Nigerian lawmakers smile home with Xmas gifts

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iMlIdfsAvipY13J0a_DAdDMjDKKDcpyPFEHQFj0YQAFkR8Zmt2kMTgx6lOXog2J6HAiJEIY7HwRfKe_qwYraPx_RafJmkFnZZqWVZRP3XfdRYO53qajNbszt-pct5YtvOnNPAZZt1eQX/s1600/National+Assemby+Wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="720" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iMlIdfsAvipY13J0a_DAdDMjDKKDcpyPFEHQFj0YQAFkR8Zmt2kMTgx6lOXog2J6HAiJEIY7HwRfKe_qwYraPx_RafJmkFnZZqWVZRP3XfdRYO53qajNbszt-pct5YtvOnNPAZZt1eQX/s640/National+Assemby+Wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> In the last two weeks, trucks have been conveying several bags of rice, vegetable oil and poultry items to different points on the premises of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Although the items were not openly distributed, it was learnt that they were meant for lawmakers and top civil servants<br /> <br /> Office assistants and cleaners were mobilised to the spot of delivery to evacuate the items to the respective beneficiaries.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, both chambers of the National Assembly adjourned plenary on Thursday for the end-of-the-year holiday to celebrate Christmas and New Year. They will resume on January 9, 2018.

Latest-News Nigerian lawmakers smile home with Xmas gifts

In the last two weeks, trucks have been conveying several bags of rice, vegetable oil and poultry items to different points on the premis...

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We can no longer laugh with Buhari - El-Rufai

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOJV4USNOnfzha-KgA-Tt3qwdQDuoqY0UawePvfcmtygZlnfXFUXDFjtZCEHXVJoE7Gf9OQsArTbNkxkBR1SYdRfZUc1Gnf45PcTImwK6S5qEPzaCQ-iHrppAgO02zwccxIh6rmzupOBi/s1600/el-rufai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOJV4USNOnfzha-KgA-Tt3qwdQDuoqY0UawePvfcmtygZlnfXFUXDFjtZCEHXVJoE7Gf9OQsArTbNkxkBR1SYdRfZUc1Gnf45PcTImwK6S5qEPzaCQ-iHrppAgO02zwccxIh6rmzupOBi/s320/el-rufai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has admitted that he and some other people he did not name can no longer be laughing with President Muhammadu Buhari as they were doing when they were in opposition.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said in those days, he and others would be laughing and rolling on the floor of Buhari’s living room.<br /> <br /> The governor who apparently was talking about the funny aspect of the President spoke in a documentary, “Buhari: Beyond the Iron and Steel” put together by the President’s media team.<br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, made excerpts of the interviews in the documentary, meant to show the other side of Buhari, available on his Facebook page on Sunday.<br /> <br /> “When we were in the opposition, you needed to see how we rolled on the floor in his (Buhari’s) living room, as we laughed. Of course, we can’t do that again now,” Adesina quoted El-Rufai as saying in the documentary.<br /> <br /> Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was also quoted as confirming that Buhari cracks jokes and still keeps a straight face.<br /> <br /> “He gives you things to do and leaves you strictly to do those things. No interference at all, once he has confidence in you… And he cracks those jokes, and manages to still keep a straight face,” Osinbajo said.<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said she wished Nigerians know Buhari’s “softer side.”<br /> <br /> “How I wish Nigerians know his softer and accommodating side. Very jocular. But it is our duty to tell them,” she said.<br /> <br /> Ogun State Governor, Ibikunke Amosun, who is an ally of the President described him as a “reformed democrat.”<br /> <br /> “I wish I had his patience. He would listen to everybody and then take a decision. He is a reformed democrat,” the governor said.<br /> <br /> On his part, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said, “He gave me some priority projects: Mokwa/Jebba road, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, and Second Niger Bridge… He never appends his signature to anything, unless you’ve explained, and he understands it.”<br /> <br /> The documentary is billed to be aired on the Nigerian Television Authority on Sunday and Monday at 8pm and on Channels Television on Monday.

Latest-News We can no longer laugh with Buhari - El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has admitted that he and some other people he did not name can no longer be laughing with Preside...

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12th Palestinian dies since Trump declaration on Jerusalem

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6hYldOOZ6aua1onBbcokt27bVdfcSB1Nd2349roVAHxcRCE5xevYbpcDweFb04_9Tj0FRTj9rtb0DkOYNKWZKKChqegKhbQT88_NmrprxrKxwmkTevT_yTk-ZzFItefNEW2jXuNsDutO/s1600/trump+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6hYldOOZ6aua1onBbcokt27bVdfcSB1Nd2349roVAHxcRCE5xevYbpcDweFb04_9Tj0FRTj9rtb0DkOYNKWZKKChqegKhbQT88_NmrprxrKxwmkTevT_yTk-ZzFItefNEW2jXuNsDutO/s400/trump+us.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A Palestinian teenager died on Sunday, nine days after being wounded by Israeli fire during a Gaza protest against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the health ministry said.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Mohammad Sami al-Dahduh, 19, from Gaza City was shot on December 15 during a demonstration on the Israeli border, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.<br /> <br /> His death brings to 12 the number of Palestinians killed since US President Donald Trump announced on December 6 that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.<br /> <br /> Ten protesters have died after clashes with Israeli troops, two of them on Friday. Two others were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza earlier in the month.<br /> <br /> Among the Gazans killed in the December 15 clashes was Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, who had lost his legs in an Israeli attack a decade ago.<br /> <br /> The health ministry in Gaza said the 29-year-old was shot in the head by a sniper, with the UN’s human rights chief saying he was “truly shocked” by Abu Thurayeh’s death, demanding an “independent and impartial investigation”.<br /> <br /> On December 18, the Israeli army said it conducted an investigation, according to which it was “impossible to determine whether Abu Thurayeh was injured as a result of riot dispersal means or what caused his death”.<br /> <br /> “No live fire was aimed at Abu Thurayeh,” the army said in a statement.<br /> <br /> On Saturday, the head of COGAT, Israel’s defence ministry unit responsible for activities in the Palestinian territories, reiterated there was “no basis for the false reports that a sniper deliberately targeted Abu Thurayeh”.<br /> <br /> Major General Yoav Mordechai also wrote in a Facebook post in Arabic that he had asked the Red Cross to provide all information on Abu Thurayeh’s evacuation and treatment.<br /> <br /> “There are too many question marks around Abu Thurayeh’s death,” Mordechai wrote. “Let’s put an end to the rumours, exaggerations and lies.”<br /> <br /> AFP

Latest-News 12th Palestinian dies since Trump declaration on Jerusalem

A Palestinian teenager died on Sunday, nine days after being wounded by Israeli fire during a Gaza protest against US recognition of Jerus...

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Presidency faults opposition to Buhari’s documentary

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ3VPzyjR4gfGuk06WoeF7INbkIwDqRHRIfBFpB63JdIrmIf17UCrlq1I0Yekub_vGHn5rrqsPPxIGjUmgPBBfHp86rg3QRQToXSqMemiv-kFinAJrXY25JwCv64boWIMxVRTktPk7V5S/s1600/Buhari-3-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ3VPzyjR4gfGuk06WoeF7INbkIwDqRHRIfBFpB63JdIrmIf17UCrlq1I0Yekub_vGHn5rrqsPPxIGjUmgPBBfHp86rg3QRQToXSqMemiv-kFinAJrXY25JwCv64boWIMxVRTktPk7V5S/s320/Buhari-3-cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Presidency has condemned those who have faulted the timing of a documentary, “Buhari: Beyond the Iron and Steel” put together by the President’s media team, meant to show the other side of President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> The presidency also said the current fuel crisis in the country was not enough to stop the airing of the documentary because life was not all about doom and gloom.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement on Sunday said fault-finding is the stock-in-trade of such people.<br /> <br /> Adesina said if the critics found themselves in heaven, they would complain against God because they have no other pastime.<br /> <br /> He further referred to the critics as “inveterate complainers.”<br /> <br /> He said, “I have read a lot of reactions, particularly online, on the timing of the airing of the documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari, slated for December 24 and 25, 2017, respectively, by 8 pm on NTA and Channels Television.<br /> <br /> “Some of the comments are borne out of genuine concern, which we appreciate, while others are virulent, coming from inveterate complainers. Fault finding is the stock-in-trade of such people, and if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God.<br /> <br /> “They have no other pastime.”<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesman said the current fuel crisis in the country was not enough to stop the airing of the documentary because life was not all about doom and gloom.<br /> <br /> He described the scarcity as deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers among other factors.<br /> <br /> Despite the crisis, Adesina said life must continue.<br /> <br /> He said those who love Buhari passionately would watch the documentary which he said was a spice for the holiday season.<br /> <br /> Adesina added, “The reactions mainly dwell on the fact that a documentary showing the human side of the President (as against the well-known iron and steel) is coming at a time there is severe fuel scarcity in the country.<br /> <br /> “And I say, why not? Is life all about doom and gloom? Must we sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life? God forbid!<br /> <br /> “The current fuel crisis is a combination of snafu (Situation Normal All Fouled Up) in the distribution process of petrol (which the NNPC admitted at the onset of the problem), and deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers, who want to force the hands of government to increase the pump price.<br /> <br /> “Then, the situation is further compounded by hoarding of products and panic buying. And the government is working round the clock to restore normalcy, which will come in a matter of time.<br /> <br /> “Should we then be perpetually like King Lear at his worst, and consign ourselves to the doldrums occasioned by fuel scarcity at a festive period? No.<br /> <br /> “Despite the temporal pains, life must continue, and we must look at the cheery side, while government works hard to bring succour.<br /> <br /> “That is why I disagree with armchair critics, who wail at the drop of a hat. Millions of Nigerians appreciate President Buhari, love him passionately, and would watch the airing of the documentary, which shows the President in a perspective not very well known before.<br /> <br /> “It’s a spice for the holiday season, and not even ephemeral fuel crisis would dampen the enthusiasm of positive minded Nigerians.”

Latest-News Presidency faults opposition to Buhari’s documentary

The Presidency has condemned those who have faulted the timing of a documentary, “Buhari: Beyond the Iron and Steel” put together by the ...

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Nigerians celebrating worst Christmas ever – PDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiux2h3du78st9OKs7ChYgAKdcvy4UkKln4HFSN5_MkZwrl9-SsKw-X3ZespYaQ83-5lPlCV1ZDOheohGExqwQrp9uW0GSHtod31gf8CsCbDT-bErlbBsr4OHc_83ikIG9FjykfjLDBt3Fo/s1600/PDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiux2h3du78st9OKs7ChYgAKdcvy4UkKln4HFSN5_MkZwrl9-SsKw-X3ZespYaQ83-5lPlCV1ZDOheohGExqwQrp9uW0GSHtod31gf8CsCbDT-bErlbBsr4OHc_83ikIG9FjykfjLDBt3Fo/s320/PDP.jpg" width="317" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party has described this year’s Christmas as the worst to be celebrated by Nigerians.<br /> <br /> The party, however, called on Nigerians not to despair but to use the occasion to show love, care and encourage one another regardless of religious, ethnic and political inclinations.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The party said it was disheartening that Nigerians could not merrily celebrate the yuletide due to the current biting economic hardship worsened by the acute fuel shortage, all due to the alleged shambolic policies, sheer incompetence and gross insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.<br /> <br /> PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, described the nation’s economic situation as a national embarrassment which cannot be glossed with deceit, lies and propaganda, urging Nigerians to overcome this very sordid situation by rallying around one another in true love as epitomized in the birth and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> He said, “Indeed, this is the worst Yuletide ever. There is no way one can sugarcoat the fact that the anguish Nigerians face today is because of the incompetence of the APC Government, which has also amply demonstrated that it does not care about the welfare and happiness of the citizens.<br /> <br /> “Our country’s economic situation has astronomically gone from bad to worse in the last two years and painfully, there is no hope in sight under this APC regime.<br /> <br /> “As we speak, many families are completely stranded; many more can no longer afford their basic needs.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians have become ravaged by economic hardship because the APC-led Federal Government has abandoned them and refused to channel the abundant resources available in the nation for the good of the people. Instead, they are heartlessly diverting such resources for their selfish political purposes while the people suffer.<br /> <br /> “These horrendous realities imposed on us by the APC notwithstanding, we must not become despondent. ”<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, he said that the Christmas season presents Nigerians very strong lessons in hope and their collective triumph over adverse situations as exemplified in the birth and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> He also called on Nigerians to join hands with the main opposition party to rescue the country in 2019.<br /> <br /> According to him, “Now that it has become manifest, even by their speeches this season, that those who promised Nigerians El Dorado do not have the littlest capacity to fulfil the smallest of their promises, we as a people must not also abandon ourselves.<br /> <br /> “We must, therefore, rise above all divisive ethnic, religious and political considerations and make this season merry by helping and encouraging one another in love.<br /> <br /> “The ugly situation we all confront today as a people must, therefore, serve as the catalyst for a prosperous tomorrow as Nigerians join hands with the PDP to restore our dear nation to the path of good governance and national prosperity come 2019”.<br /> <br /> Ologbodiyan further urged Nigerians to use this period to pray for the prosperity and unity of the nation.

Latest-News Nigerians celebrating worst Christmas ever – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party has described this year’s Christmas as the worst to be celebrated by Nigerians. The party, however, called...

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Fuel scarcity experienced by Nigerians nationwide is regrettable - Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S7q225N-rQ42zxXr0YZX9-quZnlXzQAxWwFT6dH41IJU5kf5sXeFjeEwcZBnlGPQzIC3tfv1XNyKPizeAzeYCFO6a8KK67DQ-mVHTSEjHqsH6vBcWpHPVrfjs60Z7o9h3StUOHQoAN5Z/s640/buhari+yarns.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> President Mohammadu Buhari says the fuel scarcity experienced by Nigerians nationwide is regrettable<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The President in a statement shared on his verified twitter handle, also said he is regularly briefed on Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) intervention to ensure there is an availability of petrol across the country.<br /> <br /> He said, The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathize with all Nigerians on having to endure needless fuel queues. I’m being regularly briefed, especially on the NNPC’s interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol available during this period & beyond”.<br /> <br /> “I have the NNPC’s assurance that the situation will improve significantly over the next few days, as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country”.<br /> <br /> “I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by marketers. Let me also assure that the relevant agencies will continue to provide updates on the situation. I thank you all for your patience and understanding”.<br /> <br /> The country has been facing shortage of petrol product fuel less than 24 hours to Christmas.<br /> <br /> The scarcity has seen pump prices skyrocket from the approved N 145 price per litre to as much as N600 at the black market.

Latest-News Fuel scarcity experienced by Nigerians nationwide is regrettable - Buhari

President Mohammadu Buhari says the fuel scarcity experienced by Nigerians nationwide is regrettable The President in a statement shar...

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Fuel scarcity, deliberate policy to impoverish Igbo — Ohanaeze

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8bPmc0wkoK8eg9PZtzKxkE94hmoEmNP8b87ENmF9Y8SkpgLeXJkuAPBPqDo4jCckW0FG0AMsQMVerqnL_RRo4gngq2jOpFPkee7IYGf-yngKePfpbeu49jjeMIp1eIGeqf1aDXJtMWed/s1600/ohaneze+igbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8bPmc0wkoK8eg9PZtzKxkE94hmoEmNP8b87ENmF9Y8SkpgLeXJkuAPBPqDo4jCckW0FG0AMsQMVerqnL_RRo4gngq2jOpFPkee7IYGf-yngKePfpbeu49jjeMIp1eIGeqf1aDXJtMWed/s400/ohaneze+igbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, has accused the Federal Government of deliberately using the fuel scarcity to impoverish Igbo people.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Ohanaeze boss, in a Christmas message to the people, said the period of Christmas provides good opportunity for Ndigbo to pray more to God to send succor to alleviate their sufferings in the country.<br /> <br /> Nwodo said knowing what Christmas means to Ndigbo, the federal government was very uncharitable to the people to allow fuel scarcity in the country during this Yuletide. .<br /> <br /> “They know that at this period in the year Ndigbo travel a lot to their homeland, that’s when the government chose to close our airport, that’s when they allow fuel shortage to take place; this is very unfair and insensitive.<br /> <br /> It’s a deliberate policy of impoverishing our people to ensure that whatever wealth our sons and daughters bring home during Christmas is expended on the obvious effect of fuel shortage and none for investment.” .<br /> <br /> Nwodo warned that any deliberate policy to undermine the economy of Ndigbo would affect the entire country heavily. He asked Ndigbo not to allow the hardship occasioned by the anti-people policy of this administration affect them in thinking about home and ploughing some fractions of their wealth home. .<br /> <br /> He urged Ndigbo to use this period of Christmas to intensify their prayers for peace in the country but never forget to bring back their wealth to the homeland. .<br /> <br /> “The proceeding events in the country especially, as they relate to Ndigbo since this administration came to power, underscore the imperatives for our people to think home with their wealth”, Nwodo said.

Latest-News Fuel scarcity, deliberate policy to impoverish Igbo — Ohanaeze

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, has accused the Federal Government of deliberately using the fuel scarcity t...

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