Nigerian Students threaten to shut down customs over food meant for IDPs

Women and children languishing in IDPs camp

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down Customs Command in Ikeja, Lagos if food stuffs meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are not released.

“NANS will be considering occupying the customs office on Monday, Nov. 26, to demand justice for our Diaspora Zone,’’ NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement on Saturday.

Okereafor noted that the foodstuff meant for the IDPs were purchased from Iddo Rice Market in Lagos State.

“And not from outside Nigeria with receipt to the effect, contrary to what should have constituted an act of smuggling which is against the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated under section 147, 148 and 158 of the Customs Excise Management Act, Cap C4 LFN, 2004,” he said.

Okereafor further explained that the seized items were bought by the leadership of NANS, Sierra Leone Chapter, on Oct. 27 but were confiscated by men of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Command, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The foodstuff items were bought for the purpose of donating them to IDPs camps in Maiduguri, Ogoja and Bakassi as our little way of complimenting the efforts of Federal Government, NGOs and other well-meaning Nigerians in caring for our brothers and sisters that are victims of insurgency and other internal crisis.

“Frantic efforts have been made and letter of appeal for the release written to the Comptroller in-charge of the Zonal command; follow up has been done as well and they are yet to grant our request by releasing these items so that we can use them for the intended purpose.

“As at yesterday, they have established that they seized the items on the stated date, in the process, it was discovered that the operation team that arrested the items offloaded the items, released the vehicle conveying the items to the driver.

“While the operation team under the command had mixed our items with a golf car that was arrested at Ibadan Toll-Gate with contraband so as to make it look like a smuggled goods.

“At the discovery of this, the Zonal Co-ordinator of customs told us that they will only give us a document to show that they seized the items but they cannot release them,’’ he said..

According to him, the question now is, if rice and vegetable oil that were bought from a Nigeria market can be seized by customs as contraband, how did they enter into Nigeria and are being displayed for sale openly at Iddo Market, Lagos.

Young Nigerian Man Commits Suicide After Suffering Depression

A young Nigerian man committed suicide this week.
Tolulope Abodunrin suffered from depression and had tried committing suicide before but he survived. Sadly, he went through with it this week.

Tolu's Twitter bio reads:

Nigerian. Retail and SME Banking. Finance, Economics, Sports and Politics. Goal-Getter. Depression and Suicide Survivor! Arsenal FC Fan.

People who knew him described him as an ambitious and helpful man and also a giver.

30 Dead, Many Injured As 7 Storey Building Collapse In Port Harcourt (Pictures)

A 7 Storey building under construction opposite the D PLANET night club GRA port harcourt has collapsed.

At the time of filing this report, over 30 workers have been confirmed dead while the Rescue officials are still trying to save others.

Soldiers Kill Kidnappers In Makurdi, Arrest Others (Photos)

Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi conducted raid operations at a notorious kidnapper's camp on 23 November 2018.

The troops neutralized several bandits and arrested others. Operation is still on going in the state and troops are also closing in on another notorious kidnapper in the general area. 

El-Rufai Orders Arrest Of Segun Onibiyo Over 'Hate Speech' - Dogara Rabboni (Photo)

A man identified as Dogara took to Facebook to share the photos of his friend,Segun Onibiyo,arrested and detained by Kaduna police on the orders of Gov El-rufai.According to him,Segun who is a critic of APC is detained on alleged hate speech.Below is what he wrote....

"A few minutes ago, it came to my attention that my young friend, Osmg Onibiyo aka SMG, a fiery AOP and civil rights activist got detained on the orders of a man who is more reckless with his mouth than any other sitting governor in Nigeria.

Segun Onibiyo has been arrested by the Kaduna State Police Command, allegedly on the orders of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, reportedly for "hate speech".

Just as I knew Governor El-Rufai for his vicious, strident, malicious, venomous and borderline inciting critic of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, I also know Onibiyo to be a persistent critic of the APC government.

For all his poisonous vitriol against the PDP and President Jonathan, never once was El-Rufai's liberty threatened. 

I hereby appeal to you, Mr. Governor, to accept that criticism, even vicious vitriol, comes as an inseparable part of the democracy package and must therefore be accommodated in all its forms and ramifications. 

Any "democrat" who fails to accept free speech as part of democratic practice is a FAKE DEMOCRAT and a TYRANT in disguise."

FreeSegunOnibiyo'

Army Breaks Silence On Fatal Ambush Of Soldiers

The Nigerian army has finally broken its silence on the attacks on Nigerian soldiers, the most recent in Metele, Borno state.

The deadly attack on the 157 task force battalion stationed in Metele left scores of soldiers dead while some are still miìssing.

Some estimates put the casualty figure at over 100, but the army while commenting on Friday, failed to divulge the death toll.

The army’s statement read: “The attention of the NA has been drawn to several social media, print, electronic and online publications about the recent attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele. Whilst it is true that there was an attack on the location on 18 November 2018, it has however, become necessary to correct several misinformation being circulated with regards to this unfortunate event.

“It is important for the public to note that the NA has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who fall casualty in action. Out of respect for the families of our gallant troops, the NOKs are first notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating the grief family members would bear, were they to discover such from unofficial sources.

“Furthermore, it suffices to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate BHT propaganda videos and alluding same to be the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion. Whilst it is understandable how such misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists; to misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not. So far, the situation is that the location is under control as reinforcing units have been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.

“The NA sincerely wishes to thank the various arms of government, MDAs and sister security agencies that have stood with her in these trying times; by commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for the defence of our dearly beloved country. The necessary support being given the NA by the Federal Government and the goodwill of the Nigerian populace will undoubtedly continue to spur the NA towards the ultimate defeat of the highly degraded BHTs.”

Following the latest attack, President Muhammadu Buhari dispatched Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, for an emergency meeting with Chadian President Idris Deby.

Journalist, Salkida Reveals 'Those Behind' Attack That Killed 100 Nigerian Soldiers

Investigative journalist Ahmad Salkida, who is known to have links to Boko Haram and was once contracted as a mediator between the terrorist group and the Nigerian government, has revealed those behind the attack at the military base which left over 100 Nigerian soldiers dead.

According to Ahmad Salkida, a factional group of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, was behind the recent attack that claimed the lives of several military personnel and is set to become the most lethal branch of IS terrorist group in the world.

He further revealed that the factional Boko Haram group, intends to achieve its aim through its current trend of attacks and recruitment.

“#ISWAP in Al-Naba news confirmed that it carried out attacks on a military base in Metele, on 18th and a second one on 19th/20th, when the military went to collect the fallen comrades. In all, the terror group claimed to have killed 100 soldiers.

“If the current trend of recruitments and attacks continues, #ISWAP looks set to be the most lethal branch of #IS in the world. The pace of recruitment today, is almost similar to 2013/14. Today, there is a competition to join Jihadi herd between Nigerians and Francophone youths.

“The current video that is trending online (as pictured here), is not the latest attack in Metele, it is the Zari attack on 30th August and the video was released September 7/8, 2018. Now, the question is, where will #ISWAP or #BokoHaram attack next, because the trend is apparently predictable?” he wrote.

Attack: "They Are Using Us To Make Money" — Nigerian Soldiers

Nigerians soldiers have taken to social media to narrate the sad condition they’ve been left in, just after 100 of their colleagues were killed by Boko Haram terrorists.

While the Nigerian army, the Presidency and other media aides are yet to comment on the recent killings, however the Nigerian soldiers were heard saying that their superiors and politicians ‘were using them to make money’ in the video.

The distraught soldiers also complained about the obsolete weapons they are armed with, to fight against the insurgents who have a better weapon. 

This is coming a day after a disturbing footage of an attack by Boko Haram terrorists which left many people dead, was released online. The worst losses came when the terrorists, overran a military base in the village of Metele in the north-eastern state of Borno on Sunday.
The area is the centre of an insurgency waged by Boko Haram, which was founded nine years ago to bring strict Islamic law to swaths of Nigeria, and a second new8er group linked to Islamic State. Nigeria’s military and government have repeatedly said they are on the point of defeating the militants. 
However, raids on military bases have continued over recent months, inflicting significant casualties. One assault on an army post on the border with Niger in September left 48 people dead.

An officer among the troops attacked at Metele told Reuters: 

“The insurgents took us unawares. We lost about 100 soldiers. It is a huge loss.
“We all [ran away] because we didn’t know where the bullets were coming from. 

They killed some of us who went to evacuate the bodies of the killed soldiers. We left our armour, tanks and weapons … The village is still under their control.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

#JusticeForOchanya : Mothers must break culture of silence and save their children – Aisha Buhari

Wife of the President has decried the increasing rate of gender-based violence (GBV) especially those against young women, calling on mothers to break the culture of silence and report cases of abuse against their children.

 She was speaking during an advocacy visit on #JusticeforOchanya by members of the FGGC Gboko Old Girls Association, on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the State House Abuja.

Mrs. Buhari said the unfortunate fate of Ochanya Ogbanje shows how women suffer high levels of risk at the family and community level especially in the hands of close relations. She noted that this barbaric culture, which destroys those who are supposed to be protected, is neither Nigerian nor African.

She averred that protecting women and girls from all forms of violence is part of government’s obligation to protect life and property of citizens as provided in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act of 2003.

She lamented the dearth of data on the trends, patterns, features and driving factors behind gender based violence, and called for the establishment of a tracking mechanism through a National Dash Board on Gender-Based Violence trends across the country to better track efforts at prosecuting and rehabilitating offenders, as well as compensating victims and their families.

She called on the Inspector-General of Police to expedite action on the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the murder of Ochanya.

Leader of the team, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, said the circumstances of Ochanya’s death has brought home the reality and magnitude of the sexual abuse of minors in our societies, and that the biggest justice for Ochanya is the assured protection of every single child to ensure that never again, will another child no matter their place in society have to endure what Ochanya endured.

She commended the show of indignation by Nigerians over what happened to Ochanya and called for concerted action to end the evil trend. She also called for the use of the platform of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence set aside by the United Nations, and commencing on the 25th November, 2018 in order to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

Suleiman Haruna
Director of Information
to Wife of the President
State House
Abuja

Fake blind beggars using rented kids, arrested in Anambra state

Some women who parade themselves as blind beggars with children in order to draw sympathy and scam the unsuspecting public, have been arrested in Awka, Anambra state capital.

According to reports, the women use the little children who are being rented for N1,000 per day to beg around the metropolis while pretending to be blind.

It is also claimed that some of the children are victims of human trafficking and don’t even know who there parents are.

Read the report below as shared by Facebook user, Chika Ibeneme.

I was shocked to my marrows yesterday when the taskforce team of Anambra Ministry of Women Affairs, Social welfare and Children Development burst into fraud and child trafficking syndicates who parade themselves as beggars. These group of women disguise themselves as blind beggars and perpetuate child trafficking.

The most shocking issue is that most of the children they use for begging are not their children. This woman whose pictures appear above revealed that one Edith who hails from Ebonyi state and is currently at large brings those kids to them every morning for them to rent at 1,000 naira per day.

On closer interaction with those children, the Commissioner in-charge of the Ministry was able to discover that those kids don’t even know where their parents are. It is being speculated that these kids are victims of kidnapping and trafficking.

Beautiful New Photos Of Ooni Of Ife’s Wife, Olori Prophetess Naomi

Photos of 25-yr-old prophetess Naomi Oluwaseyi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has surfaced online.

See below

Recall that the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, wrote upon marrying her …“I waited patiently upon the Almighty the King of kings, he eventually did it in the midst of many trials. Shilekunola, Moronke, Naomi; the greatest Arsenal you can apply on this highly revered throne with many rules and regulations in the midst of undiluted tradition, heritage and culture is the “Fear Of God In You”, which is the beginning of your wisdom on this throne of Oduduwa. You are welcome home my beautiful and adorable queen.
#OoniOfIfe #Otisese”

According to her website, the new Olori, named as Prophetess/Evangelist Naomi Oluwaseyi, “is the Founder/President of EN-HERALDS, a prophetic mandate and an interdenominational ministry based in Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria.”

Lady turns into a turkey for thanksgiving.photos

A certain IG slay queen, KKVSH shared a video of herself all wrapped up as a turkey on a dinner table for thanksgiving celebration.

She captioned the video;

“Thanksgiving Dinner has been served @pompano_randy  I’m a turkey today”

Well, she was not done at that as she posted another raunchy picture of herself on the same table, and asked who would like to join her for dinner.

“Who’s coming over for Thanksgiving Dinner? ”

Why No Woman Lives With K1 The Ultimate In His N100M House

This is a house you would never ignore. Built and furnished with the best of interior designs, it is located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Intentioned to be a country home, the multi-million naira edifice which is very close to the Ijebu-Ode Stadium sits on a 1,800 square metres of land.

Popularly referred to as Ule Omo Ojusagbola, the mansion which King Of Fuji, Ayinde Marshall aka KWAM 1 lives, comprises of four buildings in one.

First, there is the main house which has about seven bedrooms – five bedrooms located upstairs and two other rooms downstairs with a dinning section coupled with three living rooms. Then, there is a state-of-the-art gym and a studio.

Initially, when it was built about four years ago, estate valuers estimated the cost of the architectural masterpiece to be about N100 million.

Also, the Fuji maestro must have added colour to the area. Little wonder, the street was in September 2018 renamed after his ancestral progenitor. So, the Ijebu Ode local government, renamed the former Liworo Avenue in G.R.A Ijebu Ode to ‘Omo Ojusagbola Avenue’.

The main house which is quite big is adorned by about six Graeco Roman designed huge pillars which are usually found in the mansions of the super-rich. The house is said to have quite a number of high grade bulletproof Swisstrade doors imported from Switzerland.

Well, in Ojushagbola, a nice ambience would welcome you at night. What more, the interior design and styling are fit for kings.It spells royalty and the owner has received quite a number of distinguished personalities in his abode. He has thrown three wedding parties for some of his children in the edifice.

Surprisingly, no woman lives in this mansion with KWAM1.

According to sources close to the Fuji King, he hardly lives with a woman. No diabolical insinuations here.

“KWAM 1 just loves his space to himself and would not want any woman to disturb or disrupt his activities. He loves his kids and care for them but he would rather have them stay with their mothers than living with him. Remember, he is a polygamist and having all his wmen and children in a place could be uncomfortable for him. He deals with his wives and kids the way he feels comfortable with and everyone is happy,” a source told Kemiashefonlovehaven exclusively.

Recall that the Fuji maestro married one of his wives, Titilope Marsha, legally in March 2018 on his 61st birthday at a private ceremony at his Ijebu mansion.

Unknown to many, Titi, who was once married to Tunde Bashua and left him before marrying K1, does not live in the Ule Ojushagbon.

“She lives with her parents in Lagos and visits Ijebu whenever her husband sends for her. There was a time he wanted to get an apartment for her on the Mainland but Titi refused. She would rather stay with her parents on the Island than live anywhere else. Alhaji (KWAM1) hardly allows Titi and her three kids in Ijebu but would rather send money for their upkeep. Though there are times she forces her way to be in Ijebu, K1 knows how to discharge her promptly.

 

“He is a very meticulous man, who is also a very good cook. Pay him a visit in Ijebu and he would be the one to cook delicious meals for you. He cannot stand his house to be in disarray especially with little kids around,” said a source to Kemiashefonlovehaven.

That he lives alone with other domestic staff is not new to some of his friends and fans, who believe he needs to operate like that for a successful career.

“The life of an entertainer cannot be check-mated by a woman. He could travel for many weeks and not be home. He could even leave home and not return until the next day. How many women would allow that? There was a time he lived with one of his wives but Alhaji was not comfortable with the idea and started living in hotels instead. These woman eventually packed out of the house. He is an entertainer, he needs to be free of the encumberances of marriage,” the source said.

Lady Goes Berserk, Destroys Lover’s House After Disagreement (Photos)

According to an online report, an aggrieved Nigerian lady allegedly destroyed her lover’s house and his properties following a disagreement between them.Though the cause of the quarrel was not revealed as at the time of filing this report but it was claimed that the lady went on rampage at her lover’s house and destroyed his properties including chairs, plates, Television set, e.t.c. as can be seen in the pictures. Photos of the destroyed properties which are trending online, have got internet users talking and wondering why a sane person would go this far just to prove her grievance.

Further details as to what later happened to the couple – was not given by Facebook user Akin who shared the report.

See reactions of Facebook users below.

‘The governor is still serving and constitutionally is covered by immunity’ – EFCC reveals why it can’t probe Governor Abdullah Ganduje

The Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that it cannot probe Kano Stae governor, Abudullah Ganduge over recent bribery allegations. Ganduje was accused of receiving millions of dollars in bribe. According to them, the governor is still serving and constitutionally is covered by immunity.

When the EFCC were asked why they moved against Gov Fayose, the agency said the they don’t give out information on their investigations. “Investigation of anyone for an alleged fraud remains a cover process” the EFCC added. In recent times, atleast six video clips have shown the Kano state governor receiving US dollars from persons believed to be contractors handling projects in the state.

Respect your old age and stop lying!!! Jonathan’s aide comes after Buhari’s aides

The presidency on Thursday dismissed so many of the claims in the newly launched book, written by former president Goodluck Jonathan. Spokesman to the president, Mr Garba Shehu, in a very lengthy statement yesterday revealed among many things, that corruption has been well tackled by the present administration, contrary to Jonathan’s claim that corruption is worse now, than it was, when he left office.

Reacting, Jonathan’s former aide, and strong opposition voice to the current administration, Reno Omokri knocked the president Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, for saying Jonathan and the PDP has no achievement to boast of, even though they ruled the country for 16 years – As he highlighted the many achievements under Jonathan’s belt.

The former President and his party have nothing to say about achievements. They ruled the country for 16 years and what is their record on jobs, power, rail, seaports, airports and internal security, including the crippling disaster of terrorism?

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 22, 2018

Omokri in a counter attack said the former president built 165 almajiri schools, Abuja-Kad railway, 4 power stations, 4 hospitals – And that Buhari has built nothing since being in power for four years.

.@Garshehu respect your old age. Stop LYING. The only federal university in @MBuhari’s state was built by @GEJonathan. He built 165 almajiri schools, Abuja-Kad railway, 4 power stations, 4 hospitals. What has your boss built? No project finished in 4 years https://t.co/CxjfQD7naZ

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) November 22, 2018

Mr Garba Shehu also noted in his Thursday statement that “when President Buhari came into power in 2015, the country had accumulated debt, which took it back to the level it was before the Paris Club Debt forgiveness,” – In his response, Omokri said PDP only borrowed ₦7 trillion for 16years but Buhari has borrowed ₦13 trillion in only 3 years..

When President Buhari came into power in 2015, the country had accumulated debt, which took it back to the level it was before the Paris Club Debt forgiveness. Nigeria did not have fiscal buffers to withstand an oil shock when oil prices fell to as low as 28 USD.

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 22, 2018

Buhari’s aides call out FFK for claiming Buhari is Jubril, from Sudan

A former Minister of Aviation and Chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode has been called out by aide of president Muhammadu Buhari, for starting a rumour against the president.

Fani-Kayode in April, 2018 had alleged via his Twitter handle, while responding to a follower, who accused him of claiming Buhari had died in London, yet returned – said, the president actually died in London, and that his spirit was invoked into Jubril’s body.

The man that is there today is Jubril from Sudan and not Buhari.Buhari is dead and he never came back from London.Only his body did.They invoked the spirit of Jubril and placed it in Buharis body. It is a common ritual amongst satanists.Many lives were sacrificed in the process.

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 5, 2018

However, an aide to the president on New Media, Bashir Ahmad has called on the social media platform, Twitter, to take down Fani-Kayode’s handle, @realFFK because of the ‘HateSpeech and FakeNews’, he says are unsafe for Twitter.

He wrote:

Hello @Twitter, this tweet and many from this handle @realFFK are even beyond #HateSpeech and #FakeNews, for @TwitterSafety, @TwitterSupport should do something about the handle. We are all against hate speeches and fake news. Let’s all #reportrealFFKhttps://t.co/3G54zDPmxU

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) November 23, 2018

Shehu Sani reacts to how presidency received Jonathan’s book

Former president Goodluck Jonathan’s  book ‘My Transition Hour’ was launched on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. An event that was attended by the who’s who of Nigerian politics – from top members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

The book which has since been highly criticised by the presidency over some of its claims, has stirred a lot of reactions, among Nigeria’s political class.

Former APC Senator, Shehu Sani, who representing Kaduna Central, in what can easily be deciphered as his reaction to how the book was criticised by the presidency said they collected the book with smiles and praises and gave him flowers –  and  began to throw spears at him, when the event was over.

They collected the Book of Jonah with smiles and praises and gave him flowers and When they went out of the coliseum, they began to throw spears at him.The deceitful ways of the knights and Courtiers of Macbeth.

He tweeted:

They collected the Book of Jonah with smiles and praises and gave him flowers and When they went out of the coliseum, they began to throw spears at him.The deceitful ways of the knights and Courtiers of Macbeth.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) November 23, 2018

Buhari is not intellectually fit to govern this country-Dino Melaye.

Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye has said President Muhammadu Buhari is not intellectually and physically fit to govern Nigeria. He said this while at the OSASU Symposium in Abuja on Thursday.
Dino was asked about the budget delay, he responded by saying “The truth will remain the truth. At what point did you bring the budget? If you will recall that the president of the senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives, had to write Mr. President, accusing leaders of MDAs for refusing to come and defend their budget. The president had to order his ministries to go to National Assembly and defend their budgets they came”

Earlier, Transportation Minsiter, Rotimi Amaechi said Buhari only signs laws in the interest of Nigerians and any law he rejects is also the interest of the country. In response, Dino said “ I know Rotimi Amaechi very well, and he is my brother, he is my friend. Normally, he is more eloquent than this, normally, he would speak with precision than this. But you know when you are not saying the truth, it will never flow. The issue of the budget raised by Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, I am happy that he was a legislator, and he was presiding officer of the state House of Assembly.”

Benue people have endorsed Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari receives in audience delegation of APC Stakeholders from Benue State in State House on Friday.
Former Benue State governor, George Akume , has reassured President Muhammadu Buhari that he has the endorsement of the people of Benue, especially the poor and that was all he really needed.

Femi Adesina, the media aide of President Buhari , revealed this on Friday , via his Twitter handle , @ FemiAdesina.

He tweeted , “ Sen George Akume to PMB : The endorsement of Mr President by the majority of our people , especially the poor ones , is the real endorsement … In Benue, the narrative has changed. ”

Senator Akume was in the State House, Abuja , visiting Buhari alongside some leaders of the All Progressives Congress from Benue State.

The APC chairman , Adams Oshiomhole and some ministers were reportedly in the meeting.

Sanwo-Olu’ll not abandon ongoing projects in Lagos – Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday assured that the Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State for the 2019 general elections, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not abandon ongoing projects but rather complete and build on the enduring legacies already put in place by his administration.

Ambode, who said this while inaugurating an ultra modern lecture theatre donated to the Lagos State University (LASU) by businessman and philanthropist, Mr Remi Makanjuola, said while efforts were on to complete all the major projects initiated by his administration, Sanwo-Olu would nonetheless complete those ones he is unable to deliver before the expiration of his tenure next year.

“I am so excited about the fact that Mr Sanwo-Olu has actually come out here and he has issued a promissory note and what that mean is that we are going to have a government of continuity.

“For whatever structures that we have in LASU right now, and I’m going to also convince our chief negotiator, Dr Wale Babalakin, we are already doing Senate building here, we are doing Students Arcade and we are also doing the Library, I hope I will be able to complete and finish them but if I am unable to complete them, I speak on behalf of Mr Sanwo-Olu that he will finish and also do the Staff School.

“We are not campaigning yet but truly that is the spirit of the kind of governance that we bring to Lagos; that is the spirit that we really want to see and then we should be able to show leadership in all spheres of life that we find ourselves,” Ambode said.

Speaking on his administration’s intervention in the educational sector, he said in the last three and half years, at least N15 billion has been invested in revamping infrastructure in schools across the State to ensure students can learn in a conducive environment, while 3,400 primary and secondary teachers were employed to improve the teacher to student ratio as well as quality of learning in schools.

The governor said beyond the upgrade of infrastructure, the State Government developed innovative solutions to bridge gaps in education system, and to position Lagos State for a technology-driven future including the ReadySetWork and CodeLagos initiatives, noting that while 34,000 students have graduated from the former, the latter is geared towards teaching one million Lagos residents to code.

“At the grassroots level, faced with the realization that about 3 million Lagos residents could not read or write in any language, we commissioned Eko Nke Koo (Lagos Is Learning), an initiative aimed at raising the literacy rate in Lagos State from its current 87% to 95%.

“Through Eko Nke Koo, the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education increased the number of adult literacy centres across the State from 532 centres in 2016, to 782 as at January 2018.

“We have also recorded improvement in enrolment and retention rates of learners in the programme. In 2017, 98% of enrolled learners graduated from the programme,” Ambode said.

He said in LASU, his administration had also carried out notable projects targeted at ensuring the institution remains academically competitive, financially viable, and most importantly, conducive for learning.

The governor noted that last year, the State carried out major infrastructure development and road works to give the school a facelift befitting of its status as one of the top State Universities in the country, while it had also benefited from a significant increase in subvention to assist in ensuring smooth running of the school.

He disclosed that he had approved for the development of a 6,000 bed hostel which according to him, will increase accessibility and improve security for students in the institution, as the demand for higher education continues to grow.

“Reflecting on these investments, I must acknowledge it has been the privilege of this administration to build on the works of visionaries who came before us; and to be given the opportunity to raise the mark higher as we look ahead to a bright future for our State and Country,” Ambode said.

The governor also seized the occasion to commend the Makanjuola for donating the ultra-modern lecture hall to the institution, saying that the gesture would forever be remembered by generations.

“It has also been a true privilege and honour to work alongside collaborators – whether large scale organizations or well-meaning individuals in society – who recognize their role in State and Nation building, and have worked tirelessly to support the efforts of government.

“Today’s occasion is symbolic of this citizen-partnership. Indeed, Mr. Makanjuola has sown a seed that would outlive him by bequeathing this Ultra-Modern lecture Theatre to the University. Sir, this is a gesture that will be remembered for generations and for that we are eternally grateful. And in the same vein, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, and the entire Lagos State University community, I say a very happy birthday to you, Sir. In another 48 hours, our philanthropist will be 70 years old. Congratulations, Sir,” he said.

Social gatherings banned in Bauchi state

The Bauchi State Police Command has banned social gatherings in public places across the state following the crisis on Sunday in which four persons were killed and eight injured.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Kamal Abubabakar, in a statement in Bauchi on Thursday said the measure was to prevent further breakdown of law and order following the recent crisis.

He said that in line with Public Order Act of the Police and its statutory responsibility of preventing crime, “they have “placed a total ban on all forms of social gathering in public places without approval of the command.

He said, “This order has become necessary in view of the recurrent violence emanating from such gatherings, which in the past led to the loss of lives and property.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Sati, one of the four persons killed in the violent clash that occurred on Sunday between two groups in Bauchi over a girl at a birthday party, was buried on Thursday amidst tight security.

Our correspondent learnt that all the four victims killed were oblivious of the misunderstanding in the area.

Eight other people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Sympathisers, families and friends of the deceased gathered to pay their last respect to Joseph, a father of one at the Christian Cemetery at Kagadama.

The PPPRO, Abubakar, said the deployment of security at the cemetery was a measure taken by the command to prevent any attack.

‘My Transition Hours’- Jonathan’s ex-aide hits back at Presidency

Reno Omokri, the former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has fired back at the presidency over statement countering claims of corruption in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on Thursday denied allegation made by Jonathan in his book ‘My Transition Hours’ that the present administration was more corrupt that previous ones.

The Presidency said the allegation lacked empirical evidence to back the claims and that the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was a waste, especially on infrastructural development, despite the humongous money available to the government through oil.

But, reacting, Omokri countered Garba Shehu, saying achievements under Buhari’s administration were questionable and full of ‘lies.’

On his Twitter page, he wrote: “Garba Shehu you are a LIAR and a disgrace to anyone who was ever a Presidential spokesman. Iweala’s book says she warned the Governors but APC Governors led by Chibuike Amaechi refused to save. Respect your old age and stop LYING

“it is not Goodluck Jonathan who said there‘s more corruption, it was Transparency International. According to @anticorruption, Nigeria made her worst retrogression in corruption under Buhari moving 12 steps backward from 136 in 2014 to 144 this year

“Garba Shehu respect your old age. Stop lying. The only federal university in Buhari’s state was built by Jonathan. He built 165 almajiri schools, Abuja-Kad railway, 4 power stations, 4 hospitals. What has your boss built? No project finished in 4 years.

“Garba Shehu leave Jonathan and face your lying government. Tunde Fashola tells Yorubas to vote Buhari and SW will get the Presidency in 2023. Boss Mustapha, tells Igbos to vote Buhari and get Presidency in 2023. You can’t even harmonize your LIES

“Tell Nigerians how your boss, President Buhari went to Paris and praised @GovUmarGanduje, a man caught on camera hiding dollar bribes in his #BabanrigaMobileBanking. Your government has no credibility.

“Shehu you lie without shame. For 16 years, PDP only borrowed ₦7 trillion. In just 3 years, Buhari has borrowed ₦13 trillion. Tell Nigerians the truth. Leave lies for Lai Mohammed and Keyamo. You speak for the President. Stop LYING.

“Your boss’s certificate is questionable. Your #NextLevel logo is questionable. Aso Rock plagiarised speeches for Buhari. Aisha’s ADC looted billions. You steal Jonathan’s project and you reinstated and promoted a thief like Maina and you are talking?

Corruption Allegation: Leave me alone, face Transparency International, Jonathan tells Presidency

Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan has told the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to leave him alone and face Transparency International, who claimed that Nigeria was more corrupt today than under the last Peoples Democratic Party government.

In a statement released by Jonathan’s media office and signed by his former media aide, Reno Omokri, the presidency is showing signs of guilty conscience in its manner of response to the contents of the new book, launched by the former president, titled, My Transition Hours.

Part of the statement read, “it is just evidence of a guilty conscience. As Shakespeare said “”The lady doth protest too much, methinks”.

“First and foremost, it was not former President Jonathan who said Nigeria is more corrupt today than it was under the last Peoples Democratic Party administration. That fact was actually stated by Transparency International, the only global body acknowledged as an independent rating agency for corruption.

“Whereas under Jonathan and the PDP, Nigeria made her best ever improvement on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, moving eight places forward from 144 to 136 in 2014, but under President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria has made her worst ever retrogression, moving backwards 12 places from 136 to 148. This is a fact.”

The statement added, “And other people have stated the obvious besides Transparency International, one of them being Ms. Priti Patel, immediate past UK Secretary of State for International Development, who this week described President Buhari’s anti-corruption war as a sham and an impediment to Nigeria and urged foreign direct investors to shun Nigeria because of Buhari.

“Predictably, President Buhari’s faithful slanderer, Garba Shehu, threw diplomatic etiquette to the winds and hurled invectives at Ms. Patel.

“But Mr. Garba Shehu forgot to tell Nigerians how his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari went to Paris and praised the Governor of Kano state, a man caught on camera hiding dollar bribes in his babanriga. Yet, they charged Ayo Fayose and refused to charge Babachir Lawal.

“Even the blind can see the corruption of this administration and the deaf can hear it. With questionable certificates, fraudulent #NextLevel logo and document, plagiarizing speeches of both Barrack Obama and Charles DeGaulle. Not to talk of the $25 billion dollars’ worth of contracts awarded without due process at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as revealed in Mr. Ibe Kachikwu’s leaked memo, Aisha Buhari’s ADC’s looted billions and the reinstatement and promotion of a thief like Maina.

“Besides, if the Buhari administration is upset at their gold medal for corruption, they should not take out their frustrations at Mr. Jonathan. They should face the umpire who gave them the award, Transparency International.

“Moreover, Garba Shehu descended further into his dark art of lying when he falsely alleged that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweka warned Dr. Jonathan about saving but she was rebuffed.

“That is an obvious lie and is easily demolished by the accounts in Mrs. Iweala’s book, Fighting Corruption is Dangerous. In her book, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she warned the Governors, but APC Governors led by Rotimi Amaechi, refused to save. Must Garba twist the truth with such satanic abandon?

“This is an administration where the minister of power Tunde Fashola tells the Yoruba ethnic nationality to vote President Buhari and the Southwest will get the Presidency in 2023. The next day, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Federal Government, told the Igbos to vote for President Buhari and get the Presidency in 2023. They cannot even harmonize their LIES.

“Lies such as the claim that in 16 years of being in office, President Jonathan and the PDP achieved nothing. Meanwhile, the only federal university in President Buhari’s home state was built by Dr. Jonathan. He built 165 almajiri schools, Abuja-Kaduna super-fast railway, four power stations, four hospitals and revived the nationwide rail service. Question for Garba, can he name even one project which was initiated, started and completed in the last three and a half years by President Buhari?

“In conclusion, we urge Garba Shehu to grow a spine and tell his boss the truth about his corrupt laden administration instead of coming out to insult the PDP, a party which brought him to national limelight.”

Obasanjo speaks on meeting Osinbajo behind closed door

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to reports in the media that he held a meeting with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at his Ota Farm, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

Reports circulated during the week of a meeting between Obasanjo, Osinbajo, and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

But in a statement signed by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday, the former President said the report was false.

“It is a fact that severally, the former president has dissociated himself from owning any social media account. 

“Therefore, it is highly disappointing that such sensitive Twitter post would be allowed to go on air without verification by the African Independent Television (AIT),” the statement stated.

Obasanjo further urged the media to always be professional in discharging their duties and to refrain from creating unnecessary confusion and heating up the polity.

He added, “There was no meeting with the Vice President anywhere. I was at the airport and was informed that he was around in the lounge and out of courtesy; I felt I should go and greet him. We met, greeted and exchanged pleasantries and I left. That was all.

“The station should have been very professional and not causing confusion and heating up the polity. That I am not operating any social media account should not be strange to a station like AIT, and for that embarrassment, the Vice President and I deserve an apology,” Mr Obasanjo said.

The Vice President had earlier on dismissed claims that the meeting was a closed-door one aimed at lobbying the former president ahead of the 2019 election.