The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has made it clear that his current trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not such a big issue that engaged the meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held last night with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Saraki who briefed news men shortly after the meeting said that the focus was on how to move the nation forward through the fulfillment of promises made during political campaigns.
“We are talking about what will make Nigeria work. We are talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we are talking about and to ensure that there are no distractions.
“The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the county. It is normal in democratic setting, from time to time; you see the parliament talking with the executive. And that is how to make things work.”
The Senate president stressed the commitment of the National Assembly to work harmoniously with all arms of government, and that Nigerians should be confident that government was working.
“We are committed to work together and it is going to be for the good of Nigerians at large. It is a good development. We are all committed to what we are all elected to do in order to make Nigeria work.” [myad]
Governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the November 21 governorship election in Kogi state, Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu has said that though he may look an underdog but that he will spring surprise at the end of the polls. According to him, the election would bring out the essence of the famous fight between David and the Goliath as narrated in the Bible. Dr. Salawu who spoke to Greenbarge Reporters in an exclusive interview in Abuja, quoted a verse from the Bible which says that …the race doesn’t always go to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the intelligent, nor favor to the knowledgeable, because accidents can happen to anyone. He made it clear that the electorate in the state have already known the three outstanding candidates contesting the election, including him, adding: “the electorates know our histories and our performances when we served them at various stages since the state was created. The three of us (Prince Abubakar Audu of All Progressives Congress, the incumbent governor under Peoples Democratic Party and him) are not new in the governance of the state.” The LP governorship hopeful who was Deputy governor to former governor Ibrahim Idris for nine years, made it clear that he and his team would not be intimidated by what some people see as ‘giants’ simply because of the amount of money they can wield, but that he would depend mainly on his personality and what he had done for the state when he had the opportunity of serving, even as ‘spare tyre.’ Dr. Salawu said that governor Idris Wada and Prince Audu have already inadvertently cleared ground for him to win the election, explaining that while Wada had abandoned workers to their fate without salaries for months, Prince Audu had once described workers in the state as deadwood. “Remember that Kogi is purely a civil servant state and for the so-called giants to be so rude to the civil servants means that they don’t understand the people they are supposed to be governing. “I am also aware that our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Senatorial District are tired of producing chief executives that have not been of any benefit for the development of the area. They have now realised that their sons who have been occupying the government House only cared for themselves and their immediate families and friends.” The LP candidate said that the people of the Eastern Senatorial District have resolved that it is better to have a governor from other part of the state who would be more dispose to correcting the backwardness they have suffered all these years than their so-called sons and daughters. Dr. Salawu made it clear that his coming into the contest, from another Senatorial zone would defuse the political tension that has been building up for sometime now, saying that there is great danger in power monopoly which some few Igala cabals have been displaying without realizing that “it is a time bomb.” The LP hopeful stressed that his mission is to rescue, revive and restore the lost glory of the state through equity, fairness and justice, stressing that he is not contesting for the governorship for the purpose of vengeance over the injustice that had been done in the past. [myad]
From henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigerian senior football team. I am no more the goalie of the team. I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties. I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter worldwide. It’s been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me..God bless Nigeria.
These are the final words from the Super Eagles Captain and safe hands, Vincent Enyeama as he announced his resignation from the team today via his Instagram page. The goalkeeper, who has put in 13 years into the Super Eagles, quit after his row with the Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh. Oliseh had asked Enyeama to leave the Eagles Camp on Tuesday for coming late. Enyeama, had on Saturday laid his mother to rest in Nigeria. He then arrived the Eagles camp in Belgium on Tuesday. Despite the intervention of top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in the row, Oliseh stripped Enyeama of the skipper’s band, handing it over to Ahmed Musa. Writing on his Instagram page, Enyeama said: “I have fought a good fight for more than 13years.I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion. Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only God can reward me for my 13years of national services. God bless Nigeria.” [myad]
The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) is now wondering why the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not yet come out to accuse the United Kingdom police of witch hunt, for daring to arrest and investigate former Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is currently facing corruption charges in that country. The Support Group recalled the recent allegation by the PDP that the anti-corruption war was a political witch hunt against political opponents. “The BMSG recalls that the PDP has repeatedly sought to discredit the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration. The President would never cause, or pencil down anybody for investigation or trial when there is no evidence linking them to wrongdoing.” The group which prides itself as being dedicated to promoting President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda for change, in a statement, argued that President Buhari could not have told the British police how to do their job, or dictated to them to arrest innocent people and charge them to court merely because they were part of the PDP government. In the statement signed on behalf of BMSG by Malam Muhammad Labbo and Chief Cassidy Madueke, the group explained that, as a man who is conscious of his integrity, President Buhari would be the last person to link innocent people to crimes they didn’t commit. This is even as it expressed surprise why the PDP leaders have abandoned Alison-Madueke to her fate in London, despite her loyalty to the party and illegal funding of the erstwhile ruling party with state resources while she was in government. Even when it challenged PDP to appoint a formidable legal team to head to London and defend the former minister preparatory to her formal trial, the group called on the party to stop belittling and disparaging the anti-corruption war through unhelpful allegations that President Buhari is using the crusade to witch hunt his political opponents. It reminded PDP that the consequences of corruption harm the larger society, regardless of whether they are APC or PDP supporters, even as it called on the PDP leaders to sincerely and patriotically join hands with the federal government to make Nigeria better. The BMSG also called on PDP to freeze the billions of Naira which it alleged, Diezani donated to it as oil sector contributions preparatory to the last election, until a full certification is obtained on the legality of its sources. “This will prove whether the PDP is toeing the line of the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration as it is claiming or not.” [myad]
The President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, has emerged as the acting President of the Federation of International Football Association. This followed the suspension for 90 days, of both the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, and Secretary General, Jerome Valcke. The position of the world’s football governing body was contained in a statement today by its Independent Ethics Committee. The statement said: “Today, in accordance with FIFA’s Code of Ethics, Joseph S. Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA President following the decision of the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee to provisionally ban him from all football activities on a national and international level. “Joseph S. Blatter, for the duration of the 90-day ban, is not allowed to represent FIFA in any capacity, act on the organisation’s behalf, or communicate to media or other stakeholders as a FIFA representative. “As mandated by article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes, Issa Hayatou, as the longest-serving vice-president on FIFA’s Executive Committee, will serve as Acting President of FIFA. “It was also announced that the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee issued a provisional 90-day ban for FIFA’s Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke. “This decision follows FIFA’s announcement on 17 September 2015, that the organization had put Jérôme Valcke on leave and released him from his duties effective immediately. On that date, FIFA requested a formal investigation by the Ethics Committee. “All operational business matters will continue to be overseen by Markus Kattner, Acting Secretary General.”
Meanwhile, Issa Hayatou who has been the FIFA Vice President, has said that he would not run for the presidency of the world’s football governing body, saying in a statement that his determination was to see rapid growth of world football in his short stay at the helm of affairs. “Today, amid extraordinary circumstances, I have assumed the office of FIFA President pursuant to Article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes. I will serve only on an interim basis. A new President will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016. I myself will not be a candidate for that position. “Until the Extraordinary Congress, I pledge that I will dedicate my best efforts to the organization, the member associations, our employees, our valued partners, and football fans everywhere. FIFA remains committed to the reform process, which is critical to reclaiming public trust. We will also continue to cooperate fully with authorities and follow the internal investigation wherever it leads. “Football has never enjoyed greater support throughout the world, and that is something everyone associated with FIFA should be proud of.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari said that If Nigerians are not catered for in terms of security, the leadership may lose loyalty of the people and he is not prepared for that type of situation. “For a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity. “An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma. “Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty. “When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do. Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising.” President Buhari spoke today at an audience with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja. He made it clear to his guest that significant improvements in national security is topmost priority of his administration because other socio-economic initiatives cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country. President Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible. The President said that Nigeria appreciated Britain’s support for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas such as logistics, equipment and intelligence. He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which crude oil stolen from Nigeria is shipped. In his remarks, General Houghton said that the Buhari Presidency was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress. General Houghton said that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria has made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari and assured the President that Britain will continue to support the Federal Government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency. “We will also help to ensure that the causes of insurgency are removed. Beyond the military dimension, we are also interested in the stabilization dimension.” [myad]
Washington Post Deputy Digital Editor, Karen Attiah, will speak at the American University of Nigeria’s Distinguished Journalists’ Lecture Series on October 13. Known for her comprehensive and insightful writing on African politics, human rights and development, Attiah will speak on: “Nigeria after Boko Haram.” At the same event, veteran journalist and rights activist, the late Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf, who was a delegate to the 1st International Peace and Development Conference hosted by AUN in June 2014, will be honoured for her contribution to peace building and community development in the North East. Attiah has worked as a consultant with the World Bank on social media for the Africa Region, having previously reported for Associated Press, while she was in Curacao, contributing to Freedom House as an Africa analyst for their annual Freedom of the Press reports. The African-American was a former Fulbright scholar and holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs with a concentration in Human Rights and a specialization in International Media, Advocacy, and Communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in Illinois. The former Fulbright Scholar will be meeting with the AUN/US Agency for International Development literacy project team to learn about “A Year of Literacy” project. She will also be appearing as a guest lecturer in some journalism classes as well as an entrepreneurship and development courses taught in the University. To gain firsthand experience with the internally displaced persons in Yola, Attiah will be assisting with food distribution to IDPs and as well visiting other community projects hosted by the University. [myad]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has dismissed as arrant nonsense the indictment of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by his successor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the panel he set up to probe his immediate past predecessor. The party dismissed the claim of the panel’s chairman, Justice George Omeriji, who reportedly said that Amaechi would have to account for a purportedly missing N53 billion. “
This claim of a purportedly missing N53 billion under Amaechi’s watch is pure rubbish and a mere rubber-stamping of the well known position of Chief Wike, who indicted Amaechi even before the Justice Omereji Commission of Inquiry started sitting.
“This, of course, is an exercise in futility. As we have always maintained, Amaechi’s hands are spotlessly clean as he conducted the affairs of state in a transparent manner throughout his eight years in office as Rivers State Governor from 2007 to May 2015.” In a statement today in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the party said that the allegedly missing money is from the Rivers State Reserve Fund. He added that the withdrawals were duly approved by the State House of Assembly and the expenditure duly captured in the State Budget and accounted for. “How on earth can someone in his right senses describe funds withdrawn with the approval of the legislature and spent as prescribed by the State Budget to be missing? Wike in his desperation to stop Amaechi’s appointment as a minister has resorted to dancing naked in the market place. We know that the next thing he will do is to hurriedly issue a White Paper on the issue in the hope of stopping Amaechi’s confirmation as a minister by the Senate but his plan has already failed, just as he failed in his devious plot to stop Amaechi’s nomination in the first place.” The party chairman dismissed governor Wike as a drowning man who is desperate to drag Amaechi down with him, as he is fully aware that his days as governor are numbered as the stolen mandate would soon be retrieved by the rightful owner, Dr. Dakuku Peterside of APC. He called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Distinguished National Assembly members to discountenance Wike and Omereji’s theatrics, saying that it is due to their obvious bias that neither Amaechi nor APC bothered to either recognise or have anything to do with the kangaroo panel. [myad]
Director General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu (right) welcoming the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Chief Lee Ikpea, during a courtesy call on Odumodu, in Abuja, today, Thursday. [myad]
Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdulahi has given assurance that the authority would continue to encourage any effort designed to change the trade orientation of the country from import dependent to export. The Managing Director spoke through the General Manager Capital Project, Engr. Rufai Mohammed in a paper titled: “Providing Enabling Port Infrastructure to Enhance Trade” at the just concluded two day International Seatrade and Investment Convention (ISIC) 2015, under the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers.” Habib Abdulahi said to achieve such objective and more, federal government needs to work with private sector to provide adequate port infrastructure to facilitate export activities through the nation’s seaports. He also listed other factors which he said could be extraneous to the Authority and which are also critical towards achieving enhanced export activities in the nation’s seaports. The NPS boss insisted that the provision of appropriate port infrastructure is necessary to enhance trade in the economy. Habib made it clear that seaports have been globally accepted to account for over 80 per cent by volume of International trade and commerce and that for a seaport to be competitive, it must have a robust infrastructural base amongst other requirements. He said that with the major infrastructural improvements embarked upon by the Authority in its ports and harbour in all its four pilotage districts, coupled with the impending 25 year port master plan which has reached an advanced stage, the Organisation is being positioned to properly meet the demand of all categories of port users for both imports and exports. Habib explained that mindful of the Federal Government determination of delivering an efficient port system for the overall good of the nation’s economy, the Authority is consolidating and entrenching the gains of the port reform by facilitating and synergizing the activities of the Private Terminal Operators, Shipping Lines, Freight Forwarders and other stakeholders, as well as improving the existing port infrastructure. The Managing Director who enumerated a number of completed and on-going capital projects embarked upon by the Authority explained that the projects were meant to add efficiency to the nation’s seaports as well as to make the system competitive, effective and user friendly. “Sustained efforts at providing the enabling port infrastructure has impacted on the overall port operational efficiency.” In his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the convention, the Managing Director commended the organisers of the event, which was the first of its kind in the nation’s maritime industry, for their fore-sight and said the event would not have come at a better than now “as the nation strives to promote export trade, in that way changing the orientation of our nations sea trade which is import dependent.” [myad]
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