Granit Xhaka's cracker helps Arsenal to 2-1 win over Newcastle

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABMVj9Wj6cf0uglT_Tn6NzUR7s05IhyphenhyphenDUqRqO8c3C3auZYbCbw81EMw84u-ji8vzwSsIHaZ_0RzbUJniY63kdMDubhZgDy3ElK1XxPnsaiv_tj14nvRxqGInzW7xnc8tIQhdlsn2Xa4eY/s1600/nc+1-2+ars.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABMVj9Wj6cf0uglT_Tn6NzUR7s05IhyphenhyphenDUqRqO8c3C3auZYbCbw81EMw84u-ji8vzwSsIHaZ_0RzbUJniY63kdMDubhZgDy3ElK1XxPnsaiv_tj14nvRxqGInzW7xnc8tIQhdlsn2Xa4eY/s400/nc+1-2+ars.jpg" /></a></div> A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box and Xhaka stepped up to strike a free kick into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards.<br /> <br /> A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box and Xhaka stepped up to strike a free kick into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards.</div>

Latest-News Granit Xhaka's cracker helps Arsenal to 2-1 win over Newcastle

A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday. Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of …

Read more »

Hazard hat-trick against Cardiff sends Chelsea top

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtw34hgDMvv5l635-2Xj_VJ5rCPpSAuH-ZIr6dpSxqB_XzdX_rdK45xqPh_7YHweyM7c3SXPmTRSOjBj5rLr8DCz6bzX4kmO9daBVMNajLarItg-_BM4e0qN0n2BImez6r2Ld1i4Bs-2b/s1600/eden+hazard2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtw34hgDMvv5l635-2Xj_VJ5rCPpSAuH-ZIr6dpSxqB_XzdX_rdK45xqPh_7YHweyM7c3SXPmTRSOjBj5rLr8DCz6bzX4kmO9daBVMNajLarItg-_BM4e0qN0n2BImez6r2Ld1i4Bs-2b/s400/eden+hazard2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> A hat-trick from Belgian magician Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea kept their 100 percent record this season with a 4-1 win over promoted Cardiff City that sent the Londoners to the top of the Premier League on Saturday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Chelsea, who have won their first five games of the season, were stunned when an unmarked Sol Bamba flicked home to put Cardiff ahead in the 16th minute, but Hazard replied twice before halftime as the home side upped the tempo.<br /> <br /> He hit the bottom corner after dancing round two defenders to shoot low in the 37th minute, then latched on to another Olivier Giroud layoff with the Frenchman at full stretch in the 44th.<br /> <br /> The Belgian scored a cool penalty in the 81st minute after Bamba brought down Willian in the area. Willian rounded off a satisfying afternoon for the London side, who moved top on goal difference, with a dipping shot from outside the area. </div>

Latest-News Hazard hat-trick against Cardiff sends Chelsea top

A hat-trick from Belgian magician Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea kept their 100 percent record this season with a 4-1 win over promoted Cardiff City that sent the Londoners to the top of the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea, who have won their first…

Read more »

Manchester City keep in touch with leaders with win over Fulham

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCA__z3BJf5fRmuK0Mkm9WYl-bDlbmKeeWJdcc6b_3ZTCNK8BiP0N9iqI2IHYLmgcQfAPgfn4x3inKpJkftqY2-Fj6WexD7_90b98LECelZEi1RT2vbolcQ3PlmV6dH05PSkZgBwX587S/s1600/mc+3-0+fuh.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCA__z3BJf5fRmuK0Mkm9WYl-bDlbmKeeWJdcc6b_3ZTCNK8BiP0N9iqI2IHYLmgcQfAPgfn4x3inKpJkftqY2-Fj6WexD7_90b98LECelZEi1RT2vbolcQ3PlmV6dH05PSkZgBwX587S/s400/mc+3-0+fuh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Manchester City comfortably defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool and Chelsea.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Leroy Sane, recalled after being left out of the squad against Newcastle United, scored inside two minutes with a close-range finish after Fernandinho capitalised on sloppy passing from Fulham.<br /> <br /> David Silva made it 2-0 when his powerful shot crashed in off the underside of the crossbar after midfielder Bernardo Silva saved the ball near the byline.<br /> <br /> Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 with the most straightforward of tap-ins after Sergio Aguero finished burst down the right and set him up with a low cross.</div>

Latest-News Manchester City keep in touch with leaders with win over Fulham

Manchester City comfortably defeated Fulham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool and Chelsea. Leroy Sane, recalled after being left out of the squad against Newcastle United, scored inside two minutes …

Read more »

Granit Xhaka's cracker helps Arsenal to 2-1 win over Newcastle

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABMVj9Wj6cf0uglT_Tn6NzUR7s05IhyphenhyphenDUqRqO8c3C3auZYbCbw81EMw84u-ji8vzwSsIHaZ_0RzbUJniY63kdMDubhZgDy3ElK1XxPnsaiv_tj14nvRxqGInzW7xnc8tIQhdlsn2Xa4eY/s1600/nc+1-2+ars.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABMVj9Wj6cf0uglT_Tn6NzUR7s05IhyphenhyphenDUqRqO8c3C3auZYbCbw81EMw84u-ji8vzwSsIHaZ_0RzbUJniY63kdMDubhZgDy3ElK1XxPnsaiv_tj14nvRxqGInzW7xnc8tIQhdlsn2Xa4eY/s400/nc+1-2+ars.jpg" /></a></div> A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box and Xhaka stepped up to strike a free kick into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards.<br /> <br /> A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box and Xhaka stepped up to strike a free kick into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards.</div>

Latest-News Granit Xhaka's cracker helps Arsenal to 2-1 win over Newcastle

A free kick by midfielder Granit Xhaka and a goal by Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle United despite a stuttering first-half performance on Saturday. Newcastle's Federico Fernandez brought down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of …

Read more »

Fani-Kayode reacts to Finance Minister’s resignation, tells Buhari what to do

Latest-News Fani-Kayode reacts to Finance Minister’s resignation, tells Buhari what to do

…

Read more »

What we are doing to stop Dogara’s impeachment – Lawmakers

Latest-News What we are doing to stop Dogara’s impeachment – Lawmakers

…

Read more »

Arewa youths speak on Buhari govt favouring north, react to Bichi’s appointment as DG DSS

Latest-News Arewa youths speak on Buhari govt favouring north, react to Bichi’s appointment as DG DSS

…

Read more »

Liverpool torment Tottenham in pursuit of title with 2-1 win

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgywO5_SyyrrxGW6O4QX_88QifI60Sqq8ibbxiR8ZUzSDYbL6S5dJk5v_pXT3BNXlGnY_rNEu8dmSQU4DjDNhqdrcpTYvKmnlaTbJ3tTnekCQTyl5YqxbwCuFDfUnV7sgU0Zq8duCrdVZ/s1600/tot+1-2+liv.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgywO5_SyyrrxGW6O4QX_88QifI60Sqq8ibbxiR8ZUzSDYbL6S5dJk5v_pXT3BNXlGnY_rNEu8dmSQU4DjDNhqdrcpTYvKmnlaTbJ3tTnekCQTyl5YqxbwCuFDfUnV7sgU0Zq8duCrdVZ/s400/tot+1-2+liv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Liverpool strengthened their hold on top of the Premier League as Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino fired them to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Winners of their first five league games for the first time since 1990, Liverpool returned from the international break to blank a lethargic Tottenham side that have failed to capitalise on the emotion of their 3-0 win at Manchester United on Aug. 27.<br /> <br /> Firmino nearly set the tone after 45 seconds with a goal that was disallowed when Sadio Mane was ruled to be offside, and though Michel Vorm parried away an attempt by Mohamed Salah after 22 minutes, Liverpool struck first behind Wijnaldum.<br /> <br /> Vorm, again replacing the injured Hugo Lloris, punched away James Milner's corner and Eric Dier headed it clear, but Wijnaldum scored from a header in the 39th minute after Vorm caught it behind the goal line.<br /> <br /> It was the first away Premier League goal for Wijnaldum and it was confirmed by goal-line technology, with referee Michael Oliver pointing to his wrist amid objections by Tottenham players.<br /> <br /> Mane nearly doubled the lead in the 49th minute before Vorm turned his attempt away, and Lucas Moura almost equalised for Tottenham after his shot hit the left side of the net, but Liverpool increased their advantage in the 54th minute on Firmino's simple strike.<br /> <br /> Vorm failed to control the rebound after Mane's cross from the right was turned onto the post by Jan Vertonghen, and Firmino collected himself to poke it over the goal line for his second league goal of the season and second in as many games.<br /> <br /> Harry Kane failed to connect with Kieran Tripper on a cross in the 66th minute, and Erik Lamela's attempt in the 85th minute went wide for Spurs, who appeared to get a lift once Son Heung-Min came on in the 73rd minute for his first appearance since winning the gold medal for South Korea in the Asian Games earlier this month.<br /> <br /> Lamela pulled one back in added time for Spurs, who were supposed to open their new stadium with the game before it was pushed back by construction delays.</div>

Latest-News Liverpool torment Tottenham in pursuit of title with 2-1 win

Liverpool strengthened their hold on top of the Premier League as Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino fired them to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Winners of their first five league games for the first time …

Read more »

Ex-Ebonyi Governor, Martin Elechi loses son

Latest-News Ex-Ebonyi Governor, Martin Elechi loses son

…

Read more »

Senator Ndume reveals why Leah Sharibu is still in captive

Latest-News Senator Ndume reveals why Leah Sharibu is still in captive

…

Read more »

Buhari orders NEMA to declare ‘national disaster’ on flooding

Latest-News Buhari orders NEMA to declare ‘national disaster’ on flooding

…

Read more »

Lecturer arraigned for allegedly ‘massaging’ student’s p3nis in Ibadan

Latest-News Lecturer arraigned for allegedly ‘massaging’ student’s p3nis in Ibadan

…

Read more »

New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s1600/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s400/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" /></a></div> The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head of the service.<br /> <br /> NAN also reports that following the sack of former head of the service, Lawal Daura, Mr Matthew Seiyefa was appointed the acting head of the service.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that Bichi made the call on the assumption of office at a meeting with the management of the service on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He also called for the support of the personnel while promising to work with them as a team.<br /> <br /> Bichi also promised to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated service with particular reference to staff welfare.<br /> <br /> The head of the service said that the Service would support government agenda to rebuild the economy, stamp out insecurity and fight corruption.<br /> <br /> He enjoined members of Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction while imploring the management to ensure that the Service respect rule of law and human rights.</div>

Latest-News New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head o…

Read more »

New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s1600/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s400/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" /></a></div> The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head of the service.<br /> <br /> NAN also reports that following the sack of former head of the service, Lawal Daura, Mr Matthew Seiyefa was appointed the acting head of the service.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that Bichi made the call on the assumption of office at a meeting with the management of the service on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He also called for the support of the personnel while promising to work with them as a team.<br /> <br /> Bichi also promised to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated service with particular reference to staff welfare.<br /> <br /> The head of the service said that the Service would support government agenda to rebuild the economy, stamp out insecurity and fight corruption.<br /> <br /> He enjoined members of Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction while imploring the management to ensure that the Service respect rule of law and human rights.</div>

Latest-News New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head o…

Read more »

New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s1600/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s400/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" /></a></div> The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head of the service.<br /> <br /> NAN also reports that following the sack of former head of the service, Lawal Daura, Mr Matthew Seiyefa was appointed the acting head of the service.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that Bichi made the call on the assumption of office at a meeting with the management of the service on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He also called for the support of the personnel while promising to work with them as a team.<br /> <br /> Bichi also promised to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated service with particular reference to staff welfare.<br /> <br /> The head of the service said that the Service would support government agenda to rebuild the economy, stamp out insecurity and fight corruption.<br /> <br /> He enjoined members of Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction while imploring the management to ensure that the Service respect rule of law and human rights.</div>

Latest-News New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head o…

Read more »

New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s1600/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s400/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" /></a></div> The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head of the service.<br /> <br /> NAN also reports that following the sack of former head of the service, Lawal Daura, Mr Matthew Seiyefa was appointed the acting head of the service.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that Bichi made the call on the assumption of office at a meeting with the management of the service on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He also called for the support of the personnel while promising to work with them as a team.<br /> <br /> Bichi also promised to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated service with particular reference to staff welfare.<br /> <br /> The head of the service said that the Service would support government agenda to rebuild the economy, stamp out insecurity and fight corruption.<br /> <br /> He enjoined members of Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction while imploring the management to ensure that the Service respect rule of law and human rights.</div>

Latest-News New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head o…

Read more »

New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s1600/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7SyFvAYxCtPPLQ7YfhdiNL25Z1FDPSs2xty_BUSth1AygikLznAXZoGM4ZS4ioCVje1qtI1ZnNcGAncW7idEt07LU0c3OmsOIPCNwTREcMcjd7KJ_b0DboVRoCJYFhK2HwPx51Rjis-/s400/Yusuf+Bichi.jpg" /></a></div> The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head of the service.<br /> <br /> NAN also reports that following the sack of former head of the service, Lawal Daura, Mr Matthew Seiyefa was appointed the acting head of the service.<br /> <br /> A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Peter Afunanya, said that Bichi made the call on the assumption of office at a meeting with the management of the service on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He also called for the support of the personnel while promising to work with them as a team.<br /> <br /> Bichi also promised to build a well disciplined, professional and highly motivated service with particular reference to staff welfare.<br /> <br /> The head of the service said that the Service would support government agenda to rebuild the economy, stamp out insecurity and fight corruption.<br /> <br /> He enjoined members of Staff to refocus their intelligence collection efforts in this direction while imploring the management to ensure that the Service respect rule of law and human rights.</div>

Latest-News New DSS boss, Bichi calls for stronger ties among staff

The new Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has called for stronger ties among members of staff. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, appointed Bichi as the substantive head o…

Read more »

BREAKING: Nigerian ambassador to Qatar dies

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5pv3mgJccFLtMRPeQPxSNup9EiABeBS2NFrTc_zoL4dYl6tqAwI0vZZx3u7PDKx7EWcQZYVJ85VVu3Klju1ykqwO8b8I8Cl-8iB2PU03XuwKqdfY_j349Ly_ZNTi6ZcWghuFGLxcsIjt/s1600/Abdullahi+Wase.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5pv3mgJccFLtMRPeQPxSNup9EiABeBS2NFrTc_zoL4dYl6tqAwI0vZZx3u7PDKx7EWcQZYVJ85VVu3Klju1ykqwO8b8I8Cl-8iB2PU03XuwKqdfY_j349Ly_ZNTi6ZcWghuFGLxcsIjt/s400/Abdullahi+Wase.jpg" /></a></div> The Ambassador of Nigeria in Doha, Qatar, Amb. Abdullahi Wase is dead.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A statement in Abuja on Saturday by the spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tope Elias-Fatile, said Wase, a non-career ambassador from Plateau State, had been sick for a while until his death on Friday night.<br /> <br /> The late envoy would be buried in Doha at 7.00pm (local time) today.<br /> <br /> “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, received the news of his death with shock and prayed that God grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the great loss,” the statement added.</div>

Latest-News BREAKING: Nigerian ambassador to Qatar dies

The Ambassador of Nigeria in Doha, Qatar, Amb. Abdullahi Wase is dead. A statement in Abuja on Saturday by the spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tope Elias-Fatile, said Wase, a non-career ambassador from Plateau State, had been sick for a whil…

Read more »

Mourinho ‘in the dark’ over Raiola’s plans for Pogba

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-quWlfTejuJ3QOEyqUWAaSGaEGuPqiCVgdvjnCPizy-RPNaATIkimljASUahlWXMrqVYqx57y1uK5OUCTVCT44OzFPYZWRrccMqnbpOu5w4yAnguQ7-Zc5JM6M5qFB_kzUKaAdEcFxks/s1600/jm3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-quWlfTejuJ3QOEyqUWAaSGaEGuPqiCVgdvjnCPizy-RPNaATIkimljASUahlWXMrqVYqx57y1uK5OUCTVCT44OzFPYZWRrccMqnbpOu5w4yAnguQ7-Zc5JM6M5qFB_kzUKaAdEcFxks/s320/jm3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he is “in the dark” over Paul Pogba’s outspoken agent Mino Raiola’s intentions for the French World Cup winner.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The United manager was forced to discuss his relationship with the club’s record signing once again after a week in which Pogba heightened the uncertainty over his future on international duty.<br /> <br /> Pogba was routinely dropped by Mourinho last season, but, despite being an ever-present this campaign, has hinted his relationship with the United manager remains strained.<br /> <br /> Raiola has also fanned speculation that Pogba would welcome a possible move to Barcelona.<br /> <br /> But Mourinho insisted that Pogba has given him no indication that he is unhappy at Old Trafford and that if he or his agent wish to pursue a move, they should tell him directly.<br /> <br /> “I don’t know if that is true,” said Mourinho when asked if Raiola was trying to engineer a move for his client.<br /> <br /> “I also need the agent to tell me or tell you in a way that I can see. If I watch Mr. Raiola on the screen saying the player wants to leave, and that he is organising a way for him to try to leave or so on, then I will believe.<br /> <br /> “At this moment, I am in the dark. The only thing that is clear for me is that the player never — in all these days we are together — he never told me that he wants to leave.”<br /> <br /> – Strained relations –<br /> <br /> The relationship between manager and his high-profile midfielder has been one of the many testing issues Mourinho has faced this season and dates back to before Pogba scoring in the World Cup final in July.<br /> <br /> During United’s summer tour to the United States, Mourinho hinted Pogba needed to show the same discipline at club level as he did with his country.<br /> <br /> “One thing I can assure you: I will always give 100 per cent, no matter which coach I always give everything for United,” Pogba said last week.<br /> <br /> “My future is currently in Manchester, I still have a contract, I’m playing there at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the next few months.”<br /> <br /> Mourinho, though, insists Pogba is happy at United until he hears otherwise from the player himself.<br /> <br /> “I can only comment on what is real for me, not in what I read, not in what I listen. I have a direct relationship with the players – not just Paul. And he never told me he wants to leave.<br /> <br /> “If he doesn’t tell me he wants to leave, it’s because he wants to stay. That’s my conclusion, no?”<br /> <br /> Mourinho was more forthcoming when discussing four players whose contracts expire at the end of the current season – Luke Shaw, Juan Mata, Ashley Young and Ander Herrera – plus goalkeeper David de Gea who is in contract talks despite having one year, plus an additional option of one season, on his deal.<br /> <br /> “I hope they will stay,” said Mourinho. “David is David, no need of more words. Luke’s evolution made us believe he goes in the right direction and, of course, I want to keep him.<br /> <br /> “Juan and Ander, even if they are not playing or not playing a lot, not starting matches, from the personality point-of-view and character point-of-view, by what they represent in the modern society in football, they are almost unique pieces that I also don’t want to lose.”</div>

Latest-News Mourinho ‘in the dark’ over Raiola’s plans for Pogba

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he is “in the dark” over Paul Pogba’s outspoken agent Mino Raiola’s intentions for the French World Cup winner. The United manager was forced to discuss his relationship with the club’s record sign…

Read more »

PDP wants Kemi Adeosun arrested, accuses FG of planning to help her escape from Nigeria.

Latest-News PDP wants Kemi Adeosun arrested, accuses FG of planning to help her escape from Nigeria.

…

Read more »

Adeleke speaks on court order stopping INEC, PDP from recognizing him

Latest-News Adeleke speaks on court order stopping INEC, PDP from recognizing him

…

Read more »

APC reveals what will happen to Dogara for defecting to PDP

Latest-News APC reveals what will happen to Dogara for defecting to PDP

…

Read more »

Davido’s management breaks silence on singer being a member of Black Axe cult

Latest-News Davido’s management breaks silence on singer being a member of Black Axe cult

…

Read more »

How my preaching against tithes rendered me poor, jobless – Freeze cries out

Latest-News How my preaching against tithes rendered me poor, jobless – Freeze cries out

…

Read more »

REVEALED: Ambulances were used to move cash during Obasanjo’s third term bid

Latest-News REVEALED: Ambulances were used to move cash during Obasanjo’s third term bid

…

Read more »

EFCC finally replies Fayose’s letter, tells him when to report for questioning

Latest-News EFCC finally replies Fayose’s letter, tells him when to report for questioning

…

Read more »

CLOSE-UP: This is Zainab Ahmed — 8 things you need to know about Kemi Adeosun’s replacement

Latest-News CLOSE-UP: This is Zainab Ahmed — 8 things you need to know about Kemi Adeosun’s replacement

…

Read more »

Agbakoba’s People’s Trust, 30 parties adopt Ambode

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfMgG8SWDHJMOSMbZod6vlVb_Ssp71Ew-YesxQmbOJZzJ10oiew-SpBMi3WMi-ZKw3HVCNJUwDWo4nEeuIFX1I-dhHlMvvWeBrRWzLn-cUF1y4EM1MZocex0PPuDSCaPAhVhqRqrGQXsp/s1600/Akinwunmi-Ambode.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfMgG8SWDHJMOSMbZod6vlVb_Ssp71Ew-YesxQmbOJZzJ10oiew-SpBMi3WMi-ZKw3HVCNJUwDWo4nEeuIFX1I-dhHlMvvWeBrRWzLn-cUF1y4EM1MZocex0PPuDSCaPAhVhqRqrGQXsp/s320/Akinwunmi-Ambode.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The People’s Trust, PT, a new mega party nationally led by legal icon and human rights advocate, Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN and the son of former Prime minister, Dr Abduljalil Tafawa Balewa, along with 30 other political parties in Lagos State, has offered its 2019 Governorship ticket in Lagos to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ambode, according to various reports, is currently embattled by factional politics of the Lagos All Progressives Party, APC<br /> <br /> Peoples Trust, is a new mega party recently adopted by Nigeria Intervention Movement, NIM, a platform popularly acclaimed as the biggest political movement of fresh breed leaders of the third force movement in the country.<br /> <br /> In a statement Friday after the election of its state executives, its Protem State Publicity Secretary, Dr Segun Awe Obe said Ambode should be encouraged to consolidate the great development he has started in Lagos<br /> <br /> “Ambode has proved to be a wizard of development in Lagos, therefore should not be sacrificed on the altar of political intrigues and interests within Lagos APC. So, we as the platform of the fresh breed credible third force stakeholders in Nigeria have mobilised 30 other political parties in our grand coalition to engage him for the purpose of fielding him in the 2019 if APC in Lagos rejects him”<br /> .<br /> “The People’s Trust, a product of the political longsuffering of the Nigerian Youths and masses with over 500 thousands permanent voters carders, PVC’s of its members in Lagos is set to adopt Ambode as its governorship candidate in Lagos if the Tinubu led camp of APC rejects him<br /> <br /> “For us in the Lagos People’s Trust, Ambode is a fresh breed industrious and resourceful Governor, who has since changed the face of Lagos within the shortest possible time and should be encouraged to complete his second term in the interest of the welfare of the people of Lagos, which he has started’ to do”<br /> <br /> The new Lagos Exco of PT is made up of Lady Omowunmi Bajulaiye as Chairperson, Mr Ireti Duduyemi, Secretary, Dr Segun Awe Obe, Publicity Secretary among others elected at the meeting, where the party vowed to take over Lagos in 2019</div>

Latest-News Agbakoba’s People’s Trust, 30 parties adopt Ambode

The People’s Trust, PT, a new mega party nationally led by legal icon and human rights advocate, Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN and the son of former Prime minister, Dr Abduljalil Tafawa Balewa, along with 30 other political parties in Lagos State, has offer…

Read more »

Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s1600/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s400/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" /></a></div> Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of the State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Marafa who had before now indicated interest to contest for the governor of Zamfara state accused governor Yari of lacking the moral latitude to remain as governor after abducting his primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the state.<br /> He spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> When asked to react to the statement credited the governor Yari who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, he said it was shameful that the governor always remember he was the governor when it had to do with overseeing the state resources but claim to have resigned when it had to do with the protection of lives and property.<br /> <br /> He said, “I heap a lot of blame on you the media the way and manner you handled it and number one culprit is the state house of Assembly. If I was a member of the State House of Assembly, I would have initiated impeachment of the governor because he lacks conscience, then the media ought to have done much more than what they did.<br /> <br /> “This is part of the problem we have as a people, when problems happen in other states they tend to be overblown but when they happen in another state nobody cares and Nigeria is supposed to be seen as one country.<br /> <br /> “For a Chief Executive to come out publicly to say that he has resigned as the chief security officer of a state he or she is supposed to accompany that statement with resignation.<br /> <br /> “You cannot be spending state funds on security and lives and property are not safe, number one responsibility of any government is protection of lives and property any person that cannot protect the lives of people he superintends he or she is supposed to resign.”<br /> <br /> On whether he was calling for the governor to resign now, he said, “I don’t have to call on him to resign, this is something that every Nigerian is supposed to say and he himself if he has conscience and he knows what leadership is all about and he is quite knowledgeable in Islamic teaching and if he took the teachings of Islam very seriously he would have resigned in the real essence of the word rather than making mere pronouncements that he has resigned as chief security officer.<br /> <br /> ‘You only take the sunny side of opposition but the ugly side you say you are not responsible when it comes to the money of Zamfara state he is the governor of Zamfara state, when it comes to the protection of lives of the people of the state then it is President Muhammadu Buhari that is responsible<br /> <br /> “The worst thing that I always say is that this is the first person that has unfettered access to the President. Now, have you been telling the president the truth, this is where the challenge lies, when he comes here he tells you that the president is doing very well, when he goes back to the state he says security is not his responsibility but that of the President.”</div>

Latest-News Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of …

Read more »

Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s1600/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s400/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" /></a></div> Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of the State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Marafa who had before now indicated interest to contest for the governor of Zamfara state accused governor Yari of lacking the moral latitude to remain as governor after abducting his primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the state.<br /> He spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> When asked to react to the statement credited the governor Yari who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, he said it was shameful that the governor always remember he was the governor when it had to do with overseeing the state resources but claim to have resigned when it had to do with the protection of lives and property.<br /> <br /> He said, “I heap a lot of blame on you the media the way and manner you handled it and number one culprit is the state house of Assembly. If I was a member of the State House of Assembly, I would have initiated impeachment of the governor because he lacks conscience, then the media ought to have done much more than what they did.<br /> <br /> “This is part of the problem we have as a people, when problems happen in other states they tend to be overblown but when they happen in another state nobody cares and Nigeria is supposed to be seen as one country.<br /> <br /> “For a Chief Executive to come out publicly to say that he has resigned as the chief security officer of a state he or she is supposed to accompany that statement with resignation.<br /> <br /> “You cannot be spending state funds on security and lives and property are not safe, number one responsibility of any government is protection of lives and property any person that cannot protect the lives of people he superintends he or she is supposed to resign.”<br /> <br /> On whether he was calling for the governor to resign now, he said, “I don’t have to call on him to resign, this is something that every Nigerian is supposed to say and he himself if he has conscience and he knows what leadership is all about and he is quite knowledgeable in Islamic teaching and if he took the teachings of Islam very seriously he would have resigned in the real essence of the word rather than making mere pronouncements that he has resigned as chief security officer.<br /> <br /> ‘You only take the sunny side of opposition but the ugly side you say you are not responsible when it comes to the money of Zamfara state he is the governor of Zamfara state, when it comes to the protection of lives of the people of the state then it is President Muhammadu Buhari that is responsible<br /> <br /> “The worst thing that I always say is that this is the first person that has unfettered access to the President. Now, have you been telling the president the truth, this is where the challenge lies, when he comes here he tells you that the president is doing very well, when he goes back to the state he says security is not his responsibility but that of the President.”</div>

Latest-News Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of …

Read more »

Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s1600/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILn47eqYf4YzsKFuWi9C-SQdpKmZl88_x4pbGld4bm4kiv9DwwGVb2TnlHguyU444Cs9x113UzJN0F1b2cMmHSCbNJmvP9ntGoH4YVLcd3FcoHxTzcjpTX8uPHOQ-ExZuyWGzlLcwEsXW/s400/Abdulaziz+Yari.jpg" /></a></div> Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of the State.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Marafa who had before now indicated interest to contest for the governor of Zamfara state accused governor Yari of lacking the moral latitude to remain as governor after abducting his primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the state.<br /> He spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> When asked to react to the statement credited the governor Yari who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, he said it was shameful that the governor always remember he was the governor when it had to do with overseeing the state resources but claim to have resigned when it had to do with the protection of lives and property.<br /> <br /> He said, “I heap a lot of blame on you the media the way and manner you handled it and number one culprit is the state house of Assembly. If I was a member of the State House of Assembly, I would have initiated impeachment of the governor because he lacks conscience, then the media ought to have done much more than what they did.<br /> <br /> “This is part of the problem we have as a people, when problems happen in other states they tend to be overblown but when they happen in another state nobody cares and Nigeria is supposed to be seen as one country.<br /> <br /> “For a Chief Executive to come out publicly to say that he has resigned as the chief security officer of a state he or she is supposed to accompany that statement with resignation.<br /> <br /> “You cannot be spending state funds on security and lives and property are not safe, number one responsibility of any government is protection of lives and property any person that cannot protect the lives of people he superintends he or she is supposed to resign.”<br /> <br /> On whether he was calling for the governor to resign now, he said, “I don’t have to call on him to resign, this is something that every Nigerian is supposed to say and he himself if he has conscience and he knows what leadership is all about and he is quite knowledgeable in Islamic teaching and if he took the teachings of Islam very seriously he would have resigned in the real essence of the word rather than making mere pronouncements that he has resigned as chief security officer.<br /> <br /> ‘You only take the sunny side of opposition but the ugly side you say you are not responsible when it comes to the money of Zamfara state he is the governor of Zamfara state, when it comes to the protection of lives of the people of the state then it is President Muhammadu Buhari that is responsible<br /> <br /> “The worst thing that I always say is that this is the first person that has unfettered access to the President. Now, have you been telling the president the truth, this is where the challenge lies, when he comes here he tells you that the president is doing very well, when he goes back to the state he says security is not his responsibility but that of the President.”</div>

Latest-News Why Zamfara State Gov should resign – Senator Marafa

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Kabiru Marafa yesterday said that the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari was supposed to resign as a governor if he has conscience for saying that he had resigned as the Chief Security Officer of …

Read more »

Buhari will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire, fire – Lauretta Onochie

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfAR8KtLndEmLtr9EeTsKcvFWPS1p1wn-2le5b0skB4oxvX-KSbZYzwFJq3W8HBNV1ga12-9pPn-webNE2g_iNBa569oln5zmfStQusMaAUnG2-BglDDLZ0eo4OpztbWg_aCwn6mD29K7/s1600/Lauretta+onochie.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfAR8KtLndEmLtr9EeTsKcvFWPS1p1wn-2le5b0skB4oxvX-KSbZYzwFJq3W8HBNV1ga12-9pPn-webNE2g_iNBa569oln5zmfStQusMaAUnG2-BglDDLZ0eo4OpztbWg_aCwn6mD29K7/s400/Lauretta+onochie.jpg" /></a></div> Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Social Media aide has said that the president will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire and fire.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Recall that the President on Thursday approved the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS) and on Friday Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Finance Minister tendered her resignation letter.<br /> <br /> Onochie in an article on her Facebook page titled ‘President Buhari will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire and fire’ said that ‘small minded people who think only in geography and religion will always find fault in everything President Buhari does. And everything he does, he does within the boundaries of the law’<br /> <br /> She further said that the Niger Delta was underdeveloped under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and that only the people whose lives improved were his friends from every tribe in this nation.<br /> <br /> In defending the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS) she said that ‘the practice is that when a top public officer is dismissed, sacked or resigns, he or she is instructed to hand over to the highest ranking civil servant who assumes the office in an acting capacity until a substantive appointment is made.<br /> The top man when Mr Lawal Daura lost his appointment at the DSS, was Mr. Matthew Seiyeifa. I am not aware that he was sacked. He wasn’t. He’s still In employment. In fact, he’s due for retirement in a few weeks.<br /> <br /> When the former SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal was relieved of his Duty, Lovely Dr. Habiba Lawal, the most senior Permanent Secretary, took charge in an acting capacity.<br /> <br /> She returned to her original duty post, when Mr. Boss Mustapha, the current SGF was appointed. And she’s still there. And there are other examples.<br /> <br /> There was no single protest that Dr. Mrs. Lawal was not confirmed as the SGF. Maybe these people having a fit over this DSS appointment should ask themselves why they did not protest then.<br /> <br /> Read here statement below<br /> <br /> The truth is that small minded people who think only in Geography and Religion will always find fault in everything Pres. Buhari does. And everything he does, he does within the boundaries of the law.<br /> <br /> The practice is that when a top public officer is dismissed, sacked or resigns, he or she is instructed to hand over to the highest ranking CIVIL SERVANT who assumes the office in an acting capacity UNTIL a substantive appointment is made.<br /> <br /> The top man when Mr Lawal Daura lost his appointment at the DSS, was Mr. Matthew Seiyeifa. I am not aware that he was sacked. He wasn’t. He’s still In employment. In fact, he’s due for retirement in a few weeks.<br /> <br /> When the former SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal was relieved of his Duty, Lovely Dr. Habiba Lawal, the most senior Permanent Secretary, took charge in an acting capacity.<br /> <br /> She returned to her original duty post, when Mr. Boss Mustapha, the current SGF was appointed. And she’s still there. And there are other examples.<br /> <br /> There was no single protest that Dr. Mrs. Lawal was not confirmed as the SGF. Maybe these people having a fit over this DSS appointment should ask themselves why they did not protest then.<br /> <br /> This pettiness of turning a selective blind eye to procedures and capacity and at the same time, embracing tribal/religious sentiments and ineffectual buffoonery, is what destroyed our nation.<br /> <br /> All of us are witnesses of how the Niger Delta was underdeveloped under Pres. Jonathan, a son of the Niger Delta while President of this country. The only people whose lives improved were his friends from every tribe in this nation.<br /> <br /> When do we learn that it’s a battle between the haves and have-nots in our nation? That it’s not between North and South. The greedy thieves in the north are in alliance with the greedy thieves in the south. And they are all livid with rage that the recovered Abacha loot, is going to struggling traders and not them!<br /> <br /> But why do we love the man, Buhari? Pres. Muhammadu Okechukwu Buhari has the political will to override the ingrained primordial needs of the willfully deaf, the willfully blind and the willfully dumb.<br /> <br /> President Buhari will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire and fire. The best part of why we love him is that he never gives in to intimidation and blackmail.<br /> <br /> Let the uninformed be informed that we have rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Let’s all grow above this antediluvian state of being. It expired 200 years ago.’</div>

Latest-News Buhari will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire, fire – Lauretta Onochie

Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Social Media aide has said that the president will continue to exercise his constitutional rights to hire and fire. Recall that the President on Thursday approved the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, …

Read more »

Buhari cannot continue to hide, I challenge him to a debate – Moghalu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCscSMEuz_Dd49PDR651H341o-8y0xuqs3WC2zOYapWXmti7Nxto4NaxVAvEsds3hkRMzlCSeOAlmNRzE7Uk8UrkwGbiCfFQp1hkr4btCdgq2XHVzI_R5lIcDGmQH7GYAyMhzXYlapDi_e/s1600/Kingsley+Moghalu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCscSMEuz_Dd49PDR651H341o-8y0xuqs3WC2zOYapWXmti7Nxto4NaxVAvEsds3hkRMzlCSeOAlmNRzE7Uk8UrkwGbiCfFQp1hkr4btCdgq2XHVzI_R5lIcDGmQH7GYAyMhzXYlapDi_e/s400/Kingsley+Moghalu.jpg" /></a></div> Presidential candidate of Young Progressives Party, YPP, Mr. Kingsley Moghalu has again challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to a debate.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He further revealed his plans for the country if elected as president.<br /> <br /> Here are excerpts of his chat with newsmen.<br /> <br /> On education of followers, mission and plans<br /> <br /> We have been telling our followers what this vision is and the difference between us and the traditional politicians.   For example, we are not playing money politics, and we are not going to buy votes.<br /> <br /> We need money for this election, but, it is money for logistics.   If one wants to advertise his political ideas, he needs money. We are not talking about the money for bribery, but money to fund a campaign. When I become President, I would not want to be seen as someone, who only has good intentions. I believe that there should be no excuses. A true leader doesn’t give excuses. A true leader takes responsibility and executes. We already have a plan and how the plan will be executed. I have a vision and it is in my book entitled:  Build, Innovate and Grow.<br /> <br /> When I become President, there will be four offices in the presidency that will be critical to the success of my government. Number one will be the office of National Strategy, ONS. Number two will be the Office of Risk Management, ORM, number three will be the Office of Performance Management, OPM, and number four will be the Office of Human Capital Development, OHC. These are the four offices that will be the underpinning of my presidency.   There will be no politician within a 10-mile radius of these four offices. It will be headed by professionals, experts in strategy, and experts in risk management, experts in performance management, and experts in building human capital development. What will these four offices do?<br /> <br /> The office of National Strategy will set up the broad template, the over-arching goal, the timelines and the milestones that have to be achieved by the different parts of government architecture. Remember there are strategy and risk management consultants, so, when we are talking about preparedness for transformational leadership, it is one example. I am bringing this idea because of what I already know, and have already done.<br /> <br /> The strategy office will now develop big goals. People will doubt if it is possible in this country? That is what built Dubai from a poor desert country to where we all visit today to enjoy ourselves, that is what built Malaysia, and that is what built Singapore. The office of National Strategy will help to establish the big goal.   The Office of Risk Management will help to manage the risks that prevent leaders from failing.<br /> <br /> Those risks are many. They could be political. In a political environment, a leader keeps compromising as a result of political pressures. At the end of the day the things he said he will do, he would end up not doing them. It could be a strategic risk like too much reliance on one commodity, oil. It could be an operational risk. There are all kinds of risks. I understand Risk Management, l am a practitioner. Nobody manages or averts all risks, but if the person has that consciousness he will manage, avert or mitigate many risks and achieve at the very least, 70 percent of the purpose of being in government.<br /> <br /> 80 percent of my targets<br /> <br /> As President, I will achieve more than 80 percent of my targets.   The office of Performance Management will   measure and assess all the various departments and their performances against the strategic benchmarks and milestones. And that assessment will occur every quarter. Every department that did not perform will not be tolerated.<br /> <br /> There will be accountability. Within the first six months I expect to have fired at least one minister for non-performance. By the time I fire one or two ministers, people will know that this is not business as usual, and they will sit up. It will promote accountability because I have the political will.<br /> <br /> I will be a performance-driven President. The office of Human Capital Development will help us to retrain the public service. It will not be done by sending them to Harvard for training. We can’t afford it, but that is what they want. And that is what they do. What happens is that they come to Mr. President and remind him that people should be sent to Harvard in line with his campaign promises.<br /> <br /> They do that because they want to visit America for the purpose of shopping. What are we going to do? We are bringing those facilities. The Lagos Business School and other institutions are there for us to retrain our public servants.   We will combine the local and the international ideas and retrain our public service here in Nigeria. We will do that in batches.<br /> <br /> You were at the CBN when governance structure of banks was radically changed through the dislodging of vested interests. Don’t you think it will be payback time for them?<br /> <br /> We are prepared for such a scenario by going directly to the people. Nobody can defeat the will of the people if the will of the people is aggressively and properly expressed. No corporate behemoth can tell the masses not to vote for me. They can try in some ways but I want to also say that my presidency will actually promote wealth creation.<br /> <br /> But I don’t believe in Crony Capitalism, the way we practice it in Nigeria, where one or two people become wealthier than the whole country while the country is getting poorer. We will democratize wealth so that it cannot be used against Nigerians. We can create the win-win scenario where people in business are doing well and other people are entering the business world and also doing well.   My government will set up a one trillion naira venture capital fund. What will this fund do? It will invest in new businesses which would be started by unemployed youths. It is equity investment, not a loan. It is not a loan that people will have to repay. People can own 40 percent or 30 percent. This is how we can trigger and stimulate the economy.<br /> <br /> When this venture fund begins to operate, it will create a skills and innovation-based economy to be driven by innovation. If somebody invests in something that is useful in the society, the fund will produce good results for the market. Intellectual property will be protected. Everyone involved will be protected.<br /> <br /> The guy, who invented will do well, the middleman will do well, the wholesaler will do well, and the retailer will do well. In fact, everybody will be happy. We will actually turn this capitalist economy around in a way that the behemoths can continue to be wealthy but not at the expense of the poor and they will not be getting special favours. There will be a competitive framework that opens the economy and make the open field a fair and level playing field.<br /> <br /> I am not against people getting wealthy but I am interested in everyone getting wealthy. That is a slight distinction I think we need to make. I am not anti-business. I will be pro-business in a responsible way that is inclusive. We keep talking about GPD growth but we never talked about GDP per capita. Nigeria GDP per capita is just about $2000, average. Since 1960 our GDP per capita is $1,646. It is a scandal of untold proportions, that in 60years our GDP per capita has remained such a misery sum, whereas the GDP per capita of Brazil is about ten thousand dollars, Malaysia is $9000 , South Africa is $7000, and Thailand is about $5000 to $6000 . Some of these countries were not as advanced as Nigeria in the 1960s. It is the failure of leadership that we are experiencing because we never had a leadership with a world view. I have a world view. I have a national ambition for Nigeria.<br /> <br /> National vision – The three secrets to successful capitalist economy<br /> <br /> As a President, I will try to unite Nigeria around this national ambition so that we are focused on something higher than our differences. Even those, who think Nigeria is their grandfather’s estate, would see that there is a mutual interest. It will make them work with all of us because we will create what is enough for everybody to enjoy, and nobody would have to oppress anyone anymore. This is the way I look at the question of Crony capitalism and the way it has been operating in Nigeria. Let me actually go beyond this to say that there are three secrets to a successful capitalist economy.<br /> <br /> Number one is property rights, number two, is innovation, and number three, capital. If an economy is not structured in such a way that these requirements exist to create the operating environment for business and economic activities, the economy will not be able to move from poverty to wealth.  It is important to have political leaders, who have intellectual depth because anyone, who cannot conceive intellectually, cannot execute an idea.<br /> <br /> I started by talking about the mind and the power of the mind. In Nigeria, they will say that I am speaking too much grammar and I laugh each time they say that.   Societies that are making progress in this world are societies where people speak a lot of grammar and work. What is different about Nigeria? Why must we be children of lesser gods? I have no apologies to anyone so long as I am speaking the grammar that can be understood. So long as I am communicating at the level of peoples’ understanding, I am not bothered to be called a grammarian.<br /> <br /> When I addressed a town hall in rural areas, this is not how I speak, I break it down. That is why I am going to move for a constitutional amendment for the abolition of the Land Use Act. I will do it so that Nigerians can actually own landed property anywhere. It will create more economic opportunities than a regimented bureaucratic state where people are bribing and waiting for the government to provide Certificate of Occupancy all the time. We need to set this economy free and just create an enabling environment.<br /> <br /> Innovation-driven economy<br /> <br /> I have said that I will have an innovation-driven economy. It is among the things I will be pushing for. We are going to move away from dependence on oil. I am going to bring back technology and scientific inventions and other kinds of innovation as the centrepiece of the economy. And we will turn Nigeria into a manufacturing country. Now, there is something called Economic Complexity. How do you produce and export value-added products? That is what creates wealth for nations, not natural resources.<br /> <br /> And that is one reason Nigeria is poor like many African countries that have natural resources.  Africa has 70 percent of the world’s strategic minerals but only one percent of global manufacturing, two percent of world trade, and about three percent of global foreign investment; It’s because we are led by leaders that don’t have a world view.  I know how we should get from A-B and I have a plan to get there, a strategy to get there, risk management to prevent failure, performance management to ensure success, and Human Capital Development to make sure that what makes every society prosper, exists in Nigeria. Human capital is the secret of any successful country. That is why in Switzerland where they have nothing under their soil people are prospering. Japan is a barren country, but wealthy. China is also in the same category. We have to understand the type of capitalism we want. There are people, who can establish Crony Capitalism scientifically and strategically.  I can say for example that I want to create 36 Dangote’s in Nigeria in different areas of the economy.<br /> <br /> It is possible. It is an economic system. We can empower people like South Korea did. South Korea is built on Crony capitalist basis but it works there.   In South Korea, families own the Chaebols and the economy is structured in a way that every part of the economy is contributing. It has its advantages and its disadvantages. There is Welfare Capitalism which is practiced in Europe but they are moving away from it. There is the Entrepreneurial Capitalism which is the one I believe in. it is a kind of small business- oriented setting. That is why I am talking about the venture capital funding, which happens in America. There is state capitalism which is practiced in China.<br /> <br /> These are the four types of capitalism. You can’t have state capitalism without a very competent bureaucracy. The Entrepreneurial Capitalism is what suits us. It is what suits our culture. We are hustlers. We struggle but there is a need to create a level playing field, create a venture fund where people can get capital to actually thrive. Anyone, whose business is well managed for four or five years, he can buy out the venture capital fund and the business becomes his own.<br /> <br /> Political education<br /> <br /> My message to Nigerians is a message of hope. That it is possible for a different Nigeria to be born.  Nigeria is a nation waiting to be born.  I see myself as someone pregnant with a vision and also waiting to be born in February 2019. It is possible to politically educate people, who are even functionally illiterate because political education is about how they exercise their political rights. That is what we are doing as we talk to people across the country using mass media, using town hall. It is all political about sensitization across the nooks and crannies of this country.<br /> <br /> Plans for security – four things to do<br /> <br /> The first duty of every government is to secure and protect the lives and property of the citizens of that country. It is very clear that the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in that category. What it goes to show is that the hood does not make a monk, because, he was a General and many of us felt that security in Nigeria would be something he could do while asleep. It has turned out not to be so. We are far more insecure since this government came into office in 2015. No leader can solve a problem if he does not understand the problem.<br /> <br /> The two fundamental problems of security in Nigeria are that the political leaders of today do not intellectually understand what national security means, because national security is multi-dimensional. It is complex. It is not just about focusing on Boko Haram and making a lot of noise about Boko Haram which they have not even defeated. They just raided another Local Government Area recently and I learned they hoisted a flag or something like that. Now, our leader must have the intellectual capacity to understand national security from its various dimensions. The major challenges now are Boko Haram, herdsmen, kidnapping, armed robbery; cyber insecurity, and porousness of our borders.<br /> <br /> All kinds of things make up national security. The rising poverty and rising unemployment and rising population combined, are national security threats to this country because one day we will no longer be able to keep the barbarians from our gates. We cannot keep them from the guided gates that we’ve built and locked up. So this is the first problem. If a leader cannot conceptualize something, he can never execute it.<br /> <br /> The number two problem which is perhaps even more important than number one is that there is no political will to attack certain security threats to this country.  We have seen a total absence of political will to deal with the herdsmen. Why does Miyetti Allah issue threats in this country and nobody holds them accountable? Why do others including those who are not even violent in a physical way just because they are exercising their vocal rights are immediately branded terrorists and all kinds of things?.<br /> <br /> There is a double standard that is being applied in this country.  That double standard that is operating is because the leadership is not acting in the national interest.  Therefore Nigeria can never be secured because loyalty is to that sectional interest, not to the national interest. That is why security has broken down.<br /> <br /> The composition of the security architecture of Nigeria in a particular manner that tilts overwhelmingly in favor of a particular part of the country, is worrisome.    If, as a President, you are saying that you can only trust people who are your blood relatives or your ethnic kith and kin, you have no business being the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Such a person should go and become the President of his village association and leave us alone as Nigerians to get on with our lives and find people who can secure our property and our lives.<br /> <br /> This is the truth. The security architecture is so ethnically loaded that it is now unable to actually understand the whole of the country and secure it. To secure a country like Nigeria, intelligence is needed from various parts of the country. And to get reliable intelligence from various parts of the country, there must be people from those parts of the country inside the security architecture.<br /> <br /> I may not be able to access a certain type of intelligence about what is happening in Zamfara but somebody from that part of the country will probably and naturally be able to access that intelligence better than myself. As President, I must have somebody from Zamfara in my security team because of the bandits that I want to crush. If I now bring a bunch of Igbo Generals or Igbo military people and tell them that they have to come and secure Zamfara, is that a serious scenario? It cannot work. Therefore, what would I do about security are four things. I will develop a robust national security plan that looks at the various dimensions of national security. I will professionalise the leadership of the national security team. People should lead national security on the basis of professional ability. If the only people the President of Nigeria can trust are people from his ethnic group, he has no business being the President of Nigeria. That person is not a Nigerian in the real sense.<br /> <br /> We must reform the security of our borders. Nigeria’s borders are so porous to the extent that people just walk in from Benin Republic,   Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. And many of them are coming in and taking Nigerian citizenship or acting as citizens. They may not necessarily be given passports but they may now be participating in the electoral process as voters. These are national security threats which some people are willingly turning a blind eye to because it favours their vested interest. Nigeria does not have a police force and this is one of the reasons Nigeria is a failing state. A state that cannot secure its territory or its communities effectively is a failing state. Maybe, saying that it is a failing state is even being generous because some people will argue that it is already a failed state. What would I do about the police? My government will recruit, equip and train 1.5million policemen and women within four years and set up a modern police force in this country. When Nigeria is restructured most of them can go back to various levels, some will remain at the federal level. But we will begin that job of reforming the police so that our communities can be secured. They need to be trained in line with the standards of 21st century policing. They need to be trained in community relations. They need to be equipped with forensic capabilities in technology. They need to be trained in management. There has to be some sort of specialization in the police force. You cannot have general duty policemen.<br /> <br /> On Presidential debate<br /> <br /> I am using this forum to challenge President Buhari to a debate. And when I say President Buhari, I mean President Buhari. I do not mean Vice President Osinbajo. Osinbajo should debate with vice presidential candidates. President Buhari cannot continue to hide from the Nigerian public. It has become the track record of his governance that he is not able to face Nigerians and explain to them his government and its policies. We only hear President Buhari talking to Nigerians from London or China, or from Germany.<br /> <br /> This is leadership failure. This is one clear demonstration of leadership failure when a leader cannot communicate with his citizens. I have read and seen that the APC has appointed Osinbajo to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential debate. This is fraudulent. I want it to be on record that it is a political fraud and Nigerian citizens should not accept it. We must hold President Buhari accountable. We elected him as President.   We did not elect Osinbajo as President. Osinbajo cannot represent Buhari in a debate about the performance of Buhari’s government. Buhari is not incapacitated, if he is incapacitated, he should tell us. Where in the civilized world does a President send his Vice President to represent him in debates? Where in the civilized world does it happen? Only in Nigeria and Nigerians are accepting this type of thing? People should rise up and demand Buhari to come out and face me and other presidential candidates in a debate.<br /> <br /> On PACT<br /> <br /> I have just emerged as the Presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party ,YPP. So obviously, now that I am the candidate I am going to give serious thought to the question of who should be my running mate.   My running mate will come from the northern part of the country. My running mate will be a Muslim. That is all I can say for now while I do more research and think about it. I will announce the decision at the appropriate time.<br /> <br /> for the youths of this country, who had expressed their desire for young people to come together and present a consensus candidate against the status quo. Unfortunately, after I was invited by the members of this group, PACT, to participate in its affairs, it turned out not to be what we had originally envisaged that it would be. It was supposed to be a place where we would gather and select the strongest candidate from the group and everybody else would back that person.<br /> <br /> That was what it was supposed to be. Some people hijacked the process, began to manipulate it towards a predetermined agenda that was outside its vision. That was why I walked out of PACT. We are focused now on the election. PACT has essentially collapsed because the outcome lacked credibility.   But I am a candidate. I am no longer an aspirant. I am talking as a candidate focused on defeating President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 2019 elections. I cannot spend my time discussing the affairs of PACT.<br /> <br /> On restructuring<br /> <br /> I will within two years of becoming President, work with the National Assembly and Nigerians to deliver a constitutionally restructured federation. My take on restructuring is that it must be fundamental if it must be effective. That means that restructuring on the basis of existing will not solve the problem. For restructuring to be effective, it has to be on the basis of the six geo-political zones as federating units in this country.<br /> <br /> Restructuring must include resource control. The states and regions should be fiscally in control of the revenue they generate whether from taxation or from solid minerals. A percentage of that revenue should be paid to the federal government. That is a real federation. Even though we want something that approximates the 1963 Constitution, I have one major caveat; I do not want a weak central government. I want a centre that is strong enough for sovereignty to reside there and be protected.<br /> <br /> I also want the federating units to be strong enough to prosper. My fundamental argument for restructuring is economic because the reason Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the whole world is because of our over-centralized economic management. That would change in a restructured federation where regions are able to make decisions about their economies and every region in this country has economies of scale but many states on their own as federating units are not viable. That is the main reason I said we should practice federalism along geopolitical lines.<br /> <br /> Diversification of the economy<br /> <br /> Restructuring will help us diversify the economy because every region that has this economy of scale has things that are peculiar to them and very rewarding economic activities. The only reason they cannot be scaled up is that there is no restructuring so far. So every state goes cap in hand every month to Abuja to get the federation account allocation from oil.<br /> <br /> That is why I said the reason Nigeria is poor, is because our political leaders have for over 40 years, worshipped the small gods of small things. And the number one small god of small things is oil and the oil price. We must diversify away from it. How? Let us start with agriculture. I will bring a value chain approach into agriculture. We will invest in innovations in agriculture. There are high-yielding seedlings that we must now begin to use across the whole country.<br /> <br /> They will yield a better harvest. This should be our approach to agriculture. We will invest in the second stage of the value chain, transportation.   We have to invest economically in the kinds of transportation infrastructure that can transport agricultural products with their value intact.<br /> <br /> We should invest in storage. We should invest in processing. We must invest in export. This is the approach that we have to bring to agriculture.<br /> <br /> Another area is innovation, not oil because that creates a new economy of its own and the venture capital fund that we are going to set up will create new economies so that people are not relying on the oil price. We will invest in economic complexities. We will invest in education.  This is a primary vision of mine because what sustains an economy is not oil, not infrastructure but human capital.  It is when you develop that human capital through educational reforms that every other part of the economy becomes sustainable and continues to improve.<br /> <br /> We are moving education from the current three or four percent that it is now to not less than 20 percent budgetary allocation. That will not just be throwing money at the problem, it will be investing in teacher training.<br /> <br /> We must subject our whole teachers to a recertification process, training, which when they are now suitable, they can continue to teach. We must invest in curriculum reform. The current curriculum is extremely geared towards theory. We must change it towards practical skills. The third thing is that we must invest in how our students learn, that is, pedagogy.   In Nigeria, our students cram for exams.<br /> <br /> They receive lectures, cram and sit for exams. There is no systemic encouragement of original and creative thinking.<br /> <br /> As a professor in the United States, my 100 percent is divided as follows; 60 percent for exams, 60 percent is for original research, 20 percent is for the ability to hold and participate in a class discussion and the remaining 20 percent is for physical attendance in class.<br /> <br /> That is how my 100 percent is divided in my own class and that class is called ‘Emerging Africa in the World Economy’ and I was appointed a Professor at the university largely because of that book on top of the fact that I was Deputy Governor of the Central Bank and I had been in the US for many years. But nobody in Nigeria invited me to be a Professor after I left the CBN. This is the difference between America and Nigeria. They respect knowledge. In Nigeria, we scorn at it and say the man speaks too much grammar. That is why we are poor.<br /> <br /> BIG<br /> <br /> I keep referring to this book, ‘Build, Innovate and Grow -My Vision for our Country’. This is a comprehensive blueprint of my vision for our country when I become President and how Nigeria can be governed. I am the only presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential race that has done this. If anybody had done this, we want to see it. So, it is not just to talk, here is the plan. That is why I said I am not just making promises.</div>

Latest-News Buhari cannot continue to hide, I challenge him to a debate – Moghalu

Presidential candidate of Young Progressives Party, YPP, Mr. Kingsley Moghalu has again challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to a debate. He further revealed his plans for the country if elected as president. Here are excerpts of his chat with news…

Read more »

APC will win 2019 elections, despite doomsday predictions — Lai Mohammed

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghUFPxKfBMgcuoVXLt7GMbyzBlx6bSuBpcZJneqPu8htIt35pxlL0gUbFET4SNJ_qKCgIopxLOhFTMjRCLJ11BBxkuDRWisvkXaJQ8xVbAp9ISCJO5YCx0K1qW9_r2L2BrGwFoB4MDst/s1600/Lai-Mohammed.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghUFPxKfBMgcuoVXLt7GMbyzBlx6bSuBpcZJneqPu8htIt35pxlL0gUbFET4SNJ_qKCgIopxLOhFTMjRCLJ11BBxkuDRWisvkXaJQ8xVbAp9ISCJO5YCx0K1qW9_r2L2BrGwFoB4MDst/s320/Lai-Mohammed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the APC will win the 2019 general elections on the basis of its performance, irrespective of the doomsday predictions by some international financial institutions and publications.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Minister gave the assurance in Lagos on Friday when he visited the corporate headquarters of Channels Television, in furtherance of the National Campaign Against Fake News, which was launched by the Federal Government in July.<br /> <br /> He said the negative predictions against the APC-led Federal Government by an international financial institution, HSBC, and the Intelligence Unit of the Economist Magazine, were based on fake premises, thus qualifying such predictions as fake news.<br /> <br /> “Talking about fake news, we expect that those who have been deeply affected by our policies will mount a sustained campaign against this Administration in the weeks and months to come. In fact, they have already started. We have all read that the Intelligence Unit of the Economist said the PDP will defeat the ruling APC in 2019. We have also read that the international financial institution, HSBC, said Nigeria’s economic development will be stunted if President Buhari gets a second term<br /> <br /> “Let me state clearly that these reports are based on fake premises and, therefore, qualify as fake news. It is a psychological warfare by those who have been badly hit by our policies. For example, out fight against corruption has meant that many financial institutions, especially banks, that fed fat on the proceeds of corruption are no longer able to do that.<br /> <br /> ‘’Also, international publications that used to feed fat on questionable supplements paid for by the Federal Government have seen a drastic reduction in such patronage, as the Administration cuts down on frivolous spending that was the order of the day in the past.<br /> <br /> Therefore, it is natural that these institutions and publications would not wish to see another term for this Administration,” Alhaji Mohammed said.<br /> <br /> He said the fake news phenomenon i s bound to get worse as the nation approaches the 2019 general election, because it seems to be the only weapon left for naysayers who could not fault the government on infrastructure, economy, fight against corruption, agricultural development among others.<br /> <br /> The Minister said only Nigerians will determine who presides over the affairs of the country, not any bank or media establishment, irrespective of their influence or self-importance.</div>

Latest-News APC will win 2019 elections, despite doomsday predictions — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the APC will win the 2019 general elections on the basis of its performance, irrespective of the doomsday predictions by some international financial institutions and publication…

Read more »

CACOL reveals another Buhari’s aide who should resign now

Latest-News CACOL reveals another Buhari’s aide who should resign now

…

Read more »

EFCC vows to punish operatives who raided Standard Chartered Bank

Latest-News EFCC vows to punish operatives who raided Standard Chartered Bank

…

Read more »

Bichi takes control of DSS, seeks cooperation among staff

Latest-News Bichi takes control of DSS, seeks cooperation among staff

…

Read more »

How Buhari’s Finance Minister was forced to resign – Secondus

Latest-News How Buhari’s Finance Minister was forced to resign – Secondus

…

Read more »

APC crisis deepens as new chairman emerges

Latest-News APC crisis deepens as new chairman emerges

…

Read more »

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer asks military to release IPOB leader

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlCRavu404QMibD8ZJnN3QnzJnZXNfK-MuuQB5nls0jVUQMYjsdwF2tTMot9EirVf5tLuAd1z8ThzaGuRkOjSIPK45_nPtbc3Mww00n0M17uD3gGcrPk8_rrndqutzQORBU64WN3b1vA/s1600/kanu+biafra+ipob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="496" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYlCRavu404QMibD8ZJnN3QnzJnZXNfK-MuuQB5nls0jVUQMYjsdwF2tTMot9EirVf5tLuAd1z8ThzaGuRkOjSIPK45_nPtbc3Mww00n0M17uD3gGcrPk8_rrndqutzQORBU64WN3b1vA/s320/kanu+biafra+ipob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> One year after the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, got missing following soldiers’ invasion of his home in Afaraukwu, Abia State, on September 14, 2017, his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has asked the military to explain his whereabouts.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement on Friday, Ejiofor who said he received a distress call from Kanu in the middle of the military operation at his home, also called on various international organisations to activate “possible diplomatic channel” to probe “crimes against humanity.”<br /> <br /> The military had in September last year deployed soldiers in the South-East in what it code-named Operation Python Dance to quell the agitation for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.<br /> <br /> The soldiers, during the operation, invaded the home of Kanu, who was then on bail granted him by the Federal High Court in Abuja where he was being prosecuted alongside others on charges of treasonable felony.<br /> <br /> Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, before whom Kanu and others were being prosecuted, had however ruled in a judgment she delivered in January 2018 that there was no evidence showing that the missing IPOB leader was in the custody of the Army.<br /> <br /> The suit was filed by Ejiofor.<br /> <br /> However, in his Friday’s statement titled, “Remembering the ‘Black Day’ at Afaraukwu and attendant unending agony,” Ejiofor recounted what he said was his last communication with Kanu during the military operation at the IPOB leader’s home.<br /> <br /> He stated, “I remember vividly the last words of my client on this cursed day. It went thus: ‘Ejiofor, my house is under siege, soldiers are forcing themselves in, shooting at everything in sight, you can hear the sound of the sporadic gunshots from the background; please alert the world to the development in my house.<br /> <br /> “I can see it clearly from my room that they have gunned down many of my people downstairs, as they advance rapidly to my room; my life is no longer safe; tell the British Government, the United States and the world that the Nigerian government should be held responsible if anything happens to me.’”<br /> <br /> Calling on foreign governments, international organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union to probe the invasion, Ejiofor called on the military to release his client.<br /> <br /> He said, “We use this moment of sober reflection to once again call on responsible international organisations, foreign governments, United Nations, European Union, the British government and the comity of nations, to immediately activate possible diplomatic channel that would ensure prompt probe of this crime against humanity and accurate inventory of murderous military onslaught in the home of Nnamdi Kanu and his whereabouts till date.”

Latest-News Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer asks military to release IPOB leader

One year after the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, got missing following soldiers’ invasion of his home in Afaraukwu, Abia State, on September 14, 2017, his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has asked the military to explain his where…

Read more »

Buhari accepts Adeosun’s resignation over NYSC certificate scandal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTCoPw7bEUF2ANufU7kWrxZFZ7Nf8ZYP88lJgj6q1VnNWOZZuzp-3IoJM8_3kgsuZLS155wnRV_wurX00jpoJyCKI_-L39MuxRzJGGLSna9cs7pnoBfT9r8tpx1mNWDbwWqZCX_npFT_G/s1600/Buhari+Thinking+new+sad+tired+vex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTCoPw7bEUF2ANufU7kWrxZFZ7Nf8ZYP88lJgj6q1VnNWOZZuzp-3IoJM8_3kgsuZLS155wnRV_wurX00jpoJyCKI_-L39MuxRzJGGLSna9cs7pnoBfT9r8tpx1mNWDbwWqZCX_npFT_G/s400/Buhari+Thinking+new+sad+tired+vex.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, finally bowed to pressure by tendering her resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Her resignation followed a prolonged silence over an allegation in a Premium Times report that she forged her National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate.<br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a statement on Friday that Buhari had accepted the minister’s resignation letter.<br /> <br /> According to the statement, the President has asked the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to oversee the finance ministry as from Friday.<br /> <br /> Adesina, who reproduced the erstwhile minister’s resignation letter in his statement, said the President thanked Adeosun for her services to the nation.<br /> <br /> The three-paragraph statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday accepted the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.<br /> <br /> “The President thanked the minister for her services to the nation and wished her well in her future pursuits.<br /> <br /> “The President also approved that the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, should oversee the Ministry of Finance with effect from today (Friday).”

Latest-News Buhari accepts Adeosun’s resignation over NYSC certificate scandal

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, finally bowed to pressure by tendering her resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday. Her resignation followed a prolonged silence over an allegation in a Premium Times report that she forg…

Read more »

Zainab Ahmed takes over Finance Ministry after Adeosun’s exit

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="766" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsciafpPCp9obn2O1PYSuSk_e5fHG_drSs9dKYCj5m7d6VshcVhHR0N8VEfdAFAJ_INY8Xo6rDKOfaviMdkH8LD29NB_Jn-xFQ6nTd3QExVyiUtTPR7hzK-ypK1zivGFFF6e7vHAn3XLo/s400/Minister+of+State+for+Budget+and+National+Planning%252C+Hajiya+Zainab+Ahmed%252C.png" width="400" /></div> <br /> Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, will oversee the Ministry of Finance, henceforth.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The temporary appointment was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari Friday, after accepting the resignation of the holder, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.<br /> <br /> The President thanked the Minister for her services to the nation and wished her well in her future pursuits.<br /> <br /> Ahmed was born in Kaduna State. She got her first degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981, after-which she proceeded to Ogun State University for her MBA.<br /> <br /> Adeosun bowed out today after an allegation by the online newspaper, Premium Times, that she presented a fake NYSC exemption certificate as part of the requirements for clearance as a minister by the Senate.<br /> <br /> Until today, Adeosun kept quiet until she was faced with a report today that concurred with the publication and declared the certificate fake.<br /> <br /> “I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign”, she wrote in her letter to President Buhari.<br /> <br /> “Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.<br /> <br /> “On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine. Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14thSeptember, 2018.”

Latest-News Zainab Ahmed takes over Finance Ministry after Adeosun’s exit

Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, will oversee the Ministry of Finance, henceforth. The temporary appointment was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari Friday, after accepting the resignation of the holder, Mrs Kemi…

Read more »

August salary, four months’ arrears, leave bonuses hit workers’ account as Osun election draws near

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoELlqCbASdPTdsVGKdN_Ncrv7za2IfL181KgrVoMVpqBDjUUN1rKnzq0ci4yN-f0meY3ppzrHpg2MSptqwM5mOAkBZwFvlA9Xlvr8_CDExSNINyM5x-CrmhSYd9ccvygIkEOSG3k3gBk/s1600/Osun-Gov.-Rauf-Aregbesola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoELlqCbASdPTdsVGKdN_Ncrv7za2IfL181KgrVoMVpqBDjUUN1rKnzq0ci4yN-f0meY3ppzrHpg2MSptqwM5mOAkBZwFvlA9Xlvr8_CDExSNINyM5x-CrmhSYd9ccvygIkEOSG3k3gBk/s1600/Osun-Gov.-Rauf-Aregbesola.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> There was jubilation in Osogbo and other towns in Osun State on Friday as workers and pensioners thronged banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to draw full August salary and other arrears.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Osun Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, had earlier stated that N19.8 billion was set aside by government to offset September, October, November and December 2015 salary arrears, 2016 leave bonus and August 2018 salary to both active and passive workers in the state.<br /> <br /> Banks and commercial centres around Ogo-Oluwa, Igbonna, Orisumbare amongst others witnessed massive patronage as many pensioners and workers were seen withdrawing money after the state government had made good its promise of disbursing the N19.8 billion for the process.<br /> <br /> Market women and artisans were full of praises to the Aregbesola led administration for putting smiles on the faces of workers and pensioners by paying their entitlements. A senior civil servant, Madam Modupe Faturoti held that Aregbesola has shown that he is well interested in the welfare of workers in the state by paying workers entitlement.<br /> <br /> She held that workers and pensioners are so happy regardless of what others are saying concerning the timing of the payment, stating that it’s better than never.<br /> <br /> “As far as I am concerned, everybody is happy that salaries have been paid, some say it is because of election. But election or no election, what I am bothered about is that my money has been paid. “What we all should be concerned about is that the issue of half salary had been put to rest, Aregbesola has shown his sincerity because the bailout money he received was 16 billion and he is paying 19.8 billion to us”. Also speaking, Mr. Femi Ademola, a level 09 officer in the state civil service expressed happiness over payment of the workers’ salaries.

Latest-News August salary, four months’ arrears, leave bonuses hit workers’ account as Osun election draws near

There was jubilation in Osogbo and other towns in Osun State on Friday as workers and pensioners thronged banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to draw full August salary and other arrears. The Osun Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, had …

Read more »

Buhari pushes for ECOWAS single currency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd-ImHh_N_4sFId3L3nSn0Rkmj_jhQH9hlyati33w0zota1_ElmmUAH3zXnMccIjfMtPil-lqM7CtSKRRskc1jfJR8JfRdsI5iL9qUR6PdUR8L2tdIyL_ebz5vWt3IR76ybN7c49BcEw0/s1600/african-currencies+ecowas+currency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd-ImHh_N_4sFId3L3nSn0Rkmj_jhQH9hlyati33w0zota1_ElmmUAH3zXnMccIjfMtPil-lqM7CtSKRRskc1jfJR8JfRdsI5iL9qUR6PdUR8L2tdIyL_ebz5vWt3IR76ybN7c49BcEw0/s400/african-currencies+ecowas+currency.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari has called on countries under the ECOWAS sub-region to put in more efforts to achieve the single currency program by 2020.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> President Buhari insisted that “convergence must be based on sound and sustainable macro economic fundamentals.”<br /> <br /> The President said, there is no denying that considerable amount of resources, time and effort had been expended in the pursuit of regional integration agenda. He said this should be justified by achieving the objectives of the monetary union by 2020.<br /> <br /> He assured West African leaders that Nigeria is still committed “to providing a leadership role in assisting ECOWAS achieve the single currency regime as well as moving the ECOWAS integration agenda forward.”<br /> <br /> President made this assertion at the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) 2018 mid-year statutory meetings in Abuja yesterday.<br /> <br /> President Buhari who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, noted that, as the largest economy in the sub-region, a lot of responsibility rest on Nigeria for the establishment and sustainability of the monetary union.<br /> <br /> With barely 18 months to the target date for the introduction of ECOWAS single currency, Buhari, urged Members of council to situate the issues within the global context and the challenges confronting existing monetary zones.<br /> <br /> According to him, “the lessons of the euro zones for example should guide us in putting in place robust frameworks for the establishment of a durable monetary union.”<br /> <br /> He admitted that compliance with fiscal deficit criterion is the most challenging of the four fiscal macro-economic convergence criterion for member states, and noted that “there is need to identify those developments that derail fiscal policy implementation in member countries and relate them to the overall objectives.”<br /> <br /> According to him, “Nigeria remains committed to the integration agenda and a sustainable development of our community with the over all goal of improving the quality of life of all ECOWAS citizen.<br /> <br /> Buhari also pleaded with member countries to reconsider the issue of transforming the West Africa Monetary Institute (WAMI) into a commission.

Latest-News Buhari pushes for ECOWAS single currency

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on countries under the ECOWAS sub-region to put in more efforts to achieve the single currency program by 2020. President Buhari insisted that “convergence must be based on sound and sustainable macro economic f…

Read more »

N4.685 Billion ONSA Cash Probe: EFCC tackles Governor Fayose

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="599" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulLyZxmqYPeROyQ1CDiN2aK6jmhPb86QMRz_T9s4SVZXlScOHIzhlzoO4O-5jZYMMw_g5XENy9TiF1b_F2_BcwLfL7NBx17vpRNiKONmwitkIcp48m7-q1_NNhrThRd0NeI07It1BPMdV/s400/EFCC+fayose.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) yesterday gave Governor Ayodele Fayose a September 20 appointment over the allegation of his involvement in a N4.685billion fraud in the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The EFCC’s letter was a response to Fayose’s letter of September 10, 2018 where he indicated his interest in appearing before the anti-graft agency on October 16 after he had completed his tenure.<br /> <br /> About N4.685billon was transferred by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) to Sylva McNamara Limited, a company linked with a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.<br /> <br /> Out of the sum, about N3.880billion was allocated to both Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Omisore through cash and bank transfers by Obanikoro.<br /> <br /> Omisore’s share was said to be about N1.7billion.<br /> <br /> The EFCC’s September 13 letter to Fayose was written by the Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed.<br /> <br /> The letter said in part: “I write to refer to your letter dated 10th September, 2018 relative above captioned subject.<br /> <br /> “I appreciate your sense of duty and responsibility as a law-abiding citizen who wishes to submit yourself voluntarily to the due processes of the law more so as your immunity as a governor shall soon come to an end.<br /> <br /> “In view of the above and your request to make yourself available on Tuesday, the 16th of October 2018 to make clarifications on ongoing investigations that affect you, we look forward to receiving you even earlier than the 16th of October, 2018.<br /> <br /> “In this regard , we shall be willing to receive you on Thursday , 20th September 2018 without prejudice to your immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.<br /> <br /> “Please accept the assurances of the Acting Executive Chairman’s highest regards.”<br /> <br /> In his September 10, 2018 letter, Fayose said: “Several and serial actions of your commission for some time now, including but not limited to freezing of my accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties, are indicative of the commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some questions but for the immunity that I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as sitting governor of Ekiti State.<br /> <br /> “I wish to inform you that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effusion of time on Monday, October 15, 2018.<br /> <br /> “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.<br /> <br /> “Kindly confirm the suitability of the above date or indicate by return, the commission’s convenient date.”

Latest-News N4.685 Billion ONSA Cash Probe: EFCC tackles Governor Fayose

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) yesterday gave Governor Ayodele Fayose a September 20 appointment over the allegation of his involvement in a N4.685billion fraud in the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA). The EFCC’s lette…

Read more »

Reasons Why I resigned as Minister of Finance – Adeosun

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="680" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rqnKc0KCAXVFnZ7d0Jpf_4xdi87q2-5IX7hIkdCijJhrPnkhL7mIJ6qhzjK5C3tC4isMOIXMvO33W0hwPMASB7jNg0WBRt6LdUHxvdgpVc-Ei39SRT_6UC6IsNKk0qTQPHgdzpHPwlJj/s400/Kemi-ADEOSUN-680x365_c+finance.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the finance minister until today, in her letter of resignation to President Muhammadu Buhari responded for the first time officially to the allegation of forging the NYSC exemption certificate, by expressing profound shock.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In the letter dated today, the British-born Nigerian said she did not relocate to Nigeria until she was 34 years old, four years older than the 30-year limit for participation by corps members.<br /> <br /> She blamed those she called ‘trusted associates’, who helped to arrange the ‘exemption certificate’, that came back to haunt her many years after.<br /> <br /> “I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.<br /> <br /> “On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine.”<br /> <br /> Her letter also revealed that she took the decision to resign after an internal investigation ordered by President Buhari declared the exemption certificate as fake.<br /> <b><br /> Read her full letter:<br /></b><br /> <blockquote>14th September, 2018<br /> <br /> His Excellency<br /> <br /> Muhammadu Buhari<br /> <br /> President, Federal Republic of Nigeria<br /> <br /> State House<br /> <br /> Aso Villa<br /> <br /> Abuja<br /> <br /> Dear Excellency,<br /> <br /> Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.<br /> <br /> I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.<br /> <br /> Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.<br /> <br /> On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine. Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.<br /> <br /> Your Excellency, It has been an exceptional privilege to have served our nation under your leadership and to have played a role in steering our economy at a very challenging time. I am proud that Nigeria has brought discipline into its finances, has identified and is pursuing a path to long term sustainable growth that will unlock the potential in this great economy. Under your leadership, Nigeria was able to exit recession and has now started to lay the foundations for lasting growth and wealth creation. Repositioning this huge economy is not a short term task and there are no short cuts, indeed there are tough decisions still to be made but I have no doubt that your focus on infrastructural investment, revenue mobilisation and value for money in public expenditure will deliver growth, wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.<br /> <br /> I thank His Excellency, the Vice President and my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council for the huge pleasure and honour of working with them. I also thank most specially, the team in the ‘Finance Family’ of advisers and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance. Your Excellency, this group of committed Nigerians represent a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. They have worked well above and beyond the call of duty to support me in the tasks assigned. The diversity in my team and their ability to work cohesively to deliver reforms, convinces me that Nigeria has the human capital required to succeed.<br /> <br /> Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter. I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted. As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to improving this nation.<br /> <br /> Please be assured, as always, of my highest regards and best wishes.<br /> <br /> Kemi Adeosun(Mrs)</blockquote>

Latest-News Reasons Why I resigned as Minister of Finance – Adeosun

Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the finance minister until today, in her letter of resignation to President Muhammadu Buhari responded for the first time officially to the allegation of forging the NYSC exemption certificate, by expressing profound shock. In the …

Read more »