The Man Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Saraki was born on December 19, 1962 to Olusola Saraki and Florence Morenike Saraki. His father, Olusola Saraki was once a
Senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria and a one time senate leader. He is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and an Ex-Governor. He is an indigene of Kwara State. He is married to Toyin (née Ojora) Saraki. They are blessed with four children.

He attended King's College, Lagos, from 1973 to 1978, and Cheltenham College, Cheltenham, London from 1979 to 1981 for his High School Certificate. He then proceeded to the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, when he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).

He worked as a Medical Officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex, from 1988 to 1989. He was a Director of Societe Generale Bank (Nig) Ltd from 1990 to 2000.

He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC); haven previously defected from the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Saraki as Special Assistant to the President on Budget. During his tenure as Special Assistant to President on Budget, Saraki initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill.
Saraki also served on the Economic Policy Coordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of several key economic policies for Nigeria.

In 2003, he ran for the office of the Executive Governor of Kwara State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won. He was re-elected for a second term in office in the 2007 elections. As Governor of Kwara State, he led reforms in Agriculture, Health, Education, Finance and Environment Policy.
One of his major achievements was partnering with displaced white farmers from Zimbabwe and inviting them to Kwara State and offering them an opportunity to farm. This led to the establishment of Shonga Farms programme, which is now being replicated across Nigeria.

It is worthy to note that His charisma among his fellow Governors got him appointed as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

Under Bukola Saraki’s term as a Governor, Kwara became the first state to complete the Nigeria Independent Power Project. In collaboration with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Dr Saraki re-energised the Ganmo Power Station at Ilorin, and connected over 375 rural communities to the National Grid, through the development and installation of 725 transformers and 7 substations. Kwara also completed 4 electrification projects that meant power became stabilised for 18–22 hours a day. It then made it possible for 90% of people living in Kwara to have access to electricity.
While in office, Bukola Saraki also left his mark on the health section in Kwara State, he introduced a range of new health programmes, including a statewide campaign in 2008 to reduce maternal and child mortality with regard to Malaria. This included the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and free malaria drugs to pregnant mothers and to children under the age of five.

A statewide programme of hospital development was also implemented, leading to the redevelopment of hospitals in Afon, Patigi and Lafiagi.

Other measures implemented by Bukola Saraki included improved training and re-training for medical staff; refurbishment of hospitals and staff living quarters; and employment of qualified medical doctors and other health workers. Many of the primary care programmes were sponsored by international agencies such as WHO and UNICEF.

Bukola Saraki’s major landmark achievement was in Agriculture. He introduced a range of reforms to agricultural policy to increase the commercial viability of farming, and to increase exports to international market.

2019: Group set to raise N1Billion for Buhari’s primaries through crowd funding.

Barely few days after some Nigerians and groups jostled to obtain the Presidential Nomination Form and Expression of Interest Form for President Muhammadu Buhari, which NCAN won the race eventually by outsmarting many Nigerians and groups to get another group is offering to raise funds for primaries . ...

As President Buhari prepares for party primaries, many Nigerians and groups have indicated interests and aligned to fund President Muhammadu Buhari’s primaries with a crowd fundraising target of one billion naira.

The crowd fundraising target of One Billion Naira is tagged “Nigerians Fund PMB 2019 Primaries” and is to be coordinated by Buhari 2019 Door to Door Ambassadors. According to Chris Kohol, the Director General of the coordinating organization, the crowd funding campaign is initiated by good & patriotic Nigerians to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s personality and sterling leadership achievements.

Buhari 2019 Door-To-Door Ambassadors is a voluntary socio-political organization birthed chiefly to promote and propagate President Muhammadu Buhari’s sterling administrative achievements through door-to-door outreach, campaigns and other innovative and strategic means towards ensuring victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.

The organization currently has over 4 Million PVC carrying memberships across the country just within 5 months of it establishment & target 37 Million members across 36 States and FCT as the organization embark on full membership mobilization early next month.

According to an official statement released by the coordinating organization, the crowd fundraising targets One Billion Naira for President Muhammadu Buhari’s primaries and will start from Monday 10th September, 2018, by 10am and end on Monday 17th September, 2018, by 7:00pm.

Channels of the crowd funding includes online payment, bank transfers/deposits and short code SMS.

The Director General of Buhari 2019 Door to Door Ambassadors, Chris Kohol, disclosed that the crowd fundraising exercise will be highly transparent as Economic & Financial Crime Commission (EFFC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Buhari Presidential Campaign Organization 2019 and Buhari Support Organizations (BSO) have been notified of the crowd funding exercise and have been invited to monitor and audit the One Billion Naira crowd funding project for President Muhammadu Buhari, making it highly transparent and the first of its kind in Nigeria.

"President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of integrity and honour has said severally and demonstrated many times that he will not touch any Kobo of the public funds unlike some past leaders to facilitate his reelection bid, hence Nigerians are keen to crowd fund One Billion Naira for his Presidential primaries to enable him apply the funds to campaign transportation/logistics, campaign materials, non-volunteers salaries, media, advertisement and other key expenses during the Presidential primaries and convention" Chris Kohol said.

He further stated that the planned gesture for President Buhari is as a result of his good sterling leadership achievements evident in the areas of security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption war, massive infrastructural development among others.

He hinted that the donated funds will be presented to President Buhari on 18th September, 2018, by about 37 delegate donors representing the huge numbers of donors and each state of the federation.

It will be recalled that in 2008 President Barack Obama raised about 778,642,962 for his Presidential campaign and in 2012 again he raised over one billion US dollars for his reelection campaign.

The coordinating group said that they hope to see how President Buhari matches President Obama’s record.

How I was inspired into farming by my father-Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has explained that he was inspired by his father to embrace farming, because he made him understand it as a noble profession at a tender age.

He said "My Dad told me farming is a noble profession, because without farmers we will have no food and without food we will all be in trouble. Although a successful business man in his days, he did not give up farming. In my formative years, my Dad wasn’t into farming personally he only had a farm. Except on days when he could spare time, he cleverly ensued that I go to the farm almost every day by sending me there to go pay off workers their daily wages. Even as a University student, anytime I was home,  I must go to the farm to supervise what was been done and pay those that must be paid. My Dad raised me as a farmer....".

The speaker has however reiterated the need for a concerted government effort at ensuring widespread mechanized farming as way out of the country's poverty and food security, noting that "If we must grow what we eat and eat what we grow, then government must ensure that our farmers remain on the farms no matter the cost, and lay the foundation for mechanization of agriculture and smart farms"

Dogara in an interview with Daily Trust Newspaper said: "As at today, I am not deeply into agriculture, although I am a part owner of a farm. I started my foray into farming in the late 90s when I first established an Orchard on the banks of river Tafawa Balewa which is still flourishing till date. Before I got into politics, I acquired the present farm land at Gidan Kura, Nasarawa State for the purpose of cultivating cassava  on a commercial scale.

"Unfortunately, the policy on cassava farming introduced by the then Obasanjo government failed. We were left with so much cassava that we didn’t know what to do with. We sold a full pick up truck load for N30,000 then but there was no enough market to take all the cassava. When the cassava farming failed, we decided to turn the farm into an orchard.

"In 2006 before I joined politics, we planted 37,000 mango seedlings consisting of 12 different foreign varieties and 17,000 jumbo guava seedlings on the farm. We lost quite a number in the process of nurturing the trees to maturity but right now it’s an established orchard. We have added Banana trees, fish ponds, poultry and a small ranch as the years go by.  In collaboration with partners, we want to expand the poultry and begin processing rice and maize on the farm. But that is work in process".

According to the Speaker, "It is also true of Nigeria that as long as we are not running mechanized farms, any talk of progress in agriculture is mere cheap talk. When more than 99 percent of farmers still go to farms with small hoes, big hoes, etc, there is no way we can successfully feed our ever increasing population. Something has to be done and very urgently too as we are not near any breakthrough in agriculture, if the truth must be told".

On fears that if what is needed to guarantee food security in the country is not urgently done, Dogara said "I have no doubt in my mind that if we don’t increase and continue to expand our capacity to grow enough food to feed our citizens, with the population explosion starring us in the face, we don’t need a seer to warn us of the coming implosion. With current practices, the prospects for our nation is not looking good at all.

"The challenge we have as a nation is recruiting the next generation of farmers. We have to make farming attractive to the millennials otherwise, we face a very frightening and insecure future. I don’t know how we can achieve this, but it’s a task that must be accomplished. The youths must be encouraged to take to farming as a profession of choice. There are so many young persons out there in this country that have never gone to farm or work on the farm, even once in their lifetime and that’s unacceptably and worrisome".

The Speaker while explaining how he also motivated his children out of their initial hatred for farming said "I had to work hard to break the walls of resistance they had built inside themselves. Right now, anytime they are home, they are looking forward to when they will go to the farm. I know exactly what I'll do to cement their interest in agriculture but I cant let the cat out of the bag now as they may also read this interview".

Customs seizes bags of rice, cannabis, sugar in Sokoto

The Sokoto Command of Nigerian Customs 
Service has seized 517 bags of foreign rice and 320 parcels of cannabis
 of one kilogramme each illegally smuggled into the country.

Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto, its Comptroller, Mr Gimba 
Umar, said other items seized included 34 bags of sugar and 45 bales of 
second-hand clothes all intercepted at various routes in Sokoto and Kebbi states in the last two weeks.

Umar said the items had total duty paid value of N14.9 million.

He said that the packs of Indian hemp were wrapped to lo look like pawpaw weighing one kilogramme each when the Volkswagen Golf car conveying them was apprehended.

According to him, no suspect was arrested in connection with the
 offence as the suspects fled and abandoned the vehicle in an uncompleted
 building.

He commended the police for their support which facilitated the successful 
apprehension of the illicit substances, stressing that when the 
suspects approached customs checkpoint, the quickly turned back which 
aroused suspicion.

The comptroller said other areas where the items were intercepted 
included Argungu-Kangiwa, Illela, Sokoto-Gusau, Kamba and Dole Kaina
axis.

Umar assured that the command would not relent in its efforts to ensure
that no person or group of persons sabotaged efforts of the NCS and
 the growth of the nation’s economy.

“We will keep pursuing them to ensure that no foreign rice passes our
 borders as smugglers can do everything possible to succeed in their
 unlawful strives,” Umar said.

He reiterated that the command would sustain its commitment to revenue generation, ensuring a smuggling-free country and
 other mandates of the NCS.

Receiving the Indian hemp, an NDLEA official, Mr Almustapha Aliyu, said the illicit substances were suspected to be imported from the Benin 
Republic and Ghana.

He, however, promised that the substances would be subjected to laboratory tests and measured at NDLEA office.

He commended the Customs service for intercepting the illicit drugs, stressing that this was not the first time the service was achieving such a feat.

He described the feat as an indication of the synergy that existed between the Customs service and NDLEA in the state.

(NAN)

Is this a deliberate attempt to impoverish the good and hardworking people of Imo State?- Ex gov Ikedi Ohakim opens up on Imo state.

In his post ex governor of Imo state Chief Ikedi Ohakim lamented about the situation in Imo state, poor sanitary condition as well as declining economic activities in the state.Read his post plus pictures posted below.......

Why did Somtochukwu have to die? Why was Eke Ukwu demolished? Why was New Market Plaza and shops demolished? Why was Douglas Road barricaded and blocked for months now causing untold hardship to residents and motorists? Why were the drainage system destroyed and abandoned? Where are the refuse disposal units I left behind?

I drove through a drivable section of Douglas Road the other day through Emmanuel College and I wept for the soul of that young promising boy and for millions of Imolites who were forced into hardship and back to their villages following the callous and deliberate attack on the economy of the common man. Why then did all this happen only to be abandoned over a year after? Is this a deliberate attempt to impoverish the good and hardworking people of Imo State? I can't make any other meaning out of it. 

I passed through the few shops that opened along the road and saw no activity. Many others have long closed up shop. The center of the road has now become an unorganized Eke Ukwu with mountains of refuse everywhere threatening to unleash a medical epidemic on the people of Imo State and beyond. What is the real aim for the destruction of the commercial hub of Owerri Capital? Why was an innocent blood shed? Indeed evil has befallen our land. Our beautiful, Clean and Green Imo is dark, dirty and broken.

The drainages were destroyed and abandoned, refuse heap have become the new decoration, this was not the Clean, Green and Healthy Imo State I left behind. (attached pictures of Douglas road today and even worse. Photo credit: Irobi Darlington) 

"2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Knowingly or unknowingly we may have made mistakes in the past. We may have attracted the anger of God in ignorance. Let us seek God's face and let Him take back center stage in the affairs of Imo State. Join me umu nnem, let us reclaim our land.

2019: Atiku Visits Makarfi, Seeks Support

Former Vice President Of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday visited the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, at his residence in Kaduna.

Atiku, who is a presidential aspirant under the PDP in the 2019 elections, said the visit was aimed at seeking the support of Makarfi, who is also a presidential aspirant, as the party struggles to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the APC government as a total failure and therefore, said the party must not be allowed to continue in office in 2019.

Atiku said he was willing to support any other candidate of the party that emerged through a credible process, should he lose in the presidential primary.

On his part, Senator Makarfi said both himself and Atiku were eminently qualified for the country’s number one seat, adding that his presidential ambition was not a do or die affair.

Also in attendance at the meeting was the Director General of the Atiku Campaign Organization and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as well as close associates of Senator Makarfi.

2019 election: Female candidate can emerge governor –Senator

Senator Patricia Akwashiki, of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa State, has expressed optimism that a female governor would emerge in Nigeria in 2019.

Akwashiki expressed the optimism at the PDP national secretariat on Friday in Abuja.

She spoke with newsmen shortly after submission of her nomination and expression of interest forms to seek the party’s governorship ticket in Nasarawa.

The aspirant said that despite the cultural factors affecting females, especially in the northern part of the country, she was poised to break the jinx to be the first female to be a governor in Nigeria.

“I agree that it’s been a religious and cultural thing in the North. In 2015, Hajia Aisha Alhassan tried it in Taraba and she almost made it.

“I think it is possible that a woman can be a governor of any part of this country.

“I am the first female to go to the Senate, House of Representatives and the first woman to be made a minister.

“So, I think I will break that jinx and still be the first woman to become a governor in Nigeria.

“It’s not impossible.”

She urged the people not to mortgage their conscience by selling their votes to politicians with money.

Akwashiki decried Nasarawa State’s over-reliance on the federation account.

She said there was the need to harness its untapped natural resources and closeness to the Federal Capital Territory to improve its Internally Generated Revenue.

Akwashiki said that PDP Nasarawa had learnt its lesson from the past elections and was ready to do the right thing to win in the 2019 general elections.

“We have learnt our lessons. Where we have done things with impunity, we have apologised and we are also begging people,” she said.

Another gubernatorial aspirant from Kwara, Mohammed Ajia, advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of their numerical strength to vote young people into elective positions in 2019.

Ajia, who also submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms, said it was high time the youth stopped complaining or take the back seat in politics.

He said they should get involved to contribute their quota to national development.

“2019 is our time, we should take advantage of it; we have the number, we have the strength.

“We should support ourselves. If we do this, nobody can stop us.

“We have said that we the young people; we shall actualise our struggles by contesting for elective positions in various political parties, and by so doing, we can impact on our people.

“Complaining at the backside will not solve the situation of Nigeria.”

 

(NAN)

BREAKING: Gov Ahmed picks PDP Senatorial form, gives reason

Ahmed Abdulfatah, Governor of Kwara State, has picked up nomination form for the Kwara South Senatorial District.

He is seeking to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Ahmed disclosed this in a tweet via his handle on Saurday.

On why he picked form for the Senate, Ahmed noted that it was in response to calls by his people to ensure “effective, purposeful representation”.

He wrote: “ In response to calls by my people and in keeping with my strong desire to upscale the excellent work we have done in all three zones of the state, through effective, purposeful representation, I have picked up the PDP nomination form for Kwara South Senatorial District.”

Rivers APC can’t adopt indirect primaries – Abe insists

Magnus Abe
The senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Magnus Abe, has insisted that the Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot adopt indirect primaries in the selection of candidates ahead of the 2019 election.
Abe, who is governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC stated that indirect primaries breed corruption through financial inducement of delegates.

This is coming after the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, at the end of an Expanded State Executive Committee meeting in Port Harcourt, announced that the party has adopted indirect primaries.

However, Abe in a statement Saturday in Port Harcourt by his medi a aide, Parry Benson, while insisted that the party cannot adopt the said process.

He said: “Rivers State is one of those states where we cannot have indirect primaries. The entire structure of the party in the state is embroiled in legal controversy with about four or five Court cases.

“So, if you want to do indirect primaries, which particular list of delegates are you going to use and which particular congress?”

“They say where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit. What you call indirect primaries is a situation where known party members meet in a place to elect candidates.

“These known party members are invariably part of a structure that is already organized. So when people have control of such structure, the entire exercise is predetermined because they already know who they are going to elect.

“You have to understand that life is dynamic and part of what we promised Nigerians is that we were going to bring change into the country and make it better. Part of the challenge people have with indirect primaries is like I said the outcome is predetermined.”

The senator further said: “Secondly, it is very vulnerable to financial inducement because the delegates are known and you can’t target a particular number of people as those that you need to service in order to get your nomination.

“So, this has led over the years to a vast increase in corruption in terms of financial inducement for delegates. In bringing our message for change in Nigeria, there is, therefore, every need for us to look at these things and improve the processes as the country grows older and our democracy matures.

“No matter the argument one may have or may not have, I believe that as far as Nigerian democracy is concerned, the days of indirect primaries are fast drawing to a close.”

I will partner Igbo to develop Southeast region, support restructuring – Saraki

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday said in Nigeria, the democratic institutions were under threat.

Up and down our country today, Nigerians are crying out for succour and yearning for solutions. For this reason, yesterday, PDP Abia State delegates and party executives came out in large numbers to listen to our vision to #GrowNigeria.

Saraki, spoke in Owerri, when he visited the Imo state Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to meet stakeholders of the party as well as delegates for his 2019 presidential ambition.

The Senate President, also said that he was in full support of restructuring of Nigeria, adding that part of his agenda would be to partner with Igbo to develop the region.

According to Saraki, “I am running to be president because democratic institutions are under threat. Nigerians are asking if they are still part of the project called Nigeria. Many are unemployed and government under Buhari does not know the survival process of the economy.

“Let me tell you, we are committed to fighting for all Nigeria and it is time to get a leader that will stand for the right of all Nigerians. A leader that will ensure that Nigerians have food on their table and will ensure the unity of the country.

“We will partner with Igbo to develop what God has deposited in their land. It is our believe that government alone cannot make Nigeria grow. It must grow with entrepreneurs.

“Nigeria deserves a president that has the capacity and ability to realize our potentials.

I am in support of restructuring and I support every states to develop what they have and give a reasonable percentage to the federal government inline with true federalism.”

Residents Of Kabayi Community Cry Out For Help

Like some other communities plagued with lack of basic infrastructures, such as good roads, electricity, among others, Kabayi community in Aso Pada district of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State is also one that suffers the menace.

Despite sharing a boundary with the nation’s capital, Abuja, residents of the community numbering close to 25,000, cry out to the government over their inability to enjoy basic infrastructure.

According to them, despite several attempts to make their complaints known to government authorities, nothing has been done to improve the situation.

 

Some residents narrated their plight to Channels Television stating that many of the basic infrastructures currently enjoyed were put together by members of the community.

“In this area, we have been trying our best. Whatever you see here, even the roads, it is the community that tried and did it. This light you are seeing including the transformer, we are the ones that bought it. In short, there is nothing that we can show that the government has done for us in this community,” a resident, Usman Suleiman said.

 

 

One of the major issues which residents also battle with is flooding which consequently results in erosion, a situation which some attributed to the construction of buildings along water channels.

The residents also say that the situation has affected several businesses including hospitals, leaving people with no choice than to go outside the community to seek medical treatment.

 

“There was a hospital here before but because of the bad roads caused by heavy rains, the owner could not maintain it any longer and now the place is deserted. As you can see, people are suffering. If they get sick at night they must go as far as Mararraba as we don’t have any other place for medical attention,” a resident said.

 

Another resident, 45-year-old widow, Veronica Reuben, explained that although a portion of her house has been overtaken by erosion, she has remained there with her children because they have nowhere else to go.

 

 

Residents also reported a case of a 19-year-old girl who went missing after a heavy downpour which resulted in a flood.

Her uncle, David Uzuegbu, told Channels Television that she was coming back from her workplace at Nyanya when she got stuck and swept away by the flood.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, who also spoke to Channels Television, sympathised with the residents for their losses.

He also added that the government will continue to give the needed attention to affected areas.

Source  Channels Tv

Fayose backs out of presidential race

Fayose, Ekiti governor drops presidential ambition

Faced with the reality of the bigwigs presidential aspirants of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), outgoing Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the first to have indicated interest for the office, has dropped his ambition.

He said on Saturday that he was discontinuing his 2019 presidential ambition.

The governor was one of the earliest persons in the country to indicate intention to contest for the nation’s number one position early in the year, in spite of warnings that that the party zoned the position to the North.

He dropped the hint on Friday when he received the duo of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former minister, Kabir Turaki Taminu, (both presidential aspirants) who came to lobby him and delegates in the state PDP.

He said he had to drop the ambition as mark of sympathy and concern for his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka who lost in the last gubernatorial election in the state.

” I dropped the presidential ambition because of the stolen mandate freely given to my deputy

” As a good leader, I cannot abandon my loyal deputy whose mandate was stolen by the APC and be pursuing another ambition

” My posters are there in a room. I am committed to the recovery of the mandate for now more than anything else”, he said.

It will be recalled that before now, Fayose had not only opened campaign offices but also came out with retinue of branded vehicles with which to campaign for the presidential slot.

The two visiting presidential aspirants boasted that PDP would regain power in 2019, and urged the Ekiti delegates to consider their candidature so as to make the dream become a reality.

2019: Again, Bauchi female lawmaker dumps SDP, returns to APC

Hajia Maryam Bagel, a Bauchi State female Assembly member for Dass constituency has dumped the Social Democratic Party and returned back to the All Progressive Congress.

Bagel made the declaration in Bauchi while addressing her supporters shortly after she was appointed treasurer, President Buhari campaign organisation.

She said, her support for President Buhari’s 2019 project informed her returned to the APC.

“You are aware that I had earlier dumped APC for SDP to contest as Senator during the recent by-election, but I called you to inform you of my returned to the APC again following my passion to work for President Buhari,” Bagel claimed.

The female lawmaker added that she cannot afford to lose her loyalty and respect for Buhari, describing the president as the only option for Nigeria in 2019 election.

It could be recalled that Bagel had earlier defected to SDP, contested Senatorial slot recently, and also accused the APC of lacking internal democracy.

The lawmaker urged her supporters to vote for the President come 2019 election.

Abuja earth tremors: Scientists reveal what is responsible, say earthquake likely

Some scientists have called on regulatory agencies to check the incessant rock blasting in the country in order to prevent recurrence of earth tremors.

They made the call on Friday in Abuja in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to them, regulatory agencies should come up with rules and regulations that will prevent people from indiscriminate blasting of rocks in order to preserve the environment as well as save lives and property from natural disasters.

They said persistent and uncontrolled blasting of rocks through the use of powerful explosives could lead to earth movements.
Prof. Mosto Onuoha, the President of Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), said rock blasting may be responsible for the earth movements in Mpape and parts of Maitama, Abuja.

“The use of explosives to break or blast rocks would have vibrating power and ability to the last end of the rock.
“It will get to the stage that could be seen visibly and to the bottom of the ground where we cannot see but where the rock has ended.
“When this action is continuous, the vibration from the rocks blasted with explosives will be transmitted to the body-like water that is already settled under the ground.

“The release of the vibration in form of energy back to the earth will lead to earth-shaking.

“ The FCT Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and other relevant organisations should continue to monitor the situation in Abuja and in other places,’’ he said.

Dr Adeneye Talabi, a former Director of Technology Acquisition and Adaption in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, urged the Federal Government to enforce all existing rules on the exploitation of natural resources.

According to him, government must ensure that due processes are followed to address the earth movements that happened recently in the FCT.

Talabi explained that Nigeria was not immune to such occurrences, adding that appropriate measures ought to be put in place to avert future incidents.

“If there is a tremor, it is an indication or symptom that the eventual higher degree of it which will translate into earthquake can occur.
“Earth tremor is very close to earthquake. The earth tremor is just the shaking of the ground earth crust while earthquake is a total collapse or opening up of the ground, ‘’ he said.

He said the tremor recorded in the South-South Zone was as a result of distortion in the balance of the ecosystem during oil extraction.

Talabi said the vacuum created by extracting gas and crude oil ought to be replaced with close density commodity to avoid any future disaster.
“ There is a need for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in particular to enforce all the existing rules guiding exploitation of natural resources like crude oil.

“ Regarding the tremor in Bayelsa and Rivers, a vacuum has been created through the exploitation processes and methods,“ he said.
He urged the Federal Government to direct oil companies to ensure best practices in extracting natural resources such as crude oil and natural gas.

We defected from PDP to APC with over 120,000 supporters,Kwara politicians boasts...

Kwara Central senatorial candidate in 2015 election, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and a former Kwara State governorship aspirant on the platform of the  Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Sunday Babalola have said they defected from PDP to the All Progressives Congress with over 120,000 supporters to rescue Kwara State from alleged maladministration

Abdulrazaq, in an interview on Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital stated that the residents of the state were ready for change, adding that politicians in APC are now more focused on dislodging the ruling elite in the state.

He said political heavyweights in APC had been collaborating to defeat the PDP in the 2019 general elections.

He said,  “I left from PDP to APC with over 100,000 supporters. Our people have been yearning for change and they have been making demand. Change has come to Kwara. In Kaiama Local Government, 90 per cent of the party members did not move to PDP, they remained in the party. Eighty per cent of Kwara North party members stayed behind. They are not moving. Even in Kwara Central, most did not move with them. So there is change on the horizon and this is the beginning of the new dawn. Change to the advantage to the APC.

“For us in Kwara, the priority is about change.  We had maladministration for over 20 years. Now, it is not about who becomes governor or which geopolitical zone takes the mantle but we just want to get rid of these people, who have mismanaged the economy of Kwara for years.”

Babalola, who said he defected with over 20,000 of his supporters from the PDP to APC stated that  Kwara State had been sadly and regrettably bedevilled with unprecedented underdevelopment. This, he said, was occasioned by inappropriate policies, programmes and with little or no project executions.

According to him, the level of poverty and infrastructure decay in the state in spite of the volume of the revenues that had accrued to the state over the years, both from the federation allocations and internally generated revenue, is what every well-meaning person should rise up and fight against.

Babalola said: “There has been improper management of state resources by the ruling elite.”

Ahmed’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, refuted the claims of the politicians. He said it was untrue that Kwara State has been under-developed.

He stated that Senate President Bukola Saraki, during his eight-year administration, as the governor of the state, transformed Kwara from civil service-based state to a commercially-booming one.

He added that Saraki initiated and completed many laudable projects and infrastructure. According to him, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed had also sustained the tempo of development with people-oriented programmes and policies as well as infrastructural provision.

He said Ahmed had renovated and sufficiently equipped many hospitals including five general hospitals in the state,  as well as completed many road projects.

Bobrisky: Cross-dresser says he was not deported but only asked to get a working visa

Bobrisky has explained why he was turned back at Heathrow airport in the United Kingdom on Friday night, September 7, 2018.

The cross-dresser stressed that he was neither deported nor banned from entering the United Kingdom as it was being bandied around.

Bobrisky further alleged that someone had went ahead of his arrival in the country to snitch on him that he is visiting the country for an event to make him more money.

Here's what Bobrisky wants you to know about his visit to UK

play Bobrisky (Instagram/Bobrisky)

 

"I want to say a very big thank you to all my Uk fans who really want to see me badly. I know some of u have got true love for me but trust me it hurt me that I cried dis morning because I was not able to see people who truly loved me and appreciate me. As for the haters who think I was deported or banned from entering the UK that is a fat lie.

"I was only asked to go get the right visa. U all forgot so soon that I’m a strong soul, nothing can break me .And as for the SNITCH who went to tell the immigration I’m coming to work so sad u are pained that u can see me grow in success. Let me correct ur impressions darling we know u but i won’t mention ur name I went to Uk to relax and enjoy myself not to make money.

"I make nothing less than 1million a month in my country, I became so famous in my county, Snapchat pay me in my country so tell me why I won’t love my country NIGERIA ??. Out of dis money I make monthly I still help the needs who need my help.

"UK immigration treated me awesome because they went through my past record of all the country I have visited for the past few years and there was no BAD record. So nothing still change my coming to Uk ??. I came home voluntarily to get the right visa I’m coming Uk lovers," he wrote in a statement.

President Buhari’s takeaways from FOCAC BEIJING Summit by Garba Shehu

PRESIDENT BUHARI ARRIVES IN BEIJING, CHINA FOR THE FORUM ON CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION (FOCAC). SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Heads of State, Governments and delegations from 52 African countries, which includes Nigeria and the People’s, Republic of China met in Beijing, under the auspices of the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The tri-annual summit was held with the theme: “China and Africa: Towards an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari led a strong delegation from the public and private sector that included senators, state governors and the Ministers of Finance, Transportation, Power, Works and Housing, Budget and National Planning, Petroleum and Industry, Trade and Investment, and Minister of State, Aviation.
The gains for Nigeria from the recent FOCAC, which alternates its meetings between China and Africa every three years, can be summed up in three ways: Nigeria as a member of FOCAC; Nigeria-China bilateral engagement and Nigerian Government–Chinese business partnerships.

At the summit, which attracted multiple benefits for Nigeria, members agreed to bind themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative of the Chinese government, which essentially seeks to promote collectively, among one another, extensive consultation, cooperation and ensure shared gains.

Essentially, this translates into closer connection in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people ties. All members will share development opportunities and promote cultural exchanges.

Going forward, Africa and China will form a stronger synergy in world bodies such as the UN, World Trade Organisation and G77+China. They will align themselves in pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 of the African Union and support individual national development strategies.

Overall, this should generate more resources for everyone, expand markets and create space for African development and broaden its economic prospects. To realise this, African countries have agreed to participate in November this year in China’s first-ever International Import–Export Expo in Shanghai.

It is important to note that China has categorically stated their commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs of members, as well as pledged to support development efforts without political strings attached. This should answer mostly Western critics who doubt the sincerity of China.

In line with the general principles of the accord, Nigeria, with few African countries, were preferentially treated to bilateral meetings. The Chinese and Nigerian government met exclusively to discuss matters of mutual benefits. The leaders of both countries witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by their foreign ministers, captured as “One Belt, One Road (OBOR)’’.

There was the signing of USD 328 million financing agreement for the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone by the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, China International Development Cooperation Agency.

As for more specific takeaways from the bilateral meetings, Nigeria received blessings of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping for the building of the country’s largest hydroelectric power plant in Mambila. Work on the power project will commence on the site in early 2019.

When President Xi announced a USD 60 billion to finance aid and infrastructure projects in Africa at the FOCAC Summit in Johannesburg in 2015, Nigeria joined other countries to draw from the funds for critical infrastructure that included railways, roads and power.

In the last 24 months, China has given Nigeria support in scholarships, military trainings and security assistance, agriculture and concessionary loans to fund infrastructure. Nigeria has attracted more than USD 5 billion finance and more is still under discussion with the government of China.

With a further USD 60 billion announced for the next three years by President Xi, Nigeria should hope to make more progress in closing its infrastructure deficit.

At the Johannesburg summit, President Xi announced RMB 100 million in humanitarian and military assistance to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. At this summit, he promised a further sum of RMB 50 million for the same purpose. President Xi promised to open China’s market for agricultural products from Nigeria and widen cooperation between the two nations in media, sports and culture. He noted that several Nigerian footballers in China were idolised by fans. The Chinese leader also promised to step up cooperation in intelligence and military training.

While commending President Buhari for taking measures to fight terrorism and insecurity, President Xi said the Nigerian leader was decisive in dealing with terrorism. “You are resolute–the same attitude as China,” he said.

President Xi told President Buhari that he would support the reform of the UN “to increase the voice of developing countries in Africa”. He equally promised continued support for Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, citing the country’s railway modernisation project; Lekki Deep Sea Pot; Zungeru Power Project; Abuja Light Rail; ICT and infrastructure backbone and Abuja Water supply as laudable developmental projects.

The Chinese leader announced the establishment of a “manufacturing section” so that Nigeria can gain from China’s leading role in the world. “In some we lead, in others we need to catch up,” he added.

On a parting note, President Xi told President Buhari that he was fully cognisant of the status and influence of Nigeria in Africa, saying, “We will step up cooperation and will provide assistance. The relationship between China and Nigeria is as best as ever, given the deeper mutual trust. China will continue to stand with Nigeria.”

President Buhari was also accorded the honour of a state banquet by the Chinese Premier Li, who assured the Nigerian leader that China was ready “to press ahead” with infrastructure, including the Mambila hydroelectric power project. He, like President Xi, requested for “thorough feasibility and sustainability studies.”

Among the several outcomes of the engagements of President Buhari and his delegation at the FOCAC Beijing summit were the many agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed between the Nigerian Government and Chinese businesses, and between Nigerian businesses and their Chinese counterparts.
The Nigerian delegation was able to sign thirteen agreements during the summit out of 25, with more to be signed by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation.

In all, more than USD 10 billion agreements were signed. Others, still under discussion will be quantified upon the conclusion of discussions by various parties. Among those that have been signed, in agreements or MOUs include that entered between the China National Petroleum Corporation, which has agreed to secure funding for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Ajaokuta – Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline to cost USD 2.8 billion. The agreement entered by the Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry for USD 2 billion, for a first-ever cotton value chain; that is from cotton growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture and garment with Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States as the chosen locations.

Another Chinese conglomerate, Capegate Integrated is into an MOU worth USD 1.5 billion for energy and organic fertilizer that will cover Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano to generate:

· 300 MW of electricity
· 500,000 tonnes of organic fertilizer
· 60,000,000 litres of oil from pyrolysis
· Create up to 10,000 jobs
· 400 garbage collection trucks, various types of city
sanitation equipment and
· One million (1,000,000) waste bins to be deployed.

The NNPC entered another agreement with Nanni Good Fortune Heavy Industries Group and Capegate Group for a USD 400 million investments across six states to allow for:
· 90 litres of ethanol
· 64 MW of power
· 72,000 tonnes of sugar per annum
· 10,000 tonnes of animal farm per annum
· 5,500 direct employment

The Nanni Industries and Capegate Group submitted an MOU to the NIPC for an investment in 15,000 hectares of Cassava Ethanol in the South-west, and another project of the same value and scale in the South-east.

Among other agreements that the NNPC signed was one with Obax-Complant Consortium and another with Capegate-Nanning Consortium that targets 10 biofuel complexes nationwide. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru said through these ventures, Nigeria is giving effect to her aspiration for the exploitation of renewable fuel sources.

Edo State Government, as reported widely, had signed for the construction of the Benin River Port; the Benin Industrial Park and a 550 Barrels per day modular refinery. A funding MOU between Huawei technologies and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Galaxy Backbone for the training of 1,000 Nigerian government officials to acquire basic ICT knowledge and skills has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.

Huawei also plans the annual training of 10,000 Nigerians in ICT, with a wider and deeper training of 5,000 out of this number who, upon certification by Huawei will be employable anywhere in the world. Another attractive MOU signed was that by KhromeMonkey Nigeria Limited, behind whom is Leadership newspapers owner, Sam Nda-Isaiah and Shenzen Right Net Technology Limited.

This partnership will lead to setting up of Amanbo Nigeria, a business-to-business-consumer (B2B2C) platform and portal that would enable Nigerian exporters to trade with Chinese importers and vice-versa. This partnership holds tremendous opportunities for Nigeria in terms of creating thousands jobs, if not millions as core and support services to the platforms such as warehousing all over the country, logistics, distributorships, customer services, shipping services, credit facilities for small businesses etc. The estimated trade potential of the platform within the first three years given the current trade relationship with China is USD 500 million. This is expected to continue to grow, creating millions of jobs for Nigerians.

From addressing the FOCAC as FCOWAS Chairman, and doing so as President of Nigeria, to having 30 minutes discussions with President Xi Jinping and another 60 minutes with Premier Li, to addressing a room filled with influential Chinese businessmen and women, President Buhari’s six-day engagement in China had turned out to be really eventful, successful and highly rewarding.

Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity.

The Swap Africa ...New reality show is set to premiere on Sunday 30th September 2018.

 The Swap Africa is a positive reality show produced in Nigeria. The highly anticipated premiere edition of 9stream’s Uplift initiative reality television show, The Swap Africa, which premieres on Sunday, 30th September, 2018, by 7pm Nigerian time/8pm Central African Time. 

 Organizers say viewers around the world can tune in online at 9stream.live, on the 9stream mobile app (download on the Google store and on the apple store) as well as the best of the live daily and weekly highlights shown on local channels across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Américas from Sunday, 30th September, 2018 at 8pm CAT.
    The premiere follows weeks of excitement as The Swap Africa searched the continent for the most deserving young aspiring talents across several works of life and revealed their 17 ambassadors from across the continent .

TheSwapAfrica aims to create new opportunities for hard working youth across the continent. For twelve weeks, viewers and fans will witness the teamwork, competition, drama and action as 17 Pan African Celebrities get to Swap places with young ambitious Africans and help them achievetheir dreams and goals with a grand prize of $200,000 (approximately 72million Naira) up for grabs. You don’t want to miss a minute of the action, make sure you subscribe today on www.9stream.live, download on the Google play store, Apple Store Viewers in Africa and across the world will be able to connect with their favorite celebrities as they work together to change lives and inspire young Africa.

Subscribe now and share your story with us today and you might stand a chance to join the Swap Africa. Watch one of the most anticipated reality shows in Africa, The Swap Africa, which premieres on Sunday 30th September, 2018. The Swap Africa Season 1 premieres on Sunday 30th September, 2018, and will be exclusive to 9stream.

Stay tuned for updates by following us on Instagram @theSwapAfrica, Twitter @theSwapAfrica and Facebook Theswapafrica. 

Saraki: Senate President appoints Onoja as presidential campaign spokesman

Senate President Bukola Saraki is not slowing down on his presidential ambition and this is evident with the appointment of Ilemona Onoja as his campaign spokesman.

The appointment of Onoja, a legal practitioner by the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Campaign Organization was announced by Mohammed Wakil, the campaign office's director general.

On the choice of Onoja as the man for the image laundering job, Wakil said that the legal practitioner has been a very vocal voice in the campaign for good governance.

Wakil also said Onoja had always advocated for the respect for human rights  and upholding the principles of the rule of law.

Onoja's appointment, according to Wakil, is to take effect immediately from today, Saturday, September 8, 2018.

Saraki has picked up his presidential nomination form at the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but he's yet to submit.

Saraki explains why he should be next president

One of the Presidential aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has explained why he should be voted as Nigeria's next president.

In a recent statement by Hon. Mohammed Wakil, the Director General, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Presidential Campaign Organisation, the Senate President said Nigeria deserves a president, who must have proven capacity, knowledge and capability.

Saraki made this known while in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state during the commencement of his nationwide  "Meet the delegates" campaign.

COUPLE GOALS : Lagos assembly member Barr Tunde Braimoh steps out with his beautiful wife. Photos.

Barr Tunde Braimoh is representing  Kosofe State Constituency  in the  Lagos State House of  Assembly .He recently expressed his interest to return to the House of Assembly for another tenure....see his lovely  pictures  with his beautiful wife Mrs Yetunde Braimoh .

FRSC promotes corps commanders, marshals

FRSC Corps Marshal Oyeyemi: corps commanders, deputy corps commanders promoted

The board of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has approved the promotion of eight Corps Commanders (CC) and 12 Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC).

The approval was made at the board meeting on Friday.

The eight corps commanders were promoted to the position of Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM) and the deputy corps commanders were elevated to the position of Corps Commanders (CC).

Among the newly elevated ACMs are PO Osadebamwen, Abayomi Olukoju, M. Shehu, MI Garba, DD Sayi, SU Umar, Yekeen Salami, and Sunday Maku.

The newly elevated CCs are O Kalu, JI Dagwa, MA Jatau, EA Asaniyan, RN Monyei, TD Sifawa, SO Adepoju, U Wihioka, P Olaye, KM Kabo, R Ogom, and S Akinyemi.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the Chairman of the FRSC Board, Barrister Bukhari Bello, applauded the transparency of the promotion exercise and urged the newly promoted staff to put in more efforts in ensuring that the highways are safe for all categories of road users.

The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, also congratulated the newly elevated Officers.

Oyeyemi encouraged them to continually put in their best in the course of their duties.

The Corps Marshal promised to continue to improve the welfare of the Corps’ personnel in general to the satisfaction of all. He advised those who did not get promoted to keep faith and hope for the best in the next exercise.

The promotion exercise began with medical examination, physical exercises, computer based examination, and oral interview which took about a week to conclude, Kazeem added.

The newly elevated Officers would be decorated on Tuesday 11 September 2018 at the FRSC Headquarters situated at 4 Maputo Street, Zone 3, Wuse Abuja.

Anthony Joshua loses £200k custom-built Land Rover to thieves

•Joshua with his car before it was stolen

BOXING heavyweight Anthony Joshua has vowed to hunt down thieves who nicked his £150,000 bespoke Range Rover.

The personalised luxury motor – embossed with AJ’s signature – was pinched just days before his world title fight against Alexander Povetkin.

Joshua defends his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight crowns against the Russian challenger, 39, at Wembley next Saturday.

AJ was training at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, South Yorks., when it was nabbed from a relative’s home in London on Thursday.

Joshua parked the black motor – complete with a drawer for his world title belts  at the address whilst he headed north to make his final preparations for the bout.

His title belts are not believed to have been in the car at the time.

Last night, a spokesman for AJ said: “A shared car was stolen from a relatives central London home in the early hours of the morning.

“This is now a police matter and no further information will be made available.”

Kofi Annan, a great in-law to Nigeria.

Kofi Annan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, must be briefing the President on Nigeria’s role in the funeral of former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. He was not just Ghanaian and world figure, the man was one of us.

Annan died in Switzerland on August 18, and his burial is billed for September 18, in his home country. Onyeama has something with the Swiss. His father, Justice Charles Dadi Onyeama, was a Judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague from 1967 to 1976. We note that the top diplomat died in the country where our minister spent part of his salad days.

Annan’s first wife is, Titi Alakija, who gave him two children, Kojo and Ama. Their marriage in 1965 lasted until 1983, but that did not severe his links with Nigeria. Ama  is married to Adepoju  Adedeji.  Kojo’s middle name is Adeyemo.

Titi is the daughter Chief Adeyemo Alakija, a great Nigerian who had links all over the world from Brazil to the United Kingdom and beyond. He was a co-founder of the Daily Times of Nigeria, founding member of the Nigeria Football Association in 1933[not 1945] and founding member of the  Island club, Lagos.

Chief Alakija was the Lisa of Egbaland, Woje Ileri of Ile-Ife and had ancestral links with Oyo. His father was one of the freed men who returned from Brazil to begin a new life in Lagos. Alakija’s brother set up legal practice in Bahia, Brazil.

Kojo Annan shares the same birth date, 25th, with his grandfather after whom he was named. Chief Alakija was born in September 1884, his grandson, July, 1973. The Ghanaian is a regular face in his mother’s Lagos home.

Onyeama should know quite a lot about Annan’s father in–law, who was also a lawyer. Chief Alakija’s niece was married to Justice Olumuyiwa Jibowu, the first Nigerian High Court judge and also the first indigenous Justice of the Supreme Court.

The first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, was Chief Alakija’s nephew  and son of Oba Samuel Ademola, Alake of Abeokuta. This paints a large picture of Nigeria’s relationship with Annan.

I expect President  Muhammadu Buhari to lead a powerful delegation to Osu Castle to support the Annans. Mr. President could go with Nigerian members of the UN family. These include Mrs Amina Mohammed, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, Gen. Isaac Obiakor  and Mrs Joy Ogwu.

Part of that delegation should be Chief Emeka Anyaoku, first African Secretary General of the Commonwealth. For those who do not remember,  Annan and Anyaoku, played crucial roles in Buhari’s peaceful emergence as President in 2015.

The powerful duo, accompanied by Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, doused political tension by urging Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to ensure a bloodless election. Their wise counsel propelled the immediate past president to accept the result of the Presidential poll.

Annan’s love for Nigeria would earn him a Presidential medal from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe when they meet in the Land of the Dead. Zik was a Pan African and did so much to cement cordial ties between Nigeria and Ghana.

Zik of Africa showed this when he took, Flora Ogbenyeanu Ogoegbunam, to the altar on April 4, 1936. Venue was Wesley Church, Jamestown, Accra. One of the guests was, Adolphus Kofi[A.K.] Blankson, who later followed Azikiwe to Nigeria and at a time served as General Manager of African Continental Bank[ACB].

The greatest gift Zik gave to Ghana was Kwame Nkrumah who eventually became the First President of that country. The Nigerian, after studies at the Lincoln University, Pennsylvania decided to settle in the Gold Coast as Editor of the African Morning Post.

Zik’s fiery pen and tongue bought Nkrumah over. The latter also proceeded to Lincoln University. And like Azikiwe, he turned lecturer there after earning his certificate.

As Editor, Azikiwe’s office was on Pagan Road, Accra. He was once charged with libel and was on his way to jail before the highest court of the land set him free. What a coincidence that one of his two sureties was, V.B. Annan, a Ghanaian who retired to Accra after serving in Nigeria.

In Accra, Zik and Flora stayed at Trocadero Hotel. It sounds funny that today, one of the top hotels in that town, La Palm Royal Beach, is said to have been built with Nigerian money courtesy of a retired General who gifted a former Ghanaian leader with our oil money.

In 2001 and again in 2002, I spent time at the hotel and was told by a Ghanaian that  La Palm Royal Beach, was owned by the wife of an ex-Ghanaian president. It was Nigerian money talking. The woman in question was said to have sold it off later.

La Palm Royal Beach is in the Labadi area of Accra. Not far away is the Teshie Military Academy which produced  three Nigerian leaders: Generals Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo.

The first Nigerian military Head of State, Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, started job as a Second World War Private in Accra. Dim Emeka Ojukwu taught Murtala Tactics at Teshie. Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu was there in 1957.

It was therefore little surprise that the only time Ojukwu and Gowon held hands during the crisis was at Peduase Lodge, Aburi. Ghanaian leader, Gen. Arthur Roy Ankrah, thought he could stem War. Biafrans stood on Aburi. Nigeria changed the goal post.

Back to Kofi Annan. He died on August 18, a day that Ankrah would have turned 103 years. That probably was another way of reminding Nigerians of the man that took them to Aburi, for peace, in January 1967.

Zik influenced Nkrumah. He brought Ghana closer to Nigeria. Zik dropped Benjamin. Nkrumah dropped Francis. He was originally Kofi, a name which Annan bore.

The Owelle and Osagyefo were toppled in 1966. The military officers who played prominent roles in their sack were Emmanuel.  Operation Damissa had Emma Ifeajuna. Emmanuel Kotoka led Operation Cold Chop.

That was just one year after Koffi Annan married Titi Alakija.

EFCC begins work on petition linking Buhari’s aide, Abba Kyari, to contract scam with one Bako Waziri Kyari and broadcasted on Berekete programme. ....

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has started work on a petition linking Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, to a contract scam.

The Spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a text message sent to our correspondent on Friday.

The petitioner, Bako Waziri Kyari, who claimed to be a nephew to the chief of staff had said during a popular radio programme, Berekete Family, on Human Rights Radio 101.1FM in Abuja, that Kyari and Sani Ado, whom he claimed worked with the Bureau of Public Procurement, allegedly collected N29.9m from him in order to facilitate the award of a contract.

The petitioner said he had written a petition to the EFCC but the commission refused to treat it, insisting that it could not investigate the President’s aide.

In his reaction, however, the EFCC spokesperson said, “The petition by Bako Waziri is being investigated by the commission. Any serious investigation takes time and it is presumptuous to conclude that the EFCC is non-committal simply because you did not receive instant result. This is how investigations are done.”

Bako, who is from Bama in Borno State, told Berekete Family that when he lost his father, Kyari came to commiserate with the family and then promised him the contract.

He said on getting to Abuja, he met with Kyari at Caledonia Hotel, Maitama, four times.

Bako alleged that Kyari asked him to pay Ado some money to facilitate the award of the contract.

He said he approached a friend who lent him some money, adding that he also sold his properties in order to raise N29.9m which he used in facilitating the contract.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said, “Abba Kyari asked if I had a company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. I told him I did and so he asked me to come down to Abuja. We met at least four times at Caledonia Hotel on Gana Street, Maitama. We discussed there. The hotel should have CCTV and this can be confirmed.

“Abba Kyari collected the documents of my company. He said I would supply 15 Toyota Hilux vehicles to the Presidential Villa. He gave me an agreement to sign and I signed two documents. He collected two letterheads from me, 12 passport photos and introduced me to Sani Ado and Alhaji Ibrahim.

“He said anytime they needed money, he would let me know so that I could give the money to Sani Ado. Ado began collecting money from me to process the contract. Before depositing money into Ado’s account, I always alerted Abba Kyari and he would tell me to go ahead.

“All the money I transferred to Ado summed up to N29, 950,000. The total contract was worth N300,725,000. They promised me 30 per cent profit of the total contract which is about N94m.”

The petitioner said Ado called him later to tell him that the money had been paid.

Bako, however, said he never received the funds as Ado continued to give him flimsy excuses.

He said he got frustrated and then wrote a petition to the EFCC.

The petitioner, however, said he was disappointed by the response of the EFCC.

He added, “Some officials loyal to Abba Kyari refused to help me. I went to meet an official petitioner at Block C in the EFCC. He is very close to the acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. The official asked me to bring the petition to him but by the time I got there, he had called Kyari to inform him of my presence.

“Abba Kyari called me on the phone to tell me that he knew I was at the EFCC.”

Bako said he quickly changed his mind and decided not to use the EFCC any longer. He, however, said friends from whom he borrowed money began to pester him.

He said a friend decided to report him to a policeman, DSP Tijani Bulama.

The petitioner said he explained the matter to Bulama and even gave him Abba Kyari’s number to prove that he was telling the truth.

Bako said Kyari promised to return the money in a few days but never did.

He added, “The policeman threatened to make the matter public, but the following day, men of the DSS stormed Tijani’s home and arrested him.

“While in detention, the policeman under duress, called me, asking me to meet him at Eagle Square. On getting there, men of the DSS arrested me and took me to their office. The DSS men asked if we had informed anyone and we said no.

“They took our statements and Abba Kyari later came to the DSS. He, however, refused to speak to me. The DSS officials forced me to lie that I gave the policeman N250,000 to blackmail Abba Kyari but I refused. So they detained me for two weeks while the policeman was detained for a month.”

He said it was Kyari that asked the DSS to release him and promised that the matter was a family one and would be resolved internally.

The petitioner said he waited for another seven months but Kyari never paid him his money.

Bako said he decided to approach the EFCC a second time but through another official, Nura Buhari.

He added, “Nura Buhari then told me that if I wanted my petition to be attended to, I must remove Abba Kyari’s name. So, I removed Abba Kyari’s name and put only Ado.

“Bashir instructed that the investigation must not include Abba Kyari. They took my statement at Block B but moments later, Abba Kyari called me again. When I picked up, Kyari told me he was told that I was at the EFCC but I denied being there.

“All of them at the EFCC began to feel intimidated. Even Magu is afraid of touching the case file.”

Also speaking, the policeman who was detained by the DSS, described the entire incident as a case of fraud.

Tijani, who spoke amid tears, said the DSS officials arrested him in the presence of his children and harassed his entire household.

He said, “Initially I didn’t believe. I thought it was a fraudster impersonating the chief of staff. I called Ado and he said it was the chief of staff that asked him to collect the money. When I called the chief of staff, he denied it and said it was a mix up.

“The next day, I sent a text to Ado telling him that the matter would be made public if he did not repay the money. Before I knew it, armed DSS officials in 10 vehicles stormed my home in PENGASSAN Estate, Lokogoma, and arrested me. They didn’t even allow me wear my shoes. It was on March 27, 2017, there were eyewitnesses there.

“They blindfolded me. My child was even crying in the house and they even pushed the little boy to the floor. It was at that point I realised that it was the chief of staff’s handiwork. Even the IG would not send the DSS to my house. I knew that only someone as powerful as Abba Kyari could do such.”

The deputy superintendent said he was brought before the then DG, Lawal Daura.

He added, “Daura said, ‘you are the one trying to intimidate the chief of staff, you want to become a whistleblower’. When I asked if it was true that Abba Kyari duped the man, he asked me to get out of his office.”

Tijani said he was treated as a common criminal and made to sit on the bare floor.

Attempts to speak with Ado on Friday proved abortive as his telephone line indicated that it was switched off while a text message was not responded to.

Presidency source denies allegation

A presidential source, who denied the allegations levelled against the President’s Chief of Staff, said the President’s top aide would not want to engage the accuser in the media.

The source who said he did not have the authority of the Chief of Staff to speak on the matter, said, “I want you to use your discretion to determine if the story is worth publishing.

“The Chief of Staff will prefer to take up any libelous publication in court.”

Efforts made to get the spokesman for the DSS, Mr. Nnochirionye Afunanya, failed as calls made to his telephone indicated that it was switched off. A text message sent to the same line also did not deliver.

No Sani Ado in BPP – Spokesman

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the BPP, Mr. Segun Imohiosen, said the bureau did not have any member of staff with the name Sani Ado.

He said, “Thanks for reverting to the bureau before going public. Unfortunately, we don’t have any officer in the Bureau by the name Sani Ado.  So, issue of collusion in procurement does not even arise.”

 

Police arrest 37 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers in Kaduna, Nasarawa

The Police Commands in Kaduna and Nasarawa states on Friday said they had arrested 37 suspected armed robbers and many kidnappers in recent weeks.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna, Ahmad Abdulrahaman, at a briefing with journalists in Kaduna, the capital, said the command also arrested three people involved in currency counterfeiting and a motorcycle thief within the period, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

He said, “The police under my watch will respect the diversity of the state, display courage, show compassion and demonstrate professionalism and shun corruption.

“Items recovered from the suspects include, one locally fabricated gun, two Dane guns, six live cartridges, 1,366 live 7.62mm ammunition.

“Also large bundles of counterfeit US dollars, three motorcycles, one cutlass, eight wrist watches, one knife and assorted charms were seized from them.”

He said the suspects arrested would be arraigned in court when investigation into the matter had been concluded.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government on Friday said that it would spend N3bn on girl-child education and schools’ improvement before the end of 2018.

The Director of Public Schools in the state’s Ministry for Education, Science and Technology, Dahuru Anchau, made the disclosure in Kaduna, the capital, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said that the money would largely offer scholarship to girls in primary schools and also go into the training of female teachers in public schools.

According to him, the money is part of the World Bank’s $21.5m grant to the state out of the $100m by the Global Partnership for Education project.

Anchau, who is the coordinator of the project in the state, said that the grant was disbursed by the World Bank to Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Sokoto states where girl-child education was very low.

Also, the Nasarawa State Police Command on Friday said it arrested 23 suspected armed robbers and kidnappers in August.

The Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Bello, who made the disclosure in Lafia, the state’s capital, during a briefing with journalists, said the suspects were arrested following distress calls from members of the public.

According to him, 17 of the suspects were arrested on August 2 for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping around Mararaba Udege in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Bello added that four others were arrested on August 9 at Kadarko in the Keana Local Government Area by a combined team of policemen.

He said that four of those arrested were believed to be among a gang terrorising commuters along the Lafia-Makurdi Road.

Bello, however, said that two policemen sustained severe injuries during one of the operations.

He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include, four AK47 riffles, one G3 riffle, two revolvers, 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, knives and charms.

He appealed for more support from the public towards curbing violent crimes in the state.