Former Bayelsa Governor, Alamieyeseigha Is Dead

Breaking News - Shobizz Bolg

Former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha died a few hours ago in a private hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a source in Bayelsa State confirmed to THISDAY.
Alamieyeseigha, who was said to have suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in the week, gave up the ghost today, after having slipped into coma and was consequently placed on life support.
There are insinuations that his death was not unconnected to the rumours of his possible extradition to the UK for an outstanding money-laundering case, which were swiftly denied by the UK High Commission in Nigeria.
The British High Commission in Nigeria, yesterday, debunked as mere rumour, the recent news making the rounds in the media, that the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha is wanted in the UK to answer question bordering on corruption charges.
A senior officer of the Commission, who spoke confidently and on anonymity on telephone in Abuja, said the information is a rumour in its entirety, adding that the Crown Prosecution has not tabled any extradition request on Alamiesyeseigha, to the High Commission.
While responding to whether it is true that that the Crown Prosecution Service of UK, has made any formal request for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, she said the Crown Prosecution Service more often do not often give or confirm information on such matters.
She however disclosed that there is no renewed move to reopen the case. “As you know, the immediate past High Commissioner, Sir Andrew Pocock, before he left Nigeria, had in an interview averred that the manner in which Alamieyeseigha escaped from UK, made him a wanted a person.
“But as you know and with the new government of President Muhammdadu Buhari, in place, the media is presenting it as if the UK has said that we need this man. There is no such thing as moves for his extradition or of anybody or organisation to recall his extradition to UK,” she said. “Like you know, the media find such issues interesting. They just jumped to and start publishing the way they like, without clarifications from the High Commission.”
In September 2005, Alamieyeseigha (then the Bayelsa State governor) was detained by the London Metropolitan Police on charges of money-laundering
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, was quoted to have said that the President Buhari-led government is prepared to assent to the request of the British Government as the United Kingdom has every legal right to demand for the extradition of the former Bayelsa State Governor.
Born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Ogboin North Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Alamieyeseigha attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa before joining the Nigerian Defence Academy as a cadet officer in 1974 and later the Nigerian Air Force, where he served in the department of Logistics and Supply. Here, he held various positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja before retiring as a Squadron Leader.
He later became the Sole Administrator of Pabod Supplies Port Harcourt and Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development of the National Fertiliser Company (NAFCON), Onne.
He was impeached as Bayelsa State governor on allegations of corruption on December 9, 2005.

Death penalty for corruption

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Waba recently suggested the death penalty for corrupt public officers to curb corruption in Nigeria.
If capital punishment is introduced and worked elsewhere to eliminate corruption, then we are for it,’’ he said at a rally to support the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, Professor of Criminology, Femi Odekunle, observed that death penalty could not be enough measure to curb corruption.
According to him, someone who is dead does not know anything and will not feel the pulse of the punishment.
He said that the death penalty for corruption would only relieve those who are to face the punishment of their guilt.
Let them serve 30 years in prison with hard labour to serve as the consequence of their offence; this is the only way corrupt people will bear the burden of their corruption and not through death sentence,’’ he said.
In his view, Mr Peter Ameh, the National Chairman of Progressive People’s Alliance, noted that although corruption had become endemic in Nigeria, the death penalty might not be the only solution to stop it.
Death penalty cannot prevent people from stealing or from being corrupt, to curb corruption in the country, everybody will have to work to create a society where people’s rights will be protected,’’ he said.
He urged Nigerians to have a change of attitude, insisting that nothing could be done to address the issue of corruption without attitudinal change.
Nigerian Bar Association President Augustine Alegeh, in his view, observed that while other countries were moving away from capital punishment, Nigeria should not be drifting towards such outdated law.
He noted that government should evolve pragmatic measures to prevent people from looting the treasury.
The Treasury Single Account is a good measure in the right direction that will curb the menace of corruption.
The international trend is that every country is moving away from capital punishment. So, where the world is moving away from, why are we going there?
In corruption cases, the focus is on recovering the money. Let us recover that money and use it to develop our country and not to kill the man.
Because, if you kill the man and his family members have the money, have we made any progress? So, let us go for what is right,’’ he said.
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Wahab Shittu, a Lagos-based lawyer, said fighting corruption effectively would involve sentencing corrupt public officers to long-term imprisonment.
I don’t agree that the consequences of looting should be death penalty, but there should rather be long prison terms for corruption, at least a period of not less than 25 years, plus the forfeiture of the proceeds of corruption.
The punishment should not be such that a corrupt person is now deprived the right of existence.
Once someone dies, he’s gone and would not even be alive to witness the consequences of his action,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, a non-governmental organisation, noted that although corruption was a serious crime, recovery of loot rather than death penalty should be emphasised.
He stressed that the death penalty would not help to stem the tide of corruption in the country, adding that he had remained an advocate of the abolition of death penalty for all kinds of offences.
Mumuni, however, suggested that the government should concentrate on loot recovery and ensure that anyone found guilty of any corruption cases should forfeit all his ill-gotten wealth.
Similarly, Mr Olabode Towoju, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Party, said that death penalty for corrupt officials was no longer popular globally.
According to him, Nigeria has not developed to the level where it can use the death penalty as punishment for corruption as most public officers are still involved in the politics of bitterness.
Anyone found to be corrupt should be compelled to forfeit his or her assets and should not be allowed to hold public office again,’’ he said.
Towoju called for the strengthening of the relevant anti-corruption agencies in the country and laws that would prohibit any corrupt practices.
He said that no amount of offence would worth sending someone to death because such person can come out to be useful to the country after rehabilitation and reorientation.
No one can make or create life except God, so killing anyone because of corruption which can be tackled by relevant law is amounting to usurping the power of God,’’ he observed.
By and large, concerned citizens observe that although death penalty may dissuade potential corrupt officials from engaging in corrupt practices, it may not be adequate to end corruption.
They, therefore, urge that the government to provide basic infrastructure, good welfare package, good salary for its workers and make living meaningful for Nigerians, among others, to effectively tackle corruption.

Buhari’s meeting with N’Assembly leadership

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, described the closed-door meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly  held on Wednesday night as a welcome development.
Saraki,  according to a post on his social media page on Thursday, explained that the meeting signifies a good working relationship between executive and legislative arms of the country.
He described such interactions as “a necessity for National development. Additionally, the meeting demonstrates that the nation is working.”
Buhari  met with the leadership of the National Assembly, which included, Saraki; the Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Yakubu Dogara; and other principal officers of both chambers.
Also in attendance  was, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The meeting lasted for about two hours.

Diezani "EFCC quizzes Omokore, Atlantic Energy boss"

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has quizzed the Chairman of Atlantic Energy, Mr. Jide Omokore, over the ongoing investigations into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Investigations revealed that the Subsidy Unit of the EFCC, which is entrusted with the responsibility of probing the NNPC oil scandal, on Monday invited Omokore to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to answer questions in relation to the investigations.

Omokore was said to have honoured the invitation and was quizzed and later released.

It was gathered that his invitation was in connection with the ongoing probe of the NNPC and a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Investigation revealed that Omokore was not detained by the operatives of the commission, who are working with their counterparts from the United Kingdom, to uncover alleged oil deals that were executed to the detriment of the nation’s economy.

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said, “The Atlantic Energy Chairman was at the commission’s headquarters to answer questions in relation to the ongoing probe.

“I don’t think it would be right to say that he was arrested as he came to the office on his own and was interrogated. He was later released to go on administrative bail.”

The granting of administrative bail by the EFCC means that the suspect will make himself available whenever he is needed by the commission.

Investigation further revealed that some key officials of the NNPC, who worked with the former minister and other key players in the oil sector, had been interrogated by the EFCC and had also been released on administrative bail.

It was learnt that a Managing Director of one of the NNPC subsidiaries, three former Executive Directors and some senior members of staff were being made to visit the EFCC periodically.

The former minister, the NNPC officials and three companies which featured prominently in the nation’s oil business are being probed in relation with billions of naira worth of crude oil that were allegedly lifted without being paid for.

It was further gathered that a four-man team of crack detectives constituted under the Subsidy Unit of the EFCC extracted information from the NNPC workers who said they allowed the lifting of the crude in obedience to directives from the leadership of the nation’s oil industry under Diezani.

Our correspondent made repeated efforts to get the comment of the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, without success as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect.

Nigeria at 55

The icy relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki appears to be thawing, as both leaders engaged in a tête-à-tête and laughed heartily during a private moment at the low-key celebration held to mark the nation’s 55th independence anniversary in Abuja on Thursday.

Since his emergence as the Senate president three months ago against the wishes of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), there has been no love lost between Buhari and Saraki.

Although Buhari had immediately after the leadership contest in the Senate said he would respect the outcome of the election, he never hid his displeasure over Saraki’s emergence and that of his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki with the support of the opposition PDP senators trounced the favoured choice of the APC and Buhari, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who alongside other APC senators was at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, waiting to meet with the president when the election in the Senate took place.

Ever since, the president has studiously avoided meeting with the Senate president and on Tuesday in New York, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly, said that his confidence in Saraki would depend on the outcome of the latter’s trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), where he is facing charges of false assets declaration.

Despite the cold war, Buhari and Saraki, who sat next to each other during yesterday’s ceremony, were all smiles and engaged in light banter.

Saraki also led Dogara and other leaders of the legislature to present a card to Buhari congratulating him on Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary.

The event, which was held in the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, witnessed a special presidential change of guard to mark the event and lasted for about two hours.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, had earlier indicated that this year’s anniversary would be low-keyed due to the state of the country’s finances.

The event started with the arrival of Buhari, who appeared in his trademark traditional attire with a white cap to match.

The president inspected the quarter guards before marching to the Presidential Villa forecourt to receive the national salute which was followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.

Prayers were offered by the Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, and the Deputy Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Kabir, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The event witnessed the the 21-gun salute, inspection of new quarter guards, silent drills, posting of sentries and colour, while weapons and uniforms were inspected to ensure conformity with military standards by the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brigadier-General Musa Yusuf.

Shortly after the ceremony, Buhari signed the anniversary register and released pigeons from cage.

The president, assisted by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and other top dignitaries, cut the anniversary cake.

Speaking in separate interviews after the ceremonial change of guards, Saraki, Justice Mohammed and the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to overcome its present challenges.

Saraki said he was hopeful and confident that the future was very bright. “In next few years, things will be even better,” he said.

The Senate president said that in the legislature it would not be business as usual, stating: “We will ensure that the National Assembly will be people-oriented and will make laws that will make impact on Nigerians.”

The CJN said: “We will make it by the grace of God. We are on the right path,” while Oyegun said at 55, Nigeria has finally discovered that it was on the wrong road.

“We have finally moved to the road that leads to progress, hope, employment, prosperity and that will lead to Nigeria finally attaining that greatness that God destined it for. We are on the way,” the APC cheiftain added.

Those who attended the ceremony were former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Chief Ernest Shonekan, and former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Joseph Wayas.

Others were the service chiefs, the current and former Inspectors-General of Police, former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd), other top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.

Akinwunmi Ambode to improve Judcial Sector

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration will continue to improve on the achievements in the judicial sector and ensure that judges, magistrates and the courts in the state work in a conducive atmosphere.The governor, who spoke on Friday at the 2015/2016 Legal Year Dinner at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, reiterated the important role the judiciary plays as the last hope of the common man. He said the Lagos State Judiciary had been the pioneer of judicial sector reforms in the country from 1999, when Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state. He said his predecessor in office, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, also followed suit by initiating and implementing far reaching reforms which went a long way to improve on the justice delivery system.Ambode added, “It was these reforms that gave birth to the Office of Public Defender, Citizens Mediation Centre, Public Advisory Centre, the Multi-Door Court House System, which offers an alternative and effective dispute resolution mechanism; the construction of more courts as well as the appointment of more magistrates and judges. ADVERTISEMENT “These initiatives have expanded the frontier of justice delivery, which has deepened its relevance as the last hope of the common man.“I am committed to ensuring that this administration continues with these reforms. We will work with the judiciary to move our justice sector to a higher level. The reform process is not a finished business, it is a work in progress.”He alluded to the fact that a recent World Bank ranking of countries on the basis of ease of doing business, rated Nigeria low, noting that one of the parameters considered was the ease with which disputes arising from business transactions were resolved.Ambode explained that the report was an indication that the nation’s desire to build a globally competitive economy that would attract foreign investors, could not be achieved without a vibrant judiciary.“It is therefore imperative that as we address the issue of infrastructural deficiency to ease the process and reduce cost of doing business, the issues of rule of law and timely dispensation of justice must also be given priority,” he said.Responding to an appeal made by the Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, in her welcome address, the governor promised to address the issues raised accordingly.Justice Atilade expressed concerns that the Lagos State Judiciary was still financially subservient to the Ministry of Justice, saying it was most undesirable as the arrangement clearly negates relevant laws and constitutional provisions.She appealed to the governor to assist in effecting the return of Judiciary Capital Vote as required by Law and in the spirit of separation of powers as applied to the other arms of government.“To a very large extent, as we demonstrate our implicit confidence in our able governor to right the wrongs of the past, help reposition and propel the State Judiciary to desired heights, we must sincerely express our gratitude to His Excellency for all the support and kind understanding.“Truly, he has within the short period of his administration demonstrated strong interest and concern in the growth of the Judiciary and in the welfare of judicial officers, magistrates and all personnel the of the Lagos State Judiciary,” she added.

Buhari "My govt’ll crush B’Haram"

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday condemned the latest terror attacks in Abuja, Maiduguri and Yola.

In a statement he personally signed, Buhari observed that the Friday attacks in the three cities were apparently timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations when Nigerians should be rejoicing.

The President commiserated with the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He said he had instructed security forces and other local authorities to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks.

The President said his government was determined to stamp out the Boko Haram sect and bring all sponsors to justice.

Buhari said, “These cowardly attacks expose the real face of the planners and perpetrators of these crimes.

“What quarrel do they have with the good people of Nyanya motor park? What issue do they have with innocent people in market places in Maiduguri, Yola and Kuje?

“It is clear this battle is not ideological. It is between the forces of peace and order and the evil forces of murder and destruction.

“Security forces and other local authorities have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks. The Armed Forces have been empowered to crush what remains of Boko Haram.

“This government is determined to stamp out Boko Haram and all other terrorists of whatever persuasions and bring all sponsors to justice.”

Diezani Alison arrested in London

The former minister petroleum resources under the administration of ex president Goodluck Jonathan, Diezani Alison-Madueke was on Friday morning, along with four others, arrested by the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.

The Press and Public Affairs Officer of the  British High Commission in Nigeria, Joseph Abuku, confirmed that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved.
“This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.
“The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual,” Abuku said.
It is not clear now if and when the ex-minister would be extradited to Nigeria. But President Muhammadu Buhari had in his Independence Day address to Nigeria said he was intent on ridding the petroleum industry of corruption.
He said that already preliminary steps had been taken to sanitize the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum level.
“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped,” he said.
According to him, in addition to sanitizing the NNPC, his administration has ordered for a complete audit of other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation.
The president stressed that prudent housekeeping was needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices.
“It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that is important.
“We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted.
“The new APC government is embarking on a cleanup, introducing prudence and probity in public financing,’’ he added.
On power, the president said government officials had held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost effective way.
He noted that the current improvement in the power supply was moderately encouraging.
“By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country.
“All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better,’’ he said.
Buhari further reassured that his administration would continue to address challenges facing the three tiers of government to ensure peace and speedy transformation of the economy.
He noted that at an early stage, the Federal Government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation, he said, was capable of degenerating into social unrest.

Full list of senators who passed vote of confidence on Saraki

As the 8th Senate, on Tuesday, resumed from its 4th recess in 110 days, no fewer than 83 Senators passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, amidst rowdy session.

Despite Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged corrupt practices and false declaration of assets, he initially got the backing of 84 of his colleagues. But as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Babajide Omowarare (APC-Osun East), backed out, 83 Senators threw their weight behind Saraki.
The proposal titled: “Vote of Confidence on Principal Officers of the Senate,” in pursuant to Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Order 2015, had the names of 48 Senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 35 from the majority All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator David Umaru (APC-Niger East), was the one who read the Vote Of Confidence motion on the floor of the Red Chamber.
See the full list:
1. Sen. David Umaru
2. Sen. Mohammed A. Ndume
3. Sen. Godswill Akpabio
4. Sen. Biodun Olujimi
5. Sen. Malam A. Wakil
6. Sen. Isah Hamma Misau
7. Sen. Emmanuel I. Paulker
8. Sen. Ogola Foster
9. Sen. Gershom H. Bassey
10. Sen. James Manager
11. Sen. Babajide Omowarare (Backed out)
12. Sen. Ahmadu Abubakar M.
13. Sen. Joshua M. Lidani
14. Sen. Achonu A. Nneji
15. Sen. Shehu Sanni
16. Sen. Salihu H. Egye
17. Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa
18. Sen. Mohammed S. Ohiare
19. Sen. Philip Aruwa Gyunka
20. Sen. Abdullahi Adamu
21. Sen. Samuel N. Anyanwu
22. Sen. George T. Sekibo
23. Sen. Monsurat J.A. Sunmonu
24. Sen. Jeremiah T. Useni
25. Sen. Ogba Joseph Obinna
26. Sen. Aliyu S. Abdullahi
27. Sen. Sunny Ogbuoji
28. Sen. Gilbert Nnaji
29. Sen. Bala IBN Na’allah
30. Sen. Philip Tanimu Aduda
31. Sen. Duro Samuel Faseyi
32. Sen. Kabiru Gaya
33. Sen. Muhammad Aliero
34. Sen. Bukar A. Ibrahim, CON
35. Sen. Abubakar Kyari
36. Sen. Rose Okoji Oko
37. Sen. Osinachukwu I. Ideozu
38. Sen. Matthew A. Urhoghide
39. Sen. Fatimat O Raji-Rasaki
40. Sen. Tijani Yahaya Kaura
41. Sen. Sabo Mohammed
42. Sen. Danjuma Laáh
43. Sen. Mohammed S. Lafiagi
44. Sen. Dino Melaye
45. Sen. Abdulrahman Abubakar
46. Sen. Bassey A. Akpan
47. Sen. Olanrewaju A. Tejuoso
48. Sen. Buruji Kashamu
49. Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe
50. Sen. Samuel O. Egwu
51. Sen. David A.B. Mark\
52. Sen. Aliyu M. Wamakko.
53. Sen. Marafa Bachir Abba
54. Sen. Mohammed Hassan
55. Sen. Utazi G. Chukwuka
56. Sen. Francis Alimikhena
57. Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha
58. Sen. Joshua Chibi Dariye
59. Sen. Uche L. Ekwunife
60. Sen. Murray-Bruce Ben
61. Sen. Binta Masi Garba
62. Sen. Jang Jonah David
63. Sen. Ighoyota Amori
64. Sen. Ibrahim A. Gobir
65. Sen. Mohammed Goje, CON
66. Sen. Ahmed Rufa’i Sani
67. Sen. Ibrahim Abdullahi
68. Sen. Muhammad U. Shitu
69. Sen. Andy E. Ubah
70. Sen. Nelson A. Effiong
71. Sen. Rafiu Adedayo Ibrahim
72. Sen. Abdul A.M. Nyako
73. Sen. Theodore A. Orji
74. Sen. Olaka Johnson Nwogu
75. Sen. Abubakar S. Danladi
76. Sen. Yele Omogunwa
77. Sen. Stella Adaeze Oduah
78. Sen. Hope O. Uzodinma
79. Sen. John Owah Enoh
80. Sen. Peter Nwaboshi
81. Sen. Clifford A. Ordia
82. Sen. Donald Alasoadura
83. Sen. Mustapha Sani
84. Sen. Gbolahan Dada

Buhari "2015 independence anniversary cost:

The Federal Government is to expend N70 million for the 55th Independence anniversary celebrations slated to commence on September 25, in line with its cost-saving policy.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, made this known to newsmen at a briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.
The SGF, represented by the Permanent Secretary (Political Affairs), Ibukun Odusote, said the government was cutting cost because of the present state of the country’s economy.
This year’s celebration is indeed low-keyed because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and indeed the nation is confronted with.
“To address the situation, government has adopted a general policy to be very prudent in the management of our financial resources.
“This year’s celebration is, therefore, in consonance with the cost-saving policy of this administration,” he said.
The SGF said it took a while to get President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the amount for the entire anniversary programme.
He stressed that the Federal Government would rather spend more money on ensuring payment of workers’ salaries, better learning business environment than on anniversary celebrations.
The SGF, however, said that the president had approved four events for the anniversary which include the Jummat prayers, slated to hold at the Abuja National Mosque on September 25 and the Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service holding at the Abuja National Christian Worship Centre on September 27.
Other events are the ceremonial Change of Guards slated for October 1 at the Presidential Villa and children’s party on October 3.
He said that the children’s party, which would hold at the Presidential Villa, would be attended by children within the ages of five to 13, including some children from Internally Displaced Camps.
Besides the approved four events, Mr. Buhari would address the nation at 7am on October 1, the SGF said.
According to him, four sub-committees have been constituted to handle preparations for each event, to ensure a successful commemoration.

Buhari submits Ministerial list: 21 names • Fashola, Amaechi, Ngige & others

Saraki Receives Ministerial List

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday received the ministerial nominees list at about 4:56pm from the Presidency but said the content of the presidential communication would be read on Tuesday.

The Senate had adjourned plenary at 2:00pm on Wednesday till Tuesday, October 6.

Sources said 21 names were contained in the list.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, in company with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate),   Ita Enang, delivered the list in a sealed envelope to the Senate President in his office.

Saraki, who left the office around 5:30pm, later spoke to journalists through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, explaining that the list would be read on the floor during plenary Tuesday next week.

“The Senate president received the ministerial list around 5:00pm this evening but no action would be taken on it until next week Tuesday. The envelope is still sealed,” Olaniyonu told journalists.

But The PUNCH learnt that a former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; and a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, made the list.

Also said to be on the list are Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State; a former Governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige; and a one-time Governor of Abia State, Ogbonaya Onu.

Malami Abubakar, SAN, a former National Legal Adviser to the defunct Congress for Progressives Change; Aisha Alhassan, a former governorship candidate of the APC in Taraba State; and Amina Mohammed, a special adviser to the Secretary-General of the United nations, Ban Ki-Moon, also made the ministerial list. Same for a former finance commissioner in Ogun State, Kunle Adeosun.

Curiously, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ibe Kachikwu, is said to be on the list, perhaps to combine his headship of the NNPC with junior petroleum minister. portfolio. Buhari has already announced himself as the substantive Minister of Petroleum.

The President had pledged that his ministerial nominees would be submitted to the Senate for screening and approval before the end of September thus raising fears on Wednesday that Buhari had failed to keep his promise to Nigerians.

Also, the Senate had earlier on Wednesday announced that the President had yet to send the list of ministers.

The Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, who addressed journalists shortly after the Senate had adjourned to Tuesday next week, however urged Nigerians not to lose hope because the September deadline given by Buhari would not expire until midnight.

Melaye had said, “We want to announce that we are still waiting for the ministerial list from Mr. President and I want to advise that there is no need for agitation as September expires by 12 midnight today (Wednesday).

“We want to assure Nigerians that as soon as we get possession of this list we will communicate same to Nigerians through the National Assembly Press Corps.”

He had also reiterated his earlier statement that the Senate “will attend to the ministerial nominees expeditiously but diligently, once the list was sent by the President.”

“Due process will be followed and I repeat that it is not going to be business as usual; we are going to properly screen all nominees and only those who meet the constitutional and moral requirements shall be cleared,” he had added.

Melaye explained that the Senate would as from next week start the consideration of all the communication earlier presented to it by the President concerning some appointments made while the Senate was on recess.

Buhari had on Tuesday sent a letter to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of the appointment of Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, for a first term of five years.

Buhari in another letter sought the confirmation of the appointment of Dr. William Babatunde Fowler as Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Board for a four-year term while in another letter, the President sought the confirmation of the appointment of the Managing Director and three executive directors for the Assets Management Company of Nigeria.

The nominees are Kuru as Managing Director; Kola Ayeye, Eberechukwu Uneze and Aminu Ismail as executive directors.

However, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, had during plenary on Tuesday expressed concern that the Senate president did not read out the list of ministerial nominees despite the fact that newspapers had reported that it was in the Senate.

Akpabio, who had raised a point of order, citing order 14, also noted that the situation became worrisome in view of the fact that the September 30 deadline promised by Buhari would lapse on Wednesday.

But Akpabio’s argument had been countered by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who explained that the list could still be sent before midnight on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, was on Wednesday announced as the Senate Chief Whip by Saraki.

Adeyeye was unanimously endorsed by the South-West caucus of the All Progressives Congress in the red chamber on June 24.

His name was on the list of principal officers approved by the APC leadership as contained in a letter addressed to the Senate president by the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie – Oyegun, on June 23.

Buhari "We are not after anyone"

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence broadcast on Thursday (today) assured Nigerians that his government was not persecuting anybody but said all must be ready to account for their deeds.

Borrowing from his inaugural speech on May 29, Buhari said, “I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me.

“We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation.”

Nigeria today marks 55 years of independence, having secured its freedom from the British colonialists on October 1, 1960.

The President said the citizens needed to celebrate notwithstanding the situation in the country, thou he regretted that we had not fully exploited unity of purpose as a nation blessed with vast human and natural resources.

Buhari told Nigerians: “We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

‘‘Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.

‘‘Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate.”

He again paid tribute to former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28, 2015 election.

“We have witnessed this year a sea change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.

“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President (Goodluck) Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences,” he said.

The President, in his review of his government’s five months in office, acknowledged Nigerians’ expectation for the government to hit the ground running and that he had taken some steps to meet such expectations.

Buhari said, “Every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.

“Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems, which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then.

“As you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshal led a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

“Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.

“That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as Internally Displaced Persons’ camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places.”

The President said government officials had held a series of long sessions on the best way to improve the nation’s power supply “in the safest and most cost effective way” and that a moderate improvement in electricity supply had been achieved.

The President said improvement had also been noted in the supply of petrol and kerosene to the public and that early signs indicated that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

Buhari also said preliminary steps had been taken to sanitise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to curb its inefficiency and corruption.

“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped,” he added.

The President said that he had also ordered the complete audit of government’s other revenue generating agencies, mainly the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Communications Commission to achieve better service delivery to the nation.

The President’s address further read, “Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources, that is important.

“We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new All Progressives Congress government is embarking on a cleanup, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

“At an early stage, the Federal Government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.”

The President also spoke about public anxiety concerning his delay in appointing ministers. He said his government had chosen not to rush forming a cabinet without a clearer picture of what was bequeathed to it by the past administration.

He said, “Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handover notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the (Ahmed) Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganisation of Federal Government structure after studying the handover notes.

“It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalised the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course.”

The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, announced on Wednesday that he had received the ministerial list from the President and that the Senate would commence deliberation on it on Tuesday.

Sokoto flood destroy 115 houses and properties {victims seek for help}

The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA) said that the flood that occurred in
Butuku-Babba village of Bodinga Local Government Area on June 25 destroyed 115 houses.
The Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Hassan Maccido, made the disclosure at a news conference in Sokoto on Wednesday while reacting to pleas by victims of the disaster for urgent assistance.
Maccido said the Agency had dispatched a technical team to the village and had since assessed the extent of damage done by the disaster. He added that “it was based on the team’s report that we sent a
memorandum to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on what to provide as relief materials to the victims.

Shobizz Blog - Sokoto Flood

“The governor had since approved some money, which we would use to buy the items and donate to the victims as soon as possible.’’
According to him, the items include building materials and food items, to alleviate the
sufferings of the victims.
The director-general then appealed to the victims to be patient with government as it
would soon come to their rescue.
Earlier, some of the victims had lamented that 13 days after the disaster, only one businessman based in Bodinga town, Alhaji Sahabi Bojo, had assisted them with N200,000.

The Hamlet Head of the area, Alhaji Magaji Mallam and another victim, Malam Barmo Abubakar, had called for urgent assistance from the three tiers of government and other emergency management agencies.
Two other victims, Sanusi Butuku and Umaru Danhashe told newsmen that “we need urgent assistance of food items and building materials to enable us to rebuild our houses.’’

Shobizz Blog - Sokoto Flood 2

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that no human life was lost as a result of the disaster.
However, no fewer than 25 livestock were lost, while
farmlands, farm produce and stored food items were
destroyed by the disaster.