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

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.

Buhari Talks Tough On Corruption At Passing Out Of EFCC’s Detective Inspectors In Kaduna

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken strongly on his government’s various reform agenda that will soon be implemented to ensure that all government financial transactions are done in the open.

Speaking today, February 18 at the Passing Out Parade of Detective Inspector Course Five, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the President said: “my resolve is to ensure that the reforms are deepened such that there will be no hiding place for corrupt persons and proceeds of corruption. My aim is to ensure that no government financial transaction is done in secret and all are subjected to public scrutiny.

“The objective of this administration is to institute a level of transparency in governance through mainly information technology platforms. Just as advanced democracies and some developing countries, I am determined that within a short period, citizens would be able to follow core government operations on line.

“Our government has reached advanced stage in Fiscal Transparency. The Appropriation Bill is placed online within hours of its presentation in National Assembly. The Budget Office of the Federation has been engaging interest groups in the budget cycle. A pilot scheme of 10 MDAs has been test running online display of their budgets and expenditure movements.

“Our commitment to online disclosure of Beneficial Owners of Companies generally within the framework of the Corporate Affairs Commission and in the extractive industries through Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) is on course. I am aware the portals are ready but owners of companies are unwilling to comply with all disclosure requirements. May I use this opportunity to urge all well-meaning Nigerians to fully comply.”

President Buhari stressed that the various national reforms and collaborative efforts with international organisations are designed to institutionally strengthen Anti-Corruption agencies in Nigeria.

“We have been working within the frameworks of National Action Plan for Open Government Partnership (OGP), National Anti-Corruption Strategy which is an adaptation of United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR). Several of the reforms have been effective for several years with great impact on revenue and expenditure management. These include; the Government Integrated, Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS), Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Single Treasury Account, and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

“Executive Orders, such as Preservation of Suspicious Assets Connected with Corruption (Executive Order 6), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Act 2018; and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2018 have been operating for a few years and effectively limiting system opportunities for corrupt practices.

“This administration, right from the inception, aligned with the Open Governance Partnership and Global Forum for Asset Recovery in addition to existing commitments to African Union and Economic Community of West African States’ Conventions Against Corruption, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). These frameworks focus significantly on systems reforms in order to prevent corruption. Nigeria’s active participation in these global anti-corruption platforms means that the country is subjecting itself to periodic review of its progress in implementing the articles of conventions thus the fight against corruption.”

President Buhari said that the administration’s war against corruption is also attracting international endorsements.

“Our fight against corruption is being recognized by the international community as real and effective. The face of the country abroad is also changing as the international community is beginning to see Nigeria making substantial progress in the enthronement of transparency, accountability and good governance.

“The President of the 7th Session of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) had this to say when announcing Nigeria as Vice-Chairman of Conference of State Parties: ‘It is an election well deserved. Nigeria has demonstrated remarkable determination in the fight against corruption.’ Nigeria retained the position of Vice Chair of the 8th Session. During the 10th Session of the Conference of State Parties, the Implementation Review Group Report also noted the high number of Asset Recovery cases successfully initiated by Nigeria in cooperation with other countries under the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) framework.”

The President praised efforts of EFCC in making the war against corruption effective, saying: “I have listened attentively to the report in the speech presented by the Chairman of EFCC.

“The report is an attestation that the right policies have been put in place to fight corruption and the fight is becoming much more effective. I make bold to say that Nigeria is winning the war against corruption. I congratulate the EFCC on its good work and I urge that the current level of success be sustained and accelerated.”

The President expressed his happiness that EFCC is making steady progress by the recruitment, training and deployment of a special force of 665 cadets to its zonal offices within the past two years.

He congratulated the Cadets “for persevering through the one year of intensive training. As law enforcement officers, I expect that you have attained high endurance level and the intellectual capacity to investigate and facilitate EFCC’s prosecutorial powers. I have great confidence in you.”

Christians, Muslims Are Children Of Abraham And Must Not Be Divided By Boko Haram – Buhari

Editorial staff

February 18, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned Muslims and Christians in Nigeria against allowing Boko Haram insurgents and other forms of terrorists to divide them as they are all children of Abraham.
In a statement he personally signed on February 17 marking the second anniversary of the abduction of 110 innocent children from the town of Dapchi In Borno State, Buhari vowed that his government would continue to seek to secure the release of all children and captives of terrorists, adding: “and we do so regardless of their creed or the name of their creator.”
The President who recalled that 107 survived the ordeal and have since returned to their families, except Leah Sharibu, noted that she is still in the hands of the terrorists who refused to release her because she would not renounce her Christian faith.
“We say, as the government for and of all Nigerians, that no person has the right to force another to change their faith against their will and that all life is sacred.
“As we as redouble our efforts for Leah’s return, we can never allow the terrorists to divide us – Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian. We are all Sons of Abraham. And all Nigerians have the same worth and rights before the law, and before God.”

Real Change In The North Will Come From Those Considered As Mad – Kano Emir

Editorial staff

February 17, 2020

“The real change in the north will come from those who are considered mad people, because you look around and say if this is the way we have been doing things, and this is where we have ended up, maybe we need to do things differently. ”

“If we have populated the government with middle-aged men, maybe we need to try younger people, maybe we need to try women. If we have spent our money and time on physical structures, maybe we need to invest more in the education of our children. Maybe we need to invest more in nutrition. Maybe we need to invest more in primary healthcare.”
These were the thoughts of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, at the 60th birthday celebration of the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai today, February 17.
He said that with myriad of challenges facing the North, no leader in the region should be happy, adding that just last week, someone asked him, “are you happy? And I said I am not.
“The person was surprised. Nobody who is a leader in Northern Nigeria today can afford to be happy. You cannot be happy that about 87 percent of poverty in Nigeria is in the north.
“You can’t be happy with millions of Northern children out of school. You can’t be happy that nine states in the North contribute almost 50 percent of the entire malnutrition burden in the country.
“You can’t be happy with the drug problem, you can’t be happy with the Boko Haram problem. You can’t be happy with political thuggery. You can’t be happy with all the issues; the Almajiri problem that we have.
“So, we wish Nasir a happy birthday. But we do not want him to be happy as a leader. Because you are happy when you think you have reached a state of delivering and taking your people to where you want them to be.
“Now, because of the condition of Northern Nigeria, it is almost correct now to say that, if you are seen as normal, if you are a governor in the North or a leader in the North, and you are seen as normal in the sense that you continue to do what your predecessors have been doing, doing the same thing, which has been normalised, then, there is something wrong with you. You are part of the problem.”
Muhammad Sanusi however commended Governor Nasir el-Rafai for what he is doing on education in Kaduna, saying that with 40 percent of his budget in education, that is the only thing that is going to save the North.
The Emir ended by saying: “I know that when we say these things, they don’t go down well.”

CBN Gov Pledges To Support Self-Sufficiency Efforts Of State Governments, Boost Dairy Industry In FCT

Editorial staff

February 17, 2020

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has pledged the support of the apex bank to state governments, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for their self-sufficiency efforts.

Speaking when he paid a visit on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory along with representatives of major diary companies today, February 27, Emefiele rolled out some key initiatives of the apex bank that will help boost job creation as well as fast-track the processes leading to the allocation of land in the capital territory to the three companies that had requested for land to establish dairy processing plants.

The companies are FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc and L& Z.

The CBN Governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the companies in the FCT would drive industrialization, stimulate local production of milk and the development of the local dairy sector.

He said that the move would also boost employment generation, facilitate linkages along the dairy sector in Nigeria and conserve huge foreign exchange for the country.

He said that the collaborative effort by the CBN and the private sector, particularly under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) and the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS), has started to yield significant results with deliberate measures by the companies to embrace the backward integration and boost job creation.

Emefiele cited the Bobi Grazing Reserve in Niger State, where 31,000 hectares of land had been allocated by the State Government to dairy companies, adding that local dairy breeds would enhance milk collection and integrate the local pastoralist as well as curb the farmers-herders clashes.

The Governor said that the bank is working closely with other stakeholders to ensure that products are taken off farmers at an agreed price with the farmers, and that the bank is making effort to revamp the Abuja Commodity Exchange to ensure standardization of prices.

In his remarks, the Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Muhmmad Musa Bello commended Emefiele for his passion in revamping the Nigerian economy, saying that the intervention policies of the bank under the Muhammadu Buhari administration had worked.

He called for the establishment of a price stabilizing mechanism to guarantee prices for farmers to encourage them to always return to farm, with the assurance of their products being taken off them at harvest.

Musa Bello pledged to facilitate the provision of land to the companies to enable them to establish their processing factories within a short period of time, even as he disclosed that the FCT masterplan envisaged four grazing reserves in Bwari, Karshi, Gwagwalada and Rubochi.

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