Corrupt politicians still celebrated in Nigeria, Osinbajo laments

Despite the different campaigns against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has lamented that Nigerians still celebrate corrupt politicians.

He therefore emphasized the need to stop Nigerians from celebrating corrupt politicians, and urged anti-corruption agencies in the country to step up their engagement with the Nigerian public and find a way to ensure that those who still justify and celebrate corruption when it involves their kinsfolk stop from doing such.

He stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay at the Presidential Villa, the outcome of which was made available to newsmen by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

He said, “How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals, is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified. Some people believe that if ‘my kinsman’ steals it is ok.”

Osinbajo therefore stressed that it was important to completely delegitimise corruption through the way it is communicated to the public.

The Vice President while noting that it is important that corruption trials once commenced should be concluded promptly, appreciated efforts so far made by PACAC in the ongoing anti-corruption war in the country.

“I commend the excellent work you have done so far from the beginning,” he said, adding that the committee has done very well in removing scepticism as to whether an anti-corruption initiative can work well in the country.

Prof. Sagay in his comment at the meeting said PACAC has engaged with all anti-corruption agencies in the country, including the police and the judiciary.

“We are cooperating effectively well with them,” he said.

The vice President’s position is coming on the heels of the release of a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who recently regained his freedom after serving time in a London prison after his conviction for corruptly enriching himself and draining his state’s resources.

He was celebrated by many people from his state, among them, a serving senator, Peter Nwaoboshi who was caught on camera praising the ex convict, and saying Ibori still influenced Nigeria’s politics even while in prison.

JJC reveals how and when he started dating Funke Akindele

Singer and music producer JJC Skillz has revealed how and when he started dating his actress wife, Funke Akindele in an interview published by a popular Nigerian newspaper.

JJC who unbelievably has three baby mamas and three grown kids and who once said he couldn’t marry any of his three baby mama’s because of emotional ties, revealed in the interview that he met and fell in love with Funke when she was initially searching for a good director and cameraman for her TV series.

“In fact, it was love at first sight. I saw her, she saw me and, we saw stars. From that point on, everything was aligned. She had an idea called Jenifa’s Diary that she wanted to do, and she was looking for a good director and cameraman, so she called me to help her shoot the TV series, and that was how we met.” JJC said.

No doubt, the stock of the pair have both risen after the couple said “I do” at a secret wedding staged in London last year which took the industry by surprise.

Now basking in the euphoria of being called man and wife the pair recently launched their mansion located at Amen Estate, Lekki and also unveiled a new record label during their recent house warming ceremony.

Neighbours in court for fighting with faeces

A hairdresser identified as Gbemisola Adejumo and a 30-year-old driver Michael Godwin have both landed in court after they were both involved in a public fight which saw them both smear themselves with faeces.

The pair who were arraigned on a two -count charge of public fight and polluting the atmosphere with faeces appeared on Tuesday before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan.

The accused both of NW6/116 Ayorinde Street, Queen Cinema, Adamasingba area, Ibadan, according to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Salewa Hammed were engaged in a public fight on January 5, at about 7:30am at their residence.

While addressing the court, the Prosecutor said; “During the fight the two accused persons allegedly fought each other by pouring faeces on themselves thereby polluting the atmosphere with faeces.

“This makes it noxious to the health of the general public.” He said that the accused persons engaged in the fight over the use of toilet in the compound. It was Godwin that first entered the rest room before Gbemisola knocked and asked Godwin to come out as she was pressed, later it led to a fight between them,” he added.

Hammed said the offence committed by the accused persons who however pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them in court, contravened section 83 and 247 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol.II Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The pair were however handed bail in the sum of N75, 000 with two sureties each in like sum by the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Abiona Richard who adjourned the case to March 3rd for further hearing.

Apple now charging Nigerian users in naira

Luxury phone and gadget makers, Apple has started charging Nigerian users in naira.

In changing the transnational currency to naira for Nigerians, Apple is seemingly towing the same line that Facebook took in October.

iTunes sent out a mail to its Nigerian subscribers informing them of an imminent currency change in the iTunes Store and Apple Music weeks ago.

“Dear Subscriber, The currency of the App Store, the iTunes Store, and Apple Music in Nigeria will soon be changing from U.S. dollars to Nigerian naira. This change requires no action from you.

“After the currency change occurs, any pre-orders or subscriptions you have will be billed in Nigerian naira. Learn how to manage your subscriptions or send iTunes Gifts via email. If you have any other questions, visit Apple Support.” The mail by Apple read in full.

Nigeria has seen a reduction in online dollar purchases from app stores, content streaming platforms and paid ads since the increase in the exchange rate, and obviously, iTunes is not left out of the dearth of online patronage from Nigeria prompting the change.

Pawpaw clears the air on rift with Aki, says no hostility between them

Nollywood actor Osita Iheme also known as pawpaw has come out to clear the air over a rumoured rift between him and Chinedu Ikedieze, also known as ‘Aki’.

In an interview he granted a Nigerian newspaper, the actor says he has no axe to grind with his friend noting that they are both on good terms.

Continuing, Pawpaw said the rumour is just a figment of the imagination of some writers.

 

“There is no hostility between Aki and me. We are still best of friends, and we are on good terms,” he said in the interview.

The comic actor further noted that; “We talk when we need to, and any report of fights between us is the figment of the writer’s imagination”.

Justice Ademola eager to end ordeal, demands quick hearing on his alleged fraud case

Nigerian Federal High Court judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, has prayed the court to quicken hearing on allegation of fraud levelled against him and his wife, Olubowale, who is also the Lagos State Head of service.

The couple were arraigned on an 11-count charge on December 13, part of which were alleged acts of criminal conspiracy to receive gratification contrary to section 26 (1) (C) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act, and punishable under the same section.

They were accused in the first count of the charge to have allegedly conspired to collect gratification from a company, Joe Agi and associates, belonging to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joe Agi, to the tune of N30million, in March 2015.

Their trial was brought before Justice Jude Okeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja and was earlier scheduled to continue January 18.

However, Justice Ademola approached the court on Monday with a fresh application for an accelerated hearing.

But the counsel to the Federal Government, Segun Jegede, informed the court of his client’s resolve to amend the charge to include Mr. Agi and subsequently prayed for time to allow his client amend the charge.

He said the amended charge would be ready by Tuesday at the latest.

The trial judge, Okeke, consequently adjourned the matter till January 11 for presentation of the amended charge. He promised that the case would be slated for daily hearing, after Mr. Agi has been arraigned, from January 16 to 18.

Wife of President Buhari, Aisha Buhari, has disclosed that former First ladies of Nigeria spent £32,000 as jet landing fees whenever they travel out of Nigeria which is a far cry from what is spent whenever she travels out of Nigeria.

Mrs Buhari stated this in a new statement addressing allegations by Sahara Reporters that her office receives monetary and material favors from the Nigeria High Commission in the UK during her visits. Read her statement after the cut...

The continuous publication of unfounded stories by Sahara Reporters against the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, is becoming a great concern. After our last rejoinder, we expected the paper to come out with concrete evidence of deliberate fraud or abuse of privileges, or be bold enough to own up and apologize for such hazy and unsubstantiated report. Alas, what Sahara Reporters came up with was another conjecture of a purported internal memo within the Consulate, which has no direct link to Her Excellency. The new accusation, however, has still not been able to substantiate where Aisha Buhari made any direct contact with the mission for anything. The High Commission has its internal administrative procedure, and it’s not within the purview of the wife of the President to ask for diplomatic files. Furthermore, that the said memo showed little or no knowledge of Her Excellency’s itinerary proves the simple fact we earlier submitted that she had no direct business with the embassy to warrant the accusation of waste or corruption insinuated in the report. Part of the wife of the President’s trips abroad are for her NGO, which is not funded by the Government, and It is not uncommon to have stop over in Britain like any other country as the case may be. According her VIP treatment is simple protocol for a personality of her status, which is done all over the world, and at no point was she offered anywhere else. The High Commission provided the lounge and Hajiya Buhari was not involved in the transaction. This is even a far cry from the £32,000 expended in the past as landing fees for private jets of former first ladies. Attending an international women function with the Governors' wives couldn’t have been linked to the bogus allegation of corruption made by Sahara Reporters' spurious headline earlier on, as these are approved trips. It will be to the credit of Sahara Reporters to carry out a thorough check if the so called monies (£3,500) spent for whatever reason by the High Commission has any direct link with Hajia Aisha Buhari. That is responsible journalism.

Adebisi Olumide Ajayi,
S A Media
Wife of the President

Army captain, 4 soldiers killed in Buni Yadi Brigade attack

An Army captain and five soldiers were killed Saturday evening in an evening attack launched by suspected Boko Haram militants on 27 Taskforce Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

A military source told our correspondent, “Some of the soldiers have spent over 20 years in active service and the captain was posted recently to the Brigade before the terrorists struck and killed them.”

He said casualty on the side of Boko Haram could not be ascertained because most of them fled with bullet wounds and many copses were seen scattered in the bush.

The Brigade Spokesman, Lt. George Okupe, said there was indeed an attack, except that he could not confirm the casualty figure as personnel were currently on the trail of the militants and details were not available.

“I cannot confirm whether the captain and the five soldiers were killed, but I know that some of the soldiers are MIA (Missing In Action),” he said.

Buni yadi was a Boko Haram stronghold recaptured by the military in 2015 before the 27 Taskforce Brigade relocated there from Damaturu due to its strategic location.
Daily Trust, January 9, 2017

What is Government's business with churches? FFK accuses FG of attacking churches with '20yr' rule

As he shared.

why a pastor has called on all Christians In Nigeria to stop eating cow meat (Read)

A Pastor and President of Laybible Translation Group, Dele Ikeorha, has called on Christians to boycott the eating of beef indefinitely to protest against the killings of Christians by Fulani herdsmen across the country.

This was contained in an article entitled, ‘Call to National Indefinite Cow Meat Boycott.’

Ikeorha explained that the boycott was necessary due to the “unmitigated attacks on innocent Christians and Nigerians across the country.”

Ikeorha described the killings perpetrated by the herdsmen as a move to Islamize Nigeria.

In the article, the clergyman said it was time for Christians to resist the “subtlety of the Islamisation agenda of Nigeria” as it required “forceful and strategic resistance to avert a greater calamity.”

The article reads,

“Christianity in Nigeria today is under siege, not only from Islamic fundamentalists, and bloody genocidal actions of Boko Haram, but also from evil moves such as the Cattle Grazing Reserve Bill, and from the marauding activities of Fulani terrorists masquerading as cattle breeders.
“In view of the direct link between the Fulani herdsmen and the blood-letting that has resulted in untold human massacres across Nigeria, and the genocidal slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent Christians and Nigerians, the Lay Bible Translation Group hereby calls on all Christians in Nigeria to boycott cow meat indefinitely, as a sign of outrage over the ongoing atrocities committed against Christians and Christian communities throughout Nigeria by Fulani Herdsmen.
“The Cow Meat Boycott involves total abstinence from buying and eating cow meat, directly impacting on the economic lifeline of the Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors. Should the attacks persist, the boycott should be advanced to the boycott of all goods produced by companies such as Dangote Group whose majority shareholders are Muslims, to send a message.
“In this time of prayer and fasting, we call on all Christians and churches to pray for the mercy of God on this country, and ask for forgiveness because as a people we have sinned. Daniel 9:3-19.
“We call on the Christians Association of Nigeria CAN, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and all Christian groups and Christians throughout Nigeria to heed this call and support the call.”

It will be noted that herdsmen have been accused of killing Christians with the Southern Kaduna currently taking the center stage.

Adeboye retired as GO RCCG Nigeria, remains GO worldwide, church clarifies

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has refuted news making the round that Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired as the General Overseer (GO) of the church.

The church which stated this in a statement signed by Leke Adeboye, the clergyman’s last son and Personal Assistant, said he remains the General Overseer worldwide of the RCCG.

An earlier report on Saturday had claimed that Adeboye retired after 35 years reign and handed over to Pastor Joshua O. Obayemi, a former Special Assistant to the General Overseer (SATGO) on Finance at the Annual Ministers Thanksgiving at Shimawa, in Ogun State.

However, Leke in the statement said that the report was a misrepresentation of Pastor Adeboye’s announcement at the Annual Ministers Thanksgiving held at the redemption camp today.

He explained RCCG Nigeria and not worldwide will now be led by Pastor Joseph Obayemi, while Adeboye remains the GO of the church worldwide.

According to the statement, the reason for announcing Obayemi leader of Nigeria RCCG was sequel to the new legal requirements set up by the Financial Regulations Council, guiding all registered churches, mosques, and CSOs.

He said the regulation “stipulates that heads of non-profit organisations like churches now have a maximum period of twenty years to lead their organisations while in retirement, they are not permitted to hand over to their families.”

Leke went further to disclose that with the latest arrangement, Pastor Funsho Odesola will now serve as the new church secretary while Pastor Joseph Adeyokunu will be the new church treasurer.‎

He therefore advised all members of RCCG to understand this new structure and go about their service to God and humanity in holiness and soul winning, adding that church members should educate people around them and not spread inaccurate information.

He maintained that Pastor E.A Adeboye remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide.

Pastor Adeboye steps down as General Overseer for RCCG Nigeria, appoints new GO

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has appointed a General Overseer for the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria. According to the 74 year old clergyman, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, will oversee the affairs of the church here in Nigeria. Obayemi was deputy in charge of Finance and a member of governing council, before his appointment.

Adeboye made the announcement during the church’s annual thanksgiving held at the 3km new auditorium today 7th January 2016.

Pastor J.F Odesola is now the church's Secretary while Pastor J.A. Adeyokunnu is the new Treasurer. Present at the thanksgiving service were Vice President Yemi Osibajo and other Senior Pastors of the Church.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye was appointed the General Overseer of the Church in 1981, taking over from late Papa Akindayomi.

 

 

Senate to address why only 10 Nigerians work as air host/hostesses for Emirates airline- Bukola Saraki

The Senate President says the senate will address why international airline, Emirates, employs only 10 Nigerians unlike other African countries like Kenya where they employ more citizens. See more of his tweets after the cut...

Ex Bauchi gov Yuguda to explain what happened to N213bn state funds

Former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has been asked to account for what happened to N213billion state money during his administration.

This follows the report of a high-powered committee commissioned by the Bauchi State government with the mandate to do forensic audit of all major contracts awarded by the past administration from June 2007 to May 2015.

The committee, after investigation into the activities of Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board, Ministries of Local Government Affairs, Bauchi Specialists Hospital and other MDAs during the period Yuguda was in power, requested the former Governor to account for over N212bn.

The Chairman of the committee, Salihu Abubakar, who stated this when he addressed newsmen at a press conference after presenting the committee’s report to Governor Mohammed Abubakar on Friday, revealed that most of the major contracts awarded by the past government in all the MDAs investigated were uncompleted with many of them not even executed at all, regardless that payments had been made for their completion.

He further stated that some of the “projects were over-inflated, poorly executed, some without due process, and in some cases “contractors were overpaid without any acceptable reason or explanation.”

Abubakar added that they discovered in their investigation of the period under review that huge payments were made in the Ministry for Local Government Affairs without appropriate payments vouchers presented.

He said, “On several unjustified cash withdrawals made from the accounts of the Ministry for Local Government Affairs by the Cashier to JAAC Account, the committee recommended that former commissioners in the Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Idris Halilu and Abubakar Faggo, retired Permanent Secretaries, and others are to account for N3.5bn.

“The committee recommended that all former commissioners be asked to account for N96bn, while Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, Internal Auditors, Cashiers, Directors of Finance in the Ministry and visiting Auditors to the Ministry be made to account for N8bn.

“Similarly, the Committee wants N88.2bn, being amount illegally remitted from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs from its Federation Account Allocations to various MDAs from June 2007 to May 2015 to be recovered from former Governor Isa Yuguda, all former commissioners for Local Government Affairs, all Permanent Secretaries and all former Special Advisers in the Ministry, all former Accountants General or their representatives,” Abubakar said.

Dep gov’s ex-Perm Sec in court for alleged 419

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dragged Sule Yusuf Saulawa, a permanent secretary formally attached to the office of the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, before Honourable Justice Sanusi Tukur of the Katsina High Court.

The EFCC arraigned Saulawa on a one count charge of Obtaining by False Pretense contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, popularly known as 419

Saulawa allegedly obtained the sum of N2,500,000 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) under the pretext that the then Deputy Governor’s office would award the complainant a contract for the supply of fertilizer to all the Local Government areas in Katsina State.

After obtaining the money from the complainant under the guise that it is for the purchase of bidding documents, the accused person cut contact with the complainant.

While reading his charge, the prosecutor said; “That you Sule Yusuf Saulawa while being the permanent secretary with the office of the Deputy Governor, Katsina State, sometimes in 2015 in Katsina, within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Katsina State with intent to defraud falsely obtained from one Alhaji Musa Baba, the Chairman of Many Agro Allied and Chemical Company Nigeria Limited and Diamond Fertilizer Nigeria Limited the sum of N2,500,000 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) by falsely representing that the Office of the Deputy Governor of Katsina State would award him contract for the supply of fertilizer to all the Local Government areas in the state and asked him to purchase a bidding documents which would be given to him as soon as he writes a proposal offering best price to the State Government which he did, but which you knew all to be false and you thereby committed an offense contrary to section 1 (1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

However, Saulawa pleaded not guilty to charges pressed against him as the matter was adjourned to January 6, 2017 for ruling on bail application and commencement of trial by Justice Tukur.

Ini Edo reportedly engaged to father of three kids

If news making the rounds are anything to go by, then Nollywood actress Ini Edo is gearing up to become a second wife after she was engaged by one Mr. Stanley Uzochukwu, the chairman STANEL OIL.

Reports say Stanley is married to a northern socialite and they are blessed with three kids.

Sources reveal that Ini has been engaged to the millionaire oil magnate since July 2016.

The development also makes one wonder if Ini has a thing for married men. Recall, her ex-husband, Philip Ehiagwina was also said to be a married man before they both met and got hooked up.

The Nollywood Actress and Special adviser to Akwa Ibom state governor on Tourism, is currently on vacation in Dubai.

Police IG Idris warns CAN, others to be careful of utterances

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Nigerian leaders to desist from making utterances capable of causing tension that could lead to destruction of lives and properties.

Idris who stated this at a New Year Dinner organised for personnel in Abuja, preached on the need for religious, community and political leaders to be patriotic in their endeavours for peace to reign in the country.

He said, “Nigerians have no other country than Nigeria; hence, the need to do those things that would bring peace and unity to the country,” adding that Nigerians should endeavour to live in peace with one another regardless of religious and ethnic differences.

Idris advice came on the heels of claims by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan that the murderous attack in southern Kaduna by suspected Fulani herdsmen has claimed more than 808 lives in 53 villages in the area.

CAN had in a statement by its General Secretary, Musa Asake, on New Year’s Day stated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued silence over the “ongoing genocide in Kaduna in the last few weeks speaks volume over perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.”

The statement went further to disclose that the president of CAN has directed that Sunday, January 8, 2017, should be declared a national day of mourning by Christians, including those in the Diaspora, adding that the body will use that day to pray fervently for “our Southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country.”

The Police is yet to come up with the number of people murdered in the crisis even as they have been criticised by many, for their inability to stem the crisis.

Those intimidating me from being president are fighting the will of God, ex-Gov Lamido asserts

Ahead 2019 presidential election, Jigawa State former Governor Alhaji Sule Lamido, has vowed that he would never allow himself to be cowed by those in power to drop his presidential aspiration.

He also warned leaders to beware of dangers of tyranny, impunity and abuse of human dignity.

The former governor made this declaration at the weekend after loads of heavily armed policemen were sent to Bamaina village of Birnin Kudu to stop a planned rally organised by hundreds of youths calling on him to contest the 2019 presidential election.

Lamido said, “The desperation by those in authorities of power today must know that the same God that made Balewa, Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala, Shagari, Buhari, Babangida and Jonathan Presidents could do the same for me if Allah so wishes.

“All this coercion and intimidation was because of my aspiration and I must tell them that no matter what, if Allah has destined that I will be President, they cannot stop me or deter me because that will amount to fighting against the wish of God.

He further said in his interaction with news men on the situation that leaders should beware of the consequences that followed “tyranny, impunity and abuse of human dignity”.

He decried a situation he described as a government stopping young men from going to see their father (Lamido) and greeting him, “saying they have to ask for permit, permit for what?”, he queried, adding that, “all over this country I’ve never heard of a mutual gathering that requires one to ask for permit, even on Saturday, we were in Sokoto for a wedding where thousands of people attended or even naming ceremonies where hundreds attend, have you asked them to show their permit?, but because it’s Sule Lamido, whoever that is coming to see me must acquire a permit to do so”.

While declaring that he had long passed the stage when he can be intimidated by any one, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said, “those policemen that made people to lie on their bare backs simply because they were coming to meet me should also note that they are no better people than those they have punished”.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has also been accused by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and some other critics of employing every tactics to cow and intimidate everyone it perceived would be a strong opposition to Buhari’s continuation in power in 2019 when Nigerians will vote to decide who their next leaders will be.

Article:Nichypp on the killings of innocent citizens in southern part of Kaduna state of Nigeria

by Prince Abbey

Ladies and gentlemen, His excellency The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari and the patriotic citizens of this great country. The governor of Kaduna state, The  National  Assembly and the House  of Representatives.
 

Calvary greetings to you all.
 

 "If we were to remain silent, we will be guilty of Conicity" - Albert Einstein

Nigeria is a country that practices a federalism system of government. It is a country with many ethnic groups and religions.
 

But the big question is, are we truly practising true federalism? It is capital 'NO'. We are practising a government that's full of selfishness, hatred, religious bigots and many more. We have been totally decimated, devalued and also made to be detritus by our  clueless leaders.
 

We have been intoxicated by the selfish acts, tribal sentiments of our leaders to be detrimental on ourselves. we are practising a devious and devilment government. We have been confined into a diffident state by the crop of our leaders.
 

Our government doesn't know diddly about the state of the citizens the (electorate). We have been politically molested, raped and abused as a nation. 

We have been maliciously treated and it is high time we stopped all these atrocities being committed by our leaders.

We decided it is better to scream as a people. Silence is the real crime against humanity.

Our major concern as a body is about the killings of citizens on daily basis in southern Kaduna and the government up till today are still yet to put an end into rampage killings by the Fulani herdsmen who are regionally the kinsmen of our President. 

We can never give up longing and wishing while we are still alive. There are certain things we feels beautiful and good, and we must hunger for them.\

The murderer of Evangelist Eunice Elijah who was butchered to death up till today had been a forgotten issue by the government. This we will not let go until justice is done.  

The perpetrators of an Igbo woman who was decapitated in this same region were released without any form of punishment and this is our major concern as a body of the Nigeria Christian Youth Political Platform to seeing these present crop of leaders as dud.

The Nigeria Christian Youth Political Platform is a body of Christian youths whose major objective is to seeing a nation loved by her citizens politically and the welfare of our brothers and sisters regardless of our religion. 

The recent killings in the southern Kaduna has prompted us to stand and pen kiss our paper and write to His excellency President Muhammad  Buhari, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lives on daily basis being wasted in southern Kaduna to the extent a serving senator in Kaduna called it a 'cemetery'.

The 1999 constitution  of Federal Republic of Nigeria chapter II read and we quote:

13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.


14. The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. It is hereby, accordingly, declared 


(a) that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority 


(b)  the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and 


(c)  the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Sometimes we need to remind our leaders their constitutional duties in order to swing into action.
 

The silence of our governments especially the federal government is deteriorating everyday. The major assignment of the government is the welfare and the security of the people but reverse is the case in Nigeria. On a day where citizens were celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, they were butchered, raped, molested and slaughtered by the Fulani herdsmen. 

They were sent untimely to grave, they were helpless in the face of death caused by the Fulani herdsmen terrorists. Yet the president refused to speak to the public. We want to remind Mr President, that he is the president of every citizens in this country and it is his duty to protect and provide security to every lives regardless of their religion.

The spokesperson to the President, Mr Femi Adesina saying that the President is silent on the ongoing violence in southern Kaduna because the state Governor, mallam El Rufai is handling it. Rubbish and useless. If your  child was among the slaughtered  will you speak in this manner?  He further said and we reechoed 'you don't have to hear from the President on the matter. When it pays us, we talk about federalism and true federalism; yet we want the President to talk about everything ".

Sometimes we wonder where these​ nincompoop leaders came from that they have no regards to human lives. 

If the president is now too busy to address the killings of his citizens, then he has lost the purpose of government.

The statement made by Mr Adesina is totally unacceptable. Mr Adesina needs to be purged of his slave mentality. Why not let Garba Shehu issue that gibberish of a press statement. May the spirit of the dead twist your tongue. If you cannot be part of the solution, don't be part of the problem. 

Meanwhile, President Muhammad Buhari is always quick to announce himself as the chief mourner when the terrorists strike in other countries but he keeps mute when the herdsmen killed hundreds right here in his backyard.

The president must speak if there is no more to the madness by the fulani herdsmen.

This is the height of hypocrisy from a leader that should be father to all in a complex nation like Nigeria. We have an effeminate character in the President, he is an emblem of weakness in the ongoing killings in the southern Kaduna.

The people that elected you in such region are now eerie in their fatherland. They are molested, raped and tortured in a nation with leaders like you and you kept mute. The hope of southern Kaduna people in President and the state governor of Kaduna is now effete. They hope your presence as a President would be efficacious but now they are living eerie under your kinsmen, Fulani herdsmen. Posterity will not judge you right if the perpetrators are not apprehended and brought to face the law. 

Even the state governor had the effrontery to publicly declared he funded the cow-loving barbarians, the bloodthirsty aliens whose mission is to disintegrate lives created by the most high God. The constitution which suppose to guide our dealings in government have been turned upside down. 

They've disparaged the lives of men to that of cows. They are men that should be called animals. If the state government and the Federal government can't stop their cow-loving barbarians, then chapter II of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria is useless 

Mr El Rufai and the President have failed woefully in saving the lives of men and women  and their properties in southern Kaduna. The southern Kaduna people are now dispirited. There is now a wide disparity amongst the Christians and Muslims in Kaduna due to incompetent and nincompoops leaders.

A press release from the Catholic diocese of kafanchan, Kaduna state stated the following statistics of wasted lives and properties by the blood sucking Fulani herdsmen.

1. Number of LGC's attacked- 4

2. Number of villages attacked - 53

3. Number of deaths- 808

4.Number of schools attacked- 1

Where was Mr El Rufai the governor of Kaduna state when all these madness happened? 

The aim and agenda of the governor is well written on the wall and  we won't allow such to happen in our generation. Nigeria does not belong to any religion but to all.

"Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil." Ecclesiastes. 8:11 NSB

The Nigeria Christian Youth Political Platform is calling  the government of Kaduna to stand and defend her people and bring the perpetrators to book  before the people starts self-defence, after all nobody have the monopoly of killing. 

We hereby order the Governor to rise fully to defend the people. We order him to uncover the bloodthirsty Fulanis who are making life miserable in southern Kaduna.

The Nigeria Christian Youth Political Platform is very doldrum with all these barbaric acts and we hereby say 'NO' to the killings of citizens in the state and the nation at large. This is not a vituperation article but we are offended by the vulgarity of the government.

The action of the government in public is just full of waffle and wacko. The  wanton attitudes of the  Fulani herdsmen should be stopped.  We are wailing in tears and we want a swift action by the state and Federal governments.

Mr President if you don't act now without Oita of bias, time is coming and is fast approaching that the oppressed will take the battler to the oppressor as revenge.

God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria  

God Bless Kaduna State

National minimum wage: Labour demands N96,000, to ensure implementation in 2017

LABOUR, under the United Labour Congress (ULC), has demanded for N96,000 national minimum wage and declared that it would engage the government at all levels to ensure its implementation in the New

year.

In its New Year message, the ULC said it would work assiduously with the Federal Government for an upward review of the national minimum wage to N96,000 per month.

The message, titled: “2017 goodwill message: We shall make a difference,” and signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the congress said the upward review of the minimum wage was long overdue.

 

 “The ULC shall work assiduously with the Federal Government for an upward review of the national minimum wage to N96,000 per month, which has been long overdue. We shall seek greater coverage of the minimum wage to include all Nigerian workers whether working in the formal or informal sectors,” he said.

Ajaero added: “In this light, we shall work towards designing a wage floor that would be automatically self-adjusting just like it is done in other advanced nations of the world bearing in mind that in the US, just yesterday, the minimum wage automatically went upwards from $8 per hour to $11 per hour. This is a national increase of about 37.5 per cent in a nation with declining inflation and low cost of living.”

The ULC said it would also work through the various platforms it belong, especially the 16-man Federal Government Technical Committee to ensure that the government revisit the high cost of fuel.

Ajaero stated that the newly launched congress would engage government at various levels to generate policies that would cushion the effect of preset suffering and hardship on Nigerians, and especially the workers.

The ULC president said: “The ULC assures Nigerians and workers that our commitment this year is towards ensuring that we work creatively with governments at all levels towards effective governance, thus, building a Nigeria that would rekindle the hope of the citizens and guarantee the benefits of nationhood to all Nigerians.

“To this end, we are determined to engage the government at various levels to generate appropriate policies and programmes that would cushion the present suffering and hardship that have become our collective lot in the past few years.

“We shall intensify our effort through the various platforms we are currently involved in especially the 16-man Federal Government Technical Committee to revisit the high cost of petroleum products in Nigeria and to ensure that the general malaise bedevilling the energy sector is constructively engaged.” 

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to make the committee more effective and empower it to conclude its work quickly.

Ajaero said: “The Assembly (ULC) is focused on working with the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Labour to put in place various regulations and working with the NASS to make appropriate laws that would address the diverse lawlessness of both foreign and local employers in our workplaces.

 “Unilateral sacks and illegal retrenchments will be tackled head on while the use of casual and contract work will be seriously tackled to create a Nigerian workplace that is compliant with the Decent work Agenda.

“Once again, we therefore give notice to the banks and the finance industry generally including the telecommunication companies and other employers that have taken delight in abusing and violating the rights and privileges of workers in Nigeria through their flagrant disregard of our labour and trade union laws.

“We shall pursue in conjunction with the relevant agencies of government the compliance of our workplaces with the laws of Nigeria and the relevant international standards.”

Graphic photos: Father, son and other family members killed in fatal motor accident on their way to daughter's wedding in Nassarawa

Residents of workers village in Nassarawa State were thrown into mourning following the tragic death of a man and four members of his family on New Year Day. According to reports, the party which includes father, his son and other family members were on their way to the wedding fatiha of his eldest daughter when they had a head on collision with a tanker along Lafia - Agyaragu road.

A staff of Dalhatu Specialist Hospital, who confirmed the incident said two persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were admitted at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital.

Buhari should consult men of God on how to solve economic problems -Mbaka

 President Muhammadu Buhari needs to consult church leaders and eminent men of God to advise him and tell him the truth about the economy.

This is the take of Enugu Catholic priest, and coordinator of the Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

Mbaka, in his New Year message at the weekend, said “Many Nigerians are suffering. Though the President is trying on corruption and security, Nigerians are hungry; they want to see more changes. There is the need to assist businessmen and women in their businesses.”

Mbaka also called on the present administration to employ the services of experts who would assist in revitalising the economy.

Mbaka who said people like him found it difficult to reach President Buhari “for advice because of the kind of people around him,” however, urged Nigerians to be patient and be prayerful “as your sufferings and hardship would be over in 2017. Nigeria is set to be great again.”

He also advised the president to set aside the fight against corruption, and address the sufferings in Nigeria.

Mbaka had also in August 2016 bemoaned the failure of President Buhari to lead Nigerians out of the starvation ravaging the country.

He also called on Buhari to know that Nigerians are fed up with his prosecution stories, saying with hunger everywhere, everybody is angry and if nothing is done it could lead to danger and that Nigerians will not vote for him in 2019.

He however made a U-turn denying some of the contents of the video claiming that rather than Buhari, that it was former President Goodluck Jonathan who caused the hunger in the land.

Power sector loses N534b in 356 days

Over N534 billion in revenue was lost by the power sector in 2016, according to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Among the reasons for the loss are shortages in gas supply, frequency and line limitations and water levels management constraints that led to several cases of outage in the country.

NESI, which put the average daily revenue loss at N1.5 billion, said gas constraint remained one of the major challenges facing the electricity sector.

The N534 billion is the value of electricity lost on account of the challenges, part of which could have been used to bridge the liquidity gap in the power sector, that is put at N1trillion. Already, the sector is finding it difficult to access more loans from Nigerian banks due to their inability to meet the payment obligations for previous debts. The situation will also affect the capacity of the power firms to improve on electricity supply to consumers for domestic and industrial uses.

Photos: Man narrates how a drunk policeman brutalized him with his rifle in Akwa Ibom State

 A Facebook user, Ataifiok Udoma has narrated how a drunk policeman allegedly brutalized him with his rifle on 21st December, 2016 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. According to him, the incident happened at a bank in Abak Road, Uyo. He said he had a mild argument with the bank's security man when the drunk policeman came to inquire what was going on. The drunk policeman used his rifle to hit him on his head when he told him to get the information he needed from the security man. According to him, passersby left him in a pool of his blood until a friend came around and rushed him to the hospital. Read what he wrote after the cut;

Happy new year to all my friends, relatives . and colleagues this post is a special privilege to me considering all that has happened to me in the year 2016 Wednesday the 21stof December 2016 I went to first Bank Abak road to deposit some money on coming out from the banking hall the security had blocked the main entrance, I requested that they should open the gate so I can drive out to meet up with Keystone Bank before they close for the day The drunk mobile policeman came to the scene and enquired to know what is going on, I responded by telling him to ask the security Angrily he pushed me out and came after me with his riffle, hit my head with the riffle and ran along with passersby everyone abandoned me me only for a friend to rush me to the hospital after series of scanning and x-ray doctor's diagnose that my skull was broken and that pieces of my skull had fallen into my brain The drunk mobile policeman came to the scene and enquired to know what is going on, I responded by telling him to ask the security Angrily he pushed me out and came after me with his riffle, hit my head with the riffle and ran along with passersby everyone abandoned me me only for a friend to rush me to the hospital after series of scanning and x-ray doctor's diagnose that my skull was broken and that pieces of my skull had fallen into my brain Trust me I am gradually recovering,else you wouldn't see this post I now know the full meaning of pains Special thanks to all who visited me, to those who put phone calls across and to those who prayed to God on my behalf. My unreserved gratitude goes permanently to God for seeing me through the operation and still sustaining me, even when I didn't have the millions that was requested.

BUHARI’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE: Nigeria’s fate lies in war against corruption

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration to wrestle corruption to the ground, even as he again called for the support of all Nigerians.

The President in his New Year’s message to the country, said the “fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign”, adding, that “it will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream”.

He also assured, that “This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process”, and that it “will not spare anybody or organ of government”.

Read his full message below:

My dear Compatriots,

I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.

I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation.

I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.

Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

The support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country.

Seeing the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.

The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal.

Government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits.

In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges.

The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness. Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.

I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says “it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch”. Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers.

I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us. We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.

These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.

We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table.

As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law.

On our part, in the past 20 months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right.

The agricultural revolution has begun. Farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice, and the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.

As you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

In pursuit of this administration’s philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy “Made In Nigeria” goods. Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future. They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

On job creation, this administration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves.

Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream.

I thank you for the public support for our administration’s efforts to transform Nigeria. I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I urge you to continue to support this administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all.

I wish you a Happy New Year, 2017.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI