Nov 6 - Nov 8 News

November 6

Buhari Fires 35 Aides In Osinbajo’s Office - Daily Nigerian

A day after signing Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Amendment Bill into
law in London, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sack at least 35 out of over 80 aides in
the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, DAILY NIGERIAN can reliably report.

The president is currently in London, United Kingdom for a two-week “private visit” and is expected
back in Abuja on November 17.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the affected aides, who were issued appointment letters in August
included some Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants and Technical
Assistants.

Credible sources who preferred anonymity said the aides may be formally issued their sack letters on
Wednesday.

Preparatory to their eventual dismissal, DAILY NIGERIAN learnt the aides were posted out to some
line ministries relevant to their designation last month. The move was allegedly to deny them access to
the Villa and reduce the influence of the vice president.

“Although more than half of the aides are under the payroll of donor agencies, the cabal eased them out
in order to whittle down the influence of the vice president,” said a source familiar with the
development.

“None of them were queried or interdicted for any wrongdoing. It is not about cutting cost, because no
aide was sacked in the president’s office nor office of the First Lady, where six more aides appointed
less than one month ago. They were just sacked to reduce the VP’s influence.”

Both spokesmen for the president and vice president, Garba Shehu and Laolu Akande respectively, did
not respond to a text message seeking their reaction to the development.

Osinbajo’s travails

There seems to be a frosty relationship between the president and his deputy since the beginning of
their second term in office, with the president transferring some agencies under the Mr Osinbajo’s
control to either his office or some ministries.

Insiders said the president’s powerful handlers, otherwise known as cabal, were unhappy with some
critical decisions taken by the vice president in the president’s absence.

Feelers believe that top among Mr Osinbajo’s “crimes” was the sack of Lawal Daura, erstwhile
director-general of the State Security Service, SSS, when Mr Osinbajo was acting president in August
last year.

Another decision that drew the ire of the cabal was transmitting a letter to the Senate in February 2017,
seeking confirmation of then acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Samuel Onnoghen.

But the president first wielded the big stick by taking away the Special Intervention Programmes, SIPs,
from the vice president’s office to the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster
Management, and Social Development.

The SIPs include the famous TraderMoni, the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government
Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power, among others.

On September 16, Mr Buhari replaced Osinbajo-led Economic Management Team with Economic
Advisory Council that will directly report to his (president’s) office.

According a report by PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, even the controversial RUGA project has also
been taken from Mr Osinbajo’s control after the recommendation of the president’s powerful Chief of
Staff Abba Kyari.

Taking a cue from Olusegun Obasanjo?

Shortly after President Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn-in for a second term in May 2003, his
relationship with his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, became sour over latter’s alleged plan to contest against
him at the party’s primaries.

At the peak of estrangement, the former president fired Mr Atiku’s key aides in order to allegedly settle
the political scores.

Those fired by Mr Obasanjo in July 2006 included Adeolu Akande, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, Chris
Mammah, Shina Ayati, Sam Oyovbaire, Lawal Jafaru Isa and Garba Shehu.

Harrison Odungwere: In Ogale, We Cook, Bathe With Table

Water
A monarch in the Ogale community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Harrison
Odungwere, said on Tuesday that some residents of his area cook and bathe with bottled and sachet
water following the contamination of the groundwater in the area.

Odungwere, who is the paramount ruler of the Mbunmeta community in Ogale, expressed sadness that
residents of the area had continually consumed benzene contaminated water due to the absence of
potable water in the community.

He, however, called on the Federal Government to provide potable water by industrialising its supply in
the area, as private boreholes produced water laced with crude oil.

He said, “I have about 300 bags of sachet water, which we use for cooking and bathing, which will last
my family a week. But those who can’t afford bottled or sachet water still drink, bathe and cook with
the contaminated water.

“Our community is heavily impacted and polluted by hydrocarbons for the past 15 years or thereabouts.

“The Ogale people have been drinking highly polluted water and suffering until when the Hydrocarbon
Pollution Remediation Project came up and started supplying potable water with tankers, which was a
big relief that time until that programme failed.”

Odungwere added that though the Niger Delta Development Commission had dug one borehole in the
area, where the residents access clean water, the supply was inadequate for the people.

“The NDDC has dug one borehole somewhere in our community for people go to fetch water, but it is
not enough. We need an industrialised water supply system that will be connected to people’s homes in
our community,” he stressed.

Gombeline: Governor Yahaya To Launch 50 Brand New Busses

Gombe Governor to launch 50 brand new busses

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe is to commission 50 brand new Toyota Hiace Medium
Roof fully Air Conditioned Busses for Gombe state Transport Service Limited.
The official commissioning ceremony will take place Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6th November, 2019 at
the Gombe Line Terminus, Gombe by 4 pm.

Heartbreaking: Even Saints From Heaven Will

Be Corrupt If They Come To Nigeria - Senate
The Senate has said that with the level of corruption in the Country and very low welfare
package for justices, judges and judicial officers if saints are appointed from heaven to take
charge of the process, they will be corrupt.
Senator Bamidele said, “For so long, has the story dominated our political space that our Judiciary is
corrupt. As far as we are concerned, it is time Nigeria to change the narrative, it is time for Nigeria to
show that we are serious and we understand the full and true meaning of the independence of the
judiciary, a cardinal aspect of it is financial independence.
“We are concerned as a committee and as a senate, that we must not allow the rest of the international
community to leave us behind.
“Something urgently needs to be done about the plight of the Nigerian Judiciary. No Nigerian will not
be surprised to hear that when a judge has to go out of the station all he gets us N25, 000 to stay in a
hotel, and you wonder which hotel. “
Essentially, my Lord, we are concerned about the welfare of our justices, our judges and the judicial
officers’
“Under the present set of circumstances, if we appoint saints from heaven, assuming we are able to do
so, to serve on our bench as justices and judges, it is only the strength of character of the individual
judge and justices that can prevent him from being corrupt.
“No one will endorse or support corruption, and as far as we are concerned, it is also not a moral
history, it is a sociological history and it needs to be addressed materially, thought very special and
extra-budgetary provision.
“We are convinced that there is the need to make available to our Judiciary a special intervention fund
and I believe this will be an issue for both the legislative and executive arms of government to address
most speedily beyond the current budgetary provision.”
“But in a swift reaction to the alleged corruption in the Judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC)
Executive Secretary, Ahmed Gambo Saleh said that if the corruption there was juxtaposed with other
Systems in the Country, the Judiciary will be Saint. Saleh said “the welfare packages for judicial
officers in this country is nothing to write home about. Judges’ salaries were last reviewed in 2007.
“I don’t think that there’s all that corruption in the judiciary. But when the so-called corruption in the
judiciary is weighed against what is obtainable in other systems, the judiciary would be a saint.”

Kyari: NNPC Saves Over $3bn From Arbitrations

IgbereTV reports that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari says the corporation saved more than three billion dollars from
arbitrations.

The GMD said this on Tuesday, in a statement signed by Mr Samson Makoji, the acting spokesman for
the corporation in Abuja. Kyari spoke during a Town Hall meeting that also involved the participation
of the corporation’s outstation members of staff. He commended the management of the corporation’s
Legal Division for the savings, saying due diligence accounted for the feat.
Kyari asked the corporation’s workforce to intensify their efforts to ensure that the nation reaped
bountifully from its vast hydrocarbon resources which the National Oil Company had the mandate to
superintend.

He said that it was necessary for the corporation to increase its level of efficiency, reduce cost and
increase revenue across value chain of its businesses within the shortest possible period.

The GMD used the opportunity to update members of staff on the recent NNPC Top management
retreat which prescribed a five-step approach for the corporation to attain global excellence via the
Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE ) agenda.

He listed the steps to include well defined processes benchmark to World-class Oil and Gas company
requirements, Right cost structure that guarantees value realisation and profitability. Others are Goals,
priorities and performance guarantee, Suitable governance structure for strategic business units and
Entrenching team work and collaboration with all key stakeholders.

The NNPC GMD noted that some remarkable successes had been recorded within the short period of
his tenure.

Kyari listed some of the achievements to include the attainment of over two billion litres of Premium
Motor Spirit reserve and completion of Phase1 of Port Harcourt Refinery Rehabilitation. He said others
include discovery of Oil in Kolmani River-II Well and the Re-opening of OML 25 flow station after
two years of inactivity as a result of issues between the host community/Belema Oil and Shell
Petroleum Development Company.

He said, "Our achievements also include signing of novation agreement with Nigerian Agip Oil
Company (NAOC) to formalise the transfer of OMLs 60, 61 and 63 to the Nigerian Petroleum
Development Company (NPDC)."

“The execution of a funding, technical services agreement and alternative financing deal worth 3.15
billion dollars OML 13 and 876 million dollars OML 65.

“Signing of 2.5 billion dollars prepayment agreement with Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited
(NLNG) for Upstream gas supply for trains 1-6, Finalisation of the 2018 audit of the NNPC Group and
improved engagement with key stakeholders, notably, the National Assembly”.

Kyari commended the NNPC workforce for its dedication and constructive feedbacks which, he said,
had gone a long way in shaping the successes recorded thus far. The GMD also launched the banners of
the corporation’s Downstream company, the NNPC Retail Limited, with a view to positioning the
company as a market leader in the products distribution subsector in the Country

The NNPC Group Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
(PENGASSAN), Comrade Mathew Duru said the staff will remain committed to achieving the set
goals of the NNPC.

Governor El-rufai Appoints Two More Women As Advisers

IgbereTV reports that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has confirmed the appointment of two
more women as Special Advisers.

According to a statement by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the women are among the 17 aides
appointed by the governor on Tuesday. According to the statement, Mrs. Stella Amako is now SA
Community Relations and Hajiya Zainab Shehu, SA Social Development.

It said that the appointments bring to five the number of women among the 11 special advisers in the
administration. The statement said that the other appointees were Senior Special Assistants and Special
Assistants.

They include Aliyu Haruna, Youth; Ibrahim Ismail, Community Relations; Hafsat Ashiru,
Administration, and Nazir Sanusi, ICT. Others were Mohammed Shuaibu, Stakeholders Relations;
Yakubu Yatai, Community Relations; Ibraheem S Musa, Media and Publicity; Ashiru Zuntu,
Community Relations; Rabi Manchi, Legal Matters. Also appointed were Mahmud Aminu, Legal
Matters; Aminu Lawal Na-Anty, Youth, Sonia Bature, Environment; Kamal Aliagan, Public
Communication; and Sakinat Bello, Environment.

Sacked House Of Reps Majority Leader, Storms

National Assembly
The embattled Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, briefly
appeared at the National Assembly Complex.
The Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal had earlier on Monday sacked Ado-Doguwa as member
representing Tudun-Wada/Doguwa Constituency of Kano State.
Ado-Doguwa was sighted at the entrance of the House chamber shortly before the plenary on Monday.
He was accompanied by lawmakers and aides.
He later walked away.
It could not be ascertained as of press time if the embattled lawmaker was prevented by security men
from gaining entry into the chamber.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the Majority Leader, the third-
ranking member of the House, as the winner of the February 23, National Assembly election, candidate
of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Yusha’u Salisu, had dragged Ado-Doguwa of the All
Progressives Congress before the Kano State National and State Assemblies Election Petitions
Tribunal.
The tribunal had on September 5, 2019, dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate. The Court of
Appeal had, however, set aside the judgment, saying the entire process of the election was marred by
irregularities.
The appellate court ordered the INEC to conduct a fresh election in the entire constituency within 90
days.

Bullion Van: Take The Petition Against Tinubu

Serious - Transparency International Tells
EFCC
Transparency International, an anti-corruption organisation, has urged the Commission on
Economic and Financial Crimes to take seriously the petition against the leader of All Progressive
Congress, Bola Tinubu.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, the Head of Transparency International Nigeria and the
Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Auwal Musa, popularly known as
Rafsanjani, said the EFCC should demonstrate that it is not a partial agency for Nigerians.
Rafsanjani told The PUNCH that during the last election, the EFCC had detained many people for
buying votes.
Therefore, he said the anti-graft body should not undermine Nigerians ‘ trust in it.
The TI boss said, “We believe the fight against corruption has to be seen as real andanyone involved in
any act, no matter how powerful, the law has to take its course. That’s the only way people can
continue to support the anti-graft body.
“For me, this petition should be taken seriously, and before working on it, the EFCC should not waste
time because similar things happened during the elections when some politicians were arrested with
money.
“Nothing has happened to the man (Tinubu) in this situation, and the people call for action to stop
corruption in the process. I believe it will be in the interests of anti-corruption agencies to be proactive
and take action that will give citizens confidence in the anti-corruption war.
“The Convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, and others, including Ariyo-Dare Atoye of the
Coalition for the Defense of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution and Adebayo Raphael of the Free
Nigeria Movement, submitted a petition.
The activists had asked the EFCC to investigate Tinubu who, on the eve of the February presidential
election, admitted having two cash-laden bullion vans on his premises.
There were rumors, however, that due to the personality involved, the EFCC had abandoned the
request.
The EFCC is currently prosecuting the son-in-law and lawyer for allegedly trying to distribute $2 m
ahead of the same election to the People’s Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Rice Will Be Available At A Cheaper Price For

Christmas - FG
As the yuletide season draws closer, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians that rice will
be available at a cheaper price.
The National Food Security Council (NFSC) which is chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari made
this assurance through the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku
Bagudu.
Governor Bagudu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Council was aware of the market
situations regarding the prices of rice and measures had since been put in place to ensure availability of
the commodity at a much cheaper rate reflecting the cost of production
“The good news is that there is a lot of production in the country. All the Millers in Nigeria have
enough paddy and farmers are producing and the harvest is coming in strong.
“We believe in addition to market forces, there are some people are intent on manipulating the situation
in order to exploit bigger revenue, bigger profits and some may even be doing so for the wrong reason
to truncate policy which is helping the Nigerian economy; which is helping Nigerian millers; which is
helping the Nigerian farmers and the Nigerian population.
“We are taking steps to ensure that more rice is taken to markets where shortages can easily be created.
“There is enough production in the country and the National Food Security Council is focused on how
to ensure that availability is restored all across the country so that prices will come down reflective of
the cost of production,’’ he said.
The governor said that the government have knows that is also some individuals and groups are bent on
frustrating the new Federal Government policy on rice and adequate measures are being taken to check
such bad eggs.
“The good news is that there is a lot of production in the country. All the Millers in Nigeria have
enough paddy and farmers are producing and the harvest is coming in strong.
“We believe in addition to market forces, there are some people are intent on manipulating the situation
in order to exploit bigger revenue, bigger profits and some may even be doing so for the wrong reason
to truncate policy which is helping the Nigerian economy; which is helping Nigerian millers; which is
helping the Nigerian farmers and the Nigerian population.
“We are taking steps to ensure that more rice is taken to markets where shortages can easily be created.
“There is enough production in the country and the National Food Security Council is focused on how
to ensure that availability is restored all across the country so that prices will come down reflective of
the cost of production,’’ he said.

More Nigerians Will Be Jobless, Hungry With

Border Closure -NECA
Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has said that by
further extending the border closure till 2020, the Federal Government
was toying with citizens’ welfare and prosperity of businesses.
The authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), weekend,
announced the extension of the ongoing closure of the country’s land
borders till January 31, 2020.
The border closure came into force on August 20, 2019,
Speaking on this development in Lagos, on Monday, Timothy Olawale, the
Director-General of NECA argued that notwithstanding the trade
imbalance between Nigeria its neighbouring countries, the citizen s’
wellbeing should be prioritized, BusinessDay reports.
He said: “While we acknowledge the trade imbalance between Nigeria and
its neighbours and the security challenges facing the country
currently, the citizen’s welfare and business prosperity should not be
sacrificed for the inefficiency of our border policing”.
According to Olawale, the coordination and management of fiscal
policies should be geared towards enterprise competitiveness, job
creation and alleviating poverty as against impoverishing the people
by such policies of the government.
The DG further noted, “Despite the many merits that come with the
border-closure, we are concerned that the policy comes without any
palliative for legitimate local businesses, which negate the attempts
at alleviating poverty and reduce unemployment. The continuous closure
also possesses the capacity to render many Nigerians jobless and
hungry."
The NECA boss averred that the policy was more consistent with income
generation and not in agreement with the harsh effect it has on
households, businesses and investors’ confidence in general.
“Since the advent of this policy, prices of goods, especially food
items had increased tremendously, further making the average Nigerian
vulnerable as 70 percent of poor households budget is spent on food.”
Olawale reiterated the need to address the fundamental challenge of
smuggling and insecurity, stressing that the government must take a
broader look at the fundamentals of its assumptions that led to the
decision to close the borders.
He cautioned against stifling legitimate businesses because of the
inefficiency of the Customs Service to keep the borders safe.
He stated: “If the borders are safe and the government enforces the
bilateral and multilateral agreements it had signed with other
countries, there won’t be the need to close the borders. Efforts
should be stepped up to equip the Customs to live up to its
responsibilities of protecting the borders and nip smuggling in the
bud.”
The DG further stated that at a time when unemployment rate is 23.1
percent, underemployment at 16.6 percent and expected to reach 33.5
percent by 2020, and inflation rate on upward trend, government’s
fiscal and monetary policies should focus on sustainable enterprise,
job creation and rapid economic development premised on wide-range
consultation with critical stakeholders.

Tinubu Speaks As Abba Kyari Takes Bill To Buhari In London

Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended President
Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Deep Offshore Act in London.

Tinubu also commended the president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari for traveling to London to present
the bill to Buhari for assent.

However, Tinubu said the signing of the bill was a pointer to the fact that Buhari was determined to
reform the country’s economy.

A statement he signed titled “The Coming Prosperity,” reads: “WITH the action by the National
Assembly to improve the outdated Deep Offshore Act through legislative amendment, Nigeria has
turned an important corner. As stated in his insightful, forward-looking commentary published in
ThisDay…Presidential Chief of Staff Abba Kyari rightfully asserted the financial provisions of the old
law had outlived their stated purpose. Continuation with this outmoded financial regime enriched the
oil companies while depriving Nigeria of a fair bargain.

“Billions of dollars that should have landed in our national coffers to fund public infrastructure and
essential social services instead found residence in the balance sheets of the oil firms.

“This was no attempt to deprive the oil majors. We want the firms to make a just profit for their efforts;
however, they have been receiving a surplus at the expense of our minimal developmental needs. This
is not as things should be.

“The companies are Nigeria’s long-term business partners and we have no interest in denigrating them;
all we seek is a fair, equitable relationship. The new amendments provide this.

“The amendments demonstrate the important progress to be made when the National Assembly and the
Presidency work in harmony for the collective good. Efforts by past governments to amend the law got
bogged in failure due to the intervention of special interests.

“This time, finally, the national interests were considered weightier than the special interests of a few.
President Buhari and the National Assembly leadership should be commended for this singular
achievement.

“Chief of Staff Kyari titled his commentary “Toward a New Deal for Nigeria.” This is appropriate and
more than symbolic. The title recalls a challenging time in the history of the United States. That nation
was in the throes of economic contraction.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu

“The people would vote to remove the austere, insensitive party that had governed the nation for over a
decade simply by catering to the wealthy. The people voted for a compassionate, progressive
government headed by a committed principled leader to steer the nation out of danger. No two
historical situations are identical. But, there are important similarities between our circumstance and
the challenges America faced during that period.

“Faced with steep economic challenges, the administration of Franklin Roosevelt dedicated itself to
reforming the economy in order to bring prosperity to a hurt and struggling population.

“In so doing, he would reform, at times reinvent, the nation’s economic institutions and laws. This
would change the relationship between the average citizen and the American government for the better.
This was the essence of the New Deal.

“Such beneficial reform is what the Buhari government seeks but in a more complex and challenging
environment. The American challenge was exclusively economic. The Nigerian challenge is multi-
faceted.

“President Buhari first had to tackle insecurity and the terrorism of Boko Haram. He then had to
throttle corruption in official circles so that government could be responsive to the people’s needs
instead of serving those who enriched themselves from government coffers.

“He had to grapple and make headway with these fundamental problems before shifting primary focus
on economic reform. As the title of Chief of Staff Kyari’s composition indicate, we now move toward a
New Deal for Nigeria.

“President Buhari is intent on reforming the economy that it may answer the needs of the majority of
our people. Establishing the Economic Council of Advisers (EAC) was an innovative, bold step,
assembling our nation’s top economic minds to shape economic programmes and policy. Along with
his ministers and other officials, the EAC will offer the president their best professional advice on how
to improve all aspects of the economy and government’s role in it.

“The amended Deep Offshore Act is not an isolated, solitary act. It is a harbinger.Just as the amended
Act brings to the oil sector overdue reform that will benefit national development, the Buhari
administration will take a critical look at all major segments of the economy.

“It will do so with an eye to reforming what needs to be reformed and improving what needs to be
improved. Just as the oil sector has been made better, all other sectors of the economy will be
strengthened.

“The end result will be an economy transformed into one that provides hope, opportunity and
meaningful livelihoods for all.

“Indeed, we move toward a New Deal for Nigeria.”

Jubilation In Adamawa As Gov. Orders Payment Of N30.000

Minimum Wage
IgbereTV reports that there has been jubilation among civil servants in Adamawa State since they heard
that Governor of the State Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has ordered the payment of the new minimum wage
of N30, 000 to all workers in the State.

The implementation of the new wage will start from November 2019, according to a statement signed
by the Director-General, Media and Communications, Solomon Kumangar.

By this act, Governor Fintiri becomes the first governor in the North East of Nigeria to order the
commencement of the minimum wage paid to civil servants.

Shehu Sani: Regulation Of The Social Media Is Made To Stifle

Freedom Of Speech
IgbereTV reports that Shehu Sani said that the efforts to regulate social media is not primarily about
checkmating fake news,hate speeches or defamation, but majorly about stifling freedom of speech and
expression and the right to question power & hold it to account.

Shehu Sani made this known through Twitter

https://twitter.com/ShehuSani/status/1191985809433538560?s=19

I'm Not Here To Give You Grinding Machines As Other

Politicians - Seyi Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said that there will continue to be free and qualitative education
in the state.

He said: “One of the things you should hold me accountable for, which I also don’t have serious
challenges on, is the education sector. I stand before you and in front of God’s altar to say that in Oyo
State, under my watch, there will continue to be free and qualitative education.

“This is our own way to alleviate poverty. When people are educated, I don’t need to give them
grinding machines and some palliatives politicians normally give out. I will give them education and
they will take their families, future families, out of poverty.”

https://gyonlineng.com/seyi-makinde-insists-free-education/

RUGA Settlements: IPOB Announces 'War' On

Miyetti Allah, Discloses What Will Happen To
Fulani Herders In South-East
Biafra’s Indigenous People, IPOB, declared on Monday that under the auspices of Miyetti Allah
associations in the South East, it will not allow Fulani herders.
IPOB vowed to fight the South East migration of herdmen and their cattle.
A statement by the group’s spokeswoman, Emma Powerful, insisted that under the Ruga settlement
initiative of the Federal Government, lands in the South East area will not be granted to herders.
The statement reads: “It has come to the awareness and attention of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra’s
global family (IPOB) over the recent unguarded threat posed by Miyetti Allah’s leadership against
Biafrans over their re-establishment of the illegal movement of cattle through farms and villages in
Biafraland.
“This is not the first time that caliphate leaders have endangered the lives of peaceful laws which
follow by Biafra’s people through their numerous mouthpieces. It happened with their treasonous
notice of quitting and continued through Ango Abdullahi et al, culminating in this abominable
statement by Miyetti Allah’s leadership.
“We IPOB do not blame Miyetti Allah, but the caliphate imposed spineless and compromised political
leaders who occupy government homes throughout our country. Having sensed the fear, impotence, and
political hopelessness of those quislings who call themselves East Governors, Miyetti Allah (which is
the glorified name of Fulani herdsmen) was emboldened to continue threatening further bloodshed if
their demands were not met.
“The most shocking of all is that ordinary citizens who have been at the receiving end of Fulani terror
and savagery for years appear to be transfixed with fear and have surrendered their destiny to God-
knowing murderous cattle herders. Together with their foot soldiers in the Nigerian military, Miyetti
Allah should recognize that their agreement with the governors of the South East does not extend to
IPOB. The same way that IPOB is committed to the protection of Ebonyi State and Anambra West
before it today is how to protect every inch of Biafran territory. This very fact is testified by our
ongoing resistance in Ebonyi.
“Our land may have been surrendered by South-East political leadership, but we IPOB will never and
can never contemplate that. We will not surrender our ancestors ‘ land to this southeastern invading
bloodthirsty herders regardless of the political package under which they wrapped it.
“IPOB is ready to enter our land for these terrorists in whatever way they might use. One thing is
certain, Miyetti Allah will not succeed, regardless of what they do, with their federal government
support and sponsorship, South East Governors led by Dave Umahi and Ohaneze Ndigbo led by John
Nwodo.
“The real terrorists are Miyetti Allah and their sponsors, and they will remain so in our eyes. Their
threats and terror policy is not able to work with us. They are unable to succeed because IPOB is on the
ground and they meet them head-on. The nonsense of the Ruga settlement is dead in our land and can
not be imposed on us.

Behold The Political Errand Boy - FFK

BEHOLD THE POLITICAL ERRAND BOY

By Femi Fani-Kayode

1. His helicopter crashed but instead of him to proceed to a hospital his boss asked him to continue
sharing trader money.

2. A. Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law, yet under him lawlessness is practiced: he
deputises for a fellow who has no proof of both primary and secondary education.

3. They took a Bill to the United Kingdom for your boss to sign and publicised it to further humiliate
you.

4. As an ERRAND boy, your boss sent a junior Minister to represent him in an event that you were
present.

5. A real ERRAND boy... They have removed all your aides from Aso Villa to a rented apartment in
Maitama.

6. ERRAND boy, you went and knelt before Abba Kyari to stop the criminal investigation against you.

7. We told you this would happen but you refused to listen. Today, your two bosses, Tinubu and Buhari,
are against you.

8. As for your Pastorship, well, we don't know again.

9. Sorry! With this latest humiliation of taking a document to an ailing man without recourse to you, it
serves as a confirmation that you are now a certified ERRAND boy.

10. The latest is that your boss has now sacked 36 of your aides in your office. Are you waiting for
them to lock you out of Aguda House before you resign and go back home to Ikenne?

11. We don't pity you. You opted for it. While he's in the United Kingdom he sent you to his village
Daura to attend the turbaning/coronation of an unknown Chief. So sad! We pray you receive sense.

Sowore, Co-Defendants Have Met Bail Conditions, Will Be

Freed Today- Falana
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday the
convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare,
have met the bail conditions imposed on them in respect of their trial on charges of treasonable felony.

Falana, who is their lawyer, said the defendants would be freed later on Wednesday.

He said this while asking for an adjournment of the case on the grounds that the Department of State
Service in whose custody the defendants have been detained and from where they were produced in
court on Wednesday.

He said, “I have already explained to the learned prosecuting counsel that we are encumbered by the
refusal of the State Security Service to allow us to prepare for the defence of the defendants.

“I had already asked my learned counsel for the prosecution, that we are confident that the defendants
will be freed today (Wednesday) from the custody of the SSS having met the bail conditions imposed
on them by this honourable court.

“Once they are liberated from the custody of the SSS, we will be in a position to take full instruction
from them.”

Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), who appeared for the second defendant at the Wednesday’s
proceedings, also confirmed the development.

But the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN), opposed the application for adjournment on the
grounds that the charges were filed and served on the defendants as far back as September 20.

He said the defendants had “ample time and opportunity to prepare for their defence”.

3 Months Imprisonment For Social Media Offenders - Bill

Passes First Reading
Senate reintroduces bill to regulate social media — with 3 years imprisonment for ‘offenders’

A bill seeking to regulate social media in the country has passed first reading at the senate.

The bill entitled, ‘protection from internet falsehood and manipulations bill, 2019’ is sponsored by
Mohammed Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east.

The proposed legislation was one of the 11 bills read for the first time on Tuesday.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the sponsor of the bill said Nigeria needs the legislation because it
would protect its “fragile unity”.

“There has never been a time when Nigeria has been very fragile in terms of its unity than this period,”
Musa said.

“It is not to stop people from going into the internet to do whatever they feel legitimately is okay to do
but what we felt is wrong is for you to use the medium to document information that you know is false,
just because you want to achieve your desirable interest.”

He said the bill proposes a punishment of N150,000 fine or three years imprisonment for any offender.

“If it is a corporate organisation that refused to block that false information despite the fact that they
have been alerted by authorities not to disseminate that information for public interest and they still go
ahead and do it, refusing to do that blockage will be penalised between N5 million to N10 million for
those organisations,” the senator said.

“For example, MTN, Glo, 9 mobile etc. which we use their platform in transmitting these information,
if nothing is done, we fine them and you will see that it will be a deterrent to others.”

In the previous senate, there was a similar bill sponsored by Bala Na’Allah, then deputy majority
leader.
But the bill was withdrawn after outrage by some Nigerians.

Recently, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, said the federal government was
working on sanitising the social media.

Yoruba Nation: The Coming Storm - Wale Adedayo

At the height of the contrived crises, which destroyed the once powerful pan-Yoruba socio-political
group, Afenifere, the leaders believed they were invincible. Eighteen years after, even those of them,
who have passed on to the great beyond, would have realised by now that ‘Omode gbon, agba gbon ni
a fi da Ile Ife.” Wisdom has never been the exclusive preserve of the rich and powerful. They disdained
counsel from those “who have not been born since they began participating in politics.”

It appears the South-West leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not learn much from
the fate that befell Afenifere. Son of man is not a Prophet. But I dare declare that if Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu does not review certain issues soon, the situation of the APC National Leader’s political
family might be worse than that of the old Afenifere in five years time. And that will just be the
beginning, because other unsavoury actions against his interests and business concerns are bound to
follow from the same Cabal that is making every effort to ease the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,
out of office.

Concerns about how Osinbajo was being treated shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed
office for a second term were much across Yorubaland. But not many realised that The Cabal in Abuja
returned to the 48 Laws of Power to get the job of disgracing Osinbajo out of office achieved. “You
need a cat's-paw— someone who does the dirty, dangerous work for you. The cat's-paw grabs what you
need, hurts whom you need hurt, and keeps people from noticing that you are the one responsible. Let
someone else be the executioner, or the bearer of bad news, while you bring only joy and glad tidings.”
- http://48laws-of-power.blogspot.com/2011/05/law-26-keep-your-hands-clean.html

Yes, The Cabal is the major architect of Osinbajo’s travails. But the conductors of the narratives against
Osinbajo are two prominent Yoruba leaders, who believe they’ll succeed Buhari in 2023 once the vice
president is out of the way. But they are mistaken. And, definite facts from our history in relationship
with how the predecessors of The Cabal relate with us confirm that the Afonja treatment is waiting for
our naive leaders. Late Col. Victor Adebukunola Banjo’s major sin was a past association of his father
with the NCNC. Nobody among late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s associates remembered that Banjo’s
grandfather was active in the Anglo-Ijebu war of 1892, where he excelled in trying to defend the
fatherland.

Great Awo pitched his tent with the predecessors of today’s Cabal, despite a golden opportunity to
insist on a Confederal Nigeria as late Col. Odimegwu Ojukwu had suggested. But Awo’s associates
were wary of an ‘NCNC boy’, Banjo, coming to rule the West. Besides, any Intelligence official,
reading the files of those years before the civil war, would have come to son of man’s conclusion that
Awolowo accepted to be Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s deputy and Finance Minister because after the war,
there will be a return to ‘democracy’. And, he would have been the ‘only’ key ‘national leader’ left on
the scene. Thus, with an eye on becoming Nigeria’s president after the war, the earlier agreements that
Banjo should rally friendly troops to prepare us for the way of Biafra was abandoned on the altar of
selfish ambition! And, what became of Awo’s ambition later?

As for those using God’s name to commit perfidy, due to unfulfilled political ambitions, their
recompense will be worse than what befell the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s family across
Yorubaland in the late 1960s and 1970s. Being able to read the Holy Bible and draw enough lessons for
the undiscerning is not the same thing as being anointed by God. To Olodumare be all the praises, not
one of their predictions have come to pass since 1999, despite the serial use of God’s name to promote
a political interest that is a direct opposite of what a genuine Yoruba wants.

Reading what a friend, Temitope Ajayi, posted on his Facebook wall this morning confirmed previous
issues that are only discussed in whispers among those concerned, - that those being used to teach
Osinbajo lessons are Yoruba leaders. Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, was celebrated as a major
item with brains. Meanwhile, one of the issues praised to high heavens in the piece was among
responsibilities taken away from the vice president. Curiously enough, not a word about devolution of
power from the Federal Government to the states. Not a word about our badly structured Federalism,
which the Yoruba wants restructured.

It is very doubtful if the characters involved in the anti-Osinbajo project would desist from their failed
project. But son of man will counsel that they take it easy. The last general elections across the South-
West remains proof that a well-organised opposition party can uproot the APC from this part of the
country. And, such a political party only need a few disgruntled former APC members to achieve its
objective. For whatever it is worth, APC in the South-West today remains the only link to the Alliance
for Democracy (AD) with which we started this political journey in 1999. And, despite the failure of
our leaders to get what the Yorubas want from the Nigerian Federation, it will be a shame seeing such
leaders destroy themselves as Afonja did at Ilorin.

Just my two cents!

https://www.facebook.com/739489630/posts/10157549011234631/

No World Leader Is As Irresponsible As A Nigerian President –

kukah
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Kukah, on Friday said no president of any
country in the world could be as irresponsible in the use of power as a Nigerian president.

The cleric said among other things, an average Nigerian president emerged out of circumstances and
not out of competence or leadership capacity.
Zamfara Guber: Tribunal Affirms Matawalle's Election, Fines
Petitioner N5M
The petition was filed by Muhammed Takori of the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA)
against Mattawalle, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).
Takori and APDA in the petition prayed the tribunal to nullify the emergency of Matawalle as governor
on the ground that he did not score two-thirds of the votes cast in the local government areas of the
state as required by law.

Petitioners also queries the declaration of substantial votes cast on the election day as waste.

But delivering judgment in the petition, the Tribunal headed by Hon. Justice Binta Zubair held that the
petition was un-meritorious in view of the Supreme Court pronouncement of May 24, 2019.

Appeal Court Nullifies Dayo Adeyeye’s Election - Abiodun

Olujimi Declared Winner
The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has nullified the election of spokesman of the Senate, Senator
Dayo Adeyeye.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Uzor Anyanwu on Wednesday.

The court also upheld the tribunal judgment declaring Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator Abiodun
Olujimi winner of the Ekiti South Senatorial election held on February 23.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Adeyeye, who ran on the platform of the
ruling All Progressives Congress, winner of the National Assembly election.

Olujimi approached the elections petitions tribunal, seeking declaration that she had the highest number
of votes in the election.

She urged the tribunal to nullify the APC candidate’s victory, claiming irregularities in the electoral
process.

The tribunal subsequently nullified elections in some polling units and declared Olujimi winner.

All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the election, Dayo Adeyeye appealed the tribunal ruling
at the appellate court.

Anyanwu upheld the tribunal ruling and also ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Olujimi.
2020 Budget: FG To Complete 6 Secretariats In Anambra,
Bayelsa, Others
Federal Government has given priority to the completion of six federal secretariats in six states.

The secretariats are located in Anambra, Bayelsa, Gombe , Nassarawa, Osun and Zamfara states.

Other priority areas of the 2020 Budget, according to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr
Babatunde Fashola, include, fulfilment of Nigeria’s financial obligations to Shelter Afrique for the
construction of affordable housing of which Nigeria is a key player.

Fashola, who fielded questions at the National Assembly Joint Committee to defend the Ministry’s
2020 Budget, said that the government also plans to install solar panels as alternative source of energy
at the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.

The Minister also mentioned in the priority list: the provision of infrastructure by building access roads,
drainages for erosion control for social housing schemes in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Kwara
and Osun states, and settlement of liabilities incurred under the Special Projects Unit, which caters for
project under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).

The Minister, however, faulted the practice of measuring budget performance by funds expended on
projects but not on the actual work done. He explained that most times the projects were carried out on
priority bases. Therefore, the fund made available might not be enough to carry out all the projects
needed by Nigerians.

Fashola charged members of the joint committee to encourage members of their constituencies to form
cooperative groups through which land could be acquired from states to access credit and build genuine
houses of choice.

He further revealed that the ministry was planning to launch the co-operative system for ease of
accessing land and credit for providing affordable houses for Nigerians.

Makinde Appoints Wife To Head State Agency For AIDS

Control
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has appointed his wife, Tamunominini Makinde, to head the
Board of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA).

The agency is responsible for the control of AIDS in the state.

Makinde while inaugurating the board on Tuesday noted that dealing with the scourge of AIDS “is of
utmost importance to his administration.”

Governor Makinde stated that though there had been some progresses with regards to anti-retroviral
medication, abstinence from sex remained the best way to control the spread of AIDS.

Apart from his wife who will chair the board, another member of the board included Dr. Lanre Abass
who serves as Executive Secretary.

Makinde while speaking during the inauguration, said, “Health is one of the pillars which this
administration is resting on, and dealing with the scourge of HIV in our society is of utmost importance
to this administration.

“Some of you like Reverend Babatunde and Dr Titilayo [representing inter-religious body] are also
very important to this advocacy because when you either stand on the pulpit or in front of the
congregation in mosque when you are preaching, you can also put the word out there for people to
know.

“There has been a lot of progress on the anti-retroviral medication but abstinence is the best way to
control the spread of HIV/AIDS scourge.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we have assembled the best hands to manage the affairs of
Oyo State Agency for control of AIDS. I have taken time to reflect on what was the modus operandi in
the past and I can say to you clearly that the State used to be supplied with medications that were just
about to expire. They have brought some of them to me and, please, that era should be over and be over
for good in Oyo State.

“Some people have even came to us and said we must probe activities of the past board and you all
know the chairperson of that board. So, it’s a no-go-area for me. We want to be forward-looking.
Whatever has happened in the past should be in the past. Let us draw the line and focus on our own
result areas.

“I want to thank you for accepting to serve the people of Oyo State in this capacity and I also wish you
a successful and impactful tenure”.

Omoworare: Buhari Didn't Undermine Osinbajo By Travelling

Without NASS Notice
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide
Omoworare, on Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari did not undermine the office of Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, by travelling without transmitting a letter that would allow him to act, to the
National Assembly.
Omoworare who addressed journalists in Abuja alongside his colleague in the House of
Representatives, Mr. Umar El-Yakub, insisted that the President was free to perform his functions from
anywhere in the world.

He said, “Contrary to the claims by some individuals and groups, The President has not in any way
undermined or relegated the office of the Vice President. He has no reason to do so.

“I don’t think there is any way or manner that the office of the Vice President has been relegated.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can work from anywhere he is in the world.”

He explained that the only case where people could raise issues is when a President is ill and was
unable to communicate his absence to the National Assembly.

Omoworare said, “The only celebrated case was that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who
was Ill and could not transmit any letter to the National Assembly.

“The National Assembly had to work round the situation by ensuring that the executive powers go to
the vice president.”

He said the situation now was different from the Yar’Adua case and that Buhari had not done anything
wrong by not transferring executive powers to his deputy before embarking on his foreign trips.

Ganduje Warns Commissioners Against Corruption - The

Nation
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday warned the newly sworn in commissioners
that his administration will not condone any act of corrupt practices.

He urged them to be sincere and focused.

Ganduje, who handed down the warning shortly after assigning portfolios to the new commissioners at
the Indoor Sports Hall, Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, reminded them of the Kano State Anti-corruption
Commission which is ever ready to beam its searchlight on any erring commissioner.

He urged them to remain focused, honest and work together with their permanent secretaries for the
overall development of the state.

Ganduje enjoined them to ensure effective implementation of the yearly budget so as to actualise the
Next Agenda of his administration.
Read Also: Ganduje nominates 20 commissioners
The commissioners are: Muhammad Garba, Information; Murtala Sule Garo, Local Government
Affairs; Muazu Magaji, Works and Infrastructure; Ibrahim Muktar, Justice; Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso,
Community and Rural Development; Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, Environment; Nura Mohammed
Dakadai, Budget and Planning; Shehu Na’Allah Kura, Finance and Economic Development and Dr.
Mohammed Tahir Adamu, Religious Affairs.

Others include Dr. Zahara’u Umar Mohammed, Women Affairs and Social Development; Dr. Aminu
Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Health; Sadiq Aminu Wali, Water Resources; Mohammed Bappa Takai, Science,
Technology and Innovation; Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, Youths and Sports; Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure,
Higher Education; Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye, Tourism and Culture; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Special
Duties; Mahmoud Muhammad, Commerce and Industry; Muhammad Sunusi Saidu, Education; and
Lawan Abdullahi Musa, Housing and Transport.

The governor announced that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, retains his portfolio
as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Mohammed Garba, was the
first to be screened among the 20 commissioner-nominees who appeared before the House of Assembly
yesterday.

The lawmakers asked him to take a bow and go after introducing himself. The exercise took less than
three minutes.

The other 19 nominees were equally screened individually by the legislators.

All the commissioners passed the Assembly test.

Ganduje Warns Commissioners Against Corruption - The

Nation
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday warned the newly sworn in commissioners
that his administration will not condone any act of corrupt practices.

He urged them to be sincere and focused.

Ganduje, who handed down the warning shortly after assigning portfolios to the new commissioners at
the Indoor Sports Hall, Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, reminded them of the Kano State Anti-corruption
Commission which is ever ready to beam its searchlight on any erring commissioner.

He urged them to remain focused, honest and work together with their permanent secretaries for the
overall development of the state.

Ganduje enjoined them to ensure effective implementation of the yearly budget so as to actualise the
Next Agenda of his administration.

Read Also: Ganduje nominates 20 commissioners

The commissioners are: Muhammad Garba, Information; Murtala Sule Garo, Local Government
Affairs; Muazu Magaji, Works and Infrastructure; Ibrahim Muktar, Justice; Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso,
Community and Rural Development; Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, Environment; Nura Mohammed
Dakadai, Budget and Planning; Shehu Na’Allah Kura, Finance and Economic Development and Dr.
Mohammed Tahir Adamu, Religious Affairs.

Others include Dr. Zahara’u Umar Mohammed, Women Affairs and Social Development; Dr. Aminu
Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Health; Sadiq Aminu Wali, Water Resources; Mohammed Bappa Takai, Science,
Technology and Innovation; Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, Youths and Sports; Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure,
Higher Education; Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye, Tourism and Culture; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Special
Duties; Mahmoud Muhammad, Commerce and Industry; Muhammad Sunusi Saidu, Education; and
Lawan Abdullahi Musa, Housing and Transport.

The governor announced that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, retains his portfolio
as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Mohammed Garba, was the
first to be screened among the 20 commissioner-nominees who appeared before the House of Assembly
yesterday.

The lawmakers asked him to take a bow and go after introducing himself. The exercise took less than
three minutes.

The other 19 nominees were equally screened individually by the legislators.

All the commissioners passed the Assembly test.

EFCC tells court Maina will jump bail if it is

granted, says he is a fugitive
- The EFCC is fighting hard to ensure Abdulrasheed Maina is not granted bail by a Federal High
Court in Abuja
- The former chairman of Pension Reform Task Team had applied for bail in the court
- The anti-graft commission told the court that Maina is a fugitive of law and an irresponsible
citizen
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that
a former chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, will jump bail if it is granted.
The EFCC, in convincing the court to tow its part, described Maina as a fugitive of law and an
irresponsible citizen.
This was contained in a counter affidavit filed by the commission against the bail application by Maina,
who is being tried on money laundering related charges.
The anti-graft agency said Maina allegedly stole about N3billion pensioners’ fund in what it described
as an elaborate grand scam.
EFCC said Maina is a citizen of the United States and a naturalised resident of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), with an expired Nigerian passport.
The commission, however, stated that Maina has always sneaked into Nigeria at night through the
borders with Niger in Sokoto and Katsina.
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It prayed the court to reject Maina’s bail request because it took a lot of efforts for security agents to
arrest him after fleeing for about seven years.
“The first defendant/applicant is not a responsible citizen, rather he has been a fugitive of law for
seven years until his eventual arrest on 30th September, 2019 when he was arrested following a joint
operation of Secret Security Service (DSS),” the EFCC said.
Following a report on alleged ill-health and absence from trial, Justice Okon Abang had demanded a
fresh medical test for Maina.
The judge will on Thursday, November 7 rule on whether to admit Maina to bail.
Legit.ng reported earlier that Maina had on Wednesday, October 30, accused Justice Abang of being
unfair to him.
Speaking through his counsel, Joe Gadzama, at the commencement of his trial, Maina said the judge
took an exception to him in court.
Justice Abang had during the ruling, asked the defendant to desist from looking at him while delivering
ruling on the case.

Jonathan Shuns Bayelsa PDP Governorship Campaign Grand

Finale
Former President of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Jonathan was Conspicuously absence at today’s PDP Final
Rally we’re the Governor was Supposed have presented the PDP Governorship Candidate Sen. Douye
Diri to the Former President for endorsement and Official Presentation of Party Flag.

The Rally is currently ongoing at the Oxbowlake Boat Club in Yenagoa and is been attended by
thousands of Party Supporters. The National Chairman of PDP and Governor’s from Imo, Benue and
Ebonyin States are also President at the rally.

Reasons for his absence is still unknown as at the time of filling this report

Godwin Emefiele Appears Before Senate Committee, Asks To

Speak Off-Camera
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, appeared before the Senate
Committee on Finance on Tuesday in response to an invitation by the panel made on Sunday.

Mr Emefiele was summoned by the panel to give detailed explanations on the rationale behind the
exchange rates the CBN used for three key projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development
Fund (PIDF).

The projects are being funded by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

The PIDF was earmarked from dollar-denominated Sovereign Wealth Fund to partly fund the Lagos-
Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Expressway, East-West Road and Mambilla
Hydro Project.

The first three projects had already been funded to the tune of N163.8 billion.

The CBN governor had sent his deputy, Adebisi Shonubi, to represent him on Monday, but the
committee rejected the arrangement.

However, when Mr Emefiele appeared before the panel, he asked to speak off-camera.

After making necessary introductions, the committee chairman asked Mr Emefiele to explain how
stamp duty has been performing.

“The issue we were looking forward to hearing from you is on the issue of stamp duties. We want to
know how the stamp duty under your watch has been performing and what should be our expectation in
this year’s budget as it affects the federal government.

“Also, to brief us what is the profile of Nigeria as a country in terms of monetary policy as it affects our
day-to-day activities as a people and as a government,” he said.

He also said Mr Emefiele would not speak about the projects being funded with the NSIA because the
Managing Director, Uche Orji, was absent.

After apologising for his absence at the previous meeting, Mr Emefiele asked to speak behind closed
doors.
“Given the fact that the stamp duties matter is currently at the high court, I will like to crave your kind
indulgence that you permit us to speak off camera.”

Journalists were thereafter excused from the room.

Earlier, the committee chairman demanded to see the contract documents for the projects and why the
exchange rate for the dollar to naira was at N325 to a dollar instead of the official rate of N305 in a
government to government transaction for these key infrastructure projects.

While the lawmaker commended the NSIA for what it has done so far in terms of funding healthcare,
education, infrastructure and investment in fertiliser production, he, however, called for caution in
disbursement.

This is even as he sought more investment in diverse areas to grow the $1.5 billion Sovereign Wealth
for its contributors like the Federal Government, state governments, local governments and the FCT to
reap the benefits of its establishment.

Catriona Laing Visits Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe,

The Obi Of Onitsha
UK High Commission Visit Obi Of Onitsha At His Ime-Obi Palace In Onitsha- PIC

His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe mni, CFR, Agbogidi the Obi of Onitsha discusses
with Her Excellency Catriona Laing CB, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria and Mr Stuart
Gardner, the Deputy Head of Political Section, British High Commission during their visit to the Ime
Obi Ezechima Palace, Onitsha today.

#Agbogidi
#BritishHighCommission
#Onitsha

Senate Debates Omo-Agege’s Sexual Harassment Bill

The Senate on Wednesday debated the sexual harassment bill initiated by Deputy Senate President
Ovie Omo-Agege.

The bill scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate.

The proposed legislation titled “A bill for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment
of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for other matters connected therewith 2019” has
27 clauses.
The bill proposes up to 14 years jail term, with a minimum of 5 years, without an option of fine for any
educator who commits sexual offences in tertiary institutions, Igbere TV reports.

The bill defines sexual offences as including sexual intercourse with a student or demands for sex from
a student or a prospective student or intimidating or creating a hostile or offensive environment for the
student by soliciting for sex or making sexual advances.

Other forms of sexual harassment identified in the bill are grabbing, hugging, kissing, rubbing,
stroking, touching, pinching the breasts or hair or lips or hips or buttocks or any other sensual part of
the body of a student; or sending by hand or courier or electronic or any other means Unclad or
sexually explicit pictures or videos or sex-related objects to a student, and whistling or winking at a
student or screaming, exclaiming, joking or making sexually complimentary or uncomplimentary
remarks about a student’s physique or stalking a student.

Senator Omo-Agege, in his lead debate, said: “The most effective way to deal with the offence of
sexual harassment in our tertiary institutions is to penalise the very impropriety of the act, with or
without consent.”

According to him, sexual harassment must be defined in tertiary educational institutions as statutory
rape with strict liability for offenders to be prosecuted easily.

On the extension of the bill to primary, secondary schools, worship centres and workplace, Omo-Agege
said doing so will not be necessary because the Criminal and Penal codes already adequately deal
with these categories with sufficient clarity.

He, however, stressed that the bill prescribes expulsion for students who falsely accuse educators of
sexual harassment.

He said: “An educator whose character is maligned is at liberty to sue for defamation under the law of
defamation which is well-settled in our jurisprudence and needs no duplication in this bill.”

The Senate also on Wednesday considered President Muhammadu Buhari’s Finance Bill, 2019 initiated
by Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya.

Senator Abdullahi said the bill essentially seeks to promote fiscal equity by mitigating instances of
regressive taxation; reforming domestic laws to align with global best practices, and introducing tax
incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets.

Senate Debates Omo-Agege’s Sexual Harassment Bill

The Senate on Wednesday debated the sexual harassment bill initiated by Deputy Senate President
Ovie Omo-Agege.
The bill scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate.

The proposed legislation titled “A bill for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment
of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for other matters connected therewith 2019” has
27 clauses.

The bill proposes up to 14 years jail term, with a minimum of 5 years, without an option of fine for any
educator who commits sexual offences in tertiary institutions, Igbere TV reports.

The bill defines sexual offences as including sexual intercourse with a student or demands for sex from
a student or a prospective student or intimidating or creating a hostile or offensive environment for the
student by soliciting for sex or making sexual advances.

Other forms of sexual harassment identified in the bill are grabbing, hugging, kissing, rubbing,
stroking, touching, pinching the breasts or hair or lips or hips or buttocks or any other sensual part of
the body of a student; or sending by hand or courier or electronic or any other means Unclad or
sexually explicit pictures or videos or sex-related objects to a student, and whistling or winking at a
student or screaming, exclaiming, joking or making sexually complimentary or uncomplimentary
remarks about a student’s physique or stalking a student.

Senator Omo-Agege, in his lead debate, said: “The most effective way to deal with the offence of
sexual harassment in our tertiary institutions is to penalise the very impropriety of the act, with or
without consent.”

According to him, sexual harassment must be defined in tertiary educational institutions as statutory
rape with strict liability for offenders to be prosecuted easily.

On the extension of the bill to primary, secondary schools, worship centres and workplace, Omo-Agege
said doing so will not be necessary because the Criminal and Penal codes already adequately deal
with these categories with sufficient clarity.

He, however, stressed that the bill prescribes expulsion for students who falsely accuse educators of
sexual harassment.

He said: “An educator whose character is maligned is at liberty to sue for defamation under the law of
defamation which is well-settled in our jurisprudence and needs no duplication in this bill.”

The Senate also on Wednesday considered President Muhammadu Buhari’s Finance Bill, 2019 initiated
by Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya.

Senator Abdullahi said the bill essentially seeks to promote fiscal equity by mitigating instances of
regressive taxation; reforming domestic laws to align with global best practices, and introducing tax
incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets.

Sanwo-Olu drops ‘Your Excellency’ title, says only God is excellent

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, has announced his decision to drop the title of ‘Your
Excellency’.

The governor conveyed his decision in a statement he signed and issued on Wednesday.

He said he came to the conclusion that to change the narrative of governance, ”executive arrogance”
has to be struck down.

”In the last five months that I have been privileged to exercise the mandate freely given to me by the
great and hardworking people of Lagos State, it has come to my consciousness to review certain
features of citizen-government relations which impede the genuine expression of the democratic spirit
of our society and the meaningful exercise of the sovereignty of our people,” he said.

”The office of the Governor has been celebrated as the paragon of excellence, a temple of perfection
and a throne of purity. This demi-god mystique spreads over the entire machinery of the executive arm
of the government, symbolising an authoritarian disposition on the governed. It has deformed the
orientation of elected and appointed persons who are paid from the taxes of the people to see
themselves as oppressors who can do no wrong and must be served, rather than serve the people.

”Whatever might have been the reason for this myth, let us be honest, the office is occupied by a mortal
who has been called upon to serve the electorate with humility – and sincerity. The office of Governor
is a public trust that calls for sacrifice, modesty and willingness to add value to the lives of the people.

”Fellow Lagosians, I have come to the conclusion that for us to change the narrative of governance,
we have to strike down this seeming symbol of executive arrogance that commands popular obeisance
and undermines the democratic role of citizens as the masters of those they have elected and appointed
to serve. It is a conviction that I believe will send the right signals to all politicians and civil servants
that service to the people has brought us here. It is the duty we are obliged to do. It is the responsibility
that we bear wherever we find ourselves; whenever we are called to serve.”

Sanwo-Olu said only God, ”the Almighty, the Creator, the Protector” is the most excellent, and that no
man can share His eternal qualities.

”Thenceforth, I wish to be addressed simply as Mr. Governor, a title that will constantly remind me that
I have been chosen out of so many fellow compatriots to lead a collective salvage of our political
economy. A salutation that sanitises the paraphernalia of office and reminds us all of our imperfections
and mortality. To give official effect to this announcement, I shall issue tomorrow an executive order
that will formally ensure full compliance with this new policy,” he said.
At a church service last Sunday, the governor said he would issue an executive order against the title,
‘Your Excellency’. He said only public officers who have performed well on their job deserve to be
addressed by the title.

Junaid Mohammed: Why Nnamdi Kanu Should Be Arrested If He

Steps Into Nigeria
Elder statesman and the Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed on Wednesday said the
Federal Government should ignore the condition given by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for returning to the country.

Kanu who recently lost his mother, Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu and is seeking to return to Nigeria for the
funeral had said that he was ready to face trial if his safety would be guaranteed by the court.

However, speaking in a chat, Junaid said Kanu who committed a criminal offence by jumping bail has
no right to give the federal government any condition for his return to the county to face trial.

“First and foremost, who is he? What is IPOB itself? One, he jumped bail which is a criminal offence.
Now he is saying his mother is dead and he must be allowed to come home”.

“He is now giving the federal government conditions for him to return to the country. Let him burn to
ashes and go to hell”.
“I don’t know why the media is giving unnecessary coverage and attention to scoundrels who are just
agitators whipping up sentiments to destabilise the country”.

Obaseki Celebrates Sarah Alade’s Appointment As Adviser On

Finance, Economy
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated with Dr. Sarah Omotunde Alade on her
appointment as Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance and the Economy.

In a statement, Governor Obaseki said her appointment would swell the rank of trusted experts helping
to steer the Nigerian economy aright and provide the much-needed impetus for rejigging the country’s
fiscal policies.

Obaseki said, “On behalf of the government and good people of Edo State, I wish to congratulate, Dr.
Sarah Omotunde Alade, on her well-deserved appointment as a Special Adviser to the President on
Finance and the Economy, domiciled in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

“As one of the best in Nigeria's financial industry, I believe Dr. Sarah Omotunde Alade will deploy her
skills and expertise to change the country’s economic fortunes, which is one of the visions of the
President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.”

According to the Governor, “Having served for over 23 years at the country’s apex bank, attaining the
topmost position as the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014, Sarah Alade’s
appointment has further raised hopes that some of the barriers which have buffeted Nigeria’s economic
landscape would be conquered.”

The statement further reads, “We are confident in her pedigree to deliver in the new role, which bears
huge responsibilities. Undoubtedly, she will make the entire nation proud.

“As we wish her the best tenure in office, I urge her to see the appointment as a challenge to make
more remarkable impacts in line with President Buhari’s Next Level agenda.”

Dr. Sarah Alade joined the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1993 as an Assistant Director in the Research
Department. She has served as Head, State Government Finance Office (1993-1996); Head, Federal
Government Finance Office (1996-2000); and Head, Fiscal Analysis Division (2000-2004).

Alade was appointed Director, Banking Operations Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria in May
2004. She also served as the chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System as
well as Secretary, National Payments System Committee.

The financial expert was appointed the acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from February
20, 2014, until the appointment of Godwin Emefiele. She retired from the Central bank of Nigeria as
Deputy Governor in 2017.

Yuletide: Ugwuanyi Tasks Council Chairmen, Security Agencies

On Alertness
As the Christmas season approaches, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on the
chairmen of the seventeen (17) local government areas, the Nigeria Police Force and other security
agencies in the state to be on the alert and intensify efforts to ensure security of lives and property of
the people during the festivity.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Chuks Ugwoke, Gov. Ugwuanyi further enjoined the
Neighbourhood Watch groups and Forest Guards to complement the efforts of the security agencies in
ensuring the safety of the people and protection of their property.

The governor further called on the residents of the state to “remain peaceful and law-abiding in their
activities during the Christmas season and at all times”.

He, therefore, reassured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment towards ensuring a
crime-free Yuletide celebration in the state in line with her enviable status as one of the safest and most
peaceful states in the country.

EFCC Handovers Recovered Cars From Federal University

Dutsin-ma
The EFCC Kaduna Zonal Office on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, handed over four Vehicles
recovered during investigation of some management staff of the Federal University Dutsin -ma,
Katsina State. .
.
The University officials were alledged via a petition to the EFCC, to have committed criminal
conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds and procurement fraud. The case was reported to the
Commission on September 10, 2016 by the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu
against the former vice Chancellor, Professor James O. I. Ayatse; Registrar, Muhammad Yusuf
Abubakar and the Busar, Sadiq Momoh Jimoh.

Reno Omokri Calls Osinbajo “Audio VP”

Former Special Adviser to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and human rights activist
Reno Omokri has called out the Vice President of the country; Yemi Osinbajo.

It is definitely not unconnected to the recent news that filled the Nigerian Cyber space where the Chief
of Staff to the president Abba Kyari, had to travel to London where the president is to sign a document.

See Reno's Tweet below;

* They reduced you to VP Academics
* They turned you to Minister of Condolence
*They make you Market Women Coordinator
* They convert you to an AUDIO VP!
* Is it until they give you toilet to wash that you will have some self respect?

BREAKING!!! DSS Turns Back Bailiff, Sowore's Lawyer

After Perfection Of Bail

Despite perfecting bail condition, lawyers #RevolutionNow convener and Publisher of Sahara
Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, were unable to secure his release from the Department of State
Services on Wednesday.

Igbere TV gathered that upon arriving at the DSS facility around 4:30pm, the court’s bailiff
alongside Sowore’s lawyers were turned back by the secret police, which claimed they had closed
for the day since 3:30pm.
Niger State Governor Appoints 10 New Special Advisers
The governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has approved the appointment of Hajiya
Fatima N. Madugu, former Commissioner for Education as the Special Adviser to the Governor
of Niger State on Education.

In a statement, the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Matane
disclosed that the governor also approved the appointment of Hon. Abdulhamid El-Wazir as the
Special Adviser, State Assembly Liaison; Brig. Gen. Ndagulu A. Imam (rtd), Special Adviser,
Security Matters; Mohammed Nma Kolo, Special Adviser, Political and Strategy; Hajiya
Sa’adatu A. Bokane, Special Adviser, Tourism and Culture and Barr. Amina Musa Guar, Special
Adviser, National Social Investment Programme.

Others include Hon. Tanko Gambo, Special Adviser, Local Government Affairs; Alhaji Abdullahi
Nasiru Ndafogi, Special Adviser, Political Zone ’A’, and Hon. Aminu Yusuf, Special Adviser,
Political Zone ‘C’.

The statement disclosed that the appointment of the special advisers to the challenging positions
was based on their merit, proven credentials, personal integrity and outstanding record of
performance in their previous assignments.

Alhaji Matane in the statement, reminded the special advisers of the policy direction of the
present administration which is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Niger State and
urged them to work diligently towards achieving this noble objective.

The Secretary to the State Government stressed that the special advisers were expected to bring
their knowledge, skills and wealth of experience to bear on the performance of their new
assignment by working assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in them.

“The governor congratulates the special advisers on their appointments and wishes them success
and Allah’s guidance in the performance of the arduous duties of their offices,” the statement
stressed.

Special Appeal To All Supporters Of Gov Willie Obiano

Since the launch of the latest Security Operations code-named Operation Kpochapu 2 by the
Government of Anambra State, the opposition in the State have launched massive attack against
the person of Gov Willie Obiano, his administration and his family.

We are aware of the new project by the opposition tagged "Destroy Obiano & His Legacies"
which is aimed at insulting the First Family, castigating his laudable achievements and making
Anambra look chaotic and unhabitable in the eyes of the gullible public.

Yes, we encourage constructive criticism but it is important to note that insults and attacks are not
forms of criticism but pure hate speech borne out of biased and greedy hearts.
We are aware that these attacks against Africa's most youth friendly leader, Chief Willie Obiano
annoy his followers and online fans who may wish to retaliate and reply the mischievous attacks.
Hence, this special appeal to all the supporters of the Governor...
Unlike the opposition and their gang of ethugs, let's emulate Gov Obiano and his wife, Osodieme
who amidst all the attacks and malicious posts, continue to deliver on good governance and live
life of charity.

This appeal may be difficult for most of you because of your love for Gov Obiano and his family
but it's better for us and for our dear State to always go high each time the opposition go low.

We encourage every Anambra Youth to embrace the great opportunities that the administration of
Chief Willie Obiano has created for us.

Anambra has over 85% youth participation in governance; the secure & business friendly
environment we enjoy today is in our best interest and recently, Digital Entrepreneurship Office
has been approved to serve as a centre for ICT Development; nurture and expand Technovation as
well as a bureau for social mobility in solving youth unemployment through the Digital Space.

*Engr Ifeanyi ANIAGOH*

Digital Entrepreneurship Office

NDDC Has Collapsed, Now A Cash Cow For Politicians –

Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the Niger Delta Development
Commission ( NDDC) has collapsed, losing its capacity to deliver development to the Niger
Delta.

Speaking during a Courtesy Visit by the interim management committee of NDDC to the
Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike said that the NDDC has
degenerated into a cash cow for politicians

“Those who fought for the establishment of NDDC will weep that the Commission has deviated
from its mandate. NDDC has collapsed. NDDC has become a cash cow for politicians.

“NDDC is now a political institution. NDDC stole our money. There was an agreement for the
Rivers State Government and NDDC to collaborate for the construction of the Mother and Child
Hospital. NDDC refused to pay her counterpart fund. Even the N800 million paid by the Rivers
State Government, the NDDC only paid N400m to the contractor and diverted N400 million.

“If they don’t pay our money, we will Institute a legal action against NDDC to retrieve our
money,” he said.

He said the immediate past Board of the NDDC expended N10 billion during the 2019 election to
stop him from getting a second term, but they failed.

“After the former Board released N10 billion to remove me from office and they failed, they
came here for a courtesy visit. I asked them why they refused to partner with states for the
development of the Niger Delta,” he said.

Wike informed that it was Niger Delta Governors that demanded the forensic audit of the NDDC
because of the massive rot at the commission.

“Niger Delta Governors asked for the forensic audit of the NDDC when we met with the
President. We also asked for the setting up of the Board of Governors for NDDC.

“I urge the interim committee to carry out a proper audit. You will meet obstacles, but be
determined to do a thorough job,” he said.

He urged the people of the Niger Delta to work in unity to develop the geo-political zone.

On the leadership of NDDC, Wike said that appointment of officials is strictly a function of the
Executive Arm of Government. He said no other arm of government can determine who runs the
NDDC.

While congratulating the Acting Managing Director of NDDC and members of the interim
committee, Wike said he would never be party to any plot to remove a Rivers person from a
position of responsibility.

He said despite all the funds pumped into NDDC, the commission has accumulated huge debts
with no meaningful projects across the Niger Delta. He regretted that the NDDC has also refused
to patronise reputable contractors for projects.

Earlier, the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Gbene Joi Nunieh said that the Commission is
determined to partner with Niger Delta Governors for the development of the region.

She urged the Rivers State Governor to forget the past failures of NDDC and partner with the
commission.

The Acting Managing Director sought the assistance of the Governor in the areas of health and
education. She said some cottage hospitals completed by the NDDC, have been illegally
occupied.

Bill to increase VAT passes second reading —

but senators don’t know its details
A bill seeking to raise value added tax (VAT) to 7.5% from 5% has passed second reading at the
senate — but not without some drama.
The federal executive council (FEC) approved an increase in VAT in September.
The bill entitled: ‘Nigeria tax and fiscal law, 2019’, is sponsored by Yahaya Abdullahi, senate majority
leader.
After Abdullahi moved a motion for the commencement of debate on the bill and read his lead paper,
some senators complained that they did not know what the proposed legislation entails because they
did not have copies of it.
Binos Yaroe, senator representing Adamawa south, raising a point of order, drew the attention of
Senate President Ahmad Lawan to the fact that they did not have copies of the bill.
Yaroe said according to senate rules, every senator is meant to have copies of it.
“Our rules say that printed copies of the bill shall as soon as possible be sent to every senator,” he said.
“We are at the stage of the second reading of this bill. I don’t know for others but I have not received
the bill, I don’t know how we can debate a bill that we have not received.”
Lawan noted his point but said the debate on it will still go on.
“We are at this point going to debate the general principles of the bill and in line with our tradition,
convention here, even the appropriations bill that we debate, we don’t have the bill normally,” he said.
Betty Apiafi, senator representing Rivers west, also raised the same concern, but the senate president
said: “When the senate committee on finance reports this, the bill will be made available and we can
compare with what we are amending.”
He then ruled her out of order.
Earlier, the senate leader said the bill is seeking five objectives.
“The bill has five strategic objectives, the first one is to promote fiscal equity by mitigating instances of
regressive taxation. The second one is to reform domestic tax laws to align with global best practices,”
Yahaya said.
“The third is to introduce tax incentives for investment in infrastructure. The fourth objective is to
support ongoing ease of doing business reforms and the fifth objective is to raise revenues for
government including proposal to increase the value added tax (VAT) from 5% to 7.5%.”
He added that the bill when passed will amend the company tax CAP C21 laws of the federation of
Nigeria 2004, VAT CAP 4 2007, customs and excise tariff act CAP C49 laws of the federation, personal
income tax E8 laws of the federation, capital gains tax act CAP C1 laws of the federation, stock duty
act 58 laws of the federation and petroleum profit tax law.

News: We don’t want Foreign Governors

again in Anambra State - Daily Gist
The Chief facilitator of Greater Anambra Forum (GAFORUM), Chief Febian Ozoigbo, has
reiterated that the state would not accept any person, who is not home grown to be governor of
the state again.
Ozoigbo, who spoke with Daily Trust in his office in Awka, Anambra State Capital on Wednesday,
described those ‘Foreign Governors’ as grafted trees that cannot produce the original.
According to him, Anambra State needed a home grown Governor, adding that the person must know
the value of his people. “For any person to just rule Anambra State, he has just to be born here, must
have been bred anywhere.
“He must have serious contact with the State either he is doing business here, working here or comes
home often as he/she could.
“Those who have ruled Anambra well were those who were on ground and connected with the system
before becoming Governors. “Those who had just came from outside to be governors of the state, if
you watch them closely, they don’t know about the State and hardly perform well.
When you talk about roads, they think only about Enugu- Onitsha roads or those roads leading to their
own homes,” he stressed. Ozoigbo also said that the zoning arrangements in the state was created and
ordained by God, maintaining that nobody can stop it again.

Transparency Returns To Governance in Imo

As he interacts with the Media, Highlights challenges and progress made so far.

The Imo State Commissioner of finance Prof. Uche Joseph Uwaleke yesterday 5th November
2019 had an interactive session with the media, the interactive session which took place at the
Ministry of finance Imo State secretariat Owerri gave the Hon. Commissioner the opportunity to
highlight his journey so far as the ministry's boss, the challenges faced and the progress made so
far. Also in attendance were the ministry of finance's Permanent Secretary Mr. Moses Chikezie,
The SSA to the governor on Revenue Mr. Kelechi Omeni Nzewuihe and the ministry's DAF, Mrs.
Morah Chux Okoro.

Speaking, the commissioner took his time to reel out some of the challenges he faced in the
ministry when he assumed office, the commissioner said he had a meeting with staff of the
ministry the very first week he came in, and inquired some of the challenges they have been
facing so far, from the first person to the last, they all attested that the ministry of finance was
stripped off of its functions, the procurement man complained, procurement was not done
properly, the government borrow and the debts department of the ministry of finance will not
know about it. There was no Records.

The Hon. Commissioner Further stated that,so far so good, the ministry is doing it's best to ensure
that they right the wrongs of the past administration, the ministry of finance under his watch now
have records that is used to produce the state's financial reports. The commissioner stated, "for
the first time in many years, we were able to publish the financial report of the state for the last
3years. We've published them and put them in the ministry's websites, we published a financial
report that is in line with the INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING
STANDARD".

Prof. Joe Uwaleke also made it very open that as of May 2019, the government of His Excellency
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha met a paltry 250million naira as Internally Generated Revenue, but due
to efforts put in place, Imo State as of October can now boast of 877 million naira IGR and that
tte target is to hit 1billion naira before December. Another plus recorded so far.

With the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) which promotes transparency, one can
tell how much has come in into the State's account, that wasn't possible before because they
operated multiple Accounts. The commissioner said so far, they have really done well to lift Imo
State out from where she was before.. They have strengthened the same debt management and
department.

Speaking further, the commissioer said the ministry has approved an Efficiency Unit in the state.
According to the finance Boss, Efficiency Unit is a unit that is responsible for reducing the cost
of governance, many states have it but IMO state dont have until now; with this unit, the ministry
will put in place strategies to reduce cost. Because he discovered that ministries spend a lot of
money on stationaries, Fuel and overheads.

When asked about the 45billion naira Former Governor Okorocha claimed he left, Prof. Uwaleke
clarified that. According to him, Every month Imo State Monthly Allocation is 5.5 billion naira
and 1 billion will be deducted by the federal government leaving Imo State with 4.5 billion. How
can one claim he left such amount when he couldn't even handover properly, IMO is indebted and
we are struggling to catch up. Every Month the state government spends 2.5 billion naira on
wages and salaries, 800 million naira on pensions. That's a total 3.3 billion naira from the 4.5
billion naira.

As of 2015 a particular loan was taken from Zenith bank 37 billion naira, federal government
took over those debt and every month this state suffers 489 million naira as interest payment.
How then can one who indebted us this much leave such amount of money ,the commissioner
concluded..

Conclusively, The Hon. Commissioner thanked the Press men and women for honouring his
invitation despite the short notice and urged them to continue reporting facts and truths about the
government and never give listening ears to mischief makers who's only agenda is to destroy
what is Left of the state, making it clear that rebuild Imo Government of Emeka Ihedioha is on
course to delivering dividends of democracy to Imo people.

Vitus Nduji
For the honorable commissioner

Akpantong Community In Akwa Ibom Declare For Biafra

Akpantong community in Akwa Ibom boldly came out today to declare they are Biafrans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttV_JmuudHU

Enugu Is A Very Lovely State"- New British High

Commissioner To Nigeria
"Enugu Is A Very Lovely State"- New British High Commissioner To Nigeria Says As She Visits
Ugwuanyi(Photos)
The executive Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Wednesday, received in audience
the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing and her entourage at the
Government House, Enugu, Igbere TV reports.

The High Commissioner, who described Enugu as "a very lovely state", had fruitful interactions
with Gov. Ugwuanyi on how to further the existing socio-economic relationship between the state
and the United kingdom.

Recall that Ugwuanyi was recently voted by Nigerians as the '2019 Most Performing Governor'.

The award will be presented to him by Igbere TV on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at Sheraton
Hotel, Abuja.

More details soon....

Stay with Igbere TV. Africa's No1 Community TV.

These Just Prove That Nigerian Politicians Are The Happiest

In The World
https://www.youtube.com/embed/45bygZvQJDo
Humiliation: Atiku VS Osibanjo

Governor Wike Begs Buhari Government: Please Forgive Us

Governor Nyesom Wike has prayed Federal Government (FG) to forgive Rivers state people for
any wrong they did to warrant perceived federal neglect currently being suffered by the state.

Wike spoke on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during maiden delivery of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG) to downstream investor, Stockgap Terminal by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG)
Bonny.

Highlighting some the vexed issues of federal neglect, the Governor said, “Because it’s Rivers,
FG has refused funding the Bodo-Bonny Highway even when NLNG has agreed to borne 50% of
the (N120Billion) project cost.

“Even if Rivers has done anything wrong, please we are begging, forgive us, but I don’t think we
have done anything wrong as Rivers people. Rivers is the better place to invest. We continue to
support every investment brought here and the gratitude we get is that key investors are
embracing our confidence to invest here why some people are de-marketing the state.”

Declining earlier promise to dredge the Bonny channels for ease of vessel movements, Wike said,
“What is the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) doing? Rivers government should now be the one to
dredge the channels and NPA is busy collecting levies and revenues from marine operators?

“Why should that be? You don’t expect me to dredge waterways for NPA to be collecting all the
money. You (FG) are building a new Port in Lagos, but those in Rivers you rendered idle,
grounded with no development attention.”

Wike pledged to upgrade the road leading to the Stock pad Terminal where Rivers and
neighbouring states can now get closer and cheaper access to LPG instead of trucking from Lagos
before now, the governor, however, cautioned management of the firm to carry the host
Rumuolumeni along.

“What we won’t condone about investors investing in Rivers is denying our people deserved
employment quota. You must ensure that we get the right quota of our people to work here and
give adequate training to them to be better placed to excel in the industry”, Wike told
management of the company.

Kogi Election: Police IG Deploys Additional 35,000 Police

officers
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, has deployed additional 35,000
policemen to Kogi State to ensure “visibility policing ” of lives and property before and during
the November 16 governorship election holding in the state.

Kayode Ayilara, the Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of operation in the state
announced this in Lokoja on Wednesday, NAN reports.

The police chief disclosed this while responding to concern raised about the neutrality of the
police in the coming election at an event organised by a non-governmental organisation, ‘Search
For Common Ground’.

He said that the deployed policemen will arrive the state on Nov. 11, saying that they are coming
from Abuja and other states.

Ayilara said that armed policemen will also be positioned at identified strategic areas in the state
to ensure quick response to any emergency.

He said that four policemen will be deployed to each of the 2,548 polling units in the state,
assuring citizens of police neutrality in their conduct before and during the election.

An official of the NGO, Mrs Lola Memedu, had earlier in a presentation, expressed worry over
the steady rise in tension in the state ahead of the election.

Memedu said that the group through its Electoral Empowerment of Civil Society Project
(EECSP), had observed cases of violence and physical attacks between the All Progressives
Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Series of attacks have been recorded during campaign rallies and party activities.

“Dekina and Ankpa Local Governments have recorded the highest number of violence attacks
among party members and supporters.

“For example, on the 19th of Oct, 2019 a party supporter was shot dead in Anyingba during one
of the political party rallies.
“The number of death recorded in Anyingba and Ankpa communities is quite alarming.

“There has been a rise in the use of political thugs to perpetrate violence,
as this was recorded in Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Omala, and Idah Local Government Areas,”
she said.

According to Memedu, the objective of the report is to identify potential threats to peaceful
election at the pre-and post-election stages.

This, she said, will facilitate an early response by stakeholders

like the Police, INEC and the National Orientation Agency with the intention of intervening to
prevent violence.

The group also urged the media to report issues relating to the process, conduct and outcome of
the election objectively to douse tension and prevent violence.

November 7

Jonathan, Wike, John-jonah, Alaibe Absent From PDP Mega

Rally In Bayelsa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Deputy Gov. Rear Admiral Gboribiogha, retired John-
Jonah, Gov. Nyeso Wike of Rivers and the Mr Timi Alaibe, who came second in the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP )primaries in Bayelsa, were absent at the party’s mega rally.

The mega rally, which was held on Wednesday at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion in Bayelsa to kick-
start the party’s campaign ahead of the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

Speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Uche Secondus warned security
agencies against being used to rig election for the opposition parties.

He stated that the PDP would resist any attempt to hijack electoral materials for any party or
group of politicians.

Secondus urged Bayelsa people to vote for the PDP as the only political party that can take them
forward.

The chairman decried lack of federal presence in terms of roads, bridges and infrastructural
development in the state.

FEC Approves N58.4 Billion To Construct Bridge Linking

Niger And Kwara
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN. Speaking shortly after the
Federal Executive Council meeting, he said reports on the poor state of the country’s roads were
mere hypes.
The FEC meeting, which was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, approved
N58.4billion for the construction of Bida-Sachi-Nupeko road and the Nupeko-Patigi Bridge
across River Niger, linking Nupeko and Patigi in Niger and Kwara states.

Obaseki: Visiting PDP Chairman's House Is Safer Than

Visiting Oshiomole' House
Obaseki believe those that attacked him in Iyamoh yesterday were Oshiomole's thugs.
Watch the interesting video here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BoOFPGMnl0

Victor Umeh Builds Classroom After Losing Election

Victor Umeh builds classroom after losing election

Ndi Abagana Rolls out their Drum to Celebrate as Senator , OFR Completes his constituency
project.

Senator (Dr). has continued to exhibit an exemplary act of trust, honesty and prudence. He vowed
never to divert funds meant for the people.

Umunnem Ndị Anambra Central, Senator (Dr). has completed the Construction of a Block of 2
Classrooms at Igwebuike Primary School Abagana, opposite St. Mark’s Catholic Church
Abagana.

This is one project among 40 projects attracted by Senator Victor Umeh for the forty
communities out of 58 communities in Anambra central within a year.

Despite the unfavorable outcome of the election, Senator (Dr).

Victor UmehVictor UmehVictor Umeh

is eager to fulfill his Campaign Promises to the Good People of Anambra Central.

According to Rev. Fr. Ekene Justin Nwogueze: “Sincerely, I have never heard of any Senator,
past and present that has attracted such projects and determined to complete them than as has
done by Senator Victor Umeh even within a short time.

“Put politics aside, he deserves an eulogy. Still best Senator so far we should be proud of. Should
others emulate him, it would be difficult to complain about the huge amount appropriated to
Senators for constituency projects. Many senators divert the money for constituency projects unto
themselves and many family projects.

“Now we know it clearly that Senator Victor Umeh is tested and can be trusted for good
representation.”
Senator Victor Umeh is a man of his word. He promised it, He is doing it.

Ọhamadike Ndigbo Dalụ!

Stay tuned as we visit another project site.

Charles Ifeanyi Obi

Jonathan’s Mom Prays For The Success Of APC

Governorhip Candidate In Bayelsa
IgbereTV reports that yesterday in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the mother of former President
Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Ayi Jonathan, prayed for the success of the governorship candidate of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief David Lyon.

Lyon visited her during his campaign tour in the area, when she prayed for the success of Lyon in
the November 16 gubernatorial election.

During the courtesy visit, Lyon promised that if elected governor, he will tackle the problems
challenging the people of Bayelsa State.

While addressing a large crowd of his supporters in Otuoke, Lyon criticised the abandonment of
the water project in Ogbia local government and promised to ensure the reactivation of the
project if elected governor. He also promised to bring the Imirigi gas turbine back to life for the
state to have uninterrupted supply of electricity.

He said, “They have kept you poor and have concluded that you can be easily bought during
election. If they give you money, collect it and vote them out. When I become governor, I will
ensure judicious use of the state’s resources and optimum development of Bayelsa State."

During the visit, Mr Robert Enogha who is the Immediate past chairman of Bayelsa State
Environmental Authority under Dickson’s administration, but who recently resigned and joined
APC, urged the people to vote Lyon in order to have developement in Bayelsa State.

Seyi Makinde Appoints Tamunominini Makinde Head Of

State Agency For AIDS Control
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has appointed his wife, Tamunominini Makinde, to head the
Board of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA).

The agency is responsible for the control of AIDS in the state.

Makinde while inaugurating the board on Tuesday noted that dealing with the scourge of AIDS
“is of utmost importance to his administration.”

Governor Makinde stated that though there had been some progresses with regards to anti-
retroviral medication, abstinence from sex remained the best way to control the spread of AIDS.

Apart from his wife who will chair the board, another member of the board included Dr. Lanre
Abass who serves as Executive Secretary

Ozekhome To Osinbajo: Fight Cabals Like A Man With

Manhood Or Resign Honourably
There was disquiet in the presidency on Wednesday following alleged sack of 35 aides of Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo by President Muhammadu Buhari.

No statement was issued by the presidency either confirming or refuting the sack of the vice
president’s aides.

According to credible sources, the aides of the vice president had earlier been notified of their
impending sack in September while the presidency began the implementation on Tuesday.

It was learnt that even when Osinbajo was hoping that the alleged sack of 35 of the aides would
be reversed by the president, some of the affected persons on Tuesday had their Presidential Villa
access tags retrieved from them as they reported for work.

Some of them, who reported for work, were said to have been approached at the gate by security
personnel who seized their tags upon confirming that their names were contained in the list of
sacked aides apparently provided for them.

An online medium which on Wednesday reported that Buhari approved the sack of at least 35 out
of over 80 aides in the vice president’s office, informed that the affected aides, who were issued
appointment letters in August, included some senior special assistants, special assistants, personal
assistants and technical assistants.

Some of the aides were said to have left their offices by themselves on Wednesday and returned
home to avoid being embarrassed.

A source in the vice president’s office who preferred to remain anonymous said that some of the
aides who came to work on Tuesday left on their own accord to prevent any incident with
security personnel.

Many of Osinbajo’s aides had earlier been sent out from the Villa and accommodated in various
ministries and parastatals, which reduced their access to the Villa.

When contacted the president’s media aides refused to speak on the development.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, neither confirmed nor denied the development when asked
for his reaction.

He said he was just emerging from Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)
and had read the reports just like others.
Reports have been rife that since their re-election, Osinbajo has fallen out of favour with some
elements close to President Buhari who are undermining his authority, a situation which has been
blamed for the dissolution and replacement of the Economic Management Team hitherto headed
by the vice president.
Daily Independent had earlier reported that members of the cabal in the presidency want the
National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) to be taken away from the office of the vice
president and handled by the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster
Management and Social Development.

Speaking with our correspondent in September, a credible source in the presidency said the deal
has already been perfected and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may no longer be in charge of the
Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) except President Muhammadu Buhari intervenes.
According to our source, members of the cabal are not comfortable with the popularity the vice
president was getting with the scheme especially among the masses, hence the need to move it
away from his office.

The Federal Government introduced a portfolio of social investment programmes in 2015 under
the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with the goal of taking millions of Nigerians out of
poverty.

TraderMoni is an initiative of the Federal Government, through Bank of Industry, and

Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme.

The programme is part of the Federal Government social intervention aimed at funding micro
business in the country through soft loans beginning from N10, 000 to N100,000.
The programme was launched in August while the vice president began his tour in Osun State on
September 3, 2018, barely three weeks to the Osun State governorship election.

In promoting the scheme, the vice president has visited markets across the country where he
interacted with the traders.

Our source said the cabal believes the scheme is giving Osinbajo undue advantage and popularity
across the length and breadth of the country.
“Yes, I can confirm that there are plans to move the scheme away from the vice president’s office.
I don’t know whether it has to do with 2023 presidency, but the fact is that some power brokers in
the presidency are not comfortable with the popularity the vice president is getting from the
masses whenever he goes to promote the scheme, hence the resolve to move it to the new
ministry.”

Reacting to the sack of Osinbajo’s aides, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), human rights lawyer, said
he is not surprised by the development as he had predicted that it will happen before now.
“I normally read situations and I say my own. Everything I have predicted in the last five years
have always come to pass. I have made it clear and it is resounding now”, he said.

On the options available before Osinbajo, Ozekhome said he can either fight the cabal like a man
or quietly resign his position as vice president.

While making reference to the fight between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former
President Olusegun Obasanjo during their second term, Ozekhome said Nigerians were aware
Atiku fought his then boss both in the courts and at the political scene which saved him from
being humiliated out of office.

“Osinbajo has two options.

The first option is to get ready to pull his punches and fight like a man that has manhood. He
should fight squarely, frontally and brutally like a man with manhood.

“The second option is that he should honourably resign as vice president of Nigeria before
they pour more ashes on his head and before they bespatter his white garment with more muds
and more excrement. In these two options, there are no grey areas at all. They are just the two
options available.

“He should either put his hat in the ring to fight the cabal squarely. Atiku fought Obasanjo
squarely to the knowledge of everybody in this country. He fought brutally whether in court or on
the political scene. In every way, Atiku fought Obasanjo to a standstill and everybody was aware.

“So, Osinbajo should be ready to do what Atiku did by fighting with all he can but if he cannot,
he should take the honourable way out by resigning quietly. Otherwise, he will be so rubbished
and reduced in significance and importance that he will not even be accorded the status of being
a glorified messenger.

“In a situation where the president can send Osinbajo to his home town to go and witness the
turbaning of a small chief and documents are being sent to the president to sign Nigerian laws in
London, it is a clear case that when the market is on fire, you do not tell the deaf and the blind.
They will know when they feel the heat”, he said.

Buhari Weighs Options On Magu, Fowler’s Tenure

As the tenure of Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr.
Ibrahim Magu, and the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde
Fowler, come to an end, their fate hang in the balance with President Muhammadu Buhari
weighing his options on the leadership of the two prime agencies.

Although there is lack of clarity on their effective dates of appointments, presidency sources told
THISDAY wednesday that the president would definitely make a decision within weeks.

While Magu was appointed in acting capacity on November 9, 2015 and would clock four years
on Saturday, Fowler was announced on an interim basis on August 18, 2015 but got Senate
confirmation on December 9, 2015.

With Fowler, whose tenure terminal date ran into a web of controversy a few months ago,
contending that his effective date of appointment was December 9, 2015, making next month his
end of tenure, Magu’s case is more complex, having regard to his non- confirmation by the
Senate.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the president has been under intense pressure by
politicians, top government officials and others in the last few months to take a decision on Magu
and Fowler.
While some of the lobbyists, especially influential politicians, were said to be mounting pressure
on the president to drop them, both are said to enjoy the confidence of some government officials
and some dignitaries who want their tenure extended.

The options, a presidential source said, were for the president to retain them by giving them a
new term, extend their tenure or drop them.

The president, for instance, could either reappoint Magu for another term of four years, in line
with Section 3(1) of the EFCC Act or to replace him.

Section 3(1) of the EFCC Act states: “The Chairman and members of the Commission other than
ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of four years and may be re-appointed for a
further term of four years and no more.”

It was gathered there were so many forces arrayed against Magu and his chances of remaining in
the EFCC beyond the expiration of his first term tenure would depend on which of the group of
the lobbyists win with the president.

But some sources told THISDAY yesterday that the president might retain Magu by making him
also a beneficiary of the tenure extension being enjoyed by the four services chiefs: the Chief of
Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur
Buratai; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice
Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

It was learnt that Magu, enjoyed the confidence of the president, which was why he was retained
despite his rejection by the Eighth Senate, which refused to confirm his nomination as substantive
EFCC chairman.

Twice, Magu’s nomination was sent for ratification and on both occasions, he was rejected.

In explaining his rejection when he was first considered on December 15, 2016, the Senate had
said it refused to confirm Magu based on security report, in an apparent reference to the
mandatory report from the Department of State Services (DSS) on nominees for top public office
appointments, available to the senators.

The then Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, had said the Senate took the decision after
a closed-door meeting, adding: “The Senate wishes to inform the public that based on available
security report, the Senate cannot proceed with the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“The nomination of Ibrahim Magu is hereby rejected and has been returned to the President for
further action.”

The same fate befell Magu when he was re-presented for confirmation in March 2017.
The Senate had again rejected his nomination as the DSS upheld its earlier position that Magu
was not fit for the position.

When Magu appeared in the Senate for confirmation on March 15, 2017, Senator Dino Melaye
had read out a portion of the DSS report, which stated: “In the light of the foregoing, Magu has
failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the
current government.”

During the screening, Magu had satisfactorily answered the senators’ questions but he was
confronted with the DSS verdict on him.

However, he had questioned the trustworthiness of the DSS report, adding that the security
agency sent out two reports on him with different contents.

“What do you say about credibility of that agency?” he had asked rhetorically.
But despite his rejection, the president had rebuffed entreaties to replace him then; thereby
leaving him to continue in office in acting capacity.

Under Magu’s watch, the EFCC has recovered about N939.51billion in four years and secured
about 1,636 convictions, including those of two former governors: Senator Joshua Dariye
(Plateau State) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba State)
Analysts asked yesterday whether given the controversy that heralded his confirmation hearing,
the president would just reappoint him or return him to the Senate for confirmation for a second
tenure given a new found friendly relations the executive has with the legislature.

When contacted on whether the president would retain Magu or replace him, Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, told THISDAY to get
back to him at a given period with the aim of obtaining information on Magu’s fate from higher
authorities.

However, when he was reached again over the matter yesterday, he said he was unable to secure
any response on Magu’s fate.
“I am unable to get the responses to your question,” he said.

The president had named Fowler as acting chairman of the agency on August 18, 2015 to replace
its former Coordinating Director, Mr. Samuel Odugbesan, who was put in the position five
months earlier.

The Senate on December 9, 2015, confirmed his appointment for four-year tenure.

However, the commencement of his tenure had sparked a legal battle following a suit filed by an
Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Stanley Okwara, seeking an order of the court to sack him on the
grounds that his tenure lapsed on August 18, 2019.

Okwara, in the suit No FHC/KN/CS/141/2019, had asked the Federal High Court, sitting in
Kano, to order Fowler to vacate his office.

But a lawyer with the FIRS, Mr. Barry Chukwu, in an affidavit dated September 30, had
countered Okwara’s claim, saying Fowler’s tenure could only have been said to have started
counting in the aftermath of the Senate’s ratification of his nomination.

Chukwu, in an affidavit, had said: “Following a meeting by the Senate of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria on the 9th December, 2015, Fowler was confirmed as the substantive Executive
Chairman of the FIRS.

“The following day, 10th December 2015, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, informed
President Muhammadu Buhari of Fowler’s suitability for confirmation as substantive Executive
Chairman of the FIRS.

“Based on this, Fowler’s appointment as Executive Chairman did not take effect on 20 August,
2015 when he was appointed as the acting FIRS Chairman.”

He also quoted a letter from the then Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to the president,
informing him of Fowler’s confirmation as the FIRS chairman.

“Your Excellency may, therefore, wish to formally appoint the confirmed nominee as Executive
Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service,” Saraki’s letter, dated 15 December 2015, read
in part.

The court, however, struck out Okwara’s suit, upholding the preliminary objection filed by
Fowler’s counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), that the plaintiff had no locus standi to file the suit.

Sack Of Osinbajo’s Aides Causes Tension In Aso Rock

There is palpable tension in the seat of power, Aso Rock, over the alleged sack of 35 aides
working with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

New Telegraph gathered that accusing fingers are being pointed at the Chief of Staff to
President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, as allegedly being behind the sack.

The sack of the affected aides comes as President Buhari is in London, the United Kingdom
(UK), where he is on a private visit.

A competent presidency source confirmed yesterday that most of the aides had foreknowledge of
the planned sack before the visit of Abba Kyari to London where he took the Deep Offshore
Amendment Act 2019 for the president’s assent.

The source privy to the development said that the aides were surprised to understand that
President Buhari had given approval for their disengagement, having been told that Vice
President Osinbajo had intervened in the matter.

“This matter has been on, but the vice president was on it, with the hope that it would be
addressed without causing friction.

“Everyone inside here is taken aback. Most of the aides were first transferred to ministries,
departments and agencies (MDAs) to work with the new ministers, but there were no
vacancies. In fact, they turned back,” the source noted.

Speaking further, the source said that President Buhari may not have been aware of the
development since the vice president is still waiting for the return of Mr. President to resolve the
issue.
A source in the Presidency confirmed that President Buhari personally approved the appointment
of all the 35 disengaged aides. The President had earlier given a directive on the deployment of
some of the VP’s aides to ministries and stipulated those to be retained in the Villa.

“This was part of a reorganization of the presidency proposed to the President by Kyari
who is seen to be engaging the VP in a power tussle,” a source said.

The source added that it was the Chief of Staff who mounted pressure on the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, to effect the disengagement of all aides
redeployed to the ministries except those deployed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,
Disaster Management and Social Development.

Initially, the SGF was said to have resisted the instruction from Kyari to an extent that the
duo reportedly engaged in a shouting march. Kyari told Mustapha that the disengagement
was a directive from the President. This prompted the SGF to issue the disengagement
letters to the affected aides of the vice president.

President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Kyari, is known to be one of the president’s closest aides. He
plans the president’s schedules and appointment with ministers, other cabinet members and
visitors to Aso Rock.

Kyari’s influence became clear to many during a retreat organised by the presidency for the then
ministers-designate.

While declaring the retreat open on November 5, 2015, Buhari said: “In addition, all
communications and appointments from you (ministers) to the Presidency should be routed
through the Office of the Chief of Staff as it is the normal (procedure) in this presidential
system.”

Also, another source in the Presidency confirmed to New Telegraph that the Presidential Villa
access tags of the affected aides have been retrieved from them by the security officials.

On resumption of work yesterday, they were approached at the gate by security personnel who
consequently seized their tags upon confirming their identities among the names of the sacked
aides apparently made available to them.

“Some of them came to work earlier yesterday, but had to leave without prompting, to avoid any
untoward incident with security personnel who have already been briefed on what to do,” a
source told New Telegraph .

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, could not
be reached for reaction on the development as his number remained busy at press time.

Aides of President Buhari also kept mum on the development. One of the top aides of the
President told New Telegraph that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss
Mustapha, is responsible for the issuance of letters of appointment and where the need arises,
sack letters as well.
The presidential aide directed our correspondent to “please meet him with your question.”

An online medium, Daily Nigerian, had yesterday reported that President Buhari approved the
sack of at least 35 out of the over 80 aides in the vice president’s office.

As reported, the affected aides, who were issued appointment letters in August, included some
senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants and technical assistants.

Some of the aides were said to have left their offices yesterday and returned home to avoid being
embarrassed.

Fashola: Nigerian Roads Are Not That Terrible

Contrary to general reports making the rounds that Nigerian roads are terrible and not motorable,
the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said that Nigerian roads are not as
bad as people think.

The Details: Fashola made this statement after the Federal Executive Council meeting where the
sum of N58.4 billion was endorsed for the construction of Bida-Sachi-Nupeko road and the
Nupeko-Patigi Bridge across River Niger, linking Nupeko and Patigi in Niger and Kwara States.

According to the Minister, “The roads are not as bad as they are often portrayed. I know that this
is going to be your headline, but the roads are not that bad.”

He highlighted the paucity of funds and topography as major setbacks that stalled the process of
road construction. He said poor topography levels in the South-South which can be likened to
water tables were the reason road construction was so difficult in the region.

Opposing Voices: Fashola’s statement did sit well with Ibrahim Usman, Chairman, Infrastructure
Development Committee, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria responded that Nigerian roads
were deathtraps.

“I think the minister is being economical with the truth. The roads are terrible. Take for instance
the Biu to Gombe road that took one-and-a-half hours in the past to ply, now it takes four hours to
get from Biu to Gombe. The luck we have is that Boko Haram has not stuck on that road.

“Another terrible road is the Damaturu-Biu road. That also takes four hours when in the past it
took less than two hours. That was where military trucks and equipment were seized and taken
into the bush by bandits some weeks back. At least if the roads are good, cars can move with
speed but when the roads are terrible, movement is difficult and it is easy for robbers to attack.”

Usman even added that he now abandoned his vehicles at home since they were no longer fit for
Nigerian roads.

Timothy Olawale, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)

presumed that the Minister was obviously not aware of the roads he was talking about. He singled
out the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso road as one of the numerous examples that demonstrated the
deplorable road condition in Nigeria. He also added the road between Asaba and Enugu as
another worthy example.

“The huge craters along the Oyo-Ogbomoso road can swallow vehicles. These are roads that
were manageable before but they have gone completely bad. People spend hours on that
expressway because of tankers that fall into the craters.

“The sad thing is that the government is not doing any kind of palliative work on the roads,”
Olawale said.

“To say that the road between Asaba and Enugu is bad is an understatement. I think the minister
is not in touch with reality. He needs to speak with his road maintenance engineers and get
information about the true situation of Nigerian roads,” he added.

UK High Commissioner Visits Peter Obi At His Niger Drive

GRA Residence Onitsha
UK High Commissioner Visits Peter Obi At His Niger Drive GRA Residence in Onitsha.

The newly arrived British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catrina Laing needed to know more
about Nigeria and her challenges.
Who should she consult for clinical dissection of the country using facts and figures? Well,
yesterday, she visited Okwute at his Onitsha residence.

Also present was Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna.

The Igbos Are Not Happy In Nigeria,

Ekweremadu Gives Reasons
The Immediate past deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has given six key
reasons the Igbo people of the southeast Nigeria are not happy with the government.

He made this declaration at the second Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu memorial lecture
in Anambra state.

One of the reasons, the senator noted is the imbalance in the structure of the country, which has
resulted in some grievances.

The lawmaker complained that in the Senate, for example, the southeast has 15 legislators and is
the least. He argued that while this was so, a zone of the country has 18 while another has 21.

Ribadu makes stunning revelation, says no oil billionaire since Buhari became petroleum
minister.
He also lamented that the southeast does not enjoy as much as some zones in the distribution of
national wealth and revenue. To him, the zone is seriously affected in the revenue sharing
formula of the country.

“Ndigbo have many grouses which have made them not to be satisfied in the system, among
which are the distribution of national wealth and infrastructure. This state of affairs does not
make south east to move forward. This has resulted in agitations getting to a crescendo in recent
years,” he said.

He, however, declared that the Igbos can make progress. “There is a need for true federalism,
separation of powers, structural balance, rotational presidency, issue of local government
creation, six-year one tenure for the president, among others,” he added.

We reject the attempt to censor Social Media in

Nigeria, this is a tyrannical legislation - Deji
Adeyanju
Activist Deji Adeyanju has reacted to the proposed attempt by the FG to censor social media
usage in the country.
The bill entitled, ‘'Protection from internet falsehood and manipulations bill, 2019'’ which is being
sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, passed the first reading on November 5th. (Read HERE)
Adeyanju in his reaction said, 'we reject the attempt to censor Social Media in Nigeria. This is a
tyrannical Legislation'.
He went on to say, 'We will mobilize Nigerians against the Anti Social Media Bill just
reintroduced in the National Assembly. We killed it before & we must kill it once again.
This is an assault on Freedom of Expression enshrined in section 39 of CFRN.

The Anti Social Media Bill will affect everyone. It will take away our FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and
information without government interference.

We know that with Lawan & Gbaja, the Anti Social Media Bill is as good as passed but we
as citizens must do our part. This is what Buhari always wanted to do since 2015.

Osinbajo fails to delay 35 aides’ sacking

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s moves to delay the sacking of his aides were not successful, The
PUNCH learnt on Wednesday.

An online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, had earlier on Wednesday reported that about 35 of the
aides were sacked. However, The PUNCH could not independently confirm the exact number as
of the time of filing the report.
It was learnt that the VP’s office had sought to delay the matter till the return of President
Muhammadu Buhari to the country from London on November 17.

The delay was said to have been sought to allow the VP discuss the issue with the President, but
the Presidency reportedly went ahead to effect the sacking.

“There was an intervention for a delay, but the decision was effected while the President has yet
to return (to the country),” a source said.

The source claimed the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari, effected the action.

One of the affected aides was said to have been denied clearance to access the Villa on
Wednesday from the Pilot Gate of the Presidential Villa.

Osinbajo, it was learnt, had allegedly more aides than Buhari, some of whom were appointed
while he was the acting President when Buhari was in London in 2017.

A top source at the Presidency said, “It is true that many of VP’s aides were given termination
letters. However, I cannot confirm the exact number because it was not done in public. But you
know it is political.

“Some of those dismissed are those who had been made redundant since the VP’s duties have
been reduced and some of the social investment programmes have been put under other
ministries.”

Another source said the President was not aware of the sacking of the VP’s aides, saying it was
the handiwork of the cabal in the Presidency.

Aides to Osinbajo as of 2017, according to Premium Times, were about 52 while those of the
President were 25.

However, other appointments were said to have been made for Osinbajo which were never made
public.

Some of the aides, it was learnt, were being paid by donor agencies and not directly by the
Federal Government.

The President also appointed four more aides for Osinbajo in August 2019.

They are Ahmad Zakari (Special Adviser on Infrastructure), Obafela Bank-Olemoh (Senior
Special Assistant on Education Interventions), Louis Odion (Senior Technical Assistant on Print
Media) and Ajuri Ngelale (Senior Special Assistant for Public Affairs).

When contacted for comments on the sacking of the aides, the Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity to the President, Mr Garba Shehu, said, “The SGF has responsibility for the issuance of
letters of appointment, and where the need arises, sack letters as well.”

But the Director of Information, Office of the SGF, Willie Bassey, told one of our correspondents
on the telephone that he was not aware of the sacking.

“I am not aware of any letter. I am hearing such thing from you for the first time. I am not aware
of it,” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the VP on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, did not respond to
enquiries by the newspaper.

Pantanmi Orders The Termination Of Cash Payment At

NIPOST Offices Nationwide
Ngg.ng report that the Min. Of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has
ordered the termination of cash payment at NIPOST Offices nationwide.

According to the statement released, the decision comes as a result of the fact that some
‘unscrupulous elements have been taking undue advantages of the cash payment system under the
Nigeria Postal Services NIPOST to engage in corrupt practises.’

The Minister has ordered the Post Master General to ensure that all NIPOST offices revert to
Point of Sales (PoS) and bank teller transactions immediately.

BREAKING!!! Ihedioha, Tambuwal Spotted With Appeal

Court Judges In Owerri
Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, and current Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal were on Wednesday spotted with some Appeal Court Judges, Igbere TV can
authoritatively report.

According to a reliable source within Tambuwal’s entourage, the Governor spent most part of the
day in Owerri with Ihedioha trying to meet with the Appeal Court Judges to ensure that all the
candidates of All Progressives Congress in the 2019 general elections are defeated at the Appeal
Court.

Our source further revealed that the Judges handling the Senatorial Appeals snubbed both
Governors but they (Tambuwal and Ihdioha) met with the judges handling Gubernatorial Appeal
filed by Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Though details of the meeting was not revealed, it is believed to be linked to 2023 permutations.

Igbere TV recalls that the APC candidate in the Imo State governorship election, Sen. Hope
Uzodinma had appealed the verdict of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which in a
unanimous ruling affirmed the victory of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP).

Uzodinma, in his notice of appeal filed on September 24, 2019 in the Court of Appeal, Owerri
with petition No: EPT/GOV/IM/08/2019, claimed that the tribunal’s “judgment was against the
weight of evidence.”

He also prayed the court to sustain his appeal, set aside the tribunal’s verdict, order the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as third respondent, as well as withdraw and
issue to him the Certificate of Return issued to Ihedioha.

Meanwhile, our competent source who doesn’t to be mentioned said both Governors later
travelled by road to Portharcourt to see Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

And later, the three Governors travelled from Portharcourt to Bayelsa before Ihedioha and
Tambuwal took a flight to Abuja.

Our source said : “As I’m speaking with you right now, they are trying their best to see that All
Progressives Congress candidates are defeated at the Appeal court”.

“They moved from PH to Bayelsa by road before flying to Abuja.

“They got to Abuja by 9:30pm and will spend the night trying to lobby more Judges to favour the
People’s Democratic Party at the Appeal Court,” the source told Igbere TV correspondent.

More details soon….

Stay with Igbere TV. Africa’s No1 Community TV.

FFK: After Wetting His Bed, Short Man Devil Shed Tears
IgbereTV reports that former Aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode has continued to blast Vice
President Osinbanjo he thinks that the Vice President has been stripped off all his powers as the
vice president of Nigeria.

Recall that this week, President Buhari who is currently on a private visit in London signed the
deep Offshore (amendment) Bill while in London. Some Nigerians raised questions on whether
Osinbajo could not have signed the new law back home in Nigeria.

Kayode wrote on Twitter:

After wetting his bed, short man devil shed tears & said "how could my father do this to
me? I betrayed my people, my faith, my zone, my region, my pol. mentor and everyone else
just for him! I even gave him my soul! Yet he can still do this to me? Dolapo pl. bring me
panadol!

FG Suspends Fuel Supply To Stations At Land Borders

The federal government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, has directed that petroleum
products should not be supplied to fuel stations within 20km of the borders.
Hameed Ali, Customs comptroller general, issued the directive in a memo dated November 6 and
seen by TheCable on Thursday.

“The Roads Are Not That Bad." Femi Fani-kayode Respond

To Fashola's Comment
Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation and a PDP chieftain, has joined many Nigerians
to comment of the comment by the Minister of works and housing, Tunde Fashola “The roads are
not that bad."

In the post made on Twitter, Femi Fani-Kayode said:

"Nigerian roads are not that bad"- Tunde Fashola. I have always believed that Tunde is
shallow, limited, intellectually dishonest, overrated, loyal only to his own ambition and not
too bright. He also has a big chip on his shoulder. With these words he has proved it."

Ex-Abdulrasheed Maina Arrives Court In Wheelchair For

Trial

Former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, who is facing trial over
his alleged complicity in a N2billion fraud, was on Thursday, brought before the Federal High
Court in Abuja in a wheelchair for a continuation of his trial. Trial Justice Okon Abang had fixed
today to deliver a ruling on an application the defendant filed to be released on bail pending the
determination of the 12-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

Maina is facing trial alongside a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited, which
the prosecution said was involved in the alleged fraud. Officers of the Kuje Correctional Facility
wheeled Maina into the courtroom at about 9:30 am, armed with two first aid boxes. It will be
recalled that the court had on Tuesday directed EFCC to move its counter-affidavit challenging
the defendant’s bail request.

The Politics Of The Border Closure

By Tunde Asaju

Thomas Aquinas, the Italian theologian and philosopher wrote “to one who has faith, no
explanation is necessary. To the one without faith, no explanation is possible.” He could have
been speaking of our nation and the hailers who see nothing wrong with every knee-jerk policy
direction of governments and its actors.
Our borders have been closed since August 20.

Looks like it would remain closed indefinitely.

The Central Bank Governor who claimed to have been invited by the press to explain the
economic gains of the closure seem to think that it is the best road not taken. He prays the borders
remain closed for a pretty long time even as government seeks to borrow to finance its projects in
2020. Emefiele sees in the border closure a booster juice needed to revive a collapsed economy.

Emefiele doesn’t need the nail clapping of the unconvinced. There are millions of regime
apologists applauding government’s wisdom in taking the decision.

Hameed Ali, our comptroller of Customs now wear’s a toothpaste smile in support of the border
closure. He has never seen institutional dynamism in resource generation as when the borders are
closed.

A new one argument was introduced during the week, from China. Communist China closed its
borders for so long that by the time it reopened it had garnered economic and manufacturing
muscle to have no need for importation and grow the muscle to take the global market by storm!
This manner of reasoning is warped. When did China close its borders? How do we compare the
socio-economic rationale of that closure with the present day two-way politico-economic regime
in China? What did China do to reset its economy to compete in 21st Century arena? Is our
country thus equipped to copy them? Maybe it is and wailers aren’t privy to that policy
document.

Of course, if you subscribe to the notion that government exists to create emergency millionaires,
you would applaud border closure. Contemporary regimes measure achievements by the number
of accidental millionaires under them. Border closure is bound to produce more such millionaires.
Already, government has boasted that hitherto subsistent rice farmers now perform pilgrimages.

Border closure is public admittance of system failure. This is why one doesn’t understand the
smirk on Ali’s face. Closing borders to force your citizens to eat local is public admission of
system failure and lack of trust in policy. If you have to use antiquated military strategy to whip
your citizens to become emergency patriots, you are not governing, you are ruining.

The few times I have driven across the Canadian border to the USA, I have seen Canadians
disembark at the border to declare their purchases and to pay applicable taxes without prompting.
The Canadian government did not attain that level of national conscientization by closing its
borders. Patriotism becomes ingrained when you see leadership by example and your taxes
working for you. It works less when your leaders hand down instructions and fail to practice what
they preach. Flying abroad for health care doesn’t imbue trust in your health care system. Buying
foreign vehicles for official use discourages local manufacturing or faith in locally assembled
ones. Official economic wastage does not imbue a spirit of frugality in the citizenry.

It is shameful to head an organisation that has failed in its assignment and wear a smirk. In other
climes, the head of an organization that watched idly by while contrabands seep into the country
resigns. Not in Naija. Customs admits its inefficiency by applauding the closure of borders and
then running into warehouses where smuggled goods are stored or going after tokunbo car sellers
who obviously bribed their way by cheating the system. Both the smuggler and the complicit
Customs officials are economic saboteurs.

Contrabands don’t fly into the country like witches riding brooms, they slip in because some
people are either sleeping on duty or sabotaging the nation. Forget that Customs meets its target.
Heads should roll except we are waiting for a BBC documentary to nail the sleaze kings. Guess
what, it has happened before!

There is an element of regional treachery in this whole saga. Naija is supposed to be the big
brother of West Africa and the arrowhead of ECOWAS and its quest for economic and monetary
integration. The headquarters of ECOWAS is in our capital city. This country relies on the
goodwill of its neighbours to fight the insurgency within the sub-region and on inter-agency
cooperation to fight global terrorism. There can be no trust when our government gleefully tells
the world it has closed its borders to sabotage the economy of other countries whose help it
needs.

We have become a nation of oddities. Our battle weary military have taken over the job of the
Immigration Service with its identity verification exercise! EFCC the economic and financial
police would now prosecute doctors who issue fake medical certificates with no professional
wherewithal to do so.

We are supposed to be a democracy, but we are using discredited military manual to run
government of the people by the people. It won’t be surprising if elected governors start
ambushing civil servants, flogging citizens on the streets and incarcerating anyone that challenges
their excesses.
Edo 2020: APC Leaders Across 18 Lgas Adopt Obaseki As
Party’s Flagbearer
*…as gov presents scorecard*

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo
State, have unanimously adopted Governor Godwin Obaseki, as the party’s flagbearer for the
2020 gubernatorial election in the state.

The leaders adopted the governor during an enlarged meeting with the governor at Government
House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

A chieftain of the APC from Edo South Senatorial District, Rev. Michael Egharevba, moved the
motion for the endorsement and adoption of the governor for a second term, commending
Governor Obaseki on his achievements as governor in the past three years.

Noting that the governor has transformed all sectors of the state within a short time, he said, “We
are solidly behind the governor and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu for a second
term. This is the first time somebody is speaking to our hearts and it is evident in the physical
structures he is building across the state.”

Former Chief Whip in the Edo State House of Assembly and a leader of the APC in Edo North,
Hon Shaibu Abdullahi, seconded the motion for the adoption of Governor Obaseki as the APC
flagbearer in the elections next year.

A former council chairman and chieftain of the APC in Edo Central, Mrs. Stella Okoro, said the
women of the state have unanimously agreed to adopt the governor and support his bid for a
second term, noting, “When a woman carries you on her back, you are protected. We are happy
for all the governor is doing. We are carrying him on our back as a sign of our support for his
administration.”

Earlier, Edo State Chairman of the APC, Barr Anselm Ojezua, echoed the party leaders’ support
for Governor Obaseki’s second term bid. He said the APC in Edo State has been active and
remains strong as ever before, noting, “We will take those steps that will protect the integrity of
the APC. Once we are done sanitising our party system, we will be better and stronger.”

He explained the APC prohibits the formation of parallel movements within the party structure,
noting that the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) cannot be an organ of the party.

In a vote of thanks, APC Chieftain, Charles Idahosa, urged the party leaders to intensify work at
the ward level to defeat the common enemy against the Governor Obaseki-led government.

He noted, “We have a problem and we need to go back to our respective wards to put things in
order. There is a big fight, and it is a win for us. We know our enemy and we must defeat him.”

The governor presented the scorecard of his administration in the past three years to the party
leaders, hailing them for their sacrifice and faith in his administration, with a promise to do more
in delivering the dividends of democracy to Edo people.
He said his administration has engendered good governance through policies and programmes
targeted at eradicating poverty and creating jobs in the last three years, assuring to consolidate on
his achievements in the next one year.

“When we came onboard three years ago, 15 out of 18 LGAs were not able to pay salaries and
we met huge pension arrears burden, but with your support, we have made a lot of progress.

“For revenue generation, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Oredo LGA rose from N1.5
million monthly in December 2016 to N62 million in October, 2019. We are emphasising people-
oriented projects because the APC’s principle is focused on people’s development.”

He said his administration has created about 107,000 direct and indirect jobs in the last three
years, noting, “We have been getting a lot of support from diaspora in this regard.”

He urged citizens to expect more developments in the next year especially in the area of
agriculture, infrastructure, job creation and social welfare.

The governor reiterated that members of the APC working against the interest of the party would
be driven out, adding, “Nobody must feel that they are bigger than the party.”

Buhari: US Warn Citizens To Avoid Nigeria Over Terrorism,

Kidnapping Etc
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/nigeria-travel-
advisory.html

$9.6b Judgment: ‘justice Minister Was Asked To Vet P&ID

Contract’
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja on Wednesday heard that a
copy of the P&ID contract was submitted to a Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the
Federation (AGF), for vetting.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, told
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi that his team got this information from a former Director, Legal
Services, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Grace Taiga.

Babangida did not name the minister.

He did not clarify whether the P&ID contract, which which was signed in 2010, was vetted by a
Justice Minister appointed under the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar‘Adua
or the one appointed by his successor, Goodluck Jonathan.

Babangida said his team investigated the controversial gas contract awarded to the Irish firm,
P&ID, in respect of which a $9.6billion damages were awarded against Nigeria.
Read Also: P&ID: UK judgment saved Nigeria’s assets, says Fed Govt

The investigator was the second prosecution witness in Mrs Taiga’s trial for, among others,
receiving a bribe in respect of the contract and making a false statement.

Taiga is also accused of violating various laws by entering into the Gas Supply Processing
Agreement (GSPA) without prior approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and a
certificate of no-objection to the contract from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Babangida said during investigation, his team invited Taiga for questioning and that “she (Mrs.
Taiga) confirmed, from the interview and her written statements, that the draft agreement was
forwarded to the office of the AGF for vetting and further directives.”

Led in evidence by a prosecution lawyer, Abba Mohammed, Babangida said: “I got to know the
defendant in the course of investigating a petition forwarded to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC
from the office of the AGF. The petition was dated sometimes June 2018 and it was received by
EFCC in July 2018.”

He said the team also requested from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, through another letter
of investigation activities, for the ministry to confirm cash backing for the project; license to the
contractor (P&ID Ltd) to operate in the gas and petroleum sector in Nigeria, and to make
available the list of the technical team from the ministry.

Babangida said: “The ministry obliged us with the documents -GSPA and the Memorandum of
understanding. Upon analysis of the two documents, we observed that the MoU was signed by a
company – P&ID Ltd (Nigeria), while the GSPA was signed by P&ID Ltd, a company registered
in the British Virgin Island.

“The then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Lukman Rilwan, now deceased, signed for the
Ministry in both documents, while the Director, Legal, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs
Grace Taiga, witnessed for the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in both documents. Mr Michael
Payne, an Irish citizen signed for P&ID Nigeria and PID Virgin Island, while Mohammed
Kuchazi witnessed for both companies
“From the response from the ministry on the issue of cash backing, the ministry confirmed that
there was no cash backing that was approved. On whether the company was issued a license to
operate on gas activities, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) confirmed that the
company (P&ID of British Virgin Island) was not issued a license.

“We wrote to Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to confirm if the GSPA
was forwarded to the commission for inspection and approval, to enable the Federal Executive
Council (FEC) to decide on it.

“From their (ICRC’s) response, they confirmed that the GSPA was not forwarded for their
consideration. It also said that the agreement cannot be considered by the Federal Executive
Council without passing through the ICRC.

“We also wrote to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to
confirm if the agreement, the GSPA was forwarded for the FEC consideration and approval. From
their response, it was confirmed that it (the GSPA) was not forwarded to the office.”
The prosecution lawyer subsequently tendered copies of all the documents, including the GSPA,
MoU, the petition from the AGF, letters of investigations activities to the various agencies,
among others, which the trial judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi admitted in evidence in the
absence of any objection by defence lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN).

Testifying earlier as the first prosecution witness, Remigius Ugwu (a Compliance Officer, with
Zenith Bank Plc), confirmed that Mrs. Taiga maintained naira and dollar accounts. He said the
defendant was the sole signatory to them.

During proceedings, Taiga looked weak and could barely walk. She coughed intermittently in the
dock. A court official put off the ceiling fan directly above her head.

After tendering some documents, the prosecution counsel applied for an adjournment. Defence
counsel Ola Olanipekun (SAN), did not object. He also prayed the judge to allow the defendant
enough time to recuperate.

The judge granted the application and adjourned till December 12, 2019. He also vacated
November 7, earlier chosen for the continuation of trial.

Gov Ihedioha Stops All Forms Of Tolls And Tickets From

Commercial Drivers In IMO
PRESS RELEASE

IMO INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

Following report of incessant harassment of commercial vehicle operators by hoodlums and

illegal revenue collectors disguising as Imo State Government or Imo State Internal Revenue
Service agents, the Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has ordered the immediate
suspension of collection of daily tolls, tickets and taxes from all commercial road users, taxis,
Keke, Inagas, Buses, Lorries etc all over Imo State until further notice.

This was a decision of the Imo State Executive Council meeting held on the 6th of November,
2019, following a motion by the Imo State Internal Revenue to that effect.

This ban is with immediate effect and will continue until there is a harmonisation and unification
of all road taxes to eliminate duplicity in revenue collection and to expose illegal extortionists
embarrassing the good image of this government.

Consequently the general public and security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anyone
collecting or purporting to be extorting motorists under the guise of collecting revenue on behalf
of government.

This decision followed widespread complaints from Imolites which has reached the Governor.

From
Executive Chairman

Imo State Internal Revenue Service, IIRS

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday For Maulud

Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Monday as Public Holiday to mark the 2019 Eid-ul-
Mawlud in commemoration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public relations of the Ministry of Interior, announced
this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Igbere TV reports.

He said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated the Muslim faithful on
the occasion and enjoined them to live within the virtues and teachings of the Prophet.

He said imbibing the Prophet’s virtues of love, courage and perseverance would guarantee peace
and security in the country.

Aregbesola expressed confidence that the challenges confronting Nigeria at the moment would
soon be over; and therefore called on Nigerians to remain focused and determined.

He gave the assurance that with the immense potentials the country is endowed with; coupled
with its human and natural resources, Nigeria will sooner than later join the league of developed
nations.

“With love, commitment, self-sacrifice, patience and patriotism, we will certainly, build a greater
Nigeria,” Aregbesola said.

The Minister restated Government’s desire to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all
Nigerians.

Ihedioha Approves Operation Zero Pothole In Owerri Urban

And Environs.
#IhediohaNewMediaCenter

#OPERATION_ZERO_POTHOLES.

IMO STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVES OPERATION ZERO POTHOLE IN OWERRI

URBAN & ENVIRONS. - Works Commissioner

The Imo State Government has approved the repairs of Urban Road Networks in Owerri
Municipal and Owerri Capital Territory.
The State Government has approved the repairs of failed sections and close-up of potholes in
Owerri urban in an operation tagged zero pothole, as disclosed by the Commissioner of Works,
Engr. Ben Ekwueme.

To achieve this, the state Ministry of Works has divided Owerri Urban Roads into Five (5) zones,
with an estimated time of completion of two (2) months.

Below are the Zones and the roads approved for repairs.

#Zone1

1. Mbari Street - MCC

2. Orlu Road – Works Layout – IMSU Junction
3. Item Street
4. Lake Nwaebere Street
5. Eni Njoku Street
6. Umez Eronini Street
7. Warehouse Roundabout – Assumpta Roundabout
8. Glass House/ Under Flyover – Okigwe Road.

#Zone2

1. 40/40 Junction – Ahajioku – Porthacourt Road

2. Links Hotel Road
3. 40/40 Roundabout – Fish Market Roundabout.

#Zone3

1. Royce Road
2. General Hospital Road – UMUGUMA
3. Akachi Road
4. Udenwa Estate Roundabout (1) – Roundabout (2)
5. Stadium – Wetheral Road Intersection
Zone 4
1. DSS Road
2. Yaradua Drive
3. Amakohia – Akwakuma
4. Police Headquarters – Works Layout & Intersection to Shell Camp/Mosque Road

#Zone5.

Repair / Reconstruction of St. Thomas More - Chief JP Ajaelu - Gozie Nwachukwu Street. Area
R, New Owerri..
We Will Get You Anywhere You Are, Magu Tells Nigerian
Looters Who Fled Abroad
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has sent a message to
Nigerian officials who stole from the country’s coffers that anywhere they are in the world, the
law would meet up with them.
He sent the message at the 2019 Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit with the theme
“Leveraging Diaspora Resources for Economic Growth“ on Wednesday in Abuja.
“It is no longer going to be business as usual; if you steal money here and go and hide it there, we
will follow you there without any protocol and bring you back,” he said.
He said the commission would protect the investments made by Nigerians in Diaspora in the
country.
Mr Magu said that the EFCC mandate was designed to encourage investors, most especially the
foreigner, to find Nigeria as an attractive investment haven.
“I want to assure all Nigerians in Diaspora that we will do everything possible to protect your
investments.
“There are lots of Nigerian professionals abroad who have done lots of good things and earned
legitimate incomes who want to come home and invest and we have made it a kind of very
special issue.
“Right now we are working on ECOWAS level on how we can partner with all law enforcement
agencies in ECOWAS Countries.
“We are going to adopt a protocol; the protocol will be presented before the Heads of State
maybe around February 2020 it will be

Governor Ganduje Presents N197bn Budget For 2020

Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, on Thursday, presented a proposed N197,683, 353,
659 billion Appropriation Bill for the year 2020, to the State House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget estimates, Gov. Ganduje explained that out of the total budget, N117, 710,
626, 881 billion was for capital projects while over N79, 972, 726, 788 billion was asset aside for
recurrent expenditure.

A statement issued by Director-General, Media and Public Relations to the Governor, Ameen K.
Yassar said the proposed appropriation is tagged ‘Budget of Sustainable Social Development’.

Dr Godwin Maduka Wins Leadership Excellence Man Of

The Year Award 2019
IT IS A VICTORY FOR NDI ANAMBRA

~~~Chris Okoye
Awka, Anambra State.

A renowned United States based Nigerian Medical Doctor, Chief Godwin Maduka has won the
2019 'Man of the Year Award' after he was nominated by well meaning Nigerians for his
numerous achievements in both Nigeria and other countries.

Dr. Godwin Maduka was voted by Nigerians ahead of Four other nominees: Gov. Sheyi Makinde,
Aliko Dangote, Allen Onyema and Akinwumi Adesina.
Dr. Maduka who hails from Umuchukwu, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra
State, Nigeria has also touched many lives through his Godwin Maduka foundation.

Nigerians at home and in diaspora visits Umuchukwu community and nearby villages to witness
the unparalleled transformation by the singular effort of the philanthropist, who built the popular
17 floor skyscraper in his village, the tallest private hospital in Africa.

Dr. Maduka also built over 100 houses for indigent people and widows within his community and
beyond.
He also built magnificent duplexes for the King of the community, Catholic Priests , Anglican
Priests, and 5 of his Aides.

Other numerous structures sighted in Umuchukwu built and donated by Dr. Maduka include:
1) two cathedrals, one each for the Anglicans and Catholics.
(2) built Four Storey Trinity Hospital and Maternity.
(3) Built Immaculate Conception International College 1 and 2 , with buses donated to them.
(4) he built a police station for security personally commissioned by former Police IG, Mike
Okiro
(5) Built a magnificent magistrate court.
(6) A standard market called (Afor Market) containing over 500 roofed open stalls, and over 100
lock up stores all given out free of charge to traders.
(7) Built world class barracks for the Civil Defense staff.
(cool built two monasteries for churches.
(9) built community centre (Community Hall and his own Village Hall).
(10) built post office.
(11) built a state of the art high court.
(12) provided transformers to boost electricity in the community.
(13) built mighty edifices for primary and secondary schools.
(14) built a gigantic palace for the monarch, civic centre, and donated a brand new SUV to the
Monarch.
(15) constructed 3 Bridges linking community with nearby villages
(16 built Five star hotel known as Lion of Africa resort.
(17) Constructed over 100 Km road network within Umuchukwu and other communities
(18) Donated Innoson Security trucks to Police and other security agencies.
(19) The 17 storey tall building is part of the World class International standard Hospital / Health
research institute (which will serve as the destination of all health matters in Africa, since it will
be the biggest and the best of it kind in African soil).
(20) And many other too numerous to mention.

This award has been scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 28, 2019, at Sheraton Hotel
Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari is the Special Guest of Honour.
Governors, Senators, Ministers, and other dignitaries will equally grace the occasion

Indeed, it is a victory for ndi Anambra.

Chris Okoye
Awka, Anambra State.

Appeal Court Fixes Date To Hear Abba's Suit Against

Ganduje
The Appeal Court Kaduna division has set Monday 11th November 2019 for hearing and
adoption of the brief of arguments on the Kano Governorship Election Petition between Engr
Abba K Yusuf, his party the PDP and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the All
Progressive Congress.

The parties in the suit were notified on Thursday by the Appeal Court.

The Appeal Court has up to 30th November 2019 to pronounce judgment on the petition.

Nigeria Needs Foreign Capital To Tackle Infrastructure

Needs - VP Osinbajo
The Federal Government on Thursday stressed the need for mobilisation of domestic savings and
foreign capital to finance the country’s needs in infrastructure, agriculture, housing SMEs and
other services.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President, who stated this in a keynote address delivered at
the 2019 FMDQ Nigerian Capital Markets Conference in Lagos, said that Nigeria required more
capital to grow, develop and attain its potential, Igbere TV reports.

“We need to mobilise domestic savings and capital as well as attract the necessary foreign capital
to finance our needs in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, mining, industry, housing, SMEs,
“he said.

Other sectors where he said such development was also needed include information and
communication technology, transportation and other services.”

Osinbajo, represented by Ms Mary Uduk, acting Director-General, the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), said that the country needed to mobilise more funds to address its needs.

He noted that an African Development Bank report on Nigeria’s Infrastructure Plan in 2013
estimated that Nigeria would need to invest about 350 billion dollars in 10 years to meet up with
its peers.

The vice president said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing
everything possible to close the gap in infrastructure deficit.

He explained that this was being done through direct expenditure and also by incentives given to
private investors, domestic and foreign to invest in the critical sectors of the economy.
“The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (2017-2020) has a major objective of
building a globally competitive economy through investment in infrastructure, improvement in
business environment and promotion of digital-led growth.

“No doubt, this objective requires fresh and adequate capital.”

According to him, the need to attract capital is further underscored by the ERGP’s initiatives such
as the promotion of innovation and technology-led industries, encouragement of private equity
and venture capital players.

He stated that the government had also issued green, infrastructure and diaspora bonds to sustain
finance.

“Between February 2017 and November 2018, we have explored the international market to raise
capital by issuing a series of Eurobonds and a Diaspora bond in June 2017.

“This approach to diversifying our sources of capital has assisted in making our country a
destination of capital and further deepening our capital market.

“Private issuers are also encouraged to issue these instruments, leaning on the success recorded
by the Federal government.

“The secondary markets of some of these instruments are also getting more liquid as observed on
the Exchanges.”

He said that the government had increased allocation to capital projects in annual budget to boost
infrastructure development.

“For instance, we have been allocating, on average, close to 30 per cent of our expenditure to
capital projects.

“We are proposing about 21 per cent of the N10.33 trillion of the 2020 budget as capital
expenditure.”

Speaking on some of the government’s plan for 2020, Osinbajo said that Federal government
would sustain growth and ensure the creation of more jobs in 2020 and conduct major reforms on
Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract.

Osinbajo also said that government would leverage on the private sector funding for capital
projects through tax credit schemes and as well modernise the national grid under the Presidential
Power Initiative.

He said that the administration would issue more licenses to build modern terminals in ports and
continue to engage in innovative borrowing, using Sukuk, Green Bonds and Diaspora Bonds.

“However, we recognise that government alone cannot muster and deploy enough resources that
are necessary for Nigeria’s development, due to competing and rising needs as well as challenges
in revenue sources and collection.”
Earlier in her opening address, Uduk said that the Capital Market Master Plan (2015-2025) was
launched to transform the Nigerian capital market with a view to making it more competitive to
enable it to contribute its quota to developing the nation, through funds mobilisation.

She said that the plan was hinged on four strategic themes: Contribution to National Economy,
Competitiveness, Market Structure and Regulation and Oversight.

Uduk said that SEC, in partnership with the market, had worked on initiatives that simplified the
process of raising capital and reduced time to market in contributing to the national economy.

“The recent efforts toward developing the Nigerian commodities ecosystem and the Fintech
space are also important contributions to the Nigerian economy.

“In order to enhance market competitiveness, the minimum capital requirements for capital
market operators were raised and transaction costs reduced for equities and fixed income segment
of the market,“ she said.

Other areas she said were “a robust complaint management framework introduced and various
other initiatives being implemented to enhance liquidity. “

“Toward improving the market structure, minimum operating standards for all market operators
have been implemented.

“Some of the ongoing initiatives; such as the e-dividend, multiple subscriptions, direct cash
settlement and electronic distribution of companies’ annual reports are geared toward achieving
an innovative market structure.”

The conference has as theme: “Nigeria: A compelling destination of capital.“

Is The American Based Nigerian Doctor Contesting For The

Coming Anambra Election?
There is absolutely no word or phrase that seem adequate to aptly describe an indefatigable and
enigmatic leader Like Dr. Godwin Maduka. A father to many, renowned global authority in the
field of Medicine, an administrator par excellence, a successful entrepreneur, a scholar and a
genius. He is a complete package, goldfish in a glass bowl. He is first an Igbo man, then a
Nigerian. Worthy of note is that, he is a pioneer partner in the development of Awka capital
territory (over 10yrs counting).

Today, his outstanding philanthropy has gone beyond Umuchukwu town. He built bridges
connecting Umuchukwu with surrounding towns of Ogbunka and Owerrezukala. Replicated same
project with access roads at Mbano – Imo State, also extending road to neighboring Abia State.
Lion of Africa has done same for towns he visited with inaccessibility challenges around
Anambra and south eastern states of Nigeria. With donations made running into millions for the
construction of town hall at Ihite town – Orumba South, Churches, many towns in the state like
Oko have benefited from his unique philanthropy. His direct and timely intervention in
alleviating the plight of the masses, especially having built houses for indigent people in
Umuchukwu and surrounding towns in Orumba, motivated the traditional rulers of Orumba to
confer him a ranking chieftaincy title “Okosisi Orumba”.

Being one who detests segregation, he freely interacts with all, attending church services of both
Anglican and Catholic denominations. Trained a good number of priests abroad (till date), has a
library at St Paul’s School Awka named after him. Knowing that security is key to sustainable
development, he has continued to invest in the nation’s security outfits (Army, Police, Civil
Defence and Vigilante). Donated a Divisional Police Headquarters to the Police, built Barracks
and Commands for Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Civil Defense respectively. He
imported earth moving/heavy duty equipment which were used for the construction of Asaba
Airport and construction works at Enugu State. The massive land acquired for a housing estate
project at Orumba South will when completed, ease the accommodation challenges of Ndi
Anambra. He’s not after self-aggrandizement, but the betterment of the people and development
of the Igbo race. This is simply the hand of God at work, little wonder he attributes all to God.

Adịghị amụta aka ekpe na nká. Lion of Africa is totally different from the usual politician who
have excellent blueprints with no evidence of capacity to translate it. It is natural for someone this
experienced, exposed and empowered, to be reluctant in joining politics. But, the call to give the
people of Anambra a #BetterLife has kept him unsettled. Thousands of Ndi Anambra actually
look forward to Dr Maduka saying “Yes, this pain too shall pass”. Dr Godwin Maduka though his
foundation, has positively touched lives across boards and built bridges that has translated to
peace, unity and prospects for the people.

It is crystal clear, why every society with a genuine passion for it’s people, desire and deserve a
“Man Like Dr Maduka”.

#HealThePain

https://m.facebook.com/groups/539554826108956?view=permalink&id=2798056360258780

Nigeria Lost Oil Worth $42bn To Theft Between 2009 And

2018 – NEITI
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said that Nigeria lost about
$42 billion to crude theft as well as domestic and refined petroleum products losses between 2009
and 2018.

This is according to the latest edition NEITI’s Policy Brief titled “Stemming the Increasing Cost
of Oil Theft to Nigeria” published Wednesday in Abuja.

In its brief, the NEITI gave a detailed breakdown of what the nation had lost including $38.5
billion on crude theft alone and $1.6 billion on domestic crude and another $1.8 billion on refined
petroleum products.

NEITI also stated that Nigeria loses an average of $11 million daily, $349 million in a month and
about $4.2 billion annually to crude and product losses arising from stealing, process lapses and
pipeline vandalism.

These loses were blamed on the failure of the Nigerian government to adopt the oil fingerprinting
technology as well as the lack of qualitative metering instruments at the various facilities across
the country.

The report states that oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities have deeply
affected the lives of people living within the environments where oil facilities are mounted.

In recommending solutions to oil theft across Nigeria, NEITI said adequate legal sanctions
should be handed anyone found wanting or involved in oil theft and other oil related crimes.

Deployment of modern technology to tackle oil leakages was also proffered.

Joseph Chukwueke Elected Mayor Of Woodlynne In New

Jersey
A Nigerian, Joseph Chukwueke, has been elected mayor of the city of Woodlynne, Camden
County, New Jersey, United States.

Igbere TV learnt that Mr Chukwueke defeated his main rival, Clyde Cook, by a wide margin in
an election held on Tuesday.

The Nigerian had served as chairperson for emergency management as a member of the City
Council before his historic election to the office of mayor.

He will serve for a single term of three years.

BREAKING: Restore SDP candidate for Kogi gov poll,
Court orders INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been ordered to restore Mrs.
Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a candidate in the forthcoming
November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa of the Federal High Court Abuja gave the order on Thursday.

She stated that INEC acted above the law by refusing to accept the party and its candidate for the
poll.

The commission, she said, had no power to disqualify any candidate for an election without a
court backing.

She ordered the Commission to put the SDP logo on the ballot papers to be used for the election.

Details shortly…

Osinbajo’s Security Beat Abayomi Adeshida, Vanguard

Photojournalist
A photojournalist with the Vanguard Newspapers, attached to the Aso Rock Villa, Mr Abayomi
Adeshida, was on Thursday morning beaten up by security details of Vice-President Yemi
Osinbajo.

The incident took place at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja during the opening session of the
Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
NiDCOM, chaired by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Narrating his experience to journalists, Adeshida said he was taking photographs of the Vice-
President taking a tour of the exhibition stands at the event, when five personnel of the
Department of State Services (DSS) suddenly pounced on him as Osinbajo was being presented a
copy of the magazine as a souvenir at a particular stand.

Adeshida said he was not told his supposed infraction as he was not in any way obstructing the
event or doing anything out of the ordinary before the security details started hitting him, dragged
him over the floor and damaged his professional camera, right in the presence of the Vice-
President.

“I was shocked when these DSS started beating me for no apparent reason. They tore off my
Presidential Villa accreditation tag on the shirt and dragged me on the floor while hitting me and
kicking me.

“I believe they would have done much worse if not for the intervention of the Vice-President’s
Aide-de-Camp (ADC), who I noticed was making hand movements for them to leave me alone.
“I am feeling pains all over my body and a particular severe pain on my right leg on which I
don’t even know what they hit me with”, the Adeshida before he headed for the hospital for
treatment.

No other aides of the Vice-President made efforts to stop the humiliation of the journalist in the
presence of Osibanjo, who may have been embarrassed by the situation.

The incident happened a day after 35 aides of the Vice-President were reportedly sacked on the
orders of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is away on a private visit to the United Kingdom.

Names Of Osinbajo’s Aides Fired By Buhari

Daily Trust Online has exclusively obtained names and portfolios of some of the aides of Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, who were sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The crisis rocking the presidency yesterday worsened as Buhari sacked 35 aides of Osinbajo,
Daily Trust reports.

Prominent on the list of the affected aides is Ajibola Ajayi, the daughter of former governor of
Oyo state, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi.
She was appointed Special Assistant, Legal to the President (VP’s office) in August 2019. She
was a former SA to the President on Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE (VP’s office) from
October 2015 to May 2019.

Also on the list are Lanre Osinbona, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on ICT; Imeh Okon, SSA
on Infrastructure; Jide Awolowo, SA, Oil & Gas; Gambo Manzo, SA Political and Edobor Iyamu,
SSA, Niger Delta.

But the presidency also yesterday insisted that there was no rift between the president and his
embattled deputy.

Multiple presidency sources confirmed the sack of the aides of the vice president, heightening the
tension in the country’s seat of power amidst insinuations that the unfolding drama was about the
2023 presidential election.

The vice president reportedly had over 80 aides who were deployed in many strategic positions,
with sources around the corridors of power saying the recent attention around the vice president
was aimed at reducing his influence, just as it happened to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar
shortly after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo won a second term.

A presidency source said letters relieving the aides of the vice president of their appointments
were issued to those affected yesterday.

Daily Trust gathered that the affected aides were attached to different Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs). One of the sources, who sought anonymity said: “The letters were
distributed to the affected aides through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation. They were not working within the precinct of the presidential villa.”
President Buhari, who is on a 15-day private visit to the United Kingdom, is expected back home
on November 17.

It was also gathered that access tags to the presidential villa of some of the aides of the vice
president were retrieved yesterday by security personnel attached to the villa.

Another report, however, suggested that the action was taken to prevent the aides from being
redundant as some of the jobs being undertaken by them were no longer under the control of the
vice president.

Contacted separately, the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Media and Publicity,
Malam Garba Shehu and Mr Laolu Akande who normally spoke on behalf of the vice president,
neither confirmed nor dismissed the reported sack of the 35 aides.

A text message sent to our correspondent by Shehu reads: “The SGF has responsibility for the
issuance of letters of appointment, and where the need arises, sack letters as well. Please meet
him with your questions.” For his part, Akande said, “I just heard it just like anybody. But I’m
going to find out what is happening.”

Appeal court affirms Okorocha’s electoral victory

The Appeal Court in Owerri on Thursday upheld the electoral victory of Senator Rochas
Okorocha, of Imo West senatorial district.

The chairman of the panel, R.A Ada, who read the judgment said that the appeals filed by Senator
Osita Izunaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Jones Onyereri of the Peoples
Democratic Party against Okorocha lacked merit.

The jurist contended that the judgment of the lower court (Tribunal) which upheld Okorocha’s
election was in order.

The panel said that the petitioners could not prove their allegations of violence, over-voting,
mutilation of electoral results and hijacking of electoral officers.

The justice said that the petitioners could not prove the allegation of duress as the returning
officer alleged.

Okorocha had on February 23 defeated Onyereri and Izunaso but the returning officer alleged
that he declared Okorocha winner under duress.

PDP Rep, Hon. Bamidele Salam Tackles

Fashola Over His Comment On Bad Roads
The member of the House of Representatives representing Ede-North/Ede-
South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, Mr Bamidele Salam, has
challenged the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and other
relevant stakeholders to travel only by road for the next 90 days.
Salam challenged the minister to the road trips in response to his claim that roads in the country are not
as bad as they are portrayed.
Fashola had on Wednesday, shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting, dismissed reports on
the poor state of the country’s roads as mere hypes.
“The roads are not as bad as they are often portrayed. I know that this is going to be your headline, but
the roads are not that bad,” he had told State House correspondents.
Salam, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, however, faulted the minister.
The lawmaker said, “I found this statement, which had been repeated by the Honourable Minister at
least on two previous occasions as a clear indication that some of us in public offices are not, at all, in
tune with the horrendous realities of our fellow citizens’ daily experience.”
According to Salam, appreciating what Nigerians go through on the bad roads daily requires that public
office holders put themselves in the shoes of the average Nigerian and get first-hand experience of how
the people survive on daily basis.
Salam called on Fashola and every relevant stakeholder to use these Nigerian roads for a reasonable
length of time to understand the yearnings of Nigerians.
He said, “As a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, I will be throwing a road
travel challenge to the Honourable Minister and all persons concerned to avoid air travel for all local
trips in the next 90 days.
“If we will agree to this challenge, we may come back with a better appreciation of the true state of our
road infrastructure and the desperate things we need to do to save our economy from further disruptions
as a result of the burgeoning crisis in the road transportation sector.”

2023 Presidency: Tinubu Will Fail If He

Contest - Cleric
Pastor Olayiwola Mercy is the head of Divine Universal Church of Christ Int’l, located in
Oke-Ata Area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The cleric, who is known for his predictions
on national issues, particularly politics, at the end of a monthly programme of the church,
held at the “Immunisation Mountain” of the church, reeled out some predictions on 2023
elections. Among the predictions he made, he said the national leader of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu’s plans for the presidency will not be successful.
Southwest and 2023
The cleric said it is the turn of the Southwest to produce the president of Nigeria, but some elements in
the north would want to remain beyond 2023, using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari to
hoodwink the people. He cautioned that the southwest must be united in order to wrest power from the
north, which he said would want to relinquish power.
“God told me that the north is not ready to let go in 2023 and the Southwest which is next to produce
the president must unite in order to be able to get to Aso Rock after the incumbent president. If the
northern elements fail to achieve their objective, they will look for a stooge that will be puppet-strung
from the Southwest and support him to emerge president. To escape this trap, the region must work
together to ensure the plans of the northern cabal falls through”.
Tinubu’s presidential ambition
“God told me that Tinubu should forget about contesting for the presidency in 2023, because he will
fail. Though he is the undisputed leader of the Yoruba people, he is only destined to be a kingmaker and
not a king. Rather, he should throw his weight behind a candidate from the Southwest and remain
behind the scene. God said this is best for him and any attempt to disregard this message and warning,
and force his way into the presidential contest, he might be faced with unpalatable situation. Anybody
who knows Tinubu should please convey this to him, God does not lie”.
On Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
“God said what Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently going through in the hand of the cabal in the
presidency is to cage him and his potentials. The fight is not against him, but he is being vilified to get
to a particular person. God told me that what is happening to him is beyond his power, but he will
weather the storm. Again, God said he (Osinbajo) must assemble 21 true men of God to pray for his
safety becauase these powerful elements in the corridors of power are orchestrating something bad and
the VP must pray fervently to God to avert this”.
Insecurity
“Tough time awaits Nigerians as there will be increase in the insecurity situation in the country.
Kidnapping, banditry and assassinations will rampant, but God will take charge and the situation will
subside. Nigerians should pray not to be victims of this tough time until it passes”.
Unity of Nigeria
“Many people are afraid that the country may break up because of insecurity and agitations by the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). God said that no matter how vociferous the agitations become,
Nigeria will not break up. Whatever the situation, the country will remain one indivisible nation”.
On the arrest of Omoyele Sowore
“God said that the travails of Omoyele Sowore will soon be over and will regain his freedom.
Meanwhile, God instructed me to tell Sowore to abandon the struggle and his call for revolution in the
country. He should also forget about contesting for the office of the president as he is not destined to
rule Nigeria, but he can take a shot at the senate. As a senator, God said he would achieve what he was
trying to achieve through a call for revolution”.
Pastors in politics
Nigerians should be wary of some clerics who claim God told them to contest for political office. They
are nothing but liars and thieves, who want to deep their hands into coffers of government. Politics
should be left for politicians, pastors in politics are simply thieves. People should disregard such
pastors who claim God told them to vie for political offices”.

Appeal Court Affirms El-Rufai's Election As Governor Of

Kaduna State
The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna State on Thursday affirmed Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna
State as the winner of the March 9 governorship election in the State.

The appellate court upheld the judgement of the election tribunal which had earlier affirmed El-Rufai,
the candidate of the All Progressive Congress as the winner of the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the governor the winner of the March 9
election in the state.

Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Isa Ashiru
approached the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal where the tribunal dismissed his
petition for lacking in merit.

Ashiru and his party had asked the tribunal to cancel a total of 515,951 votes, which they claimed were
unlawfully allocated to the APC as well as 124,210 unlawful votes, which they said were added to the
PDP, through wrong or double entry on the result sheets by INEC.

After the tribunal’s verdict, the PDP candidate went ahead to file an appeal.

The five-man panel of the Appeal Court of judges upheld the decision of the tribunal and declared El-
Rufai as the duly elected governor of Kaduna State.

In the unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Olumuyiwa Aburu, the appellate court upheld the
judgement of the tribunal which dismissed the petition of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party, Ashiru for lacking in merit.

The Appellate Court aligned with the tribunal judgement which ruled that the PDP candidate could not
prove his allegations of massive rigging and other electoral irregularities leveled against the governor at
the poll.
China starts 6G development technology a week
after 5G launch
China kick-starts development of 6G technology less than a week
after rolling out its superfast 5G network
• China has officially begun developing the next-generation internet connection
• Beijing has drafted 37 experts from universities and institutions for the project
• The news was announced during a 6G launching ceremony in Beijing on Sunday
• China's state-owned tele-com carriers launched their 5G data plans last week
China has officially begun the research and development of 6G technology.
The news came less than a week after the country rolled out its superfast 5G network. 
The country's Technology Bureau has formally set up a team of experts to work on the next-generation
mobile internet connection, state media said today.
A total of 37 telecommunication specialists drawn from universities, institutions and corporations are
on the panel, which is tasked with laying out the development of 6G and proving the scientific
feasibility of it.
The country's Technology Bureau has formally set up a team of experts to work on the next-generation
6G mobile internet connection just a week after launching 5G
The news was announced during a 6G launch ceremony in Beijing on Sunday, according to a report by
Chinanews.com.
Wang Xi, deputy minister of the Technology Bureau, said at the conference that the bureau was set to
work with the experts to design a specific research plan for 6G and carry out preliminary research. 
China's three state-owned telecommunication carriers - China Mobile, China Unicom and China
Telecom - launched their 5G data plans just last Thursday.
The country is due to activate more than 130,000 5G base stations by the end of this year to support the
network, which is one of the world's largest 5G deployments.
Chinese engineers have already built a '5G smart town' near Shanghai, where residents will be able to
download TV series, movies or games at an impressive speed of 1.7GB per second.
China has named Wuzhen the country's first '5G town' which has which boasts super-fast internet
connection in every corner of the place. Wuzhen (pictured) is an ancient water town
5G signal is sent out to the nooks and crannies of the 27-square-mile town of Wuzhen by more than
140 transmitters, which went into service recently.
The country is also on its way to completing a 5G-equipped high-speed train station, in collaboration
with Chinese tech giant Huawei.
The 'super-fast' 5G network will be fitted to the existing Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which is
one of Asia's busiest traffic hubs and handles some 60 million passengers a year .
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (pictured) handles some 60 million passengers a year
Visitors to the station will be able to download a 2GB high-definition film in less than 20 seconds,
according to Huawei.
In comparison, it would take three minutes and 20 seconds to download the same film on a standard 4G
network. 

WHAT IS 5G AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

The evolution of the G system started in 1980 with the invention of the mobile phone which allowed
for analogue data to be transmitted via phone calls.   
Digital came into play in 1991 with 2G and SMS and MMS capabilities were launched. 
Since then, the capabilities and carrying capacity for the mobile network has increased massively. 
More data can be transferred from one point to another via the mobile network quicker than ever.
5G is expected to be up to 1,000 times faster than the currently used 4G. 
Whilst the jump from 3G to 4G was most beneficial for mobile browsing and working, the step to 5G
will be so fast they become almost real-time. 
That means mobile operations will be just as fast as office-based internet connections.
Potential uses for 5g include: 
• Simultaneous translation of several languages in a party conference call 
• Self-driving cars can stream movies, music and navigation information from the cloud
• A full length 8GB film can be downloaded in six seconds. 
5G is expected to be so quick and efficient it is possible it could start the end of wired connections.  
By the end of 2020, industry estimates claim 50 billion devices will be connected to 5G.
The evolution of from 1G to 5G. The predicted speed of 5G is more than 1Gbps - 1,000 times greater
than the existing speed of 4G and could be implemented in laptops of the future 

Orji Kalu Reacts To Appeal Court Ruling

JUST IN!!! "We Have Been Vindicated" - Sen. Orji Kalu Reacts To Appeal Court Ruling

The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday, said him and his supporters
have been vindicated following the Appeal Court Ruling in Owerri today.

Igbere TV had reported that Appeal Court in Owerri on Thursday, November 7, upheld the election of
former governor of  Abia State , Orji Uzor Kalu, as the senator for Abia North Senatorial District, in the
2019 National Assembly Election.

Kalu re-assured Nigerians of his unwavering and determined efforts in advancing the cause of the
people.

According to Kalu, the decision of the Appellate court has laid to rest rumours  about his landslide
victory in the election.

While admonishing Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and other
politicians in Abia state to join hands with him in driving development across the state, the Senate
Chief Whip cautioned his supporters, associates and party faithful to be wary of their utterances and
actions, adding that all hands must be on deck to work collectively for the betterment of Abia North
Senatorial District and Abia state at large.

In a statement released by his media office on Thursday, Kalu expressed appreciation to the
incorruptible members of the Appellate panel led by Justice Stephen Adah for maintaining their
integrity for the sake of Nigeria's nascent democracy, noting that the rule of law must be upheld and
respected at all times.

The Senator equally commended stakeholders and members of the APC for their unshakable loyalty to
the party, stressing that the APC will continue to grow from strength to strength.

The statement reads, “as we rejoice today, following the affirmation of the victory of our party, APC in
the February 23, 2019 national assembly election in Abia North Senatorial District, I urge our party
members, loyalists, supporters and other stakeholders not to engage in any verbal and physical attack
with our opponents.

“We have been vindicated by the Appellate court and we shall continue to sustain our exemplary
qualities, which are anchored on the ideals of the APC.

"The time is now to consolidate our achievements thus far, with a view to doing more for the masses.

“Let us come together, regardless of party affiliation, to find last solutions to the challenges facing our
people especially the down trodden in our communities.

"All efforts must be harmonized to drive sustainable growth and development across Abia state.

“Politics should be seen as an opportunity to serve and unite the people and not a tool for disharmony
and social vices.

"Over the years, we have been provoked and we have been attacked by our political rivals.
“However, because of our ideals, we have been law-abiding citizens for the sake of nation building.

"With the verdict of the Court of Appeal, it is clear that justice can be delayed but not denied"

Kalu, who has initiated various social investment programmes  including free medical services to
indigents, interest-free loans to petty traders, free transport scheme, education scholarship scheme and
free agricultural seedlings to farmers in Abia North Senatorial District , promised to sustain his
humanitarian gestures across the country.

Gombe: 40 Megawatt Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant To Be

Commissioned In December
Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant to be commissioned in December, as Governor Inuwa Yahaya meets
company handling project

...Governor makes case for adoption of local content policy

The Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe state is to be commissioned in December this year.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Mabon Energy Limited, Mr. Christopher Cyril during
a meeting with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the Government House, Gombe.

The project will produce 40 mega watts of electricity to improve and stabilise power supply as well as
promote socio-economic development of the region and country at large.

The MD who presented a progress report, containing an over view of the project to the Governor said
all is now set for its launching, requesting the Governor as the chief executive officer of the state to fix
any convenient date in December for the commissioning ceremony.

Governor Yahaya expressed delight that after several years, the Dadinkowa Hydropower project is now
coming to fruition, noting that apart from enhancing electricity supply, the plant will also promote
micro, small and medium enterprises for the benefit of the people of the state.

He said already there is a plan on ground by the federal Government to commence 3000 hectre
irrigation expansion scheme in Dadinkowa while Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN will also set
up a sub station to service other areas, disclosing also that his administration is considering the
establishment of an industrial park within the vicinity or along the river belt in order to reap maximally
from the project's value chain.

Governor Yahaya used the occasion to make a strong case for the company handling the plant to adopt
local content policy in its service and operations for the economic benefit of the host community and
the entire people of the state. The Governor assured that a date in December will soon be announced for
the commissioning of the project.

Ismaila Uba Misilli

Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity)

Bamidele Salam Challenges Fashola To 90-Day Road Travel

Tour
The statement that roads in the country are not as bad as they are portrayed, attributed to Babatunde
Fashola, Minister for Works and Housing, has earned him a response from a member of the House of
Representatives, Bamidele Salam.

Mr Salam (PDP–Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo federal constituency) challenged Mr. Fashola

and other relevant stakeholders to boycott air travels for road ones for the next 90 days in order to
estimate the ratio of good to bad roads in the country.

Mr Fashola had on Wednesday while addressing state house correspondents after the Federal Executive
Council (FEC) meeting, said: “The roads (in the country) are not as bad as they are often portrayed. I
know that this is going to be your headline, but the roads are not that bad.”

The gauntlet

But Mr Salam, while speaking with journalists Thursday, chided the minister.

“I found this statement, which had been repeated by the Hon Minister at least on two previous
occasions as a clear indication that some of us in public offices are not at all in tune with the
horrendous realities of our fellow citizens’ daily experience.

“Appreciating what Nigerians go through on our bad roads daily, requires that public office holders put
themselves in the shoes of the average Nigerian and get a firsthand experience of how Nigerians
survive on a daily basis.”
The rep member said “it is only when the minister, as well as other relevant stakeholder, travel the
roads in the country for a reasonable length of time would they understand the yearnings of Nigerians.

“As a Member of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, I will be throwing a road travel
challenge to the Hon Minister and all persons concerned to avoid air travel for all local trips in the next
90 days.

“If we will agree to this challenge, we may come back with a better appreciation of the true state of our
road infrastructure and the desperate things we need to do to save our economy from further disruptions
as a result of the burgeoning crisis in the road transportation sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister’s description of a bad road has received strong pushback from Nigerians,
many of whom ply the roads.

Road mishaps, which also led to the recent inferno that razed a market in Onitsha, have been attributed
to be a function of, apart from reckless driving, the deplorable roads that litter the country.

The Federal Road Safety Corps says that at least 1,618 people have lost their lives through road
accidents between December 2018 and February 2019.

‘Reality check’

Nigerians on social media advised Mr Fashola to do a reality check on the said roads and not mere
verbal assessment of them, with some offering to show him around.

Here are some of their reactions on Twitter:

I volunteer to take @tundefashola on a road trip throughout Nigeria with cameramen & all the media
coverage needed. Bill on me Honorable Minister Sir.

Let’s show Nigerians what an honourable man you are by saying Nigerian roads aren’t as bad as people
make them out to be. Deal?

DSS Confirms Receipt Of Court Order To Release Sowore

For the second time in about one month on Thursday, the Department of State Services failed to obey a
court order directing the release of pro-democracy activist and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele
Sowore.

The agency, which was on Thursday morning served with the latest ruling of a Federal High Court,
Abuja, by the court’s bailiff and lawyers to Sowore, acknowledged receipt of the document but refused
to obey the directive.

As at the time of filing this report, there was no indication that the agency was ready to honour the
court order and release Sowore and Olawale Bakare widely known as Mandate, who had been detained
in their custody since August 3 and 5, 2019 respectively.

In a precursor to Thursday’s refusal to honour the order issued by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal
High Court, Abuja, the DSS turned back the court’s bailiff and Sowore’s lawyers on Wednesday at
around 4:30pm, claiming that the agency could not attend to the document because they had closed
since 3:30pm.

The team was asked to return to the facility at 10:00am on Thursday to serve the court order.
However, several hours since acknowledging receipt of the fresh order to release the two men, the DSS
is refusing to do so despite the defendants perfecting their bail conditions.

Court order submitted to the DSS

Recall that the DSS also flouted an order issued by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the same court directing it
to release Sowore after he met an initial bail condition set.

In his ruling on September 30, Justice Taiwo had asked Sowore to deposit his international passport
with the court as condition for his release by the secret police while setting a date for the
commencement of trail on the charges brought against him by the DSS.

But despite meeting that mandate the next day, the secret police refused to release Sowore, instead
filing charges of money laundering and cyberstalking President Muhammadu Buhari against him – a
development that has continued to attract condemnation from around the world.

Sowore was arrested in Lagos in the early hours of August 3, 2019 by the DSS for calling on Nigerians
to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to demand for a better country from the President
Buhari-led administration.

The government views his action as capable of bringing the regime down and has adopted desperate
measures to keep him out of circulation for daring to speak truth to power.

In recent times, the DSS has earned a notorious reputation for flouting court orders by continuing to
hold on to all those perceived to staunch critics of President Buhari’s regime.

EFCC And ICPC Stripped Of Powers To Seize Assets In

Corruption Cases
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other allied bodies have
been stripped of the powers to seize assets of people being investigated and such powers
transferred to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Hitherto, the EFCC had the powers to initiate non-conviction based forfeiture as was done
in the case of the wife of a former President, Patience Jonathan. With the new directive,
only the AGF can initiate seizure orders from the court.

The directive was made public through a Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, Vol.
106, No 163, entitled, “Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulation 2019’’, dated
Oct. 29, 2019. “All non-conviction based forfeiture shall be conducted by the Office of the
Attorney-General of the Federation. “Where a non-conviction based forfeiture procedure
arises, the LEA (Law Enforcement Agency) and ACAs (Anti-Corruption Agencies) shall
transfer the matter to the Office of the AGF,’’ it states in part.
 The gazette says where a non-conviction based forfeiture procedure arises, the law
enforcement agency and the anti-corruption agencies should transfer the matter to the office
of the AGF. In addition, all seized assets shall be registered by all the Ministries,
Departments and Agencies of government while all final forfeited assets recovered by
agencies shall be handed over to the AGF within 60 days from the commencement of the
regulations of management.

On non-compliance, the Attorney-General warned that any agency head who failed to
follow the new guidelines would be dealt with.

“Non–compliance with the regulations of these provisions and the guidelines and directions
made pursuant to these regulations shall be considered insubordination and attract liability
under the Public Service Rules.”

On prosecution of future corruption cases, the Attorney-General said henceforth all

programmes regarding anti-corruption “must be done with the express approval of his
office.’’ Persecondnews reports that another gazette No. 162, entitled, “Guidelines for the
implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2017-2021’, on getting approval
for prosecution of corruption cases by the anti-graft bodies, has also been published.

Jide Awolowo And Jibola Ajayi Among Osinbajo's 35 Aides

Sacked By Buhari
Awolowo’s grandson, Ajimobi’s daughter among Osinbajo's 35 aides allegedly sacked by Buhari

The names of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's aides whose sack were reportedly approved by President
Buhari on Tuesday November 5, have been released.

Babajide, grandson of late statesman and grandfather of Osinbajo’s wife, Obafemi Awolowo and Jibola
Ajayi, daughter of former governor of Oyo state Abiola Ajimobi, were among the 35 sacked aides of
the Vice President.

See the full list below;

Jibola Ajayi – special adviser, legal

Lanre Osinbona – senior special assistant, ICT
Imeh Okon – senior special assistant, Infrastructure
Jide Awolowo – special adviser, oil and gas
Lilian Idiaghe- special adviser, research, legal and compliance
Arukino Umukoro – special adviser, Niger Delta
Bala Liman Mohammed – senior special assistant, Economy
Edobor Iyamu – senior special assistant, Niger Delta
Dolapo Bright – senior special assistant, agro allied value chain
Toyosi Onaolapo special adviser, community engagement
Gambo Manzo – special adviser, political
Bisi Ogungbemi – special adviser, political matters
Edirin Akemu – senior special assistant, industry, trade & investment
Akin Soetan senior technical assistant, economic matters
Aondaver Kuttuh – technical assistant, rule of law
Ife Adebayo – special adviser, innovation
Yussuf Ali – special adviser, power regulations
Tola Asekun – senior special assistant, National Boundary Commission
Morakinyo Beckley – special adviser, off grid power
Yosola Akinbi – senior special assistant, NEC
Tochi Nwachukwu – special adviser, power privatisation
Bode Gbore – senior special assistant, political
Abdulrahman Baffa Yola special adviser, political
Kolade Sofola – special adviser, infrastructure
Ebi Awosika – senior technical assistant, community engagement
Muyiwa Abiodun – senior special assistant, power
Forri Samson – Banu special adviser, entrepreneurship
Bege Bala – special adviser, BPE
Feyishayo Aina – senior special assistant, community engagement
Halima Bawa – special adviser, community engagement
Nkechi Chukwueke – special adviser, community engagement
Ilsa Essien – special adviser, media

‘Osinbajo’s security aide didn’t beat Vanguard

journalist’
Multiple eyewitness reports have dismissed claims that by some news medium that the photojournalist
of Vanguard Newspaper, Yomi Adeshida, was beaten by security aides of Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo.
A guest who asked not be named at the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit which held at The
Statehouse Banquet Centre on Thursday said she was surprised by reports that the journalist was
beaten.
The guest said it was far from the truth, demanding that journalists hold their profession with high
esteem. “Honestly, I was surprised to read this story, it is very false. If he was beaten black and blue as
he claimed in the report where are the pictures, during or even after the beating? This is ridiculous,” she
said.
“If someone is beaten, he should have pictorial evidence to show that he was beaten. We should be able
to see his face and tell that he was beaten but that didn’t happen.”
Another guest at the event said although there was some misunderstanding between the journalist and a
security aide, no one was beaten. “There was a misunderstanding of some sort but no one was beaten. It
was nothing more than a scuffle. Immediately, they settled it and everyone went about their business,”
he said.
A security aide who intervened in the dispute said no one was beaten. “What happened was that he was
trying to breach protocol, getting very close to the dignitaries.
“At that point, he was told to please step back a little but he kept coming close. One of aides now had
to push him back so he does not collide with the dignitaries at the event.
He added that immediately the security aide pushed him back, others intervened. “I personally
intervened and apologized on behalf of my colleague. To say he was beaten is a lie. He wasn’t at all.”
Attempts to reach the spokesperson to the Vice President as at the time of this report proved abortive as
his line was not connecting.

You Want Nigeria Restructured? Better Read The Constitutional

Requirements Here
A lot of people talk about restructuring Nigeria but have no idea the hurdles that must be overcome in
other to do so. I have always told those clamouring for restructuring to forget that idea because the core
North, the NE and NW, have the largest control of the national assembly which is the only place
Nigeria can be restructured and they are totally against restructuring

In other to restructure Nigeria, the constitution must either be changed or amended. Section 9 of the
Nigerian constitution lists the conditions that must be met to change or amend the constitution: -

Section 9: (1) The National Assembly may, subject to the provision of this section, alter any of the
provisions of this Constitution.

(2)  An Act of the National Assembly for the altertion of this Constitution, not being an Act to which
section 8 of this Constitution applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly
unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members
of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of
all the States.

In other words, to restructure Nigeria: -

1) 72 Senators
2) 240 house of rep members
3) 24 state assembies

Must all vote to pass it

Do you still think Nigeria can be restructured?

Ex-minister Blasts Osinbajo For Allowing Aides To Beat Up

Journalist

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi-Fani-Kayode, has lambasted the Vice-President of Nigeria, Yemi
Osinbajo for allowing his Security Aides to beat up a journalist with Vanguard Newspaper.

Igbere TV had reported that the ugly incident happened at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in
Abuja where the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa,
organised a summit (pictured).

Reacting over the incident, Kayode said

someone should tell Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that getting his security team to beat up Vanguard
Newspaper's Abayomi Adeshida and smash his camera won't make President Muhammadu Buhari give
him back his 35 sacked aides or restore his lost honor and glory.

The ex-minister stated this in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Thursday.

He said : "Someone please tell Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that getting his security team to beat up
Vanguard Newspaper's Abayomi Adeshida and smash his camera won't make President Muhammadu
Buhari give him back his 35 sacked aides or restore his lost honor and glory. Hitting soft targets that
cannot hit back is the cowards way!"

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IMF: Benin’s Economy Strong Despite Border Closure By

Nigeria
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the Republic of Benin continues to post a strong
economic performance despite the closure of the country’s border with Nigeria.
In a press release issued at the completion of the latest visit to Benin by an IMF Mission, the fund
quoted Luc Eyraud, who led the staff team during the visit as saying that “Benin’s recent economic
performance remains strong despite a less supportive external environment and the closure of the
border with Nigeria.
“Real GDP is expected to grow by 6.4 per cent in 2019, mostly driven by the agriculture and transport
sectors. Growth should accelerate in 2020 and remain sustained over the medium term, buttressed by
vigorous cotton production, construction, and port activities.
“Consumer price inflation, affected by the high agriculture production, has been on a declining trend,
falling by 1.4 percent in the first nine months of 2019, relative to the same period one year earlier.
“It is expected to remain well below the 3.0 per cent regional ceiling in 2019 and 2020. The fiscal
deficit for 2019 is estimated at 2.3 per cent of the recently rebased GDP.
“Performance under the IMF-supported program has been very satisfactory so far this year. All end-
June 2019 quantitative performance criteria and the end-September structural benchmark program were
met.”

Kano 2020 Budget: Education Sector Gets 25.2% of 197 Billion

Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, on Thursday, presented a proposed N197,683, 353, 659
billion Appropriation Bill for the year 2020, to the State House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget estimates, Gov. Ganduje explained that out of the total budget, N117, 710, 626,
881 billion was for capital projects while over N79, 972, 726, 788 billion was asset aside for recurrent
expenditure.

Tagged ‘Budget of Sustainable Social Development’, he explained that the 2020 proposed budget had a
decrease of N16,209,513, 632 billion lower than that of 2019, representing 12 percent.

“The proposed capital expenditure for the 2020 fiscal year is N117,710,626,881, which is lower than
that of 2019 by N16,209,513,632 representing 12% decrease and it is to be financed by
N63,972,273,222expected Recurrent Revenue surplus and total capital receipts of N53,783,353,659”.

“The Capital Receipt is made up of estimated Grants and aids of N25,989,884,251,expected Internal
and External loans draw-down is N23,112,500,000, estimated Miscellaneous receipts of
N4,446,269,408 and Treasury opening balance of N234,700,000,” Ganduje stated.

According to him, “the total projected Recurrent Revenue for the year 2020 is estimated at the sum of
N143,900,000,000 which consist of N40,000,000,000 as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and
N76,000,000,000 as revenue from the Federation Account.

The total recurrent revenue is lower than that of year 2019 by N14,762,668,707 representing 9%
decrease. It is important to note that the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is lower than
that of year 2019 by N6,901,030,760 representing 15% decrease.

Dr. Ganduje disclosed that the Ministry of Education would receive the lion share of N49. 9
billion, representing 25. 23 percent to allow for critical projects such as the government’s free and
compulsory education policy.

This is followed by the Works and Infrastructure sector, N33. 8 billion, Governance and Service
delivery, N33. 7 billion, Health N30. 7 billion, Water Resources, N15 billion and Judiciary, N7. 9
billion.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji AbdulAziz Garba Gafasa, assured
the commitment of the House to work with the executive to move the state forward.

He added that the Assembly would conduct a public hearing on the budget to ensure that all
stakeholders are carried along in the governance of the state.

NIS Registers 3,704 irregular migrants Migrants In Oyo

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Oyo State Command, says it has so far registered 4,506
migrants since the commencement of e-migrant registration in the state on Aug. 30.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had issued a January 2020 deadline for all foreigners
in Nigeria to register.

The NIS Comptroller in the state, Saleh Abdullahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

Abdullahi said the turnout of migrants in the state on a daily basis was highly impressive.

“Infact, we registered 140 migrants per day and we have registered a total of 4,506 migrants so far
comprising of 802 regular and 3,704 irregular migrants.

“Regular migrants are those with valid papers to live in Nigeria, that is those with ECOWAS Resident
Card or Resident Permit while irregular are those without valid papers to live in Nigeria.

“All regular and irregular migrants must register before Jan. 11, 2020 deadline and anyone that failed to
register within this period risk N500,000 fine or three months imprisonment or both,” Abdullahi said.

The state comptroller said that the only challenge faced currently by the command was that it only has
one centre throughout the state where the registration is taking place.

Abdullahi said the command in order to register all the migrants in the state before the deadline now
closed by 8 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. and sometime work on Saturday.

“We have Division Immigration Officer (DIO) whose duty is to educate the migrants on the importance
of e-migrant registration so that they can come to the state command to register before the deadline.

“We pledged to register all the migrants within this window period,” the comptroller said. 

Osinbajo Attends MSME Clinic In Delta State.

MSMEs though small in units, account for 50% of our GDP collectively. It is why President Buhari is
committed to improving the MSME experience through the MSME Clinics with Access to Finance,
Business Registration, Product registration and certification.
In Delta State, I witnessed first hand the spirit of entrepreneurship. The commitment of this
Government to the Nigerian people remains the same - reduce bottlenecks in doing business, increase
opportunities for MSMEs to access capital and trade facilitation.

We Will Arrest Masquerades Causing Accidents, Congestion —

FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Commission has said that it would arrest masquerades causing traffic
congestion or accidents during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Mr Kehinde Adeleye, Zonal Commanding Officer RS5 Benin City, said this during its Ember months
campaign in Onitsha, Anambra State on Thursday.

Adeleye said there were cases in the past when masquerades engaged in acts which resulted in traffic
crashes and inconvenience.

According to him, this is a season of masquerades and there were times when they cause accidents in
the past.

“This time we may have to impound such masquerades,” he said.

Adeleye, who represented Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, FRSC Corps Marshal, warned motorists against
flouting traffic rules and embarking on night journeys.

He thanked the government of Anambra for its support of the FRSC and restated the commitment of
the corps to ensuring safe motoring environment in the state.

In his address, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Sector Commander in Anambra, said the FRSC was ready to
ensure safe motoring environment in the state.

Kumapayi said the command had already identified strategic routes in the state and deployed personnel
to effectively check such areas.

The campaign was declared open by Governor Willie Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr
Nkem Okeke.

Gov. Ugwuanyi Suspends Two Traditional Rulers Over

'allegations Of Misconduct'
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has ordered the suspension of two traditional rulers of
Akwuke and Akwuke Uwani autonomous communities, in Enugu South Local Government Area, HRH
Igwe Bernard Nwoye and HRH Igwe Cyprian Ekwomchi, respectively, over allegations of misconduct
leading to a mass protest to the Government House, Enugu, by indigenes of the two communities.

Igbere TV gathered that the suspension will last for 30 days.

According to a statement made available to Igbere TV on Thursday by the Secretary to the State
Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya,, the suspension was in the interest of peace, order and
good governance and in compliance with Section 10 (b) of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 151
Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004.

The statement further added that the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Charles
Egumgbe, pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Traditional Rulers Law "has initiated an Administrative
Enquiry" in respect of the allegations against the affected traditional rulers.

Stay with Igbere TV. Africa's No1 Community TV.

Tinubu Meets Akeredolu In Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja

APC National Working Committee Meets Akeredolu

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday,
November 7, 2019, met with the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, at the
Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

In the team were the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibeduiro Esq, National Treasurer,
Alhaji Adamu Fanda, National Vice-Chairman(SW) Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, National Legal
Adviser, Babatunde Ogala Esq and National Leader of the special people, Alhaji Mishbau.

Border Closure As Last Battle Against Economic Saboteurs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) counts gains of land border closure to businesses and economy.
The closure of land borders is part of Federal Government’s plans to revive local industries and tackle
smuggling of rice and other commodities, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

Nigeria’s economy is estimated at $450 billion based on World Bank statistics. The economy could
have been larger but for the porosity of its land borders.

For years, goods, especially rice, from neighboring countries come in and out of Nigeria without trace.
The practice has led to not only revenue loss and the closure of local industries, but aggravated
Nigeria’s security challenges. The biggest contraband route was between Cotonou, Benin’s biggest city,
and Lagos.

But all that changed in August 21, when the Federal Government closed all Nigerian land borders to
check smuggling and breath life into local industries, especially rice milling and farming, the worst hit
segments of the economy.

Nigeria’s immediate neighbours Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon – as well as Ghana and Togo have
been hit by the border closure. The exercise brought the bustling borders to a standstill, with goods
rotting and queues of lorries waiting at checkpoints in the hope they would be reopened soon. The
delay in opening the border has brought some relief to Nigerian businesses.

For instance, the Nigerian rice industry, which for years was almost non-existent as over 80 per cent of
rice consumed locally was imported, is gradually regaining its lost glory.

The recovery seed was planted in 2015 when the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) launched rice farming in Kebbi State. That singular exercise triggered upsurge in the number of
people across the country going into rice farming.

The country also witnessed more people setting up integrated mills across the country with funding and
other support from the CBN but the threat of smuggling crippled these businesses. Whatever efforts
were made were dwarfed by smugglers and economic saboteurs who brought contraband products into
the country.

The smugglers took advantage of the country’s porous land borders to bring in substandard rice and
other products until the land borders were closed.

Aside the closure of the land borders, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele disclosed that the apex bank
had blocked accounts of identified smugglers, as well as commenced investigations to ascertain their
culpability in what he described as economic sabotage.

Emefiele, who made the disclosure at a consultative roundtable tagged: “Going For Growth” in Lagos,
said smugglers and dumpers have been the major saboteurs of the economy.

The move may have kicked off the apex bank’s efforts to make good its threat of going after smugglers,
particularly of 43 items that can be produced locally, which it slammed “Not Valid for Foreign
Exchange.

He said: “In due course, we would come out with the names of companies that have been identified, as
we want to be sure and come out with credible facts that are not deniable.

“We have already blocked accounts of some in the textile, rice and palm oil industries. We are now
investigating those accounts, and as information becomes clearer and we see that they committed the
offence, we would go to the next round, which is forbidding all banks from banking with them.”We
have decided to deal with them, but in our own way. We would use the instrumentality of being the
regulator and head of banking system to get the details of these smugglers, investigate their accounts
and if culpable, we would not only block the accounts, but close them, including those of their
promoters.”

Border closure not new

Nigeria banned the importation of rice from Benin in 2004 and from all its neighbors in 2016, but that
has not stopped the trade. Nigeria is only allowing in foreign rice through its ports – where since 2013
it has imposed a tax of 70 per cent. The move is intended not only to raise revenue but also to
encourage the local production of rice.

But smugglers have been taking advantage of the fact that it is cheaper to import rice to Nigeria’s
neighbors. In 2014, Benin lowered its tariffs on rice imports from 35 per cent to seven per cent while
Cameroon erased it completely from 10 per cent.

The economic relationship between Benin and Nigeria , both members of the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS), is unequal, with Nigeria exerting much more influence on Benin.

Given Nigeria’s over 200 million population, economy, and natural resource wealth, Benin has adopted
a strategy centered on serving as a trading hub, importing goods and re-exporting them legally but most
often illegally (through smugglers) to Nigeria, thereby profiting from distortions in Nigeria’s economy
until the ongoing border closure commenced.

CBN moves against smugglers

Emefiele said the bank accounts of all identified smugglers would be frozen soon. He expressed
satisfaction that the decision to close all land borders had not only created more jobs but also boosted
rice and poultry productions in the country.

“You will all recall that we have been embarking on a programme where we are saying if you are
involved in the business of smuggling or dumping of rice in the country, we close your account in the
banking industry. Although that is coming very effectively,” the CBN governor said.

Continuing, he said: “You will all recall that in November 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, the
Central Bank and some state governors went to Kebbi State to launch the Wet Season Rice Farming.
Since then, we have seen an astronomical growth in the number of farmers who have been going into
rice farming and our paddy production has gone up also quite exponentially.

“Between 2015 and also now, we have also seen an astronomical rise in the number of companies,
corporate and individuals that are setting up mills, integrated mills and even small mills in the various
areas. And the central bank and the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development have been the
centre of not just only encouraging the production of rice in Nigeria but also funding these farmers by
given them loans to buy seedlings, fertilizers or some of the herbicides that they need for their rice
production”.

Border closure gains by CBN

Emefiele disclosed that before the border closure, Rice Processors Association disclosed that all the
rice millers and processors were carrying in their warehouses over 25,000 metric tons of milled rice,
which were unsold due to smuggling and dumping of rice through Republic of Benin and other border
posts.

Continuing, he said: “We also have members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria who also
complained that they have thousands of crates of eggs that they could not sell together with even some
of the processed chickens that they could not sell also arising from problem of smuggling and dumping
of poultry products into Nigeria.”

“A week after the borders were closed, the same rice millers association called to tell us that all the rice
that they had in their warehouses have all been sold. Indeed, a lot of people have been depositing
money in their accounts and they have even been telling them ‘please hold on don’t even pay money
yet until we finished processing your rice.’

“The Poultry Associations have also come to say that they have sold all their eggs, they have sold all
their processed chickens and that demand is rising. So, when you asked, what is the benefit, the benefit
of the border closure on the economy of Nigeria, I just used two products – poultry and rice.

Emefiele added that the benefit is that it has helped to create jobs for our people, it has helped to bring
our integrated rice milling that we have in the country back into business again and they are making
money. Our rural communities are bubbling because there are activities because rice farmers are able to
sell their paddy.

“The poultry business is also doing well, and also maize farmers who produce maize from which feeds
are produced are also doing business. These are the benefits. “We are not saying that the borders should
be closed in perpetuity, but that before the borders be reopened, there must be concrete engagements
with countries that are involved in using their ports and countries as landing ports for bringing in goods
that are smuggling into Nigeria.’

Also speaking, an entrepreneur, Emeka Eneanya, has commended the Federal Government and the
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the decision to partially close the land borders as a way of
checking insecurity and massive smuggling activities especially of rice taking place along the border
routes.

He said that border closure will promote economic growth.

Speaking to traders during a visit to Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, Eneanya , said the initiative
by the NCS has demonstrated government’s desire to protect agricultural sector and tother investments
which have been adversely affected by smuggling.

Ghana plans rice import ban too

Like Nigeria, the Republic of Ghana has put plans in place to ban the importation of rice and poultry in
three years’ time.

This information was made public by the Minister of Agriculture for the West African nation, Owusu
Afriyie-Akoto.

According to him, Ghana wants to divert its attention into boosting local production and shun heavy
reliance on rice and poultry importation, hence the three years’ timeline.

It was pointed out that 82 per cent of the bulk of Ghana’s imports is for rice alone.

This accounts for over $1 billion, a calculation that translates into almost two per cent of Ghana’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), according to Ghana Deputy Trades Minister, Robert Ahomka Lindsay.

Ghana Agric Minister wants to combat this importation struggle through a flagship programme known
as Planting for Food and Jobs in order to boost local capacity to meet high demand as well as simulate
trade between merchants and local farmers.

Afriyie-Akoto said the Planting for Foods and Jobs initiative could be operational in three years and
enough to combat rice and poultry importation during that same period. He was confident his ideas
would work because the law backs his decisions and he noted that the initiative did not violate World
Trade Organisation (WTO) rules neither was it overambitious.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said the country’s traders had incurred huge
losses because their goods had been detained for weeks at the Nigeria-Benin border. She advised the
Nigerian government to “find ways of isolating the issues and the countries that it has problems with,
so that Ghana’s exports can enter Nigeria’s market without being lumped up with all these issues that
have emerged”.

But Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said the decision to close Nigeria’s land borders
was not meant to be vindictive. She said that since Nigeria was committed to the African Continental
Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), there was need to ensure that rules are obeyed otherwise local
industries will be greatly affected. “Businesses have been suffering due to the activities of smugglers
but with the more opening up following our commitment to the AfCFTA, this will get worse unless we
make sure now that everybody comes back to obey the rules as agreed,” she said.

The minister said: “ The border closure was not permanent adding that there are lots of discussions
going on at the technical level and at some point, it will be at the level of Presidents and then real
commitments will be made and hopefully, everybody will comply to own side of the agreement”.

Abayomi Adeshida: NUJ FCT Outraged, Demand Sanctions

The Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has expressed its outrage over the physical assault
suffered by Mr. Abayomi Adeshida, a photojournalist with the Vanguard Newspapers, at the
Presidential Villa, Thursday.

Adeshida, who was covering an event at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, was brutal assaulted
by security aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while he watched.

The NUJ FCT in a statement on Thursday, described the assault as one of the sad developments that
signposts how dangerous it was to be a journalist in Nigeria especially in the past four years.

“The brutal physical assault by security details of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against one of our
members in the legitimate pursuit of his duties as a journalist further signposts how dangerous it is to
be a journalist in Nigeria, especially in the last four years,” a statement signed by chairman of the
council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, read.

“On a day in which Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day to End Impunity
for Crimes against Journalists for security operatives to unashamedly batter a journalist in the presence
of the vice president speaks to how troubling and dark Nigeria has descended into.

“We are still at a loss as to why operatives of the DSS, not like they are some street urchins, had to
behave in such a despicable manner should send shivers down the spine of every reasonable Nigerian.
We are however comforted by the fact that journalists in Nigeria have seen more terrible days and
survived and would definitely outlast every vestige of jackboot and intimidation by state and non-state
actors,” the statement further read.

Ogbeche called on Vice President to initiate an immediate probe into the unfortunate situation, while in
the interim, Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera is replaced as well as his full medical bills undertaken by
the federal government.

"While we demand an immediate probe into the ugly incident with a view for disciplinary measures
against all those involved in this clear abuse on a journalist and journalism, we call on Vice President
Osinbajo to order for the replacement of Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera as well as settle his medical
expenses.

“However, the council will explore other avenues including legal remedy against these individuals that
have further endangered press freedom and safety of journalists in Nigeria.”
The NUJ chairman urged journalists in the country not to be deterred in the performance of their duties
while upholding the ethics of the profession.

Abayomi Adeshida: NUJ FCT Outraged, Demand Sanctions

The Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, has expressed its outrage over the physical assault
suffered by Mr. Abayomi Adeshida, a photojournalist with the Vanguard Newspapers, at the
Presidential Villa, Thursday.

Adeshida, who was covering an event at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, was brutal assaulted
by security aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while he watched.

The NUJ FCT in a statement on Thursday, described the assault as one of the sad developments that
signposts how dangerous it was to be a journalist in Nigeria especially in the past four years.

“The brutal physical assault by security details of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against one of our
members in the legitimate pursuit of his duties as a journalist further signposts how dangerous it is to
be a journalist in Nigeria, especially in the last four years,” a statement signed by chairman of the
council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, read.

“On a day in which Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day to End Impunity
for Crimes against Journalists for security operatives to unashamedly batter a journalist in the presence
of the vice president speaks to how troubling and dark Nigeria has descended into.

“We are still at a loss as to why operatives of the DSS, not like they are some street urchins, had to
behave in such a despicable manner should send shivers down the spine of every reasonable Nigerian.
We are however comforted by the fact that journalists in Nigeria have seen more terrible days and
survived and would definitely outlast every vestige of jackboot and intimidation by state and non-state
actors,” the statement further read.

Ogbeche called on Vice President to initiate an immediate probe into the unfortunate situation, while in
the interim, Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera is replaced as well as his full medical bills undertaken by
the federal government.

"While we demand an immediate probe into the ugly incident with a view for disciplinary measures
against all those involved in this clear abuse on a journalist and journalism, we call on Vice President
Osinbajo to order for the replacement of Mr. Adeshida’s damaged camera as well as settle his medical
expenses.

“However, the council will explore other avenues including legal remedy against these individuals that
have further endangered press freedom and safety of journalists in Nigeria.”
The NUJ chairman urged journalists in the country not to be deterred in the performance of their duties
while upholding the ethics of the profession.

Adeshida: Osinbajo's spokesman apologises over incident at Aso

Rock
The spokesman of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande haa apologised to Abayomi Adeshida,
who was beaten up by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The incident took place at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in Abuja where the Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, organised a summit.

Some Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to the office of the vice-president had
descended on Adeshida at the event.

Adeshida is a photojournalist with Vanguard Newspapers.

He further denied the list of sacked aides making the rounds.

Massive Blow To Bayelsa Pdp As Lokpobiri Orders Supporters

To Vote Apc
The All Progressives Congress (APC) seemed to be coasting closer to victory in the forthcoming
Bayelsa State governorship election as one of its chieftains and governorship aspirants charged his
supporters to vote for the party.
Former Minister of State of Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who spoke to journalists after a
closed-door meeting with the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in Abuja
on Thursday, however said he is still in court with the party over the dispute generated from the
governorship primary of the party.
Senator Lokpobiri, who spoke with the party’s National Chairman, along with some state governors on
the platform of the party, said he will not leave the APC for any reason, adding that having served as a
minister on the platform of the party, nothing would make him jump ship.
“The reason why I’m here is to pay a courtesy call on National Chairman having been spoken on the
party which I have a great respect for and the president. I’m a very strong member of APC and I came
today to formally tell our Chairman and to speak to Nigerians, in particular, the electorate in Bayelsa
that all of them should vote for APC, regardless of what will happen in the matter that is fixed for
judgment on Nov. 14, 2019.
Read Also; Power will shift in Bayelsa, says Lyon
“I told my supporters, even before I came for this visit, that no matter what happens, I will remain in
APC, having served as minister under this administration. There is no way because of the outcome of
the governorship primary that will make me to leave APC.
“We are working and campaigning at different levels. I always advise that anybody that has grievances
the only place to go and resolve those grievances is the court. So, whatever that is happening in the
matter that is pending in the court is not an infraction on any part of our party’s constitution,” he said.
Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, said the APC had overwhelmed the entire Bayelsa State
with its governorship campaign, saying that his party would win in Bayelsa State.
“Well, you have witnessed the campaign going on both PDP and APC in Bayelsa. I believe by now
judge by yourselves that APC is doing wonderfully well in Bayelsa. You are all witnesses to all the
rallies that have been happening for both the two parties. I believe that success is ours,” he said.

November 8

Monday Ubani On London Trip: Buhari Has Breached

Constitution
A former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Monday Ubani, says

President Muhammadu Buhari breached the constitution for failing to hand over to the Vice President
while embarking on a two-week private visit to London.

Ubani also condemned the transportation of a bill to London for Buhari to sign.

The lawyer faulted the claim that the President was not mandated to hand over power to the Vice
President unless he will be away for more than 21 days.

He said those making the claim were misinterpreting Section 145(2) of the constitution.

Ubani recalled that subsection (2) was introduced to Section 145 of the constitution in 2010 to forestall
a repeat of what happened when the late President Umar Yar’Adua embarked on a foreign medical trip
without transmitting power to the VP.

He said, “The sum total of that subsection is that if the President fails, refuses and or neglects to
transmit power to the Vice President, the National Assembly is mandated after the period of 21 days to
pass a resolution empowering the Vice President to start to act automatically ‘as the Acting President of
Nigeria’.

“That section did not and never provided that it is only when the President will spend more than 21
days outside the shores of the country, that he will be required to hand over power to his Vice President.

“The 21 days provision is meant to give the maximum period the President will be allowed to be in
breach of Section 145 of the Constitution as the National Assembly will come in to do what the
President ought to have done in the first place by mandating the Vice President to act in the place of the
‘travelled President’.
“The President has breached the 1999 constitution, no doubt, by his inability to transmit power to the
Vice President of the country for the 19 or less that he wants to spend for his “private visit’ in the UK.

“His “private visit’ has no place in Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution in the first place. He is only
allowed outside the shores of Nigeria for official visits, medicals and or vacations.”

Ubani said the signing of a bill by Buhari in London did not speak well for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

He said, “More troubling is the signing of Offshores Bill in the UK, outside the shores of Nigeria. The
act of signing the bill outside the country, politically sends a signal to our friends that our sovereignty
as a nation is in doubt.

“Some acts attract dignity, some do not. This one certainly does not. If I were the President, who love
and respect my country, I will instruct that the bill should wait until I come back and sign it in our
shores. The signing of that bill in the far UK sent wrong signals on so many fronts and it is not healthy
for this government.”

Osinbajo's Aides: We Are Still At Work, No Sack Letters

*VP spokesman disowns list

Some aides of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said to have been sacked by the Presidency have said they
have not been sacked.

They spoke in separate interviews with our correspondents on Thursday.

Daily Trust online had on Thursday published a list of some persons said to have been affected by the
sacking.

Our correspondents reached out to some of those listed to ascertain if they had been officially informed
about the development.

The Special Assistant to the VP on Innovation, Ifeoluwa Adedayo, claimed that he had not received any
letter, saying that although he had read about the development in the media, he resumed for work at the
Presidential Villa.

When told that there were reports that the access tags of some of them were withdrawn, making it
impossible for them to enter the Presidential Villa again, he quickly told our correspondent that he
would call back.

“I have also been hearing about it but I have not received any letter. We are still resuming for work,” he
claimed.
He had yet to get back as of the time of filing this report.

The Senior Special Assistant on National Boundary Commission, Tola Asekun, in a separate interview
asked our correspondent not to believe the reports of their sacking, but he also hurriedly ended the call.

“Don’t believe all those things, please,” Asekun said before hurriedly ending the call.

The Special Assistant on Niger Delta, Arukaino Umukoro; and the Special Assistant on Community
Engagement, Feyishayo Aina, did not answer the many calls made to their lines as their telephones rang
out.

The telephone line of the Senior Special Assistant, Political, Gambo Manzo, also kept indicating that it
was busy when our correspondent tried to reach him.

Also, one of the aides of Osinbajo on National Economy, Ms Yosola Akinbi, said she was not sacked.

Akinbi said she was upset with the barage of calls from her family members and friends seeking to
know the truth about her job .

When asked whether she was either redeployed or relieved of her appointment, Akinbi through a
WhatApp chat with one of our correspondents, denied the report.

She wrote, “Lol. Capital NO. I am in Ekiti State on a Human Capital Mission.”

When she was asked for an interview, Akinbi said, “I am sure you know that I am a private person. Just
love to do my work.”

Akinbi who later spoke with our correspondent on the telephone said, “I know my office will clarify. I
am not on that list. I am not even SSA NEC. I am sure they will clarify it. Nothing (laughs).”

When asked about her position in the government, Akinbi said ,“I work in the National Economy
(office), but that is not my title, that is not my portfolio. I don’t want to talk about it. Let the office
clarify it.”

Others on the list as reported by Daily Trust online include Jibola Ajayi (SA, Legal); Lanre Osinbona
(SSA, ICT); Imeh Okon (SSA, Infrastructure); Jide Awolowo (SA, Oil and Gas) and Lilian Idiaghe
(SA, Research, Legal and Compliance).

Others are Bala Mohammed (SSA Economy); Edobor Iyamu (SSA, Niger Delta); Dolapo Bright (SSA,
Agro Allied Value Chain); Toyosi Onaolapo (SA, Community Engagement); and Bisi Ogungbemi (SA,
Political Matters), among others.
The Presidency has, however, asked Nigerians to disregard the list, saying it is not genuine.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, stated
this is a message he posted on his Twitter handle.

“A list circulating in the media on the so-called sacked presidential aides is not genuine and ought to be
ignored,” he tweeted on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, a Presidency source told our correspondent that President Muhammadu Buhari might not
be aware of the controversial disengagement of the aides, attributing their sacking to “a top presidential
aide.”

The source claimed that Buhari was not carried along because the President had earlier approved the
redeployment of the aides to ministries.

“While the President had already personally approved the appointment of all the 35 aides reportedly
disengaged, he had also instructed their deployment to other ministries as part of a reorganisation of the
Presidency proposed to him by the same top presidential aide who is seen to be engaging the VP in a
power tussle,” he said.

Obaseki Leads Ngf’s Committee On $750m World Bank Grant

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki will chair the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF)
committee which will interact with relevant government agencies and prepare modalities for accessing
a $750 million World Bank grant.

Obaseki who disclosed this on arrival at the Benin Airport after series of meetings in Abuja, said the
$750 million grant has been approved, adding that the disbursement would commence soon.

He said the World Bank grant to Nigeria’s 36 states will help improve governance, transparency and the
development of the physical environment, noting, “There is a World Bank Support for states and the
Governors' Forum asked me to chair a committee that will interact with relevant agencies; Ministry of
Finance, the World Bank and the Auditor-General’s Office, to see how we can ensure that the facility is
well utilised.”

“The grant has been approved; we are at the disbursement stage. But there are conditions that must be
met before the money can be assessed by the states in the next four years. We are very hopeful that by
the end of the year, we will be clear as to when the disbursement will occur,” he said.

The governor added that Edo government won't have problem accessing the grant.
Afenifere: We Can't Help Osinbajo Because He Has Not
Admitted There Is A Problem
Afenifere, pan- Yoruba socio-political organisation said the options available for Vice President, Yemi
Osinbajo is either to fight or resign.

Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation also said it has not decided whether
to support the embattled second-in-command because he has not admitted he has any problem in the
presidency.
“The options left for him at this point are to either fight or resign”.

“As for Afenifere fighting for him, that does not arise as yet as he has not even admitted that there is
anything wrong”.

"Yoruba say that the person beaten says he is very cool and comfortable, what then is your own
greeting him for injuries?”
“All we are doing is to insist on constitutionalism which we did for Goodluck Jonathan in the days of
power hijack and which we will do for anybody no matter the nationality” he said.

2023 Puts A Strain On Tinubu, Osinbajo’s Relationship

The power play over who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 may have created a wedge
in the relationship between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a
former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),
Daily Independent has gathered.

Though he is yet to confirm or deny reports that he is nursing a presidential ambition in 2023, many
loyalists of Tinubu, who played a significant role in President Buhari’s election in 2015 and 2019, have
confirmed that he is passionate about becoming the number one citizen in the next political
dispensation.

It was gathered that Tinubu had decided to lie low in respect of his ambition for now so as not to upset
Nigerians and President Buhari, who is just six months into his second term.

It would be recalled that Tinubu’s rumoured plan was to serve as running mate to President Buhari
during the 2015 presidential election but some stakeholders such as Bukola Saraki, former Senate
President, opposed the move, saying a Muslim-Muslim ticket would affect the fortune of the APC,
which was then the opposition party.
Given the option of nominating one of his protégé, who is of the Christian faith, Tinubu nominated
Osinbajo, who had served as his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice between 1999 and
2007 when he was governor of Lagos.

However, he was said to be miffed when reports got to him that Osinbajo was also nursing the ambition
to succeed President Buhari.

Daily Independent had earlier reported that some stakeholders in the APC were asking President Buhari
to ensure that Osinbajo succeeded him so as to continue the programmes of the administration, having
worked hand-in-hand with the president as his deputy.

Some others, however, want the North to retain the position in 2023.

Speaking on the relationship between Osinbajo and Tinubu, a credible source in the party said it had
not been cordial as both men rarely see and discuss like it used to be.

According to him, “Even a political layman will know all is not well between the duo as Tinubu has not
uttered a word since the humiliation of Osinbajo began few weeks ago.

“While many Nigerians also condemned the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, for travelling to London to
present the amended Deep Offshore Act to Buhari in London while the vice president is at home,
Tinubu saw nothing wrong in that and even praised the president.

“Also, there are two glaring incidents involving the two which shows all is not well. When Asiwaju
Tinubu went to Aso Rock some time ago, he didn’t visit the vice president’s office. A lot of people were
surprised.

“Also, the vice president was in Lagos few days ago for Hajia Bola Shagaya’s 60th birthday in Lagos.
He didn’t visit Asiwaju in Bourdillon before he left for Abuja even though they both met at the
function.”

However, speaking on the issue, a staunch loyalist of Tinubu, who preferred not to be named, admitted
that while there was no serious rift, both men had been cautious of each other since it was clear that
they were both nursing the same ambition for 2023.

“I don’t think there is any serious rift between the two. There is nothing to fight for in nursing an
ambition. But I must admit that both men are now cautious of each other and that is logical. We can’t
be aiming for the same thing and you expect me to be revealing all my secrets to you.

“As for the vice president not visiting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu after Hajia Bola Shagaya’s birthday, I don’t
see anything wrong in that. Both men exchanged pleasantries and they even stepped aside and had a
discussion before going their separate ways. The vice president has a very busy itinerary and Asiwaju
Tinubu’s schedule is also very tight.

“Tinubu has no reason to fight anybody over presidential ambition. All these people who are talking
about presidency, do they have the structures and other necessary things needed?
“He has always said the presidency is like the head of an elephant, which is not something a child can
carry. He believes when the time comes, they will all meet at the field and the best will emerge.”

Speaking on Tuesday on the plight of the vice president, Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political
organisation, said the options available for Osinbajo was either to fight or resign.
Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, also said it had not decided whether
to support the embattled second-in-command because Osinbajo had not admitted that he had any
problem in the presidency.

“The options left for him at this point are to either fight or resign. As for Afenifere fighting for him, that
does not arise as yet as he has not even admitted that there is anything wrong.

“The Yoruba say that if the person beaten says he is very cool and comfortable, what then is your own
greeting him over injuries?

“All we are doing is to insist on constitutionalism, which we did for Goodluck Jonathan in the days of
power hijack and which we will do for anybody, no matter the nationality,” he said.

We Shall Meet In Court – Falana Tells DSS For Allegedly

Refusing To Release Sowore
Senior Advocate Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has threatened to drag the Department of State
Services (DSS) to court for allegedly refusing to release Omoyele Sowore who has reportedly met his
bail conditions.

In a statement released on Thursday November 7, Falana disclosed that this is the second time the
security agency will be refusing to release the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement even
though the federal high court in Abuja has ordered his release alongside Olawale Adebayo a.k.a
Mandate.

“On 8th August 2019, the Honourable Justice Taiwo Taiwo granted the application of the State Security
Service to detain Mr. Omoyele Sowore for 45 days,” he said.

“Upon the expiration of the 45-day detention period the court granted Mr. Sowore bail on September
24, 2019. He met the bail conditions but the State Security Service refused to release him from custody.

“Mr. Sowore and Mandate Bakare were subsequently charged with treasonable felony, cyber stalking
and money laundering on September 30, 2019. The trial judge, the Honourable Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu
admitted the defendants to bail under very stringent conditions. Upon meeting the bail conditions
Justice Ojukwu directed the State Security Service to release the defendants from detention.

“But in utter contempt of the orders of Justice Ojukwu the State Security Service has refused to release
Messrs Sowore and Bakare from custody.
“Since the State Security Service is not above the law of the land we shall embark on appropriate legal
measures to ensure compliance with the court orders.”

Abba Kyari: The Untold Story Of President Buhari’s Chief Of

Staff
There is a popular saying that has since gained traction in the social media, which is to the effect that if
you want to know how difficult it is to govern Nigeria, create a Whatsapp chat group and become its
administrator. It is only then that one gets to see how naughty some compatriots could be, deliberately
refusing to hearken to simple rules set to provide for smooth inter-relations in the group. For me, this
gives a good background to the Abba Kyari story, who many Nigerians see as a legend, a hero of sort,
and who others, perhaps in millions, perceive as a villain.

I came into personal contact with Malam Abba Kyari In August 2011, exactly four years before
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him his Chief of Staff in 2015. It was the very day the board
of Leadership Newspapers Group was appointing me as editor of the flagship, daily title. Abba Kyari is
a very close personal friend to Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, my boss and benefactor for life, and he was in the
newspaper’s headquarters in Abuja at the time I was being interviewed. It was Sam who asked whether
I knew the man, to which I answered in the negative. But when he mentioned the name, I asked
whether he was the same person who served as Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa, one
of the top four biggest banks in Nigeria at the time. Abba Kyari wasted no time in strongly
recommending me for the job.

But I soon started having issues with Abba Kyari owing to his penchant for thoroughness and
perfection. He was never a staff of the company, but was behaving like the Editor-in-Chief of the
newspaper, and everyday, he will sit me down and tell me the many things I did wrongly. I became his
true friend when a few months into the job, the errors were becoming fewer, and he would at times
leave the office of the publisher and sit with me in my office in the very vibrant newsroom, asking
whether I had challenges and needed his help. Once it was production time, however, he would wish
me well and take his leave, saying he didn’t want to distract me.

One day, I had a problem with one of my supervisors and made up my mind to resign the post of editor.
The woman was more or less personalizing her differences with me, and was clearly making life very
difficult for me. I felt I needed to keep a safe distance from her, and could only gain that when I no
longer work in the editorial department. So I entered the office of the publisher, and met him chatting
with Malam Abba Kyari. I did not even extend to them the courtesy of greeting when I interrupted their
conversation with a stern demand for the publisher to assign me to any other department in the
company. I told him in unmistakable terms that I could no longer work with that woman.

Mr. Nda-Isaiah was shocked. The post of editor of a daily newspaper was one of the most lucrative in
the industry. It brings you close to the men (and women) of power, who call you everyday needing one
favour or the other. Strangely, here was I throwing all of it away on a platter. So shocked was my
publisher that he couldn’t utter a word. He just looked at me in amazement. It was Malam Abba Kyari
who spoke first, and the words he uttered have remained deeply etched in my memory since then:

“Editor,” he said, “you are not going to resign. The company will not accept your resignation letter
even if you submit one. So go back to your work and learn to tolerate others. Learn to grow a thick skin
and always remember that what is important is the work you have been assigned to do. Don’t allow
critics or anyone to distract you.”

I bursted into tears. He waited until I cried my heart out, but still repeated those words. I felt a deep
hatred for him for being so callous – or so I thought.

It was now time for Mr. Nda-Isaiah to talk. He was a man of few words who clearly felt disappointed
that the man he so trusted with such a big responsibility was kind of betraying him. He minced no
words in telling me how disappointed he was, saying he never knew I was a weakling. He ordered me
back to the newsroom to carry on with my job. Both men supported me in every way they could, until I
left on my own volition two years later. Even my resignation at that time was only possible because
both Malam Abba Kyari and my publisher had traveled out of the country.

If there is one thing I hate, it is opportunism. And so, as a personal policy, I try to keep some distance
from friends or benefactors once they assume a position of power, unless they make deliberate efforts
to draw me close. I mostly only resume that relationship after they leave political office, and this is one
policy that has been serving me very well. And so, my contact with Malam Abba Kyari has been rather
limited since he assumed office in the State House four years ago. But I make bold to say he is one
person who does not forget his friends, even if they choose to keep a distance from him, as I have
chosen to do.

There has always been the urge to write on this man of excellence who, as a one time editor, played a
key part in shaping my career as a journalist. The urge to help him became even more pronounced from
the moment Kyari started getting heavily criticized by many compatriots who wrongly felt he was
amassing too much power as Nigeria’s President Chief of Staff. But I always didn’t want it to look like
I was being opportunistic. And so, I allowed the man to get all the bashing, amazed that my compatriots
could not see that it is the office, not the person, that is so powerful. And it is the same with that kind of
office anywhere in the world.

At the age of six, my father (of blessed memory), though a Muslim, enrolled me into a Christian
missionary school that had what used to be the biggest church in old Kano State. When he was
challenged by my grandfather, my dad told him he did so deliberately to broaden my worldview and
prepare me for the realities and challenges of multi-ethnic, multi-religious Nigeria. I thought I was
cosmopolitan enough until that fateful day when the duo of Malam Abba Kyari and Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah
taught me a lesson in tolerance, and on the need to develop a thick skin so as not to lose focus on
anything I set out to achieve. Though I can at times be emotional, that lesson has stuck with me and is
responsible for much of the successes I have achieved in the journey of life.

I am one Nigerian who, therefore, is not in the least surprised that Malam Abba Kyari has continued to
weather the storm, carrying on with his duties with little or no distraction. Four years before he got his
current job he had asked me to develop a thick skin against criticisms and see that as a way to improve
myself. And here we are, the teacher was being severely tested. With all the insults and
misrepresentation against his person on daily basis, I thought he was going to give in to pressure and
throw in the towel, as I threatened to do as editor of Leadership newspaper. But for him, he was doing
his best, to the satisfaction of God and his principal. He must have concluded that he is not the first
high office holder in Nigeria or elsewhere to be so abused and misunderstood, and surely he is not
going to be the last.

Writing on Malam Abba Kyari, a good friend of his for many years, Professor Emmanuel Yaw Bennett
of the University of Ghana, pointed out that the Chief of Staff to the President is operating on three
cardinal principles, the first of which is that “he will not allow anyone to mislead the President through
misrepresentation. Secondly, that he will not allow the President’s integrity to be violated, and thirdly,
that he will not allow Nigeria’s interests to be subordinated to any other consideration.” This, surely, is
bad news for those who feel they can have the man cowed by sponsoring endless insults and criticisms
against his person.

Only someone with a thick skin, and a very thick one for that matter, could insist in operating on these
principles. Naturally, those who have been stopped by Malam Abba from taking undue advantage of
the President’s innocence – and there are a vast number of them – would not be happy with the Chief of
Staff. And to get back at him, they go to town with all sorts of false tales about the man. A prove of that
could be seen in the fact that the office Malam Abba holds is one that relates everyday mostly with elite
members of the society. One therefore needs to ask why it is that ordinary members of the society, who
hardly have direct relations with him, are more vociferous in attacking and condemning the man,
especially in the social media.

For those who want to understand why President Buhari bestows so much trust and confidence in his
Chief of Staff, here is another story.

On May 1, 2012, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah attained the golden age of fifty. His friends and key staff
members of his media conglomerate felt we needed to celebrate our boss in a big way. But there was a
problem: he preferred a rather quite celebration.and so, we secured the buy-in of his dutiful wife, and
working in concert with her, we planned a nationwide birthday bash that included a public lecture to
commemorate the event. It attracted the cream of the Nigerian society, with the legendary General TY
Danjuma presiding.

Mr. Nda-Isaiah, a man with the lion heart, strangely became emotional as he was delivering his speech.
He bursted into tears when he mentioned the name, Abba Kyari. He was narrating how instrumental
Kyari has been in getting him achieve so much at that age, and General Danjuma had to calm the
celebrant down by bringing him a cup of water.

The lesson here is that once you allow Abba Kyari to come close to you, one of the biggest benefits you
are going to have is that he will play decisive roles in improving your life. He had done that to me. And
I was only getting to know he was doing same to my boss at that occasion. Operating on the three
principles he set out for himself, as enunciated above, Abba Kyari has done quite a lot to protect
President Buhari from some hawks whose negative influences have played key roles in wrecking many
administrations in the past.

Perhaps capturing Kyari’s resourcefulness even more succinctly is the maverick politician, Chief Femi
Fani-Kayode. He was on record to have stated that he “studied at Cambridge University in 1984 with
Abba Kyari, President Buhari’s Chief of Staff. We sat next to each other during our final exams and I
can confirm that he is brilliant. He also worked in my father’s law firm, Fani Kayode and Sowemino
for years and he was one of the brightest.”

Four years ago, President Buhari took over a nation in total mess, with the economy almost collapsing.
He had two options at the time: to simply sit back, fold his hands and ultimately serve as the country’s
undertaker, or take decisions that may be painful, but which will at the end of the day make Nigeria
attain its rightful place in the comity of world’s greatest nations.

Successful administrators globally have always insisted that a leader makes or mar his administration
from the appointments he makes, especially of those that will work with him on everyday basis.
Contrary to all speculations and false insinuations, that is the only reason President Buhari had to
search far and wide to pick from among the best that will help him achieve the noble objectives he set
out for Nigeria.

Luckily for the President, he appointed someone who would rather take the bullet to ensure the
President survives. And so, for students of the science of power, Abba Kyari is a classical study of an
aide who has redefined loyalty, selflessness and commitment at their best.

Is Abba Kyari undermining Vice President Osinbajo?

One of the false stories being hyped in the traditional but especially social media is that Malam Abba
Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President, has been engaging in serious insubordination by undermining
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. A very respected news medium recently published the story of a memo
submitted to the President by the Vice President, which Kyari allegedly sat on for weeks, before
reworking it to include things that are different from the earlier submission made by the Vice President.

I am not sure of the veracity of the story, but even if we assume it is true, the reality is that only in
Nigeria will such ever be an issue. This is so because in this clime, there are people who read tribal or
religious meanings to every action taken in the Presidency, especially of President Buhari, who has
been enduring accusations of bias in appointments, even though in his first term, he appointed more
Christians as ministers, and far more projects are being executed in the South, rather than the North he
hails from.

The truth is that globally, the presidency is deemed as one and the same. God has never created the
perfect human being, and so, in any presidency, especially in saner climes, even the most junior public
officer could correct the president of the country and no one could misread that to mean
insubordination. In other words, memos originating from the desk of the president or his deputy could
be strewn with errors, and it is the duty of those working for the president to correct those errors.

It is possible Vice President Osinbajo had made the submission being bandied about. The Number Two
Citizen is definitely one of the brightest minds ever to assume the office of Vice President in this
country. But did Professor Osinbajo himself ever staked any claim to perfection?

When I first started maintaining a column in the New Nigerian newspaper over a decade ago, I picked
on another columnist, incidentally a personal friend, with who I was exchanging articles for editing.
Based on our agreement, he would very critically look at my write up and, even if he did not find any
error, still rework some paragraphs to make sure it was better than what I sent to him. I was also doing
the same to his own, and before long, we were attracting large readership, based on the reader feedback
we were receiving.

So it is only because in Nigeria, we see the presidency along tribal and religious lines will it ever be an
issue if, or when, the Chief of Staff to the President reworks a memo earlier submitted by the Vice
President. The Professor Yemi Osinbajo that many of us know will not knowingly submit a memo
without the best for Nigeria in his mind. But does that mean it becomes an offense if someone in the
same presidency picks out ideas that serve the best interest of Nigeria better? Does that mean Professor
Yemi Osinbajo also engaged in insubordination when he took many actions that were at variance with
those of his principal, President Buhari, when he held sway severally as Acting President?

Twenty years ago a major newsmagazine was doing a cover story on the then speaker of the House of
Representatives. The editors, all of them gurus in the media profession, were looking for an apt
headline to capture the essence of the story. A security man passing by them saw the cover design on a
computer screen, and uttered the word: face of a liar, without knowing he was by that solving a very
major problem. The smart editors there and then got the headline they suffered so much looking for,
and used it, without minding the fact that it came from an uneducated security personnel.

Malam Abba Kyari, who even his enemies submit is a very intelligent man, was appointed to the office
of Chief of Staff by President Buhari to help him get it right for Nigeria. Even the purveyors of the
story did not claim that he rework the story to favour his own person. He did so to ensure Nigeria gets a
better deal. And since that is also the aspiration of the Vice President, how does that become an
offense?
Also in his 2020 budget speech before the joint session of the National Assembly, President Buhari
categorically pointed out that Nigeria will need more revenue to be able to execute the many noble
projects and programme enunciated in the budget.

Working in cahoots with the National Assembly, President Buhari identified the urgent need to amend
the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Bill to get for Nigeria far bigger
revenues, for the overall good of the country.

The President felt there was no need for the country to lose revenue by waiting for him to return from
his two weeks private visit to London to sign the bill into law, and asked his Chief if Staff to bring it to
him for immediate endorsement.

But the prophets of doom went to town with all sorts of ridiculous stories that it was an open
humiliation for the Vice President, as if leaving the shores of Nigeria is stripping Buhari of his powers
as President. The presidency has issued statements, repeatedly disputing wild claims of infighting in the
corridors of power, but the naysayers are unrelenting in insisting there is a fight, as if that’s what we
want to advance the cause of the country.

Nigeria is governed by laws, and the law does not insist that President Buhari must transmit power to
his deputy if he is not on a prolonged stay abroad. Interestingly, this is a president who, on his own
volition, not once, not twice, handed over full reign of power to his deputy, because he was staying
longer than the days mentioned in the constitution.

In situations like that, as Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said, the President is at liberty to govern either
within or outside the shores of Nigeria, as no President anywhere in the world loses his power on
account of brief stays abroad.

What Fashola Actually Said About Roads In Nigeria (video)

Babatunde Fashola, the minister of works and housing, was quoted to have said Nigerian roads are not
as bad as they are portrayed to be.

Fashola spoke with media personnel explaining what he meant when he said the Nigerian road is not
that bad.

He said;

Problems is headline news for you but i think the balance is also to show that not all of the road is and
because the focus is on the bad part but you owe Nigerians whose taxes we use to9 also show them that
some work is going on. Because it is not all of Nigeria's roads that are motorable. On the Benin-Warri
road for example, many sections of it are motorable, it is a part that has caved in and collapsed and that
is where the pain is and that is what we will respond to.
Same thing on Lagos-Ibadan, same thing on so many parts of the road and i think it is important to
have that balance in order even to encourage people to have hope in the country because it is not as bad
as sometimes we portray it. (that is your headline, we know) But it is important to let them know that
on a 100km stretch maybe 10-15 % is bad because you actually drive to that point before you feel the
pain

Watch video here

https://twitter.com/lailaijeoma/status/1192692186850172929?s=12

We Will Make Business Environment More

Conducive- Gov Bello to Igbo Community
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has promised to create more enabling environment for business to
thrive in kogi state.
Governor Yahaya Bello made the promise when the leadership of Igbo Community Association from
the whole 21 Local Government Areas of the endorsed him for his second term.
According to the governor, the Igbo are vital instruments in the socioeconomic & political development
of Nigeria, hence, the need to support them in their businesses is Paramount.
Governor Bello maintained that Igbos are influential with the capacity to influence the political system
for the victory of APC and urged them to intensify efforts in their support for his reelection.
He appealed to them to extend their support to their respective customers, saying the state government
will look into their businesses especially the area of tax.
Earlier, the president general of Igbo Community Association, Mr Nwekwo E.N hailed Governor Bello
and his Deputy, Edward Onoja for their pragmatic leadership styles in kogi state which saw people of
other tribes including Igbo in kogi state government appointments.
He pointed out that the efforts of the state government in stamping out crime & criminality from the
state remain unequalled in history of kogi state.
The president general of Igbo Community Association, assured Governor Bello of unalloyed support of
all the Igbo in the 21 LGA of kogi state, saying arrangements have been perfected to vote en mass for
APC comes November 16th governorship election.
In his speech, the deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja chronicled the achievements of the present
administration under the leadership of Governor Bello and enjoined the Igbo Community to support the
state government in order to create more conducive atmosphere for their businesses to boom.
The deputy governor reminded them of the state of insecurity in kogi state before the Advent of the
New Direction government of Governor Bello, pointing out that today, no kidnapping, no armed
robbery and lives and property are more secured than before.
He admonished the group to key into the policies of the present government so as to enable them
deliver the gains of democracy to the ordinary people.

Forfeited Assets: FG Recovers Over N200Bn In

2019
The Federal Government has recovered over N200bn in final forfeitures of assets acquired
illegally.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, represented by Abiodun Ayodeji, an aide to
the president on Financial Crimes, said this at the Special Town Hall meeting organized by the Ministry
of Information and Culture in Abuja.
“Multiple amongst these are the $2.5m in partial recovery, we also $75m connected to the Malibu
transactions,” he said.
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, also said the
EFCC had secured 890 convictions from January to October, 2019.
The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said if the nation failed to check corruption, tackling
insecurity and the revamping the economy would remain a mirage.

Arrest Vote Buyers, IGP Orders Policemen

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered policemen on electoral duty in
Bayelsa State on November 16 to arrest politicians, who would move cash to polling units to buy votes.

Adamu spoke at the police command Yenagoa, on Thursday when he led an entourage of senior police
officers from the Force Headquarters Abuja to sensitise policemen and other stakeholders on the
election.

Adamu insisted that vote buying was illegal and those engaging in it should be apprehended to face the
wrath of the law.

Addressing the policemen, he said: We are used to elections. We have done a lot of elections and we
know the rules and regulation. We want to encourage you to maintain what you have done during the
last general elections.

“At the general elections, the police were adjudged the best. Different organisations of international
observers came to my office to give us commendations. The feat should be repeated.
You should be neutral and should not allow anybody to entice you with anything that will make you do
what you are not supposed to do. It is when you engage in what you are not supposed to do that you
enter into problems.

“So, you should try to be professional in your polling units. Make sure you protect all the INEC
materials in your polling units. Protect the INEC officials and make sure nobody is molested.

“After the electorate cast their votes, you are supposed to follow the officer to where he would submit
his results and ensure that nothing happens to the results.

“At the collation centre, you are supposed to remain there to beef up security and ensure the process is
not disrupted. You will remain there until the result is announced.

“At the course of doing your work if you sight anybody trying to use money to influence voters, make
sure you act immediately to arrest that person because that is an electoral offence.

“Campaign should not be done on the election day. Before you go on election duty, we will make sure
you are adequately taken care of with all your allowances paid. We will send the money to your
account.

“That has been done. We did not do it only for the election day, we made it eight days so that even after
the election day, you will still be around. We are sending senior officers to make sure if there is any
challenge, you will report to them.

“Some commissioners of police will join the police commissioner here. Also, a deputy inspector-
general of police will come down. So, you have all array of senior officers you can channel your
complaints to.”

Massive Defections Hit Kogi Pdp

The candidature of Governor Yahaya Bello and his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) received a boost on Wednesday at Insalu, the headquarters of Yagba East
Local Government Area, as the former acting governor, Chief Clarence Olafemi and hundreds of PDP
members in the federal constituency renounced their membership and defected to the APC.
At the APC’s rally held in Insalu for the Yagba Federal Constituency, the former acting governor and
Director General, Abubakar Ibro Gubernatorial Campaign Council, 2019, of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Chief Olafemi, former Commissioner for Water Resources, Osanusi, former House of
Assembly member for Mopamuro constituency, Eric Fiki and numerous others joined the APC.
Other political stalwarts from Yagba Federal Constituency who dumped the PDP were Bola Fagbola
and former Mopamuro Local Government Chairman, Funsho Daniyan.
While receiving the PDP’s defectors, Governor Bello assured them of equal opportunity in the party.
President Goodluck Jonathan's Mother Rejects APC Wrapper
And Gift Items
President Goodluck Jonathan's Mother Rejects APC Wrapper and Gift Items

...Says I did not Endorse APC candidate and will not do so.

The immediate past president of the Ogbia Youth Council (OYC) and the current spokesperson of the
Goodluck Jonathan Family, Dr. Languo, have called on the All Progressive Congress (APC) to speak
the truth to Bayelsans and not always say the opposite just to score cheap points or gain popularity.

Dr. Languo made the statement when he refuted the viral claims by the APC during their visit to Ogbia,
that the mother of the former President- Goodluck Jonathan, Mama Eunice Jonathan endorsed the
candidature of David Lyon for the November 16 election in the State.

The spokesperson said that nothing of such happened neither did Mama Eunice endorse the APC
Gubernatorial candidate. He said “ I was there, and I can attest that the APC flag-bearer and his team
only stopped over at Mama's place on their way to the venue of their rally, she was even not preparing
to see anybody.”

“After stating their purpose of visit, Mama who is known as a mother of all, received them, but in the
same vein rejected their gift of wrappers and drinks.”

The reason for the rejection of those gifts according to Mama Eunice was because she is not in the
position to endorse any Party, hence it was unnecessary to accept any form of gifts from them.

Dr. Languo said contrary to the speculation by the APC that they were endorsed by Mama Eunice. I call
on the APC to desist from this kind of cheap popularity measures, and rather concentrate on a better
campaign strategy.

He also used the opportunity to inform Ogbia people and Bayelsans that mama who is the mother of all
is not a politician and will not allow her name to be dragged into politics and warned that this must not
repeat itself again.

Mama also thanked the people of Bayelsa for their prayers always.

Border Closure Bites Hard On Rice, Textile Shops In Benin

Republic
Investigation by our reporter has revealed that the major textile and rice markets in Cotonou, Benin
Republic, have seen a massive decline in patronage following the complete closure of the land borders
and increased clampdown on smuggling.
A 24-hour observation at the Seme border post revealed a complete compliance with the FG’s directive
on the closure of borders to both imports and exports as only passenger movement is aloud.

In August, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the closure of Nigeria’s land border with Benin,
hence preventing the import of goods.

This recent move is part of an effort to tackle smuggling and associated corruption and also to spur
domestic agricultural industry. On October 14, 2019, Nigeria ordered the closure of its border with
Benin, as well as those with other countries, for the same reason.

According to the Nigerian maritime site Ships and Ports, in 2014 Benin lowered its tariffs on rice
imports from 35 to seven per cent, while Cameroon erased it completely from 10 per cent.

Neighbouring Benin then recorded an astronomical rise in imports from Thailand, the world’s second
largest producer of rice. At its height, each of Benin’s 11.5 million citizens would have had to consume
at least 150kg of rice from Thailand alone.

With the market for smuggled food now restricted, domestic food prices – already high – have gone up
and the economy of neighbouring Benin – a staging area for smuggling into Nigeria – has been
devastated.

At the border front on the Benin area, commercial activities have drastically reduced from mere
observation compared with the last time this reporter visited before the closure.

Foreign rice, which litters most shops around the area hardly get buyers despite selling at N9,000.
Commercial cab drivers are not left out.

Mr Oliver, a Benin citizen who conveyed this reporter to the major market for cars, textile and rice,
repeatedly expressed frustration at the border closure. Oliver said, “Oga, I used to do five trips between
Seme border and Cotonou daily before the closure.

I have been at the park since 04:30am and it is 12:30pm, and this is my first trip.” Right inside the
border area, trailers carrying sardine, milk, turkey and chicken have been abandoned, with many of
them already rotting and smelling.

Our reporter also came across several trailer loads of cow skin (kpomo) purportedly from Mali also
rotting away and forcing the owners to rent warehouses to offload. Some others were seen drying the
skin on the floor along the road to salvage some.

At the textile and rice market in Dantokpa and Missebo in Cotonou, the major dealers are mostly
Chinese and Lebanese and the native Benin people chasing after clients and getting commission from
sales. The market is a shadow of itself, with the shops stocked with goods and very few native buyers.

A Lebanese textile trader, Samir, said, “What Nigeria has done is devastating. We had already ordered
these goods on the high sea for December rush when the government closed the border.

“When Nigerians used to come, one person buys textile wax worth around CFR15m CFR. But these
days, as big as this shop, I hardly make sales of CFR100,000.” When our reporter visited the used
clothes section of the market, the lamentations were the same.

Emeka Eze, a trader in used clothes, said, “My brother, we are in serious trouble. I have not been able
to sell one bale in one month. I used to sale two bales in one day when the borders were opened. “We
are begging the Cotonou government to settle with our government so that we can survive.”

At the several mega car plazas around Tokpa, the story was the same for used car dealers, mostly
Lebanese and Indians.

Luxembourg-based shipping company, BIM e-solutions, said an average of 10,000 cars arrived at the
Cotonou port from Europe monthly.

Findings by our reporter revealed that a used Lexus 2014 which used to be sold for CFR15m now goes
for around CFR11m. On the Nigerian side, some amount of foreign rice makes it to the communities
around the Seme border and a 50kg bag is sold for N11,000.

However, the several Customs, Immigration and police checkpoints have discouraged buyers as you
would be forced to pay heavily to move just one bag to Badagry; a 10km distance. In fact, commercial
drivers reject passengers with any kind of load except you open them for inspection to ensure that
nothing inside will land them in trouble.

A passenger from Seme to Badagry who had five pieces of dry fish worth about N1,000 in the taxi this
reporter traveled in, paid N200 at each of the two checkpoints to Customs before we were allowed to
continue.

The Customs checkpoints at Sesikodji junction and Gbaji road junction are notorious for these checks
and extortion as closely observed by this reporter. At the bridge before Badagry, there are about five
checkpoints, with a distance of 50 meters from one to the other, comprising Customs, Police and
Immigration.

These officials collect money for a pair of shoes, a bottle of groundnut oil, fish, textile, herbs, tin
tomatoes, among others. The officers are ruthless; they can be seen recklessly emptying travellers bags
in search of contraband.

Meanwhile, the impact of the border closure seems to be creeping in as workers at Nichem Textile
Factory around Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos, told our reporter that they had resumed their shifts
owing to increased patronage of the company’s products.

A worker said, “We were recalled recently because their inventory has gone down and we have
continued to be busy in the last three months.”

The National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) said the border closure had not only curtailed
importation of smuggled textile materials into Nigeria, but that it was reviving the Cotton, Textile and
Garment (CTG) sub-sector.

In an interview with the President of NACOTAN, Mr. Anibe Achimugu, he said, “The reduction in the
influx of textile materials into the country has boosted the morale of players in the sub-sector to get
back to work.

“The major advantage of the closure is the control it has brought to the importation of smuggled textile
materials, including used clothes.

The closure has reduced that significantly, but that also puts a burden on us to fill the gap. We have to
start developing our internal capacities to meet the needs of Nigerians. The association is fully in
support of the partial closure of borders.”

Meanwhile, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said if the
closure of the land borders was sustained for the next two years, the issue of insurgency, banditry and
kidnapping would be eradicated.

Emefiele who stated this at the first Convocation Lecture of Edo University, Iyamho, Auchi, at the
weekend, explained that if the youths, who were into vices, were gainfully engaged, insecurity would
reduce to the barest minimum. He said, “I can tell you that if our borders remain closed for two years,
the issue of Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry and Yahoo-Yahoo will stop.

CBN will promote this policy by making sure that we produce what we consume and eat what we
produce.” He vowed that the apex bank would not allow the country to be used as dumping ground for
smuggled goods.

Emefiele further said, “Instead of some neighbouring countries to develop policies to grow their own
economies, they rather engage in things that undermine the Nigerian economy.”

Otuoke,jonathan's Community Declare Support For Apc

Candidate
The people of Otuoke, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s community in Ogbia Local Government
Area have declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, David Lyon.
The acting paramount ruler, HRH Moses Otazi who made the resolution of the people known when the
APC governorship campaign team led by Lyon campaigned in the community, said there is an upsurge
of political revolution in Bayelsa and the people of Otuoke are not neutral.
He said though most of the people are PDP, they have unanimously resolved to vote for the APC
because of what he called widespread defiance of the PDP-led administration.
Speaking at the palace, Lyon accused Governor Seriake Dickson of disrespecting traditional institution
by abandoning the welfare of traditional rulers.
Before leaving Otuoke, Lyon paid a visit to Jonathan’s mother, Mrs Madam Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan
who gave her blessings to him and his running mate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi- Eremienyo.
Speaking at the palace of HRH, Sopana Amakiri Agala(ADDI X111) Obenema of Anyama, Lyon
lamented the deplorable state of communities in Ogbia Local Government Area.
He assured the people that his government would end their sufferings in the hands of the PDP-led
government, noting that Bayelsans have suffered from bad leadership and mismanagement of state
resources too long .
While sympathizing with the people of the community over the risk of extinction in the face of
devastating erosion, he disclosed that his decision to run for the governorship seat was informed by the
continued hardship the people have faced over the years.
The monarch in his response traced the lineage of Lyon family from Olugbobiri community to Anyama
clan and appealed to him to save the endangered communities from ravaging erosion when he becomes
governor.

FFK: A Buharist Would Obey To Cut Off His Fingers, Toes,

Head For Sacrifice
IgbereTV reports that former aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode has said that a Buharist would obey
if asked to cut off his finger, head or toes for sacrifice.

He made this known on Twitter, he wrote:

If a Buharist is asked to cut off his fingers & toes or bring his head as a sacrifice to his boss he would
do so without hesitation. He has a low intelligence quotient, he is incapable of thinking & he suffers
from a terrible affliction. To him black is white & white is black.

https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/1192698637207388162?s=19

Jack Dorsey Visits Nigeria

Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO and Co-founder, has arrived in Nigeria as part of his listening and learning
tour across Africa.

On Thursday evening, the tech entrepreneur announced his arrival in a tweet. Per the visit, Jack will be
hosted some entrepreneurs in Lagos, details of which company's Communications team declined when
Business Insider SSA requested details last month.
In October, Jack said he will be in Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Nigeria is his first point
of contact on the continent.

Ghanaians Angry Over Border Closure! Order Nigerian

Businesses To Leave Markets
• Order Nigerian businesses to leave markets by Nov 14
• Customs halts fuel supply to frontier filling stations

Nigerians doing business in Ghana have been asked to quit their shops by Thursday, November 14,
2019, or be forcibly evicted in apparent retaliation against the Federal Government’s closure of the
borders.

The ultimatum was issued by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) and the Ghana
Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA).

One of the notices sighted yesterday at strategic locations in markets across Ghana, especially in
Kumasi, reads in capital letters: “Attention! Attention! Attention! According to the Ghana Investment
Promotion Centre (GIPC) Law Act 865 Section 27A, you are not to be in our market. We are by this
notice informing you to leave our market by 14th November 2019. By GUTA.”

Another notice states “Warning! Warning! Warning! The agreement between GUTA, GEDA and the
foreigners in our market place is up. So, the foreigners are given up to this weekend to abide by the
agreement to leave our market places or they will be forcefully compelled to abide by it. By GEDA and
GUTA.”

A Nigerian trader in Ghana told The Guardian: “They have closed some of the shops and threatened to
close the shops belonging to Nigerians before November 14. They are angry because of Nigeria’s
border closure, which has affected their businesses.

“The threat and notice for Nigerians to quit their market premises have been on for about 15 years now.
There is an ongoing government campaign to send Nigerians back to their country. Since the present
government in Ghana got into power, Nigerians are being deported for lack of work permits,
prostitution, fraud, and other excuses.

“They have increased the cost of getting a work permit and taxation of Nigerian businesses in order to
frustrate them. Even when you pay for all these, it might take, at least, three months to get back your
international passport.”

According to a recent report by the BBC, “More than 100 foreign-owned shops are getting shut down
by Ghanaian traders in the country’s second-largest city, Kumasi. Most of the shops are run by
Nigerians. The traders shutting down the shops say they’re being run illegally but the shop owners
deny this.”

Representatives of the Accra and Abuja governments reportedly met on Monday, November 4, 2019, to
discuss the possibilities of opening Nigeria’s border to Ghanaian traders.

The border was closed in August 2019 to prevent the smuggling of products from neighbouring West
African countries. Many trucks have since been stranded at the Seme border. Over the weekend, the
Nigerian government announced that the restriction would remain till January 31, 2020.

Ghana’s deputy trade and industry minister, Carlos Ahenkorah, while speaking on The Big Issue over
the weekend said he was hopeful that both parties would reach an agreement to facilitate trade.

The president of Nigeria Union of Traders Association, Ghana (NUTAG), Chukwuemeka Nnaji, had
earlier told The Guardian that despite the provisions of ECOWAS protocols, Ghana’s use of its GIPC
Act 865, Section 27 (1a) of 2013, flouts the provisions on rules of engagement.

He said while Ghana continues to enjoy the privileges conferred on ECOWAS citizens in the region,
the government and its people keep prohibiting other citizens from doing the same in Ghana.

“Despite the discussions between Nigerian and Ghanaian governments at the United Nations General
Assembly in New York, the ordeal of Nigerian traders in Ghana escalated as the Ghana Union Traders
Association took a different turn by attacking businesses in the Ashanti region.

“Getting a residence permit is more difficult than getting the USA Green Card. The conditions are
enormous. Already, we are advising Nigerian traders to leave Ghana until the challenges are addressed,
especially as Ghana Immigration Services are equally cracking down on foreigners, particularly
Nigerians,” he said.

A representative of the Ghana High Commission, Sintim Barimah Asare, at a recent forum, appealed
for calm and understanding among operators, pledging that his country remains committed to the
ECOWAS treaty.

He said the Ghanaian government seeks to protect its petty traders from undue competition, stressing
that the GIPC law is for medium and large enterprises and not for micro-businesses.

Representative of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council, Ms Abiola Ogunbiyi, called for an

understanding of the provisions of the ECOWAS treaty. She said while provisions of the regional
integration treaty presuppose that things are working, the reality is different.

The president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Babatunde Runsewe, noted
that the use of domestic policies that negate the spirit of economic integration in the sub-region limit
bilateral ties among member countries.

“There are numerous institutional and infrastructure problems militating against the lofty objectives of
ECOWAS. We, therefore, need to tackle the current frustrating barriers to trade in the sub-region.

“The trade treaties are not being fully implemented. Compliance levels are very low and commitment
to the trade protocols is very weak. After 43 years of ECOWAS, we are still grappling with numerous
tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.” he said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) meanwhile has halted the supply of petroleum products to filling
stations within 20 kilometres of all the land borders.

The directive might not be unconnected with allegations that operators of some border filling stations
were conniving with criminals to smuggle fuel to neighbouring countries.

Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who gave the directive through a memo signed by Chidi
A, the Deputy Comptroller General (Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation), said petroleum
tankers must not be allowed to discharge contents within said distances.

NUPENG, PENGASSAN Back FG On Fuel Sale Suspension,

Border Residents Fume
The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended supply of petroleum products to petrol stations within 20
kilometres of all the border posts.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali ( retd.), gave this directive to all commands
through the Deputy Comptroller- General Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Agustine Chidi,
late Wednesday in Abuja.

He stated that petroleum tankers must not be allowed to discharge content within 20 kilometres to
borders.

But residents of border communities, who spoke to our correspondents on Thursday, expressed concern
about the government’s directive.

They said the decision would worsen their suffering.

However, in spite of the government’s order, smuggling of petrol products was still going on in border
communities visited by our correspondents on Thursday.

Ali had in a letter dated November 6, 2019, titled, “EII/2019/Circular No 027 suspension of petroleum
products supply to filling stations within 20 kilometres to all borders,” ordered all customs zonal
coordinators, Operation Swift Response and other sector heads to effect the suspension of sale of
petroleum products at borders.

The letter stated, “The Comptroller-General of Customs has directed that henceforth no petroleum
product no matter the tank size is permitted to discharge fuel in any filling station within 20 kilometres
to a border. Consequently, you are to ensure strict and immediate compliance please.”

The Federal Government had on August 18, closed borders between Nigeria and its neighbours, citing
massive smuggling and illegal immigration as the reasons.

On Monday, it gave conditions for the reopening of the borders. It said Nigeria would no longer accept
repackaged imported goods from its neighbours. The Federal Government also insisted that all aliens
coming into the country through the land borders must have travel passports.

Border filling stations, conduit for smuggling – NUPENG

Unions in the oil sector supported the government’s decision. The General Secretary of the Nigerian
Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Afolabi Olawale, said the union was in support of the
suspension of the supply of fuel to border filing stations.

He said the number of filing stations within 20 kilometres radius of Nigerian borders were more than
the number of filling stations inside the towns.

Olawale said, “One wonders what economic motive drives the establishment of such a large number of
filling stations close to the border.

“The only explanation would be that they are being used as conduit pipe through which smuggled
petroleum products are taken out of the country.”

He said the effect of the action would not be felt by Nigerians, adding that 10 litres of fuel was enough
to drive around 20km distance.

He said, “We are in full support of the move. It is in continuation of the efforts to stop smuggling of
petroleum products and other goods across the borders.”

PENGASSAN backs Customs on petroleum

Also, the spokesperson for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Fortune
Obi, told one of our correspondents that the move was in order.

He said, “It is a good development because this is one of the things we have been talking about. Why
do we often have products’ insufficiency in Nigeria?
“Why is this so when those who share borders with us are taking the products, which, of course, is not
good for the country?

“We import petroleum products with huge foreign exchange, so why should it be smuggled out of the
country when we don’t even have enough at times in the country?”

Customs’ incompetence responsible for smuggling – Community leader

But while NUPENG backed the action, residents and community leaders of Idi-Iroko , Imeko-Afon and
other border areas in Ogun State have frowned upon the decision of the Federal Government.

They said the suspension would compound their plight.

A former Chairman of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Tosin Adeluyi, said, “The Federal
Government is trying to compound the suffering of the people at the border areas. No matter how
laudable the idea is, the border dwellers should not be suffering because of customs’ ineffectiveness
because the fuel tankers can only go through the normal road and they know the capacity of each
community .”

A resident of Idiroko border area in the state, Adewale Bamgbose, said, “We still have fuel for now but,
definitely our problem will soon start.”

Smuggling persists despite govt’s order

A source in the area, however, said that despite the closure of the borders, contraband goods were still
being brought into the country.

Checks by one of our correspondents revealed that at Jibiya and Kongolam border towns in Katsina
State, fuel stations in the towns continued to sell fuel.

An attendant at a fuel station at Jibiya said he had not received any instruction directing him to stop
selling fuel.

He stated, “Nobody tells me to stop selling fuel. Even, the security operatives at the border post were
here this morning to buy fuel for their vehicles.”

At a fuel station at Magamar-Jibiya, suspected smugglers were seen loading several 25 kilogramme
kegs of fuel into a vehicle with the intention of taking them to Niger Republic.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the practice had been going on before the
Federal Government’s directive.
At the Seme border, a petroleum product dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said,
“Smugglers have reconstructed their fuel tanks or built bunker under the vehicle to contain up to 200 or
more litres of petroleum products.

“They will drive to Owode Apa and environs discharge and sell out to ever- waiting customers.”

Border closure not against Ndigbo – Ali

Meanwhile, the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Ali, on Thursday dismissed a claim that the
border closure across the country was targeted at businessmen and women from Igbo extraction.

Ali, who spoke during a meeting with stakeholders, including businessmen and women, in Aba, Abia
State, explained that national security and improvement in the country’s economy were the reasons
behind the closure of the nation’s borders.

Maintaining that the policy was not a punitive measure against Igbo importers, the customs boss, who
was represented at the event by the Public Relations Officer of NCS, Joseph Attah, urged members of
the public to disregard such speculation.

“This question of targeting Igbo importers over the border closure has come repeatedly. When you go
to the North, the people there will ask you; are you sure that the intensity with which you carry out this
here is what you do in the South-West?

“When you go to the South-West, they will ask you if what you are doing there is what you are doing in
the South-East. And here, we are in the South-East; we are getting the same question.

“Let us face the facts; what is being done is about national security and economy. Over a period of
time, trans-border crimes and criminalities have affected our safety on our roads, our homes and have
affected our ability to yield dividends from our investments,” Ali added.

In a related development, the Africa Finance Corporation plans to invest $450m in the automation of
the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service in 12 months.

The Managing Director, Bionica Technologies West Africa Ltd., Mr Umar Kuta, made this known in
Abuja on Thursday when he appeared before the joint House of Representatives Committees on
Finance; Customs and Excise; and Public Petitions.

The House had mandated the joint committee to probe into the modernisation of the Nigeria Customs
Service.

Kuta explained that the modernisation would improve revenue generation by the NCS and enhance
security at the country’s borders.

He said, “A complete automation of the activities of the NCS within 12 months will boost revenue and
eliminate all forms of sharp practices in the system.”

According to the presentation made by the MD to the committee, a copy of which journalists sited after
the meeting, his firm has five technical partners, namely Paramout Group, Huawei Technology, Smiths
Detection, Larsen & Toubro Group and Nuctech of China.

The partners, he said, were mobilising about $450m in investment to attain the complete turnaround of
the customs.

Kuta told the committee that the Africa Finance Corporation had also indicated its interest in
supporting the customs’ automation programme.

Also on Thursday, the NSC said it had impounded a number of prohibited items worth over N2bn and
arrested 239 illegal immigrants since August 20, 2019.

The spokesman for the Federal Government Strategic Communication Team, Joseph Attah, disclosed
this at a forum in Owerri attended by the representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the
National Orientation Agency as well as fish and poultry farmers.

Attah, who listed the items seized to include 4,321 bags of 50kilogrammes of par boiled foreign rice,
8,982 jerry cans of petrol, 399 vehicles, life cartridges and hard drugs, explained that the borders were
closed because of the abuse of ECOWAS protocols by some neighbouring Africans.

He said the closure of the borders would continue until such errant nations began to abide by the
ECOWAS protocols.

Corrupt People No Longer Flaunting Their Wealth – Lai

Mohammed
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that corrupt persons do not flaunt their
wealth as they used to before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister said this on Thursday in Abuja at the special town hall meeting on the fight against
corruption hosted by his ministry in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, Igbere TV
reports.

Mohammed added that the war against corruption is a war of survival for Nigeria.

“For as long as the nation fails to check corruption, tackling insecurity and the revamping the economy
will remain a mirage.

“In other words, the fight against corruption is pivotal to the success of the other cardinal programmes
of the Administration,” he said.

“One may say that the war against corruption is still a war in progress, it is also fair to say that
corruption has been driven under the table.

“The corrupt ones can no longer flaunt the proceeds of their corruption the way they used to do in the
past.

“That is a major step forward. After all, every successful battle is a step towards winning a war.”

Panelists at the event included the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, and the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and other
Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye.

Others were the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Prof. Muhammed Isah, Chairman of
Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itsey Sagay who was represented
by the Executive Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Sadiq Radda.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-
General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, were represented at the event.

Nigerians In UK Protest Against Buhari's Alleged Medical

Treatment
Nigerians under the platform of the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria on
Thursday in the United Kingdom protested at the Abuja House in London over the visit by President
Muhammadu Buhari for alleged medical treatment.

The protesters led by Gabriel Agbontaen, demanded that President Buhari should return home and fix
Nigerian hospitals instead of seeking medical treatment abroad and planning for the importation of
foreign medical Doctors.
They highlighted the insecurity and lack of basic amenities in Nigeria while Nigerian politicians
continued to travel abroad to enjoy facilities provided by the politicians of other countries.

The protesters queried why President Buhari continued to patronise foreign services when foreign
products such as rice had been banned by his government.
Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, on Monday travelled to London to meet with his boss to
sign the amended bill of the Deep Offshore (and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract) Act which
was recently passed into law by the National Assembly.
In the course of his 2015 electoral campaign, President Buhari promised Nigerians that he will not seek
medical treatment abroad.
He recently banned ministers from unjustifiable international trips.
Since his assumption in office, he had spent almost 200 days out of office for medical tourism.

The protesters argued that since Buhari’s visit was private, he ought to privately incur the financial cost
of his visits.
About N10bn had been budgeted for the Aso Rock Clinic since Buhari assumed office in 2015, yet
Aisha Buhari complained in 2017 that there was no syringe in the clinic.

Though no government official came out of the Abuja House to address the protesters, who were there
for over two hours, some persons were seen filming the demonstrators from inside the facility.
The British police were there to ensure that the protest remained peaceful.

PUNCH: Collapsed Synagogue Guesthouse Met British

Standards – Expert
A professor of building and structural engineering, Patrick Nwankwo, on Thursday, told a Lagos State
High Court in Igbosere that the collapsed Synagogue Church of All Nations’ guesthouse complied with
the British standard code of building, adding that the collapse had nothing to do with structural defects.

The Lagos State Government had sued SCOAN over the collapsed building that killed 116 persons on
September 12, 2014.

Two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, and their companies, Hardrock Construction
and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited, were charged with 110 counts bordering on
involuntary manslaughter, while the registered trustees of SCOAN were charged with one count of
building without approval.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, while being led-in-evidence by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo
(SAN), Nwankwo told the court that he visited the site, took some measurements and carried out
thorough investigations on what could have been responsible for the collapse and found out that all the
components and building processes met the British building code standards.

Sanwo-Olu Presents Lagos State Budget Proposal Of 1.168

Trillion Naira for 2020
With a proposed fiscal plan of N115 billion for public infrastructure, Lagos State, next year, will be a
massive construction site.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, presented the Year 2020 Budget proposal to the House of
Assembly, unveiling his administration’s plan to accelerate the growth of State’s economy by proposing
aggressive investments in critical areas of priorities – physical infrastructure, environment, human
capital and security.

Sanwo-Olu announced that the State would be spending N1.168 trillion, which will be funded from a
projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1.071 trillion. The budget deficit, put at N97.53
billion, will be financed through internal and external loans, the Governor said.

Besides, the fiscal proposal also included a provision for the new minimum wage.

Giving a breakdown of the budget tagged “Awakening to a Greater Lagos”, Sanwo-Olu earmarked 62
per cent, representing N723.75 billion of total spending, for capital expenditure. He said recurrent
expenditure, put at 38 per cent, will take N444.81 billion.

About N167.81 billion of the recurrent expenditure will go for personnel costs and other staff-related
expenses, representing 22.02 per cent of the total revenue. This, the Governor noted, is within the
acceptable wage policy, which benchmarks 25 per cent staff overheads in the budget.

Sanwo-Olu said the proposed budget would help the State achieve a sustainable social investment and
scale up private sector-led economic growth through investment in infrastructure and security. He said
it would also improve civic engagement in governance and foster partnership with the Federal
Government and the civil society.

Explaining why his administration will be earmarking huge funds to the environment and public
infrastructure, the Governor said Lagos had been facing combined threats from population explosion
and climate change.

He said: “Lagos faces an existential threat, arising from the interplay of demographic and climate
change. Lagos will continue to be a magnet for multitudes within and outside Nigeria, in search of jobs
and economic prosperity. These levels of migration put phenomenal strain on the physical and fiscal
resources of the state.

“This budget seeks to aggressively invest in and develop our education, health and other physical
infrastructure sectors. As at September 2019, our capital expenditure on works and infrastructure was
just N31 billion, which is less compared with N78 billion proposed in the current year. It is our
intention to spend N115 billion on physical infrastructure in 2020.

“In response to the perennial challenges of flooding in the metropolis, we have to triple the capital
budget provision to tackle this observed problems from N3 billion in 2019 to N9 billion in 2020. We
are embarking on massive desilting of major drain systems across the State next year.”

Sanwo-Olu plans to spend N48 billion on education and technology. This represents 60 per cent rise in
capital allocation to the Ministry of Education. On healthcare, the State plans to spend N33 billion on
healthcare programmes, which include proposed revamping and re-equipping over 350 Primary Health
Centres.

Sanwo-Olu described the proposed budget as “unique”, noting that its details reflected the wishes of
residents, following series of consultations and feedback from stakeholders across senatorial districts.

The Governor assured residents of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the budget,
pointing out that there would be strict performance mechanism to drive compliance and measure the
progress of the budget at the execution stage.

He said: “The 2020 Budget will be supported by a Performance Management System that will ensure
that, by December 2020, we shall achieve an optimal budget implementation when compared with
previous years. This is in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability in the
management of public finances.

“We have provided N11.8 billion as counterpart funds in preparation for various social impact schemes.
In addition, we have made provisions for N7.1 billion this year, to provide for industrial hubs, parks,
graduate internship programs and virtual markets for artisans. This is in support for Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which are the engines for both economic and employment growth.”

Reviewing the performance of 2019 Appropriation Bill, which he signed into law in June shortly after
he assumed office, Sanwo-Olu said his Government embarked on strict implementation of the budget
and achieved 69 per cent efficiency at the end of September.

He said his administration completed critical projects that directly impacted residents, including two
Maternal and Child Care Centers (MCCs) in Eti-Osa and Alimosho areas, and 492-flat Lateef Jakande
Housing Estate in Igando.

The Governor said several other capital projects captured in the 2019 budget, including 31 arterial
roads in Ojokoro/Ijaiye area, a High Court and Magistrates Court complex in Eti-Osa Local
Government Area, and a Police Command Complex in Ojo Local Government Area, will be completed.

Sanwo-Olu observed that the approved re-ordering of the 2019 budget by the legislature gave the
Government an opportunity to raise N250 billion in addressing critical infrastructure needs, including
rehabilitation of public schools, ongoing construction of Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Agege–Pen
Cinema Overhead Bridge, Agric–Isawo Road, Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Igbogbo Road, and an ongoing
road rehabilitation by Lagos Public Works.

He added that the loan will also enable his administration to start the desilting of drain systems,
provision of security and emergency hardware, light rail infrastructure, and construction of a General
Hospital in Ojo, which is to be fitted with a Spinal and Neurology Unit.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated that his administration’s development agenda, known as Project T.H.E.M.E.S,
was designed to address major challenges facing the State and create a city that would work for the
citizens. He said his administration was ready to transform Lagos by rethinking projects that will
improve the wellbeing of the residents.

The House of Assembly chamber was filled to the brim, as a large crowd of Lagos residents,
comprising leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), State Executive
Council members, traditional rulers, workers, traders, artisans, students and stakeholders in the private
sector, witnessed the budget presentation.

Olisa Methu Arrived In Court In Full Dead Body Arrangement

Olisa Methu arrived in court in full dead body arrangement.
https://mobile.twitter.com/DOlusegun/status/1192701022487109632

10 Prominent Politicians Buhari Has Reduced To Bloggers

This is the list of ten formerly powerful politicians that the Lion King President Muhammadu Buhari
has reduced to bloggers, always disturbing and distracting the cyber space with their wailing that are
aimed at destroying Nigeria

It is so shameful that for a long period of time now, all of them have maintained the title "former" even
when they are still young and no plan of retiring from active politics
1..FORMER SENATOR SHEHU SANI
2...FORMER MINISTER FFK
3....FORMER GOVERNOR FAYOSE
4....FORMER LAW MAKER JUNAID
5....FORMER SENATOR BEN BRUCE
6.....FORMER MINISTER OSITA CHIDOKA
7......FORMER VICE PRESIDENT ATIKU
8.....FORMER PRESIDENTIAL AID RENO OMOKRI
9....FORMER MINISTER OBY EZEKWESIRI
10...FORMER.......BUBA GALADIMA

Oil Bloc: Mass Sack Looms As More IOCs Mull Exit

....Total appoints bank to manage $750m asset sale

.....Oil industry job loss hits 3,500

By Adeola Yusuf

Mass sack is currently looming in Nigeria’s oil industry as more international oil companies
consider pulling out from Nigeria’s oil bloc stakes.

The move, which came a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the bill
that amends the Deep Offshore (and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract) Act, New
Telegraph gathered exclusively yesterday, is to worsen the over 3,500 job loss suffered by
Nigeria’s oil industry between 2016 and 2019.

French super major, Total, which pioneered the fresh exit plan from Oil Mining Lease
(OML) 118, this newspaper gathered, has appointed an investment bank, Rothschild, to
manage its $750 million asset sale in Nigeria.

Total is not the only international oil company that has stakes in OML 118.

The stake owners include Royal Dutch Shell – the operator – Exxon Mobil and Eni.

While Royal Dutch Shell owns 55 per cent stake in OML 118, Exxon Mobil has 20 per
cent, Eni and Total both own 12 per cent in the oil bloc.

There has been exchange of correspondences between the IOCs offices in Nigeria and their
headquarters situated in their mother countries over this move, this newspaper can report
authoritatively.

“While a lot of these correspondences centred on implications of the new law guiding
Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) to “our bottom lines, our officers here in Nigeria have
been tasked to take resolutions on the new bill as an emergency,” a top management staff of
one of the oil majors told this newspaper.
Stating that there would be need for re-adjustment in revenue forecast and projections made
on investments in Nigeria before the bill, he maintained that there would be “realignment in
spending and possible right-sizing to reflect the new reality.”

There has been mass sack of over 3,500 workers in Nigeria’s oil industry between 2016 and
2019, data compiled by this newspaper showed.

While the country’s economic recession was responsible for the sack of about 3,000 in
2016, the United States super oil major, Chevron, sacked 500 staff working on various
projects of the company in Nigeria in 2019.

The two major unions in the oil and gas sector, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural
Gas (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
(PENGASSAN), then threatened to go on strike, saying over 3,000 of their members were
affected during the 2016 mass sack.

Total Group is already looking for buyers for one of its major oil blocs in Nigeria.

The oil company wants to sell off its 12.5 per cent stake and has already contracted an
investment bank to manage the sale process of the deepwater oilfield.

Total’s 12.5 per cent stake in the deepwater oilfield, Oil Mining Lease 118, is estimated to
be worth $750 million. Part of the oil bloc includes Bonga field, which began production in
2005.

According to report, the Bonga field has produced around 225,000 barrels of oil and 150
million standard cubic feet of gas per day at its peak.

With the $10 billion development of the Bonga Southwest field, production output is
expected to grow.

The decision to sell its stake in the OML 118, which is located some 120 kilometres (75
miles) off Niger Delta, is coming amidst Total’s expansion in Africa.

The company is also reportedly planning to sell $5 billion of assets around the world by
2020; the sale of its stake in OML 118 is part of the assets’ sale.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), it would be recalled,

invited interested bidders for the development of the Bonga South West Aparo (BSWA) oil
field in February 2019.

It was reported that the project’s initial phase includes a new Floating, Production, Storage
and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, more than 20 deep-water wells and related subsea
infrastructure.

The field lies across Oil Mining Leases 118, 132 and 140, about 15km southwest of the
existing Bonga Main FPSO.
 But Shell disclosed days after that the directive by the Nigerian government to foreign oil
companies to pay $20 billion in taxes owed would delay the final investment decision on its
Bonga Southwest deepwater oilfield.

Buhari, Osinbajo Will,together ,script A Glorious Future For

Nigeria- Femi Adesina
The Presidency wishes to confirm that there is, on-going, an unprecedented overhaul of the nation’s
seat of government, arising from which a number of political appointments have either been revoked or
not renewed in the Second Term.

The exercise, which has been ordered by the President, is to streamline decision-making, cut down
multiple authorities and reduce the cost of administration.
It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the Presidency has an oversized and
bloated workforce which acts as a drag on efficiency.

As may have been noticed by discerning members of the public, a number of political appointees
among the few that served in the office of the President were not returned for the Second Term.

The office of the Vice President, His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo has, in compliance with the directive of
the President, equally been shed of a number of such appointees.

In carrying out these exercises, the overriding objective is to save taxpayer money and deliver needed
service to the public. As far as the President is concerned, there is no scope for an excuse for
administration after getting a huge mandate to run the country for four more years.

In the light of this, the Presidency wishes to strongly deny rumours of a rift between President
Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The relationship between the two leaders
remains excellent and trusting. Together, they will script a glorious future for the nation.

The media reports of a soured relationship are originating from the minds and mouths of mischief
makers, who are desperate for entertaining stories from the Aso Rock Villa with which to titillate the
public. This ulterior motive is the basis of the wrong interpretation given to the recent exercise in the
Presidency.

There has been a streamlining of staff going on for a while. The President has always had fewer staff
than the Vice President, and there were always plans to reduce the number of staff at the Villa.

The streamlining was not personal or targeted to undermine the Vice President's office, as the so-called
insider sources quoted by the media appear to make it seem.

The President is in absolute control of his government. The media should stop attributing non-existent
powers to some people. There cannot be anyone too powerful for President Buhari to control.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media and Publicity)

November 8, 2019

Dickson Wasted N100bn On Bayelsa Airport Runway –

oshiomhole
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused the Bayelsa
State Governor, Seriake Dickson, of wasting almost N100bn on the construction of runway for the state
airport.

Oshiomhole spoke on Thursday in Abuja after a meeting with governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and
Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa), as well as a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken
Lokpobiri.

The former Edo State governor said Dickson should blame himself and not President Muhammadu
Buhari for the flooded runway which had not opened for business.

According to Oshiomhole, the governor lied by saying the Federal Government shut the airport to rob
him of the glory ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa.

Oshiomhole said, “You know the fact that Bayelsa airport has been flooded. Is it Buhari that flooded
the airport? It is flooded because the runway is below the ground level. They ought to have carried out
proper survey. So, the runway is flooded because it was not built properly.

“We challenge Dickson to use his own plane for a test and land on that airport. We challenge Dickson
to prove that, when the airport was flooded, the flood was caused by Buhari. We challenge him to show
the kind of control tower he has built.”

Oshiomhole accused the governor of building the most expensive runway in the world and yet could
not serve the people.

He said, “Was it Buhari that asked him to inflate the contract because there are different versions of the
actual cost. I put it to my dear friend and brother, Dickson, that that contract has entered the Guinness
Book of Record as the most expensive runway ever built anywhere in the world.
“So, the truth is, he’s in trouble. He cannot tell his people why he would spend close to N100bn for a
facility such as that. Yet, he himself cannot land on it.”

Lokpobiri promised to work for the APC candidate, David Lyon, in the election.

He urged all his supporters to vote for the APC.

Speaking earlier, Badaru said the APC had gained the ground in Bayelsa and would win the election
convincingly.

Buhari Leaves Deputy Looking Weak Amid Nigeria Succession

Talk - Bloomberg
President chose not to hand power to deputy while abroad

Attention turning to succession politics before 2023 election

While Buhari, 76, transferred power to Osinbajo, 62, during his first term when he traveled abroad for
medical reasons, it’s the second time he’s opted not to since being re-elected in February. His chief-of-
staff, Abba Kyari, this week had to fly to London so that Buhari could sign long-awaited oil legislation
approved by parliament.

Speculation that Buhari is marginalizing Osinbajo was partly fueled by the president’s decision last
month to appoint a new economic advisory council that reports directly to him, replacing a committee
headed by the vice president. Nigerian newspapers reported that Buhari, who is on a 15-day private
visit to the U.K., this week approved the dismissal of dozens of Osinbajo’s aides.

The treatment of Osinbajo since the election “has sent a strong signal to the ruling party and national
power brokers that Buhari has no plans to anoint, or go out of his way to position, his VP as his
preferred successor,” said Matthew Page, an associate fellow at London-based Chatham House. “It also
sends a signal that Buhari prefers to maintain tight control over government decision-making.”

Osinbajo's Aides: Anybody Who Employs Also Has A Right To

Sack - Tony Momoh
Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information has said anybody who hires workers is also at
liberty to terminate their appointments if he deems fit.

Speaking while reacting to the sack of 35 aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by the presidency,
Momoh charged journalists to find out the reason why the workers are sacked before jumping into
conclusions
“He who employs can sack. But I think we are politicizing the developments in the Villa and these are
areas we know nothing about. It is good to find out what really happened”.

” Were they employed in the first place? If they are, what are the conditions of employment? If they are
sacked, why are they sacked? One thing about journalism is that if in doubt leave out.

“One thing with Law is that if in doubt, file a motion and go to court; one thing with social media is if
you receive, share without confirming how true the news is or not” he said.

Social Media Regulation Bill: Law Makers Are Also Entitled To

Prison
The social media regulation bill which was sternly neglected and rebuked by  former President of the
Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has passed first reading under Senate President Lawal. The bill which is
meant to combat fake news, hate speech and other related offence reserve three years jail term for the
offenders, VAM News reports.

Surprisingly, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed who is the custodian and Commander
In Chief of fake news and propaganda association happens to be the crusader of social media
regulation. If social media regulation bill would be effective in Nigeria, these law makers should
regulate their  mouths and stop dishing out what the Federal Government has never achieved.

Some weeks ago,  One aged minister of agriculture blatantly and shamelessly proclaimed that there's
no hunger in Nigeria. I wonder the kind of fake news that would be more stronger than this or is it true
that there is no hunger in Nigeria?  The last time I checked,  Congo of locally produced rice is sold at
the rate of #600 or #700.  

A family of four will consume one Congo without satisfaction while other things being equal. More so,
the hiker level in the price of rice has drastically increased almost other products in the market. Tell me
where this minister got his waspish research of no hunger proclamation. Is he not entitled to prison as
well for airing this kind of fake news? 

Similarly, special assistant to the President on Social Investment Program, Mrs. Maryam Uwais aired
another fake news by asserting that, Abacha's loots has been given to the poor. I cannot but imagine the
caliber of poor Nigerians she is referring to. Where and how do they distribute the loots to the poor? 

Through which medium and channel. No wonder there's no more almajiris in the North. I guess they
are enjoying Abacha's loots. No wonder there are no more street urchins and unemployment. Everyone
is enjoying Abacha's loots. Shame on the bunch of liars in the helm of affairs. She is also entitled to
prison if we are to abide by the social media regulation bill on fake news.
Recently, the Honorable minister of works and housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola made a very irritating
and disapointing  comments on the condition of our roads. Fashola who has never traveled by road
across different states of the country sat comfortably under the stench of cool breeze and said Nigeria
roads are not bad as portrayed. Has Fashola forgotten that 'Bad' is an understatement to qualify the
bumpy, poor and wobbled condition of our roads? 

Why didn't he make a tour round the different states and see under his eye glass the despicable
condition of the roads. Why would someone who majorly travels by air be talking about the horrible
experience the motorists are having on our roads. Now tell me if this news is real or fake, Mr. Lai
Muhammad and the Senate should think twice before this social media regulation nonsensical bill. 

The bill is only meant to punish the oppositions, silent Nigerians against criticisms and hinder the
freedom of expression and the press. Say no to Social Media regulation bill. Nigerians arise! 

We Will Correct Our Mistakes- El-rufai

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Friday, said the administration would correct its mistakes and
uplift the living standard of the people in the next four years.

The governor made the commitment in Kaduna State when he received some All Progressives
Congress leaders in the state who visited to congratulate him on his victory at the Court of Appeal in
the case challenging the state governorship election results.

“In four years we will try again, we will prepare and correct our mistakes to do better.

“We will work harder to ensure that we raise the living standard of our people by giving them the
opportunity and the quality of that opportunity,” he said.

El-Rufai also said, “we will work in ensuring that the confidence that people repose on us with this
election is not wasted.”

He stressed that the governorship election was free and fair, and legitimately won by the APC, adding
that the party had nothing to do with the stolen mandate.

“I want on behalf of myself and my colleagues, express our gratitude to you for believing in us and
making the sacrifices to witness this judgement.

“We have never doubted that the elections were free and fair, we have never asked anyone to rig
elections and we ensured that we are never rigged out or cheat.

” We do not want fake mandate and we want the people of Kaduna State to properly elect us,” he said.
El-Rufai said they were relieved that election has been validated by the courts, but expressed sadness
that the party “lost some of the state assembly and House of Reps seats.”

Mosquito Can Cause Malaria - Obaseki To Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has replied the ‘mosquito buzz’ comment by National
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Comrade Oshiomhole had in July likened the political situation in the state to that of a buzzing
mosquito around the ear.

He said, “the test of leadership is when a mosquito is blowing your ear, if you keep quiet nobody will
hear and if you shout mosquito, mosquito everybody will hear…may we not be provoked by it”.

Governor Obaseki who spoke on Friday in Benin during the 2019 Edo Women Summit tagged
“Delivering to our People: Next Level,” said Edo is making progress and that nobody can stop it.

"We are not afraid of anybody and any noise you are hearing, ignore it. Politics has started and we are
going to include women in our campaign, because you believe in our dream and you are part of our
success,”

”They said we are Mosquito, but mosquito can cause malaria, if you are not careful, malaria will kill
you,”

He said with the investment in education through EdOBEST, the state will no longer produce “agbero”
but youths who will acquired certificate.

According to him, women have been the driving force of his administration and the success recorded so
for was as a result of the women folks.

“I will continue to create enabling environment for women to do business and no one will come to
harrass you in the name of ticket.

In her remark, Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, commended the women for their
unflinching support for the Obaseki-led administration.

She said the state government has realised the importance of women and has agreed to include women
in his campaign for next level so as to win convincingly.
Road Comment: Resign Now, Apologize To Nigerians, PDP Tells
Fashola
November 8, 2019

Press Statement

Road Comment: Resign Now, Apologize to Nigerians, PDP Tells Fashola

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,
to resign immediately and apologize to Nigerians over his unpardonable comment that the terrible state
of roads in the nation is being exaggerated.

The PDP describes the statement as unfortunate, especially coming from the Minister of Works, who
ought to be apologetic for the decrepit state of roads across the country since the last four years he has
been minister.

The party says the statement is a violent assault on the sensibility of over 200 million Nigerians and
further demonstrates the disdain with which the Buhari administration holds our citizens who lost their
lives and many more who daily undergo mental and physical torture using our dilapidated roads.

The PDP holds that the minister’s comment must be premeditated and reflects the official position of
the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which has no regard for
Nigerians and only thrives in propaganda and false claims to cover its failures in governance.

Every Nigerian knows that most of the major roads across the country are in sorry state and that
travelling on our roads has become traumatizing and one of the highest life threatening experiences in
our country since the last four years.

The comment by the failed minister of works is therefore highly provocative and capable of invoking
the anger of Nigerians, because it shows that either he has not been going through our roads and as
such not in touch with reality or he has exposed himself as falsehearted official.

Our party is however not surprised at such comment from the minister because the Buhari
administration, in which he serves, thrives only in propaganda, blame game, excuses and false
performance claims because it has nothing to offer.

The minister's reprehensible claim is therefore a clear pointer that Nigerians should not expect any
intervention on roads under the Buhari administration.

This is the same minister who boasted that any responsible government should fix power within six
months, only for the Buhari administration, with him as minister supervising power, to turn around and
wrecked the gains achieved by previous administrations.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note that such leadership failures characterized by reckless statements is
always characteristic of governments that did not derive from the mandate of the people at the polls and
therefore believe that it is not answerable to them.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Sack Of Osinbajo's Aides: Buhari Was Right After All - By

Yunana Dung
The media space has been awash with reports about the reported disengagement of about thirty five
aides working or that were formerly working with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Several
dailies had claimed that the affected aides had their Villa tags withdrawn on Wednesday and Thursday.
The reports further hinted that the aides were appointed in August.

Although the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that purportedly issued the
disengagement letters denied that such sack took place, Dailytrust on Thursday released the names and
portfolios of the affected aides.

I will reproduce some of the names and their portfolios for Nigerians to decide whether Osinbajo really
needs the affected aides in the first place;
I. Arukino Umukoro- SA, Niger Delta
II. Edobor Iyamu SSA, Niger Delta
III. Gambo Manzo SA, Political
IV. Bisi Ogungbemi SA, Political Matters
V. Bala Liman Mohammed SSA Economy
VI. Akin Soetan SSA, Economic matters
VII. Yosola Akinbi SSA, NEC
VIII. Edirin Akemu SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment
IX. Yussuf Ali SA, Power regulations
X. Morakinyo Beckley SA, Off-grid power
XI. Tochi Nwachukwu SA, Power Privatisation
XII. Tola Asekun SSA, National boundary commission
XIII. Lanre Osinbona- SSA, ICT
XIV. Imeh Okon- SSA, Infrastructure
XV. Jide Awolowo- SA, Oil and Gas
XVI. Lilian Idiaghe- SA, Research, Legal and Compliance
XVII. Dolapo Bright SSA, Agro-Allied Value Chain
XVIII. Toyosi Onaolapo SA, Community engagement
XIX. Aondaver Kuttuh Technical Assistant, Rule of Law
XX. Ife Adebayo SA, Innovation.

One of the campaign promises of the current administration was reduction in the cost of governance.
Such agenda of course can only be achieved if irrelevant political appointments are not made and
political appointees deemed surplus to requirement are disengaged.

Does Osinbajo need two SA and SSA on Niger Delta when we have a full Ministry and a Commission
called NDDC? Does the Vice President has need for two SAs on Political and Political matters? What
duplicity is this? What politics is he playing? Does the Professor of Law have any need for 4 aides on
Economic matters even when his Economic Management Team has been disbanded with Buhari setting
up the Economic Advisory Council?

I can go on and on. Let me remind my readers that some Agencies and Programmes that were hitherto
under the supervision of the Vice President have been ceded to some Ministries. These aides were
assisting Osinbajo when they were still under the office of the Vice President. No wonder the aides
were deployed to the relevant Ministries and Agencies. Why force aides on Ministers who might have
engaged aides already, performing the same duties as those redeployed to their ministries? Of course
they became redundant and must be discarded.

Those weaving their whole argument around 2023 and power tussle between the VP and the fictitious
cabal must have a rethink and consider the overall interest of the country. Today, a large chunk of the
nation's budget is set aside for recurrent expenditure with little or nothing for capital projects. Yet we
complain about the slow pace of development in the country. How can we grow when one man that
makes little or no contribution to economic policies have 4 SAs and SSAs? SAs on Niger Delta, which
is not even under his watch?

Going forward, the Presidency should review appointment of aides to make room for efficiency. A Vice
President with over 85 aides defies logic in the real sense of it.

Yunana Dungs wrote this piece from Jos, Plateau State and could be reached via yarise@yahoo.com

IGP Appoints 13 New AIGs, Others

The police force headquarters in Abuja has announced the appointment of thirteen new Assistant
Inspector Generals of Police(AIG), to man the various zones in the country and some department at the
force headquarters.

The appointments which is with immediate effect has Dan Bature as the new AIG in charge of Finance
and Administration(DFA), Hyelainda Kimo Musa, AIG Zone 8 Lokoja, Yunana Babas, Special
Protection Unit(SPU).
A copy containing the appointment obtained by Daily Sun, also has Dan-Malam Mohammed, Counter
Terrorism Unit(CTU), Muazu Zubeiru Halilu, Information Communication Technology(ICT), Rabiu
Yusuf, AIG Zone 2, Lagos, Mohammed Iliyasu, AIG, Maritime and Mohammed Uba Kura, AIG Zone
6, Calabar.

Others are Zaki Ahmed, AIG Community Policing, Zama Bala Senchi, AIG Zone 1, Kano Bello Sadiq,
AIG Department Of Operations Services(DOPS), and AUSTIN Agbonlahor Iwero, AIG works.

Promise Not To Arrest Nnamdi Kanu If He Comes Home, Ezeife

Tells FG
A former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has appealed to the Federal
Government to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB)
come to Nigeria for his late mother’s funeral.

Speaking in a chat with Daily Independent, Ezeife said the government should also make a promise not
to harass or arrest Kanu throughout his stay in the country until he leaves.

Ezeife who said the death of a mother is very painful said he is happy that a lot of people have been
calling on the government to allow Kanu come home.

Falana Bombshell: For 2023, Expect A Third Term Agenda Soon

Attack on media, part of third term agenda – Falana

A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has said the attack on free press in the country is over a
third term agenda being nursed by the Federal Government.

Falana spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the public presentation of a book, Testimony to Courage, essays
in honour of Premium Times publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi.

He also accused Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Federal High Court of bias against his client,
Omoyele Sowore, saying the online news publisher had been convicted without trial.

Falana, who was the chairman on the occasion, noted that he had decided not to return to the Justice
Ojukwu-led court.

He stated, “Nobody has been given the kind of bail (condition) Sowore was given. All those who looted
the treasury have never had their movement restricted. Sowore has been granted bail, but his movement
has been restricted to Abuja. His family is in America. He does not live in Abuja. He has no house in
Abuja. Yet, he has been asked to stay in Abuja. The trial may last for 10 years, but he cannot leave
Abuja. It has never happened in Nigeria before. Sowore has been banned as a journalist from speaking.
As a politician, he cannot address a rally until the case is determined. We don’t know how long it will
last.”

Falana said since he had been practising law for 37 years, he had never witnessed the sort of drama that
transpired in the court on Wednesday during the trial of Sowore.

He said he was shocked when he arrived at the court and saw gadgets being prepared for prosecution
witnesses who could not testify in the open court.

“All proceedings and hearings should be in the open. So, if you are going to have anything in camera,
for security reasons, for the interest of children, you will apply in the open court. But no application
was made. And so, when I asked what happened and the judge pretended not to know, I said, ‘My lady,
this case cannot go on because behind us, your court has colluded with the prosecutor to take witnesses
behind us in your court and these are the gadgets here.’ I said the prosecutor had confided in me that the
witnesses would pass through her door so that they would not be seen by us.

“The judge pretended and asked how that happened. I said the application was made before the Deputy
Chief Registrar and it was granted behind us. She sent for the DCR who said he indeed granted the
application. She asked if she knew about it, and the man said he thought she had granted the application
and that was why he made arrangement for the screening gadget. I said, ‘My lord, you can see now. But
you must write a ruling on this.’ But she refused,” he added.

Falana said the judge had already sentenced Sowore and his case mate, Bakare, without trial by
confining their movement to Abuja.

He noted that steps were being taken for the matter to be moved from the court and Abuja in particular
since the alleged crime was not committed there.The lawyer said Nigeria had “gone to the dogs” and
only the media could help.

“The media must not be silenced. You may have a third term campaign soon. Very soon, they will
destroy all possible opponents. And by the time they bring in the third term agenda, the media would
have been gone. But we are not going to allow it. No dictatorship can defeat the Nigerian people,” he
said.

Earlier, journalists, lawyers, authors and members of the civil society berated the President
Muhammadu Buhari administration for the attack on press freedom.

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, said Nigerian journalists were facing
tough times under the current administration, adding that their lack of tools to work with and lack of
good pay, made their job arduous.

A former senator, Shehu Sani, lamented that the current Federal Government, which criticised the
former administration for its autocratic tendencies, had been worse.

Dangote To Renovate Abuja National Stadium

The minister of youths and sports development, Mr Sunday Dare has revealed that Africa’s richest
man, Aliko Dangote is set to renovate the Main Bowl of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Dare said the renovation would include just the football pitch, light and scoreboard at the stadium.

According to him, work would begin in the next two weeks.

“Yes, Abuja is coming back up,” he said.

“Already we have gotten Dangote, I can say that he has agreed to bring back the Abuja football pitch,
the light and scoreboard. Work will start in another one week or two weeks.

“And we will use the same model, we will adopt the pitch model for several of our stadia. At least, the
three other big ones.

“We are looking at between now and March, we should have four big stadia, football pitches, FIFA
standard.

“And I think if given time, within a year, this country should be ready to host any FIFA soccer
tournaments.”

It would be recalled that 60,000 capacity stadium was built in 2003 during former President Olusegun
Obasanjo’s administration and over the years, the national edifice began to waste away.

The last major sporting event held at the stadium was the National Sports Festival held last year
December while the last competitive football game was on April 12, 2016 which was the 2nd leg of the
Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Senegal.

“Grow, Don’t Blow”- Ibrahim Magu Admonishes Youths

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman Ibrahim Magu has admonished Nigerian
Youths to grow in doing legitimate businesses instead of blowing "inordinate/questionable sudden
wealth" in doing illegitimate business.
Pension Fraud: Man Threatens To Beat Up Maina If He Dare
Travel To Europe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ2wQlieahs

Sowore: DSS Claims They Wanted To Release Him But No One

Came To Receive Him
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed receiving the court order on the release of
Omoyele Sowore, convener of the Revolution Now movement.

Sowore was arrested in Lagos on August 3 and later flown to Abuja where he is being detained.

A federal high court in Abuja had granted him bail but after fulfilling the conditions of the bail, the
secret police did not allow him leave its custody.

This sparked a nationwide outrage, with Femi Falana, his lawyer, threatening to sue the DSS.

In a statement on Friday, Peter Afunanya, spokesman of the DSS, said while the agency has received
the order, no one has visited the DSS to take delivery of the activist.

“The DSS wishes to confirm that it has received the court order for the release of Omoyele Sowore,”
the statement read.

“It is important that the public notes that since the receipt of the Order, no person has turned up at the
DSS to take delivery of him. This becomes imperative for reasons of accountability.

“However, the Court has been properly briefed on this development and the steps being taken to ensure
compliance with its Order.

“The Service, under the leadership of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as the Director General, is not a
lawless organization and will never obstruct justice or disobey Court Orders. It, therefore, affirms that
it will do all that is needful once you the appropriate processes have been concluded.”

Deji Adeyanju Volunteers To Pick Sowore, As DSS Said No One

Came To Pick Him
IgbereTV reports that the convener of Concerned Nigerians, Comrade Deji Adeyanju has volunteered
to pick the convener of the RevolutionNow campaign Omoyele Sowore, since the DSS has said that no
one came forward to pick him.

Comrade Deji Adeyanju made this known on Twitter. He wrote:

BREAKING: The DSS in a press release just said they have not released Sowore because nobody has
come forward to receive him.

I, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, hereby volunteer to take Sowore. I will be at the DSS headquarters in the
morning by 10am.

Falana: Our Lawyers Waited For 4 Hours To Receive Sowore

‘Our lawyers spent 4 hours waiting to receive Sowore’ — Falana tackles DSS

Femi Falana, senior of advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says lawyers waited to receive Omoyele Sowore at
the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) after a court order to release him was
served.

The DSS had on Friday said it received the order to free the convener of the Revolution Now
movement, but there was no one to stand on his behalf.

But in a statement, Falana, lead counsel to Sowore, said the DSS statement is misleading as the agency
already told the lawyers that Sowore would be released.

“On 6/11/19 the bailiff of the federal high court wanted to serve the reproduction warrants issued by the
court on the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS). But the SSS asked the Bailiff to call
back at 10.00 am on 7/11/19. The bailiff did and was able to serve the reproduction warrants on the DG
of the SSS,” he said.

“Upon acknowledging the service of the reproduction warrants the SSS assured the bailiff and five
lawyers from the defence team that our clients would be released yesterday. But the SSS decided not to
release our clients to our lawyers who waited in vain in the agency’s headquarters for not less than 4
hours.

“When Sowore said that he would not make a statement without first consulting with me the SSS
management called me on phone on 6/8/19. Assuming the SSS had wanted to release our clients since
yesterday the management would have contacted me.

“It is pertinent to point out that the meaning of reproduction warrant issued by a trial court is that the
defendants be produced for the purpose of releasing them having met their bail conditions. In the
instant case, the
federal high court did not order the SSS to hand over Messrs Sowore and Bakare to any person but to
produce them for the purpose of releasing them having met the suffocating bail conditions imposed on
them by the trial court.

“Even though the SSS disobeyed the order of the Honourable Justice Taiwo for the release of Mr.
Sowore on 24/9/19 it has turned round to announce its readiness to comply with the order of the
Honourable Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu for the release of Sowore and Bakare from illegal custody.”

He added that lawyers from his firm have been directed to contact the DSS on Saturday for the release
of Sowore.

He also urged Sowore to call off his hunger strike.

Sowore has been in DSS detention since August when he was arrested for planning a nationwide
protest.

Don't Resign - Yoruba Elders To Osinbajo

…as Presidency confirms sacking of VP’s aides

The Yoruba Council of Elders has advised Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against resigning his position
because of the alleged war against him by a cabal in the Presidency.

The Yoruba elders also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to remember Osinbajo’s loyalty to him
and refuse to be used by some power against his Vice President.

The Secretary General of the YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, said this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH
in Lagos on Friday.

Olajide said it was obvious that some persons were “seriously” working against the Vice President,
saying the 2023 presidential ambition of some of Osinbajo’s persecutors was the reason for doing this.

The YCE scribe said, “We know like other Nigerians that there are enough signs that some people are
working against Osinbajo but who the people are, I don’t know.

“It is obvious that some people are working against him and unfortunately, it appears as if Mr President
is dancing to their tune.

“I will urge Mr President to remember the Vice President’s loyalty to him in the past four years,
especially when he was out of the country for three months and refused to allow unguarded ambition to
push him.”

Olajide said the elders’ council did not support the advice given by some people to Osinbajo to resign
his position.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hold the ticket together. Both of
them were elected on a joint ticket, so Osinbajo should not resign,” he said.
He urged the Vice President to remain loyal to the President and serve the country “patriotically.”

He said, “Osinbajo should remain god-fearing and people-centred in his activities and in the end, he
will be vindicated.

“No matter the motivation of some 2023 presidential aspirants against him, he should remain steadfast
in what he is doing in the past four years that are acceptable to Nigerians and to God.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency on Friday admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the sacking
of some aides to Osinbajo.

It came after days of silence from the President’s office and barely 24 hours after the VP’s aide denied
that any Osinbajo aide was sacked.

The Presidency stated that the aides were sacked as part of the ongoing overhauling in the seat of
government to cut costs.

A State House statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba
Shehu, which officially confirmed the sacking, denied that the exercise was targeted at Osinbajo or that
there existed any rift between Buhari and Osinbajo.

The statement read, “The Presidency wishes to confirm that there is an ongoing unprecedented
overhaul of the nation’s seat of government, arising from which a number of political appointments
have either been revoked or not renewed in the second term.

“The exercise, which has been ordered by the President, is to streamline decision-making, cut down
multiple authorities and reduce the cost of administration.

“It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the Presidency has an oversized and
bloated workforce which acts as a drag on efficiency.”

It added, “As may have been noticed by discerning members of the public, a number of political
appointees among the few that served in the office of the President were not returned for the second
term.

“The office of the Vice President, His Excellency, Yemi Osinbajo, has, in compliance with the directive
of the President, equally been shed of a number of such appointees.

“In carrying out these exercises, the overriding objective is to save taxpayers’ money and deliver the
needed service to the public. As far as the President is concerned, there is no scope for an excuse for
administration after getting a huge mandate to run the country for four more years.”
Denying that rift existed between Buhari and Osinbajo, the Presidency insisted that their relationship
remained cordial.

He said, “In the light of this, the Presidency wishes to strongly deny rumours of a rift between
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. The relationship between the two
leaders remains excellent and trusting. Together, they will script a glorious future for the nation.

“The media reports of a sour relationship are originating from the minds and mouths of mischief-
makers, who are desperate for entertaining stories from the Aso Rock Villa with which to titillate the
public. This ulterior motive is the basis of the wrong interpretation given to the recent exercise in the
Presidency.

Police Recruitment: Ibrahim Idri Submitted N16.8bn For

Recruitment To Abba Kyari
…IG Adamu wants case against PSC handled by Justice Abang

As the legal battle for the control of the recruitment of 10,000 constables between the Nigeria Police
Force and the Police Service Commission intensifies, investigations by Saturday PUNCH have
revealed that the NPF obtained a presidential approval to spend N16.8bn on the exercise.

Documents obtained by this paper revealed that the NPF obtained the approval in October 2018.

Insights into how the NPF obtained the presidential approval for the recruitment of the 10,000
constables are contained in the documents.

The legal tussle between the NPF and the PSC got to its peak on November 4 when Justice Inyang
Ekwo, who heard the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, reaffirmed an order for the parties to the
suit to maintain the status quo.

Saturday PUNCH learnt on Friday that as part of the steps taken by the NPF to obtain the presidential
approval to conduct the exercise, the immediate-past Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris,
presented a budget proposal of N16.8bn to President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Chief of Staff,
Abba Kyari, for the recruitment of 15,000 constables.

Kyari gave approval for the recruitment but reduced the number of constables to be recruited to 10,000.
The Chief of Staff’s correspondence conveying the approval to the then-IG was seen by one of our
correspondents.

Kyari directed Idris to submit the budget to then-Minister of Budget and National Planning for a
comprehensive review.
He also directed that after the minister’s review, the budget should be included in the 2019
Appropriation Bill.

2023 Presidency: Ohanaeze youths urge Atiku

not to contest
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has urged the the Peoples Democratic Party
presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, not to contest the 2023 Presidency
to pave the way for the emergence of a candidate from the South-East.
The President-General of the group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a statement on Friday urged Atiku to
show maturity by ignoring any call to contest the election in the spirit of maintaining the ‘gentleman’s’
agreement on power rotation between the North and the South.
Isiguzoro said he was confident that power would shift to the South in the 2023 presidential election,
calling on the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the PDP, to ensure that
they zone their tickets to the South.
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He said, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide is confident that power will definitely shift
to the South and we are urging the 2019 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, not to yield to
pressure to battle for the 2023 PDP ticket. He should show maturity and reciprocate the gesture of the
Igbo in 2019 by supporting a President of Igbo stock in 2023.
“The PDP and APC should zone their tickets to the South in 2023 as a way of respecting the principle
of rotational Presidency, which is the best ingredient that has stabilised the unity of the country and
deepened our democracy since 1999.
“Any further attempt to thwart this gentleman’s agreement will further fuel distrust, enmity and
agitation of marginalisation. For equity and justice to reign, the South-East will be the only zone
favoured for the 2023 Presidency.”

16 Boko Haram Terrorists And Their Wives Surrender In Borno

16 persons, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect and Islamic State, West Africa Province
have surrendered themselves, along with eight of their wives, to army troops at Fotokol in Borno State.

This followed consistent raids, clearance patrols, sting operations, cordon and search operations as well
as mortar and artillery bombardment of identified insurgents and bandits’ hideouts in the northern parts
of the country within the past one week.

The coordinator of the Nigerian Army Operations (Media), Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, made the disclosure
in a statement made available to Saturday, on Friday.
Stating several other suspected terrorists were neutralised in the operations, the army media coordinator
further said several Boko Haram logistics suppliers and informants were also intercepted and arrested
by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

“On 1 November 2019 for instance, 16 insurgents along, with eight of their spouses who could no
longer bear the heat from the onslaught against them surrendered to the relentless troops of Sector 1,
Multinational Joint Task Force at Fotokol.

“Subsequently, the surrendered insurgents were later handed over to troops of 3 Battalion (Main) at
Gamboru Ngala, a border town north-east of Borno State.

“During preliminary interrogation and profiling, they confessed to have actively participated in attacks
conducted against both military and civilian targets at various times,” the statement read.

Colonel Aminu listed the names of 14 of the suspects as Ibrahim Bunu, Abba Sale, Baba Lamba Alhaji,
Bukar Isa, Bukar Ali, Rawa Abba Gana, Mustapha Abatcha, Umar Abubakar, Hassan Bukar, Malam
Abatcha Ali, Abba Umar Abatcha, Hussaini Babagana, Idris Mohammed and Umar Abba Bayoma.

He said the 14 suspects were members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), led by Al-
Barnawi, while the remaining two, Hassan Kawu and Babagana Bukar Adijabe, belonged to Boko
Haram (the Abubakar Shekau faction).

“The repentant insurgents, however, regretted their participation in the heinous crimes they committed
against humanity and are now calling on their former colleagues to retrace their steps and also
surrender to troops before it is too late,” he said.