No Chibok Girl Was Abducted, Governor Fayose Claims

March 30, 2016

The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said that no female student of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, was abducted by members of Boko Haram, and that the story was invented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political ploy to defeat former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said he viewed with amusement the advocacy by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili-driven Bring Back Our Girls movement, which has been pressing for the recovery of the missing girls, saying: “you can’t get what is not missing.”

Fayose, who spoke in Ado Ekiti at a two-day workshop organized by Women Arise for Change Initiative, said that the rumour of the missing girls was mere political fabrication meant to get Jonathan out of office at all costs.

“The cries over missing girls were just a political strategy. What could Boko Haram have used to carry those girls? However, if truly missing, they should be recovered. One thing I know is that what is not missing you cannot get.”

The girls were kidnapped in April, 2014 by Boko Haram and had since been declared missing by the federal government. [myad]

Forex Trade: Garba Shehu’s Lawyers Ask PDP To Apologize, Or Meet Them In Court

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2016

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, has, through his lawyers, asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to apologize to him over its allegation that he is illegally trading in foreign exchange, or face them in court soon.

The Presidential spokesman, through Cherish Solicitors, wrote to the national PDP chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, asking him to write a letter of apology and a retraction of the publication within 72 hours of the receipt of the letter.

“We shall be left with no option than to have recourse to our client’s rights under the law. We condemn your defamatory and libellous actions in the strongest terms and we state that this is least expected from an organization of your standing which produced past and present crops of leaders, expected to be role model in the country.”

The letter was, signed by Aliyu Abdullahi.

The PDP, through its twitter handle @PDPNigeria, had accused Garba Shehu of buying USD800, 000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria at official rate, and selling it off the same day at black market rate.

The Presidential spokesman quickly denied the allegation and said: “the day I choose to start trading in FOREX I will resign as a presidential spokesman.”

He then threatened legal action if he knew the “coward and psychopath” behind the @PDPNigeria handle. [myad]

FCT Minister Turns Father-Christmas, Doles Out N1.6 Billion Bailout To Councils

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has ordered the release of the sum of N1,679,825,308.1 as
bailout to the six Area Councils of the Capital Territory.
The fund, according to the minister, is meant for
the payment of two months salaries owed the workers by the Councils.
Musa Bello who made the order at a news briefing in his office insisted that the bailout fund must not be diverted for purpose other than the payment of staff salaries.
According to the minister, the bail out to the six Area Councils would be recovered by the FCT Administration from the10 percent of the internally generated revenue (IGR) statutorily due to the Councils.
The funds would be disbursed to the Councils as follows:
Kwali N251,120,125.32
Bwari N289,724,550.00
Abaji N267,724,550.00
Kuje N295,708,856.60
Gwagwalada N262,559,501.26
Abuja Municipal N312,987,740.12
Also speaking, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye said that the Administration has been able to give this bailout because of its strict fiscal management even as he advised the Councils to imbibe discipline in funds management.
The Permanent Secretary further advised the Councils to cut down on their unnecessary expenditure, reminding them that the era of frivolities is gone forever.
He warned that the bailout must be used strictly for the payment of staff salaries as contained in the agreement between the FCT Administration and the Area Councils.
Dr. Ajakaiye said that due process and necessary legal steps were followed in the approval and subsequent release of the bailout funds.
He said that the Administration approached the National Assembly for virement of its funds for this purpose, while Area Councils’ Legislative arms also gave their nod to the Chairmen to secure the bailout via letters to the FCT Administration.
The FCT ALGON Chairman who is also the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Micah Jiba, spoke on behalf of his colleagues and thanked the FCT Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their fatherly disposition.
He promised that the money would be used for the purpose it is meant.
Also the Chairman of the FCT NULGE, Comrade Tanko Shemdi, appreciated the FCT Administration for intervening in the salary crisis of the Councils through such bailout. [myad]

N/Assembly Transmits 2016 Budget To President, But Nigeria Not Out Of Wood

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2016

Information reaching us has shown that the National Assembly has finally transmitted the controversial 2016 national budget to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, but that there are still some grey areas that needed to be tackled before the Presidential assent.
Informed source at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, confirmed that the budget was ‘transmitted’ to the President but that he cannot sign it without details.
The source hinted that what was presented to the President was what he called: “highlights of the document” without the required “details.”
The new development, according to the Presidency, has confirmed the speculation that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or is playing politics with the documents.
The President, the source said, is very anxious to sign the budget so that implementation can start immediately to ease the tension in the economy and polity, but that he is afraid not to sign a budget whose details later, would make it impossible to implement.
The Presidency accused the National Assembly of trying to shift the blame for the delay in the budget implementation to President Buhari, a situation the Presidency described as “sabotage”.
The source said: “the President has just received the transmission of the Appropriation Bill (2016 budget) from the National Assembly and is very anxious to sign it into law, but the National Assembly only sent in the highlights without the details.
“As a result, the president has been handicapped in signing the bill because he does not know what is contained in the details and what adjustments the National Assembly must have made to the proposal sent to them.
“Although he is anxious to sign the document so that implementation of the provisions could start immediately and ease the tension in the economy and polity, he is afraid he may later discover, when the details are sent, the what is contained therein is not implementable.
“He (President Buhari) wishes the National Assembly could send in the details speedily so that it could be considered for assent.
“Ministers are also eager that the budget be signed so they could start implementing their programmes, but they are unable to push the President to sign what has been transmitted because they also do not know what is contained in the details.
“They are particularly worried that the year is gradually aging and the provision of the law in respect of spending the previous year’s budget is not helping matters because of the low capital provision for 2015.
“Because of the low provision made last year for capital expenditure, spending 50 percent of that provision for the first half of this year will make no impact on provision of infrastructure.
“The Budget Office cannot also work on the Budget for implementation because it is the details, and not the highlights, that they convert into implementable templates for the respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
“This development confirms speculations that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or are playing politics with the documents which affects the life of both the country and its citizens.
“The National Assembly may just have passed the bill to pass the buck to the executive and escape the wrath of the public which was gradually suspecting it of sabotage.”
Source: Daily Trust. [myad]

The Real Story Nigerians Want To Hear, Tinubu Tells Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2016

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has spoken on behalf of over 170 million Nigerian about the kind of story they would want to hear from President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Asiwaju, who spoke in Abuja at a colloquium to mark his 64th birthday, said: “permit me to speak for the vast majority of Nigerians who dream of the same change of which you speak Mr. President: We are with you. We are determined. We have resolved to re-build this country together.”
Tinubu stressed that the real story Nigerians want to hear is that our farmers and their land must become more productive and that they also must be secured with better pay for their increased output.
“The real story is that our produce must not go to waste but much more of it must be turned into processed goods for domestic consumption.”
He said that Nigerians had heard many excellent ideas and suggestions in the past even as he said that he foresaw much of what Nigerians heard would soon be implemented, adding: “the nation will soon enjoy a rebirth of this vital economic sector.”
The Asiwaju noted that through it all, “we need remember that what we have discussed cannot be reduced to a gaggle of aggregate economic figures. It is not about this or that rate of GDP growth. Those are numbers intended to help us read the story but we should never see them as the true story itself.”
He insisted that the real quest is to strive to provide the people with sufficient food at affordable prices.
He asked Buhari and his team as well as the APC to strive to make this country a land where no child goes to bed in want and hunger.
“A land where no loving mother or father is brought to tears because they have not a grain of rice or slice of bread to feed their family. A country where no farmer is made poorer the more he works.
“Let us move from where we now are into becoming that nation that feeds not only its people but has a surplus to bolster its neighbors and beyond.
“Let us arrive at the place where our country side can feed our cities and our cities can produce the manufactured goods needed in both the city and countryside.
Nigeria’s detractors want to label us a wobbly basket case. Well, let us show them that we can become a vibrant bread basket for this region and the continent.
“I know this is the Nigeria that this administration wants. I know this is the Nigeria the people want. I know this is the Nigeria that is to come. As such, I thank you all for this wonderful birthday present you have given me.”
Full text of Asiwaju’s speech is reproduced here:
1. I thank everyone for taking part in this important symposium. The importance of this event is not that it comes on my birthday. It is due to the topic explored and the richness of the contributions made in this regard. I am simply honored that you would use my birthday as a platform for this vital national discourse.
2. I tender a deep APPRECIATION to Vice President Osinbajo and all others who organized this colloquium. Yours has been a job excellently done. Above all, I thank President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for giving of his precious time to be here today.In so doing, you have provided a most wonderful birthday present. Thank you.
3. You also have given to the people of Nigeria something even more important. Mr. President, in your Easter message, you asked the people to be steadfast and of strong hope because you would not let them down. That you would fulfill your promise to bring positive change to our beloved land.
4. Today, on my birthday, I ask that you allow me to support what you said to the people. I believe in our President and his administration. He is a leader dedicated to the betterment of Nigeria. He needs our support to make this a reality.
5. During the 7th Colloquium which held last year (2015) in Lagos, I recall I made a request. I said the best birthday gift I wanted was for people go out and vote massively to secure election victory. To the glory of God, our party, the APC won a remarkable victory.
6. That historic victory has placed on us a heavy responsibility to right the wrongs of the past years. Our path may be tough at present. But I do not entertain fear because I know our people are more resilient than the challenges we face.
Thus, I also ask the people to be of firm conviction and strong hope that we are working for and moving toward a better day.
7. I believe in destiny. Yes, the times that have come upon us are rough. Yet, I cannot help but believe that we have been put here at this appointed place and appointed time for a reason more profound than mere coincidence.
8. The workings of harsh economic reality have revealed the fragility of the economic position we have too long occupied. With the downturn in oil prices, this nation can no longer function as it did. The lack of government performance that has for years been a source of pain is no longer tolerable. This government is committed to reversing the trend towards a positive and progressive outcome.
9. We have reached the point where we can no longer look the other way because there is longer another way. If we are to experience a new growth and development, we must do it ourselves. Nigerians must become Nigeria’s lifeline.
10. Those who came before us believed in weak governance but strong corruption. They were the authors of the malfeasance and ruthless indifference that enchained this nation and its remarkable people. They acted as if their pilferage would never end. But it was ended by the people of this great country.
11. However, destiny does not believe in failure. It would never ask people like that to correct the wrongs they themselves had instituted. We can’t expect the author to burn his own book. That group could no more be the rebuilders of a new Nigeria than wind can turn to rock or mud into gold.
12. That correction has begun. This is why I am gratified to have President Buhari among us today. Upon his shoulders rest the fate of 170 million people. However, he does not carry that burden alone. Permit me to speak for the vast majority of Nigerians who dream of the same change of which you speak Mr. President: We are with you. We are determined. We have resolved to re-build this country together.
13. Here, I beg your indulgence to allow me a few words about the subject matter at hand: Agriculture.
We have heard many excellent ideas and suggestions. I foresee much of what we heard will soon be implemented policy. The nation will soon enjoy a rebirth of this vital economic sector.
14. Through it all, we need remember that what we have discussed cannot be reduced to a gaggle of aggregate economic figures. It is not about this or that rate of GDP growth. Those are numbers intended to help us read the story but we should never see them as the true story itself.
15. Our real quest is to strive to provide the people with sufficient food at affordable prices. The real story is that our farmers and their land must become more productive but they also must be secured with better pay for their increased output. The real story is that our produce must not go to waste but much more of it must be turned into processed goods for domestic consumption.
16. In the end, we strive to make this a land where no child goes to bed in want and hunger. A land where no loving mother or father is brought to tears because they have not a grain of rice or slice of bread to feed their family. A country where no farmer is made poorer the more he works.
17. Let us move from where we now are into becoming that nation that feeds not only its people but has a surplus to bolster its neighbors and beyond.
Let us arrive at the place where our country side can feed our cities and our cities can produce the manufactured goods needed in both the city and countyside.
Nigeria’s detractors want to label us a wobbly basket case. Well, let us show them that we can become a vibrant breadbasket for this region and the continent.
I know this is the Nigeria that this administration wants. I know this is the Nigeria the people want. I know this is the Nigeria that is to come. As such, I thank you all for this wonderful birthday present you have given me.
May God bless you and may He forever bless the FRN. [myad]

Aide To Former President Jonathan Fingered As EFCC Informant

Greenbarge Reporters

March 30, 2016

Special assistant to the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on domestic matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa ‎has been fingered as the brain behind the correct information with which the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has been operating, concerning the financial transactions of that regime.
The former aide is believed to be ‘collaborating’ with the anti-graft agency by leaking sensitive documents to both officials of the APC led government and the EFCC.
A top member of the last government told a group of journalists in Abuja that they wondered why the former aide, who was fingered by the former president’s Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe as the brain behind ‎the disbursement of the N10 billion for PDP delegates to the presidential nomination has not been invited by the EFCC.
He expressed surprise that sensitive documents which Dudafa was in custody of were in the hands of the EFCC.
The source cited such documents as the $6.9 million forty feet mobile stages for the presidential campaigns and the memo from a former permanent secretary in the presidential villa for the release of the sum of N3.145 billion to a pro- Jonathan campaign group.
‎”We are still in shock that one of us decided to betray simply because he thinks he will not be touched by the EFCC. Dudafa has been fingered as the person who sent in documents about the mobile stages simply out of anger that the payment was made through the former petroleum minister and not him.
“He is also fingered as the man who gave out a memo containing the approval of some funds for the Goodluck Support Group and many other documents are said to have got to the EFCC through him.
“We just got wind of this and when we inquired further, it was discovered to be true because even after the former ADC said the anti-graft body should invite Dudafa, they feigned ignorance simply because he is being used by them to get documents.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman of Ijaw Youth Assembly, Jones Opugu, has accused Dudafa of being a traitor and a disgrace to the Ijaw nation.
“We have it on good authority and have subsequently found out to be true that Dudafa was behind the latest probe where his former boss and former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, were alleged to have purchased three pieces of 40 feet mobile stages for mass public speaking at $6.9 million.
“We are also aware that more of such documents are being made available to nail our own son and his former boss.”
Only last week, operatives of the EFCC were said to have intercepted a memo for the release of the N3.145billion allegedly given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign for disbursement to six party chieftains and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG). A former permanent secretary generated the memo from the Presidential Villa, it was gathered.
One of the beneficiaries said the memo was allegedly based on the instructions and approval of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who is yet to speak on allegations that he authorized many curious payments before the 2015 general election.
It was gathered that the some of the beneficiaries ran to the ex-President for help because he reportedly approved the memo. The EFCC is insisting that the cash must be refunded.
Sources said that the EFCC operatives have cracked how the N3.145billion deal was struck, saying: “we have uncovered a memo which was raised by a former Permanent Secretary for the release of the N3.145billion by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Preliminary findings indicated that the idea to wire money from the CBN actually came from the Presidential Villa.
“We are looking into all clues in order to identify more public officers and PDP chieftains involved in the alleged diversion of public funds from the CBN to the campaign directorate.
“After completing the first stage of investigation, we will then invite some of the suspects for interrogation.”

Source: LEADERSHIP [myad]

Nigeria Army Colonel, Kidnapped On Sunday, Now Killed

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2016

A Nigerian Army Colonel who was abducted on Sunday evening, Samaila Inusa, has been found dead.
A statement by the Nigerian Army said Inusa was found dead today at about 6pm.
The statement said preliminary investigation revealed that the late senior officer was most likely killed the same day he was kidnapped by his abductors.
This is because the body was found already decomposing around Ajyaita village, off Eastern Bypass, Kaduna.
The statement said that arrangements are in progress to move the body to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
The statement said: “We wish to state in unmistakable terms that whoever is behind his abduction and murder would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law.”

Colonel Samaila Musa was kidnapped on Sunday near Kaduna Refinery by heavily armed men. His wife and children who were said to be in the car with him were asked to disembark as the kidnapper drove the car with him away.

The kidnappers were said to have taken the Abuja-Kaduna expressway heading for a thick forest. [myad]

Abuja Overshoots Its Projected Population By 5 Million, Minister Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has lamented that the Capital City, designed for a population of about one million people is now home to over six million people.
The Minister who spoke today when he received a visiting delegation from the Republic of Columbia in his office, said that the sustained influx of people into the City has multiplier effects on the city’s infrastructure and services.
He said that for that reason, his administration be proactive to control the possible negative effects of it on the population.
He said that his administration would work towards the maintenance of already existing infrastructure in the City to enable it play its role of being the unity city and a melting pot for all Nigerians.
“We are working towards maintaining the existing infrastructure, and then of course, gradually extending development outside the city into the six Area Councils where most of the population is.”
The Minister called on the delegation to bring in their business community to invest in the Territory, stressing that Abuja is a haven for any genuine investor because of its high population, quality infrastructure and easy accessibility to the World.
He explained that from the city. There are daily flights to Europe, Far East, Middle East and other major African countries.
Musa Bello further assured that his administration would provide an enabling environment for would be investors and to partner with them.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Columbia, Senator Edinson Delagado said that the main objective of the visit was to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Senator Delagado said that the delegation is also ready to exchange knowledge on what both countries could accomplish, in terms of educational programmes, exchange of students with Nigeria.
“We have studied the petroleum industry, agriculture and gas and we feel that we can link together as countries and share our experiences.”
He said that the delegation has already visited Lagos and would be visiting Port Harcourt and Yola. [myad]

I’m Sorry Over My ‘Magician’ Comment, Petroleum Minister Apologizes

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2016

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has apologized to Nigerians over his comments last week that “One of the trainings I did not receive is that of a magician,” saying then that the current petrol scarcity would continue till May.

Kachikkwu, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum today, assured that fuel queues will disappear across the nation by April.

The minister said however that while fuel scarcity will “definitely” end by April, Nigerians may have to wait till May for major revolution in the availability of the products.

Kachikwu said that 90 per cent of Nigerian depots were not functional and that most fuel products into Nigeria come from Europe, taking 14 days for fuel to land.

He promised that government would engage consultants to manage the depots, adding that advertisement to engage the consultants for management of the depots would start soon.

Kachikwu said that NNPC had doubled its usual supply to Abuja but that scarcity remained, even as he emphasized that refineries must function optimally in order to achieve efficiency in distribution.

“Refineries in Nigeria are old and dilapidated but with appropriate funds and retooling, they will be revived to full capacity.” [myad]

Buhari, 60 World Leaders Hold Nuclear Security Summit In U.S

Greenbarge Reporters

March 29, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to join about 60 other world leaders and heads of international organizations to hold the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which opens on Thursday.
Consequently, President Buhari is due to fly to Washington DC tomorrow, to be welcome by President Barack Obama of America.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that
President Buhari will insist that while Nigeria will continue to sustain that commitment, the world powers must respect the right of other countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes.
“The President will reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.
“It will be recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier this month, President Buhari told the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano that the Federal Government will welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy.”
The statement said that while in Washington DC for the Nuclear Security Summit, the President and his delegation, including Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and the Director-General of Nigeria’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Professor Lawrence Anikwe Dim, will also hold bilateral meetings with other participating Heads of Government and high-ranking United States Government officials.
The plenary sessions of the summit is dedicated to reinforcing international commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
President Buhari is expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday. [myad]

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