Presidency Warns Nigerians On Comparing Osinbajo And President Buhari’s Governance

The Presidency yesterday described those scoring the performance of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo better than that of President Muhammadu Buhari as mischievous enemies trying to create division in the presidency.

The Political Adviser to the President in the Office of the Vice President, Senator Femi Ojudu made the remarks on Monday in Abuja while responding to questions from State House correspondents on preferring Osinbajo’s style of handling the affairs of the country.

According to Ojudu, “Without Buhari, Osinbajo would not have been acting president. Prof. Osinbajo consults with President Buhari and that since it is a joint ticket.

He said that Buhari is still in charge even on medical vacation and Nigerians were seeing results of the policies introduced by the government, under the same Presidency.

He said: “I think it is thoughtless. I also see it as a ploy by the opposition to cause an unnecessary division. It is a joint ticket; the president and the vice president were elected based on the manifesto of the party and since they were sworn in they have been committed to implementing that manifesto.

“The same people who said we never had economic team, no policy, nothing, are the ones saying this. It is now that the policies we are implementing are maturing and they are seeing the result. It is not a question of one person being better than the other person.

“I will give you an example. There is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past. A good example is the Niger Delta initiative. The President called the vice president and said I am giving you the mandate, go into the Niger Delta, meet with everyone who is a stakeholder, all the communities, talk to the militants and make sure you solve this problem for the benefit of Nigerians.

“We are losing 1.2 million barrels of oil per day; all the gas pipelines powering the turbines are being blown up. And the President has said unless and until we resolve this problem, we will not get out of recession. The vice president took up the mandate and went to the Niger Delta. It is the initiative of Mr. President not that of the Vice President.

“These are mischief makers, those who do not wish this country well, who are always promoting crisis, who will not allow the people to benefit from this democracy, are the ones promoting this kind of divisive tendencies.”

Ojudu added: “Almost on a daily basis, there are things he still needs to consult the President I mean it’s not a regular thing but major decisions he still has to consult Mr. President. The president is still the president.

“He is in charge but like I said earlier on, this is a joint ticket.

The president of Nigeria remains the president of Nigeria. He is acting because it is one government and the same. He is more experienced, he has been in the game longer than the vice president and if there are major issues that he needs to take decision on, he could call on him and say, ‘sir, what do you think about this; we are about to take decision on it, do you have opinion?’ That does not mean he is not in charge,” Ojudu said

“Again, one other thing you have to see is that if you give someone a responsibility, he must be able to show to Mr. President that despite that he is not around, it is not going to create any vacuum. He can then decide not to sleep at all, all through the time the president is away just to show him that he is capable of ensuring that Nigeria goes on well while he is away.

“And the President could also have given the mandate, let nothing go wrong, I believe in you, I appointed you as my vice president; you must make sure that you do this. If you have a boss who gives you an assignment you will want to impress him and Nigerians as well and that for me is what has happened. ýIt is not that one person is better than the other; certainly not.”

“I’m telling you that I have seen some things sent out intentionally to cause some kind of division within the Presidency. Some people who have been condemning everybody in the past, I see them on twitter and on facebook and generally on social media. Some people are trying to promote division and we are not going to allow that.

“This president and vice president work together in tandem and I know they both have confidence in this nation.

Opposition politicians and some former officials of the previous administration, have been extolling Osinbajo, suggesting that the president could continue to stay away.

Among those in this group is Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, who said the acting President should “do away with the cabal around the president.”

Another person in this category is Reno Omokri, who said: “We have an action Acting President and a blaming real President!”

It will be recalled that Osinbajo has been piloting the affairs of the country since January 19 when President Buhari jetted out to London, United Kingdom on medical vacation.

Osinbajo Gets "Obong Emem Ibom" Chieftaincy Title From Akwa Ibom Monarch

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo was in Akwa Ibom in Continuation of the Niger Delta Dialogue on Thursday, 2nd March, 2017. He got a chieftaincy tittle of Obong Eme Ibom from his HRM Owong (Dr) Bassey Archianga, paramount ruler of Ibeno and chairman traditional rulers council of Akwa Ibom during his visit to the state. Photo below...


Congrats to our able Acting President!

Source Olufamous

PHOTOS: EFCC Discovers Multi-Million Gold Jewelries from Ex-NSA In-Law's House

The EFCC  recovered jewelleries worth millions of Naira from the house of one Akka Babba Danagundi, brother-in-law to a former National Security Adviser to Late President, Umar Musa Yar’aduwa, Major General Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar.

The jewelleries were found in a fireproof safe hidden in a house.
About 50 documents in respect of landed properties bearing the name of the former NSA and his wife, Binta Sarki Mukhtar were also discovered.
The house, belonging to one Akka Babba Danagundi, is located at No. 375, Gwangwazo quarters of Kano Municipal, Kano State.
The discovery was sequel to an intelligence report alleging that huge sums of money including foreign currencies were hidden in the premises.

During the operation, Aiko Fireproof safe and 7 suspects including the house owner, Danagundi were arrested and brought to EFCC 's Kano Zonal Office where their statements was taken.

On arriving at the commission’s Kano Zonal Office, the safe was opened and jewelleries such as necklaces and wristwatches including 50 Certificates of Occupancy for properties located in Kano, Kaduna and Abuja were found. The jewelleries found includes 55 wristwatches, including three gold watches. Also 37 gold jewellery weighing 1,907.9g and another 15 pieces of fashion jewelleries were found.





Danagundi is still in EFCC custody.

Source Olufamous,

MMM Took N18bn From About 3 Million Nigerians-NDIC

Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said about three million Nigerians lost N18bn in the Phonzi scheme Mavrodi Mundial Movement, popularly called MMM.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, stated while speaking at the ongoing 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday.
Represented by the NDIC Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Hadi Suleiman, Ibrahim lamented that despite repeated warnings by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the corporation, many Nigerians still patronise MMM.

He said, "The Phonzi scheme is the phenomenon of illegal fund managers, popularly called ‘Wonder Banks’ which have continued to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money. This phenomenon has been a source of concern because despite our repeated warnings over the years, some members of the public have continued to fall victims of their fraudulent practices.

“We would like to reiterate the fact that these fund managers are illegal as they are neither licences by the CBN to take deposits from members of the public nor are those who patronise them covered by the NDIC deposit insurance scheme."

If you patronize a scheme not covered by NDIC, once there is trouble you're on your own.

#TorTivCoronation -Cultural ceremony by the Jerchira people of Benue State to entertain the Tor Tiv. [PHOTOS].

It was the turn of the Kunav and Ikyor people in Benue State to entertain the Tor Tiv at the palace.To show their culture and tradition, they are dragging the indyer (traditional drum) from the rice mill at Gboko towards the palace of the Tor Tiv.
The indyer (traditional drum) is an instrument used by Tiv people to announce special events, and every special occasion is announced with a different tone. A Facebook user, Bem, shared this post, saying,

“EXCITEMENT AS ZAKI JAM GBINDE LEADS THE ENTIRE JERCHIRA PEOPLE TO THE TOR TIV PALACE.It’s a jubilation moment at gboko the seat of power for the TIVS as JERCHIRA (Kunav and IKYOR) are dancing to the KWA TOR as today marks the turn of Jerchira people to entertain at the palace.ZAKI JAM GBINDE who is the chairman of the CULTURE and TRADITION sub committee has taken the tradition to extremes as JERCHIRA people are currently DRAGGING INDYER to the palace.This is the first TIV AXIS to have Dragged INDYER to the palace.The INDYER is currently been dragged from rice mill gboko heading towards the palace.

For the sake of KIDS on Facebook.INDYER is an instrument used by our people to announce special events.Every special occasion is announced with a different tone.If you are an JERCHIRA person currently in Benue, please find your way to gboko as the event is going to HIT from now till day break.This commentary will be coming to you as time permits and I’m your in spirit from JERCHIRA.(IKYOR).”

Source Towncrieronline

Ebola Survivor Who Was Named TIME’s 2014 Person Of The Year Dies In Childbirth

Salome Karwah, who survived the deadly virus Ebola, died last week in childbirth.

On Feb. 17, Karwah gave birth to her fourth child, Solomon, before she lapsed into convulsions. As Time reported, her husband and her sister rushed her back to the hospital, but no one would touch her. Her foaming mouth and violent seizures panicked the staff.
The lingering suspicion that Ebola survivors still harbor the deadly disease is partly to blame.

There were many brave people who geared up in 2014 to fight against the Ebola epidemic.

 The Washington Post writes.

See Photos of A 28-year-old woman dies after giving birth.

A young woman, Chinwendu Ogbuagu died shortly after giving birth to a baby girl on January 5th, 2017.
She was laid to rest on March 1st, in her in her hometown, Mgbaja Ossah in Umuahia, Abia State. May her soul rest in peace, amen.




               



                                

Source: LIB

Wanted Benue militia leader has links with Ortom, not Suswam – Group

A pressure group in Benue State, Not Too Young To Speak (NTYTS), on Thursday said the wanted militia leader in the state, Mr. Terwase Akwaza (a.k.a Gana) is closer to Governor Samuel Ortom than ex-Governor Suswam.

It claimed that the militia leader is a personal friend of the governor, who was awarded a contract to collect revenue all over the state.
The group alleged that it was an open secret that the militia leader fell out of grace with top officials of administration.

NTYTS said if the Department of State Security Service (DSS) was serious about locating the whereabouts of Akwaza, the proper person to ask was the incumbent governor of Benue State.
The group in a statement issued in Abuja by its National President, Chief Adikpo Agbatse, demanded the immediate release of Suswam.

NTYTS said it was absurd to link the said militia leader with the ex-governor and urged the DSS not to get entangled in local Benue politics.
It said the attempts to link the former governor with a well -known militia leader was tantamount to “giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.”

Why we won't visit President Buhari in London – Nigerian Governors Forum

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state, has given reason why State governors visit ailing President, Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom

He stated this in Abuja during a media chat after the meeting of the NGF.
Governor Yari said most of the governors are already speaking with Buhari through telephone calls.
He, however, expressed his belief that Nigerians are praying for the President’s quick recovery.

Governor Yari said: “I don’t think it is necessary for governors to go to London to visit President Muhammadu Buhari. Some of us are already talking to him.
“I have been speaking with him. We know that he is sick quite alright. Every human being is bound to be sick
“Looking at his age coupled with the heavy and huge task of running Nigeria, it is not surprising to know he is sick.
“But all Nigerians, I believe, are praying for his quick recovery.”

Aisha Buhari commissions ‘mobile clinic’

President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha, has commissioned a mobile clinic programme to provide basic and essential health care services to people, especially those living in hard to reach areas of the country.
The event took place on Wednesday at the State House.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Buhari said the programme is part of the humanitarian services that her pet project, Future Assured, provides to underprivileged Nigerians especially those that reside in the remotest parts of this country.

The mobile medical outreach, as stated by the national coordinator of Future Assured, Kamal Mohammed, is about improving health and providing services in remote areas.



He said the clinic is equipped with consultation, dispensing, and observation areas as well as a mini-lab and a nursing station.

“With the commissioning of this vehicle, organizing the medical outreach done frequently by Future Assured to remote areas is now easier.” Said Mrs. Buhari.

So far, medical screening has held at Cross River, Enugu, Oyo, Ogun, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa and Katsina states in order to create a sense of health consciousness among citizens, with thousands of beneficiaries checked for blood pressure, malaria, blood sugar and sickle cell.

The activities will continue in other states, a statement by Mrs. Buhari’s office said.

Mrs. Buhari said the clinic would provide routine screening of chronic ailments including Vitamin A supplementation and deworming of children, as well as treatment of minor medical conditions.

It will also identify client operations that require referral to Primary Health Care and other health centers for further management or continuity of care.

So far, two of these mobile clinics are available to service FCT and its catchment areas, with additional units envisaged in the near future to service remote communities in all geographical zones.

These humanitarian services of Future Assured are aimed at complementing government’s efforts in health care delivery.

I don’t really need to win BBNaija money – Bisola

Speaking a few minutes ago in her diary session, Bisola made some shocking statements about what would happen if she wins or doesn’t win the competition.

The eventual winner of the Big Brother Naija reality show would be going home with the sum of N25 million and a SUV. This itself is enough to spur any of the contestants to do all they can to win. But this is not the aim in Bisola’s case.

Asked by Biggie if she wanted any of the evicted housemates to return, she answered that she would love for Soma and Ese to return.

Wondering if she doesn’t feel the returnee housemates won’t hurt her chances of winning, she answered that her being in the house makes her a winner.
Going further, she said she doesn’t need to win the money because the opportunity to be in the Big Brother house is one which is greater than the N25 million prize money.

Dogara’s outrider dies in auto-crash

Aminu Salisu, one of the outriders in the convoy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has died in a crash.

It was learnt that Salisu who was a Sergeant in the Nigeria Police Force, was involved in a collision with a car while piloting the Speaker home on Wednesday evening.

The accident occurred along Aminu Shagari Way when a car suddenly intercepted Salisu’s BMW motorbike at the junction leading to the SGF and DSS offices, while it was on top speed.
Salisu died instantly, and his body was subsequently deposited in a yet-to-be-disclosed morgue.

Officers of the Police Force working in the National Assembly were in a gloomy mood yesterday as the news of the death of the Benue State- born officer circulated around the Complex. They spoke positively of his person and character.

Salisu, it was gathered, had been in the convoy of the Speaker when he ( Dogara) went to Sheraton Hotel earlier on Wednesday morning for a retreat for the wives of Rep members. So, it was mystifying for many when they learnt he was dead by evening of the same day.
The late officer who hailed from Okpokwu Local Government area of Benue State was married with four male children and lived in Dede Police Barracks, Abuja until the time of his death.
The Speaker’s media team is yet to respond to inquiries on the incident at at the time of filing this report.

BBNaija: Media Tour Of Jon Ogah And Ese Eriata After Their Eviction

The evicted fake housemates, Jon Ogah and Ese Eriata were seen on their media tour as they visited Naija Info FM and Linda Ikeji Media among others.


See more photos below.

‘Why Naira Appreciated’ – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria said the recent appreciation of the Naira against other currencies was the result of its market monitoring and intervention.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications of the CBN, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, on Thursday, March 2 in Sokoto refuted the claim that the allegations by Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi on the illegal sales of foreign currencies at ridiculous rates were responsible for the change in forex policy.

Gbadamosi, a Lagos businessman and former governorship candidate, made allegations of racketeering against the CBN and disparity in allocation of foreign exchange to cronies of the present administration.

He further accused the CBN of selling dollars to some people for as low as N3 to a dollar.

The CBN, however, released a statement clarifying that the transactions in question were third party transactions like Japanese Yen to the South African Rand or Euros to U.S Dollars.

The CBN also directed banks to file returns on the sale of foreign currencies in dollars to avoid ambiguities and misinterpretations in future.

Okoroafor said also that the appreciation of the Naira was in no way connected to the allegations of Gbadamosi.

He said, “I want to state categorically that there is no relationship whatsoever between the allegations by the so-called person [Gbadamosi] that dollar was being sold at 61 kobo and the current appreciation of the Naira.

“What led to the appreciation of the Naira includes the following:

“The CBN has done its intelligence work on the market and we came to the realisation that much of what was driving the demand on the BDCs and the parallel market was speculation.

“We reasoned that since there is a lot of pressure on the two segments from people seeking to buy foreign currencies for BTA, tuition and medical, that if we successfully address that, the pressure will come down.

“Also, before now, the level of our reserves was not enough to make us comfortable to really do the kind of intervention that is required.

“We decided to do so now because we are a bit more comfortable with our level of reserve.”

Okoroafor said that since the new forex policy, the CBN had intervened with about $591m in the market which had led to Naira gaining strength.

He said, “Let me also state as proof that when we placed $500 in the market only $370 was taken.

“That tells you that the real demand is $370m. When we placed $230m in the market, only $221m was taken.

“Anybody who has run afoul of the law, and the security agencies have caught up with him, should go and face his or her case and stop causing confusion amongst participants in the market.”

(NAN)

How 'Vampire' Killed Over 200 People - Police Gives Full Report on the Notorious Kidnapper Killed in Rivers (Photos)

The Nigerian Police Force have provided a more detailed information on the activities of the late kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Henry Chibueze, otherwise known as 'Vampire'.
The Nigerian Police paraded the body of the notorious kidnapper and robber, Henry Chibueze, also known as Vampire at the police headquarters in Owerri today, revealing at the same time the mind chilling killings carried out by the gangster and his followers.
According to the police, Vampire, by his own admission had killed over 200 people, beginning from wiping out his girlfriend and eight members of her family in Lagos.

“He had earlier confessed to the murder of his girlfriend Sandra and eight (8) members of her family, among them six (6) children in Lagos State. He alleged that the girlfriend stole his N45million share of N110million ransom paid by the family of one of his victims in Omoku, Rivers Stats,” said CSP Jimoh Moshood, the spokesman of the Police headquarters.
The police described Vampire as a cultist who later turned into a vicious and dangerous kidnapper/armed robber. He was first declared wanted in 2013.
The vampire gang, their weapons seized and the kigpin on display in Owerri
Police said he was responsible for many cases of kidnappings, armed robberies, murder of notable and prominent personalities in Imo State and South Eastern/South South States.
“He is a serial killer who also confessed to have killed over Two Hundred (200) people in various kidnappings and armed robbery attacks.

“He claimed responsibility for the murder of the following persons; Placid Ejimadu (Nze Ji Obi), Jonathan Ibemere aka Gwuogwuo and Livinus Iwumune all natives of Agbaja Nwangele L.G.A. Imo State."
*The killing of a member of the Imo State House of Assembly at Orji in 2015
* The kidnap/murder of a traditional rulers’ wife from Mbaise in 2015 whose corpse has not been seen till date.
*The kidnap/murder of a man from Malaysia at First Bank World Bank Branch Owerri.
* The killing of 3 members of a family including a woman from Nkwerre in 2012 after collecting ransom from the family.
The vampire gang
Also paraded were five members of his gang, Obinna Elah, 26-years-old from Orlu, who was Vampire’s second in command, Arinze Abecheta, 24 years, from Okohia, Isiala Mbano L.G.A. and Chukwuebuka Ikeazota, 23, from Arochukwu in Abia state.
The fifth member of the gang was Samuel Ugochukwu, 24-years-old, also from Arochukwu in Abia and the sixth was Clifford Aheana from Omu Awa in Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State.
Police said they recovered five AK 47 rifles, 300 rounds of AK 47 ammunition from the gang. Charms were also recovered from the body of Vampire, the killed leader of the gang
The gang members were arrested early today by a special police squad after a gun battle at Omu Awa Forest in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State.
“The Police Special Forces working under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command swooped on the hideout of Henry Chibueze aka ‘Vampire’ and his gang and engaged them in fierce gun battle that lasted several hours in the early hours of 02/03/2017 at Omu Awa forest Ikwerre L.G.A. of Rivers State.
Corpse of vampire

“This operation was successfully carried out as the dreaded, vicious and kidnap for ransom and armed robbery kingpin, Henry Chibueze aka ‘Vampire’ and his gang who were rescued by his criminal cohorts from the Owerri High Court premises on 27/01/2017 from the custody of Officers of the Nigeria Prisons Service died during the shootout with the Police Special Forces and all the other suspects mentioned above were arrested and the exhibits listed recovered from them."
The police said the living members of the ‘Vampire’ gang have made useful statement, confessing and admitting to have carried out four (4) successful kidnap operations after the rescue of their gang leader at the Owerri High Court premises on 27 January this year.
They will all be charged to court on completion of investigation, Moshood said.
-NAN

Nigeria Customs Gives Vehicle Owners Ultimatum to Clear Their Vehicles or Face the Consequences

All Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties have been warned to do so immediately before the one month ultimatum or face the music.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, has approved one month grace for all Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties to do so or face outright seizure of the vehicles. And this applies even to new vehicles bought from car dealers.
The Acting Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the comptroller-general had given a window of one month, from March 13 to April 12 for car owners to pay the appropriate duty on their vehicles.
The public relations officer said that some owners of vehicles brought into the country through the land borders, obviously, did not pay duty.
He advised that owners of such vehicles should go and comply by paying the duty on their vehicles.
Attah listed four Customs Zonal offices where authenticity of Car Customs duty could be verified; such as Zone A Headquarters, No 1, Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos; and Zone B Headquarters, Kabala Doki, Kaduna.
He mentioned other offices where duty could be verified as: Zone C Headquarters, Port Harcourt and Zone D Headquarters, Yelwa Tudu Road, Bauchi State.
Attah said that any vehicle owner in doubt,who was not sure of the authenticity of his Customs document, could approach the above zones closest to him to verify.
He said that after the deadline of the given period, Customs would embark on an aggressive anti-smuggling operation to seize vehicles as well as prosecute the owners.
The Customs spokesman said that since the ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders by the Federal Government, the service had been working to perfect the process of issuing licences for bonded vehicle terminals for car dealers.
Attah said that before the start of the process, “NCS is advising all car owners in Nigeria that have not paid duty on their vehicles to do so’’.

“Once we start issuing the licence, any vehicle already in the country with no evidence of duty payment, will be liable to seizure and the owner will be prosecuted.

“We advise Nigerians to take advantage given to them within the one month to go to our zonal offices closest to them to pay. Even those who are not too sure of the Customs document in their possession—because some people may have ignorantly brought these vehicles with fake documents—they should go and verify.

“If they discover that what is in their possession is fake, they should just pay the duty.

“Immediately after the deadline, the NCS will embark on an aggressive anti-smuggling operation to arrest vehicle owners, seize the vehicles and prosecute the owners, ‘’ Attah said.
He said that “a smuggled vehicle is always a smuggled vehicle unless the appropriate duty is paid on it.”
According to him, the status of a smuggled vehicle never changed.
“The number of years of a smuggled vehicle does not change its status.
“We just advise that any person who knows that appropriate duty has not been paid on the vehicle he or she is using including motor dealers, who have collections of assorted cars in their car mart should go and pay duty, ‘’ Attah said.
-NAN

Confusion, Panic As Policeman Shoots Airforce Officer In Imo

Policemen attached to a First Bank branch in Imo State on Thursday, March 2 clashed with an Airforce officer who was at the bank for transactions.

His clash with the Airforce office threw Douglas road, the commercial nerve center of Owerri, the Imo State into panic.
PUNCH gathered from eyewitnesses that the clash started when the Airforce officer, who is now hospitalized, came to make use of the Automated Teller Machine, but one of the police officers guarding the bank allegedly resisted him.

He said that the police officer denied the Airforce officer access to the ATM because he was bearing a firearm.
According to the eyewitnesses, the Airforce who was in a military camouflage resisted the police officer immediately.An argument ensued which denigrated and led to a fight.In the process, the Police officer allegedly shot the military officer.
The colleague of the shot Airforce officer regrouped and immediately stormed the bank premises which led to a free for all fight and shooting into the air sporadically by the police officers and the Airforce personnel.
It took the combined efforts of senior police officers and military police officers to calm the situation.
The shot Airforce officer was rushed to the hospital, where he was said to be recuperating.
The First Bank branch where the incident occurred was shut down immediately, as armed policemen cordoned off the area.

King Mohammed VI Of Morocco Calls Buhari

King Mohammed VI of Morocco today had a telephone conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari in London, where he is still on vacation.
The King, who initiated the call, asked after the President’s health and expressed satisfaction at his rate of improvement.

The two leaders also discussed the current stage of the Morocco-Nigeria Atlantic crude oil pipeline project.

King Mohammed VI thanked President Buhari for Nigeria’s support in returning Morocco to the African Union and notified him of Morocco’s request to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mother, son reunite after 33 years through Facebook search

A simple Facebook search reunited a mother and son who were separated without contact for 33 years, the pair said on Thursday.
Vipavadee Thisorn, 54, and Parinya Thisorn, 36, met each other for the first time in three decades in an emotional encounter on Wednesday at Thailand’s southern city of Hat Yai.
Their meeting came three days after Vipavadee searched for her son on Facebook and found him, after several previous unsuccessful attempts.
“I tried searching his nickname ‘Oat’ and his full name many times and never found him,’’ Vipavadee said.Parinya just recently bought a smartphone and joined Facebook.
Vipavadee, who separated from her husband, Parinya’s father, when he was 3-years-old, said she was too young at the time to take responsibility.
She had tried to reconnect with her son over the years.
“For the past few years, I kept seeing Parinya’s father, who died in 2011, in my vision, he would sit next to my bed when I was sleeping.
“I think this is the sign that it is the right time to try to find my son again.
“I started the conversation on Facebook with my son. He was not sure who I was at first and asked personal questions like his father’s name and my nickname.
“Once we both realised we are mother and son, we both burst into tears,’’ Vipavadee said.
Parinya, who travelled 1,700 kilometres from the northern city of Chiang Rai, asked his mother to live with him and his son.
“I will never let her go again,’’ he said. (dpa/NAN)
ACO/MO

Just In : DSS reportedly releases,fmr Benue state Gov,Gabriel Suswam.

There are strong indications emerging that the Department of State Service (DSS) have released former gov of Benue state ,Gabriel Suswam.
The report, which has been making the rounds and yet remains unconfirmed, has it that the operatives of the security police are done with their interview and have told him to go home.
The secret police had invited him for interrogation based some fire arms allegedly discovered in his property,plus other items.

More details soon.

Kebbi Assembly Speaker Collapses During Governor’s Speech

The Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon Samaila Abdulmumin, yesterday evening collapsed during the inspection of road projects in Ribah, Zuru local government area of the state, The Nation reports.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who was in Ribah to kick off rehabilitation of roads from Ribah-Wasagu-Bena and Zuru township, had invited the speaker and other members of the Assembly for their support, but before the governor ended his speech, the speaker had collapsed to the floor.

The security officers attached to the governor rescued the speaker and he was whisked away from the scene to Birnin Kebbi in an unmarked ambulance.

All efforts to find out what ailment the speaker is suffering from at the time of filing this report proved abortive as no member of the Assembly was willing to speak on the speaker’s whereabouts.

NHRC pledges to partner CLEEN Foundation to improve civil military relations.

 The National Human RIghts Commission has pledged to support initiatives by CLEEN Foundation towards fostering an improved Civil Military Relations in Nigeria,the Ag.ES NHRC Mrs Oti Ovrawah made this pledge during a courtesy visit by a team from CLEEN Foundation led by the Executive Director Dr Benson Chinedu Olugbuo.

Breaking: Court dissolves Emeka Ike’s marriage

Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike and his wife, Suzanne Emma, have parted ways. A Lagos Island Customary Court, South West Nigeria today dissolved their 17 year-old marriage. The three-man panel presided over by Chief Awo Awosola, dissolved the marriage in a judgment following a petition filed by Suzanne. Other members of the panel of judges were: 

Mrs. Opeyemi Olanrewaju and Mr Kehinde Jacob Olayinka. Emeka Ike and his estranged wife, Emma “From all evidence before the court, the marriage between the couple had broken down, and it is irreconcilable, consequently, the marriage is hereby dissolved”, said the court. The court granted Emeka the custody of the four children, but ordered that Suzanne should be granted unhindered access to them. 

Either Suzanne or Emeka Ike has 30 days to appeal. The court also received a photocopy of a bank draft of N300 dated July 20, 2016, which the Suzanne used in refunding the bride price, paid to her family during their marriage. Suzanne in the petition filed before the court accused Emeka of incessant beating, molestation, and torture, which she said she could no longer endure. 

But Emeka in his response denied beating, molesting or torturing his wife. He urged the court not to dissolve the marriage. He also informed the court that his wife had moved out of their matrimonial home five times without any reason. He also told the court that the only time ‘devil’ entered their marriage, was when his wife paid for the children’s school fees.

Joint security operatives releases statement on dismantling of illegal and unlawful security outfits in Nigeria. READ ON

The Nigeria Police Force in joint operations with the Personnel of the Military and Department of State Service commenced yesterday 28th February, 2017, operations to halt and rid the country of illegal/unlawful security outfits constituting National Security Threat and Threat to the protection of life and property of Nigerians across the country. 

2. Credible intelligence reports at the disposal of the Force revealed that some of these illegal Security outfits have started acquiring weapons and conducting covert military training in different locations across the country. 

3. It is evident that in 2013, Federal Republic of Nigeria official Gazette dissolved and proscribed illegal Security outfits such as Nigerian Maritime security Agency (NMSA), Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Petroleum Security and Safety, Peace Corps of Nigeria and other quasi illegal security outfits.

 4. However, it has been observed that Nigerian Maritime Security Agency NMSA, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Maritime Security Agency and National Task Force to Combat Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms and Ammunition, Light and Chemical/Weapons are still operating outside their mandates and purposes for which they were registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

 5. For avoidance of doubt the Peace Corps of Nigeria under the leadership of one Akor Dickson was registered as an NGO but with brazen impunity, total disregard to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, opened illegal training camps in some States of the Country, where thousands of youths and other persons without proper background check and screening are receiving converts Military training.

 6. It is consequent upon the above and the veracity of intelligence reports from reliable sources, indicating that subversive elements/groups and terrorist affiliates have infiltrated the Peace Corps of Nigeria secretly to ruin and destroy the existing peace currently being enjoyed in the country that the Peace Corps of Nigeria secret training camps were closed down in the FCT, Kwara and Niger States.

 7. During the preliminary investigation into the activities of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, it was discovered that personnel of the Corps are extorting money from unwary youths throughout the Country under the guise of recruitment; amounts ranging from Fifty Thousand Naira (#50,000) to Hundreds of Thousands of Naira are being paid by innocent Nigerians to the Peace Corps of Nigeria. Once you paid the money you are automatically recruited. Anyone who must have paid money under any pretence to the Peace Corps of Nigeria should report their case at the nearest Police Station in where they are across the country.

 8. The Peace Corps of Nigeria has unlawfully turned itself into a security outfit without authorization and establishment by the Federal Government of Nigeria, as such, have deviated from the purposes for which they were registered as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

 9. The Corps has no legal authority to wear uniform, parade itself as Security outfit, post their personnel on guard duties, and use ranking, insignia, badges of rank which are semblance of that of the Police, Military and other paramilitary organizations without the approval of Federal Government of Nigeria.

 10. The Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies will not fold their arms and allow lawlessness to be unleashed on the society.

 11. It is in furtherance of the above that the Nigeria Police Force, the personnel of the Military, Department of State Service, had in a joint security operations swooped on the Head office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria on the 28th February, 2017 situated opposite Jabi Lake, Utako District, sealed off the building and effected the arrest of one Mr. Akor Dickson, the Leader of Peace Corps of Nigeria and Forty Nine (49) others (on the attached list) for investigation in the interest of public safety and security. They will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation. 

12. This joint security operations will be implemented throughout the country to halt the illegal activities of all these proscribed illegal Security outfits such as Nigerian Maritime Security Agency (NMSA), Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Petroleum Security and Safety, Peace Corps of Nigeria and other quasi illegal security groups. 

13. Parents and Guardians are advised to prevail on their children and wards to return home from the illegal military camps opened in some states of the country by the Peace Corps of Nigeria as the activities of the Corps in totality is unlawful. 

CSP JIMOH O. MOSHOOD Force Public Relations Officers Force Headquarters Abuja

BREAKING ! EFCC raids residence of ex-NSA, recovers jewelry worth millions

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday raided the residence of former National Security Adviser, Sarki Mukhtar, Daily Trust reports.

According to the newspaper, the operation took place around 5pm.
A source said the agency recovered jewelry worth millions of naira, as well as certificates of occupancies of houses in Kano, Kaduna and Abuja.
“Among the documents were certificates of occupancy (C of O) of some houses located in Kano, Kaduna and Abuja,” a source said.

Mukhtar was a former security adviser to former president Umar Yar’adua.

Oprah 2020? Oprah Winfrey Hints at a Possible Presidential Run [Video]

Oprah for President?
In an episode of Bloomberg’s “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations” that aired Wednesday, Oprah Winfrey was asked by philanthropist David Rubenstein if she had considered running for control of the Oval Office  acknowledging the fact that she’s super popular and that a woman has yet to be elected.
“I actually never thought I never considered the question even a possibility. I just thought, oh, oh,” said Oprah.
Oprah didn’t mention Donald Trump specifically, but she touched on his inexperience opening up the possibility of her 2020 run.
“I thought, ‘I don’t have the experience, I don’t know enough,’” she said. “Now I’m thinking, ‘Oh, oh.”
Back in January, she told “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert that she would “never” run for president…but times have changed.

Watch the clip below.

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President Oprah? Oprah discusses whether she would run https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-03-01/oprah-says-she-s-rethinking-if-she-could-be-president …

2:05 PM - 1 Mar 2017

 
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Reps probe alleged payment of N19b to state governments account

• To summon CBN gov, Finance ministry over BoA recapitalization
The House of Representatives is set to probe an alleged payment of N19 billion by the Ministry of Finance to the account of the 36 states rather than that of the 774 local governments.

The resolve was precipitated by a petition by a legal firm, Edwards and Partners to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, claiming that the N19 billion was the legal fee on the money recovered from the Paris Club.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, confirmed the development and said the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele would be summoned tomorrow to explain their role in the lodgment of the money.


The petition by the law firm said it was retained by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), to assist, manage and coordinate with other professionals, the recovery of approximately $3.189billion of Paris Club related deductions from amounts standing to the credit of the 774 local governments of Nigeria in the federation account by the Federal Government.

The petition added: “Our brief was successfully concluded with judgment and garnishe order Absolute secured for ALGON and the consultant for its fees in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS//130/13 while we got our judgment and garnishe order for our legal fees in suit number FCT/HC/CV/1545/2015.

The firm stressed that despite notifying the Ministry of Finance and CBN of the order of court, both the ministry and the apex bank still went ahead to make several disbursements to state governments directly without the mandated first line deduction at source.

They also stated in the petition that “the minister of finance further directed the CBN to pay our legal fees to the Governors Forum, an entity unknown to us in the course of the entire transaction and her directive were dully effected by the CBN.

Members of the House also at the plenary resolved to summon the CBN and Finance Ministry over their alleged non-compliance with the presidential directive on recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA).

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Femi Fakeye, who stressed the need to fully subscribe to the share capital of BoA for optimal contribution to Nigeria’s ailing economy.

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee ‎ yesterday threatened to bar Conoil Plc from lifting petroleum products over its inability to pay up outstanding debt of N3.182 billion to the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

The Abdullahi Mahmoud Gaya-led committee probing the alleged debt of over N500 billion and sabotage by oil marketers in connivance with the PPMC, made the threat after it discovered that Conoil had been in default of the 15-day allowable credit circle without paying interest, even as it continued to lift oil products.

However, the Financial Controller of Conoil, Abdulateef Ijaiya, stated that the debt position of the company with government as at December 31 was N3. 3 billion, out of which N2.5billion is due to PPMC.

Gambia scraps age limit for presidential candidates

Gambian President Adama Barrow looks at the audience from the opened roof of a car as he arrives at the Independence Stadium in Bakau for the inauguration ceremony, on February 18, 2017. Barrow has scrapped the constitutional age limit on presidential election candidates. The new change comes after Barrow faced criticism over his decision to nominate 68-year-old Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang as his vice president.Lawmakers also voted to lift the retirement age of judges by five years to 
The Gambian parliament on Tuesday scrapped the constitutional age limit on presidential election candidates after new President Adama Barrow faced questions over his deputy's eligibility due to her age.

Anyone over 65 has been barred from running for The Gambia's highest office under a constitutional amendment that came into force in the west African country in 1997.

The new change comes after Barrow — who took office on February 18 after 22 years of iron-fisted rule by his predecessor Yahya Jammeh — faced criticism over his decision to nominate 68-year-old Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang as his vice president.

According to the constitution, the vice president must fulfil the qualifications required for a president - which made Tambajang overage.

Tambajang was last week named women's minister instead, with a mandate to oversee the vice-presidency.
The constitutional change adopted by parliament Tuesday will have to be approved by Barrow to enter into force — a move that would allow him to name Tambajang officially to the vice-presidency again, according to observers.

Lawmakers also voted for lift the retirement age of judges by five years to 75.
Interior Minister Mai Fatty defended the changes, saying: "It is envisaged that this will facilitate and encourage qualified, competent and experienced Gambians to be appointed as judges of the superior courts or be elected to political office."

The national assembly remains dominated by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party.

The former strongman went into exile in Equatorial Guinea after finally ceding power to Barrow following intense international political and military pressure.