Aso Rock Director Killed By Yahoo Boys For Reporting Them To Police – Investigation

February 20, 2020

Information faltering in has zeroed the gruel murder of an Aso Rock presidential villa Assistant Director, Administration, 47 years old Ms. Laetitia Dagan Naankang, to some criminal elements known as ‘Yahoo boys.’
According to investigation by THISDAY newspaper, Ms. Laetitia discovered that her environs in Lokogoma, in the Abuja municipal, was surrounded by ‘yahoo boys’ which made her uncomfortable and told some of her friends that she was contemplating to relocate.
It was also learnt that out of concern over the presence of the boys, she opted to report them to the police, but that the police freed the suspects shortly after they were arrested.
It was learnt that information was later leaked to the assailants that it was Ms Naankang that reported them to the police, and in a revenge mission, they resolved to subject Naankang to an agonising death.
She was said to have first been tied in her apartment before they strangled her to death and set the objects she was tied to ablaze.
It was learnt that her gateman who was suspected to be an accomplice in the sad incident had been arrested and provided useful information that could help in tracking the killers.
It was also gathered that one of the killers took the deceased’s mobile telephone, mistaken it for his and left his own telephone in the crime scene.
It is believed that the telephone will assist the police in tracking down the killers.
The deceased, who hailed from Plateau State, according to a statement by the Deputy Director of Information, Attah Esa, on Tuesday, worked in her State House office on Monday till 8pm, only to be gruesomely murdered in her apartment at 11pm by unknown persons.

Imo: PDP Chairman Insists Supreme Court Was Wrong And Will Reverse Self

Editorial staff

February 19, 2020

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), Uche Seconds has reiterated that the supreme court was wrong in it’s ruling on the Imo State governorship legal tussle and that the party will retrieve it.

Secondus stressed that there are several grounds upon which PDP is relying to ‘retrieve’ its mandate in the State.
Speaking to newsmen today, February 18 in Abuja, the PDP National Chairman expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would review and reverse the judgment which declared Hope Uzodinma the winner of the last governorship election in Imo State.
He insisted that the number of votes cast was higher than the number of accredited voters, adding that the apex court Justices were misled by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Uzodinma.
Secondus alleged that Uzodinma and APC fraudulently obtained the verdict.
“Both Uzodinma and the APC fraudulently misled the Supreme Court into believing that 213,495 votes were unlawfully excluded from the votes they scored in the governorship election, which was held on March 9, 2019.
“If the lies told the Supreme Court are allowed to stay, then the total number of votes cast at the election will be more than the total number of voters accredited for the election. This cannot stay. We do not need to set a bad precedence.
“The number of voters accredited for the election was 823,743 while the total valid votes cast was 731,485.
“Therefore, the inclusion of 213,695 votes for both the APC and Uzodinma would make the number of votes cast to be more than the number of accredited number of voters for the election.”
The Supreme Court had yesterday adjourned the hearing of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha and PDP’s application, to review its earlier verdict on the governorship election until March 2, 2020.
Ihedioha and PDP had urged the apex court among others to reverse its judgment on January 14 which sacked him and replaced him with Uzodinma.

Nigeria Plans Agricultural Processing Zone In Each Senatorial District

Editorial staff

February 19, 2020

The Nigerian government is to establish agricultural processing zones in each Senatorial district across the country.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, who spoke to newsmen today, February 18 on the activities of his Ministry in the past 100 days, said that he had briefed Cabinet on the same issue, during the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari,

“We briefed Council on how far in implementing the priorities of government and basically we elaborated on one of the priorities given to our Ministry is the activation of the private sector led special economic zones.

“That already is in progress, with regards to one issue that has been in the headlines lately, is the establishment of agricultural processing zones in each Senatorial District.

“The Ministry is already working on that. We have employed consultants who are now going round and looking at each of the Senatorial Districts, with a view to knowing what agricultural processing zone will be set up in each Senatorial zone.”

The Minister further said government is working to ensure that it provides credit to investors, through the Bank of Industry.

According to him, N10 million medium and small-scale enterprises would benefit from the proposed credit scheme.

He said that the country intends to raise $500 million form the African Development Bank for technological innovation in the country.

Federal, States And Local Govts Share N647.29 Billion For January

Editorial staff

February 19, 2020

The Federal, States and Local Governments have shared a total of N647.35 billion for the month of January as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The N647.35 billion shared is 9.63 per cent lower than the N716. 29 billion shared in December 2019. Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, made the announcement while briefing newsmen after the meeting.
He said the reduction in the allocation was due to what was provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the month.
Isa-Dutse said the FIRS had explained that the shortfall of revenue was due to the reduction in economic activities which usually occurs in January, adding that revenue generation would improve as the months go by.
He said the N647.35 billion comprised Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain, Non-Oil Revenue and Excess Bank Charges recovered. The permanent secretary said as at Feb. 19, the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $71.81 million. Isa-Dutse said: “The gross statutory revenue for the month of January 2020 was N525.25 billion. This is lower than the N600.31 billion received in the previous month by N75.06 billion. “For the month of January 2020, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N104.75 billion as against N114.80 billion in the previous month, resulting in a decrease of N10.04 billion. Exchange Gain yielded a total revenue of N1.04 billion, while the Non-Oil revenue was N16.29 billion.”
He said from the N647. 35 billion, the federal government got N267.38 billion, the state governments received N176.92 billion, and the local government councils received N132.94 billion.
Isa-Dutse said the Oil Producing States received N46.19 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N23.90. billion as cost of revenue collection.
According to a communique released by FAAC, a breakdown of the distribution showed that from the gross statutory revenue of N525.25 billion, the federal government received N243.70 billion, the state governments received N123.61 billion and the local government councils received N95.29 billion.
“Also, the Oil Producing States received N46.07 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue and the Revenue Collecting Agencies received N16.56 billion as cost of collection. From the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N104.75, the federal government received N14.61 billion and the state governments received N48.71 billion. The local government councils received N34.09 billion and the revenue generating agencies received N7.33 billion as cost of revenue collection. From the Exchange Gain revenue of N1.044 billion, the federal government received N0.48 billion, the state governments received N0.24 billion, the local government councils got N 0.19 billion and the oil producing states got N0.12 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
“From the Non-Oil revenue of N16.29 billion, the federal government got N8.58 billion, the State Governments got N4.35 billion, the local government councils got N3.35 billion, ” it said.
The communique confirmed that for the month of January 2020, there was a significant increase in Import Duty revenue while Companies Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Oil and Gas Royalties and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) recorded decreases.
Source: NAN.

I’m Still Exploring Legal Measures To Reclaim My Governorship Of Bayelsa – APC’s David Lyon

Editorial staff

February 19, 2020

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2019 governorship election, David Lyon, has said that he is now preoccupied with exploring legal meassures to reclaim the Governorship position of Bayelsa State which the Supreme Court took away from him and gave to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDp).

In a statement today, February 18 condemning some mischief-makers who have seized on the opportunity of his silence to perpetrate all kinds of violence and civil unrest in the State David said that the mischief-makers are using the situation to express their grievances, causing avoidable circumstances in the state.
Lyon was declared the winner of the election but was sacked by the Supreme Court, few hours to his inauguration in February, following the disqualification of the deputy governorship candidate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo, who submitted forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Lyon said:“as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, I would never support or direct anyone to be engaged in acts inimical to the progress and wellbeing of the same people I seek to govern.
“Some mischief-makers have seized on the opportunity of my silence to perpetrate all kinds of evil intentions and actions in the guise of expressing their grievances and have created unnecessary and avoidable circumstances in the political history of our state and country.”
Mr Lyon said that his thoughts and actions have never wavered from the fact that the court is the last hope of the common man.
He disclosed that since the development, he has rather been preoccupied with exploring all legal processes in addressing the incident.
He called on all political leaders irrespective of party affiliations to call their teaming supporters to be calm and law-abiding and never take laws into their hands.
Mr Lyon expressed his faith and confidence in the judicial process and the Supreme Court, in particular, noting that “at the end of the day, justice will be done to himself and the good people of Bayelsa State.”

Amalgamation Of Nigeria In 1914 Not Accident Of History- Group

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

A group going by the name Unity, Honour and Glory Initiative (UHGI), has said that the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was neither an accident of history nor by mistake.

“There can be no mistake when 250 of the most gifted and resourceful ethnic nations in Africa were pulled together in 1914 to create world’s biggest Black African nation on earth. That could not have been a mistake despite the fact that Nigeria may not have been an original British design or construct.”
Speaking today, February 18 when he led a delegation of the group on a courtesy visit to the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the leader, Dr. Felix Oisamoje, quoted the remarks of the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa on the need for unity of purpose in 1957 thus:“Nigeria has now reached a critical stage in her history. We must seize the opportunity which has been offered to us to show that we are able to manage our own affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his status, and whatever his religion, has his or her share to contribute to the crucial task; the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity.”
Dr Oisamoje said that the remarks of the late prime minister remain relevant to the nation 63 years after.
“105 years after amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria, despite intense religious, ethnic and regional pressures, we have endured together as one nation under God. Every time our enemies think we are broken, Nigeria rises up stronger than ever.”
Dr Oisamoje said that the pressure on Nigeria is a process of growth that will eventually turn the country into the envy of other nations, admonishing all Nigerians to remain focused, dedicated and committed to unifying the country.
Responding, Femi Adesina said that President Buhari’s vision of a unified, harmonious and purpose-driven country will be consistently followed, even as he said that the nation needs more understanding and cohesion to tackle the challenges before it and move forward.
“We will continue to support initiatives that are focused on building peace and promoting harmonious living in the country,’’ Adesina said.
The Special Adviser advised Nigerians to support the policies of the government, adding that President Buhari would continue to make sacrifices that will engender unity and cohesion in the country.
“Nigeria has now reached a critical stage in her history. We must seize the opportunity which has been offered to us to show that we are able to manage our own affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his status, and whatever his religion, has his or her share to contribute to the crucial task; the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity.”
The Unity, Honour and Glory Initiative is a group of concerned Nigerians who believe citizens should reflect on the founding philosophy of unity, honour and glory, as captured in the National Pledge, and start working collectively to own and build the country, regardless of differences.

Correct Information Sharing System And Visa Ban Will Be Lifted – US Ambassador

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

The United States of America ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has said the recent visa ban to Nigerians will be reviewed, if efforts are made quickly to correct the fault lines in the information sharing system.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, today, February 18 in Abuja, Ambassador Leonard said: “I need to clarify something for you here.
“The immigrant visa ban does not affect people who are currently resident in the United States. It does not cancel the status of anyone who currently lives in the United States.
“What Secretary Pompey said was that it was meant to be temporary. And it is about problems with information sharing which are investigable, achievable and resolvable and we look forward to Nigeria in a very short time being able to meet those information sharing goal so that the decision can be reviewed.”

Sacking Current Service Chiefs Not Priority Of Buhari’s Govt – SGF Boss Mustapha

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha has made it clear that sacking the current Service Chiefs in the country is not the priority of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mustapha explained that even if they were to be sacked, there are processes that must be followed, adding: “we are in a very difficult time now. We need everybody to be on board. We need synergy within intelligent community, within the military formations that will help fight this war.

“We are in a very difficult situation and when we begin to create cracks and divisions, who will be the beneficiaries?

“The adversaries are the ones that are going to exploit those deficiencies and further the cause of destabilising the nation”.

The SGF, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja after a book presentation titled CAN, Religion, politics and power in Nigeria by former General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) Engr Samuel Salifu, insisted that what government needs at this moment is for everybody to be on the same page, fight the battle of securing the nation, protecting lives and property and ensuring that every Nigerian has the opportunity to live a prosperous live.

“I think that should be our main focus.

“You don’t sack people like that. There are processes and I believe that at the opportune time, those processes will be followed. You don’t just wake up and say sack people, it doesn’t happen like that.”

Aso Rock Assistant Director Murdered, Persec Wants Police To Fish Out Killer

Greenbarge Reporters

February 18, 2020

Ms. Laetitia Naankang Dagan, 47 year old Assistant Director in the Administration department of the Aso Rock presidential villa, State House, had been murdered by unidentified assailant.
Ms. Dagan from Plateau State, was said to have closed from office yesterday, February 17 at about 8pm, and that at about 11pm, she was gruesomely murdered in her apartment.

The State House Permanent Secretary, Jalal Arabi, in a statement today, February 18, described the death of the assistant director as s painful loss, not only to her immediate family, but also the entire State House.
“She was a dedicated, hard-working officer, and we all feel pained by her dastardly and untimely death.”
Arabi who led a delegation to pay a condolence visit to deceased family members said: “we all share in your grief and pains, but be consoled by the fact that she lived a good life and contributed her best to the services of her nation.”
Arabi appealed to the Police to fish out the killers of Laetitia, stressing that the law will take its course.

The Permanent Secretary prayed to God to comfort Ms. Dagan’s family, the entire Staff of State House, and grant the soul of the departed officer eternal rest.

Former SGF, Babachir Lawal, Describes Nigerian Governors As Parasites

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has described governors in Nigeria as parasites that are feeding off the country’s treasury at the people’s expense.

In an interview with select journalists in Abuja, Lawal said that if he had his way, he would scrap state governments and allow only federal and local governments.

“I’m not a constitutional expert but I know if I had my way in the setup of this country, the governors in the middle are just parasites that are taking the major share of the resources that are supposed to go to states, they abuse it,” he said.

“If I had my way, there would be federal government and local governments, such that the resources that are due to the state would be shared equally with the local government at that level and a lot of things will be done.

“In the case of the federal government, we understand why it has to be federal government. There are some institutions that have to be national in itself. The army, for example, the federal police must be there, foreign affairs must be there but the states, we can devolve the powers back of the states to the local governments.”

Lawal backed President Muhammadu Buhari over his insistence in retaining military heads despite calls for their removal over rising insecurity.

The former SGF also made an argument for unicameral legislature, saying the presidential system does not fit the Nigerian society.

“The presidential system is so expensive and the presidential system has concentrated power and authority on one person and whoever else he chooses to delegate that authority to.

“In a place like Nigeria where we have different aspirations and different belief systems and different world views, decision making needs to be decentralised,” he said.

Lawal is standing trial for alleged fraudulent award of N544.1 million for grass-cutting contract through the Presidential Initiative for North East.

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