NATIONAL CONVENTION: ‘DOKPESI’S CHAIRMANSHIP WILL HELP PDP TAKE OVER POWER IN 2019’

AHEAD of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national convention on August 17, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, youths in the party under the auspices of Concerned PDP Youth Network, CPYN, have thrown their support for High Chief Raymond Dokpesi as the party’s National Chairman, saying his emergence will see the PDP take back power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2019.

The National Coordinator, CPYN, Hon. Uchechukwu Chukwuma, said youths in the party made critical assessment of the candidates vying for the position and concluded to support Dokpesi.

According to Chukwuma, Dokpesi has the quality of integrity and transparency. We believe he would resuscitate the party and reconcile every aggrieved members, thereby repositioning the PDP to take back the reins of power from the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2019.

He said: “As major stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and have contributed enormously to the survival, sustenance, growth and expansion of Africa’s largest party. Today, we the youths of this great party declare ahead of the party’s National Convention on August 17, 2016, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that we have unanimously agreed to come together to officially endorse the Pillar, Mover and Beacon of Light of our great party, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, CFR, as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Our support for him as respected youths of the party is based on the pedigree he possesses over the years as a focused politician who have been a bridge builder and detribalised Nigerian by keeping members of the party together as one big family.

“He is a man who has portrayed sincerity and patriotism to the party in different ways that are evident in the party until now. He is man of justice and equity and ensures everybody in the party gets what belongs to him.

“The media mogul has several times been at the vanguard of creating strategies to unite the party and has with this greatly impacted on the survival of the party. He has been neutral in the chaos that have rocked the party. Rather, he had made moves to bring peace to the party.

“We stamp our support today for this uncommon, loyal and disciplined party chieftain who has demonstrated commitment to the affairs of the party despite the huge challenges and woes that befell it, especially after losing the presidential election in 2015.”

Chukwuma, however blamed selfish politicians who failed to listen to the voice of reason on what led to the mass exodus of renowned party members to other political parties, stating that "We don’t want to be deceived again. We will never go back to the old ways of doing things in the party. Today, we have discovered a man of integrity and transparent character who believes in the tomorrow of the younger ones."

 

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/national-convention-dokpesis-chairmanship-will-help-pdp-take-over-power-in-2019/

RIVERS GOVT CALLS FOR DISSOLUTION OF INEC UNDER YAKUBU

Rivers state government has called for dissolution of the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George in a statement Tuesday said the national assembly and the federal government should work towards disbandment of the electoral body.

He accused the commission of allegedly conniving with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC to postpone the rerun elections slated for Saturday indefinitely.

The government further enjoined the international community to assist in mounting what it termed diplomatic pressure on the federal government to give Nigerians a credible electoral body.

His words, “The government of Rivers State and people of Rivers State are shocked by the bare-faced collusion between INEC and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert democracy in the state”.

“It is completely unacceptable that Rivers State would continue to be denied full representation in the National Assembly due to the incompetence and malpractices orchestrated by INEC”.

"We call on the presidency and the National Assembly to act urgently in the national interest to disband INEC as presently constituted, for its incompetence and open partisanship."

“We call on the international community to initiate and maintain diplomatic pressure on the federal government, which continues to frustrate the independence of INEC and the evolution of democratic diversity in Nigeria”.

“The people of Rivers state will continue to resist and defeat the medieval authoritarianism of the APC”

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/rivers-govt-calls-dissolution-inec-yakubu/

ABIA GOV CRISIS: REMAIN ON SEAT TILL OUR JUDGMENT, A-COURT TELLS IKPEAZU

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, gave Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State the nod to remain on seat pending the determination of the appeal challenging his removal from office.

The appellate court took the decision before it slated August 9 to hear eight separate appeals that arose from judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja that sacked Ikpeazu from office over alleged tax fraud.

Trial Justice Okon Abang had on June 27, ordered Ikpeazu to immediately vacate the governorship seat, even as he directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue fresh Certificate of Return to Mr. Sampson Ogah who came second in the governorship primary election the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, conducted in Abia State on December 8, 2014.

Justice Abang said he was satisfied that Ikpeazu perjured by giving false information in the Form 8C001 and documents accompanying it, which he submitted to both PDP and the INEC.
The judge, in another ruling he delivered on July 8, declined Ikpeazu's plea for stay of execution of the judgment that sacked him.

Justice Abang dismissed as lacking in merit, an application that sought to void the enrolled order of the judgment, noting that the appellate court was already seized of the facts of the case.

While maintaining that Ikpeazu's sack remained valid until the appellate court decides otherwise, Justice Abang said there was nothing for him to stay since INEC had already executed the order he made on June 27 by issuing Certificate of Return to Ogah as it was directed to do.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/abia-gov-crisis-remain-seat-till-judgment-court-tells-ikpeazu/

AILING ECONOMY: WE’VE LEARNT OUR LESSON IN A HARD WAY – BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that Nigeria has learnt the hard way on how to diversify its economy.

Buhari made this remark while receiving a Special Envoy from the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, at the State House, on Monday.

According to him, the current government was working hard to live up to the challenges faced by the Nigerian economy within a short period, saying he would tap from the experiences of countries like Iran which had thrived in adversity.

He said, “The progress made by Iran within a short period of 30 years is really commendable. Within the period, you have been able to harness gas flaring, and you are now exporting. You have recorded strides in security, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.

 

“You have also achieved a lot in nuclear research. I must also congratulate you for successfully negotiating with America and the European countries on the development of your nuclear energy. “In Nigeria, we are learning. We are learning the hard way through hardship, and we are learning very quickly on how to explore other sectors of the economy like gas, solid minerals and agriculture for growth.

“We are grateful for your support and cooperation in opening up the Nigerian economy for diversification,’’ he said.
In his remark, the Iranian envoy who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Iranian government would support the ongoing restructuring of the Nigerian economy.

“We are very keen to see a better and stronger relationship with Nigeria, which is the largest country in Africa and a major global player,’’ he said.

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/25/ailing-economy-weve-learnt-lesson-hard-way-buhari/

NIGER DELTA REGION TO BE DECLARED A REPUBLIC ON AUGUST 1 – MILITANT GROUP

A militant group known as the Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, has called on indigenes of Niger Delta region to return home ahead of the declaration of Niger Delta Republic on August 1.

ABA which claimed to be working alongside other militant groups in the region has recently issued a threat to declare the oil rich region a republic by August 1.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, General Edmos Ayayeibo, the group called on the former President Goodluck Jonathan; elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; King Alfred Diete Spiff; Ankio Briggs; Joseph Eva; Patrick Fufein, Pastor Good, past and present military personnel from the region, present senators and members of the Houses of Representatives to be present at the official declaration of the Niger Delta republic on August 1.

The statement reads in part, “We are also using this medium to call on the Niger Delta famous sons and daughters. Pa E. K. Clark, King Alfred Diete Spiff, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Ankio Briggs, Joseph Eva, Patrick Fufein, Pastor Good, the children of late Pa Isaac Adaka Boro, past and present military personnel from the Niger Delta region.

“Past and present governors from the Niger Delta, past and present senators and Houses of Representatives members.

“Finally all sons and daughters of Niger Delta Republic to come to Kaiama for the official declaration of the Niger Delta Republic on August 1.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/25/niger-delta-region-declared-republic-august-1-militant-group/

BUHARI ORDERS NNPC TO FIND OIL ON NORTH EAST

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is stepping up measures to ensure a successful operation in the ongoing search for crude oil in the Chad Basin and other parts of the Inland Sedimentary Basin.

That is even as President Muhammadu Buhari ordered deeper exploration of some hitherto neglected areas in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Maikanti Baru, made this disclosure on Monday while receiving the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, who was on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Mr. Baru said the renewed search for hydrocarbon deposits in the Chad Basin would entail extensive probing of some allocated and non-allocated oil blocks in the region with a view to establishing the magnitude of the deposits.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Abubakar said he was leading a delegation of Bauchi State government officials to the NNPC Towers to felicitate with the new GMD on his appointment noting that Bauchi State was proud of Mr. Baru and his accomplishments so far in the oil and gas industry.

Briefing the visiting governor on the intensification of crude oil search in the north, the NNPC GMD noted that the Corporation had identified specific oil blocks in the area where some of the finds were made and would move to re-invigorate exploration based on fresh strategy.

“You know that very close home, we have exploration activities on the frontier basin in the Chad and some areas close to the Kolmani river where Shell had made some indicative discovery of hydrocarbons and Mr. President has directed me to go into that area to reprove and further explore the magnitude and prospectivity of those finds,” spokesperson for the NNPC, Garba Deen Muhammed quoted Mr. Baru as saying.

“We are taking steps to re-strategize and get into those regions. We will re-invigorate the frontier exploration and see how they collaborate with NNPC that is holding Block A09 where some of the finds have been made and also Department for Petroleum Resources, DPR, for the other blocks that have not been assigned.”

The NNPC GMD implored the Bauchi State governor to collaborate with the Corporation in tackling the menace of pipeline vandalism especially in the wake of reported line breaks along the NNPC products supply line from Jos-Gombe-Bauchi enroute the Maiduguri depot.

Responding, Governor Abubakar said the government and people of the State would continue to support and pray for the GMD to ensure that his dreams for the NNPC come to fruition as he steered the ship of NNPC away from obviously turbulent waters amid tumbling crude oil prices.

Also on Monday, the NNPC flagged off bid opening for the decommissioning and installation of towers and masts in Lagos, Benin and Port Harcourt area offices with eleven companies participating in the exercise.

Speaking during the bid opening ceremony at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, the Manager Telecoms, Michael Ejike, said reputable telecommunication vendors with proven experience and capacity were invited to bid for the decommissioning and installation of towers and masts in some NNPC facilities to give it a facelift.

He noted that the 11 companies that submitted bids were required to bid for any of the four refineries of their interest, adding that the exercise was geared towards providing equal opportunities for all bidders in a transparent manner.

On her part, the General Manager, Supply Chain Management, Sophia Mbakwe, said the result of the bid exercise would be ready in three weeks, assuring that all prospective vendors would receive equal treatment.

Commenting on the exercise, the Executive Director of one of the bidding companies, Anthony Wokocha, applauded the NNPC for the transparent conduct of the exercise and assured the corporation of the readiness of his company to deliver on the mandate if considered.

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/25/buhari-orders-nnpc-find-oil-north-east/

OBASANJO EXPLAINS WHY HE MET BUHARI

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo while answering questions from State House correspondents explained why he held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja around noon yesterday.

Obasanjo, who made this known however refused to disclose the content of his message, he said he updated president Buhari on the outcome of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Africa Export-Import Bank, which he attended in Seychelles Island.

“I have some messages for the President.

“Not too long ago, I was in Liberia and the Gambia and the presidents of these two countries had some messages that they would want me to deliver to the President.

“Also, only yesterday I came back from Seychelles Island, where I attended this year’s Annual General meeting of Africa Export –Import Bank.

“And there were aspects of the proceedings during that meeting that I think I should update the President on.” 

80 DEAD AS 'IS' CLAIMS TWIN BLASTS DURING KABUL PROTEST

Islamic State jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions Saturday that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 80 people and wounding 231 others in the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since 2001.

The bombings during a huge protest over a power line mark the first major IS assault on Kabul, apparently aimed at sowing sectarian discord in a country well known for Shia-Sunni harmony.

Charred bodies and dismembered limbs littered the scene of the attack, with ambulances struggling to reach the site as authorities had overnight blocked key intersections with stacked shipping containers to control movement of the protesters.

“As a result of the attack 80 people were martyred and 231 others were wounded,” the interior ministry said.

“The attack was carried out by three suicide bombers… The third attacker was gunned down by security forces.”

The wounded overwhelmed city hospitals, officials said, with reports emerging of blood shortages and urgent appeals for donors circulating on social media.

The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, strongly denied any involvement in the attack.

The Islamic State group claimed the bombings in a statement carried by its affiliated Amaq news agency, calling it an attack on Shiites.

“Two fighters of the Islamic State detonated their explosive belts in a gathering of Shiites in… Kabul,” Amaq said.
The attack represents a major escalation for IS, which so far has largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar.
The National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency, said the attack was masterminded by Abu Ali, an IS commander in Nangarhar’s volatile Achin district.

“It’s long been a fear about Afghanistan that IS-aligned forces will try to inject a sectarian dimension into a largely non-sectarian conflict,” Michael Kugelman, an analyst at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, told AFP.
– ‘War crime’ –

The bombings, which the UN denounced as a “war crime”, mark the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the Taliban were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion, the interior ministry said.
President Ashraf Ghani vowed “revenge” against the perpetrators of the attack and announced Sunday as a national day of mourning.

The assault came as thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand that a multi-million-dollar power line pass through their electricity-starved province of Bamiyan, one of the most deprived areas of Afghanistan with a large Hazara population.

“The horrific attack on a group of peaceful protestors in Kabul demonstrates the utter disregard that armed groups have for human life,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

“Such attacks are a reminder that the conflict in Afghanistan is not winding down, as some believe, but escalating, with consequences for the human rights situation in the country that should alarm us all.”

The government has announced a ban on public protests for at least 10 days after Saturday’s demonstration, which was largely peaceful before the explosions tore through the crowds.

The 500-kilovolt TUTAP power line, which would connect the Central Asian nations of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with electricity-hungry Afghanistan and Pakistan, was originally set to pass through the central province.

But the government re-routed it through the mountainous Salang pass north of Kabul, saying the shorter route would speed up the project and save millions of dollars.

Hazara leaders in the ethnically divided nation lashed out at the Pashtun president, calling the decision prejudiced against their community, which has suffered a long history of oppression.

The three million-strong Hazara community has been persecuted for decades, with thousands killed in the late 1990s by Al-Qaeda and the mainly Pashtun Sunni Taliban.

Source: http://m.guardian.ng/news/80-dead-as-is-claims-twin-blasts-during-kabul-protest/

SPORTS MINISTRY DENIES ASKING ATHLETES TO BUY AIR TICKETS TO RIO

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says it did not direct foreign-based athletes going to the Olympic Games in Rio to buy their own air tickets.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, made the clarification on Saturday in Lagos in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Anibeze.

The statement said the clarification became necessary following a purported mail asking athletes to buy their tickets to the Olympics and which was said to have originated from the ministry.

The statement said that Dalung had made it clear that the Director, High Performance, Angie Taylor, had the responsibility of arranging for the flights and movement of the foreign-based athletes to and from Rio.

We did not write any mail asking athletes to pay their way to Rio.As the overseers of sports in the country, it is our duty to take care of all our athletes.

The letter did not come from us and we will investigate the writer of that letter.It does not represent our stand concerning the movement of athletes to Rio and the writer or anybody asking athletes to buy their tickets to Rio will be investigated.

We ask Nigerians and athletes in particular to disregard the mail,’’ the statement said.

It added that the minister regretted the embarrassment caused by the letter and asked athletes to remain focused on their build-up to the Rio Games.

Source: http://m.guardian.ng/sport/sports-ministry-denies-asking-athletes-to-buy-air-tickets-to-rio/

I WILL PROBE OSHIOMHOLE WHEN I BECOME GOVERNOR – IZE-IYAMU

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has sworn that the incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole’s administration must be probed if he wins the September 10 polls.
Ize-Iyamu further challenged the governor to probe his (Ize-Iyamu) eight years in office as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government.
He was speaking during his campaign in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state yesterday.
He said, “I call on Adams Oshiomhole to probe my time in government and look at everything that I did.
“Let him do it because by the grace of God, when I am governor, I will probe him. I will probe him; every kobo that has come to Edo State must be accounted for. That is his fear; that is why he can no longer sleep.”
Oshiomhole had thrown critical comments on Ize-Iyamu and PDP chieftain, Tony Anenih during the APC’s candidate, Godwin Obaseki, campaign in Edo South on Friday, alleging that they had contributed in under-developing the state.
Oshiomhole further said the PDP candidate was seeking to become governor by all means in order to avoid prosecution.
But Ize-Iyamu said, “Adams Oshiomhole believes that the more he attacks, the more he can hide the truth. He should know that it is not by insulting Ize-Iyamu or Chief Anenih.
“Only recently in a Catholic Church, he met Chief Anenih and he apologized to him on the alter to forgive him. Days after, he was abusing Chief Anenih.
“He says Pastor Ize-Iyamu is bad; Ize-Iyamu is useless. When he appointed Pastor Ize-Iyamu DG (Director-General) of his campaign, he did not know that time.
“When he made him national vice chairman of his party, he did not know then. Now that Ize-Iyamu has left him, Ize-Iyamu is suddenly bad.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/23/will-probe-oshiomhole-become-governor-ize-iyamu/

Nobody will remove me – Ekweremadu

Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Saturday, carpeted the endless ill feelings of the All Progressives Congress, APC, leadership over his position.

The APC hierarchy had continued to wail over the emergence of Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, despite the fact that he belonged to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The on-going trial of Ekweremadu and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki is also widely believed to have been influenced by the ruling party.

However, speaking on Saturday, Senator Ekweremadu declared that “I want to assure our people that nobody will remove me.”
The Senator, who spoke at Ezeagu Local Government Area during the Ikeoha Foundation, Adult Literacy Day and 2015/2016

Scholarship and Bursary Award, stated that “it is not by power, not by might but by the special grace of God. It is not by our trajectory; so, they cannot do anything.”

Speaking on the activities of his foundation, which had empowered thousands of people, including widows, within the last three years, Ekweremadu said he would continue to partner with the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led administration.

“Be assured that we will continue to support you; whoever is your friend will be our friend; whoever is your enemy will have us to contend with”, he told Governor Ugwuanyi.

Similarly, over 30 traditional rulers in Enugu State, who attended the event, moved to the podium and handed over “Offor staff” (a symbol of justice) to Ekweremadu, with a caution that no one should dare harm him.

His Royal Highness, Igwe Hafford Agana, who made the presentation, while others circled him, said “we are telling the whole world that nothing should happen to Ekweremadu. We have given him another Offor today.”

In his speech, Governor Ugwuanyi described Ekweremadu’s empowerment scheme as another milestone, stressing that “education is indeed the bedrock of any society.”

He added that “this is why as a government, we have continued to commit considerable resources to the provision of facilities.”

He assured that the scheme would continue to receive the support of the State government.

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/23/nobody-will-remove-ekweremadu/

STOP FIGHTING PIRATES, INCORPORATE THEM IN INDUSTRY – NOLLYWOOD ACTOR TELLS COLLEAGUES

CELEB NEWS

A Nollywood actor, Samuel Ajibola popularly known as “Jibbz”, on Friday stressed the need to incorporate pirates in the entertainment industry to stem the high rate of piracy in the country.

Ajibola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that pirates would not give up easily because they were making money from pirating intellectual properties.

According to him, the best thing is for stakeholders in the entertainment industry to meet with the pirates with a view to incorporating them into the fold of production.

“Recently, the government has joined forces in supporting the film industry and so we expect things to get better, but no because of the nefarious activities of pirates.

“The fight against piracy is not going to be an easy one as these pirates themselves survive and make a living through this crooked means.

“Incorporating them into the scheme of things would go a long way in curbing what wrong they are doing.

“If there is a possible roundtable discussion with the pirates to integrate them, it would go a long way to help curb piracy.

“Making them legal stakeholders in the industry will improve things and intellectual properties will be better off,” he said.

The actor noted that pirates were principally motivated by self-interest because it was cheap for them to reproduce intellectuals’ properties, like films, and books among others.

“It is cheap, free and convenient for them to get that economic huge benefit for themselves and rob the owners of their benefits.

“The chances of them being caught are slim; the chances of them being given punishment that will deter them are even slimmer.

“They know they will get away with what they are doing because there are no stiff punishment for them,’’ Ajibola said.
NAN reports that Ajibola is a B.Sc holder in political science from the University of Lagos, and hails from Ekiti State.

He has acted in many films including; “Shuga’’ which was released in 2009, the sitcom series the Johnsons as “Spiff’’ and a host of others
(NAN)

Source: http://dailypost.ng/dailystar/2016/07/23/stop-fighting-pirates-incorporate-industry-nollywood-actor-tells-colleagues/

YOU HAVE 14 DAYS TO STOP ATTACKS ON YORUBA LAND – OPC WARNS NIGER DELTA MILITANTS

The pan-Yoruba organisation, the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, reformed, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to suspected Niger Delta militants to desist from attacking communities in the South West, else the Ijaw people in the region would gear up for reprisal attacks.
OPC issued the threat while reacting to recent attacks by suspected militants on Imusin and Ogijo in Ogun and some riverine communities in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The group in a statement by Comrade Dare Adesope entitled, ‘‘Incursion of Ijaw militants into Yoruba land: Enough is enough,’’ threatened reprisal attack if the suspected Ijaw militants failed to end the incursion into the South-West at the end of the ultimatum.
According to the group, the attack in the South-West was an affront on the Yoruba nation and it would not be accepted.
The statement reads in part, “Enough of these invasions, killings and kidnapping of our people right on our own soil. We of the Oodua Peoples Congress (Reformed) have waited for this long, hoping that the government would curb the deadly acts of the Ijaw people on our kinsmen in their fatherland in Ogun and Lagos states. But, it has now dawned on us that the lives and properties of our people and, indeed, the masses are of no importance to those in authorities and the marauding militants.
“It is a known fact that we, the Yoruba, are the most contented, accommodating and tolerant among all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. We wholeheartedly welcome other tribes coming into our states either to reside or do business. But, if they want to take our hospitality for stupidity, we are ready to prove to them that the gentility of a tiger is not an act of cowardice. Before now, it was the Fulani herdsmen, now it is the Ijaw people that are on the prowl. Enough is enough
“Consequently, we are giving the Ijaw militants a 14-day ultimatum to allow peace to reign in our land. If they fail to heed the warning, it will henceforth be an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. We will prove to them that Lagos belongs to the Yoruba and not a no man’s land that they tend to erroneously claim.
“If they must care to know, we have information and facts about where their leaders’ properties are situated in the entire South-West and where their people reside in our midst as well.” 

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/20/14-days-stop-attacks-yoruba-land-opc-warns-niger-delta-militants/

BUHARI’S SILENCE MEANS HE APPROVES OF RELIGIOUS MURDERS – REGINA ASKIA

CELEB NEWS

Ex-Nollywood actress, Regina Askia Williams, has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence on the recent religious murders.
In a post on her Facebook page, the actress cum nurse suggested that the president’s silence portrays a tacit approval of the killings.
She shared a picture of the president alongside the female preacher who was recently murdered in Abuja.
She wrote in an open letter thus: “Dear Mr President, Yet another open letter on murders. Why are you so silent, Mr. President Sir?
“Your deafening silence is looking like tacit approval.
“We are very worried Mr. President Sir,” the letter read.

Source: http://dailypost.ng/dailystar/2016/07/19/buharis-silence-means-approves-religious-murders-regina-askia/

NOT YET TIME TO CONTEMPLATE BUHARI’S IMPEACHMENT , ANENIH TELLS PDP SENATORS

ABUJA - Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih said Wednesday that those contemplating the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari should jettison that as the time was neither right nor the reasons compelling enough.
In a four-page letter to the Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and dated July 15, 2016, Anenih urged him to dissuade the PDP caucus in the National Assembly from participating in the alleged “ill-advised adventure” of removing President Buhari from office.
Chief Anenih as Makarfi to personally lead the process of consultation with PDP members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play what he described as a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.
The letter, titled: “THE PDP CAUCUS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE THREAT TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI” reads: “I am constrained to write this letter by my love for our great country and my long years of involvement in the pursuit of peace, co-existence and national development.
“I am concerned about the noises coming out of the National Assembly to the effect that some of our distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are contemplating a move to impeach the President.
“I feel even more disturbed that the PDP Caucus is being rumoured to be actively involved in this plan to “go for the jugular” of the Executive. The rumoured role of the PDP Caucus is, indeed, the main reason I have chosen to write this letter to you.
“I wish to appeal to you to use your noble office as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party to dissuade our party members, in the National Assembly, from embarking on or participating in this ill-advised adventure. I am persuaded, Sir, that the time is neither right nor the reasons compelling enough to contemplate the impeachment of the President.
“I do not doubt that the National Assembly may have its grouse against the President, but I am sure that the options of consultation, dialogue and negotiation have not yet been exhausted. We should all assist in persuading our members to persevere in the pursuit of these options.
“I do not believe an attempt at impeachment, at this time, is in the best interests of the party, or the country. Such a move will create tension, instability and even crisis in our body-politic. It will unleash all those fissiparous forces which, in the last few months, have begun to gain momentum.
“Fundamentally, as the main opposition party, I believe the PDP should concern itself with an inward review of why Nigerians lost faith in us and in our party’s vision for Nigeria; our focus should therefore be on trying to figure out how we can once again regain this trust.
“As a party in opposition, what I expect is constructive criticism of the ruling party when it goes wrong. Playing an active role in the internal power struggles between factions of the ruling party is an unnecessary distraction, and an exercise that appears to promote personal agenda rather than the National Interest.
“I am not unaware that the times are hard; that Nigerians are groaning under the weight of unpaid salaries and astronomical increases in the cost of living, that ballooning security problems are increasingly threatening to rip apart the fabric of our national existence, and that Nigerians feel more divided today than they have ever felt, but it would be unfair to blame this President or this Government for all of these problems. Instructively, none of these problems was floated as justification for the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly.
“On the economy, it is a well known fact that all oil-producing countries are suffering from an economic down-turn because of the radical drop in the price of crude oil. As a mono-product economy, dependent on crude oil, there is no magic bubble that could have insulated us completely from the systemic shocks caused by the attendant loss of revenue.
“Rather than seek scapegoats, the situation demands that all our institutions, political parties and leaders should set aside all partisan interests, and work together to wade through these difficult times.
“It is, therefore, my wish and prayer that you, personally, lead the process of consultation with our members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.
“May God continue to bless you with the wisdom to lead our party to its manifest destiny.”

MELAYE VS TINUBU : SARAKI WADES IN

ABUJA - STRONG indications emerged Wednesday that the peace and reconciliation was under way between the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, All Progressives Congress, APC and her colleague, Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West as Senate President Bukola Saraki has intervened.
Vanguard gathered that Senator Saraki's intervention was among others, to nip in the bud, the lingering crisis between the two senators of the same political party, the APC.
A source told Vanguard that in his desirous move to end the war of words, Senate President Saraki yesterday met with both Tinubu and Melaye separately for a period of two hours each.
More details sson

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/melaye-tinubu-faceoff-saraki-wades-meet-feuding-senators-separately/

WE ARE READY TO RETURN OUR LOOT TO AVOID GOING TO JAIL – METUH, AMOSUN, OTHERS BEG EFCC

Three high profile personalities involved in corruption trials have allegedly registered their interest to return their share of looted funds.
Metuh is currently being prosecuted for allegedly receiving N400 million from the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki, rtd, while Amosu is accused of conspiring with his colleague to defraud the Nigerian AirForce to the tune of N50m while he was in office.
Umar on his part is being investigated for money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N9.7billion.
The report quoted an EFCC source as saying, “We have formally received letters of plea bargain from three accused persons, Metuh, Umar and Amos. We are studying their terms. We may enter into a plea bargain with the accused persons if it will serve the public interest. The interest is getting back the stolen funds. If they can fulfill this condition (public interest), we may accept their offers.” 

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/20/376396/ 

    

AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEES: BAYELSA, THREE OTHERS STATES FAILED VALIDITY TEST – SENATE

Concerns were again raised on Tuesday over the non-inclusion of candidates from Bayelsa, Plateau, Ondo, and Ebonyi States on the list of career Ambassadors forwarded to the Senate for screening by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This follows the presentation of report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs by Deputy Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani(APC), Kaduna Central Senatorial District where it was revealed that the process of nominating career Ambassadors by President Buhari was duly taken into consideration, pointing out that the affected States actually did not meet the criteria.
Sani emphasized that contrary to public outcry that the four states were marginalized, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation honoured the invitation of Senate Committee and made clarifications to the effect that the states in question fell short of necessary qualification which the Committee actually confirmed.
Criteria for appointment of Ambassadors, he noted, are based on “federal character, seniority in the service of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gender equality, specialisation, relevance and competence,” he said.
He further asserted that excluded States stand to benefit from appointment of non-career Ambassadors, hence, there was no need for further issues.
Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye (APC), Osun Central Senatorial District recalled that he was part of those who received petitions from those who felt aggrieved that their States were not reflected, but explained that the findings of the Committee as presented showed the lack of truth on the part of the petitioners.
He urged the Senate to increase women opportunity to 40%, citing that 12 out of 47 was not up to 40% in line with affirmation of gender equality.
“Mr. Senate President, you recall that I was the one that raised issues based on petition, but from the reports, petitioners were not truthful and I also want to submit that there is need to increase the number of women in the appointment in line with the 40 per cent affirmation on gender equality,” Adeyeye maintained.
While commending the Committee for a job well done, Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio moved that there is need to go ahead with the screening, while asking the FG to expedite action on the nomination of non career diplomats.
In a vote which was requested by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Senate resolved that screening of Ambassadorial nominees will go ahead immediately. 

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/20/ambassadorial-nominees-bayelsa-three-others-states-failed-validity-test-senate/

I WAS MOVED TO TEARS LAST TIME SARAKI, EKWEREMADU WENT TO COURT – EX-SENATE PRESIDENT

A former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara has disclosed that he was moved to tears when he watched the last time one of his successors, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu reported to the court for the alleged forgery of Senate Rules trial instituted against them and two others by the federal government.
Wabara, a ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, stated this yesterday when a delegation of the board led by its Chairman, Senator Walid Jibril, paid a solidarity visit to the PDP Senate Caucus at the National Assembly Complex.
He stated that the presiding officers were allowed to go to court when the court was on vacation, lamenting that no one had the courtesy to inform the Senate President and his Deputy that there would be no sitting owing to the vacation.
In Wabara’s words, “The last time the two Presiding Officers went to court, as I watched on television, I was moved to tears. The court was on vacation, and no one had the courtesy of informing them before hand.
“The time they would have used to attend to the nation’s task, was wasted, going to court. It is high time the executive realized that the era of executive interference was over.”
The former Senate President stated that unlike before, the other 14 South East Senators were not interested in the seat of the Deputy President of Senate, but were rather behind Ekweremadu, just as the overwhelming number of Senators was solidly behind Saraki and Ekweremadu’s leadership.
Noting that the unity of purpose of the lawmakers was one big lesson the executive should learn, he stressed that the era of executive interference in legislative business was over given the spirit of support among Senators.
“I speak as a victim of executive interference in the legislature. During our own time, there was not the kind of unity being exhibited by the Senators today. I want to commend and salute you all for that,” Wabara said.

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/07/20/moved-tears-last-time-saraki-ekweremadu-went-court-ex-senate-president/

SARAKI, NOT SENATE ON TRIAL, SAYS LAWYER

Calabar - A Legal practitioner, Mr Remi Agwuezie, has called on the Nigerian Senate to face the business of law making rather than dissipate energy on the trial of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Agwuezie made the call on Tuesday in an interview in Calabar.
``They should allow the Senate President to face his trial as an individual not as Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
``We have 109 Senators and when one is facing trial others should continue to make laws for the country.
``Instead of causing confusion among their colleagues they should face the real business of law making, which is the main reason why they are there.
``They should stop making the trial a major issue, ‘’ he said.
He said it was a misnomer, the way the trial was allowed to take centre stage instead of the business of law making.
The lawyer pointed out that, in Law, Saraki being a citizen of Nigeria, is subject to the Law of the country, just like any other Nigerian citizen in spite of his status.
``It is not the senate as an institution that is on trial but Saraki as an individual; so, the law should be allowed to run its full cause, while the senate as an institution moves on, ‘’ he said.
Agwuezie stressed the need for the country to build strong institutions rather than strong individuals.
``We should learn to build strong institutions rather than strong individuals, ‘’ he said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for fighting corruption in Nigeria, describing the action as courageous and bold.
``The wrought has been on for too long; and Mr President must be commended and supported to rid the country of this mess, called corruption, ‘’ he said.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/saraki-not-senate-trial-says-lawyer/

SEN TINUBU WRITES IGP, DEMANDS POLICE PROTECTION

THE lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Remi Tinubu, has petitioned the acting Inspector-General of Police, requesting for police protection over alleged threats to her life by Senator Dino Melaye.
This came as women, drawn from the three senatorial districts in Lagos State, under the aegis of Concerned Group, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to direct relevant security agencies to institute criminal action against Melaye should he fail to tender public apology.
In the letter, Tinubu noted that her request became necessary given what she termed as Melaye’s antecedents in the House of Representatives where a brawl allegedly led by the latter resulted in the death of a lawmaker.
Signed by Tinubu, the letter titled: Request for Police Protection reads: ‘’I am Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During the proceedings of the Senate on Tuesday, July 14, 2016, I had cause to contribute to a matter of national importance. Apparently dissatisfied with my contributions Senator Dino Melaye threw caution to the winds, resorted to vulgar abuse of my person and wanted to assault me.
‘’It was the timely intervention of a number of colleagues which prevented Senator Melaye from unleashing a physical attack on me. However, as the leadership of the Senate did not call him to order in the circumstance, he proceeded to threaten my life without any provocation whatsoever.
‘’In view of Sen Melaye’s antecedent particularly in the House of Representatives where a brawl led by him led to the untimely death of a member, I have decided not to ignore his threat to my life. Therefore, I am compelled to urge you to use your good offices to provide me with adequate security.”...

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/sen-tinubu-writes-igp-demands-police-protection/

PRESS RELEASE: http://theechong.blogspot.com.ng

   Creative Mind Podium, an online entertainment media today announced the launching of its News and Events division called ECho News and Events Nigeria, this was revealed today in Asaba, the Delta state capital by its legal and ethical compliance adviser, Barr. Francis Okolie.

According to Barr. Francis, the new media will focus on Events and News, unlike Creative Mind Podium that focuses on entertainment, he said "ECho was created based on the encouragements received, and also pressure from followers of Creative Mind Podium, who wanted same dedication and commitment in online News and Events reporting." He added that ECho will start gradually, to avoid making mistakes, but assured that quality is certain as far as Nigerian news is concerned. He promised that, "fairness will be the watchword and that is why our motto is 'Fairness to all' ".

He thanked followers for their continued support, insisting that ECho will not report with fear or favour, rather with 'Fairness to All', "We will give you hot, current and balanced news" he concluded.