Edo Monarchs Endorse APC Governorship Candidate For September Poll

August 2, 2016

Royal fathers in Edo North Senatorial District have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the September 10 election in the state, Godwin Obaseki, assuring him that he will win the poll as Oshiomhole will hand over the baton to him on November 12, 2016.
The traditional rulers, who converged on the palace of the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adeche Saiki II, said Oshiomhole has done his best and they believe he will leave behind a worthy successor.
Oba Saiki, who spoke on behalf of the other royal fathers who gave their royal blessings to the APC candidate and his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, during a visit to his palace on Tuesday, said: “today, you have come to introduce to us the new person that will take over from you.
“We have listened attentively and we have no option than to believe all you said about him.
“For Mr. Godwin Obaseki, we congratulate you for your nomination as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in this state.
“I am sure you will listen to our Governor. He has done his best and he is about going.
“Maybe within the next four, months, he will give the baton to you and we will be looking on you to give us your best too.
“Actually, we have been praying for a governor that will succeed Comrade Oshiomhole.”
Oshiomhole, who introduced Obaseki and Shaibu to the Otaru and the other royal fathers, said: “I have come to present Mr. Godwin Obaseki to you as our gubernatorial candidate, to ask for your royal blessings, your support and prayers, exactly the same way you prayed for me, and God answered, and I won overwhelmingly in this local government. Even by that time, the people with us now were not with us.
“Now, with more people with us and retaining those who have long been with us, with your prayers, the journey should be a lot shorter and less tedious and the outcome should be a more resounding victory. So, we are entirely in your hands. Godwin has been the man working behind the scene. He has been the chairman of our Economic Team.
“He knows everything that I know and there is nothing we have done that he doesn’t know.
“Even the issues we had in the course of constructing the road from here to Ososo through Dangbala. So, I told people he is one man I don’t need to do handing over to.
“The only thing is that the mistakes we have made, he will not repeat because he knows those mistakes. He will do things differently in a way that will bring more value because he will not have the learning curve.”
On his part, Obaseki assured the royal fathers of his determination to focus on infrastructural, economic and human capital development.
“What is going to be unique about the next four to eight years is not just the amount of infrastructure which we must build, nor the number of educational schools which we must refurbish, and make sure that our educational system is brought back to what it used to be.
“What is going to be more important and significant for us will be our focus on human and economic development.”
Obaseki promised to create jobs for the people and revive the abandoned cement factory at Akoko Edo, describing Akoko Edo as “truly blessed. It has more mining licenses than other local government and working with the Federal Government, we will make sure that most of those licenses are exploited.
“Just drive in here and see the waste in Avan Cement. It was heartbreaking.
“And I want to assure you that the Avan Cement plant, we will do whatever we need to do to take it from the people who stole our money to build that plant and make sure that plant begins to work in our tenure.”
The royal fathers offered prayers for the success of the governorship ambition of Obaseki and Shaibu.
That was even as the Otaru of Uzairue, Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe Omogbai IV, who received Oshiomhole and Obaseki, assured the Governor of 100 per cent votes from the people of Uzairue. [myad]

Proshare Partners With NASD To Boost Nigerian Financial Market

Greenbarge Reporters

August 2, 2016

Nigeria’s premier Economic and Financial Information Hub, Proshare and the Nigeria’s foremost securities exchange for unquoted public companies, NASD Plc, have agreed to a partnership aimed at communicating the activities and developments of the NASD OTC market towards fostering transparency, education and growth.

Speaking on the partnership, the Founder/Managing Director, Proshare Nigeria, Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, said: “this partnership is critical to our mission of making information readily available to investors to enhance intelligent investing. As investors become more sophisticated and desire alternative investment schemes in an economy technically heading towards recession, investors can now be rest assured of independent analysis that would further enable them make informed investment decisions.”

This was even as the Technical Director/Chief Operating Officer of Proshare Nigeria, Reshu Bagga, also said that the move would see Proshare host a dedicated page for the OTC market within its platform and then a development of investor relations pages for the individual securities trading on the exchange. According to her, this would boost investor’s confidence in trading OTC Market securities.

“While we progress on integrating other markets into one hub – Proshare Markets for easy information access to the investing community, it remains committed to provide credible, reliable and timely information while we seek to enlighten, educate and empower our users.”

Following the launch of Proshare 10.0 Phase project on February 29, 2016, a hub designed to have a direct linkage between markets, businesses, technology and the economy; partnering with other exchanges that make up the Nigerian Financial Market became essential. This partnership will thus combine the professional expertise of NASD Plc with Proshare’s investor education and enlightenment methodologies to boost the activities of the OTC market and in return the Nigerian Financial Market.

The partnership will focus on three broad areas viz: the development of a dedicated page for the OTC Market to enhance data backed engagement; the education of Proshare’s team to deliver independent analysis that can be translated to pricing information; and the deployment of communication strategies to increase the attraction of the NASD OTC exchange to new type firms.

Proshare Nigeria was founded in December 2006 as a niche news and analysis service and has since grown to become Nigeria’s No one Financial Information Hub; with key focus on markets, business, personal finance, economy, start-ups, technology and regulation. Its remit and key proposition is the delivery of a service that is credible, reliable and timely. [myad]

Pope Francis Defends Islam, Says It’s Not A Violent Religion

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

Pope Francis has defended Islam saying that Islam is not a violent religion. He added that only a minority of its faithful are fundamentalists.
The Vatican City quoted the Pope, who spoke on the plane on Monday as he was flying back from Poland to Rome, as saying that it is not right to identify Islam with violence.
“I think it is neither true nor right to say that Islam is a terrorist religion.

“One thing is true, I think that in nearly all religions there is always a small group of fundamentalists, and it is a problem also for Christians.
“If I had to talk about Muslim violence, I would have to also talk about Catholic violence.
“Not all Muslims are violent, not all Catholics are violent.”
Pope Francis said Europeans should reflect on what drove disaffected youth to join the Islamic terror group.
According to him: “I ask myself how many young people, whom we Europeans have left empty of ideals, have no jobs and turn to drugs, alcohol or enrol themselves in fundamentalist groups.”
The pope was in Poland from Wednesday to Sunday for the World Youth Day, a week-long event attended by over a million pilgrims.
A day before he left, an elderly Catholic priest was killed in Northern France during Mass, in an attack that the Islamic State claimed responsibility
dpa/NAN. [myad]

Ahead Of 2019: Orji Kalu’s Organization Routes For President Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

An organization founded by the former Abia state governor, Orji Uzo Kalu, known as Njiko-Igbo, Canada branch, is already canvassing for the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

The Igbo Socio-cultural organization insisted that President Buhari had demonstrated endurance and a rare leadership capacity which would guarantee him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the 2019 election.
The group made this known while addressing journalists in Calgary, Canada on its various activities to drum support for President Buhari.
The National President of the organization, Clement Ezegbe Jr., who explained that the organization, which was founded by Dr. Orji Kalu, had the mandate to ensure victory for Buhari, said that the transformation recorded in some key sectors of the economy showed that the President remained the candidate to beat in spite of the challenges confronting the nation.
Ezegbe said that the organization’s membership is spread across Canada, Poland, USA, Chile, Switzerland and Brazil to mobilize Nigerians to ensure victory for the President in 2019.
He added that rival candidates and parties should have a re-think on their positions.
Ezegbe further urged Nigerians to give Buhari another opportunity to consolidate on his achievements in key sectors of the nation’s economy.
He said: “God has revealed that there is no rival to Buhari’s second-term bid and that is why we are giving him all our support.
“For any other party to think that they can dislodge Buhari, they must have a rethink.
“I am urging Nigerians to come and support Buhari’s second term bid.”
On the current security challenges, while calling for the understanding and cooperation of all Nigerians, the national president said the Federal Government was doing everything within its capacity to ensure the safe release of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls.
He said: “The government is trying not to resort to full war in the release of the girls to avoid casualties.
“I just want to appeal to Nigerians to join in the fight against terrorism, which is a major challenge to countries of the world.
“Our armed forces are capable, if we all come together to fight insurgency.”
Ezegbe said that Njiko-Igbo Canada will soon launch t-shirts, umbrellas, hats and other items for Buhari 2019 re-election bid, adding: “We have engaged with some SouthAfrican/Nigerian musicians to compose a song for Buhari’s achievement.”
Ezegbe used the occasion to commend Kalu for his remarkable contributions‎ to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria, adding that his boldness, humility and generosity has earned him robust goodwill beyond the shores of Nigeria. [myad]

Some Nigerians Are Mocking Change Agenda, But We Are Focused, Lai Mohammed Says

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has admitted that many Nigerians are mocking the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but that the government is well focused towards actualizing the change Nigerians voted for in 20165.

“Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse. In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we know that the change we promised is real.

Lai Mohammed who spoke at a town hall meeting for the South East, organized by the Federal Ministry of Information in Enugu on Monday, said the change said that contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters that the people are not feeling the impact of the government, a lot have been done in moving the country forward.
“In fact, the change we promised is already here and it is manifesting all around us.”
The minister said that the government has successfully stopped the looting of public funds, which was responsible for underdevelopment.
“Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences.
“That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians
“Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability.
“Many have offered to return their loots and many more are facing charges.”
The minister said that with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), funds meant for the Federal Government were directly paid in and used for development of infrastructure.
He noted that before now, funds accruing to the government were paid into so many accounts and went to private purses.
Lai Mohammed said that the government has successfully identified and stopped salaries hitherto paid to more than 30,000 ghost workers, adding: “we promised to diversify the economy away from oil to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development.
“In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector.
“It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government.”
In the area of security, Lai Mohammed said that the government has successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and that not a single territory is being administered by them.
On infrastructure, the minister said that construction firms have been mobilized to sites on major roads in the country.
“As they move to site, they are creating thousands of new jobs. No part of the country is left out of this. Where the contractors have not been seen on site, it is because of the rains, not because of lack of mobilisation.”
The minister said that the complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments are being addressed.
“There are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress.”
Lai Mohammed said that the town hall meetings are being held to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people and to carry the people along in the process of governance. [myad]

4 Chief Executives Of Parastatals In Education Ministry Survive Buhari’s Purge

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

Only four out of 21 chief executive officers of the parastatals and agencies under the federal ministry of education have survived the general purge which President Muhammadu Buhari made late Monday.

A statement by the Federal Ministry of education said that the President ordered the sack of 17 chief executives officers and approved those who would immediately take over their positions, with effect from Monday, august 01, 2016

Those who survived the purge are Professor Samaila Junaidu of the Nigeria Educational Research & Development Council; Professor Rauuf Adebisi of the Nigerian French Language Village; Dr. Mas’ud Kazaure of the National board for technical education and Professor Muhammad Mu’azu of the National Arabic language Village.

The 17 agencies with their new chief executives officers are as follows:

National Universities Commission (NUC) – Professor Abubakar adamu Rasheed

Nigerian Institute for education Planning and Administration – Professor Mrs. Lilian Salami

Universal Basic Education – Dr. Hameed Bobboyi

National library of Nigeria – Professor Lanre Aina

National Examinations Council – Professor Charles Uwakwe

National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal education – Professor Abba Aladu

Nomadic education Commission – Professor Bashir Usman

National Business and technical Examinations Board – Professor Isioma Isiugo-Abanihe

Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria – Professor Sunday Josiah Ajiboye

Computer Registration Council of Nigeria – Afolabi aderinto

National Commission for Colleges of Education – Professor Bappah Aliyu

Tertiary Education Trust Fund – Dr. Abdullahi Bichi Baffa

National Teachers Institute – Professor Garba Dahuwa Azare

Libarian Registration Council of Nigeria – Professor Michael Afolabi

National Mathematical Centre – Professor Steven Ejugwu Onah

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB – Professor Ishaq Oloyede

National Institute of Nigerian Languages – Professor Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche. [myad]

You Will Be Safe, Hajj Commission Assures 2016 Intending Pilgrims To Saudi Arabi

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured the intending pilgrims of the safety of their lives and properties at the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed, told newsmen in Abuja that the commission had taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of all the intending pilgrims.
Mukhtar said that the Saudi Authorities had assured the commission that there would be no re-occurrence of the incidents that led to the death of pilgrims in 2015.
NAN reports that no fewer than six Nigeria pilgrims lost their lives in the tragic crane incident that occurred at the Grand Mosque in Ka’abah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia on September 11, 2015.
Similarly, 274 Nigerian pilgrims died during a stampede in Muna, the venue of the symbolic stoning of the devil.
The NAHCON boss said the commission had embarked on awareness campaign to sensitize intending pilgrims on how to ensure hitch free and successful hajj.
He solicited the assistance of the National Orientation Agency in sensitizing pilgrims across the country, saying that only well-informed pilgrims could perform acceptable hajj.
Mukhtar requested the participation of NOA in the Hajj Implementation and Compliance Committee, whose mandate is to ensure adherence to all contractual agreements during the hajj. [myad]

Presidency Accuses London Telegraph Of Promoting Dangerous Boko Haram Religious Concept

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

The Nigerian Presidency has accused the London Telegraph of helping Boko Haram insurgents to promote the dangerous religious concept under which they have waged relentless war against the constituted authorities.
The Presidency, in a statement, referred particularly to the the an article in the paper, titled: “Children Face Death by Starvation in Northern Nigeria” of July 30th July, 2016) which repeated a claim from an earlier piece titled: “Nigeria Using UK Aid to Persecute President’s Political Foes” of 12th April, 2016) – that Nigeria is diverting UK aid monies away from defeating the Islamist terror group Boko Haram towards those the newspaper identifies as political opponents of the Administration and said: “this is as incorrect as it is unhelpful.”
The statement which was issued by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the suggestion by the newspaper that Buhari government is deepening Muslim-Christian division is not only untrue, “but plays into the hands of Boko Haram who wish to divide Nigerians along religious lines. Fighting this group is key priority of President Buhari’s Administration. Indeed the international community has widely acknowledged his determination to defeat terrorism in Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad Basin.”
The Presidency took exception to the claim by the Telegraph articles that the Buhari Administration is targeting Christians and the opposition, saying: “these are without foundation.
“Since assuming office, President Buhari has treated all Nigerians without bias for ethnicity or religion – as the composition of his cabinet and the policies and programmes of his Administration demonstrate.”
It made it clear that the government of the United Kingdom had not been giving development aid to the Nigerian administration for use in military operations against Boko Haram as the paper claimed. “Where British military support – such as intelligence – is provided, it is precisely and only, given for operations directly against Boko Haram. Similarly, the Nigerian Government is in no position to divert aid monies used for emergency relief for refugees or IDP camps for any other purpose, as these are dispensed directly by DFID, USAID, the United Nations, the International Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and many other organizations – with which we enjoy excellent relations.
“The humanitarian situation in these camps is real. The Administration remains deeply concerned about the medical, health and nutrition challenges and we are doing everything with the limited resources we have at our disposal to improve the situation. However, the blame for the plight of refugees lies with Boko Haram. They are its cause, not the Nigerian Government.
“In the light of ongoing efforts, we regret the recent attack on the UN humanitarian convoy in the Northeastern region and are encouraged by the world body’s determination to continue rendering assistance to the displaced victims. That the attack was repelled by Nigerian troops escorting the convoy shows precisely how the Government and humanitarian agencies are working together.”
The Presidency said that there is nothing to gain by the Telegraph attempting to mould public opinion against the facts on the ground, even as it invited The Telegraph to visit Nigeria, “to witness first hand not only the challenges we face, but the Administration’s determination to confront them.” [myad]

Gov. Samuel Ortom And Security Debacle, By Joseph Orjime

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

The perennial clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities have persisted in Benue state, and some parts of the country.
But it has assumed a new dimension with the recent sacking of communities, large scale killings, and wanton destruction of properties and invasion of farmlands. Particularly worrisome is the fact that many farmers in Benue state (the food basket of the nation), can no longer carry out their usual farming activities due to hostilities visited on them by these marauding herdsmen. They have not only embarked on a killing spree, but also the maiming and raping of women in these communities.
On the 10th of February this year, several villages in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state were razed and hundreds, including women, children, and the elderly were reportedly massacred by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Former Senate president David Mark who represents the area in the senate, had described the massive killings as genocide. Bitter criticism trailed this high scale massacre with calls from several quarters to end the crisis.
Till date, no word has been heard from the president and commander in chief of the Armed forces, Muhammadu Buhari, either condemning or promising action on the matter. Governor Samuel Ortom himself, being the chief security officer of the state, took so long to visit the affected area, or even comment on the Incident. Thousands of displaced Agatu people currently reside in IDP camps in their home state.
The same trend of killings have continued unabated, in the previous months, in several villages in Logo, Ukum and Kwande Local Government Areas of Benue state, coupled with the destruction of farmlands, razing of houses and displacement of locals, by suspected Fulani herdsmen and their mercenaries.
The rate at which this crime of killing the defenceless local farmers is perpetrated is so alarming that the situation can only be described as a mission for extinction and replacement. The predominantly farming people of Benue have come to believe that there is a deliberate push by the marauding herdsmen and their sponsors, to forcefully take over their ancestral lands for grazing purposes.
When recently, the social media went viral with the number of casualties of a recent attack put at 81,the governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom hurried to the office of the minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, and later to the media, where he copiously denied the claim, asserting that it was an overblown figure. The Benue state police command had also earlier denied the casualty figure of 81, putting it rather at 23.
What is most disturbing in the scenario however, is not the purported exaggeration of the victims. Whether it was 23 people or even 3 that were killed in the state, they were Nigerian citizens, who are supposed to be protected by the law, that were hacked to death, with no arrest made whatsoever.
It is laughable for a state governor who took oath to protect the lives of his people, to treat the security of the same people with such a slight. It should be seen as a total failure of leadership for a chief security officer of a state to watch helplessly while the people, who took pains to vote him into power, are being slaughtered on a regular basis.
Earlier this year, when the same murderous herdsmen invaded Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo – Uwani LGA of Enugu state, the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, alongside other relevant stakeholders spoke up vehemently against the carnage. This step compelled President Buhari, for the very first time, to direct the security agencies to ‘go after’ the herdsmen, even if it was in pretense. Several outcries regarding security negligence and alleged police complicity eventually led to the redeployment of the commissioner of police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu.
Since then, the monster has not reared its ugly head again.

The questions a well-meaning Nigerian would want answered are: what moves has the Benue state police boss made to stem the tide of the herdsmen onslaught? What efforts have the legislators representing the people of Logo, Ukum and Kwande Federal and state constituencies made to stop the killings? What is the governor Dr Samuel Ortom doing to secure the lives and properties of the defenceless Benue farmers whose farmlands are ravaged by the activities of herdsmen, and who can’t go to the farm any more for fear of being killed? Whether he will continue to fold his arms and watch aloof while his people are being massacred daily in their scores still remains one question begging for answer.

__Joseph Orjime writes from Abuja Nigeria[myad]

Nigerian Govt Deploys Medical Teams To IDPs In Boko Haram Devastated Northeast

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2016

Nigerian Government has deployed medical teams from the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Airforce to assist in support mission for nutrition emergency response to those in the Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps in the Northeast that has been devastated by Boko Haram insurgents
This is even as the government of Borno state is said to have converted an Islamiya School in Bama to a hospital which will be equipped by the Nigeria Airforce to achieve quick comprehensive treatment of victims.
A statement by the senior special assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in consolidating Federal Government’s intervention in the North East, ordered the establishment of the Presidential Committee on North East Interventions (PCNI).
“The Committee chaired by General Theophilus Danjuma is responsible for rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery of the North East.
“Equally, Government has also constituted an Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group to facilitate an effective humanitarian assistance. The Group is to expedite waivers and technical assistance by donors providing humanitarian aid in North East.
“Members of the Group include the Office of the Vice President, Office of the National Security Adviser, NEMA, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Budget & National Planning, Finance, Nigeria Customs and Immigration.”
The statement said that through various bodies, government has continued to assess the need and develop effective ways of addressing them with the active collaboration of local, national and international agencies, including the United Nations system.
“The Buhari presidency will neither relent nor leave any stone unturned in ensuring that our people in the North East are provided with the assistance, help and support needed to address the different fallouts and impact of the insurgency that has ravaged the region for years.”
The statement announced that so far, over 23, 000 bags of assorted food items and 2,155 bags of shelter supplies have been provided by different Federal Government agencies to (IDPs) as part of on-going initiatives at ameliorating the plight of IDPs in areas ravaged by insurgency.
It said that under the coordinated Federal intervention programme, both the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are leading the humanitarian aid with the distribution of 10, 300 bags of assorted grains and cereals towards the feeding of over 2 million persons scattered across the region
In the monthly Federal Intervention Report that shows the level of supplies in the month of July and compiled by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the North East, Dr. Mariam Masha, PINE supplied over 10,300 bags of food items such as rice, millet, maize, guinea corn, salt, vegetable oil, beans, and noodles to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi States. NEMA also supplied Borno State with 13,200 bags of food items.
The report indicated that PINE through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation distributed 2,155 assorted shelter materials in nine (9) different Local Government Areas of Borno State which includes Bama, Damboa, Bakacy, Dikwa, Monguno, Mafa, Jere, Banki and Gwoza.
The Federal Government, according to the report, responded swiftly to the reported case of malnutrition in Bama camp, as severely malnourished children and adults have been moved from Bama to Maiduguri for comprehensive medical treatment. [myad]

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