US: Oklahoma Criminalizes Abortion, Offender Risks 3 Year Jail

May 21, 2016

Oklahoma state legislators, in the United States of America, have approved a measure that would make abortion a felony for doctors, with potential penalties that include removal of medical license and a maximum prison sentence of three years.

The state House has approved the measure last month with a vote of 69-15 and sent it to the Senate, which passed it on Friday with a vote of 33-12.

Senate Bill 1552 now goes to Governor Mary Fallin to sign or veto it. However, the new abortion bill will automatically become a law, should Fallin, who was sworn into office on January 10, 2011, refuses to sign or veto it.

However, there are few exemptions. Abortion will only be allowed if it is to preserve the life of the mother or to remove a miscarriage.

Pregnancy resulting from a man making love with is daughter or a woman making love with her son cannot be terminated. Also pregnancies resulting from women being forced against their will cannot be terminated.

Some Senators maintained the fact that they support the bill because state government is responsible for protecting life in the state.

According to Republican Senator, Nathan Dahm: “Since I believe life begins at conception, it should be protected, and I believe it’s a core function of state government to defend that life from the beginning of conception.”

Senator Ervin Yen, a Republican and the Oklahoma state Senate’s only physician described the bill as “insane.”

According to Cheeky Dave, who is also against the bill: “the use of political office to impose religious beliefs on people that do not practice that particular or any religion is an abuse of power; an abuse of power is simply tyranny, which I am sure these republicans will say that they are opposed.”

In this case, the wealthy women will be able to go to another state and have their abortion done if they do not wish to have any child while the poor ones who cannot afford to go to other states to do the abortion will have no other option than to have the baby. [myad]

How Bauchi Spent N8.6 Billion Bail-Out Fund – Governor’s Spokesman

Greenbarge Reporters

May 21, 2016

The Media Adviser to Bauchi state governor, Yakubu Mohammed has explained how the state government spent the N8,609,100,000.00 bailout fund given by the Federal Government, purposely for the payment of accumulated salaries of civil servants.

In a statement on Saturday, Yakubu Mohammed said that out of the total amount received from the federal government, 8,521,100,000.00 was used to off-set backlogs of salaries, adding that the process of paying salaries was started by Governor Abubakar even before the idea of bail-outs to states was conceived.

Debunking what he called insinuation by rumour mongers that Governor Mohammed Abubakar squandered the money, the spokesman insisted that the bailout fund was use for the purpose for which it was released.
He said that it is not true that a Presidential investigative team was in the state to verify the alleged misappropriation of the funds by the state government, saying: “t his is false and a move designed by mischief makers to bring the administration of Governor Abubakar into disrepute.”
Yakubu Mohammed commended the efforts of the governor in ridding the state of corruption, especially in the civil service.

This was even as he said: “what is happening is a subtle blackmail by some powerful individuals in the state who are not comfortable with the ongoing staff verification and a fight to stop corruption in government to paint the administration of Governor Abubakar in bad light.

“There is no blackmail or intimidation from any quarter that will derail the good governance policy of the present administration from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Bauchi State.” [myad]

Third Class Traditional Ruler Kidnapped In Kogi

Greenbarge Reporters

May 21, 2016

A third class traditional ruler of Elete town in Kogi state, Chief Aminu Aku has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) gathered that Aku was kidnapped by a gang of five masked gunmen at about 8:30 pm on Friday in his town located on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta highway.

The incident came barely 24 hours after the kidnap of two chieftains of the Kwara chapter of the APC on the Lokoja-Okene road.

Aku was said to be returning from a function at Ajaokuta and was just alighting from his car when he was abducted. He was subsequently driven away in a vehicle brought by the abductors.

NAN learnt that the gunmen had already called to demand for a N10 million ransom.

The state Police Commissioner, Yakubu Usman however said that the abduction of the traditional ruler was yet to be confirmed. [myad]

Atiku Sees Brighter Economic Fortune For Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

May 21, 2016

Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said that the future of the country’s economy looks very bright in spite of the present challenges the country is going through.

According to him, investment in agriculture and allied businesses is the answer to the puzzle of how to get the country out of her addiction to fossil fuels, and over-reliance on rent-seeking enterprises.

The former Vice President spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the ground-breaking of an animal feeds factory, Rico Gado Nutrition, Nigeria.

Atiku said from the experience he has gained in the agro-business enterprise, he is sure that agriculture is a key ingredient for unlocking the nation’s future fortunes, adding that it is an opportunity to change the way Nigerians look at the economy and agriculture.

“Despite the doubts about our economy because of current challenges, we are confident about Nigeria’s future and about our future. I think I speak for my partners in this joint venture when I say: We know what we are getting into, and we’re doing it because we believe in Nigeria, because we believe that Nigeria will overcome its current difficulties, because we believe our nation will change for the better.” [myad]

US: White House Thrown Into Panic As Gunman Was Shot

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

The United States seat of power, the White House was thrown into panic on Friday after the secret service shot a man at a nearby checkpoint.

The man was reportedly carrying a weapon and was ordered to stop by security officers before being shot. He is currently in a critical condition even as the White House was placed in lockdown. The lockdown was lifted before the close of the day.

US Park Police said the shooting was on West Executive Drive, about a block from the White House.

President Barack Obama was not at the White House at the time of the incident as he had left earlier to play golf.

It is understood Vice-President Joe Biden was at the White House and was taken to a secure location. [myad]

Secretary Of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission Sacked

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), John-Kennedy Opara, has been removed from office.

A statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said that the disengagement of Mr. Opara from office as head of the commission became effective, Thursday.

The statement added that President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Mr. Opara for spearheading the affairs of the commission in the last eight years, and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Opara was appointed in 2008 by the Shehu Musa Yar’dua-led administration, for an initial tenure of five years. He was reappointed in June 2013, after his first tenure ended, by former President Goodluck Jonathan for a second and final tenure.

He was removed from office two years before the expiration of his tenure in June 2018. According to the law setting up the pilgrims agency: “The Chairman or any members of the Commission may be removed from office by the president, if the president is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the public that the member should continue in office.” [myad]

Don’t Turn Liberia Into An All Christian Country, ECOWAS Cautions

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

The ECOWAS Parliament has called on Liberia to reconsider aspects of its constitutional review where proposals have been made to make the country a Christian state.

Members made the call following the presentation of Liberia’s country report at the parliament’s ongoing 2016 first ordinary session in Abuja on Friday.

Members noted that the aspect of defining religious differences was a sensitive one and urged that it should put into consideration the consequences of making such decisions.

Responding, Mr. Edwin Snowe a representative of Liberia said the proposal was subject to amendment.

“The comments from member states are welcoming but I do not subscribe to Liberia being a Christian state. It has its security concerns.

“We have coexisted as a secular state over the years, we have lived together as one people.

“Constitutional reforms come from the people and then it is incumbent upon the leadership to be able to go through those suggestions before putting them up for referendum.

“It is very unlikely, extremely unlikely that a legislation will pass on such and Liberia becomes a Christian state. It was founded on Christian principles but we respect each other and have lived as one.

“The Inter-Religious Council of Liberia have had major discussions and have spoken against Liberia becoming a Christian state.

“Yes, it is out, it is before the legislature and I look forward to us denying the passage of such,” he said.

Liberia seeks to review its constitution and the country’s Constitution Review Committee has held several conferences with proposals for amendments being made by delegates.

The proposed amendments include the reduction of tenure of the president from six to four years and amendments on laws against dual citizenship, among others. [myad]

Revenue Generation: Think Out-Of-Box, FCT Minister Challenges New Council Bosses

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has challenged the newly inaugurated Chairmen of the six Area Councils to be proactive and think out of the box towards improving the councils’ revenue.

Muhammad Bello who spoke on Friday at the inauguration ceremony of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, stressed that the dwindling economy has affected all tiers of government with the ever increasing obligations.

“Permit me to tell you that serious challenges await you at the Area Councils. The bitter truth is that all the six Area Councils cannot be able to pay staff salaries and other obligations.

“Even though the FCT Administration has gone extra mile to assist the Area Councils, you are better off taking proactive measure to your various councils”.

Muhammad Bello reminded the new chairmen that they made a lot of campaign promises and the people have a lot of expectation on them to deliver.

He advised Chairmen to provide leadership to all the people in their areas, irrespective of party affiliation, tribe or religious inclination, even as he enjoined them to lead with the utmost fear of God and the best interest of the people at all times.

“You are now for all, irrespective of party, religion, tribe, age or gender. So be humble in your leadership and appreciate the role played by all stakeholders towards your victory.”

Muhammad Bello asked the chairmen to ensure accountability and prudence in the management of their councils’ resources, saying: “you must turn around the potentials of your Area Councils into wealth, by boosting revenue and blocking leakages, so that your Councils’ can be financially independent and you will be able to deliver the expected dividends of democracy.”

Those sworn-in were Abdul_Rahman Ajiya-Abaji; Abdullahi Adamu Candido-AMAC; Musa Dikko-Bwari; Adamu Mustapha Denze-Gwagwalada; Abdullahi Galadima- Kuje and Joseph Shazin-Kwali. [myad]

I am Being Serious About Militants Resurgence In Niger Delta – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari — President, Muhammadu Buhari

“We have to be very serious with the situation in the Niger Delta because it threatens the national economy. I assure you that everything possible will be done to protect personnel and oil assets in the region.”

President Muhammadu Buhari made this declaration on Friday in Abuja at a meeting with the Global Director (Upstream) of the Royal Dutch Shell Group, Mr. Andrew Brown.

The President assured oil companies operating in the Niger Delta that the Federal Government is taking all necessary actions to protect strategic assets in the region from vandals and criminals.

President Buhari said that he has directed the Chief of Naval Staff to reorganize and strengthen the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta to deal effectively with the resurgence of militancy and the sabotage of oil installations.

The President told Mr. Brown that the operations of the JTF were also being enhanced with increased support and cooperation from the United States and Europe in the areas of training, intelligence, equipment and logistics.

The President urged aggrieved persons, militants and communities in the Niger Delta to drop their confrontational stance and work with those who have been charged by the Federal Government to review the Amnesty Programme initiated by the Yar’Adua Administration for the benefit of all parties.

President Buhari praised the resilience and staying power of Shell in Nigeria despite the operational challenges of the environment.

He urged the company to do its best to end gas-flaring in the Niger Delta quickly and produce more gas for electricity generation to support manufacturing and job creation in the country.

Mr. Brown had appealed for an urgent solution to rising crime and militancy in the Niger Delta.

The Shell Executive also dispelled speculations that the company was pulling out of Nigeria.

He said that contrary to such speculations, Shell was currently in discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on new joint oil and gas projects. [myad]

Adinoyi Wins Best Entertainment At Nigerian Broadcasting Merit Award

Greenbarge Reporters

May 20, 2016

Chief Executive of Hitlist N Cruzin Mursty Adinoyi, won the Best Entertainment Programme on TV at the just concluded Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) held in Lagos.

Producer-/Presenter, Hitlist N Cruzing, said: “Entertainment industry in Nigeria has come a long way and we are proud to be part of that success story.

The TV programme, produced and presented by Adinoyi, which prides itself as the best entertainment programme on television, made the prestigious list of winners at the highly rated NBMA event and is not relenting in repositioning the entertainment industry in the country. Talking about the award, Adinoyi said: “I am very excited that HNC won the NBMA’s Best Entertainment Programme on TV category.

“Not only that I am excited and happy, I’m also very thankful to God because without His grace, it wouldn’t have been possible.

“Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards is a highly rated award and for Hitlist N Cruzin to win the best entertainment category, it means we are doing something right.

“The award is just a proof that our creativity talent with lot of research and effort that goes into HNC programme is well appreciated by our teaming audience.

“I want to assure our fans and teeming audience that we will not rest, but will do more to enhance Hitlist N Cruzin programme which airs on AIT Network, TVC and other stations across the globe.”

Adinoyi then called on President Muhammadu Buhari to support the Entertainment sector, as the industry accounts for a reasonable percentage in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation’s economy.

“This particular sector that accounts to some measure of GDP percentage in the nation’s economic growth must not be ignored by the federal government in its ‘Change Mantra’ agenda.” [myad]

1...1,8711,8721,873...2,499 Page 1,872 of 2,499