I’m Determined To Deal Decisively With Threat To Nation’s Security From Any Quarters – Buhari

July 13, 2016

“Let me use this occasion to reiterate that government is determined to, more than ever before, deal decisively with any threat to security of this nation from any quarters.”

These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari at the commissioning of a 75- kilometer road in Wanke, Gusau local government area of Zamfara State on Wednesday.

The President, who was in the state on a one day working visit, had earlier commissioned a 20- kilometer road in Tsafe local government area of the state.

Speaking in Wanke, Buhari said that his government’s commitment to secure the country has already started yielding results. This was even as the state governor disclosed that for the first time since Boko Haram insurgency began in the northeast seven years ago, the people of Borno State celebrated the Eid-el-Fitri with ease, devoid of any security barricades.

President Buhari announced that the nation’s security situation has been improving, “not only in the north east, but all over the country. We are confident that our macro economic policies as well as the monetary policies being implemented by the CBN will lead to the revitalization of the industries and steady growth in significant sectors of the economy.”

Buhari said that the change agenda of his government is a central issue of All Progressives Congress (APC) electioneering campaign in 2015 and that as Nigerians have agreed to work with him as agents of change, the challenge before all Nigerians now is to translate the change into reality. [myad]

Senator Dino Melaye Needs Psychiatric Examination – APC

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Senator Dino Melaye needs psychiatric examination over his threat to beat up Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central.

Melaye had threatened to beat up Tinubu and ‘impregnate’ her on the floor of the Senate, a statement that had elicited wide condemnation but which Melaye denied.

Reacting to Senator Melaye’s verbal assault on Senator Tinubu in a statement, the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, described Melaye’s outbursts as unguarded and reckless.

“We take it that this is a slip of tongue but if it is indeed true that this statement came from the heart of Dino Melaye, we need a psychiatric doctor to examine the state of his mind.”

“His actions and deeds in recent times have contributed in no uncertain terms to various setbacks we have witnessed in the 8th Senate since its inception on June 9, 2015. The hallowed chamber of the Senate of the federal republic of Nigeria is a prestigious place for the serious-minded, cerebral men and women, men and women of honour and integrity, those who can hold their heads when others are losing theirs, experienced but humble men and women.

“It is not for lunatics, rascals, street urchins, ethically challenged bigots or integrity challenged charlatans. It seems to us in Lagos APC that Senator Dino Melaye has reached a point of diminishing returns.

“The unstable and funny man from Kogi State has reached a point where there is no other place to go but to go down irretrievably. He can only go down with his likes and not with our own Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the highly revered, honoured and distinguished wife of our National leader, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Lagos APC wants Dino Melaye to move quickly to apologize to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her beloved husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and have the statement credited to him withdrawn without any further delay.” [myad]

FCT Minister Orders Investigation Into Death Of 2 At Private Company, Site Engr. Arrested

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has ordered immediate investigation into the death of two persons following the collapse of a building owned by a private construction site on Plot 3333, Mississippi Street, Maitama District.

The Minister, who visited the site in the company of his senior officials, directed the FCT Development Control to thoroughly investigate and report back immediately to ascertain what really went wrong.

“The FCT Administration is going to investigate thoroughly the unfortunate incident and ensure that this kind of ugly situation does not happen again in the FCT.”

The site engineer, whose name was not immediately given, was said to have been arrested by the Police following the collapse.

Muhammadu Bello Minister seized the opportunity to commiserate with the families of the deceased labourers and prayed to Almighty God for the repose of their souls.

He directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Adamu Ismaila to immediately move into the area to provide remedial action to protect the infrastructure there.

Meanwhile, the FCT authorities have ordered all the contractors working around the scene of the incidence to temporarily stop whatever they were doing to provide retaining wall as a matter of urgency.

The authorities have also engaged a reputable construction firm, Habib Engineering Company Limited, to immediately take over the collapsed site and restore the embankment to prevent further erosion and possible collapse of the Mississippi Road.

They also directed all the other developers working at the site to resume robust protection of the embankments for all the plots to prevent further collapse as well as ensuring that the staff of both Departments of Development Control and Engineering Services are on site permanently and be vigilant on inspection as the protection works progresses. [myad]

Sokoto Names State Polytechnic After Shinkafi

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

Sokoto government has named the State Polytechnic after Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, the former Director General of the National Security Organization (NSO) who died on Wednesday, July 6, in London.

The school, hitherto named The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, will now be called Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto.

The decision was taken at a special session of the state Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Briefing news men after the meeting, the state commissioner of information, Jeli Abdulkadir Abubakar, said that the state government rename the polytechnic to honour the deceased.

“We all appreciate Umaru Shinkafi’s contributions to the socio-economic development of our region, our state and our country. If you recall, he was the pioneer pro Chancellor of the State University, the position he held until his death.

“He has also done a lot in other spheres of human endeavour, as such, we feel it is appropriate to give honour to whom honour is due, and Shinkafi deserves all the accolades he is getting after his death.”

That was even as the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, along with the Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Umar Djibrilla Bindow, have commiserated with the family of late Shinkafi and the Sultanate Council.

Both leaders visited the deceased’s residence as well as Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad in Sokoto Wednesday. [myad]

I’ve Been Kicked So Many Times, But I Keep On Going, British PM, Cameron Jokes As He Bows Out

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

David Cameron has admitted that he had been kicked so many times in his political career but that he had kept going on, even as he formally bowed out of the Dowing Street, the official seat of the Prime Minister.

Cameron, who made his last appearance on Wednesday, as prime minister before making way for Theresa May to lead the monumental task of extricating Britain from the EU, said: “I have been kicked so many times but I say ‘Keep going, it is only a flesh wound. I admire that.’’

At the Parliament where he exchanged banters, the outgoing Prime Minister said: “This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

“Other than one meeting this afternoon with Her Majesty the Queen, the diary for the rest of my day is remarkably light,’’ as members of the House of Commons roared in laughter.

He was due to present his resignation to the queen at Buckingham Palace at around 1600 GMT.

Then May will pay her own visit to the monarch to be formally entrusted with the job, before entering 10 Downing Street to become Britain’s second woman prime minister after Margaret Thatcher.

Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties and voted in a June 23 referendum to quit the EU, weakening the 28-nation bloc and creating huge economic uncertainty.

Apart from the task of executing ‘Brexit’, May must try to unite a divided party and a nation in which many, on the evidence of the vote, feel angry with the political elite.

There was an atmosphere of hilarity in parliament as Cameron traded humorous jabs with beleaguered opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, in spite of the serious backdrop.

“I am beginning to admire his tenacity; he is reminding me of the black knight in Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

He took the opportunity to trumpet his government’s achievements in generating one of the fastest growth rates among western economies, chopping the budget deficit, creating 2.5 million jobs and legalising gay marriage.

However his legacy would be overshadowed by his failed referendum gamble, which he had hoped would keep Britain at the heart of a reformed EU.

(Reuters/NAN). [myad]

Abuja Disco Is Extorting Us, Kuje Residents Cry Out, March On The Street In Protest

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

One of the numerous protesters who blocked some roads in Kuje, capital of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Blessing Eze has accused the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) of extorting money from the consumers for the energy they did not consume for months.

“It will amount to disservice and extortion if AEDC will make consumers in Kuje to pay for what was not consumed in spite of complete power outage. We did not see electricity for over five months and I do not know how they manufactured the bills they distributed to us.”
This facts emerged the time some residents of Old NEPA Road in Kuje marched in protest over what they called epileptic power supply and outrageous bills which AEDC used to send to consumers in the area.
The protesters blocked the entrance to the Kuje office of the AEDC, carrying placards with the inscription: “Stop giving us electricity bills without light.”
The leader of the protesters, Princess Oge, told the News Agency of Nigeria that AEDC used to send them electricity bills regularly without regular supply of electricity.
Oge said that AEDC had no reason billing consumers for the months of February to June since there was complete power outage during the period.
She said: “Since the beginning of this year we have not had electricity in this area, yet we receive electricity bills every month. In the interest of peace and harmonious relation, I call on AEDC to cancel the bills since there was no supply of power within the period.
“We are also appealing to the government to come to our aid to address this problem to avoid fracas that may likely break out if this problem is not resolved.”
The protesters vowed to resist payment of electricity bills from February to June and urged AEDC to reverse the charges.
The protesters vowed that they would resist any attempt by AEDC to embark on disconnection in the area.
Efforts made by NAN to speak with Hajiya Yusuf Manager, the Kuje Business Unit of AEDC, did not yield result as she declined to speak to journalists on the issue. [myad]

Melaye Blows Grammar, Says His Alleged Plot To Impeach Buhari Is Narrative Of Attack Dogs Of Demagogues

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, has dealt a blow on English grammar as he tried to explain that he is not part of the plan to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

Said he: “It is pertinent to note that the incredulously machinated misinformation was orchestrated by forces bent on destabilizing the upper chambers of the Nigerian Parliament for selfish reasons.
“One of the mushroom and faceless online platforms used to promote the ill-fated and calumnious write-up has been notorious for serving as the propagandist machinery of political commercialists who are pushing for the extension of their fiefdom to the National Assembly.
“While I remain unimpeachably committed to the leadership of the Senate, I believe the respected arm of government charged with the onerous responsibility of law making should be given the independence to conduct its business.
“It is untrue and malicious; the allegation is the narrative of the attack dogs of demagogues who have decided to turn Nigeria upside down for failing to choose leaders for Senators.
“I am a responsible Nigerian, role model and a champion of anti-corruption and equity which my party (APC) stands for. I therefore urge the general public to discountenance the libelous publication as I will continue to respect the history, culture and excellence of my Kogi West people on the floor of the Senate. The true threats to the current Republic are those who believe that a Nigeria that is not led by them must not exist.”

Melaye represents Kogi West Senatorial District in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The diatribe was contained in a statement he personally issued on Wednesday in Abuja. [myad]

How Funke Emerged Acting President Of Nigerian Guild Of Editors

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

The vacancy created by the exit of the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Alhaji Garba Deen Muhammad, paved the way for the emergence of the prominent female journalist and renown columnist, Funke Egbemode, to grab the position in acting capacity over the weekend.

Garba Deen is now the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abuja.
Funke Egbemode, who is currently the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph newspaper, emerged the actig President at the second quarterly meeting of the Guild’s Standing Committee, held in Abuja.
Before joining the New Telegraph, Egbemode had also worked in the Sun, Punch and Post Express Newspapers and notable Nigerian newspapers.
She also served as the Special Adviser on Media to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Olubunmi Etteh.

Meanwhile, the former Abia state governor and Publisher of the Sun titles, Dr. Orji Kalu, has hailed the emergence of Funke Egbemode as the Acting President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Kalu described Egbemode as a veteran journalist who has contributed immensely to the media industry, adding that she has the capacity to steer the affairs of the Guild.

Kalu is sure that the new President would bring to bear her vast experience and network of contacts.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “I received with joy the news of the emergence of one of my colleagues, Mrs Funke Egbemode as acting President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
“Her emergence is not a surprise to many Nigerians who are conversant with her media endeavours.
“Having served in various capacities and positions in the world of journalism, there is no doubt in her capability to sustain the good name of the professional body.
“Mrs. Egbemode has over the years created a niche for herself in the media industry and as such her new role as acting President of NGE is in the interest of the professional body.”
The former governor advised media professionals to exhibit a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, adding that the strategic importance of the media cannot be undermined in the society.
He said the media is the voice of the voiceless even as he commended the Guild for being gender-neutral in its appointments. [myad]

We’ll Soon Go After Lawyers Who Help Treasury ‘Looters’ Escape Justice – EFCC Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has said that the anti-graft agency will soon go after senior lawyers who aid and abet financial and economic crimes.

He spoke at the opening of a one-day workshop organized by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACC) at the Rockview hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the anti financial crime boss said at the workshop that the EFCC could not stamp out corruption in the country without the support of all stakeholders.

“We consider everybody a stakeholder, as the EFCC does not have monopoly of knowledge to defeat all shades of graft.”

The anti-graft czar urged legal practitioners to always play by the rule and avoid being used by corrupt elements to pervert justice, adding that “what is important is the interest of the nation which should be placed above any other interest”.

Magu, who commended the bar for being good partners in the fight against graft, however decried the attitudes of some lawyers who compromise on their jobs for criminals to escape justice. He added that lawyers have a greater stake in the war more than any other class of professional.

He reiterated his commitment towards fighting money laundering, even as he warned: “we will not stop going after people who are involved in laundering money.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, the law is a respecter of nobody especially those who commit crime,” he said.

“Whether you are EFCC, SAN or whatever, sooner or later we will start going after people who buy properties with stolen funds as well as people who help others to escape justice.”

In his keynote address, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed urged members of the bar to examine themselves with a view to develop workable ways to curb corruption.

Mohammed, who spoke through Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, charged them to look inward as individuals in the system, and collectively as a body to improve the legal system.

“You have a role to play as an individual and it is when we all change our attitude that we can see it reflected in the society. No doubt, the legal profession is crucial in the maintenance of a high quality of justice delivery within the justice system and such success or failure of our fight against corruption will depend on our willingness to take the right ethical path,” the CJN said. [myad]

Senator Melaye To Senator Tinubu: I Will Beat You Here And Nothing Will Happen

Greenbarge Reporters

July 12, 2016

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, threw caution into the gutter on Tuesday when he threatened to beat his fellow Senator, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos Central) and that nothing would happen.

“I will beat you up on this floor and nothing will happen,” Melaye raged when Senator Oluremi Tinubu asked the raving Senators not to reduce the floor of the Senate to a kindergarten where they could just issue childish threats. She called on Senators to close ranks and seek reconciliation amongst its members.

This came on the heels of an uproar caused by the current trial of the leadership of the Senate for forgery, which led some Senators to threaten to impeach President Muhammad Buhari, even as Melaye vowed to ‘impregnate’ Remi Tinubu, who is the wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Shortly after commencement of a plenary session, some Senators called on their colleagues, led by Senators Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (APC Kaduna North) and Kabir Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) to sheathe their sword and withdraw the petition that had led to the criminal prosecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Executive Session, which was chaired by Saraki, also reminded the Senate that a committee led by former Senate President David Mark had been set up to “reconcile” members. But, Mark said that he was not informed that he would chair such a committee and that he didn’t know any member. He was simply told to do his “work.”

Shortly after that, Senator Melaye said that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, must be brought before the Senate to be thoroughly grilled and humiliated for charging the Senate leadership with forgery in court.

Melaye called on the Senators in attendance to fight the presidency to a standstill and went ahead to rant, issuing a wide variety of threats.

Recognized to speak, Senator Remi Tinubu said that the Senate should not be reduced to a kindergarten where Senators could just issue childish threats, and called on Senators to close ranks and seek reconciliation amongst its members.

That was when Melaye flew into rage, calling her names and saying: “I will beat you up on this floor and nothing will happen,” he threatened.

The statement caused a commotion on the floor as Senators in her support gathered to protect her. Senate President Saraki nodded as Melaye called Mrs. Tinubu unprintable names according to Senators who intervened to save her from the rampaging Melaye.

Leading the offensive in support of Melaye were Senators Danjuma Goje, Jibrin Barau, Isa Misau and Peter Nwaoboshi.

In addition, the Senators held to be behind the current forgery trial are said be under threat by the like-minded Senators, with Melaye threatening to kill anyone who shows up in court to testify against Saraki and Ekweremadu. [myad]

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