Saudi Arabia has arrested 19 people, including seven locals and 12 Pakistanis, in connection with three suicide bombings that took place on July 4, including the one near Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina. The bombers, who attacked the Holy City of Medina, was a 26-year-old with “drug abuse history,” a media report said. Four security officials were killed in the attack, which was widely condemned by Muslim leaders, including those from hardline groups. Only the attackers were killed in the two other bombings, which occurred in the mainly Shiite eastern city of Qatif and near the US consulate in the western city of Jeddah. Meanwhile it is being speculated that Islamic State might be behind the attacks. [myad]
Elder statesman and the nation’s first Minister of Petroleum Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno (CFR) is dead. He died yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State at the age of 90. He will be buried today at 2:00pm in Maiduguri. Dr. Monguno, apart from being a renowned politician, was also an educationalist. He was born 1926 in Monguno and attended Monguno primary school, Teacher’s College Bauchi and Katsina, college of arts, science and technology Zaria, Moray House College of education and the University of Edinburgh, England. He was parliamentarian in 1959, education secretary and councilor for education, works and social welfare Borno, local Government 1959-65. He was also a Federal Minister for Air Force and Internal Affair 1965-66, Federal Commissioner for Trade and Industries 1967-71, Minister of Mines and Power, Petroleum and Energy 1972-75. Shettima Ali Monguno was also the President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) 1972/1973. He was conferred with the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 1982. [myad]
A Malawi pastor and the founder of ECG ministries, Prophet Shepherd ‘Major 1’ Bushiri is allegedly selling ‘blood of Jesus” in plastic bottles. According to a Zambezi Reporters, Prophet Bushiri is selling the blood in 500ml and 750ml plastic bottles. “One congregant who confessed to be a loyal member of ECG ministries revealed that the blood heals every calamity and problems.” The Pastor, described as one of the richest in Africa having recently acquired his third private jet in a space of two years, is said to be selling what his church members said: “the blood. One of his church members who would not mention her name said: “we have been using anointing oil which is called “The Lion of Judah” before and we have been using anointed mantles, bracelets and DVDs but this time the power is released. Major 1 introduced “The Blood of Jesus” is the real blood of Jesus which was extracted at Calvary when the Son of God was crucified. As sons and daughters of Major 1, we don’t really care what people will say, we understand this revelation as a ministry (ECG family), people are on the move to drag our father’s name into disrepute but God elevated him to address our problems. “The blood of Jesus is being sold at our worship center the smallest bottles 500ml are costs R20 000 and the 750ml bottle costs R30 000. We don’t care about the price but the results, as we are speaking the Blood of Jesus has resurrected reported five people and healed hundreds since launch.
The newly appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru has promised to exploit the immense experience of NNPC staff to maximize output in the ongoing restructuring exercise. “Engagement of staff in major restructuring exercise is a key success factor that I will pay attention to while continuing with the restructuring effort.” The new GMD, who spoke at a brief hand-over from his predecessor, Dr. Ibe Kachiku, at the NNPC Towers on Friday, pledged not to disappoint President Muhammadu Buhari who reposed so much confidence in him to head the Corporation. Baru, who also paid tribute to Dr. Kachikwu who is currently the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for recommending him to the President for appointment said that he would continue with the ongoing comprehensive restructuring exercise of the NNPC. He promised to among others, create an all-inclusive internal advisory council on security, comprising representatives from NNPC, the IOCs, the Unions and Security Operatives to brainstorm and address host community agitations to complement efforts of the Government Security Team. He also promised to implement the new business models and grant the needed autonomy to the strategic business units and autonomous business units and to provide relevant directions and control that would ensure their growth and profitability. Baru also promised to continue to explore ways of relieving Government from the burden of cash calls obligation as well as address and defray the agreed cash call arrears of the IOCs and restore oil and gas production and grow the reserve portfolio. [myad]
The world’s oldest living male twins, Pieter and Paulus Langerock of Belgium, turned 103 on Friday, raising a glass of wine to more than a century of living side by side. The brothers, neither of whom ever married, have lived together for most of their lives. To this day, they barely leave each other’s side, sharing a room at their nursing home just outside the Belgian town of Ghent. While they sometimes regret not having had any children or grandchildren, they said that they are each other’s best friends and celebrated their birthday with a glass of French red wine. After their long careers as court magistrates in the middle of the 20th century, the elegantly-dressed 103-year-olds prefer speaking French and being addressed as “Pierre and Paul.” They have another two years to go to break the record of US brothers Glen and Dale Moyer, both of whom reached 105. Reuters/NAN. [myad]
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said that members of Boko Haram have been pushed out of the Nigerian territory and that the remnants are now at the boarders of Nigeria with Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon.
General Buratai who spoke to news men in Damaturu after paying courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, said that the pockets of those insurgents operating in the borders are being cleared by the Multi-National Task Force.
The army boss said that the Army is consolidating on the peace in the region by opening up strategic roads that were hitherto closed due to the Boko Haram activities, adding that they will continue to give confidence to the civil population in the region by chasing out the remaining insurgents in the fringes.
“We are further consolidating the successes by opening roads to allow people move about freely without the fear of any attack. We will continue to do that. Yesterday I was in Maiduguri and a day before yesterday.
“We have been able to open the Dikwa road up to Gamboru Ngala. We must certify that all the routes are safe and to also get people to be more confident and we have to assure them of that.
“Otherwise, virtually all parts of the Northeast can be moved in but people are still apprehensive but you can see that the Multi-National Joint Task Force is operating in the northern part of Borno and southern parts of Niger Republic and parts of Chad. This where you see most of the remnants of Boko Haram are concentrated now.”
“But I must tell you that joint efforts are on the way to make sure that these terrorists are further pushed away from these areas. That is the clearance operation we are doing. I was in Kangarwa just a few meters to the boarders and that is where our troops have been operating and they would continue to advance to clear the remnants there.
“It’s a joint effort now; you will see the Chadian, Nigerien, Cameroonians and our troops doing the clearance operations.” [myad]
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has withdrawn the licenses of three pilots for taking alcohol before operating their flights, as even they are to be subjected to psychiatric evaluation.
Acting General Manager, Public Relations of the NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the suspension of the pilots whose action, he said, could compromise the safety of their passengers.
“It is very clear. They are to be off duty for three months. While on suspension, they are to be made to go through psychiatric evaluation before rejoining the service,” he said.
Adurogboye, therefore, advised all airline operators and pilots to abide by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), stressing that the offenders would be visited with severe penalties.
NCAA had recently withdrawn the licenses of the three pilots and placed them on a three-month suspension for breaching civil aviation regulations in the country.
According to the rules, a pilot is prohibited from taking alcohol for at least three hours before flight time. [myad]
“I think Mr. President and his team have done a good job this first year. I understand people are impatient; the expectations from Mr. President are very high. I think we have to remember what he inherited. And in my own opinion we have to be neutral and balanced.
This was the verdict of the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he answered questions from news men in an interactive session in Abuja.
Ambassador Entwistle said that President Buhari’s economic recovery efforts deserve the understanding and support of Nigerians, adding that President Buhari had done well in the first 365 days in office.
“I see a parallel between President Buhari and President Obama. President Obama had not been in office for very long, but the people had same kind of impatience.
“And I think in my country a lot of people forgot how difficult the situation was that President Obama inherited. I think the same thing is happening with President Buhari – to a certain degree.
“It is completely understandable to me that people have a high expectation, they are impatient, they want to see change.
“But Mr. President inherited a very difficult set of circumstances and some of the things that he has identified that need to be done – end corruption; reform the petroleum sector and end the conflict in the North-East.
“These are things that even if he works as hard as he can, it will take some time.”
Ambassador Entwistle said that the slide in the economy was a culmination of some of the problems inherited by the Buhari administration, including poor infrastructure in the petroleum sector.
While commending the President for the efforts being made to revive the nation’s economy, he expressed the hope that the economy would improve as quickly as possible.
“I think he has put in place some things, though I am not an economist, but what he has done with the exchange rate and fuel subsidy and so on.
“I think in a very deliberate fashion, the economy hopefully is going to improve.
“But remember that in this age, no country is an economic island.
“What affects a country affects the economy of every other country.
“I gave the President very good marks and let’s see how he marches forward in the next few months.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Christian leaders in Nigeria to tell their flocks to give him and his team chance to stabilize the country for the betterment of all.
“You must tell your followers the truth about the country. We have nothing to hide because we have no other country but Nigeria. Tell them to give us a chance to stabilize the country. Your concern for the security, unemployment, anti-corruption campaign and the frequent altercations between herdsmen and farmers are genuine concerns.”
The President vowed that he would stop at nothing towards restoring the economic fortunes of the country and deliver prosperity to Nigerians even as he made it clear that his administration will not hide anything from Nigerians.
President Buhari, who spoke when he received the Northern Christian Leaders Eagles Eyes Forum at the State House, Abuja on Friday, called on the religious leaders not to lose hope in the unity, stability and progress of the country.
The President emphasized that the Federal Government will continue to prioritize the safety of lives and property, in addition to equipping Nigerian farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques to boost agriculture.
“I know the Ministry of Agriculture and the Governors Forum are doing a lot to resolve the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers, we must give them a chance.”
President Buhari thanked the Christian leaders for their support to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign and other policies geared towards reviving the economy.
“It is saddening that some of those who stole from our national resources put the money in their personal accounts. However, it is gratifying that those who stole money and shared funds meant for the purchase of arms for our military are regretting their actions and they will regret more.
“Those caught in corruption will have themselves to blame.”
The leader of the Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu called on Nigerians to support the President’s anti-corruption war and his vision to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
“In your administration, I see a new Nigeria where the fear of bribery, corruption and extortion is the beginning of wisdom.
“I see a new Nigeria, where tribalism, religion and ethnicity is no longer a barrier that separates us but a bond that unites us for a greater tomorrow,” he said. [myad]
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has cried out that President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) are out to destroy him politically through the use of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to probe his alleged looting of the nation’s treasury.
The governor, who spoke in Ado Ekiti during a well-attended rally organized by a newly formed Ekiti State Private Sector Union, which was an amalgamation of all informal unions in the state, described the use of EFCC against him as a way of settling political scores.
Fayose said that his current travails in the hands of the EFCC and the alleged startling revelations by the agency that he procured N1.5 billion properties using phoney companies, is the handiwork of the APC for the purpose of dimming the chances of his party during the 2018 governorship poll
The governor said that the Buhari’s government will crumble if it wages war against him under the guise of anti-corruption war, adding: “they said I collected a sum of N1.3 billion from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki to fund my election. Some even said I collected it through Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro. Let me put it on records that I did not know Colonel Dasuki and Obanikoro has not come out openly to indict me.
“They said similar thing in 2006. It was all about second term then, because they didn’t want me to contest for second term. They said the N1.3b project which I initiated was a scam, but God brought me back. The APC and EFCC conspirators took me before a Judge and I got justice.
“When God says yes, nobody can say no. God has given me uncommon favour over my enemies. I am presently using the mandate of God and Ekiti people and they are ready to defend the mandate and that is why you proudly came out today to express support for me.
“Nigerians have never had it so bad like this. People are suffering and hungry and President Buhari says he is fighting corruption. How can the FG increase fuel from N86 to N145? The price of kerosene is now over N200.
“No act of intimidation and harassment will shut my mouth. I will continue to talk about national issues.
“Somebody from Ekiti gave President Buhari N1.5b for campaign, but today he is being seen as a saint. When you want to campaign or do marriage, people will give you money and my own can’t be an exemption. I am not afraid of incarceration or death.
“APC problem is 2018 and as the God liveth, they are going nowhere. We will stand up and defend our state and the money they said they have gotten through anti-corruption should be spent for Nigerians” Fayose said. [myad]
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Saudi Arabia has arrested 19 people, including seven locals and 12 Pakistanis, in connection with three suicide bombings that took place on July 4, including the one near Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.
