University would not release the identities of the students for security reasons. [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured the 21 Chibok school girls who were released by their captors, the dreaded members of Boko Haram that they would be taken good care of until their parents turn up to take them away.
He also assured them that the government would give them all the necessary attention, including their health, education, employment and other welfare packages.
Professor Osinbajo, who received the girls today, Thursday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, along with his wife and information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed among others, offered special prayers for them.
The transcript of the Vice President’s welcome speech is reproduced here:
“First, let me say, we must praise the Almighty God for bringing you back after so many months.
Before I say anything further let’s just say a word of prayer together.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven, we bless your name, we thank you because there is no one like you, thank you for being so good to us, thank you Almighty Father for these ladies.
Father, even as you have brought them back, we pray that you replenish, resuscitate them, and revitalize them with good health so that they can be more successful and happier than they were ever before.
We pray that all of these girls that you have taken care of even while they were in captivity, I pray that you will continue to take care of them.
I pray that you will uphold them, let it be well with them. We pray for those who are still in captivity that all of them will be returned to us. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.
Welcome back girls!
I am sure you know that the whole country has been waiting for you to come back, all these many months, the whole country has been waiting that one day we will see you again and we are very happy to see you back!
We are going to bring your parents, your parents will be coming here to join you.
You can’t immediately be taken out of here because we need to be sure that you are in very good health.
I am sure are going to be very well taken care of. We have provided very good accommodation for you where you will stay where you will sleep and your parents will come and meet you there also.
We are also going to see to it that everything that you require going forward, perhaps your education, those who need to go back to school, those who need to find employment, we are going to make that we make all the provisions for you.
The Federal Government is very committed. The president in particular, has asked me to tell you, how excited he is. When you were away, he kept saying that if it were his daughter he wouldn’t even know what to do.
So we are all very excited that you are here. We are all happy that God has preserved your lives and brought you back.
We know that very soon all will be well and I am sure that when you meet with your parents they will be very excited to meet you.
We have already contacted them, they know where you are, and very soon they will be joining you here. So we are all looking forward to how you are going to settle in very nicely. The doctors have all the kinds of treatment that you will need, so you are all welcome back and we are all very excited to see.” [myad]
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has challenged accounting officers in government institutions to be alive to their responsibilities and that they will be held responsible for any infractions in public spending. “I want to remind you that being accounting officers is not just a promotion or a title. It is actually a huge responsibility and we are going to be taking it seriously. You are accountable where public funds are spent and we are building systems to ensure that everybody that is in charge of public budget is held accountable.” The Minister spoke today, Thursday, at a workshop on Cost Management on Overhead Expenditure for Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers of Departments and Agencies, in Abuja. The Efficiency Unit, under the Federal Ministry of Finance, organized the workshop. Adeosun vowed that government is determined to plug all loopholes which are currently encouraging revenue losses, adding that in a bid to make state-owned enterprises productive and accountable, the Office of the Accountant-general of the Federation is working on a new template to determine what are allowed or disallowed expenses for state-owned enterprises. She stressed that government is creating headroom to invest in capital projects even as she insisted that measures have been taken to control recurrent expenditure, especially overheads, a drive which she said necessitated the creation of the Efficiency Unit by the Presidency in 2015. “We will also be improving the level of disclosure, which is even when transactions are done. We noticed funds are really leaking through a loose framework. At the moment, the Accountant General of the Federation is working on a new template to determine what are allowable or unallowable expenses for state-owned enterprises. “There will be a requirement for certain transactions to be disclosed in the audited financial statements of state-owned enterprises, so that there will be transparency around certain areas where clearly money is leaking.” Giving the details of the new plan, the Minister said: “the days when cost to income ratios of 99.9 percent was the norm are over. We have secured technical support from IMF with the state-owned enterprises template.” The Minister lamented a situation whereby state-owned enterprises from other countries come to bid for contracts in Nigeria, whereas some of the home-based ones are not that productive in terms of income generation. “We have observed that many state-owned enterprises in other countries actually come to Nigeria to bid for contracts. Many of the Chinese companies, are actually state owned, why will Nigeria’s state owned enterprises be cost centres? That is no longer acceptable and we are going to correct it. The results we are looking for, as the Head of Service has said, are an entrepreneurial and innovative public service that will serve Nigeria and form the foundation for our future and collective well being.” Adeosun put emphasis on elimination of waste which he said should be taken as a national duty by every public officer. “Every amount that we save by controlling overheads is being redirected to investment in power, in roads, in rail and in housing and those investments will revive our economy, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living for Nigerians. “I want to urge you, please don’t just sign. When it comes to public money, yes is an answer. No, is an answer. Why is an answer. Convince me is also a valid answer. I urge you to be your own auditor. Be circumspect, be curious. In fact, be suspicious because we will hold you accountable for whatever happens while you are doing your work.” [myad]
A group known as Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for going extra mile by engaging in negotiations with Boko Haram insurgents for the purpose of releasing the Chibok School Girls. Twenty one of such girls, kidnapped in April 2014, were let off the hooks by the insurgents today, Thursday. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Malam Muhammad Labo and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke in Abuja, the group described the “cheering news” as a clear evidence of President Buhari’s pragmatic approach to resolving national challenges. It stressed that the President has, by this singular act, excited the Nigerian masses by sacrificing the universal doctrine of no negotiation with terrorists for empathy. We specially thank the President for this, even as we acknowledge the efforts of other mediators in the negotiated release of the Chibok girls. “While congratulating the parents of the released girls, in particular, and Nigerians on the cheery news of the release of the girls, the BMSG observes that the President should be appreciated for subjecting the dictates of sovereignty that limit negotiation of any sorts with terrorists, officially, to the empathy of parenthood and the soft emotions of a father.” The group said that the manner in which the President has been handling the issue of Chibok Girls has enhanced the confidence of Nigerians in his ability to match his word with action. “Under 16 months in government, President Buhari has degraded the once dreaded Boko Haram terrorists off Nigerian territory and reduced the once seeming protracted rebellion into a whimper, treacherously seeking out soft targets to register a diminished presence.” [myad]
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is preparing a full exploration of crude oil in both Bauchi and Gombe states and has already mobilized some of its equipment to the States. The group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, told new men in a chat at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi he was already sensitizing the people in the states for the anticipated exploration of oil. He called on the the people in the two states not to panic when they see the movement of the equipment into the states. “We are here to signal to the good people of Bauchi and Gombe states of our intention and efforts to mobilize our equipment back to Gongola Basin. “Our intention is to start 3D seismic acquisition which covers as much as possible the basin in terms of exploring hydrocarbon in the North East. “Of course, our activities in the Chad Basin will also be re-activated as soon as we get the clear sign.” Dr. Baru said that seismic crew from the NNPC would move about farmlands or be drilling boreholes where Geo-polls and drawing seismic lines were marked in various areas. The NNPC boss said that earlier prospects conducted in the two states were credible, especially in one of the wells in Yankari Games Reserves. “Our intent now is to probe with more definitive seismic data that will ensure we cover as much as possible.” [myad]
A Nigerian writer and journalist, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, has emerged as the winner of the 2016 Prize for literature. The Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) announced the name of Abubakar Ibrahim after a nine-month long process of adjudication. The Prize is awarded with cash prize of $100, 000.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the prize, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo at a press conference in Lagos.
Ibrahim’s novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms emerged winner from among 172 other entries received for the competition.
According to Professor Ayo Banjo: “it was a strong field this year. The shortlisted entries were very strong and the Board had no difficulty in accepting the recommendation of the panel of judges, considering the subject matter and competent manner in which Ibrahim demonstrated the execution of his work.”
Reacting to the verdict, the General Manager, External Relations at NLNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke, said: “it has been a very rigorous process and we are very happy that at the end of the day, both the International Consultant and the Panel of Judges came to an alignment. We are very proud of the quality of entries received.
“Let me reiterate very clearly that we will continue to support integrity and excellence, which are some of the pillars we have built NLNG’s success as a company on.”
The Nigeria Prize for Literature was reached by a panel of judges, led by Professor Dan Izevbaye, a well-respected literary critic and professor of Literature in English; Professor Asabe Usman Kabir, professor of Oral and African Literatures at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Professor Isidore Diala, first winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and professor of African literature in the Department of English, Imo State University, Owerri.
The international consultant, Professor Kojo Senanu of the University of Legion, is an internationally acclaimed scholar. The panel had, through the Advisory Board, released a shortlist of eleven in July 2016 and later, a shortlist of three in September 2016.
The three shortlisted entries, in alphabetic order, were Born on a Tuesday (Elnathan John), Night Dancer (Chika Unigwe) and Season of Crimson Blossoms (Abubakar Adam Ibrahim).
Members of the Advisory Board for the Literature Prize, besides Professor Banjo, two-time Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan, are Prof. Jerry Agada, former Minister of State for Education, former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and Professor Emeritus Ben Elugbe, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and president of the West-African Linguistic Society (2004-2013). The winning Author, who was born in Jos, holds a BA in Mass Communication from the University of Jos. His debut short story collection The Whispering Trees was longlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature in 2014, with the title story shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing. Ibrahim has won the BBC African Performance Prize and the ANA Plateau/Amatu Braide Prize for Prose.
He is a Gabriel Garcia Marquez Fellow (2013), a Civitella Ranieri Fellow (2015) and was included in the Africa anthology of the most promising sub-Saharan African writers under the age of 40. He was a mentor on the 2013 Writivism programme and judged the Writivism Short Story Prize in 2014.
His first novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms, was published in 2015 by Parrésia Publishers in Nigeria and by Cassava Republic Press in the UK (2016). Season of Crimson Blossoms was shortlisted in September 2016 for the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, Africa’s largest literary prize.
It was announced on 12 October 2016 that Ibrahim was the winner of the $100,000 prize. Ibrahim is the recipient of the 2016 Goethe-Institute & Sylt Foundation African Writer’s Residency Award which he will take up at the Sylt Foundation´s headquarters in 2017. Ibrahim is the Arts Editor of the Daily Trust newspaper, and lives in Abuja, Nigeria.
Abubakar Ibrahim grew up wanting to tell stories by any means possible, including self-drawn comics. Eventually he started writing and published his debut short story collection, The Whispering Trees (Parresia Publishers, Lagos, 2012) to critical acclaim. It was longlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature and shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing.
Abubakar has won the BBC African Performance Playwriting Competition in 2007, the Amatu Braide Prize for Prose in 2008 and is a 2013 Gabriel Garcia Marquez Fellow and a 2015 Civitella Ranieri Fellow. He is included in the Hay Festival’s Africa 39 List of the 39 most promising African Writers under the age of 40. Season of Crimson Blossoms is his first novel.
His other Published works
Season of Crimson Blossoms (Nigeria: Parresia Publishers, 2015; UK: Cassava Republic Press, 2016)
“Painted Love” in Valentine’s Day Anthology 2015 (Ankara Press), 2015)
The Whispering Trees (Parresia Publishers, 2012;)
“Lily in the Moonlight” in The Gonjon Pin and Other Stories (New Internationalist, 2014)
“Echoes of Mirth” in Africa39: New Writing from Africa South of the Sahara (London: Bloomsbury, 2014)
“The Sunbird with a Broken Wing” (Cecile’s Writers Magazine, 2014)
“Night Calls” in Daughters of Eve and Other New Short Stories from Nigeria (CCC Press, 2010). [myad]
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The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has announced that eight more Nigerian judges and two court registrars are now under investigation for alleged corruption.
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Force Team on Environmental Sanitation have impounded 32 cows, 38 sheep and prosecuted 16 herdsmen that owned the animals. They were charged in the Sanitation Mobile Court and were summarily convicted.
A group known as Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for going extra mile by engaging in negotiations with Boko Haram insurgents for the purpose of releasing the Chibok School Girls. Twenty one of such girls, kidnapped in April 2014, were let off the hooks by the insurgents today, Thursday.
