Nigerian Eye

NAPTIP says 2,114 returnees evacuated from Libya

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons said over 2,114 Nigerian returnees from Libya had been brought to the country from January till date. 
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The Head, Press & Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday. 
 
Emerole quoted the Director-General of the agency, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, as disclosing this at a lecture she delivered at the University of Benin as part of activities marking the 60th birthday of businessman and philanthropist, Capt. Idahosa Okunbo. 
 
The D-G delivered a lecture on Youth Migration, Deportation and Rehabilitation: The Way Forward, under the theme: ‘Youth Migration, Consequences and Current Realities.’ 
 
Okah-Donli appealed to public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to assist government agencies to make the reintegration of the returnees easier. 
 
The director-general called for a holistic approach by the countries of origin and their destination counterparts in tackling the migration problems across the world. 
The NAPTIP boss advised Nigerian youths not to be desperate to leave the country at all cost. 
 
She said that the criminal trafficking gangs were lurking all over the place to deceive the youths and eventually make them personal economic tools abroad. 
 
“There is need for government at all levels to come up with transformation programmes and a National Orientation and Reorientation programme that will change people’s attitude to migration. 
 
“Without this, an attitude crisis will be another major driving force for illegal migration and something fundamental must be done to control and contain the illegal movement of people out of the countries. 
 
“A crucial step forward is to help to re-orient and re-educate the average Nigerian youth to make them realise that they can actualise their potentials and dreams at home. 
 
“They should know that they are not poorer than their contemporaries abroad or in the country they want to migrate.’’ 
 
Okah-Donli advocated for direct foreign investments to open up the Nigerian economy. 
 
“Government should provide the tangible mass employment for the teeming youths and thereby discouraging unnecessary migration of Nigerians to other parts of the world in search of greener pastures,’’ she advised. 
 
NAPTIP boss also called for a National orientation and re-orientation programmes across the country to change the psyche of the Nigerian youth, who believe that they can only survive by leaving the country to other places.</div>

Latest-News NAPTIP says 2,114 returnees evacuated from Libya

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons said over 2,114 Nigerian returnees from Libya had been brought to the co...

Foremost playwright, Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola dies at 78

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A foremost playwright and culture activist, Professor Akinwunmi Ishola has died at his Bolajoko Estate home in Ibadan on Saturday at the age of 78 years. 
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While confirming the incident, one of his former students, Mr. Sola Ajayi said: “The news of his death really shocked me when I heard this morning. He was a legend and and he left behind good legacies,” praying his soul to rest in peace. 
 
The late playwright, who had been down with illness for about two years, had several works to his credit which include, ‘Oleku, ‘ ‘Kosegbe, ‘ ‘Saworoide,’ ‘Agogo Eewo,’ among others. 
 
Born in Ibadan in 1939, Prof Ishola attended Labode Methodist School and Wesley College in the capital of the old Western Region of Nigeria. 
 
He studied at the University of Ibadan, earning a B.A. in French. He also earned an M.A. in Yoruba Literature from the University of Lagos in 1978 before commencing academic work as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University where he was appointed a professor in 1991.</div>

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10 arrested for burning Nasarawa IDPs’ houses

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 10 people for allegedly setting ablaze the houses deserted by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nasarawa/Benue border towns. 
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DSP Idirisu Kennedy, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Nasarawa, stated this on Saturday while addressing newsmen at the command headquarters in Lafia. 
 
According to him, surprisingly some of the suspects arrested in connection with the offence turned out to be of the same tribal extraction with their victims. 
 
He said on Feb. 11 one Nicholas Alua and three others, who are all Tiv people, were arrested for burning three houses of their Tiv brothers at Farin Ruwa 1 of Obi Local Government Area (LGA). 
 
He added on Ijakeni Uhon of Gidan Nguinyi a Tiv man was arrested for setting fire on 25 houses belonging to some Tiv people at Gidan Wakili. 
 
He said that Danis Utsa of Kadarko and three others were also arrested on Jan. 1 for setting ablaze the house of Edward Alima of the same address. 
 
He, however, said that two Fulani people from Obi LGA namely Bagu Anaruwa and Rabo Anaruwa both of Obi LGA were arrested for burning 15 houses belonging to some Tiv people in Kuduku 11 village of Keana LGA. 
 
The PPRO explained that the arrest was made possible due to the aggressive patrols of the affected areas. 
 
He said that the suspects would be charge to court as soon as investigation is concluded. 
 
He, therefore, assured the public that the police would do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of isolated attacks in boarder communities to justice.</div>

Latest-News 10 arrested for burning Nasarawa IDPs’ houses

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‎Zamfara killings: Yari vindicates me on $1bn withdrawal - Fayose

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Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said the claim by Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, that security agencies failed to respond to the alert given them to prevent the massacre of people in Zamfara has vindicated him. 
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Fayose said the statement had validated his stance that no extra $1bn was needed to be deducted from the Excess Crude Oil Account to fund the fight against insurgency. 
 
Fayose stressed that funds being spent on security seemed not well used, as instead of insecurity being curtailed, the nation was unfortunately witnessing more killings on a daily basis. 
 
The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, queried why more money should be given to security agencies, if they were not properly utilising the funds earlier given to them. 
 
The statement quoted Fayose as saying, “Governor Yari is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, he is the one saying we should give $1bn from ECA to these security people and he said despite alerting security agencies over 24 hours before the needless killings in his state, they failed to rise to the occasion. That was not the first time such a thing would happen. Recall that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the same thing. Also, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State said a similar thing. 
 
“On all the occasions, the security agencies failed to act. More than 73 people were killed in Benue, scores killed in Taraba and we now have the Zamfara issue. Regrettably, the killings have not stopped. If as a country we spend so much money on security, with practically no result, where is the justification for another round of funding? Fund an inept security apparatus,” he queried. 
 
Condemning the attack on Zamfara, Fayose said the situation was not “only inhuman, but unfortunate.” 
 
“This must not continue and we must tell the Federal Government to do something. The killings we have witnessed in this country from 2015 till date is unprecedented and perhaps never seen in the history of our country since Independence. Are we in a war situation? 
 
“We must stop wasting people’s lives and use the $1bn for the welfare of our people in other sectors that will bring result. The All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has lost it,” the governor said. 
 
Fayose, who noted President Muhammadu Buhari’s usual directive of security agencies assessing the situation, challenged the president to tell Nigerians how many culprits have been arrested or prosecuted. 
 
“It is like President Buhari is living on another planet not to say country. He is disconnected from the people and the reality on the ground. He does not seem to be in tune with reality. 
 
“People are tired of lies and cheap propaganda. His government has failed the nation and he should just throw in the towel,” he stated. 
 
Fayose also faulted the APC government of claiming glory for projects and policies put in place by the previous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. 
 
“The drone that President Jonathan launched some years ago, they now woke up now to say their government has achieved a feat in that regards. Maybe they think the people are fools and have no sense of history. Nigerians will show them during the election,” he added.</div>

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NAF clears drone controversy: Tsaigumi more advanced than others

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The Nigeria Air Force has said that its operational unmanned aerial vehicle( UAV) “Tsaigumi” is more advanced than its earlier produced Amebo and Gulma UAV prototypes. 
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NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya,made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday. 
 
Adesanya said that it has become necessary to make this clarification, due to certain misconceptions that followed the announcement of the induction of Tsaigumi. 
 
” To set the records straight, while Gulma UAV is indeed the first indigenous UAV, the newly inducted Tsaigumi UAV is the first indigenous operational UAV, 
 
” Both UAV types are the outcomes of research and development efforts of a team of NAF Aerospace engineers. 
 
” NAF’s foray into UAV development commenced in 2008, when its students officers who were undergoing postgraduates studies in aerospace engineering programmes at Cranfield University, UK, chose UAV development as their research project,” he said. 
 
He said that the student officers produced the Amebo UAV as part of thier project, adding that it had neither autopilot nor intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. 
 
He said that Gulma was an experimental UAV, which was developed in 2013, as a technological demonstrator used to gather performance data on UAV systems. 
 
” The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, directed the NAF’s R and D (research and development ) team to build an operational UAV, code named Tsaigumi to be used in the North east and other theatres of operation in Nigeria,” Adesanya said. 
 
He said that the data gathered from Gulma prototype was plied in the design of operational UAV, Tsaigumi, which was inducted on Feb.15. 
 
Tsiaguma was unveiled and inducted by President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb.15 in Kadunna. 
 
The spokesman of the force further said that NAF is currently working on the “Ichoku” which when completed would be the first indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).</div>

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Zamfara killings: Admit failures, seek help; PDP tells Buhari

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the gruesome murder of 41 Nigerians by marauders in Zamfara State. 
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The party in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan the part’s National Publicity Secretary lamented that the continued failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government to take decisive steps to end the incessant killings in various parts of the country, the latest being Wednesday’s massacre of 41 defenceless Nigerians in Zamfara state. 
 
The PDP called on all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political affiliations, to join forces in praying for the nation as well as supporting one another at this critical time in our national life. 
 
Ologbondiyan, on Saturday, said ‘it is heartbreaking that Nigerians are daily slaughtered by marauders while those elected to protect our people are only concerned with their selfish re-election bid in 2019 and meaningless photo opportunities in the media. 
 
In the last two months, hundreds of helpless citizens have been murdered by bandits in various parts of the country and nothing concrete has been done by the Federal Government to end the butchery and bring the perpetrators to book. 
 
Hardly have tears dried over the gruesome killings in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Nasarawa and other states when marauders hit Zamfara, a state known for peace, killing 41 citizens in cold blood, yet all we get is mere lip service from the APC-controlled Federal Government. 
 
Nigerians now live defenceless and in perpetual fear; our people are fast losing confidence in our institutions; as we speak, citizens are now sourcing their own security as APC-controlled Federal Government daily manifest crass indifference to the protection of our people. 
 
PDP stands with all our people across the nation and share in their pains at this critical time. 
 
We therefore call on all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political affiliation, as well as all people of goodwill across the world, to join forces in praying for our dear nation. 
 
We call on the APC-controlled Federal Government to admit its failures and seek help from Nigerians who can assist in our current situation. 
 
Our people have witnessed enough bloodletting and we must collectively find an end to the carnage. 
 
The PDP commiserates with the families of those killed in Zamfara and other states and pray God to grant us peace and all round protection in our country.</div>

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Alvaro Morata fully fit for Barcelona clash – Conte

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Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte says striker, Alvaro Morata will be fully fit for their Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday. 
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Conte said the Spain international has been training regularly to improve his physical condition ahead of Barcelona visit to the Stanford Bridge. 
 
“Alvaro now has been training with us regularly, every day. His physical condition is improving,” Conte told reporters. 
 
“He will be ready for the game against Barcelona in the Champions League. 
 
“At this moment, in every moment, it’s very important to have your players, all your players available. 
 
“In this case, to have two No9s in Morata and Olivier Giroud… to have two options is very important for us. 
 
“For a lot of time, we tried to play with Eden Hazard as a No9”, he added.</div>

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I don’t want to be in jail - Oliseh

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Sunday Oliseh has said he would rather lose a job than go to jail for taking part in “illegal activities” as coach of Dutch club Fortuna Sittard. 
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Fortuna Sitard announced Oliseh was suspended allegedly over his poor relationship with both players and officials. 
 
But Oliseh said he would rather walk away along with his assistants than be jailed for going against the law. 
 
“It is better to part ways like this. I won’t want to be in jail,” he said in an interview on Brila FM radio. “My lawyers are handling the case now.” 
 
The former Nigeria coach, who only recently led the club to a record seven straight wins, would not wish to disclose the crux of the matter, but rather hinted on owed salaries and wrangling within the club. 
 
“We have to be compensated for what we are owed, it’s not only in Nigeria that they owe money,” he said 
 
“The Turkish owners also got the players to say they are unhappy with me.” 
 
The former Juventus and Ajax Amsterdam midfield star also maintained that even in the event that his suspension is overturned, he would rather move on. 
 
“It has been 14 great months coaching this club, we set records like winning seven straight games, we are looking at the top league, but should my suspension be rescinded, I won’t go back to the club,” he said. 
 
“We have made a name for ourselves, I believe there will be job opportunities and I pray it is something better than the last one.”</div>

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Roger Federer added yet another record to his vast collection when he guaranteed becoming the oldest Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world number one by beating Dutchman Robin Haase 4-6 6-1 6-1 to reach the semi-finals in Rotterdam on Friday. 
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Fresh from winning his 20th grand slam title in Melbourne this month, Federer took a wildcard into the ABN AMRO World Tennis event with his eyes fixed on a return to number one for the first time since November 2012. 
 
Needing to reach the last four to overtake great rival Rafael Nadal, Federer showed some early nerves in his quarter-final clash in the port city’s Ahoy Arena, dropping serve in the ninth game on his way to conceding the first set. 
 
But the 36-year-old Swiss, as he usually does, moved through the gears to punish a physically struggling Haase. 
 
A demoralized Haase double-faulted on match point and after an initially restrained celebration Federer sat on his chair and looked close to tears as his feat sank in — as did some of the Swiss fans leading the rapturous applause. 
 
“Reaching number one is one of, if not the ultimate achievement in our sport,” Federer said on court after being handed a huge No.1 shaped plaque by Dutch former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, the tournament director. 
 
“Sometimes at the beginning you just kind of get there because you played so well, but later you have to fight for it and have to wrestle it back from someone who deserves to be there. When you are older you maybe have to put double the work in. This maybe means the most to me in my career.” 
 
Federer, whose glittering career has re-ignited since taking six months off in 2016, has won three of the last five grand slams having gone five years without one. 
 
One of the greatest ever late-career runs by any sportsman or woman means he surpasses Andre Agassi who was the previous oldest man to top the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings. 
 
American Agassi was 33 when he scaled the summit in 2003. 
 
He was one of the first to congratulate Federer. 
 
“Roger Federer continues to raise the bar in our sport. Congratulations on yet another remarkable achievement!!” Agassi said on Twitter. 
 
Federer also set another record with the more than five-year gap between his previous and most recent stints as world number one being the longest since ATP rankings began in 1973. 
 
Incredibly Federer first reached number one in 2004, as a 22-year-old, and having now returned there 14 years later playing some of the best tennis of his career, he looks capable of another lengthy stretch on the throne. 
 
He already holds the record of 302 weeks ranked number one. 
 
On his Instagram account later, Federer said: “A night to remember forever. Thank you to all my fans who have been there for me since the beginning.” 
 
The journey continues on Saturday when Federer faces Italian Andreas Seppi in the semi-final with a 97th career title in sight. Seppi beat Russian Daniil Medvedev in three sets. 
 
The other semi-final will feature Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Belgian David Goffin. Dimitrov beat Andrey Rublev while Goffin was given a walkover by injured Czech Tomas Berdych.</div>

Latest-News Federer becomes oldest ATP world number one

Roger Federer added yet another record to his vast collection when he guaranteed becoming the oldest Association of Tennis Professionals (...

Buhari should not be called APC leader – Dogara

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Election timetable: ‘Weak’ Buhari created his own problems – Junaid Mohammed

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El-Rufai reveals why he’s supporting Buhari

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Chelsea vs Barcelona: Conte reveals team selection

10:05 Unknown 0

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Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has revealed the players that will be available for their Champions League round of 16 clash against Barcelona on Tuesday. 
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Conte confirmed that Marcos Alonso will be fit, but Tiemoue Bakayoko is out. 
 
Alonso has missed Chelsea’s last two Premier League matches and was rested for Friday’s 4-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round. 
 
Bakayoko has not featured since being sent off 30 minutes into a Premier League fixture at Watford. 
 
Conte also admitted he has “many doubts” about team selection after the Hull game on Friday. 
 
“Alonso is ready to play. He is fit, but I don’t think Bakayoko [will be]. 
 
“I’m very happy. Before an important game, against Barcelona, I go to my house with many doubts in my mind, [about] which is the best starting XI to start the game. But it’s right to be so. We must take the right time to make the best decision to pick the best XI to start that game. 
 
“We started the game with great concentration and determination. We must be pleased, especially because, in this way, we are in the next round in this competition. The first half was impressive because we scored four goals. The game was very compact. 
 
“In the second half we tried to manage the game. As you know, in England that’s very difficult, because anything can happen. But to finish this game and to keep the clean sheet was very important. I’m very happy for Willy Caballero, who has shown he is a great goalkeeper,” Conte said.</div>

Latest-News Chelsea vs Barcelona: Conte reveals team selection

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has revealed the players that will be available for their Champions League round of 16 clash against Barce...

John Terry to replace Conte as Chelsea manager

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John Terry is eyeing a return to Chelsea in a coaching role, as he plots a route to the top job at Stamford Bridge. 
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The former Chelsea captain will be out of contract at Championship club Aston Villa in July, after joining on a 12-month deal. 
 
Terry moved to the Midlands after a 20-year with the Blues. 
 
The defender is keen on managing Chelsea in the future and is ready to work his way up, just as he did as a player. 
 
Terry could get an opening at the end of the season in any potential reshuffle, with manager Antonio Conte’s future in major doubt less than a year on from winning the title in his debut season. 
 
Conte’s time at Stamford Bridge appears to be almost up and he is expected to return to his native Italy this summer.</div>

Latest-News John Terry to replace Conte as Chelsea manager

John Terry is eyeing a return to Chelsea in a coaching role, as he plots a route to the top job at Stamford Bridge. The former Chelsea ...

Winter Games: Simidele disappoints

09:55 Unknown 0

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Nigeria’s representative in the  skeleton event  at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Simidele Adeagbo,  on Friday finished last  in the women’s  individual skeleton runs 1 and 2 featuring 20 runners. 
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Simidele ran 54.19secs  in run 1 and 54.58secs in run 2. 
 
The South Africa-based athlete, 36,  who  made history as the first African to qualify for the skeleton event at the Winter Games,   returns to feature in runs 3 and 4 today. 
 
Canada-born triple  jumper Simidele could make it to the podium if she puts on a better performance  this time round. 
 
Germany’s Jacqueline Lolling came first  after running  in 51.74secs and 52.12secs. She is followed by Austria’s Janine Flock who finished her two runs in 51.81secs and 52.07secs respectively. Great Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold took  third with 51.66secs and 52.30secs. 
 
The country’s other athletes at the event – Akuoma Omeoga, Seun Adigun and Ngozi Onwumere – will compete in the bobsleigh on February 20. 
 
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Akwasi Frimpong finished last in his Olympic debut but was a smash-hit nonetheless with his plucky efforts in the crackpot sliding sport of skeleton on Friday. 
 
The 32-year-old, who spent two years selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door to finance his unlikely journey to Pyeongchang, now can’t wait to take a deserved break and go lie on a beach. 
 
“I’m going to take my wife on vacation,” Frimpong told AFP. 
 
“I don’t know where yet, but somewhere warm – I want the sun and the sand. Hopefully I can surprise her by taking her somewhere like Hawaii. Or maybe the Dominican Republic, where we went on honeymoon.” 
 
Despite freezing temperatures Frimpong has lit up the Olympic skeleton competition. 
 
He trailed home in 30th position – over 11 seconds behind eventual winner Yun Sung-bin of South Korea after his third and final run – but still felt like a champion. 
 
“I came last but the most important thing is that I won the hearts of the people,” said Frimpong, who previously failed to qualify for the Olympics as a sprinter and in bobsleigh. 
 
“The Olympic experience was awesome. I’ve never been in a place where so many people are cheering you on,” he added after becoming only the second athlete from Ghana to compete at a Winter Games. 
 
“You feel like you’re a gold medallist, that’s how they make you feel with each run. It’s incredible.” 
 
Frimpong smiled sheepishly when asked what it feels like to throw oneself off an icy mountain head-first at 125kmph (77mph) on what looks, to the casual observer at least, like a glorified baking tray.</div>

Latest-News Winter Games: Simidele disappoints

Nigeria’s representative in the skeleton event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Simidele Adeagbo, on Friday fini...

22 die as multiple suicide bomb hit Konduga fish market in Brono

09:55 Unknown 0

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No fewer than 22 persons were killed and 28 others injured in a multiple suicide bomb attack at a market in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno. 
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The incident occurred on Friday at about 9:00 PM, when three suicide bombers detonated explosives at the “Kasuwar Kifi” in the outskirts of Konduga town. 
 
Boko Haram rebels were the chief suspects in the latest attack. 
 
An eye witness, Idrissa Bana, said the three suicide bombers simultaneously detonated the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on their bodies in the crowded market. 
 
Bana said that the explosives killed 22 persons and 28 others sustained injuries, adding that those injured were evacuated to a hospital in Maiduguri. 
 
“There were a lot of people doing last minute shopping when the suicide bombers hit the market,” he said. 
 
Damian Chukwu, police commissioner for Borno state confirmed that the three suicide bombers were killed and 18 other persons died. He said T=twenty-two people were injured. 
 
Suicide bombings have continued despite repeated assertions by the government and the military since 2016 to have defeated the Boko Haram insurgency, which aims to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s northeast.</div>

Latest-News 22 die as multiple suicide bomb hit Konduga fish market in Brono

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Obasanjo visits Jonathan in Otuoke, Nigerians react

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Nigerian Army speaks on Shekau’s ‘escape’ to Cameroon

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I’m excited about transformation in Bayelsa - Obasanjo

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Former President  of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor of Bayelsa State,  Hon.  Seriake Dickson on Friday paid tributes to late Prof. Dora Akunyili, for her contributions towards the  fight against counterfeit  drugs in the country. 
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Obasanjo spoke on Friday in Yenagoa during  the  commissioning  of the Bayelsa State Drug Distribution Centre and other state-of-the-art health  facilities in Yenagoa. While commending Governor Dickson for investing in the health sector , Obasanjo said the vision of the Governor was worthy of emulation. The former president also enrolled in the Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme, making him an honorary member. 
 
In a statement  signed by the Chief  Press  Secretary to the  Governor,  Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, said the former President  commissioned the Bayelsa State  Specialist Hospital, Drug  Distribution Center and the World-Class Diagnostic Centre. 
 
Other projects  commissioned include, the Gloryland Drive road at Igbogene,  renamed as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Drive as well as unveiling of the Government  House  Heliport, which is now known as King AP Diete Spiff Heliport. 
 
Chief Obasanjo who took a facility tour of the  health  projects,  said he was highly impressed by the level of  commitment demonstrated by the  Governor in providing world class  health  facilities and services to the  citizenry. 
 
He also commended Governor Dickson  for keying into the vision of the late Director  General of NAFDAC,  Prof Akunyili in the establishment  of the Drug Mart and Distribution Center,  noting that  the facility would assist in curbing the menace of fake drugs and drug abuse. 
 
In his remarks, Governor Dickson said, as part of his administration’s revolutionary intervention in the health sector,  government decided to expand quality health services to accommodate the average Bayelsan. 
 
Acknowledging the contributions of late Prof Akunyili,  Governor Dickson assured that, he would continue to identify with any worthy cause aimed at promoting the health of the people. 
 
According to him, the state government decided to name one of the halls of the Drug Mart and Distribution Center after Prof. Akunyili as part of efforts at immortalising her. 
 
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu and Managing Director of the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre, Prof. Ifiemu Nwariaku, noted that the facilities have started providing world-class services before their inauguration. 
 
According to them, the Governor’s vision of turning Bayelsa to a health hub through medical tourism is being achieved as people from within and outside the state now patronise the facilities, which boast of cardiovascular, renal and stroke centres. 
 
Former President, Chief Obasanjo who enrolled in the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme as an honorary enrollee, also took time off to interact with selected students from state-owned model schools at the Ijaws National Academy, Kaiama.</div>

Latest-News I’m excited about transformation in Bayelsa - Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Friday paid tributes to lat...

Seven months after, FG fails to release looters’ list

09:45 Unknown 0

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Seven months after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the Federal Government to release to Nigerians the list of public officials from whom public funds had been recovered, the list has yet to be released by the authorities. 
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Justice Hadiza Shagari had on July 6, 2017, in her judgment in a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, directed the Federal Government to “immediately” release the names of the officials, the circumstances under which the funds were recovered and the exact amount recovered from each public official. 
 
While responding to the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had said the government would publish the names of the looters, in compliance with the court order, noting that the Federal Government totally agreed with the ruling. 
 
The Federal Government had on June 4, 2016, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed that it had recovered cash sums of N78,325,354,631.82,  $185,119,584.61,  £3,508,355.46 and €11,250 between May 29, 2015, and May 25, 2016. He added that the assets and cash seized under interim forfeiture totalled $9bn, N126bn, £2.4m and €303,399. 
 
And on October 12, 2017, the acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said at a forum that the cash recovered through the whistleblower policy had risen to over N30bn, in different foreign currencies. 
 
Meanwhile, the refusal to release the list or obey the court judgment was preceded by the promise voluntarily made in December 2015 by the President when he said he would unveil the names of the looters. He had said the only thing stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria from releasing the list at that time was to avoid jeopardising investigations and further recoveries. 
 
He also reiterated the promise in May 2016 at an anti-corruption summit in London that he would give a comprehensive report on the loot recovered on May 29, 2016 – Democracy Day, which he failed to do. 
 
And till date, the names of the looters have yet to be released. 
 
Speaking on the protracted delay, the Executive Director, SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the refusal of the Buhari-led administration to make the list public, as directed by the court, had called into the question the much-touted integrity of the administration. 
 
He said, “Once you make a promise, you should fulfil it. They said they would fight corruption, judgement was obtained to help you to fight corruption, yet you are not obeying the court order, it questions your integrity and sincerity as a government. This government is not doing what it promised.” 
 
Also, the President of Campaign for Democracy, Mr. Bako Abdul Usman, described as unfortunate the way the present administration had been flouting court orders, saying even though the African Union made the President the model of anti-corruption fight in Africa, that “does not really hold water back home when looking at the nitty-gritty.” 
 
He added, “If that list is released today, people within the circle of the President would be part and parcel of it. That is why there is a constraint in releasing the list. Impunity, high-handedness and corrupt practices are easy to come by in this administration.” 
 
A legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Liborous Oshoma, said a government that won an election on account of its promise to be transparent didn’t have to be compelled by the court to name and shame looters, stressing that the excuses it gave had already made it another round of propaganda. 
 
He noted that the reluctance to release the list could be because the government bloated the amount it recovered, making it difficult to put names to the figures. He explained that it would be an investment in uncertainty to expect the government to release the names before the next general elections because it might need the influence and monetary contribution of some of the looters. 
 
He added, “Do they (government) also need a legal paperwork to release the names of those that owned up voluntarily, not due to their conscience but because it was either obvious or government was closing in on them? To serve as deterrence to others, shouldn’t a transparent government release those names. 
 
“Now that elections are here, these (looters) are the same people they would go back to source money from. So, if anybody believes that the government would name and shame those looters before the election, the person must be joking, because some alleged criminals would even be embraced because of their money and influence, especially when you have desperation for a second term.” 
 
But when asked when the names would be released as he promised in July 2017, the AGF said a committee set up by the President was still auditing the list of the looters. 
 
He said, “Audit work is in progress by a committee put in place by the President.”</div>

Latest-News Seven months after, FG fails to release looters’ list

Seven months after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the Federal Government to release to Nigerians the list of public officia...

JAMB uncovers another N83m fraud in five states

09:45 Unknown 0

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is currently investigating fresh cases of fraud totalling N83m uncovered in its state offices in Kano, Edo, Kogi, Gombe and Plateau. 
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Our correspondent gathered on Friday that while the board was investigating N31m misappropriated revenue in Edo and N20m in Kano, it was quizzing officials in Plateau and Gombe over N15m and N10m mismanaged in the states respectively. 
 
Also, it was learnt that the examination board was investigating the misappropriation of N7m in its office in Kogi State. 
 
The JAMB Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who confirmed the figures on Friday, said the board would be diligent in its investigations and would not tolerate corrupt practices from any of its officials. 
 
“We will monitor with careful scrutiny how workers handled public funds. We are trying to block all leakages and loopholes,” he said. 
 
A reliable source told our correspondent that all the workers of the board found to have been involved in corrupt activities being investigated had been suspended while investigations were ongoing. 
 
He said, “What happened was that we had a panel session in Abuja and most of the state coordinators could not account for how some monies were spent or remitted. The coordinator of Kano State could not account for N20m, while the Edo (office) could not account for N31m. In Plateau State, we are looking at N15m. 
 
“For Kogi State, we have about N7m that is a source of contention while Gombe office has N10m that is also a source of contention. You can then sum it up and know how much corruption ate deep into some officials. 
 
“The registrar is frank and thorough about the investigations and he has warned to transfer some of the cases to the police and to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.” 
 
A case of N36m allegedly misappropriated by a clerk at the JAMB office in Makurdi, Benue State, Philomena Chieshe, was recently reported by the media. 
 
It was reported that Chieshe had claimed in her statement that a mystery snake sneaked into the accounts office and swallowed the cash. 
 
Also, another JAMB worker in Nasarawa State, Labaran Tanko, was reported on Wednesday to be undergoing investigation over a suspected fraud involving N26m. 
 
Tanko had claimed that the N26m, which was the worth of unsold Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scratch cards, got burnt in his car during an accident while he was on his way to remit the cards at the JAMB office in Abuja. 
 
Both Chieshe and Tanko are still under investigation.</div>

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Police ready for 2019 elections - IG

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The police are ready for the 2019 elections, Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris said yesterday. 
 
The elections will hold in February and March. 
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He said: “We are prepared for the elections. We have the men and we have the materials (logistics) to carry out our duties successfully before, during and after the elections.” 
 
The IG spoke in Lagos after the public presentation of his book: Security and justice: The pathway for peace and reconciliation in Nigeria. 
 
The 292-page book has 18 chapters and proffers solutions to violence, corruption and other societae menace. 
 
The police chief said there was need for justice and reconciliation to ensure meaningful development. 
 
Idris noted that the country’s security challenges would be contained if Nigerians pursued true reconciliation and shunned inflammatory comments. 
 
“The challenges we are having with these herdsmen have gone down. In Benue, we have 15 units on ground and I have been monitoring their successes. 
 
“I was in Benue and we have been having stakeholders’ meetings and we have been discussing. 
 
“Based on that, people have been coming openly to state their problems and it is through this that we can understand each other and reconcile our differences. 
 
 
 
“The role of traditional rulers in this reconciliation process cannot be over-emphasised because most of them have the ears of their people. When you have political disagreement in these communities, these traditional rulers are handy.” 
 
Dedicating his book to his men, Idris said proceeds from its sale would be used to fund the Security and Justice Initiative, a foundation being established for the promotion of peace, security and reconciliation in Nigeria. 
 
He said his experience over the years, with the United Nations headquarters in New York, peace keeping operations in other countries and as IG, had “taught me that internal peace is a pivotal element for instituting and sustaining democratic government. 
 
“I have watched with troubled heart the security challenges confronting this country. The challenges of Boko Haram in the North East, kidnappings and armed robberies, cattle rustling and militancy in virtually all parts of Nigeria. 
 
“The farmers/herders clashes, assassination for various reasons, conflicts among the divergent communities, which often take dangerous dimensions and occur along the fault lines of ethnic, religious, regional and political differences. 
 
“These challenges if not properly managed at the pace we are going, coupled with inflammatory and inciting statements will tear this country apart and drag us into unending crises. 
 
“It is my conviction that when there is security, justice, peace and reconciliation in any nation, civil strife will be avoided. The civil war of 1967 to 1970 perhaps turned out as the first major and catostrophic crisis in the record of our national experience. 
 
“This civil war occurred based on perceived ethnic and political differences and a feeling of injustice.” 
 
In attendance were Secretary to Lagos State Government Tunji Bello, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, former Minister of State Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Chairman Police Service Commission Mike Okiro, former IG Sunday Ehindero, former head of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Aderemi Makanjuola, consulars and high commissioners/ambassadors of about 20 countries. There were also heads of military and paramilitary services. 
 
Oba Akiolu praised the police chief for the book and blamed the porous borders and unattended forests for the lingering herders/farmers clashes in some parts of the country. 
 
He called for better funding for the police, noting: “This IG is an exposed and experienced officer and so, he is in a better position to tackle insecurity.” 
 
The monarch announced his second term endorsement for Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and warned that anyone who contested against him would fail. 
 
Osoba, an accomplished journalist and former Managing Director of The Daily Times, said the first step to reconciliation was devolution of power, adding that any reconciliation that failed to recognise the need for decentralisation of power would not succeed. 
 
Makanjuola said: “The book could not have come at a better time. You will find a lot of things that are not new but will also find a lot of solutions you never knew. He touched every facet of the country in the book. 
 
“I commend the police because before people are scared to go out at night but now, that has changed as people freely move about.”

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Court remands monarch, other for allegedly maligning Ooni

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An Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Friday remanded a traditional ruler, Oba Adeoye Adefarakan, 63, and one Abidemi Olukanmi, 18, for allegedly spreading rumour against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. 
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The Prosecutor, Inspector Christian Olajide, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in November, 2017 at Ile-Ife. 
 
Olajide said the accused conspired between themselves to commit felony, to wit, “publication of false news that caused fear and alarm and deformation of character.” 
 
He said the accused also chanted and sang songs causing hatred, ridicule, spreading rumour and negative report against the Ife monarch. 
 
According to the prosecutor, the actions of the accused affected the reputation of Ogunwusi and exposed him to ridicule. 
 
Olajide said the song caused fear and alarm for members of the public and breached public peace in Ife Kingdom 
 
He said the offence contravened sections 59, 374, 375 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State, 2002. 
 
The Defence Counsel, Mr. Edward Birilomoni, applied for bail for the accused, pledging that his clients would not jump bail and that they would produce reliable sureties. 
 
However, the magistrate, Mrs. Adejumoke Ademola-Olowolagba, refused the accused bail but advised the counsel to come with written application for the consideration of bail. 
 
Ademola-Olowolagba ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody, pending the consideration of their bail. 
 
She adjourned the case until February 23 for hearing. </div>

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Court admits evidence in suit seeking to sack NBA President

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An Abuja High Court sitting at Apo, on Friday, admitted series of documents into evidence, in a suit seeking to sack the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, from office over an allegation that the election that produced him in 2016 was electronically rigged. 
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Among over 30 documents the court admitted into evidence in the matter, included two letters dated June 30 and July 11, 2016, wherein an erstwhile President of the legal body, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, allegedly queried the legibility of the register used for the election. 
 
Olanipekun had in the said letters which the court admitted as Exhibits P27 and P28, complained that his name was among those that were omitted from the voters’ register that was used for the NBA poll. 
 
Justice O. A. Adeniyi admitted the exhibits which the plaintiff and runner-up at the election, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, tendered on a day he appeared to testify as the sixth principal witness, PW-6. 
 
Other documents the court entered into evidence were series of letters the plaintiff exchanged with NBA and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, between July 15 and August 28, 2016, alleging irregularities in the election process that involved electronic voting. 
 
As well as a copy of Guidelines/Timetable for the election, which the plaintiff insisted was grossly violated. 
 
Meantime, Justice Adeniyi has adjourned the case till March 22 for the PW-6 to enter his Evidence-in-Chief before the court. 
 
Specifically, the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2364/2016, is among other things, seeking for: “A declaration that the defendants jointly and/or severally, are bound by the provisions of the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association amended and adopted in August 2015 and must in all matters relating to, connected with the business and or affairs of the Association obey and give effect to the provisions thereof. 
 
“A declaration that the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on 30th and 31st July, 2016 under the supervision of the 8th to 14th Defendants (now 2nd to 8th Defendants), which purportedly produced the 15th Defendant (now 9th Defendant) as President, was in total violation and disregard of the mandatory provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015, Election guidelines set down for the said Election fell short of established standards and international best practices, thereby making the said Election null, void and of no effect whatsoever. 
 
“A declaration that the Internet voting mechanism, method and system adopted for the conduct of the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July, 2016, was not in conformity with the mandatory provisions of the NBA constitution 2015, in that all the pre-requisite preparations, obligations and duties provided for under the Constitution to guarantee free, fair, credible and transparent Electronic voting system were ignored, disregarded and or not complied with by the Defendants. 
 
“A Declaration that the integrity of the 2016 NBA Election as it relates to the office/position of the President organized by the 8th – 14th Defendants (now 2nd to 8th Defendant) on 30th and 31st July, 2016 which purportedly returned the 15th Defendant (now 9th Defendant) as President was fundamentally and incurably compromised by undue influence, overbearing, biased conduct and utterances of the 14th Defendant (Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN, immediate past President, Nigerian Bar Association) [now 8th Defendant] through the media and at Bar meetings before and during the Election and thereby robbed the conduct of the election of every element of impartiality, independence and transparency as required by established standards and international best practices. 
 
Likewise “An order of this honourable court nullifying and setting aside the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on the 30th and 31st July, 2016 which purportedly returned the 15th Defendant (now 9th Defendant) as president”. 
 
Cited as defendants in the suit are the Incorporated Trustees or the NBA, Mr. Kenneth Mozia (Chairman, Electoral Committee of NBA), Mr. Oluwaseun Ajoba (Secretary, ECNBA), Hajia Safiya Balarabe (Member, ECNBA), Mrs Amaka Ezeno, (Member ECNBA), Mrs. Eucharia Pepple (Member ECNBA), Grace Infotech Limited, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN (immediate past President of NBA) and Mr. Mahmoud (current NBA President).</div>

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Gov. Aregbesola releases N1bn for pension payment

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Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has approved the release of N1 billion for the payment of contributory pension to retired civil servants in the state. 
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Dr Festus Oyebade, the state Head of Service, made this known on Friday in Osogbo at a meeting of the Forum of Head of Service/Permanent Secretaries, Coordinating Directors, Director-General, General Managers and Executive Secretaries. 
 
Oyebade said additional N200 million was also released for the payment of gratuity to the pensioners. 
 
The Head of Service stated that the governor was committed to the welfare of all retired and serving Public Servants, hence the approval of the funds. 
 
He said the economic resources of the state needs to be improved upon for the government to be able to carry out its constitutional duties. 
 
He said that all hands must be on deck to improve the state internally generated revenue for the benefit of all. 
 
Oyebade commended the governor for the gesture and expressed optimism that more funds would be released to take care of the backlog of pension and gratuity of retired civil servants in the state.</div>

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Massacre: Buhari sends defence minister to Zamfara

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday dispatched the Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (retd.), to Zamfara State for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Birane village, Zurmi Local Government Area of the state where some innocent persons were killed on Thursday. 
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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists. 
 
Shehu said the minister was expected to assess the situation and immediately report back to the President who he said condemned the massacre. 
 
The presidential spokesman added that Buhari had directed the nation’s security agencies to deploy operatives in the affected area and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. 
 
He restated the President’s commitment to ensuring that the spate of killings currently being experienced in parts of the country is brought to an end. 
 
The statement read, “The President commiserates with families of victims of the heinous and inhuman attacks on defenceless citizens which left many injured. 
 
“President Buhari directs the Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (retd.), to proceed immediately to the state to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and report back. 
 
“In addition, he directs security agencies to immediately mobilise and deploy their members to the vulnerable areas of the state, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to face the full wrath of the law. 
 
“The President assures the Zamfara State government, victims of the mayhem and residents in the state, that the Federal Government will continue do all it takes to support security agencies to secure lives and property, not only in the affected state but all parts of the country. 
 
“President Buhari restates his administration’s determination to put an end to the spate of senseless spilling of innocent blood in parts of the country, and calls for restraint to allow the nation’s security apparatus to stem the undesirable trend. 
 
“The President prays that almighty God will receive the souls of the departed, and comfort their families.”</div>

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FG targets four million fresh taxpayers through VAIDS – Adeosun

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Through the implementation of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, the Federal Government is targeting to bring a total of four million fresh taxpayers into the tax net. 
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The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, gave the figure at the ongoing Platform for Collaboration on Tax Conference at the United Nations in New York. 
 
The VAIDs programme offers a grace period from July 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, for tax defaulters  to voluntarily pay back to government what they owe. 
 
In exchange for full and honest declaration, the government promises to waive penalties that should have been levied and also waive the interest that should have been paid on overdue tax. 
 
Also, those who declared their tax obligation honestly would not be subjected to any investigation or tax audit after the nine month grace period. 
 
Adeosun explained that the VAIDS tax amnesty program was targeted at increasing the tax payer base, raising revenue and regularising the tax status of many Nigerians. 
 
She noted that the scheme was aimed at raising at least $1bn for the government, adding that more Nigerians have indicated interest in taking  advantage of the opportunity. 
 
She said, “We are using technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the programme. Project Light House is using advanced data mining and data analytics techniques to identify tax defaulters, establish their tax liabilities and send notifications. 
 
“The system-wide computer software, which drives Project Lighthouse, aggregates data from multiple sources such as bank accounts, land registry records, company registration data, tax filings, customs’ records, asset ownership records, among others, to identify, profile and track tax evaders. 
 
In a statement on Friday from the minister’s Media Adviser, Oluyinka Akintunde, she said the Federal Government had engaged a leading international Asset Tracing and Investigation Agency (Kroll), to trace and track illicit flows and assets. 
 
In addition, she said Nigeria had signed the Multilateral Competent Authority on Common Reporting Standards, which allows for exchange of financial account information. 
 
The country, according to her, is expected to effect the first exchange by 2019 as soon as the domestic legal framework was completed.</div>

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Nigerian Army embarks on water project in Sambisa Forest

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The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had drilled a borehole in Sambisa Forest to enhance water supply to troops and communities in the area as part of efforts to make the forest habitable. 
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Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the project was carried out also as part of the ongoing clearance operation to root out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents. 
 
Kukasheka said that the borehole was in addition to road rehabilitation projects to facilitate infrastructural development in the forest and adjourning communities. 
 
“The Nigeria army is continuing with its clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists and making Sambisa Forest fit for lawful activities. 
 
“The Nigerian Army is further consolidating on the successes of Operation DEEP PUNCH II by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, through infrastructural development. 
 
“The army has constructed a borehole at the cleared insurgents’ strong hold ‘Sabil Huda’ camp in Sambisa forest to enhance access to safe drinking water to the troops. 
 
“Apart from reducing logistic effort of conveying water from one point to another by the troops, the water project will also assist the adjoining communities,” he said. 
 
It would be recalled that the army had embarked on rehabilitation of Gwoza to Yamtake to Bita to Tokumbere to Sambisa roads. 
 
The road project was designed to open up the forest and link adjourning communities.</div>

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Osinbajo reveals why govt failed to deliver on its promises

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Only dialogue can solve herders/farmers’ crises – IG

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The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said that dialogue remains the only genuine approach to resolve the herdsmen/farmers’ crises across the country. 
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He said there was the need for Nigerians to shun inciting statements and stop playing politics with the crises. 
 
The IG stated this on Thursday in Lagos at the public presentation of his book, titled, “Security and Justice: The Pathway for Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria.” 
 
Idris, however, maintained that the police and other security agencies had intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the killings. 
 
He said the book identified various security challenges in the country, including the Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappings and cattle rustling and recommended timely prosecution and reconciliation as means of ensuring justice and peace in Nigeria. 
 
He said, “These challenges, if not properly managed at the pace we are going, coupled with inflammatory and inciting statements, will tear this country apart and drag us into an unending crisis. I am quite conscious that it is my responsibility as the IG, to put sufficient security architecture in place to manage the challenges and I can say with confidence that preventive and detective strategies have been put in place. 
 
“…ethnic strife, religious and other crises can be avoided and peaceful coexistence and genuine reconciliation attained when the citizens feel secure and have a sense of justice and fairness. For instance, the case of farmers/herders’ clashes is generating a lot of concern in Nigeria, especially in the recent clashes in Benue, Taraba, Adamawa states and other parts of the country. 
 
“It is true that the President (Muhammadu Buhari) has mandated me and other security agencies to take appropriate steps to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the offenders. This directive is being pursued with zeal but of utmost importance is that we must engage ourselves in serious conversation, avoid inflammatory comments or play politics with the issue. This is the only way the country can secure genuine reconciliation among herders and farmers so that they can once again live in peace, harmony, love and avoid unnecessary loss of lives.” 
 
In his address, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, said the current security challenges were envisaged about two decades ago, adding that the government was advised then to look into the country’s porous borders. 
 
A former Ogun State governor, Segun Osoba, said devolution of powers and state policing would go a long way in resolving the challenges facing the country. 
 
But a former governor of Kebbi State and member of the Senate, Adamu Aliero, has urged states in the North to establish cattle ranches to stop open grazing towards the southern part of the country. 
 
Aliero said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, titled, ‘How to Stop the Farmers and Herdsmen’s Clashes Across Nigeria and Save Our Agriculture.’ 
 
He also charged states in the South to create ranches from which they could generate revenue. 
 
Aliero said, “…To stop the increasing death toll across the country, I want to urge all states, particularly the 19 northern states, to urgently provide enabling laws to build ranches across the states, followed by a recall of all cattle currently grazing outside northern Nigeria. 
 
“The ranches can be rented and reasonable fees charged in the course of time. In the short-term, however, the ranches should be free initially and steadily rise to a reasonable rent or a form of grazing tax introduced. The governments can take a small percentage from the sale of cattle when this occurs, is another option that state governments can explore.” 
 
Also, the Federal Road Safety Commission has lamented obstructions of major roads by herdsmen and their cattle in major cities across the country. 
 
This, the FRSC noted, had been endangering the lives of Nigerians. 
 
An Assistant Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Nwaka Agnes, said this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the foundation laying ceremony of an office block of the FRSC Zonal Command in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Thursday. 
 
Also, some traditional rulers in Ondo State  under the auspices of the 130 Crown Club on Thursday called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu not to allow the controversial cattle colony to be established in the state. 
 
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting held at the palace of the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government,  Oba Idowu Faborode , the traditional rulers expressed worry over the frequent attacks of the herdsmen in different parts of the state in the recent time. 
 
The communique was read on behalf of the traditional rulers by the monarch of Ipe-Akoko, Oba Francis Apata. The Obas said there was a need for the country to be restructured. 
 
Meanwhile, the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,  on Thursday,  said that one of its  officers killed by herdsmen during the week was expecting the result of his promotion examination. 
 
The command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps ACP1,  Peter Adakole, who gave the name of the victims as Abah Patrick,  said that the victim sat for his promotion examination December, 2017.</div>

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FG gets $486m World Bank credit for power sector

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World Bank has approved a 486 million dollars credit facility to Nigeria for electricity grid improvement, the lender said on Friday. 
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“The investments under the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project will increase the power transfer capacity of the transmission network and enable distribution companies to supply consumers with additional power,” the World Bank said. 
 
Nigeria’s  power sector is often criticised by economists for holding back the country’s economic growth. 
 
Businesses and households are subject to frequent blackouts, and many depend on their own generators that are expensive to run.</div>

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"Anybody who attaches himself to Buhari for re-election is not fit"

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Chairman, South-East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia South yesterday took a swipe at Senators who opposed the amendment to the Electoral Act regarding election sequence in the 2019 general elections, saying that they constitute those who cannot win elections except they climb on the back of President Muhammadu Buhari. 
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According to him, those calling for the jettisoning of the arrangement which places the election of the president last, came to power on the back of their political parties and influence of President Buhari in the last 2015 general polls. 
 
Senator Abaribe said, “anybody who attaches himself to Buhari for re-election is not fit, ab initio, to be a Senator. It is high time politicians stopped riding on the back of some political establishments or parties to win elections in Nigeria.” 
 
The National Assembly conference committee had harmonised the different versions of the passed bill from the two chambers now ready for onward submission to the president for assent. 
 
Ten All Progressives Congress, APC, senators has Wednesday opposed the amendment, which they said was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari, just as they walked out of the chamber to address the press, while the plenary presided by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was still on. 
 
Led by the Chairman of Northern Senators Caucus and former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the 10 senators were peeved that their argument against the bill was truncated at the plenary by Senate President Saraki and vowed that the amendment would not stand. The aggrieved APC senators included Binta Garba (Adamawa); Ali Wakili (Bauchi); Kurfi Umaru (Katsina); Andrew Uchendu (Rivers); Abdullahi Danbaba (Sokoto); Ovie Omo- Agege, Delta; Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi); Abu Ibrahim (Katsina); and Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo). 
 
They had described the amendment and process of passage as ‘illegal’, vowing that it would not stand, with the leader of the dissenting group, Abdullahi Adamu, questioning the conduct of the Senate President in the process of passage.</div>

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INEC vows to get the root of of Kano underage voting

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Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has vowed to get to the root of underage voting in Kano, says PVC will be ready in March. 
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However, on Wednesday the Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said on the African Independent Television’s, ‘Kakaaki’ that underage voters were being registered in some parts of the country because the lives of registration officers are being threatened by some members of the community. 
 
Osazze-Uzzi answering questions on ‘Kakaaki said, ‘I agree that it is the responsibility of the registration officer to do that (refuse to register underage persons), but there are times that circumstances are such that where there is present and clear danger that he risks being assaulted or being killed, I think it will be unreasonable to expect him not to succumb to the pressure. But we encourage them to report immediately they get out of that dangerous zone. 
 
Even to the untrained eye, that child doesn’t look more than 15, but in such circumstances, you cannot argue too much with them. The law says the registration officer is entitled to act on some kind of identification or birth certificate or proof of age. 
 
‘But very often, they are resisted, especially when there are lots of people there. They are challenged in a charged atmosphere and they are there without any protection. Many of them are there in strange communities which they don’t know anything about. So, there is undue pressure on them to register at this point.” 
 
It is not a complex process, you display the voter register and people come there. That is in addition to the fact that the registration officer can refuse anybody registration. But we don’t expect people to risk their lives for what is essentially a simple patriotic service.” 
 
‘But if they get away with that (getting registered) and the report is not taken, the second opportunity is when the register is displayed. The best opportunity is where higher officials physically look at each register as much as they can and those who are clearly not qualified are removed. So, it is a three-pronged process and there are different stages,” the INEC director added. 
 
‘I think the law recognizes that being a human endeavor, it may not be perfect and that is why it gives some kind of leeway such that when you weigh everything together, it is a reflection of what the people have chosen.” 
 
‘If one percent of the register has underage persons; will this affect the outcome? We agree that the register is the very foundation of every election and what we can do and what the media can do is that when we get these reports and we have a fair idea of where this issue is prevalent, we can look at the registers again, look at those who are clearly underage and try to weed them out and prevent them from exercising a franchise that does not belong to them legally.’</div>

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"Buhari is a noise maker on corruption"

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Few days after the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo advised President Muhammadu Buhari to resign after the expiration of his tenure, the National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC), Dr. Olapade Agoro, has called on him to toe the path of honour like a former President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma. 
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Agoro who is also a traditional ruler said unequivocally that President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed Nigerians. 
 
The most honourable thing to do, he maintained, is for President Buhari to immediately tender his resignation letter. 
 
To him, “Buhari is a noise maker on the issue of the fight against corruption. He himself is leading a corrupt government”. 
 
On the assignment given to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, he reasoned that, “It is like waking Tinubu to wake up the dead. We heard of a man who woke up the dead, and that man is Jesus Christ. Jesus woke up Lazarus, who was dead for four days. Nowvl President Buhari is asking Tinubu to wake up, he APC that has died for almost four years, and has already been buried. 
 
“Tinubu has been given an impossible task. Tinubu has to go from one Nigerian to another, he has to visit every home to appease Nigerians. He wrongly led us into this mess. 
 
“After his defeat in 2011, President Buhari made a vow not to seek Nigerians’ mandate again, but Tinubu surprisingly in 2015 went to Bihari, who is already weak and tired, and used his political machinery to capture power for Buhari.” 
 
“President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC the fact must be faced died on arrival year 2015. No one can however deny the fact that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man of political power machinery of beauty, of colour containments this time around wrongly placed his gambles on a dead horse”. 
 
“We have never seen Fulani herdsmen carrying along Ak47 guns before. Now they are on the rampage killing innocent Nigerians across the country with guns, and the President is hesitant to take necessary action to curb the ugly trend,” he said.</div>

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Buhari okays rebuilding of communities affected by herdsmen’s attacks

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The National Economic Council was on Thursday given an interim briefing on the NEC Working Group’s assignment on herdsmen-farmers clashes. 
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The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, told State House correspondents this at the end of a meeting of the council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 
 
The council, which was chaired by Osinbajo, had all the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and some relevant ministers as members. 
 
The Bauchi State governor said Osinbajo, who headed the NEC committee, delivered the interim briefing. 
 
Abubakar quoted the Vice-President as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the rebuilding of communities affected by the recent clashes. 
 
He stated that Osinbajo also said the President had approved the establishment of a committee saddled with the responsibility of deciding the modalities to be adopted in rebuilding the communities. 
 
“The Vice-President informed the council that the President has approved the formation of a committee to look into the issue of rebuilding affected communities and providing welfare and other facilities as may be considered appropriated. 
 
“The President has asked that the Vice-President head the committee,” the governor said. 
 
He further quoted Osinbajo as reporting to the council that the group, which he headed, had met twice and formed a technical sub-committee chaired by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi. 
 
He said the sub-committee was given the assignment of consultations with some of the affected communities, adding that the working group would give a detailed report at the end of the work of the sub-committee. 
 
He added, “The Vice President also reported that the working group has noted the need for a joint military-police operation to manage violent outbreaks where required while also calling for more efficient intelligence gathering. 
 
“The working group also calls for the use of the military force to flush out bandits whose activities have been linked to the clashes, as well as engagement with traditional leaders to foster peace in their communities. 
 
“The group noted that an agro rangers corps should be trained to provide security around the ranches, livestock production centres and grazing routes. 
 
“It also noted that the land use laws and regulations invest the states with power over land titles and use, while the Vice-President added that the Federal Government will not impose on state governments. The FG will only share templates on best practices for the conduct of livestock production and business.” 
 
The governor also said the Group General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, briefed the council on Premium Motor Spirit supply and the cost of under-recoveries arising from the difference between importation cost and the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency cut off market price. 
 
Baru reportedly told the council that the PMS open market price was continuously shaped by crude oil price volatility in the international market with the attendant cost under-recoveries due to differential between actual supply and distribution. 
 
He informed members that favourable market conditions encouraged private participation by independent marketers in Nigeria between May and September 2016. 
 
Baru was said to have explained that there was currently a sudden decline in private participation in Nigeria due to decline in favourable market condition and also the sudden shock in consumption which was overstretched. 
 
The Bauchi State governor said, “The GMD of NNPC submitted his report and the NEC has a committee that has been interfacing with all revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government under the chairmanship of the governor of Gombe State. 
 
“That committee has been given the responsibility of interfacing with the NNPC with a view to determining the correct price for PMS considering the price of the product in especially countries that are bordering Nigeria because that is one reason that encourages smuggling of the products to these areas.” 
 
On how some Federal Government’s revenue generating agencies had been engaging in under-remittance of revenue, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluranti Adebule, told State House correspondents that the council received the final report on the forensic audit of the agencies as regards the revenue accrued into the Federation Account, Excess Crude Account and Consolidated Revenue Fund. 
 
She said the report which was prepared by the audit firm, KPMG, concerned 18 agencies including the NNPC Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Communication Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Department of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, among others. 
 
The report, she explained, covered the period between January 2010 and June 2015. 
 
The Lagos deputy governor said, “The report observed several cases of under-remittance and  a few over-remittance. 
 
“There were also late remittances into the various accounts.  It therefore recommended that NEC should decide on repayment plans for all concerned, as well as stepping up oversight function on the relevant agencies to ensure remittance as and when due. 
 
“It also recommended the proper and regular auditing of the amount of the RGAs and those of the FG. It also said there was the need for annual review of the agencies. 
 
“Council received the report and resolved that the Ad-hoc NEC committee on the matter be expanded to include a lawyer and an accountant.  The committee would study the KPMG report and report back to council at its next sitting for possible adoption. 
 
“The Federal Government officials, including the CBN Governor, the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, would join the expanded committee to also take a look at the report.” 
 
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Investment Programme, Maryam Uwais, gave an update on the programme, which she said had recorded total direct beneficiaries of 7,812,201 and secondary beneficiaries of 1,500,000, mainly farmers and cooks. 
 
Uwais put the total actual spending on the programme in 2016 and 2017 at 15.58 per cent of the budgets. 
 
She listed some of the challenges facing the programme to include corrupt practices in states, such as short-changing, racketeering and harassment of beneficiaries, exploitation of the vulnerable due to poor levels of literacy, as well as monitoring and communication problems resulting from insufficient awareness/publicity. 
 
To surmount the problems, the presidential aide said the government was collaborating with various organisations within and outside the government in the areas of monitoring and security. 
 
In a statement later made available to journalists, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, was said to have put the balance in the ECA as of February 14, 2018,  at $2,317,252,449.57; Stabilisation Fund Account, N11,290,664,060.06; and the Natural Resources Development Fund at N123,624,644,411.24. 
 
On the budget support loan facility, Idris said 23 states had accessed  the facility out of which 11 states received in January 2018, adding that the remaining 12 states would soon get theirs. 
 
Out of the remaining 13, he said five states had complied with the Fiscal Sustainability Plan and would be considered. 
 
“The eight outstanding states are under consideration under the 22-point requirement of the Fiscal Sustainability Plan. A total of N16.1bn has been disbursed as of January 2018,” he added.</div>

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With12 months to the 2019 general elections, gladiators have electrified the political atmosphere in Rivers State, alerting residents that the polls would not be nothing less than ‘battle royal.’ 
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The deep and unceasing rivalry between the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the main opposition  All Progressives Congress, APC, has only helped to raise the ante. 
 
Although, the gimmicks of the ‘political godfathers’ in the state are yet to be properly harnessed, their utterances and body language raise anxiety that the election, which may determine the political future of the main actors might turn body as they actors fight for political survival and relevance. 
 
An indication of this is the recent organization of rallies and inauguration of support groups that would serve as foot soldiers in the election by the APC and PDP across the state. 
 
Currently, three personalities who have emerged as the major masquerades that will shape the elections are Governor Nyesom Wike; Transportation Minister, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi; Senator Magnus Abe, APC Rivers South-East. 
 
In readiness for the election, Amaechi has organized Free Rivers Initiative, Wike has revitalised his Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, while Abe anchors his hope on a team branded as M30. 
 
Though Wike has not officially declared his interest to re-contest, individuals, communities and groups have urged him to run for second tenure, even as his kinsman, Amaechi, who was his boss and now political rival has vowed that his ethnic group, Ikwerre, would not rule the state for 16 years at a go. 
 
Amaechi had at a meeting in Port Harcourt with Ikwerre APC Chiefs and Elders’ Forum, IACEF,  stated that it was wrong for Ikwerre to rule the state for the 16 years without allowing others to have a shot at the post. This was the same ideology that destroyed his relationship with Wike before the 2015 election. 
 
Amaechi, at the meeting, noted that his ethnic nationality has the highest number of votes, stating that out of 2.5 million voting population in the state Ikwerre has 1.1 million voters. 
 
He said he would rather use the advantage to install a governor preferably from the riverine areas of the state for the sake of equity and justice. He stated that he would not support Abe or any other candidate from the Ogoni nation, and  he would not back anybody from his Ikwere clan. 
 
In the 2015 general elections, Amaechi and his now supposed political rival, Abe, were in the same camp in the APC and it would be believed that Abe rode on the back of the Transportation minister to the National Assembly. 
 
But two years later, both appear to be speaking from different camps in the same APC with Abe insisting that he must fly the party’s governorship flag in the 2019 election and Amaechi rebuffing such stand saying that he would never support Abe. 
 
Amaechi, the leader of the APC in the South-South geopolitical zone, had at the meeting with party chiefs and elders vowed that he would not support Abe’s governorship ambition. 
 
Denying the existence of two factions in Rivers APC, he added that the party has remained a united and viable opposition to the PDP in the state. 
 
Noting that Abe has every right as a member of his party to contest in the election, he however stressed he would only back a riverine candidate. 
 
His words: “There is no fight in the APC. I am not in any way stopping Abe from running for the governorship, but what I know is that I will not support him.  Abe is daring me, an Ikwerre son. He is abusing me every day. I will ensure I use Ikwerre votes against him. 
 
“When we finish with riverine areas, if Ogoni showed interest we will support them. I am not saying that Ogoni people do not have qualified persons. Before and even till date, in every field of study you must see a graduate from Ogoni even to the point of Ph.D. At the moment, we have not chosen a candidate only God will decide who will become the next governor.” 
 
However, Abe has maintained that he will contest the election against Amaechi’s advice, noting that he has the right as a party member to run. 
 
Abe noted that the people of state have a common destiny and heritage and should be given equal opportunity to rule the state. 
 
Abe, who spoke during a victory thanksgiving/reception by federal and state lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC in the state, said only the people of the state have the right to determine who their leaders should be, stressing that the state must come first. 
 
In the bid to achieve his ambition, Abe has aligned with key APC stalwarts in the state such as the members representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo, Khana/Gokana and Emohua/Ikwerre Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives, Hon. Barry Mpigi, Hon. Maurice Pronen and Hon. Chidi Wihioka, and Tony Okocha among others. 
 
Meanwhile, the Governor Wike has described the politics of the state as wrestling competition, charging the APC and other candidates to hold on for the challenge to start proper. 
 
Wike, who spoke at the APC lawmakers’ thanksgiving said there was no need for people to start wrestling when the time has not come, stressing that anybody who starts now may lose the strength to sustain the fight. 
 
He called on Rivers politicians and political office holders to always place the state first in all their dealings and ensure the rapid development of the state. 
 
“The State should be the first to be considered at all times. The interest of the state is paramount. When we come together, all we should preach is how Rivers State should be the number one state in the country. When the time for wrestling comes we will wrestle. I am urging you to hold on, when it is set we will come out.</div>