My Opponents Parading School Certificates Not Fit To Govern Anambra – Soludo

August 20, 2021

The governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra State in the November 6, 2021 election, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has said that his opponents who are parading First Leaving School Certificate and West African School Certificates as their qualifications are certainly unfit to aspire to govern the state.

Professor Soludo, who spoke today, August 30 at the inauguration of 4,200 members of the 2021 Governorship Election Campaign Council in Awka, warned against he said want to ‘take Anambra’ rather than win the election,

According to him, over 80 per cent population of voters in Anambra is APGA sympathizers and that there are no factions in the party contrary to insinuations from the social media which wanted to factionalize the party.

This was even as former Senator who represented Anambra Central District, Chief Victor Umeh warned that Anambra should not be turned to Kuwait by those inaugurating foreigners to their part’s campaign Council.

He said that APGA has won all battles it faced in the past 19 years and the November 6 election cannot be different.

National chairman of the party, Chief Victor Ike Oye said that APGA has already won the election because God brought Soludo to replace Governor Willie Obiano.

Oye said the party’s team is star-studded and Obiano’s evidence of performance is unassailable.

Atiku Greets Buhari In “COVID-19 Way” At Yusuf’s Wedding In Bichi

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2021

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar was one of the top ranking personalities that attended the wedding solemnisation of Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari and Zahra Nasiru Bayero today, August 20, in Bichi, Kano State.
Atiku and former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan found time to greet President Buhari, who also received the former Niger President, Mahamadou Issoufou as well as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The bride, Zahra, is the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero.

Congratulations from us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine in Abuja, Nigeria.

Group Describes PDP As Perfidious Liar In Contempt, Perpetually With Truth

Editorial staff

August 20, 2021

A group, Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a perfidious liar that holds truth in perpetual contempt.

A statement by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, said that for the PDP to twist truth on the Nation’s economy against the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is shameless.

The statement referred to the rot painted by Lamido Sanusi, a man the party (PDP) removed from office as Governor of the Central Bank after he revealed the extent of rot.

“In its latest efforts to manipulate economic facts and figures, the PDP claimed that it handed over a robust economy with a Fitch B+rating and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $574bn, but we are bold to say that the claim is a barefaced lie.

“The truth that anyone is free to fact-check is that, as at March 2015, Nigeria’s economy had a Fitch BB-rating while the GDP was $492.437bn which was largely driven by years of oil windfall until the slump of the last quarter of 2014.

“And for the avoidance of doubt, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has now grown the GDP from the figure he inherited to $514.076bn and that is in spite of a global pandemic.

“So on that basis alone, the former ruling party’s position was anchored on a deliberate distortion of facts by people who did little or nothing to structure the country’s economy to make it more resilient until President Buhari assumed office.”

BMO also questioned the party’s allegation that the Buhari administration has erased all the gains of debt repayment it achieved.

“This is another brazen attempt to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians with the same impunity it operated while in power at the centre for 16 years.

“What PDP handed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration after 16 years was actually an economy with a public debt stock of $63bn, even after the so-called debt repayment, a JVC cash call debt of $6 billion, local contractors’ debt running of N3 trillion, a foreign reserve that was depleted from $64.3 billion in 2008 to $29 billion and an Excess Crude account of $2 billion from $19.5 billion, not to talk of a situation where 27 states could not pay workers’ salaries.

“And in terms of infrastructure, the country had more bridges and railway projects on paper than on ground, and no Nigerian should forget in a hurry the President’s famous rhetorical question ‘where is the Power’ after the previous PDP administration had spent in excess of $16 billion on power infrastructure.

“Lest we forget, the former CBN governor on whose tail coats the opposition shamelessly hung on to, had in 2013 publicly drawn attention to the disappearance of $20 billion in oil revenue from the nation’s coffers under the then PDP administration, an allegation that earned him instant removal from office.

“We also need to remind the opposition party that it has yet to respond to another Sanusi claim that the country lost $1billion each month in the Jonathan years.

“In case PDP leadership missed it, the claim was made on an American news channel, PBS Newshour and was published on the network’s YouTube channel on December 2 2015.

“So we find it disingenuous that the PDP could measure economic prosperity with the price of foreign rice brands rather than on infrastructure that are springing up daily across the country, and an environment that has made Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of rice.”

BMO urged Nigerians to be wary of PDP’s regular efforts at rigging numbers and distorting facts in order to paint the Buhari administration black.

End Fuel Importation Quickly, NNPC Boss Charges Greenfield Refinery

Editorial staff

August 19, 2021

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has charged members of the Board of the NNPC Greenfield Refinery Limited (NGRL), to explore all available options to bring an end to the current challenge of petroleum products importation.

A statement today, August 19 by Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, quoted Mallam Kyari as having spoken today while inaugurating the Board of the newly incorporated subsidiary of the Corporation, NNPC Greenfield Refinery Limited (NGRL), at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

The Group Managing Director, who is also the Chairman of the NGRL Board, challenged members of the Board to focus on profitability in order to remain afloat and avoid liquidation.

“As a business, this is a big opportunity for us and this company’s balance sheet must change positively. Going forward, with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), I can tell you that if you continue to post negative for three years, you are out. So, there is really no excuse.”

Mallam Kyari advised the Board and Management Team of the new company to set up a proper structure with the require skills, technology and financing to drive the company’s operations, adding that he is optimistic that the company would be able to achieve its mandate.

“Our company must grow and we can’t do well except we are able to process our production whether it is the liquid or gas. If we don’t monetize it then we have done nothing. This is really a new chapter and we are committed to making it work.”

The NNPC helmsman said that all the Corporation’s initiatives in the areas of new refineries, condensate refineries and equity acquisition in credible private refineries were geared towards ensuring energy security for the country.

In his remarks, the Alternate Chairman of the Board and Group Executive Director, Refinery and Petrochemicals, Engr. Mustapha Yakubu, said that the operations of the company would be guided by the principles of cost effectiveness in line with the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying that profitability would be the key focus.

Speaking in similar vein, the Group General Manager, Greenfield Refineries and Project Division (GRPD) and Managing Director of the NGRL, Engr. Bege Talson, said that the Division is working with third party investors to establish greenfield, modular and condensate refineries with a combined capacity of 250,000barrels per stream day (bpsd).

He pledged his team’s commitment to run the company profitably.

The NNPC Greenfield Refinery Limited is a subsidiary of the Corporation, set up in December 2020 with a mandate to oversee the establishment and operation of new refineries.

Other members of the Board include Group Executive Director, Finance & Accounts, Umar Ajiya; Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Engr. Oluwaseyi Omotowa; Managing Director of NNPC Retail, Mrs. Elizabeth Aliyuda; Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Muhammad Ali-Zarah; and Tolulope Olubommo as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser.

How PIA Will End Decades Of Cheating Of Niger Delta Host Communities – Akpabio

Editorial staff

August 19, 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has said that the recent Presidential assent to the Petroleum Industry Bill, making it an Act, will bring to an end, decades of cheating of Niger Delta host communities by “big people” in government.

“The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), when implemented, is going to assuage the feelings of the people of the host communities because they never had half a percent when oil was discovered in 1956 in Olobri.”

Senator Akpabio, who spoke today, August 19, to newsmen at the Presidential villa, Abuja about the performances of his ministry, said that the Bill had dragged on for too long because of what those who have been benefiting from the wrong system to the detriment of the host communities.

“My prayer is that the people would see this as a major step. People are arguing about percentages, I am not interested in that. We would manage this 3% but the major thing is to use it well.

“Even the small percentage that used to come to the NDDC, at least, they did not utilize it well. I believe the host communities would list out their problems, come together in unity and justify this action of Mr president and this action of Nigerians.

“This one is going directly to the host communities. We will do a lot of sensitization from the ministry, visit the people.

“The problem of the host community fund is not the percentage neither is the problem money. But how the money will be utilized judiciously and the same time, in a way where this is no acrimony. I don’t want that will break or cause communal clashes.

“So, I believe strongly as a ministry that is responsible for the peace in the region, we will take interest in how certain decisions are made as to who is a host community and who are those that should manage the fund.

“The law would have provided for this but at the same time, human being must also assist in the law in such a way that there is no acrimony.”

The Minister insisted that what is important is not the percentage, saying that some communities could make do with any percentage so far it would enable them to do basic human needs, such as solar powered toilet, drinking water, water tankers supplying.

He said that now with the PIA, the communities would be able to do certain things for themselves without waiting on oil companies, the federal government or the state to do it for them.

“When we look at the Act and know the composition of those who should be in charge of the money, we will also make our inputs. And it should be mostly project based. It shouldn’t be like a normal contract. It should almost be like direct labour. It is a major leap forward.

“Today, majority of Niger Deltans are very happy that the government has decided to deal with the host communities directly. This one will touch their lives directly. I also know that some communities will fight but of course, it is expected. Most of those things would be settled.”

President Buhari Approves Review Of Grazing Reserves In 25 States

Editorial staff

August 19, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the review of 368 grazing reserves across 25 states of Nigeria. This followed the recommendations of a committee, chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President, to review “with dispatch,” 368 grazing sites to determine the levels of encroachment.

Among others, the committee also recommended the collection of field data on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and sensitization.

The Committee as well recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing Reserves and operations.

The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing socio-economic conditions.

The President directed that the assignment be undertaken with dispatch to bring more understanding on the Grazing Reserves, and implementation.

Members of the committee include, Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of NEC Sub-Committee for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye.

The Technical Sub-Committee consists of representatives from the seven members of the main committee in addition to representatives from Ministry of Justice, Surveyor General of the Federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).

Among its Terms of Reference, the Committee was to collate from states and confirm the status of all Grazing Reserves, assess the percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment complications for case-by-case resolution in partnership with state governments and the FCT.

The Committee will also make recommendations for gazetting of ungazetted Grazing Reserves and create a data base of National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves are well communicated to all stakeholders.

The inaugural meeting of the Committee was held on May 10, 2021.

Insecurity, Hunger: I Won’t Leave Government A Failure, President Buhari Vows

Editorial staff

August 19, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed not to leave government after his tenure without adequately addressing the lingering insecurity and hunger in the land.

The President made it clear that henceforth, he would be quick to effect changes anytime he noticed loopholes in the systems towards addressing the challenges of the moment.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired General Babagana Monguno, who addressed newsmen today, August 19, shortly after the National Security Council meeting at the Presidential villa quoted the President as saying: “he also made it very, very clear that he’s not ready to exit government as a failure.

“He is not going to tolerate that: he had made changes and is ready to make further changes if he is not satisfied. He is completely determined to ensure that there’s a turnaround in the fortunes in the theatre of operations.”

Buhari also told the Service Chiefs and other security and intelligent chiefs that he is not unaware of the prevailing widespread hunger in the country, saying: “the President is not oblivious to the pains of the people, and is working with the Vice President and other members of council: he is going to employ the relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government to address this issue.

“As far as that is concerned, it is also an emergency situation l. To him, people should not be left to wallow in hunger, and in despair. This is something that he’s also going to look into. And he is going to use all the necessary and all the relevant tools at his disposal to address the issue of widespread hunger.”

During the meeting, which was last held on June 8, 2021, security and intelligent chiefs briefed the President on the achievements in the area of the fight against the insurgents, especially with regard to Large numbers of people that have been surrendering in the Northeast as a consequence of the relentless efforts of the Armed Forces, intelligence and security agencies.

” The President is quite happy that there has been tremendous success, especially with the advent of the new service chiefs and Inspector General of Police.”

On whether the President has plans for the insurgents that have been surrendering, General Monguno said yes, but that he would “not immediately divulge what has been decided on those plans till the President takes a firm decision on the plans.

“But definitely, that is one of the things that he intends to address; the number of people coming. And it is not just in Nigeria, even in Northern Cameroon. You have equally a large number of people surrendering to the bonafide agencies of government.

“But that is all as a consequence of the regional cooperation between the various countries and the agencies of those countries.”

According to the NSA, the Council also addressed the issue in plateau State; the recent killings.

He said that the President has given certain directives to relevant bodies to address the matter even as he expressed confidence in the efforts of the Governor of plateau to deal with it.

Buhari Storms Kano Tomorrow For Son’s Wedding

Greenbarge Reporters

August 19, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to attend the wedding Fatiha of his son, Yusuf and his bride, Zahra Bayero, tomorrow, August 20 in Bichi, Kano State.

Chairman of the organising committee for the wedding, Shehu Ahmed, told newsmen that the wedding Fatiha will hold by 1:30 pm after the Friday prayer.

He said that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje will also present a staff of office to the father-in law who is the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, on Saturday.

Ahmed, who also chairs the committee for the coronation said: “We have two historic events on Friday and Saturday in Bichi — the wedding Fatiha of Buhari’s son to the daughter of Emir of Bichi and the coronation of the emir.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to grace the wedding Fatiha of his son and the daughter of the Emir of Bichi in Bichi town on Friday.

“A special prayer will be conducted in the Central Mosque, Bichi, by 4:30 pm.

“Activities marking the coronation of the Emir include a coronation lecture to be held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, while the ceremony for the presentation of the staff of office would be held at the Bichi stadium on Saturday.

“Adequate arrangements have been put in place by the various subcommittees to ensure the success of the two events.”

Security was tightened in Kano State, particularly in Bichi, starting from Wednesday, ahead of Buhari son’s wedding and coronation of the bride’s father.

Heavily armed operatives landed at the Aminu Kano Airport and headed to Bichi.

Source: The Nation.

Buhari Blames Some States Over Devastated Floods For Ignoring Experts’ Warnings

Editorial staff

August 18, 2021

File photo of Houses submerged in flood in Kogi State.

President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed some states over the devastation of floods in their States, following continuing heavy rainfall over the last weeks, for ignoring expert warning before now.

According to the President who expressed sympathy to families and other victims, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had before now, issued warning of flooding in specific territories and communities, but that such warnings “sadly were not only unheeded but the letters remain unacknowledged until this day.”

The President, in a statement today, August 18, by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, regretted that as much as 32 States have so far been affected with thousands of people, homes, farm and other properties involved.

“I am constantly monitoring the situation and we will ensure that all possible help is extended to victims.”

President Buhari called for better coordination between the Federal authorities, including the NEMA and state governments to develop a culture of respect for weather forecasts, and to act upon early warnings to avert the yearly occurrence of disasters.

He commended the few states that activated their response mechanisms following the warnings and did well, thereby averting the consequent unnecessary damage and losses.

In order to carry all the states along in the administration’s determination to put an enduring system for forecasting of floods and other natural disasters through the use of technology and improved coordination, the President has approved the convention of workshop by NEMA in the coming weeks that will bring all states’ emergency response agencies to the table.

Having taken stock of the situation throughout the country, the President has also given assurances that all possible support will be extended to the victims in line with shared responsibility between the two tiers of government.

NNPC, CMEC, GE Sign Contract for 50MW Maiduguri Emergency Power Project

Editorial staff

August 18, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has taken the next move to intervene in the perennial electric power supply challenge in Maiduguri, Borno State.

This followed the execution of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Equipment Procurement contracts by the Corporation, for a 50Megawatts (MW) Emergency Power Project in Maiduguri.

The project which a statement today, August 18 by the Corporation” spokesman, Garba Deen Muhammad said is an integral part of ongoing efforts to deepen its domestic gas utilisation plan for the nation’s socio-economic growth, has China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) as the EPC contractor while General Electric (GE) is the equipment manufacturer.

The statement said that at the contract signing event which held virtually, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, said that the Corporation through its subsidiary, NNPC Gas and Power Investment Company (NGPIC), decided to intervene in the Maiduguri power situation by undertaking the project which will be fired with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and run commercially.

He said that NNPC, as a state-owned oil company and enabler organisation, is determined to boost power generation and supply to Nigerian homes through increased investment in gas-fired combined cycle power plants to produce at least 5Gigawatts (GW) additional power for the country.

“NNPC is therefore seeking the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially GE and CMEC. to ensure timely delivery of the single cycle by December 2021 and the combined cycle by first quarter of 2022.”

This was even as the Vice President of GE Africa & Europe, Raisin Brice, said that the company is committed to working with NNPC to achieve success in the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project.

He promised to tap into the vast experience of the NNPC in the country to deliver on the project. Similar support and commitment were echoed by Fang Yanshui, President of CMEC, the main EPC contractor for the project.

As a mark of confidence in the Corporation, the contractors had commenced movement of vital equipment to site and started work on the project ahead of the formal signing of the contract.

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