Newspaper Review For Wednesday 26th, August

1. ‘They allowed the refineries collapse so that their friends can bring in refined petrol’–Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed past administrations for the current situation in which Nigeria is forced to spend billions of Naira annually on alleged subsidies for petroleum products. The President made his latest reservations about the petroleum subsidy regime known during a meeting with the Chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). President Buhari said the escalation of petroleum subsidy payments in the recent past was due to deliberate neglect of the nation’s refineries, oil pipelines and other related infrastructure which allowed the importation of petroleum products and corruption to thrive.

2. Jonathan recruited 1600 into Immigration, not Parradang – NIS Senior Officers

Senior officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reacted to the suspension of Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Shikfu Parradang, by stating that he did not approve the recruitment of 1,600 officers to the Service. In a statement signed by Comrade S Audu and titled: “A STATEMENT FROM CONCERNED SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS” they stated that the immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, constituted a Board that oversaw the recruitment of the officers, noting that, Parradang did not have the powers to approve such recruitment. They noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was not properly briefed of the process that led to the failed recruitment, adding that, Parradang was only used as a bait, same as previous Comptroller-Generals.

3. I Want To Unite South East Leaders With Buhari

The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has disclosed that his ultimate desire is to unite the governors and leaders of the South East to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government. Okorocha stated this on Monday while addressing newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, SMICA, Owerri, on his arrival from Abuja. “As the only APC governor in the South East, I cannot do it alone and I cannot also play the attendant politics of establishing a very strong relationship between the South East governors and the APC-led Federal Government alone. Hence, every governor and leader in the South East must be carried along in the whole thing,” Okorocha said.

4. 66,000 Nigerians To Perform This Year's Hajj

Sixty-six thousand Nigerians will this year perform the 2015 Hajj exercise, using six airlines with 13 aircrafts. Speaking the inaugural airlift of the intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at the Kaduna International Airport, President Mohammadu Buhari represented by Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said government had set up a coordinating committee to supervise 2015 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He said the committee, which would be funded by the service charge, which pilgrims paid to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), would be led by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

5. CBN grants Fortis Microfinance bank National licence

The Chairman, Fortis Micro Finance Bank Plc., Mr Felix Achibiri, has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted the bank a national microfinance licence. Achibiri made the disclosure at the 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank in Abuja on Tuesday. “With a national licence, Fortis will be driving the CBN’s financial inclusion programme across the country by providing financial services to all the states of the federation. “Our success story over the years will be replicated nationwide and we will also through the use of technology, bring banking to the doorstep of all Nigerians. “Especially those at the base of the economic pyramid who are either underserved, under-banked or out rightly disenfranchised by the conventional financial service providers,’’ he said.

6. Restructured loans to reduce debt burden of states by 55 – 97 per cent – DMO

Director-General of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday expressed optimism that the recent restructuring of the short-term bank loans owed by 11 state governments into long-term Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN Bonds would cut their monthly debt service burden by a minimum of 55 per cent and maximum of 97 per cent. This was as he assured that the renegotiated facilities would equally result in interest rate savings of between three and nine per cent per annum for the affected states and help regain fiscal balance. Nwankwo stated this in Abuja while speaking to journalists in shortly after a meeting with a Kenyan delegation, comprising officials from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Treasury/Debt Management Department, which was on a study tour to unravel the success story of the Nigerian domestic bond market.

7. Lagos pulls down list of Fashola’s contract awards from website

A new twist has been added to the controversy surrounding the contract spending by the administration of the former governor of Lagos State, Babtunde Raji Fashola, as the Lagos State Government has removed the list of contracts awarded under the administration from its websites. The list, published on the website of the state’s Public Procurement Agency,www.lagosppa.gov.ng, stated that Fashola’s administration spent N78.3m on his personal website,www.tundefashola.com, in 2014 and N139m on the drilling of two boreholes at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The list of awarded contracts on the website of Lagos State Tenders Board, http://www.stb.lagosstate.gov.ng/, has also been pulled down.

8. Lawyers protest against Amaechi at NBA Conference in Abuja

Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association yesterday protested at the NBA 2015 Annual Conference ongoing in Abuja. The protesting members of the Association who were members from the Rivers state Chapter staged the protest to show their grievances against the inclusion the former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi as guest in one of the sessions. Amaechi and Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo state were to preside over a session in the conference and present speeches on the theme -Public Perception of Lawyers: Is the Esteem Justified?

9. Group lambasts CJN, NJC, Falana for backing Aregbesola against Osun judge

The Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) has chided the National Judicial Commission (NJC) for meddling in Justice Folahanmi Oloyede’s marital squabbles. The group expressed shock that the chairman of the commission, Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed, gave attention to a petition sent to the NJC by one Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire claiming that Oloyede snatched her husband. CSCEO in a statement in Osogbo, Osun State, signed by its chairman and its director of mobilisation, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman and Rev. Theophilus Ayodeji respectively, accused the CJN and the NJC of dancing to the tune of politicians.

10. I didn’t hire anyone to attack EFCC – Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has dismissed media reports alleging that he hired one Uboh to smear the integrity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In a press statement signed by Bamikole Omisore, his Special Assistant on Online Media, he said “it is pertinent and with all sense of responsibility and commitment to state unequivocally that the story is far from the truth. A fabricated story that can not sell to dent the image of Senator Saraki. “The general public is fully aware that the said online platform which published the false story has been an agent of media attack on the person of the Senate President and that all allegations made by the online platform against the have fallen flat on their face as bare lies, concocted with malicious intention.

Newspaper Review For Wednesday , 26th August

1. ‘They allowed the refineries collapse so that their friends can bring in refined petrol’–Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed past administrations for the current situation in which Nigeria is forced to spend billions of Naira annually on alleged subsidies for petroleum products. The President made his latest reservations about the petroleum subsidy regime known during a meeting with the Chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). President Buhari said the escalation of petroleum subsidy payments in the recent past was due to deliberate neglect of the nation’s refineries, oil pipelines and other related infrastructure which allowed the importation of petroleum products and corruption to thrive.

2. Jonathan recruited 1600 into Immigration, not Parradang – NIS Senior Officers

Senior officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reacted to the suspension of Comptroller-General of Immigration, David Shikfu Parradang, by stating that he did not approve the recruitment of 1,600 officers to the Service. In a statement signed by Comrade S Audu and titled: “A STATEMENT FROM CONCERNED SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS” they stated that the immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, constituted a Board that oversaw the recruitment of the officers, noting that, Parradang did not have the powers to approve such recruitment. They noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was not properly briefed of the process that led to the failed recruitment, adding that, Parradang was only used as a bait, same as previous Comptroller-Generals.

3. I Want To Unite South East Leaders With Buhari

The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has disclosed that his ultimate desire is to unite the governors and leaders of the South East to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government. Okorocha stated this on Monday while addressing newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, SMICA, Owerri, on his arrival from Abuja. “As the only APC governor in the South East, I cannot do it alone and I cannot also play the attendant politics of establishing a very strong relationship between the South East governors and the APC-led Federal Government alone. Hence, every governor and leader in the South East must be carried along in the whole thing,” Okorocha said.

4. 66,000 Nigerians To Perform This Year's Hajj

Sixty-six thousand Nigerians will this year perform the 2015 Hajj exercise, using six airlines with 13 aircrafts. Speaking the inaugural airlift of the intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at the Kaduna International Airport, President Mohammadu Buhari represented by Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said government had set up a coordinating committee to supervise 2015 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He said the committee, which would be funded by the service charge, which pilgrims paid to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), would be led by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

5. CBN Grants Fortis Microfinance Bank National Licence

The Chairman, Fortis Micro Finance Bank Plc., Mr Felix Achibiri, has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted the bank a national microfinance licence. Achibiri made the disclosure at the 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank in Abuja on Tuesday. “With a national licence, Fortis will be driving the CBN’s financial inclusion programme across the country by providing financial services to all the states of the federation. “Our success story over the years will be replicated nationwide and we will also through the use of technology, bring banking to the doorstep of all Nigerians. “Especially those at the base of the economic pyramid who are either underserved, under-banked or out rightly disenfranchised by the conventional financial service providers,’’ he said.

6. Restructured Loans To Reduce Debt Burden of States By 55 – 97 per cent – DMO

Director-General of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday expressed optimism that the recent restructuring of the short-term bank loans owed by 11 state governments into long-term Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN Bonds would cut their monthly debt service burden by a minimum of 55 per cent and maximum of 97 per cent. This was as he assured that the renegotiated facilities would equally result in interest rate savings of between three and nine per cent per annum for the affected states and help regain fiscal balance. Nwankwo stated this in Abuja while speaking to journalists in shortly after a meeting with a Kenyan delegation, comprising officials from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Treasury/Debt Management Department, which was on a study tour to unravel the success story of the Nigerian domestic bond market.

7. Lagos Pulls Down List of Fashola’s Contract Awards From Website

A new twist has been added to the controversy surrounding the contract spending by the administration of the former governor of Lagos State, Babtunde Raji Fashola, as the Lagos State Government has removed the list of contracts awarded under the administration from its websites. The list, published on the website of the state’s Public Procurement Agency,www.lagosppa.gov.ng, stated that Fashola’s administration spent N78.3m on his personal website,www.tundefashola.com, in 2014 and N139m on the drilling of two boreholes at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The list of awarded contracts on the website of Lagos State Tenders Board, http://www.stb.lagosstate.gov.ng/, has also been pulled down.

8. Lawyers Protest Against Amaechi at NBA Conference in Abuja

Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association yesterday protested at the NBA 2015 Annual Conference ongoing in Abuja. The protesting members of the Association who were members from the Rivers state Chapter staged the protest to show their grievances against the inclusion the former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi as guest in one of the sessions. Amaechi and Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo state were to preside over a session in the conference and present speeches on the theme -Public Perception of Lawyers: Is the Esteem Justified?

9. Group Lambasts CJN, NJC, Falana For Backing Aregbesola Against Osun Judge

The Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) has chided the National Judicial Commission (NJC) for meddling in Justice Folahanmi Oloyede’s marital squabbles. The group expressed shock that the chairman of the commission, Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed, gave attention to a petition sent to the NJC by one Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire claiming that Oloyede snatched her husband. CSCEO in a statement in Osogbo, Osun State, signed by its chairman and its director of mobilisation, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman and Rev. Theophilus Ayodeji respectively, accused the CJN and the NJC of dancing to the tune of politicians.

10. I didn’t Hire Anyone To Attack EFCC – Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has dismissed media reports alleging that he hired one Uboh to smear the integrity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In a press statement signed by Bamikole Omisore, his Special Assistant on Online Media, he said “it is pertinent and with all sense of responsibility and commitment to state unequivocally that the story is far from the truth. A fabricated story that can not sell to dent the image of Senator Saraki. “The general public is fully aware that the said online platform which published the false story has been an agent of media attack on the person of the Senate President and that all allegations made by the online platform against the have fallen flat on their face as bare lies, concocted with malicious intention.

Newspaper Review For Tuesday 25th, August

1. Ban Ki-moon Invites Buhari To Meeting on Anti-extrimism in New York

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted an invitation from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon to a meeting of world leaders in New York to formulate fresh plan of action against extremism. Femi Adesina, the president’s Adviser on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Monday said that Ban made the request during a closed door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa. It quoted Ban as saying the UN would welcome Buhari’s “input and experience” in finalising plans to introduce a new resolution against extremism at the General Assembly. US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande are also expected to participate in the meeting billed for September 28.

2. Fashola's Reckless Spending, a Confirmation of Lagos Open Parliament - CACOL

Fashola identifies flouting of law and order as Nigeria’s greatest enemyThe Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, has reacted to a recent media publication of some contracts awarded under the Administration of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, saying the publication was a confirmation of CACOL’s assertion in its two-volume publication titled “Lagos Open Parliament 1&2”, in which the Coalition raised several issues on Mr Fashola’s reckless spending on frivolous and white-elephant projects while his tenure as governor of Lagos State lasted. It would be recalled that CACOL had on several occasions complained of the reluctance of anti-corruption agencies and LAHA to probe the immediate past government in Lagos state for the regime’s alleged reckless spending on projects that were not fully relevant to the need of Lagosians.

3. Senate Lauds NERC's Pro- People Position

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has been commended for being responsive to the yearnings of the people. In a press statement which was issued on Monday, Senator Dino Melaye, Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity stressed that the regulatory agency has demonstrated that it is responsible and sensitive to the people it serves. “While describing the steps taken so far by NERC in response to Senate’s resolution on the issue of fixed charges as a pro-people position, Melaye said the commission has shown that it is a responsible regulatory body”, the statement said.

4. DPR Shuts 29 Filling Stations in Benue, Nasarawa Over 'Sharp Practices'

The Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Makurdi field office, has shut 29 additional filling stations in Benue and Nasarawa states for engaging in what they tagged ‘sharp practices.’ This latest closure has brought the total number of filling stations that were shut by the department to 39 outlets in one week. It was gathered that no fewer than five of the outlets that were shut have paid the N100,000 penalties that would allow them open shop, with a warning to sell the right quantity at the right price.

5. Boko Haram: Switzerland Approves $8million For North East

Acting Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Chad and Niger, Dr. David Cavegn who was in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital alongside Mr. pascal Holliger, Political Adviser at the Embassy, has said that, his country has approved the sum of eight million dollars to help the northeast sub-region and neigbouring Chad Republic in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents. Dr. David, while speaking on Monday also said that, the amount would not be the only assistance that Switzerland is looking into, but a commencement of a long time assistance to the northeast sub-region, particularly in the fight against insurgency. He said it was an immediate assistance to the Internally Displaced persons,IDPs. According to him, while the root cause of the insurgency is being looked into in order to have a better understanding of the situation, the Embassy took the opportunity to visit and commiserate with the people and government of Borno state over the unfortunate incidents of Boko Haram attacks.

6. Ikorodu Robbery Suspects Sue Police For #5m for Forcing Them To Confess

The suspected robbers, who allegedly attacked banks in Ikorodu have told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the confessional statements they made to the police were under duress. The defendant’s lawyer, Olusegun Akanbi is, therefore, praying the court to order the police to produce them if they were still alive. He said the suspects “made confessional statements to the members of the press out of duress”. The lawyer maintained that it was unconstitutional for the police to parade criminal suspects and have them grant press interviews under compulsion. ‎

7. Reps Back Buhari Anti-graft War, Express Readiness To Slash Salary

The House of Representatives yesterday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft measures, even as it expressed the readiness to slash its salaries as its own contribution to reducing the high cost of governance in the country. Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Mohammed Sani Zorro, who disclosed this in Lagos, said all members of the House of Representatives irrespective of party affiliations are on the same page with the President on the change agenda and are ready to give him the necessary legislative backing to actualize the agenda. He asserted that the need to streamline the funding of the House’s activities in line with best practices across the world and Nigeria’s economic fortunes was what led the Reps to set up the Dr Clement Nwankwo Committee.

8. Senate To Probe Lamorde Over Alleged Diversion of #1Trn Corruption Proceeds

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Wednesday over allegations that he fraudulently diverted over N1tn proceeds from corruption recovered by the anti-graft agency. This followed a petition to the Senate from a certain George Uboh that part of the money said to have been diverted by the EFCC boss included the loot recovered from a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and ex-Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun.

9. FG Orders Withdrawal of Diplomatic Passports From Unauthorized Persons

The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to withdraw diplomatic passports from unqualified persons holding them. The FG directives was contained in the statement issued Director of Press, Yusuf Isiaka Alhaji, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. He said: “The attention of the Federal government that some Nigerians who are not entitled to hold diplomatic and official passports are in possession of these documents. “In view of the Federal government determination to protect and promote Nigeria’s integrity in the comity of nations, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to retrieve all valid diplomatic and official passports with immediate effect from all persons who are not entitled to hold such documents”.

10. Illegal Fire Arms: DSS Charge Dasuki To Court

The immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) has been charged to court by the Department of State Security Services (DSS), over offenses related to possession of fire arms without license. A statement by the DSS on Monday issued by Tony Opuiyo said after searching Dasuki’s houses on July 16, 2015, its men discovered large cache of arms and ammunition and has subsequently charged him to court. Opuiyo stated that the search was necessitated by credible intelligence which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security.

Newspaper Review For Monday 24th,August

1. Buhari to Lawyers: Expose all Crooks, Corrupt Persons

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerian lawyers not to sacrifice the integrity of the country’s legal system in a bid to cover the misdeeds of their clients, no matter how lucrative the brief may be. Speaking at the opening of the 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Sunday in Abuja, President Buhari called on Nigerian lawyers to support his administration’s war against corruption and help the country return to the path of rectitude by making Nigerian courts functional and effective again.

2. Ban Ki-moon To Mark Bombing and Chibok Girls

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived Nigeria on Sunday to commemorate the bombing of UN’s headquarters by Islamist sect, Boko Haram and also to focus new attention on over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State by the ruthless extremists. Ki-moon will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, amid plans to launch a long-delayed regional offensive against the Islamic insurgents who have since pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. A UN statement says the leaders will discuss ways to counter violent extremism as well as human rights and climate change.

3. Otuoke Community Head Decries Water Scarcity

Mr Elijah Ateki, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa, has bemoaned the scarcity of potable water in the area. Ateki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Otuoke on Sunday that lack of drinking water was the major problem in the community. According to him, the situation is due to the pollution of rivers in the area by oil spilage. He said the community had suffered inadequate potable water over the years, and urged the State and Federal Governments to provide the people with potable water. “Otuoke community depends on rivers and now that all the rivers are polluted by oil, it is difficult for us to get potable water here.” Ateki said.

4. PDP to Commence e-registration For Members

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resuscitates the online system for registration of party members across the country. The party said Edo state would be used as a pilot for the project, a development that has resulted in the deferment of earlier scheduled congresses in the state. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday said the decision to resuscitate the e-registration project is part of the reengineering efforts to rebuild the party. “The National Working Committee (NWC), after very wide consultations with critical stakeholders, and in line with the wishes and aspirations of our teeming supporters across the country, has approved the resuscitation of the e-registration project.

5. Rivers APC Dismisses Corruption Allegations Against Amaechi

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the corruption allegations against immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, with a wave of the hand. The party in a statement issued Sunday morning in Port Harcourt by its State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that the latest allegation “by the wailing Care-taker Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike’s camp that Amaechi has foreign bank accounts lacks substance”.

6. Resign or Be Sacked From INEC - Ozekhome Warns Amina Zakari

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has again called for the resignation of Amina Zakari as the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. His call followed speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari may make her substantive head of the commission. Zakari, who was National Commissioner at INEC, replaced Prof. Attahiru Jega, whose five-year tenure as the INEC chairman ended on June 30. Ozekhome in a chat with Sunday Punch said Zakari should resign or be dismissed. According to him, her credibility as acting INEC chairman should be called to question by law and based on the allegations brought against her.

7. Nigerians Will Stone Jonathan and His Men to Death If They Discover Their Loots - Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has stated that Nigerians might be forced to stone former President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet members to death if they have full details of the money that went missing under the last administration. Oshiomole, in an interview with Vanguard said that under the leadership of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Federal Government spent the sum of N140billion on consultancy for the Second Niger bridge. ”If Nigerians know what these people did, they will stone them to death, jungle justice. 700 million dollars gone on second Niger bridge without any bridge to show”.

8. Abacha Nearly Killed Me - Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has recalled how he escaped death under the leadership of later former dictator, Sani Ababcha. Obasanjo, who made this disclosure on Friday at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, while playing host to officials of the National Association of Nigerians Students, said he would support President Buhari’s government. Recalling his near death experience under the late Abacha administration, Obasanjo said that he and some retired military officers and civilians were jailed in 1995 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the administration and released after Abacha’s death in 1998.

9. Pastor Reveals How Boko Haram Killed 8,000 Members of his Church

President of Ekklisiyar Yan’uwa A Nigeria, EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), Rev. Samuel Dali, has disclosed that no fewer than 8,000 of his members have been killed by members of the Boko Haram in the North-East zone of the country. He, however, expressed hope that the war against Boko Haram would be won. The cleric said aside the massacre of his church members, 70% of church facilities in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States were destroyed in series of attacks championed by the insurgents. Yan’uwa was, however, optimistic that President Muhammadu Buhari would end the activities of Boko Haram.

10. Usain Bolt Beats Gatlin to Retain 100m Title

Beijing (AFP) – Jamaican Usain Bolt trumped American rival Justin Gatlin to retain his world 100m title in spectacular style on Sunday. Bolt, also the double Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in the blue riband event, ran a season’s best of 9.79 seconds in Beijing. Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, was just one-hundredth of a second off Bolt, taking silver in 9.80sec with fellow American Trayvon Bromell and Canadian Andre de Grassse awarded bronze medals after both timing 9.92sec.

Newspaper Review For Sunday 23rd August

1. Saraki Eats Humble Pie, Reaches Out to Tinubu

The battle of wills rocking the leadership of the All Progressives Congress may soon be over. Multiple sources informed that contrary to his public posturing of defiance, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had started reaching out to some of the I aggrieved leaders of the party. Saraki is one of the gladiators in the clash of egos and wills that followed the Senate leadership election on June 9 and subsequent appointment of principal officers. The Senate President had earlier visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to help him beg President Muhammadu Buhari. He also reportedly met with the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, on the same matter. During the week, some emissaries sent by Saraki met with President Buhari and sought forgiveness for the Senate President for acting contrary to the dictates of the party.

2. My life in Danger over Petition against Anyim - PDP Leader

A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who alleged that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Pius Anyim, tricked former President Goodluck Jonathan in the construction of the Centenary City, has said his life is now in danger. Ojougboh has, as a result, asked his lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, to write two separate petitions on the alleged plan to kill him and the involvement of a foreign company in the alleged scam. He said, “I have instructed my lawyers to forward petitions to the Government of the United Arab Emirates over the scam (allegedly) being perpetrated by Eagle Hills. “The petition should also be sent to the Nigerian Immigration Service over the activities of a notorious Mexican drug baron called Carlos Cabal that has been given the task to assassinate me; the European Union and the Government of Germany over the activities of Berger the Billfinger in Nigeria and African Human Rights Commission in The Gambia.”

3. Amaechi Didn't Leave #7bn in River Treasury

The controversy concerning Rivers State’s treasury took a different dimension on Saturday when Governor Nyesom Wike disagreed with his predecessor’s insistence that he left N7.5bn cash in the state’s coffers. Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi had, in a statement, said a total of N7.5bn cash was left behind as the balances for the state’s internally generated revenue account with Skye Bank; the Federal Account Allocation Committee accounts with Zenith Bank and Access Bank; and the state’s Reserve Funds in First Bank. But Wike, on Saturday, dismissed Amaechi’s claim and asked why students under the state’s scholarship scheme were not paid their tuition fees and other allowances. According to the governor, a fraction of N7.5bn would have saved the final-year students abroad the trauma of standing the risk of being sent back home from their various foreign universities.

4. Ban Ki-Moon to Visit Nigeria Today

The United Nations’ Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, is expected to visit Nigeria on Sunday (today). A statement issued by the UN on Friday said Ki-Moon would meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and would subsequently engage in a few field activities. The statement read, “The Secretary-General will travel to Abuja, Nigeria, over the weekend. During his visit, he will meet with President Buhari and other federal and state government officials. He will also meet with leaders from human rights, religious, civil society and business communities. “The Secretary-General is expected to discuss development, climate change, human rights and countering violent extremism while he is in Nigeria. He will also mark the anniversary of the August 26, 2011 attack on UN House in Abuja.”

5. There is No Alternative to Democracy Says Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said there is no alternative to democracy, arguing that he almost lost his life to a dictator under a military rule. He said this on Friday at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta when officials of the National Association of Nigerians Students and some student union leaders from various institutions of learning paid him a visit. Obasanjo and some other retired military officers and civilians were jailed in 1995 by the military government of the late Gen.Sani Abacha, after he was found guilty by a military tribunal of allegedly plotting to overthrow Abacha’s administration.

6. Radio Biafra Resurfaces

The controversial pirate radio channel, Radio Biafra, has again resumed transmission, despite the Federal Government’s claim that it had jammed the station’s signals.
The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had on July 14, announced that it jammed the transmission signals of the radio station, which was operating illegally from an unknown location. It was observed on Saturday that the channel had not been transmitting on the FM 104.7 band, on which its signals was received in Enugu, since July but had resumed transmission on the same 104.7 FM band, from which it transmitted before it went off air.

7. Ooni's Final Rites: Residents Advised to Stay Indoors For Oro Deity

Residents of the ancient town of Ile-Ife, have been warned to remain indoors for the Oro deity to observe the final funeral rite for the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ile-Ife, Osun, observed that the palace town criers were going round the town announcing that residents, especially commercial drivers and motorcyclists should stay indoors between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. NAN reports that this will enable the Oro deity perform necessary rite for the departed monarch. It was gathered that the Head of Oro Cult in Ife, the Awara of Iwara, Oba Layi Adereti had ordered the curfew, warning that anyone who flouted the order, irrespective of age or gender would face its consequences.

8. Nigeria to Adopt Strict Visa Insurance Policy to Stop Terrorists

The Federal Government has directed it missions to adopt strict visa issuance policy in order to ensure that undesirable elements do not have his/her way into the country. The directive followed the botched attempt by the Chief Imam of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Ahmed Al-Assir, to enter Nigeria. Henceforth, visa applicants from marked areas will, according to sources, be subjected scrutiny. Security agencies have already stepped up investigation into Al-Assir’s possible contacts in Nigeria.

9. Start Your Anti Graft War With Those Around You - Ohanaeze Tells Buhari

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to start his corruption war with people around him.
The Igbo group said the President is in the midst of corrupt people, even though he is not one of them. Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, the secretary general of the group, told The Sun said: “There are corrupt people around President Buhari. In public perception, people who are corrupt, are very much around him. “He should cast his eyes around him and get those who are parading to be in the same party with him, but who do not have the same pedigree in terms of decency like him.”

10. Army Chief Buratai Escape Boko Haram Ambush

Nigeria’s new army chief drove to the frontline of the war on Boko Haram and narrowly missed an ambush that killed one soldier and wounded two.
The ambushed advance team nonetheless gunned down five insurgents and arrested five on Friday’s drive down the most dangerous stretch of road in Nigeria, from Maiduguri, the northeastern city where Nigeria’s Islamic uprising was born, northeast to Ngala, on the Cameroon border. The 140-kilometer (90-mile) ride took four hours with stops, including for soldiers to check for land mines.

Newspaper Review For Saturday, 22nd of August

1. Buhari Appoints Obasanjo as Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concerned over the unfolding political situation in Guinea Bissau following the dismissal of the Prime Minister, Mr Domingos Pereira, and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina. It stated that Buhari had already sent former President Olusegun Obasanjo as his Special Envoy to mediate and help find a solution to the crisis brewing in that country.

2. Bala Muhammad, 5 others eye PDP Chair
There are indications that a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, and five others are warming up to square it up for the vacant position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Others who are jostling for the job are Prof. Ahmed Alkali, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, former Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Jalo Abdullahi. According to reports, some governors are pushing for ex-Governor, Sule Lamido and ex-Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema.

3. Airstrike by US kill ISIS Deputy Leader, Haji Mutazz
The United States-led coalition has killed the deputy leader of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Hajji Mutazz. A terse statement by the White House Friday night says Mutazz was “prominently involved in directing ISIS finance operations”. The US Air Force struck the ISIS second in command while he was travelling in a vehicle in company of others.

4. Buhari Suspends Immigration Boss
In a move that may herald the clamp down on officers who might have been implicated in the issuance of visa to a wanted ISIS chieftain, President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, David Parradang, with immediate effect. His suspension was made known in a statement issued by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mr. Yusuf Isiaka Alhaji, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

5. NYSC Secures #200m Bank Facility, Corpers To Access Loan
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday said it had secured over N200 million bank facility for disbursement to corps members as loans to enable them start their businesses. Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, the Director-General of the corps, said this when the Commander, Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, paid a familiarisation visit to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja.

6. I Stepped Down For El Rufai Bacause I was told Buhari Endorsed him - Shehu Sani
The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has revealed that he dropped his ambition to become the Kaduna State governor after party chieftains prevailed on him to step down for Mallam Nasir El-Rufai because he was President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice candidate. While insisting that his present rift with the governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai, is purely ideological, Sani told Leadership that: “I never intended to contest for the Senate; I wanted to contest for the governorship and I opened offices in Zaria, Kaduna and Kafanchan, and later there was pressure on me that I should step down. Politicians came to meet me; that I should step down and allow el-Rufai to contest because they said he was the favourite of the president.

7. DHQ set up Joint Task Force to Curb Cattle Rustling
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday announced the setting up of a Joint Task Force to curb cattle rustling in some parts of the country. The DHQ, said the task force, comprising men of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force, was specifically put in place to combat cattle rustling at the Kamuku Forest in the North-West and would remain in place until the forest was rid of all criminals and their activities. Also, the DHQ announced the seizure of an illegal vessel containing 150,000 litres of refined petroleum products by its Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta region.

8. Excess Crude Account Now Stands at $2.2Bn - FG
The Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday told the National Economic Council (NEC) that the Excess Crude Account (ECA) now stands at $2.207 billion as at August 2015. The latest figure presented before NEC shows that there has been N200,000,000 (two hundred million naira) increase since the new government came into power in May 29. It would be recalled that the former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, noted that the ECA stood at $2.07 billion as at May 2015.

9. Ogun Teachers Decry Delay in Remittance of Salary Deductions
Teachers in Ogun State have cried out over the delay in the remittance of deductions made from their salaries into their cooperative accounts. The teachers, who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews, said the development, which has persisted for over eight months, has made life difficult for them. The state government is said to be owing various cooperative establishments since last October, only to remit merely the June deductions from civil servants’ salaries. However, the teachers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the problem had brought them untold hardship, saying that they have committed a large percentage of their salaries to their respective cooperative societies.

10. Students Urge Gov Ambode to end LASU Crises
The Lagos State University Students Union on Friday urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to end the lingering crisis between the institution’s vice-chancellor and the staff unions. The Union’s Public Relations Officer, Adebanjo Fatai, said Mr. Ambode should step into the matter to disallow it from getting out of hand.
Mr. Fatai said that the union is in support of the protest by the National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone D, on August 20, to call the governor’s attention to LASU’s crisis. He said that the protest at the Ojo campus of LASU, during which its gate was barricaded for hours, was not aimed at attacking the staff unions or any other personality. “NANS intervened to call on the governor for an action, and not to attack the staff unions. So, their action should not be misinterpreted.

Nigerian Youths And Political Propaganda

Nigeria youth grandeur is a prototypical representation of the character and attitude with which Nigerian politics is being projected. Information is top notch with the speed of light. Interpretation could be ambiguous and misconception of the narratives could greatly swing with any attached alternating altitude. This could be of the less significance with the new attitude to the psychology of reasoning of the modern Nigerian youths.

Nigerian youths are intellectual no doubt with lots of information at our disposal with the recent aid and cheap availability of the Internet together with the zeal to learning anything, however, our pact or direction should not swerve too further from the base of truthfulness and impartiality. Nepotism and partisanship should be harbored with diplomacy, caution and shrewdness.

Nigerian youths should be quick to recall that the ideology of each party representation is not a direct representation of the party stance and vice versa. A typical Nigerian political party is an aggregation of patent party ideologist, sensitive and insensitive party decampees, party rogues and imperceptive mentalities who have no basic knowledge of the party goals and objectives at heart.

So therfore, I will ask; why do Nigerian youths who have no basic knowledge of the situations in a different regional state, stand tall as an advocate in proponent for any political battle that stands against the party representative in the other region. Pathetic I would say! A predicament and morass complication in our hands it is.

Our youths need to be reminded that a party can never be right on every issue that befalls her all the time. This is necessary to avoid breeding cancerworm in the fabrics of this great nation. Let's agitate towards a better politically balanced Nigeria, youthfully. Tomorrow is in our hands, let's aspire for a legacy inspired towards awarding a profound and moral ethics and value for our generation and beyond.

@deeduke1 for
www.ethicsmagazine.org.ng

The unsteady dilemma of the opposition

The downtrodden effect of the unsignificant but convincing strategy and procedures to actualising victory in the past election of the now ruling party of Nigeria is outrightly the major obstacle that gravely seems to stare right back at them; the APC even while in power and government.

There were plenty dirty, nasty, hoggish, distasteful and unethical methods that were employed to claiming the mandate of leadership albeit exhibited by both parties. Unrealistic and mirage promises were also on display, heaven and earth were promised, the good deeds from their distrustful and timid archives and track records were advertised as "a tip of the iceberg" to the feeble minded and inexperienced citizens of this country. Witty! you might exclaim. Quite rightly, everybody danced to their tune, now the albatross burden and responsibilities though attainable is reaching an equivalent ethical threshold and a direct mutation of the infinite taste and savoury of the contemporary people from the government of today is all incarnation over again.

Ponder this: Is it ethical to cook up lies about your competitors or opposition for the sole aim of winning a contract? Many people's standard of behavior will insist that lying for a business financial victory is not unethical.

The Yorubas (from South West, Nigeria) will invariably put it thus:
"egba ti a fi na iya'le on be lori aja fun iyawo"
In English: "the cane or thin rod (used as a means of punishment) for flogging the first wife is also on the roof for the new wife"

Moral Lesson: Playing the politically naive, unseasoned and callow but simultaneously abruptly blunt, explicit and impolite Donald Trump's modalities and methods will inadvertently lead you nowhere. However, we should aptly digest the moral importance highlighted with this present leadership and their wobbly and wiggly melodrama which is certainly going to lead them to a juncture that will determine their fate come 2019.

@deeduke1 for
www.ethicsmagazine.org.ng

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

• 
• 
  
• 
  
• 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.