Top Newspaper Review For Sunday July 26

1. Nigeria tops exam malpractice list in West Africa - WAEC


Nigeria has the highest number of examination irregularities among the five member countries of the West African Examinations Council, the Head, National Office of the Council, Charles Eguridu, has said. Speaking at a Road Show on Examination Malpractices Sensitization held in Abuja, the Head, National Office of the Council, Charles Eguridu, added that WAEC has not introduced stricter measures and the use of advanced technology in its bid to curb malpractice in the country.


2. Bomb victims accuses government of neglect

Boko Haram bomb victims have in a statement accused the federal government of neglecting them despite assurances that they would be catered for and given free medical attention. The victims who came together under the aegis of the Bomb Victims’ Association of Nigeria (BVAN), said some of their members who initially survived the attacks by Boko Haram, had died due to prolong neglect by the government and their inability to pay their medical bills in hospitals at home and abroad.

3. Nigeria celebrate one year of polio eradication

Nigeria marked one year since its last case of polio, raising hopes it will soon be taken off the list of endemic countries as the first step to being declared free of the disease. The last case was in the Sumaila district of Kano state, in the country’s north — one of only six in 2014 and well down on the 338 recorded in 2009, according to World Health Organization data.

4. Tompolo Gives an Insight on Meeting

Head of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, explained that he summoned Saturday’s meeting the of the militant group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, because of the overpowering pressure mounted on him and other MEND leaders by ex-agitators and other beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.

5. Nigerian Army will adopt offensive disposition to eradicate insurgents - Burutai

The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Friday said that the Nigerian Military would adopt offensive disposition to eradicate the menace of insurgents in the country. The Army Chief made the remarks at the combined graduation of 105 personnel under the Basic Air bone Course 37 and Basic Rigger Course 23 at Jaji, Kaduna State.

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6. We are working hard to resolve crises in APC - Oyegun

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Friday said the crisis plaguing the party was being resolved. Odigie-Oyegun stated this in an interview in Abuja. According to him, the issues are being resolved and things would work out soon for the party in particular and for the nation in general.

7. Explosion kills 8 in Jos, 101 hospitalized - Gov't

Plateau state government has announced the death of eight persons resulting from an explosion of Chlorine Cylinder in Jos, the state capital.

Government also said over 100 affected persons were rushed to hospital after inhaling the poisonous Chlorine gas from the explosion.

8. Reps' Leadership Crisis: Dogara to compensate Gbajabiamila and Others

The two factions in the House of Representatives leadership crisis, yesterday, announced that they have resolved their differences.

The factions also assured President Muhammadu Buhari of the support of the All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the lower chamber.
Addressing journalists on the resolution of the leadership tussle, which had threatened the unity of the House and truncated legislative business, the spokesman for the Consolidation Group, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the two factions decided to embrace peace in the interest of the country.

9. Tinubu behind EFCC invitation of Saraki's Wife - Senator Waku

Senator Joseph Waku, Saturday, fingered former Lagos State governor and national leader of his party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of being behind invitation of Mrs Toyin Saraki by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC.
Waku, a frontline leader of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, a northern socio-political organisation, said Senator Ahmed Tinubu was the mastermind of what he called “a baseless petition” over which the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki has been invited by the EFCC

10. Obama calls for gay rights in Africa

US President Barack Obama on Saturday called for gay rights in Africa, comparing homophobia to racial discrimination he had encountered in the United States.
In a joint press conference after talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Obama also pushed a tough message on Kenyan corruption, the civil war in South Sudan, controversial elections in Burundi and the fight against Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab militants.

Buhari and the anti-graft war

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• The behemothic setback from the President’s trip to the US has positioned the nation in a different but defined direction and focus. The president and team are now home and work and efforts needs to make headway and swift action need to be implemented, there is basically no time to procrastinate anymore, the whole project and agenda need to start getting actualized and enforced. The blatant and bold reply from the US in aiding our military who have been tagged "Human rights violators" is by no means a profound issue but notwithstanding, the country has to move forward and as a sovereign and independent nation, we need to do it only our way (in Frank Sinatra's voice).
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• The president is no doubt engrossed with the huge task and responsibility of moving the country forward and he definitely can not handle it all by himself, ditto the APC (they can't change the country without the PDP). The two contrasting ideologists need to come together, think with common minds and analyze critically the befitting modalities and standards. If truth be told, the new government need to and probably are already making sure the anti graft war is their top priority in the recovery process of the past government pilferers and plunderers. It will totally mitigate and support the policy status and economical standard of our present derailed and crumbling economical society.
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• But of course, there is a flip side to that coin as well. The corruption syndrome which befalls this great country is immensely interwoven and intertwined, sometimes when you dig the ground too deep, it just might channel to even your home. No government parastatals can eat deep into the nation's wealth and go scot free without the support of some top officials and these days none of these top official selfishly devour the improperly amassed wealth without sharing with the lords and godfathers. You and I know some people just can't be brought to justice, when investigations links to them directly, it becomes highly classified and most times dismissed.
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• The anti-graft war is the only fair solution to recovering all the looted funds from the past leaders and governments. The past presidents, the governors, the senators, ministers and other civil service offices need to be properly investigated and adequate account and balancing need to be enforced. For the selfish growth of this nation, office holders need to be held accountable for their time and regime of leadership and control. Crude price is down, internal revenue is low, foreign debt on the high, economic breakdown eminent. Where else do we turn to?
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• In essence, anti graft war might tenaciously make the nation or tear the nation apart. President Muhammadu Buhari will perform no doubt, but this country and the citizens have unique mode of surviving every bad and hard situations that have ultimately proved overtime to make us stronger and united despite our multicultural diversity. 

Top Newspaper Review For Saturday 25th July

1. Borno to employ 5,000 Civilian JTF members as Environment Vanguards

The Borno State government has concluded plans to employ 5,000 Civilian JTF members as street vanguards. The Sole Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, BOESPA, Alhaji Nasiru Surundi stated this in an interview with journalists in Maiduguri on Friday.

According to Surundi, the gesture was part of the efforts of the state government to ensure healthy, safe and clean environment as well as to create employment opportunities for the teeming youths, adding that this will go a long way in curbing lawlessness among them.

2. Tompolo explains why he called meeting with ex-militants 

A commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, has explained that Saturday’s meeting of militant leaders is about calming the festering tension among ex-militants, who have been subjecting him to “intense pressure” over Federal Government’s perceived indifference to the amnesty programme.

Tompolo, who in a statement personally signed by him and issued on Friday, restated his commitment to the peace and stability of the country, revealing that pressure from stakeholders in the oil-rich region led him to call for discussions.

3. Like Minds Senators warn EFCC against witch-hunting Saraki's wife 

Senators, under the aegis of ‘Like Minds’ have described decision of the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to invite the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, as pure ‘witch-hunt.’

The senators in a statement signed on their behalf by Senator Dino Melaye stated that they hoped that the invitation of Mrs Saraki was not politically motivated or connected with the on-going leadership crisis in the Senate.

4. Pay workers' full salary or face strike -  NLC warns Governors 

Factional leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero on Friday issued a stern warning to state governors owing workers to pay their salaries or face mass action in their respective states.

A communiqué signed by Ajaero at the end of his National Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers, said it is unacceptable that despite the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, the workers have not received their salaries in full.

“We have resolved that if non-payment of salaries and benefits continue till August, we will mobilise private sector unions for solidarity strike in affected states until arrears are paid,’’ the communiqué said. 

5. Military recapture Dikwa from Boko Haram as Air Chiefs tour Operational units 

A  concerted effort by the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army has led to the recapture of Dikwa town in Borno State.

On Friday, a combination of the Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet and surveillance aircraft jointly destroyed three ambush points heavily fortified with vehicle-mounted Anti-Aircraft Guns.

This paved the way for the Nigerian Army to move in and recapture the town with less resistance.

6. Boko Haram: Presidency denies report indicting the US

The presidency has denied claims in the local and international media that President Muhammadu Buhari has accused or indicted the United States Government of helping the terrorist group.

Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that such reports are not only unfortunate, but misinterpretation and distortion of the President’s remarks at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) during his official visit to Washington DC.

7. Arunma Oteh gets world bank appointment 

Arunma Oteh Former Director General, Security Exchange commission (SEC) has been appointed Vice President and Treasurer of World Bank. 

The appointment was on Friday confirmed in a press statement  issued by Jim Yong Kim, World bank President of the world. 

8. Ondo Government Suspends Commercial Motorcycle Operations 

This is as a result of the protest by commercial motorcyclists in the city on Thursday, which led to the vandalisation of government property and unwarranted harassment of government officials by the protesters.

According to a press statement made available to newsmen by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, government is also suspending ticketing activities of commercial motorcycle operators across the state.

9. Buhari Promises Press Freedom 

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will upload press freedom. 

The president who was represented by his special adviser on media and publicity,  Mr Femi Adesina gave the assurance at the 5th triennial National Delegates Conference. 

10. Generals Retires From Nigerian Army 

Eleven generals of the Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps in Lagos State were on Friday pulled out of service. NASS reports that the officers were eight Major-Generals and 3 Brigadier-Generals who retired between 2013 and 2015. 

Top Newspaper Review for Tuesday, 21st July, 2015

1. APC and PDP Governors clash over choice of Fayose as NGF vice chairman 

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have given an indication that they will oppose the nomination of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as Deputy Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). 

Thisday gathered that possibility of Fayose emerging as the deputy chairman of NGF  is already generating controversy based on the alleged role of the Ekiti State governor in the rancorous 2015 presidential campaign against the APC Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

But Fayose has fired back, saying it was the consensus opinion of his PDP colleagues to nominate him, adding that the APC has no reason to interfere since PDP did not dictate their choice of the chairman of NGF.

2.  HRW urges Obama to Press for repeal of same sex prohibition act in Nigeria 

While the body enjoined Obama to encourage Buhari to keep his commitment to ensure that government security forces respect human rights and to address the endemic corruption that has deprived many Nigerians of their basic rights, the Washington Director for HRW, Sarah Margon, also implore Obama to implore Buhari to repeal the Same Sex Prohibition Act contrary to views expressed by larger majority of Nigerians.

“Human Rights Watch also urged Obama to raise corruption issues with Buhari as well as the need to repeal the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which became law during the administration of Nigeria’s previous president, Goodluck Jonathan. The law criminalises public displays of affection between same-sex couples and penalises organisations advocating the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people,” she said.

3 Why I won't appoint minister till September - Buhari 

Nigerians are to wait till September to know their ministers.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday confirmed that ministers will not be appointed until September.  He said the delay in naming members of the yet-to-be constituted Federal Executive Council (FEC) is to allow for critical reforms which will guide the  conduct of the ministers when appointed.

President Buhari dropped the hint in an article published by the Washington Post. He said it will  neither be prudent, nor serve the interest of sound government to have hastily made ministerial appointments immediately after coming into office without the necessary reforms

4. Bidden to Buhari: Military option alone can't win terror war 

United States (U.S.) Vice President Joe Biden yesterday urged the Federal Government to introduce socio-economic support programmes to its strategy against Boko Haram.

Biden offered the advice at a breakfast meeting to which he hosted President Muhammadu Buhari at his official resident .

Drawing experience from counter-terrorism battles, the U.S. Vice President said military option alone cannot guarantee victory.

5 Alhaji Gay murdered in Lagos  

Razak Adetunji Adeniyi, popularly known as ‘Alhaji Gay’ has been reportedly killed by unidentified individuals.

Alhaji Gay, as he is fondly called, who is usually connected with hunting internet fraudsters (Yahoo boys) with an identity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was on Monday stabbed to death.

In spite of his success in arresting the fraudsters on different accounts, the EFCC has denied any connection between the late Alhaji and the commission.

6. Nigeria oil revenue may drop to $52b says IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) Article IV Consultation Staff Report has shown that Nigeria’s oil earnings would drop to $52 billion this year, from $88 billion it was the previous year.

This represents a reduction of six percentage points in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and would reduce its external current account balance as well as international reserves

7. Jonathan approved #1.45b legal fee BPE tells EFCC 

Detectives probing the alleged N1.45 billion legal and consultancy fees scandal at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) have got some key documents which will help them get to the root of the matter, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The BPE is insisting that the legal contract was valid because ex-President Goodluck Jonathan approved it, based on a memo from ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, who was the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

8. Ondo workers begin strike on Wednesday 

Civil Servants in Ondo State have decided to proceed on strike over non-payment of their salaries and allowances.

The Sunshine State workers, who were being owned three to four months salaries and areas, have vowed to down tools by Wednesday if the State government led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko refused to pay them all outstanding and deductions from their salaries.

9. Borno: New CoAS promises Boko Haram hard times 

The new Chief of Army Staff, Major General T.Y. Buratai has said that with the renewed approach by the military in tackling Boko Haram in the northeast, the war would be taken to the doorsteps of the insurgents until they are uprooted for good.

Buratai, who was speaking yesterday, in Maiduguri also requested and appealed to all and sundry to give the new operation maximum cooperation.

10. Suicide Bombers attack police checkpoint in Damaturu, kills five

A suicide bomb attack has just occurred at a police checkpoint in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, killing at least five persons with those injured already taken to the Damaturu Specialist Hospital.

It was learnt that the suicide bombers, who came in a Highlander SUV detonated Improvised Explosive Devices at the checkpoint on Monday afternoon.

And the Emir Wept!

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi did infact weep for Nigeria recently at the government house in Kano. It drew some mint of energy and drive out of my desire and empathy which yielded some pint of premonition. It later aroused my curiosity to ask this rhetorical question; could it get worse than it already is, when push meet shove in our economic life standard how do we challenge this agony and torture. 

Needless to say but yes, it could get worse. I really wanted to weep myself, because this new government have put all their eggs in one basket, by basking all grace and hope on this trip to the US. The hope of a better Nigeria now invariably lies with the US? This trip by the presidency and team will surely go a long way in deciding the fate of this great but unstable, weak and insecured country. 

I hope and pray the presidency and team will not be nodding their head in reply to every opinion, postulations, theory and theorem erected by Obama and team as against our desires and objectives. 

I hope our president and team will not succumb to every matter arising and will ultimately air their views, ideas and grievances by counter measuring every issue deliberately. 

I would have preferred a younger, enterprising and full of energy Lagos duo of Akinwunmi Ambode and Raji Fashola to be included in the team as against the clueless Oshiomhole and Ajimobi, but nonetheless, we pray the trip helps to shape and fine tune our idea and vision for a changed economy and greater Nigeria. 

Boko Haram, Peace and Amnesty

The Boko Haram sect public outburst and life threat on Thisday Newspaper Journalist Adeola Akinremi has no doubt raised some comments and aroused altogether some touch of popularity on the bloke. However, I strongly believe the insurgent group is right to be deeply infuriated with his view and angle of objective. Opinions no doubt vary with strong regards to the presidency's comments via Femi Adesina's twitter account which reiterates the president’s empathy to grant the insurgent sect some, amnesty!

There are many things I do really fantasize and dream about but being an object of threat from Boko Haram is surely not in my league of wishes and if you ask me I will incisively enunciate and mumble out the words that they surely deserve some amnesty (hey! hold it with the abuses), you might want to reason and share my views. 

I personally believe our military cannot abrogate and finally annihilate the Boko Haram group. This is not to undermine the much invaluable and passionate efforts of the military but to annotate and shed more light on some political, military and ethnic affiliation which is intensely and abjectly interwoven with the insurgency that have come to be a part of our everyday newspaper reviews. 

Less we forget, I would refer us back to the fact that the Boko Haram group have changed their identity, style and logo to the famous Iraqi terrorist group ISIS in the middle east. It's a whole bigger division than the average Nigerian probably envisage and so many nations including United Nations and International groups have been joining heads and efforts to defeat the prowess of ISIS globally for some years now. They are international terrorist groups who have spread their tentacles widely across the globe. 

The main reason many people (may be Mr Aderemi inclusive) are so much against the amnesty grant conception is plainly because the issue had been raised during President GEJ's regime and it must be stated also that it was widely antagonized by the then opposition, APC, who also controlled the wave and pattern of focus of the people, albeit the multiple devastating and inhumane bloodshed. 

Whatever purpose the Boko Haram turned ISWAP (Islamic State's West Africa Province) was established or founded on, it has ultimately disappeared into thin air. The initial mission, aim and course have been hijacked and stolen. It's gravely beyond politics now or ethnicity, it's bigger than our primary line of thought and truthfully far greater than the Nigerian military. Peace through amnesty is the true and only mean. 

Boko Haram, Peace and Amnesty

The Boko Haram sect public outburst and life threat on Thisday Newspaper Journalist Adeola Akinremi has no doubt raised some comments and aroused altogether some touch of popularity on the bloke. However, I strongly believe the insurgent group is right to be deeply infuriated with his view and angle of objective. Opinions no doubt vary with strong regards to the presidency's comments via Femi Adesina's twitter account which reiterates the president’s empathy to grant the insurgent sect some, amnesty!

There are many things I do really fantasize and dream about but being an object of threat from Boko Haram is surely not in my league of wishes and if you ask me I will incisively enunciate and mumble out the words that they surely deserve some amnesty (hey! hold it with the abuses), you might want to reason and share my views. 

I personally believe our military cannot abrogate and finally annihilate the Boko Haram group. This is not to undermine the much invaluable and passionate efforts of the military but to annotate and shed more light on some political, military and ethnic affiliation which is intensely and abjectly interwoven with the insurgency that have come to be a part of our everyday newspaper reviews. 

Less we forget, I would refer us back to the fact that the Boko Haram group have changed their identity, style and logo to the famous Iraqi terrorist group ISIS in the middle east. It's a whole bigger division than the average Nigerian probably envisage and so many nations including United Nations and International groups have been joining heads and efforts to defeat the prowess of ISIS globally for some years now. They are international terrorist groups who have spread their tentacles widely across the globe. 

The main reason many people (may be Mr Aderemi inclusive) are so much against the amnesty grant conception is plainly because the issue had been raised during President GEJ's regime and it must be stated also that it was widely antagonized by the then opposition, APC, who also controlled the wave and pattern of focus of the people, albeit the multiple devastating and inhumane bloodshed. 

Whatever purpose the Boko Haram turned ISWAP (Islamic State's West Africa Province) was established or founded on, it has ultimately disappeared into thin air. The initial mission, aim and course have been hijacked and stolen. It's gravely beyond politics now or ethnicity, it's bigger than our primary line of thought and truthfully far greater than the Nigerian military. Peace through amnesty is the true and only mean.