President Obama Furious At Daughter, Malia, For Smoking Marijuana

August 20, 2016

President Obama is “furious” with daughter Malia for puffing on what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette, according to a report.

“This is the president’s worst nightmare!” said a source, who told RadarOnline that the commander in chief took executive action, confronting his daughter about her alleged antics during the family’s summer vacation.

“The end of his term is in sight — and the carefully crafted image of a world-beating family is unraveling right before his eyes.”

Video first emerged of Malia Obama, 18, appearing to puff on ganja at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago last month.

Then, a “rowdy” party Malia attended on the island where her family is vacation — Martha’s Vineyard, was busted up by local cops.

“I’m sure he had some choice words for his daughter during that walk they took,” the source said, referring to a private walk the President and Malia took on Martha’s Vineyard following the publication of the footage.

Malia graduated this year from the exclusive private school, Sidwell Friends in Washington, DC, and after a planned year off, intends to begin at Harvard in 2017.

Meanwhile, Sister Sasha Obama, 15, has been toiling away at a Martha’s Vineyard fish restaurant, busing tables and prepping for the lunch rush. [myad]

Dream Team VI Grabs Bronze, Nigeria’s First Medal In Rio

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2016

Nigeria’s Under-23 football team, the Dream Team VI, has beaten Honduras 3-2 in the third place football match, grabbing bronze, the first medal by Nigeria, in the ongoing Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

Two goals from Sadiq Umar and another from Aminu Umar gave Nigeria a three goal lead but the two goals scored by Honduras thereafter was not enough to deny Nigeria a priceless bronze medal in a torrid campaign at the Rio Olympics.

With this win, Nigeria has now won all medals in the football event of the Olympics.

In 1996, it was a gold medal from the likes of Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Okocha and Sunday Oliseh.

At the 2000 Olympics, the likes of Efe Ambrose, Victor Nsofor Obinna and Chinedu Ogbuka afforded Samson Siasia a silver medal.

Now to 2016 in Rio. Siasia led the likes of Mikel Obi, Imoh Ezekiel and Emmanuel Daniel to the bronze medal feat. [myad]

Stop Playing Politics With Kidnapped Chibok Girls, Group Cautions #BringBackOurGirls

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2016

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has cautioned the #BringBackOurGirls advocacy Group to stop playing politics with the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.
The pro-Buhari group therefore, called on the advocacy group to shelve its planned demonstration to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to avoid needless complications and anything capable of undermining the efforts of the government to rescue the girls safely and unharmed.
In a statement signed by its leader, Muhammad Labbo, the pro-Buhari group said that playing politics with the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls is unhelpful and needlessly embarrassing to the government and counterproductive to the silent efforts of the military to rescue the girls.
The pro Buhari group said that mobilising the parents of the kidnapped girls to demonstrate against the government is all about scoring political advantage, or exploiting tragedy in order to play to the gallery.
It noted that dragging the parents of the victims to Abuja for endless demonstrations would only compound a bad situation and afflict the parents needlessly by giving them the impression that a rescue mission is as simple as ABC.
The Buhari Support Group asked the Bring Back Our Girls Group not to claim monopoly of patriotism and humanity more than the government, by seeking to undermine the silent efforts of the military to map out strategies to safely rescue the girls.
The group said that if there is a formula for rescuing the girls within 24 hours unharmed, the government would have launched such effort, even as it reminded the Bring Back Our Girls group of the complexities and sensitivity of hostage rescue missions.
It added that the terrorists have no rules of engagement and therefore, would not mind killing all the hostages if the Nigerian military attempts any rash action.
The Buhari Support Group advised the Bring Back Our Girls agitators not to blackmail and stampede the government into doing something foolish that could lead to large-scale deaths of the hostages, “because their captors have no regard for the sanctity of life.”
The Pro-Buhari group made it clear that any rescue attempt that leaves the kidnapped girls dead would not be worth it, “members of our armed forces are trained professionals who understand the risks of reckless rescue efforts.
“Our armed forces have been working hard on plans and strategies of how to rescue the girls but don’t have to publicise their plans because absolute secrecy is needed.
“The primary objective of any rescue mission is to get the hostages alive and unharmed, and therefore, advised the Bring Back Our Girls Group to support the government in its efforts to deal with the challenge rationally.”
The Buhari Support Group therefore rejected efforts by the Bring Back Our Girls group to portray the government as insensitive or inhuman on the excuse that the government did not act rashly.
“If a reckless rescue effort results in disaster for hostages, the same advocacy group would be the first to crucify the government for sacrificing the lives of the girls.
It described the recent Boko Haram video clip as a propaganda effort to force the government to surrender to terrorists and release their members in custody.
The Group warned that any protest by the group in Abuja would only advance the propaganda agenda of the Boko Haram bandits and undermine the morale of members of the armed forces.
it therefore advised the Bring Back Our Girls group to be constructive and objective by also recognising the efforts that resulted in the rescue of thousands of other Nigerian victims that were taken hostage by the terrorists. [myad]

I Would Have Formed My Faction Of PDP If Port Harcourt Convention Had Held – Dokpesi

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2016

One of the strong National chairmanship hopefuls of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi has said that with the intrigues that heralded the botched national convention of the party in Port Harcourt, he would have been forced to form his own faction of the party.
A statement issued by media aide to his Campaign organisation, Omor Bazuaye, quoted him as saying that the closure of the convention ground by soldiers and police afforded members a rare opportunity to resolve the leadership crisis in the party.
According to Dokpesi, the shift in date of the convention assisted in no small measure to prevent a situation that could have further complicated the situation with the kind of factionalisation that could have happened if the convention had gone ahead as scheduled.
He expressed surprise that on his arrival in Port Harcourt, he found out that PDP governors had anointed the former PDP Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje for the position.
To effect their plot, Dokpesi lamented, the Governors went on to lobby delegates from the North by asking them to obey the “micro zoning“ arrangement which was unilaterally decided by them.
He said that fortunately, delegates from the North refused to be a part of the scheme, insisting that it was Raymond Dokpesi, who had gone round the country they wanted to vote for.
Dokpesi said he had established a special bond with the people across the country, adding that it is absolutely impossible for the conscience of the delegates to be bought at the last minute.
“When they brought the message to anoint Agbaje to the people, everybody started screaming that it was Raymond Dokpesi they want to vote for. So the Northern elders ordered them to go to the field.”
Dokpesi saw a situation where the governors would have caused a lot of confusion as it might not have been convenient for delegates from PDP controlled states to go against the wishes of their governors who were hell bent to install the next Chairman.
Dokpesi described Ali Modu Sheriff’s court as a saving grace from the massive rigging that had been perfectly worked out even as he called on all aggrieved members to use the respite created by the shift in date to resolve the crisis.
“If you listen to Ali Modu Sheriff and the governors, you’ll clearly see the ego at play.”
On his case with EFCC over alleged involvement with N2.3 billion proceeds of money meant for the procurement of arms from the office of ex-National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki and the credibility issues that could come with it, Dokpesi is optimistic that he would come out of it clean. [myad]

Kano Embraces Computer Technology To Fast-track Development

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2016

Kano state government has embraced the world of computer with the purchase and distribution of over 3,500 computers to tertiary institutions in the state to fast-track economic development.
The flood of computers, according to the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, is part of efforts to build IT capacity among youth.
Dr. Ganduje, who opened this year’s Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference at Bayero University, Kano, organized by Center for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) said that his government is encouraging students to be computer literate.
He said that is also part of broad initiatives to leverage on the ICT sector to fast track economic development even as he said: “the state government would continue to partner with all relevant agencies within and outside the state to support digital innovation by students.”
Governor Ganduje made it clear that his government would continue to enhance efficient and transparent governance, adding that he has institutionalized biometric registration of all civil servants and revolutionized its revenue generation machinery.
According to him, such move wuld enable the state government attain its developmental goals.
The Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdurraheem Abebayo Shittu said that his ministry is committed to providing an enabling environment for Nigerians, especially youths to excel in digital innovation.
He promised that his ministry will support Kano state government in promoting e-governance as well as in maximizing digital opportunities for the people.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar G. Dambatta, said that the commission will facilitate broadband penetration, centered on competition and inclusive ICT growth.
He advised the Kano state government to expand broad band spectrum infrastructure mainly in rural parts of the state, to promote economic and related development activities.
Highlights of the occasion, whose theme is: “Building a new Nigeria in a digital economy,” include presentation of an award to Governor Ganduje for “Adoption of ICT for Efficiency in Governance.” [myad]

CBN Governor, Emefiele, Emerges President Of Association Of African Central Banks

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2016

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin I. Emefiele, has been elected as President of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) for the 2016- 2017 period.
Emefiele was elected at the end of the 39th Ordinary meeting of the Assembly of Governors of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) in Abuja, the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The meeting was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Emefiele as President, now heads the Bureau of the AACB that is made up of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Governor of the Central Bank of Ghana as Chairman of the West African Sub-region; Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania as Chairman of the North African Sub-region; Governor of the Bank of Central African States as Chairman of the Central African Sub-region; Governor of the Banque de la République du Burundi as Chairman of the East African Sub-region and Governor of the Central Bank of the Kingdom of Swaziland as Chairman of the Southern African Sub-region;
It also includes nomination for Vice President of the AACB that should come from the Southern African Sub-region.
The Deputy Governor of the Banque Centrale de la République de Guinée, Mr Nianga Komata Goumou, on behalf of all the Governors and delegates, expressed gratitude to President Buhari, the Government and people of Nigeria, for the warm welcome and hospitality shown, as well as the excellent measures taken to ensure the success of the meetings.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Association of African Central Banks feared that the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy measures, adopted during the financial crisis by the US Federal Reserve and central banks of developed countries, could have a negative impact on African countries due to the interconnectedness of economies.
“In this context, African countries face challenges, especially the depreciation of the exchange rate and the decline in capital flows which could result from an exit from unconventional monetary policies in the developed countries.
“On the other hand, the unwinding of unconventional monetary policy could be an opportunity for African countries to develop appropriate measures to strengthen their resilience in the face of exogenous shocks.
“In this regard, the Assembly of Governors stressed that it is necessary for African countries to diversify their economies and improve exports, while limiting imports. It was also emphasised the urgent need for coordination between monetary and fiscal policy.
“The Assembly of Governors chose the following theme for the year 2017 Symposium: “Prospects for monetary integration in Africa: Lessons learned from the experience of monetary and financial integration of Europe”
“The Assembly of Governors of the AACB, otherwise, particularly examined the state of implementation of the African Monetary Cooperation Programme (AMCP). The Governors pointed out the inability of African states to sustainably meet some of the criteria for macroeconomic convergence because of the negative impact of the international environment including the fall in prices of raw materials and commodities. “They called on countries to strengthen efforts at implementing structural reforms, in order to diversify their economies, improve the business environment and promote intra-regional trade, in order to strengthen their resilience in the face of external shocks.
“The Governors also reviewed the implementation of the work programme of the Community of African Banking Supervisors (CABS). This program has helped to set up an intranet platform to facilitate exchange of information between banking supervisors across Africa. To support the actions of the CABS, a project for collecting information on the activities of cross-border banks will be implemented in the coming months. It will allow for the identification of risks associated with these activities.” [myad]

Ghost Did Not Slap Me, Governor Okorocha Protests

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2016

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has protested the rumour going round that he had an encounter with a ghost who slapped him at the Government House as a result of which was flown abroad for treatment.

The governor described the rumur as false and wicked even as he denied traveling to India to seek spiritual healing.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said that Okorocha had embarked on the foreign trip to woo investors to the state, saying that the allegation was the handiwork of the opposition party whom he said were able to cover up their shame by fabricating falsehood.

The statement reads: “Finally, they talked about the governor going to India to meet his native doctor. They concluded that bullshit by stating that the imagined attacks would take place before the end of that month (July).

“And knowing the antics of some of the PDP folks in the state, we accused them of being behind the malicious audio because it came twenty four hours after the convincing defeat of the party by APC in the re-run election in Okigwe Senatorial Zone and the three state constituencies of Isiala Mbano, Oru East and Owerri West.” [myad]

I Have Decided To Stop Talking To Press – General Abdulsalam

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2016

Former Nigeria Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, said that he has decided to stop talking to press.

General Abdulsalami, who was accosted by inquisitive news men over what he discussed with the President said: “I came to discuss issues of national interest and international affairs with the President. Both of them are interwoven. I have discussed with the person I came to see and I don’t think I need to discuss it in the news media,”

The former Head of State insisted that he had no reason to disclose what he discussed with President Buharit to the media since he had already met with the person he wanted to see.

Reacting to a claim that he had been silent on national issues lately, Abubakar said he had been busy talking to those that needed to be talked to.

He said that the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections which he chairs was still working behind the scene to make sure that there is peace in the country. [myad]

Abuja Electricity Company Lands In Court Over Transformer Explosion

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2016

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Plc has been dragged to a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory by victims of the company’s 750 KVA transformer explosion in Lugbe. They are demanding payment of adequate compensation.

The Registered Trustees of Downtrodden Peoples Employment Foundation Worldwide, Messrs Stephen Gbaera, Ijeoma Onwuannum, Omowumi Adams, Olagoke Ajewole and Oyewole Pelumi, are the plaintiffs.

The plea was contained in a writ of summons filed on August 11 by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Hassan Omolowo, on Friday in Abuja. The other defendants listed in the suit are Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency.

The rest are Consumer Protection Council, Minister of Power as well as the Attorney General of the Federation.

The suit had listed Olelewe James, Moses Joseph and Ayiyeli Justina, a mother of three, as those who died from electrocution, caused by the explosion.

According to the process, Stephen Gbaera, Ijeoma Onwuannum, Omowumi Adams, Olagoke Ajewole Oyewole Pelumi, Kayode Akindele, Pius Moses, Peter Destiny and Donald Terlumun suffered degrees of injuries from the explosion. They had asked for special damages for families of the victims and surviving victims and those who lost property in accordance with the traditions of the Nigerian Electricity Sector Industry and International best practices.

They further urged the Court to use its discretion for payment of general damages for the alleged patent gross act of negligence by the first defendant. According to them, the Court should also compel the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth defendants to pay general damages for their alleged dereliction of regulation oversight.

The plaintiffs also sought a declaration that the explosion of the transformer installed at the Angwan Tiv within Tudun Wada village, Lugbe, on July 2 led to the death and injuries of the listed victims.

They further prayed the Court to hold that the incident also led to the loss of property by residents of the village. Besides, the plaintiffs urged the Court to declare that the explosion came as an act of negligence by the first defendant as it failed to respond to several entreaties for the upgrade of the electricity network.

They also sought the Court to declare that the incident reflected the general poor and low standards of electricity equipment operated by the first, second and third defendants. They prayed the Court to further declare that the first, second and third defendants had neither deployed nor adequately invested in the provision of technically safe electrical equipment in accordance with their operating licences.

They sought for a declaration that the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth defendants did not take adequate and practical regulatory steps to ensure the safe, standard and efficient distribution of electricity in the Country.

The plaintiffs, therefore, prayed for an order compelling the first, second and third defendants to ensure their electrical facilities and customers against varied industrial hazards and mishaps in line with industrial Safety Code, among others. [myad]

Ebony Governor Suspends His Commissioner For Taking The State Back To Dark Ages

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2016

Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi is angry with his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Barrister Samuel Okoronkwo whom he accused of taking the state back to the dark ages.
Governor Umahi, who angrily suspended the commissioner while declaring open the ITF programme in Abakaliki, also disbanded the state’s Committee on Employment.
“This administration from day one has been built on the principle of justice, equity and fairness. In some of our programmes, we do equality of Local Governments. But in this kind of empowerment, we do equality of wards, so what I expected to see here would have been for them to borrow a leaf from what we are doing to empower about 3,000 of our women and youths.
“We are doing this and everybody is happy. We are called to build Ebonyi State where nobody will say I am from North or South or Central. I think we are succeeding. Anybody that is going to take us back to the dark ages will be resisted.”
The governor directed that the most senior officer in the ministry to take over from Okoronkwo later on Friday evening.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emma Anya, quoted Umahi as saying: “the Commissioner for Local Government is hereby suspended from office effective from now. And the highest office , a civil servant, should take over and be attending Exco until further notice.”
The governor called on the youth of Ebonyi who are jobless in other parts of the country to return home and find something meaningful to do under his government’s youth-oriented programmes.
“Every Ebonyi youth in other parts of the country especially Lagos should please come back home; we are ready to create jobs for them.
“A day is coming when nobody will be willing to seek political office because of the current reality. One day, there will be no kobo from the Federation Account so it high time we started thinking outside the box.”
The governor said that his administration would create over 100,000 jobs for the youth and women especially in the agriculture sector
He said that the state now focused mainly on mechanised system of farming because “agriculture without technology is death.”
Governor Umahi however promised the trainees of financial assistance to enable them set up their businesses after acquiring necessary skills from the programme.
Earlier, the ITF Area Manager (Enugu and Ebonyi states), Mrs. Linda Egbonu, said the programme was organised to develop the mindset of the youth in areas of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. [myad]

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