Dangote Blames Nigeria’s Economic Travails On Too Many Leakages During Oil Boom

October 6, 2015

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has blamed the economic travails which Nigeria has been facing as a result of the drop in oil price across the world on too many leakages in the nation’s economic management during oil boom era.

“During the oil boom, when a barrel of oil sold above 100 dollars, there were too many leakages which the Federal Government is now trying to resolve by plugging them. When this is effectively achieved, I believe the economy will begin to regain its stability.

“However, we must begin to explore other avenues to wealth aside from crude oil, especially agriculture which we were formerly used to. We really should not be complaining.” he said.

Dangote, “who spoke to newsmen during a condolence visit to the Awolowo family over the death of Mrs. Hannah Awolowo (HID) at the family’s residence in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun, called on the Federal Government to implement policies that would attract investors and enable manufacturing sector to thrive and fast-track economic growth.

He advised that Nigerians not worry too much about fall in oil prices, and that the economy would soon become stable through the austerity measures adopted by the Buhari government.

The billionaire business mogul said that he had no interest in actively participating in politics as according to him, business and politics should never be mixed. He added that the set of skills required to become successful in business differed from those of politics.

“I can’t be in politics because they say when you want to clap you need two hands. If all of us in business go into politics then who is going to create the jobs?

“We are in the private sector so we should be creating jobs. Government should be creating good policies and also ensuring that we are not taking advantage of the poor.

“They are doing what they know how to do best and we are also doing what we know how to do best. Each is a master in its own terrain,” Dangote said.

Dangote described the late HID Awolowo as a great woman whose name would forever remain immortalized in the nation’s history. [myad]

Amaechi In Buhari’s Ministerial list: Rivers APC Urges Governor Wike To Commit Suicide As He Promised

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

Rivers state branch of All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the state governor on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nyeson Wike to actualize his threat to commit suicide if the former state governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi is made a Minister.
“Wike, the Caretaker Governor of Rivers State, was so sure that Amaechi would not be so appointed when he boasted to his inner caucus that based on his groundwork Amaechi would never be on the ministerial list. So sure was Wike that he vowed that if for any reason Amaechi was appointed a minister, he (Wike) would commit suicide. We expect him to act according to his vow but before he commits suicide, let him first refund all the Rivers State billions of naira wasted in the persecution of a man who brought him into political limelight and whom he is hounding for no sane reason.”
In a statement today in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the State Party Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya described the nomination of Rotimi Amaechi as a fitting independence anniversary gift by the Nigerian leader to Rivers State and her people.
“With the listing, today, of Rt. Hon. Amaechi as a ministerial nominee despite all the manipulations, witch-hunting and other evil plots by Chief Nyesom Wike and his cohorts, we are elated that, once more, good has prevailed over evil, God over devil, Amaechi over wicked Wike, light over darkness, patriotism over nepotism. By this singular act, President Muhammadu Buhari has not only given us the best 55th independence anniversary gift but has also liberated Rivers State from the shackles of a despotic and demonic clique that thought that by propaganda that they could rewrite the history of Rivers State and run down a man whose love for the development and emancipation of Rivers State and Nigeria is infectious.
“President Buhari has proven that he is not only a man of honour, integrity and principle but also a man who cherishes and promotes friendship and patriotism. We are proud that Buhari did not allow the propaganda by Wike and his cohorts to sway him from the fact that Amaechi is a man that he can trust any day and anytime.”
He assured President Buhari that Amaechi will not only bring honour to his administration but will also work very hard to make his administration one of the best ever in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
“As we congratulate Amaechi, we urge him to be steadfast in his drive for a better Nigeria by giving out his best as the failure of the Buhari administration will be blamed on him in view of the risks and sacrifices he made in bringing the APC government to birth. [myad]

How Unidentified Syndicate Share N1.3 Billion Annually From Pension Racket In Kaduna

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The Kaduna State Government has ordered further investigations into the precise identities of the syndicate whose members have engaged in sharing the sum of N1.3 Billion annually from pension scam

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwa, in a statement today in Kaduna said that the racket was discovered in a highlights of a report on the verification of pensioners in the state that was presented to the state executive council.

“The report confirmed that 2,484 ghost pensioners were identified and removed from the pension payroll,” he noted. “Another set of 1,404 were classified as probable ghost pensioners because while they managed to get verified, they curiously failed to pick their pension cheques.”

According to the spokesman, in July 2015, the total pension payroll from the state and local governments stood at 18,265. It cost the state government N543, 771,967.43 monthly to pay the pensioners.

“But at the end of the biometric verification exercise, only 15,781 pensioners were verified on the payroll. As many as 2,484 supposed pensioners did not show up at all. Of 15,781 pensioners that were verified, 1,404 pensioners did not collect their cheques, and they are being treated as probable ghosts.”

Aruwan emphasized that the state Executive Council has ordered further investigations into the precise identities of the syndicate behind the pension scam, even as it welcomed the fact that the verification exercise will now enable the state to save N1.3 billion every year. [myad]

Appointment Of Amaechi As Minister Has Nothing To Do With Governance Of Rivers – Wike Says

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the appointment of the former state governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi as minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria would have nothing to do with the governance of the state.

Wike who was reacting to claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he was orchestrating a protest against Amaechi’s expected appointment as a minister conceded that it is the right of the President to select those that would work with him as ministers.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, governor Wike described the claim that he was working against Amaechi’s likely emergence as a minister as spurious and malicious.

“It is not only spurious, but fatuous and malicious. Governor Wike has no cause to orchestrate a protest against the appointment of Rotimi Amaechi.

“Let me reiterate for the umpteenth time that the governor has no nexus with the appointment of Amaechi or otherwise. It is the right of the President to appoint anybody of his choice provided such an appointment is in sync with the relevant laws.

“The appointment of Amaechi will definitely have no bearing on the governance of Rivers State. There are crucial issues the governor is more concerned with which are issues of the state and not trifles like the appointment of Amaechi.

“It is apparent that the APC in Rivers State has exhausted its basket of lies and barren propaganda but still wants to be heard or noticed despite its waned popularity in the state,” Wike said.

He condemned the allegation by the APC, adding that the spreading of falsehood as a stratagem by the party had failed.

“Governor Wike’s concern now is to clear the rubbish Amaechi left behind in his eight years of maladministration that impoverished the state and the people.

“Therefore, if the APC is dispensing such unfounded falsehood as a stratagem, it has failed. Or, is the APC distraught that Amaechi might not scale through the screening because of his antecedents?

“If that is the problem, it (APC) should think of how to sort it out and not spread falsehood to gain sympathy. Governor Wike is not interested in Amaechi’s matter because it is inconsequential.” [myad]

David Mark Won The Election Clean, Tribunal Rules

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The National and State Elections Petition Tribunal, presided over by Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has ruled that the former senate President, David Mark won the election that returned him to the red chamber in a clean way.

Justice Dipeolu who dismissed the petition brought by Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against David Mark held that the petitioner (Onjeh) failed on the burden of prove to substantially proof that the senatorial election in Benue South district did not compile with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Onjeh is contesting that the re-election of Mark was marred by irregularities such as ballot stuffing, manipulation of votes, inducement, falsification of results, abuse of office, over-voting as well as mutilation of results sheets.

Justice Dipeolu disagreed with the petitioner, arguing that the evidence of his witnesses were contradictory as they were based on hearsay which is not admissible in law.

“Witnesses contradicted their statement in admitting that the election held free and fair in their polling units. Their evidence is based on hearsay.”

The tribunal said that the documentary as well as oral evidence did not show that the election was fraudulent held and that the people who tendered the documents were not the makers. He stressed that the documents were tendered without linking them to the petitioner.

“The petitioner and his witnesses did not link documents to the case. They did not show figures to prove non compliance. He did not prove that non compliance affected the result of the election. Ballot boxes and papers should have been brought to court to prove the case beyond reasonable doubts. Issue of falsification should have been made by the polling agents even as the petitioner did not produce or invite anyone who alleged harassment or intimidation.

“Their evidence is based on the hearsay including that of the data analyst who admitted that his report was erroneous. Based on all these, I hold that the petitioner failed to prove that the election was not held in substantially compliance with the electoral act and the petition fails and is accordingly dismissed.” [myad]

PDP Laughs Off Buhari’s Ministerial List, Says It Is Not Exciting

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has laughed off the list of ministerial-nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari, as announced by the Senate today, saying that it is not something to rejoice about.

“By a mere look at the list, one can tell that there is nothing to be excited about, especially considering the length of time it took the President to come up with it.”

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who said that in a statement in Abuja today, said: “looking at the list, it is hard to put a finger on why it should take any serious-minded and focused government, six months after its election to assemble such a regular team.”

He said the list and the length of time it took had further confirmed the fact that the All Progressives Congress-led administration was driven by propaganda and deceit, a development, he added, raised doubts on the sincerity of its anti-corruption crusade. [myad]

Nomination Of Amaechi As Minister: Rivers Set To Burst, Police Raises Alarm

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

Nomination of the former governor of Rivers state, Chief Rotimi Amaechi on the President Muhammadau Buhari’s ministerial list to the Senate has set a stage for trouble in Rivers state as the state Police Command has raised alarm that two opposing groups are planning to protest for and against.

The Command said that while one of the groups would be protesting against the emergence of Amaechi as a ministerial nominee, the other would embark on a rally in support of the former governor’s expected emergence as a minister.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, warned the opposing groups to jettison the planned protest in order not to truncate the existing peace in the state.

Kimo made it clear that the command would not tolerate a situation where the protest would lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The Rivers State Police Commissioner has uncovered clandestine moves by two opposing groups to stage a protest in Port Harcourt purposely to express their support or opposition to the ministerial nomination of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police hereby warns these groups to jettison the plan to stage the protest so as not to truncate the existing peace in the state.

“While the Command respects the individual’s right of peaceful assembly, it will not tolerate a situation where such protests will lead to breach of the public peace and breakdown of law and order.”

The police boss called on the people of the state to remain calm, confident and trust in the ability of the command to discharge its responsibility of ensuring public peace and security as well as upholding democratic rights and rule of law. [myad]

Diezani’s Arrest, Trial: Buhari Thanks British Government For Helping To Recover Stolen Nigeria Money

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation to Britain and Switzerland for the renewed support in the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen by the past corrupt leaders from Nigeria.
At separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence today, President Buhari said that British, Swiss and other foreign anti-crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.
The President however, called for the speeding up of the processes of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices.
“Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.
“It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual. I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.
“He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,” President Buhari told the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.
Arkwright had earliier assured Buhari of Britain’s preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources.
‘‘We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance,’’ the British High Commissioner assured the President.
President Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz that his country will expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.
“I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible,” the President told the Swiss Ambassador.
President Buhari also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr. Saleh Fhied Saleh, the Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr. Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr. Peter Holasek. [myad]

Fall Out Of Diezani’s London Arrest, Another Oil Magnate, Jide Omokore Arrested In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The arrest in London and trial of the former Nigerian’s minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison Madueke may have triggered more arrests as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has just arrest the owner of SPOG and Atlantic Energy, Jide Omokore. Omokore is being held for his alleged involvement in multi-billion dollar oil deals, including kerosene scam that rocked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It would be recalled that just on Friday last week, Omokore’s no 9 Turnbull Street home in Ikoyi as well as his office on Glover Street, also in Ikoyi were sealed off by the operatives of EFCC.

Recently, a group of anti-corruption advocates called for the arrest of Jide Omokore using the Twitter hashtag #ArrestOmokoreNow.

Omokore has been undergoing investigation by the EFCC.

More details later. [myad]

Army Nabs Boko Haram Sponsor, Faking Military General

Greenbarge Reporters

October 6, 2015

The Nigerian Army has arrested a suspected Boko Haram sponsor, Aliyu Hussaini, who was said to be pretending to be military brigadier general.

In a statement today, military authorities said Hussaini was apprehended by soldiers from the 33rd Artillery Brigade in Bauchi State during the course of a raid.

“The 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, has recorded another landmark success in the ongoing Operation Zaman Lafiyah as troops of the brigade recently arrested one Aliyu Hussaini, popularly known as Colonel, a suspected Boko Haram terrorist and an Impostor who has been parading himself as a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army.

“The troops, who were acting on a tip-off, said Aliyu Hussaini was a sponsor and also a member of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. (They) carried out a raid operation, which led to the successful arrest of Aliyu and another suspected Boko Haram member, one Ibrahim Mohammed, who is also known as Yuram.

“It was later gathered that Aliyu had been defrauding innocent citizens (with the claim) that he was a general in the Nigerian Army.” [myad]

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