Buhari appoints Mahmud Yakubu as the new INEC Chairman

President Buhari today has appointed Mahmud Yakubu as the new substantive chairman of the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission). Yakubu's appointment was approved during the council of state meeting which held at the state house today October 21st. Yakubu takes over from Amina Zakari who has been working as INEC Chairman in acting capacity since Attahiru Jega left office in June. She was appointed INEC commissioner for the North-East.

Yakubu was former executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Other INEC Commissioners appointed by the council of state includes

•Dr Antonla Taiye Okoosi -North-central
•Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo -North-east
•Dr Mohammed Mustafa -South-south
•Mr Soyebi Adedeji Solomon -South-west

posted from Bloggeroid

Ghana finally agrees to pay N33.8bn Gas debt owed Nigeria by Feb. 2016

The Ghanaian President in person of John Mahama today has reached an agreement with the Nigerian government represented by NNPC GMD Ibe Kachiukwu, to totally pay off the N33.8 billion owed to Nigeria from the gas supply provided by a Nigerian gas company (N-Gas), the main supplier of gas to Ghana’s Volta River Authority through the West African Gas Pipeline.

The N-Gas buys gas from NNPC and transports it to its customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana. They (N-Gas) has recently threatened to cut gas supply by 70% to Ghana’s main power generation company due to unpaid debts of $181m at 33.8b in Nigerian naira.

posted from Bloggeroid

Buhari removes Head of Service, Danladi Kifasi

Danladi Kifasi, the Head of Service of the Federation, has been asked to proceed on with his personal life and business by relieving him of his duty at one of the governments own office stated above with an immediate effect.

A letter was signed by the SGF, asking Kifasi to proceed on terminal leave starting from today. A knowledgeble reason for this removal was not made known and no replacement has been made yet.

posted from Bloggeroid

There are 1.5m IDPs in Nigeria -UN

Yesterday, The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mr Daouda Toure pleaded for more resources to meet the needs of 1.5 million internally displaced people.
During the activities to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day celebration with the theme: “Inspiring the World’s Humanity”in Abuja, Toure said:

    “We appeal for more resources to respond particularly to the education and health needs of the displaced people.

    “What is available is not commensurate with the situation on ground as the crisis in the North-East is not publicised enough.

    “Nigeria is the major contributor to peace keeping in the world, so the international community need to contribute more resources, step up their support and restore the livelihood of these vulnerable people.

    “We need to come and help them, help their brothers and sisters and help them get a better future for their children.’’

Toure added that the major challenges facing the humanitarian community today was the lack of access to security and limited resources.
He called on stakeholders to mobilise themselves and examine the reasons for the slow response and support needed to tackle the security challenges.
Earlier, Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stated that the capacity to handle the present IDPs was not enough.

Sidi added that though a lot of effort and resources had been channelled towards the displaced persons, it was not enough because of their increasing population.

He said that responses to the needs of the IDPs were dwindling due to lack of adequate capacity.
Sidi said there was the need for proper coordination to enable them to harness all available resources to improve the living standard of the IDPs.

He said that the day was set aside to celebrate the gallantry of humanitarian service providers.
He said the theme of the day was intended to steer actions of people around the world for a greater humanity and advocate for more peaceful world.

    “We are celebrating people who have sacrificed their lives for peace in the world.

    “These are people who have lost their lives or survived different threats to life while providing humanitarian services especially in violent conflict situations.

    “This celebration is an opportunity to advocate for a peaceful world, bring hope to people affected by disaster and guarantee safety of humanitarian providers rendering service in the Northeast.’’

He stated that Nigeria had faced a lot of challenges in recent times with the Boko Haram insurgency.
Sidi commended and thanked the UN and all stakeholders for their support and cooperation during the period.

The UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon, is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said yesterday.
A statement said the UN chief would meet President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday and subsequently engage in other field activities.



The Nation

Court jails fuel station owners for illegal oil transactions

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the arrest of 2 fuel station owners, Lookman Onabanjo and Lukman Gafan, for allegedly dealing in petroleum products loaded from vandalised pipelines.
50-year-old Onabanjo and Gafan, 52, are the Chief Executive Officers of Gaffa Oil and Gas Limited and Bugon Oil and Gas Limited, respectively.

The 2 were remanded shortly after their separate arraignment before Justice Mohammed Yunusa.
Arraigned and also jailed along with Onabanjo were Sani Idris, 34, and Bode Jonah, 39.
One Solomon Afolabi, 30; and Adesimisola Ogunsanya, 36, were also arraigned along with Gafan and remanded with him.
In the charge filed against Onabanjo and his co-accused, the police prosecutor, M.O. Omosun, alleged that the accused were, on August 15, 2015, caught with 16,000 litres of petrol loaded in several 50 litre jerrycans.

According to Omosun, the petroleum product which the accused dealt in belonged to PPMC and they did so without appropriate licence.

The petroleum product was said to be worth N1.55m.

The prosecutor said Onabanjo and others violated Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, Act, 2007.
He added that they were liable to punishment under Section 17(b) of the same Act.
Onabanjo and others, however, pleaded not guilty.
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In the case of Gafan, the prosecutor accused him and his alleged accomplices of illegally loading 25,000 litres of petrol from a vandalised pipeline into a Mercedes truck with number plate APP 04 QX.

According to the prosecutor, the accused loaded the said quantity of petrol, valued at N1.6m, without obtaining lawful permit from the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company, which owned the petroleum product.

They were said to have committed the same offence on August 15, 2015 in violation of Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, Act, 2007.

Gafan, Ogunsanya and Afolabi, pleaded not guilty, the prosecutor urged the justice to remand them in prison pending trial.


    “My Lord, in view of the plea of the accused persons, we will humbly be asking for a short adjournment date to bring our witnesses to court. We are also asking that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody,” Omosun said.

But the counsel for the defendants, Mr. McAnthony Aikharialea, filed a bail application for them and urged the court to grant it in liberal terms.

Justice Yunusa adjourned till August 28, 2015 to rule on the bail application.



Punch

Bode George asks Buhari to probe Tinubu, Fashola

PDP Chieftain Bode George has asked President Buhari to probe the administrations of former Lagos state governors, Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola. In a statement released yesterday August 19th, Bode George said Buhari cannot claim to be fighting corruption and not investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial N78 million tundefashola.com website.

     "We are living in a very interesting time. There is an air of repugnancy everywhere most specifically in my state where the immoral stench and the dark odium of Mr. Babatunde Fashola’s administration is daily being unearthed.

    What is most disgusting and annoying in all these is the arrogant and the befuddled attempt of Mr. Fashola to justify the apparent reckless misappropriation of Lagos state taxpayers’ money to set up a personal web site. Fashola shows no remorse, no semblance of regret, no guilty nudging of conscience. Instead, he still attempts to ride a high horse, puffing and stomping in feigned seraphic innocence. We are not fooled. We knew all along that the emperor had no clothes. Using N78m of taxpayers’ money to build a website is reckless misappropriation. The phony over N29bn used to build a mere kilometre long link bridge is outrageous venality. “The spurious N1.5bn allegedly spent on phantom pedestrian bridges is another con game. And there are so many of these screaming illegalities observable in the record of our poster boy of yesterday!. In a more just society, Mr. Fashola should be facing a comprehensive investigation rather than being considered for any appointment at all. President Buhari should use the Fashola case as an acid test of sparing no one with any intimation of public malfeasance. Rather than engaging in a smug chest beating of innocence, Mr. Fashola should first remove himself from any consideration of public appointment and openly call for a judicial probe of his eight years in office. Nothing else will bring out the true picture. Lagos State is now the biggest debtor in the federation with over a trillion naira in bad debts. It may take at least 40 years before Fashola’s indebtedness can be defrayed! What a malady!. In the end there is no way to divorce Fashola from Bola Tinubu. They are both linked in unutterable complicity. If Fashola stands today in tarnished allegations, Tinubu, his godfather, cannot possibly distance himself in innocent escapism. If Fashola now rots in the mud, we must look through the depths to understand the instigating and factor. Whenever Fashola is cooling his feet at the interrogation centre, Tinubu should not be far behind.””he said What is most disgusting and annoying in all these is the arrogant and the befuddled attempt of Mr. Fashola to justify the apparent reckless misappropriation of Lagos state taxpayers’ money to set up a personal web site. Fashola shows no remorse, no semblance of regret, no guilty nudging of conscience. Instead, he still attempts to ride a high horse, puffing and stomping in feigned seraphic innocence. We are not fooled.”

Photos from the funeral service of Ooni of Ife

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led other dignitaries to the interdenominational funeral service of the Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade which held at Enuwa Square, Ooni of Ife's palace today August 14th. More photos after the cut...

Welfare of your troops should be uppermost in your mind - Buhari to Service chief

While decorating the new service chiefs at the state house yesterday August 13th, President Buhari charged them to ensure that the welfare of the troops in their command is uppermost in their mind and that they must make sure that they make available what is due to them;

    "You must be accountable for all men and equipment placed under your command. Your troops welfare should be uppermost in your mind. Take care of them and make available what is due to them. Concerted efforts should also be made to make judicious use of resources that are available to you"

Photos: Governor Ambode decorates his Chief Security Officer

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode pictured decorating his Chief Security Officer at Alausa today. More after the cut...

Photos: Obasanjo pictured relishing ice cream

Former president Obasanjo pictured relishing a cup of ice cream at the Green Legacy resort, in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital recently

Acting INEC Chairman Mrs Amina Zakari assumes office

Mrs Amina Zakari who was appointed acting chairman of INEC by President Buhari yesterday June 30th is pictured above receiving notes from Ambassador Ahmad Wali who Professor Jega handed over to yesterday June 30th. She will stay in office until a new chairman is appointed!

Pres. Obama to host Pres. Buhari at the White House on July 20th

The statement from the White House in the US reads below...

On Monday, July 20, President Obama will host Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House. The visit will underscore the United States’ longstanding friendship with Nigeria, our commitment to strengthening and expanding our partnership with Nigeria’s new government, and our support for the Nigerian people following their historic democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power.

President Obama looks forward to discussing with President Buhari our many shared priorities including U.S.-Nigeria cooperation to advance a holistic, regional approach to combating Boko Haram, as well as Nigeria’s efforts to advance important economic and political reforms that will help unlock its full potential as a regional and global leader. In addition to hosting President Buhari at the White House, the United States will welcome President Buhari’s senior advisors for consultations with U.S. counterparts and other events aimed at building on the strong U.S.-Nigeria relationship.

Senate sets up committee to reduce salary of Senators

According to the Senate President, two committees were set up today, one of which is the finance committee which will work on how to reduce the salaries of lawmakers. 

Photos: Buhari returns to Nigeria after attending AU Summit

 

President Buhari touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja this morning after attending the AU Summit in South Africa. More photos after the cut...

We dont have the power to declear Buhari, Osinbajos' assets - CCB

For those who have been discussing on the fact that Mr President and his vise should declare their assets publicly, they have actually done as you wish, but. We'll have to wait a bit longer as the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, that has in custody the assets declared by the two leaders, says it lacks the power to make them public for now. The Chairman of the CCB, Mr. Sam Sada, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard through his Special Assistant, Mr. Gwimi Sebastian Peter, said only the National Assembly is vested with the powers to decide the terms and conditions under which such documents could be made public. The chairman said even though the Constitution of Nigerian made it clear that the agency should make available to the citizens the assets declared by public officials, the same law vested the National Assembly with the power to decide the terms and conditions for making such materials public. Sada explained that the CCB was ready to comply with the terms and conditions specified by the National Assembly on the matter but would only do so once the law was amended. He said: “While the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act give the bureau powers to receive assets declarations, verify, examine, keep in custody and enforce compliance when there is a breach, the responsibility of determining how and on what terms asset declarations will be made accessible to the public was left to the National Assembly. “Several National Assemblies have come and gone since the establishment of the CCB without addressing the matter.”

http://www.konga.com/phones- tablets?utm_source=affiliates& utm_term=phones-tablets& utm_content=02_06_2015& utm_campaign=menu&k_id=horlah

Photos: Buhari and Osinbajo with their children

 

We have some really hot First Children. The next four years will be very interesting!...:-) 

Official photos from Aso Villa tour and Handover notes ceremony

Adams Oshiomhole comes hard on Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday came hard on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over the lingering fuel scarcity and her claims that oil marketers were presenting fraudulent oil subsidy claims for payment.

Speaking at a function, the Governor queried the Minister for speaking up about the falsification of claims by the oil marketers just few days after the government in which she is a minister will be leaving office. He said the Minister should take sole responsibility for any discrepancies recorded in the subsidy claims and in the Economy as a whole.

"It is quite intriguing that with barely few days left in office, she has suddenly woken up from her slumber to realize that oil marketers have all along been falsifying subsidy claims and defrauding the nation of billions of naira and dollars. The question to ask is: how come that it is now, for the first time, that we are hearing from the Minister of Finance about fraudulent claims by the oil marketers amounting to billions of Naira? At what point did the Minister of Finance and CME realize that these fraudulent and similar claims are going on? When did it start? Is it just recently or it has been going on all along? These questions are pertinent because we know that if the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) were doing its work diligently, all claims by oil marketers would be vetted on a daily basis before their payments are processed by the Ministry of Finance. Hence, there should be no dispute about the amount due to oil marketers at any point in time.

What the foregoing, therefore, suggests is that all along, PPPRA, the Ministry of Finance and the oil marketers have been involved in an unholy alliance, in the mismanagement of the fuel subsidy regime and in the process defrauding the nation of its revenues. The recent nationwide fuel and energy crisis, adjudged the worst in the economic history of Nigeria, is merely a reflection of the gross mismanagement of the economy which characterized Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure since 2011"he said

He said the Price water Cooper's audit report on the NNPC revealed “massive abuse of public trust and stealing of our common patrimony in high places under her watch and the government she serves”.

Buhari and Osinbajo to tour Aso Rock today

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and VP-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will be led on a facility tour of Aso Rock by President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo today May 28th. This is part of the procedures leading to the handing over ceremony which takes place tomorrow May 29th.

Fuel scarcity is an act of Sabotage - President Jonathan

During the Federal Executive Council valedictory session earlier today, President Jonathan said his administration has witnessed various degrees of political manipulations, particularly the ASUU strike which according to him is one of the longest strike ever as well as the recent fuel scarcity which he said is a clear act of Sabotage. He said if it wasn't a case of Sabotage, how come the strike by the marketers happened just few days before the end of his government. He said the actions of the marketers was clearly to bring his government to its knees.