Mark My Word, We Will End Boko Haram In December – President Buhari

October 14, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear of his full confident that by the end of this year, Boko Haram’s ability to attack, seize, ravage and hold any Nigerian territory will have been completely obliterated.
The President, who spoke today when he granted an audience to the Commander of United States’ Africa Command, General David Rodriguez, said that with greater support which his administration is giving to the soldiers in terms of improved training, equipment, logistics and welfare, there is hope that Boko Haram activities would not extend into 2016.
He emphasised that Nigerian Armed Forces are now well positioned to meet the December deadline which they have been given to end the insurgency.
President Buhari expressed his appreciation to the United States for the support it rendered for the efforts towards overcoming terrorism and insurgency.
“We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident.
“Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organized fighting force.”
President Buhari however, appealed for greater cooperation from the United States in securing the Gulf of Guinea through which stolen Nigerian crude oil is being shipped abroad.
He decried the severe revenue losses which Nigeria suffers from crude oil theft, adding that his administration is determined to end this criminal practice even as he welcome more support from the international community in this regard.
General Rodriguez told President Buhari that he was in the country to strengthen Nigeria/United States military relations, and also to explore further options for assisting the Multinational Joint Task Force, established by Nigeria and her neighbours, to fight Boko Haram. [myad]

Fashola, Ngige, Udoma, 15 Others Become Ministers

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2015

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Udoma Udo-Udoma, Dr. Chris Ngige, Dr. Christopher Ogbonanaya Onu and Kayode Fayemi have now become confirmed ministers in Muhmmadu Buhari’s government, having been confirmed by the Senate after being screened.

Others who have also been confirmed today as ministers are Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd), Aisha AlHassan, Ogbonaya Onu, Kemi Adeosun, Abubakar Malami, Senator Sirika Hadi, Solomon Dalong, Ibe Kachikwu, Osagie Ehanire, Audu Ogbeh, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed and Lai Mohammed.
Although the PDP Senators kicked against the approval of Lai Mohammed but his confirmation sailed through due to overwhelming supports from the APC Senators.

The Senate has however deferred the screening of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi, Amaechi and that of Barrister Adebayo Shittu to tomorrow, Thursday

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki in his remarks, commended the Senators for the matured way they conducted the screening of the ministers. He also congratulated the ministers for being part of the government of change. [myad]

Full List Of Buhari’s 37 Ministerial Nominees

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2015

Here are the full names and state of origin of the first and second ministerial nominees which President Muhammadu Buhari sent to the Senate for screening and possible clearance:

Chris Ngige – (Anambra)
Kayode Fayemi- (Ekiti)
3. Rotimi Amaechi – (Rivers)
4. Babatunde Fashola -(Lagos)
5. Abdulrahman Dambazau- (Kano)
Aisha Alhassan – (Taraba)
7. Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi)
8. Kemi Adeosun – (Ogun)
Abubakar Malami – (Kebbi)
10. Sen Hadi Sirika – (Katsina)
11. Barr. Adebayo Shittu – (Oyo)
12. Suleiman Adam – (Jigawa)
Solomon Dalong – (Plateau)
14. Ibe Kachikwu – (Delta)
15. Osagie Ehanire – (Edo)
16. Audu Ogbeh – (Benue)
Udo Udo Udoma – (Akwa Ibom)
Lai Mohammed – (Kwara)
19. Ahmed Isa Ibeto – (unknown)
20. Amina Mohammed – (Gombe)
Ibrahim Usman Jibril – (Nasarawa)
Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim- (Yobe)
Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo)
Prof Anthony Onwuka (Imo)
Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu)
Dan Ali (Zamfara)
Barr James Ocholi (Kogi)
Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna)
Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia)
Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa)
Mustapha Baba Shehuri (Bornu)
Aisha Abubakar (unknown)
Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)
Adamu Adamu (Bauchi)
Isaac Adewole (Osun)
Abubakar Bawa Bwari (unknown)
Pastor Usani Uguru (Cross River)

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has said that the names of ministerial nominees which the President has sent to the Senate for screening have no states of origin attached to them.

“As soon as the President does that, it will be made public.” [myad]

3 Reasons Why I Accept To Serve As Minister Under Buhari – Senator Udoma Udo Udoma

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2015

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who served two terms in the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Akwa Ibom South has listed three reasons why he has accepted to come back from his long retirement from partisan politics to serve as minister with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Senator, who was one of those screened by the senate and cleared today said that he was inspired by the personal example of President Buhari, saying: “I am impressed by his integrity, his abhorrence of corruption and his determination to run a transparent and accountable administration.
“His commitment to get Nigerians back to work thereby reducing unemployment; his resolve to tackle the current high level of insecurity, particularly the menace of Boko Haram; his identification with the common man and his desire to reduce the poverty and suffering of the masses; and above all, his commitment to re-orientate the Nigerian value system: these all resonate with me.
“And if he believes I can help him to fix our country, I am flattered by his confidence in me and have therefore decided to answer his call. And I intend, if my nomination is confirmed by this Distinguished Senate, to give my very best in the discharge of what will be a very onerous responsibility, particularly because of the times we are in.”
Udoman gave his second reason why he decided to answer the call of Mr President, saying that it is that he sincerely believe, with all humility, that “I have something to offer.”
According to him, je had had extensive private sector experience in motivating and managing large numbers of people, in setting objectives and meeting them, in cost management and driving costs out of operations, and most importantly, in turning around moribund institutions.
“I also understand the way public institutions work, having been the pioneer chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission, and more recently, the chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission, and I fully appreciate the very difficult challenges involved in implementing the public sector reforms which will be required to bring about the change Nigerians want. I have chaired a Presidential Committee that examined the incentives required to stimulate private sector growth in the economy. I have also chaired a Federal Government Task Force that extensively examined the reforms needed in the oil industry, and supervised the production of a draft Petroleum Industry Bill for consideration by Government. And whilst a member of this Distinguished Senate, I served, for some time, as chairman of the Appropriation Committee, and subsequently as Senate Chief Whip. I will, therefore, not be going into Government to begin to learn about the issues, and the problems. In short, I feel ready and prepared to hit the ground running in tackling the challenges inherent in trying to bring about change in the public sector, and to bring about change in Nigeria.”
The third reason why Senator Udoma accepted Buhari’s call to duty, he said is that during these very difficult economic times for Nigeria, with the dramatic fall in the prices of crude oil and public sector finances are under pressure, just as many States have difficulty in just paying salaries, the President needed serious minded person like him.
He said that the naira is being buffeted as the values in the Nigerian Stock Exchange have been seriously eroded “and we have experienced significant destruction of wealth as the economy continues to slow down. These are very difficult times. Times in which all Nigerians of goodwill must come together to work with Mr. President to salvage the situation.
“The elections are over. We must now all work together for the betterment of our country. As President Buhari said in 1983, ‘This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, have no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here, and salvage it together.’” [myad]

End Of Boko Haram May Be Another Beginning For Nigeria, Washington Post Editor Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2015

Deputy Editor of the Washington Post, Karen Attiah has warned Nigeria to get ready to contend with the social dislocation which the end of Boko Haram insurgency is likely to throw up when eventually the soldiers end the insurgency.
Attiah, who looked beyond the possible end of the Boko Haram in Nigeria, at the American University of Nigeria’s Distinguished Journalists’ Lecture Series, today said that Nigerians would need to rekindle trust and understanding amongst themselves. She delivered the lecture, titled: “Nigeria After Boko Haram” at the campus of the university in Yola, capital of Adamawa state today.

“Defeating Boko Haram will not be just a military success in clearing off the insurgency, but it would also involve social re-engeering.”
The Washington Post editorial chief said that the end of Boko Haram would also have to entail re-building trust across religious and cultural line, in addition to rehabilitating millions of the victims of the insurgency.

More later. [myad]

National Youth Service Corps Introduces New Certificate To Check Fraud

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2015

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Johnson Olawumi has said that the management of the service has introduced certificates of national service with the passport photographs of corps members.
The NYSC boss who said that the new system would take effect from October 15, when he spoke in Abuja at the unveiling of the newly improved certificate of national service said: “in our concerted effort to make the operation of the NYSC conform with global best practices, the scheme engaged in the holistic “e-nysc solution” with effect from batch ‘C’ 2014.
The Director General, who was represented by NYSC Director of Certification, Alhaji Aliu Daura, said that the new certificate was produced to end all forms of fraud perpetuated by users of the old certificate.
He said that the the prospective corps members would have to register online before proceeding to the orientation camps.
“This resulted in the enhancement of issuance of NYSC certificates namely: Certificate of National Service, Certificate of Exemptions, and Letters of Exclusion.
“With effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014, all certificates of national service bear passport photographs of the corps member at the upper right hand corner of the certificate.
“This is to guarantee the security of our certificates from forgery and to block all chances of impersonation.
“Therefore, Batch ‘C’ 2014 corps members, who are due to pass-out on Thursday, 15 October 2015, will have their certificates embossed with their photograph.
“Employers are encouraged to forward any certificate purportedly issued by the scheme for verification of its authenticity or otherwise.
“Effort is being made by the scheme to also make the verification of all NYSC certificates to
be automated for easy access by the general public.“
Olawumi said that asides the passport photograph, the newly improved certificate also contained a back code with security numbers.
He said that the still featured the information in the old certificates except for the security features and passport photograph.
He said that it was only the NYSC that could locate the code and security numbers on the certificate, adding that the measure was adopted to further enhance the security of the certificate.
The Director General said that previous certificates issued by the scheme was still valid and could be used by the owners.
Earlier, the Director of Press of the NYSC, Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe said that since the inception of the scheme 42 years ago, it had experienced cases of impersonation of the certificate.
Aderibigbe said that people often used certificates issued to other individuals to apply for jobs.
According to her, the new certificate, which features the photograph of corps members, will put an end to such cases as nobody would be able to use an NYSC certificate issued another to perpetrate fraud.
The director charged members of the public especially employers to ensure that they verified the NYSC certificates of prospective employees.
She said that this was earlier done by writing to the scheme, adding that employers could now verify the certificates online.
“You do not have to come to the headquarters just go online and verify the authenticity of the certificate. This will ensure that the people you are recruiting are the real owners of the document.
“Those who qualify for the certificate of national service are those who participated in the youth service right from the orientation till passing out.
“Those who qualify for the certificate of exemption are graduates who are above 30 years at the time of graduation or recipients of the National Presidential Honours Award.
“Persons who have joined the Armed Forces, Police, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Security (DSS) are also issued certificates of exemption.
“Letters of exclusion are issued to part-time and distance learning students and those who have not been able to pass through the normal university or polytechnic system.” [myad]

We Kidnapped Falae To Raise Money To Celebrate Eid-el-Kabir – Kidnapper Confesses To Security Agents

Greenbarge Reporters

October 12, 2015

One of the alleged kidnappers of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae who gave his name as Abdullahi Usman, popularly known as Kadiri, has confessed that they carried out the kidnap in order to raise money to properly celebrate the just concluded Eid-el-Kabir in which rams were expected to be slaughtered.

Abdullahi Usman, who was paraded today along with another suspect, Babawuro Kato, by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at its headquarters in Abuja, said that he was approached by some of his friends in Kwara State shortly before the last Eid-el-Kabir during a wedding ceremony.
He said that during such meeting, one Datijo complained that he was so broke that he might not be able to satisfactorily celebrate the coming festival unless he (Usman) was able to give information on any big man that could be abducted for money.
“I then told him that I know one man who used to bring a Hilux vehicle to his farm and I used to see him as I move my cows about.”

Usmand said that it was then they arranged to kidnap Chief Falae on his farm which they carried out on September 21, adding that they then took Falae to Owo in Ondo State where he was kept at a place called ‘Pipeline’ around Benin Junction.
Eventually, the ransom of N5 million was paid to Datijo who, according to Usman, made away with the money.
The second suspect, Kato, was said to have ferried Datijo and Falae on his commercial motorcycle from the hideout to where he was eventually picked up by the Police.
Kato, however, insisted that he was not part of the gang as he was only contracted to transport the two on that night.

Abdullahi Garba, who addressed news men on behalf of the DSS, said that the suspects were picked up in Lokoja, Kogi State, saying that they were mere criminals whose action in kidnapping Chief Falae was not motivated by any political or ethnic sentiment other than for criminality.
“The service wishes to state that the abductors were mere criminals. Investigations have further revealed that their action was not targeted at Falae as a statesman and prominent Yoruba leader.”
Garba enjoined Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another and shun attempts by mischief makers to give the unfortunate incident an ethnic coloration and use same to cause disaffection among the populace.
“To this effect, the Service wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and responsible in their commentary on sensitive issues affecting national security.
“The Service will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody, no matter how highly placed, in accordance with the las as long as such a person (s) failed to be a respecter of law or peacefully coexist among the good citizens of this great country.”
Garba said that efforts were being made to arrest other members of the gang with a view to bringing them to justice. [myad]

Soon Nigeria’ll Be Selling New Educational Model To Other Countries, Vice President Osinbajo Boasts

Greenbarge Reporters

October 12, 2015

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has disclosed that the social investment plans of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, including the Conditional Cash Transfer and School Feeding programmes would be a new model that would be sold to other African countries soon.
He stressed that once this model succeeds, “it may become a model to sell to other countries in Africa.”
The Vice President, who just returned last night from a visit to South Africa, spoke to news men after separate meetings with both President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
An important part of the solution to bridge the inequalities, he noted, is investing in education, stressing that proper education would help to define the true narratives of how Nigeria and South Africa have bonded in the past. He recalled how Nigerian and the South African peoples collaborated successfully during the movement against apartheid rule, adding that proper education on how both Nigeria and South Africa collaborated in the past is the way to end some of the divisive occurrences recorded recently, including attacks against other nationals in South Africa.
The Vice President also advised African leaders not to be planning their policies as if there are no huge inequalities in their countries, saying that in Nigeria: “we now have to plan our budgets as a nation with the realization of the huge number of the extremely poor in our population.”
Professor Osinbajo who attended the annual Pan-Africa Prophetic Gathering hosted by the House of Revival Church in Brakpan, was hosted to a Business dinner by the members of the South African Chamber of Commerce and also held an interactive session with Nigerians based in the country.
At the dinner, he advised Nigerians and South Africans to put aside any differences and pursue prosperity across the two countries, with the mind to break any barriers.
He said that the governments of both countries would on their part create enabling environments to do business.
“We need to create an enabling environment where people who want to do business don’t have to compromise themselves, there are those who would rather not do business if they have to compromise.”
He announced that soon, President Muhammadu Buhari will host President Zuma in Abuja as both leaders are now working to boost diplomatic relations of the two nations.
He said during the visit, issues of common interests to both Nigeria and South Africa would be discussed.
“We are looking forward to seeing him-(President Zuma). And we thought it might be useful to mention one or two things that will be important in the meeting that he will be having with President Buhari very shortly.”
While in South Africa, Professor Osinbajo held several engagements, including private events, a meeting South African leaders in Midrand on the sidelines of the ruling African National Congress, ANC policy conference in Midrand. [myad]

Obama Says Trump Won’t Be Next President Of US, Describes Him As Classic Reality TV Character

Greenbarge Reporters

October 12, 2015

President Barack Obama has described a Presidential aspirant under the Republican Party in the next year’s election, Mr. Donald Trump as “the classic reality TV character” who had tapped into something real in the Republican Party but is unlikely to end up as President of the United States.
“He is a great publicity-seeker – and at a time when the Republican Party hasn’t really figured out what it’s for as opposed to what it’s against.”
Obama spoke on Sunday night at an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes” program airing.
Opinion polls have already put Mr. Trump at the front of a crowded Republican field seeking the party’s nomination for the November 2016 presidential election.
The billionaire real estate mogul and television personality has aroused controversy with his provocative remarks on illegal immigration. He has promised to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and to deport the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already in the United States.
Obama said that Trump had tapped into something that “exists in the Republican Party that’s real,” adding: “I think there is genuine anti-immigrant sentiment in the large portion of at least Republican primary voters.
“He is, you know, the classic reality TV character,” the Democratic president said.
Obama said that it was not surprising Trump had received a lot of attention in the campaign’s early stages.
Asked if he thought Trump would eventually disappear from the race, Obama replied: “I’ll leave it up to the pundits to make that determination. I don’t think he’ll end up being president of the United States.”
Obama also said in the interview that he did not know about Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was his secretary of state but that it did not pose a national security problem.
“She made a mistake. She has acknowledged it,” he said.
“I do think that the way it’s been ginned up is in part because of politics. And I think she’d be the first to acknowledge that maybe she could have handled the original decision better and the disclosures more quickly.”
Discussing Joe Biden’s possible entry into the Democratic race, Obama called him one of the finest vice presidents ever and said: “If you’re sitting right next to the president in every meeting and … wrestling with these issues, I’m sure that for him he’s saying to himself: ‘I could do a really good job.'”
Asked if he thought he himself could be re-elected if not constitutionally barred from a third term, Obama replied: “Yes.” [myad]

I Will Bury My Mum Without Touching State Funds, Governor Umahi Of Ebonyi Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

October 12, 2015

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi of Ebonyi State has vowed not to touch a kobo from the state coffers as he prepares to bury the remains of his late mother, Deaconess Margaret Umahi in March 2016,
The governor who made this known at an inter-denominational praise and worship service in honour of the late mother yesterday, emphasised that not a kobo belonging to the state would be spent on the funeral.
Umahi, who had on Saturday received sympathizers, political associates,
friends and well-wishers at his Uburu country home, said the Umahi family had met and was ready to give their matriarch one of the best burials ever to be witnessed in the South-East.
He equally advised all public office holders, especially Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Coordinators, desirous of giving him gifts not to use public funds.
“I want to be quoted and I want it to be on record because of evil people. Mama will be given a befitting burial, but the State Government one naira will not go into it
“I will like to be quoted and I like it to be on record, if you give me a gift, make sure it is not government money. No instrument of the state will be deployed
“The Lord has blessed the family with enough to eat. So whatever a good mother will get, our mother will get. So the local government chairmen and co-ordinators take note. if you do otherwise, I will wash my hands off.”
On Saturday, a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, members of the House of Representatives from the state who were led by Sylvester Ogbaga, some members of the state House of Assembly, led by the speaker, Francis Nwifuru and some members of the state Executive Council were among those that paid a condolence visit on the governor.
Others were the 13 local government caretaker chairmen and 64 coordinators of development centers in the state, the leadership of the Ishiagu Community Development Union led by Chief Stanley Anyim, the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Silas Okoro,the Nigeria Union of Journalists correspondent chapel led by Jacob Ogodo and the zonal secretary, Mr. Kenneth Ofoma.
Expressing his condolence, the former governor, Chief Ohakim, described the late Deaconess Umahi as a fulfilled woman whose sojourn on earth brought good tidings, peace,unity and progress to the Umahi family, Ebonyi state and the entire Igbo race.
He said it was not in doubt that
Deaconess Umahi lived a good life as it is evident on the life and personality of Governor Umahi and the rest of her children.
Ohakim was in company with the Chairman,South -East Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Cletus Ilomuanya; the Secretary,Sir Sopuruchukwu Nwafor; and the Igwe of Umunya inAnambra State, HRM Kris Onyekwuluje, prayed God to give the Umahi family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“Even people outside knew that Mrs. Umahi was a very good woman,” described Governor Umahi as a “fantastic human being, one of the pillars of the PDP and democracy, an embodiment of love, hard work, intellectualism and development.”
He told Governor Umahi that he was sure that God will not leave him
alone. Other groups also eulogised the virtues of the late Deaconess Umahi.
Responding, Governor Umahi said, he was humbled by the testimonies being poured out on his mother.
He described his mother as a very kind woman, passionate, loving and a peace maker, who taught them how to forgive, and have faith in the Lord.
Umahi said, although his mother was 84, she looked 65 and was active, restive, and always fasted and prayed to seek the face of the God.
He said he took solace in the fact that his mother died a saint. [myad]

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