Church Set Aside N91 Million As Award To Members With First Class Degrees In Universities

August 1, 2015

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFMM) has announced a financial rewards of N91 Million to its members who graduate with First Class Degrees from different universities across the country.

The General Overseer of MFMM, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, made the announcement in Lagos at the monthly live broadcast programme of the church, tagged, ‘Power Must Change Hand.’

He said that 180 First Class graduates in the 2014 academic year and two others, who received NYSC Presidential honours after completing the National Youth Service Corps scheme, would get N500,000 each.

Olukoya said the First Class honours award, which started with 12 students, had risen to 180, saying that it was meant to encourage hard work among students.

He said that the award was put in place to reward members of MFMM, who were dedicated to their academic work, while also creating time to serve God.

A pastor, Shade Olukoya, and Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Professor Bamitale Omole, presented the award to the recipients.

Omole lauded the recipients for their dedication to their academic work and also serving God.

He commended the students for making themselves, families and the church of God proud through their hard work.

Omole advised the recipients to appreciate the grace of God upon their lives, adding that many of their peers, who started with them, could not complete their courses for different reasons.

He called on other churches to emulate MFMM by encouraging hardworking students through similar awards. [myad]

Nigeria Assumes Presidency Of The United Nations Security Council

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2015

Nigeria today, assumed the one-month rotational Presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Professor Joy Ogwu, took over from Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, the Permanent Representative of New Zealand.

New Zealand held the Presidency of the UNSC for the month of July, 2015.

A statement yesterday, by the Spokesperson to Mrs. Ogwu, Dr. Tope Adeleye Elias-Fatile, said this would be the first time in the history of the UN that an elected member of the Security Council would assume presidency of the Council for the 4th time in two separate tenures within 5 years.

Nigeria was elected a non-permanent member of the Council on 17 October, 2013, and is serving for the period 2014 – 2015.

“This is the fifth time since independence that Nigeria has been elected to serve on this most powerful decision-making organ of the United Nations charged with the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Nigeria previously served on the Council from 1966 – 1967, 1978 – 1979, 1994 – 1995 and 2011 – 2012.

“Nigeria’s return to the Council in January 2014, after having left only in December 2012, represents one of the shortest periods in the annals of the United Nations that a Member State has spent between two terms on the Council. This is even more remarkable as it is occurring under the institutional memory of the same Permanent Representative, Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu.

“Nigeria currently holds the chair of two Security Council Committees: The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2048 (2012) concerning Guinea-Bissau and Iraq Sanctions Committee pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003). In addition, Nigeria is one of the three vice-chairs of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and one of the two vice-chairs of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning Sudan,” it reads.

It said that wide consultations with various stakeholders had begun on Monday 27th of July, 2015 towards Nigeria’s assumption of the presidency of the Council.

“With the support of other members of the Council, Nigeria will use its month-long presidency to actively promote the cause of international peace and security in line with the principles of the UN Charter and the mandate of the Council,” the statement concluded. [myad]

Airlift For 2015 Hajj Begins August 18

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2015

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that it would commence the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on August 18 for this year’s hajj.
The Chairman of the Commission, Malam Abdullahi Mukhtar, made the announcement today after inaugurating the Medical Team for 2015 hajj exercise in Abuja.

Mukhtar, who was represented by Dr. Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of strategy, said the Commission was fully prepared for this year’s Hajj.

He said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the commencement of the exercise.

Mukhtar said that the Commission had provided medical facilities for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and urged them to discharge their duties as expected of them.

He promised that this year’s operations would to be different from previous ones because of the level of the Commission’s preparedness.

In his remarks, the Commissioner in charge of the Medical Team, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, commended the Commission for the medical arrangements put in place for this year’s exercise.

“With what I have seen on ground, I have no doubt in my mind that this year’s Hajj will be exceptionally successful. With the kind of professionals that made up the Medical Team, the sky is just our starting point.”

Kana promised members of the medical team of adequate accommodation in the Holy Land, and warned, however, that team members should not occupy a whole room for whatever reasons.

“The culture is one bed space per person and not a whole room per person, and please, people should not lock rooms for whatever reasons.

“We will make sure nobody suffers; whatever the team is entitled to will be given.”

Kana advised the team to give the best services to the pilgrims and promised them of safety of their luggage.

He added that “gone are the days when luggage spend several weeks before getting to the owners.’’

He called on the medical team to be professional in carrying out their duties and to dress decently.

“We are going to conduct pregnancy tests on all the females in the Medical Team too to ascertain their status.”

Meanwhile, the National Amirul Hajj and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, is expected to announce the state that would have the first batch to be airlifted to the Holy Land. [myad]

I Have Finally Found Love, Will Get Married Soon – Tonto Dike

Greenbarge Reporters

August 1, 2015

Nollywood’s acclaimed Queen of Controversy, Tontochukwu Dike, has once again confirmed that she is ready to get married soon.

The Rivers State born actress-cum-singer, in a latest Facebook post, said she has found the real man after her heart and would soon hit the altar.

Although the ‘Sugar Rush’ crooner did not state the name of the Mr. Right or the exact time and date of the marriage, but she promised to keep her fans posted as events unfold.

A visibly elated Dike wrote: “Hi Guys, The Big Announcement for the day. I have finally found Love. and I am about to get married soon. I am sure my real fans are happy for me. I just decided to let you know this morning that the rumors are true. Yaah! ???”

This is the second time the actress is confirming her marriage plan. It is on record that during a recent weekly TV show, she told the host, Andre Blaze of her decision to settle down.

She also revealed the wedding will be taking place soon. “I can tell you now that the wedding will take place anytime soon” she added.

The Nollywood bad girl generated buzz in the media recently after unveiling the identity of her Mr. X, who is believed to be married with children. [myad]

Civil Aviation Authority Gives 14-Day Ultimatum To Airlines To Pay Debts Or Be Grounded

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has given a 14-day ultimatum to airline operators that have not remitted the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) to do so or it would ground their operations after the deadline.
NCAA said the TSC funds are used to sustain its activities and part of it is shared by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Nigeria College of Aviation Technological Agency (NCAT) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).
It was learnt that foreign airlines that fly into the country pay their charges promptly but almost all the domestic carriers delay their payments which have risen to over N9 billion in the last four years. [myad]

President Buhari Boasts: We’re Now Set To Deal With Boko Haram

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that with the formation of a stronger regional coalition, Nigeria and neighbouring countries now have an increased capacity to deal effectively with Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
Speaking at an audience with Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa, President Buhari reaffirmed his belief that the full activation and deployment of the Multi National Joint Task Force, which has been established under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission would lead to the speedy defeat and elimination of Boko Haram.
The President added that with the Command and Control Centre of the Nigerian military now in Maiduguri, Borno State, the morale of troops in the front-line states had improved significantly. [myad]

Dino Melaye In Trouble As Appeal Court Orders Retrial Of Petition Challenging His Election

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, today, set aside the decision of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi which struck out the petition of Senator Smart Adeyemi.
Adeyemi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the election of Senator Dino Melaye of All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging electoral irregularities and malpractices.
Justice Muhammed Adume held that the tribunal was wrong in striking out Adeyemi’s petition on the grounds of technicalities, instead of substantial justice.
The appellate court, therefore, remitted the case to the tribunal for “trial on merit.”.
The court further held that the decision of the tribunal that Adeyemi did not file his petition within the time frame allowed by law was wrong and nullified it forthwith.
Adume said the respondents did not provide sufficient evidence before the tribunal that the petition was filed late.
It would be recalled that the tribunal had dismissed the petition of Adeyemi, a one-time National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for late filing.
The tribunal Chairman, Justice Akon Ikpeme, had in the ruling of June 18, held that the Kogi West ex-Senator’s case was “incurably defective.” [myad]

Jonathan Bungled The Fight Against Boko Haram, Cameroonian President Regrets

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

President Paul Biya of Cameroon was believed to have regretted that former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan bungle that fight against Boko Haram insurgents thereby prolonging the ability to conquer them.

He was said to have told President Muhammadu Buhari who visited him from Wednesday to Thursday that for President Jonathan, by his inaction, contributed to the festering of Boko Haram insurgency, adding that Jonathan did not do much in the war against insurgency.
While the immediate past president was accused of not forming a strong bond with leaders of neighbouring African countries who were also battling the same insurgency, he was also accused of not responding and returning phone calls meant to discuss ways of combining efforts to confront the terrorists.
President Biya was said to have made it clear that the major complaint was that Jonathan never or seldom, at best, picked his calls. He said most times he called Jonathan neither picked nor returned his calls. And as a result, the integration of efforts that should have stopped Boko Haram’s foray and unchallenged run was lacking.
Biya, who was quoted as warning, that a solo fight against the terrorist group could not have been effective, stressed: “this solo handling of the problem did not enable the neighbours put in much to solve the problem until it got this bad.” [myad]

President Buhari Orders Immediate Release Of N5 Billion To Victims Support Fund

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, to facilitate the immediate release of the N5 Billion pledged by the Federal Government since August 2014 for the Victims Support Fund (VSF).
President Buhari gave the directive after receiving a briefing from the VSF Presidential Committee, headed by Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.) at the Presidential Villa.
General Danjuma had told the President that out of the N55.92 Billion pledged at the fund-raising dinner for the Fund in August last year, N33.54 Billion was still outstanding, including N5 Billion from the Federal Government. [myad]

Kaduna Raid House Of Brothers Where Alleged Illegal Arms Are Being Manufactured

Greenbarge Reporters

July 31, 2015

Kaduna State Police Command has raided the residence of two brothers: Bulus Kinze and James Kinze in Kogun village of Jema’a local government area of the state being used to allegedly manufacture arms, ammunition. They were alleged to be the main suppliers of weapons to armed bandits.
Briefing newsmen in Kaduna today on the activities of the command, the state police Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Shehu said that 18 robbery suspects were also arrested.
He said that the police engaged a syndicate of armed bandits in gun battle where they overpowered and chased them through a rocky area between Gododo and Jagindi road of Sanga local government area of the state, stressing that AK-47 rifle breech no. 47/3958 and two live ammunition were recovered from the bandits .
The police Commissioner added that a notorious armed robbery suspect, named Umar Usman, alias Zidane. who is the ring leader of different gangs such as armed robbery, arm manufacturing and supply, act of terrorism, cattle rustling and car snatchers across Kaduna, Abuja, Kogi and Zamfara states and thirteen other suspects were arrested at various hideouts.
Some of the suspects arrested, he said, specialized in manufacturing locally made rifles. He said four vehicles were also recovered from the suspects.
Some of the ammunition recovered from the bandits include one single barrel, 35 live revolver ammunition, 10 live cartridges, AK-47 and others. [myad]

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