2019: I want to rescue Nigeria from the greedy few - Buhari says

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is on a mission to rescue the nation’s resources from being appropriated by “a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed”.

The President stated in his New Year message to Nigerians which was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday.

To this end, the president said the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government had resolved to build a country in which the resources were utilised for the benefit of citizens, irrespective of their socio-political affiliations.

He said: “That is the journey we have embarked on since we came on board in 2015, and we are not distracted as we move on.

“We are resolved to build a country in which the resources are utilized for the benefit of the largest number, and not appropriated by a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed.

Residents flee as Boko Haram takes over Borno communities

There has been mass movement of people out of communities in Borno State through Damaturu the Yobe State capital to Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa states.

Residents told our source, the Boko Haram insurgents, who attacked some communities in Borno, were targeting soldiers.

Boko Haram had last week overran Baga, Doron-Baga, Kross Kawwa, Bunduran, Kekeno and Kukawa towns of Borno State after three days of intense fighting.

Mallam Bukar Kachalla and Mr. Abacha Musa told one of our correspondents on the phone on Monday that since late Saturday there has been a mass movement of people through Dapchi and Damaturu to other neigbouring states like Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, Zamfara and Gombe.

Abacha said, “Baga is a big fishing community and people from other states especially Hausas used to stay there for fishing business, but following the attack on Baga and other towns, hundreds of people have been fleeing the area.

“One of those who fled, Mallam Isa Haruna said the Boko Haram fighters who invaded Baga were friendly and even prayed in the mosque together.

Presidency to air documentary on `First Term of President Buhari: Is Change Here?’

The Media and Publicity Department of the State House says it has put together a 58-minute documentary on the efforts of the President Buhari administration in tackling the challenges it met on the ground.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

According to the presidential aide, the documentary, entitled, ‘FIRST TERM OF PRESIDENT BUHARI: IS CHANGE HERE?’, gives more insight into various attempts by the administration to make Nigeria a better place.

“It is made up of interviews from officials of the administration with first-hand information on how the challenges are being tackled.

PDP blasts Buhari for not attending Shehu Shagari’s burial

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari for not attending the burial of former President Shehu Shagari in Sokoto on Saturday.

The main opposition party said Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Shagari’s status, as the first Executive President of the country, was unpardonable and a very wrong precedence in national protocol.

A statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Buhari’s absence at the burial has also sent a wrong signal to the international community on the country’s national values and respect for its patriots.

The PDP noted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also absent at Shagari’s burial and that the Federal Government has taken no concrete steps to give a state honour to the late former President.

The party described the directive by President Buhari for the nation’s flag to fly half-mast for just three days in honour of Shagari as belated.

PDP assures Nigerians of brighter future in 2019

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) has urged Nigerians to step into 2019 with unwavering optimism, faith and hope of a new era of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity under a “new President, Atiku Abubakar, that will be elected on February 16, 2019”.

The party congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in surviving the almost four years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s “incompetent, anti-people and harsh administration”.

In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party urged the Nigerians to use the New Year to pray against all “negative projections” by President Muhammadu Buhari, who the PDP said, had declared more hardship for Nigerians in the new year.

The statement said, “Nigerians must therefore avert such negative projections by voting out President Buhari and replacing him with their choice leader, the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku.

I wonder why Buhari is seeking reelection, says Cleric

Founder and leader of Living Christ Mission Worldwide and Chancellor of Hezekiah University, His Grace, Most Rev. Daddy Hezekiah has said that he was surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari was seeking for reelection in next year’s general elections.

In a Christmas and New year message, Hezekiah said “Honestly speaking, I don’t know why APC decided to ask Buhari to stand for election again. Number one, Buhari is not healthy. Is he not? A person who is unhealthy cannot handle the affairs of this great nation. Why did they choose him again?

“I am not against APC, but I am against people who did not perform and yet they want to come back again. I am not like these other men of God. All I am saying is that personally, Buhari did not achieve much during his first term and it is proper to tell him to quit. Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing someone who will do better than Buhari, whether from APC or PDP, anywhere.

“We need to move this country forward because nothing good happened to this country during his first tenure.”

7 events that unsettled Nigeria’s economic landscape in 2018

In 2018, the Nigerian economy continued in the direction of double-digit inflation and constant intervention to keep the Naira at N360 to the US dollar.

The capital market also recorded steady outflows as election uncertainties hit the market.

Apart from all these, there were some shocking events that the economic landscape had to deal with during the year.

Here are some of them:

Ribadu donates offices, campaign buses to Buhari

Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  has handed over his campaign offices and buses to the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ribadu who sought and lost the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 poll, said the opponents of Buhari will be “roundly defeated”.

He said the February presidential election is a referendum between a past that should forever be forgotten and a new chapter of probity and accountability.

He spoke in Yola, Adamawa capital, at a ceremony to hands off his gubernatorial campaign structure to Buhari.

Leave APC now, it’s game over for you – Senator Uwajimogu tells Gov. Okorocha

The lawmaker representing Imo North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Benjamin Uwajimogu, has advised the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to leave the All Progressives Congress, APC, and join his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu in the Action Alliance, AA.

  

Uwajimogu, who is the APC candidate for Imo North in the 2019 election, also described the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, as God-sent for ending Okorocha’s third term agenda.

Speaking with Sun, the Senator described Okorocha as a drowning man, adding that there was no way the Governor can realise his dream of making Nwosu Imo Governor.

He said, “I’m happy that the burden called Uche Nwosu is removed from Imo APC’s neck.

Saraki, El-Rufa’i, others condole Shagari’s family

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Bauchi state governor, Muhammad Abubakar and his Kaduna state counterpart, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i have joined other Nigerians to condole the family of the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, former President of Nigeria.

Saraki accompanied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Uche Secondus, Sen Sani Yarima (APC- Zamfara) and Tanimu Turaki former Minister for Special Duties, said that the former President had left a legacy worthy of emulation by all leaders in the country.

“Shagari was a man of honour that lived his whole life for the development of Nigeria and service to humanity.

“On behalf of the National Assembly, my family and people of Kwara state, I wish to extend our condolence to the immediate family, government of Sokoto state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

PDP Condemns Buhari’s Absence At President Shagari’s Funeral

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in strong terms, President Muhammadu Buhari’s conspicuous absence at the burial of highly respected former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, last Saturday.

President Muhammadu Buhari signing Condolence Register at the Late President Shehu Shagari’s residence at Sama Road, Polo Club Area, Sokoto State

The party says President Buhari’s absence at the funeral, particularly regarding Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s status, as the first Executive President of our country, is unpardonable and a very wrong precedence in our national protocol.

This action by the Buhari Presidency has also sent a wrong signal to the international community on our national values and respect for our patriots.

Mayweather beats Japan’s Nasukawa by technical knock-out

Floyd Mayweather beat Japanese kickboxing phenomenon Tenshin Nasukawa by a technical knockout on Monday in the first round of a New Year’s Eve “exhibition” bout that brought the US boxing superstar out of retirement.

Mayweather floored Nasukawa, a kickboxer less than half his age, three times in the first round of the three-round contest before the Japanese fighter’s trainer rushed in to stop the fight.

The American boxer at first appeared not to be taking the fight seriously, grinning at his opponent and aiming only soft punches at him.

But he then demonstrated his power, launching a series of jabs and hooks to the head of the 20-year-old Japanese fighter, sending him to the canvas after just one minute.

2019 shall be a better year for Nigerians - CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has prophesied in its New Year message to Nigerians that the dry bone of the nation shall rise again.

The president, CAN, Rev Samson Ayokunle, said this in his New Year message to Nigerians, signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media &Communications to the CAN President on Monday in Abuja.

Ayokunle again prophesied that 2019 would be a year of peace, prosperity, rest of mind and a year when the Almighty God would miraculously intervene in the affairs of the nation.

According to the cleric, the year 2019 is a crucial year to all Nigerians because it is a year of general elections.

Saraki lied over N10m donation to victims of Offa robbery, says Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  says the claim by the Senate President, Dr Bukola  Saraki, that he donated N10 million to  victims of  the April 5  robbery in Offa  “is patently false.’’

In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, the minister admonished the Senate President “to stop dancing on the graves of the innocent souls” who died in the bloody robbery attack in Offa.

The statement signed Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister,  was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“He did not! The N10 million he referred to was donated when the Offa market got burnt and it was made in Ilorin, not Offa.

Shehu Shagari planned to hand over to Ekwueme as president – Gov. Obiano

The Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano has said that after late president Shehu Shagari, Nigeria would have had a president of Igbo extraction in Dr Alex Ekwueme.

Obiano, in a condolence message for the departed former president, said Shagari had planned to hand power over to Ekwueme but the plan was thwarted by a military coup that ousted him from office.

Obiano, speaking through Don Adinuba, Commissioner for information & Public Enlightenment, said, “Ex President Shagari worked effectively with Dr Ekwueme to give Nigeria a participatory democracy that accommodated all sections of the vast country from 1979 to 1983.

“Shagari’s belief in Ekwueme led to his re-nomination of the renowned architect, historian, town planner, sociologist and philosopher for the second tenure which they won before the military tragically truncated democratic rule.

Atiku attacks Buhari in New Year message

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has hinted on what 2019 holds for Nigerians.

The former Vice President, in a statement he personally signed and made available to reporters on Monday, called on Nigerians to work together to see to the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

In the statement he entitled: ‘My New Year message to Nigerians’, Atiku said, “As 2018 comes to an end and 2019 beckons, on behalf of my family and I, let me wish you and your family a very happy New Year in advance.

“In 2018, we became the world headquarters for extreme poverty, however, I am convinced that in 2019, if we chart a new course, we can become the world headquarters for hope and extreme devotion to the cause of lifting our people out of poverty.

DSS siege, mace theft, booing of Buhari and other events that shook n’assembly in 2018

The national assembly witnessed significant events in the year 2018. Some of these occurrences were also unprecedented following the tides of political happenings during the year. No one ever thought that a senate president would defect from a ruling to an opposition party. It was quite an interesting year and here are some highlights of major events.

DSS SIEGE

On August 7, armed DSS operatives wearing scary ski masks blocked the entrance of the national assembly. The siege came shortly after Senate President Bukola Saraki defected from All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

A legislative source had said Ahmad Lawan, senate leader, and some senators elected on the APC had met with Lawal Daura, the then director-general of the DSS, a day before the siege. No explanation was given as to why the DSS operatives prevented lawmakers from going into the assembly even though they were on recess at the time.

After a dramatic protest by Boma Goodhead, a house of representatives member, alongside some others, the lawmakers were eventually let in. Some members of the national assembly alleged that the DSS blockade was a ploy to enable APC senators remove Saraki.

Five relationship must-dos for you and your partner in 2019

In a matter of hours, we’ll be saying goodbye to 2018 and welcoming 2019.

As per tradition, most people always draw up resolutions they want to follow through in the new year.

In 2019, these are the five golden rules to abide by in your relationships.

Muslim group recounts what lawmakers, politicians did to Nigerians in 2018

The Central Think-Tank, CTT, of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has recounted how Nigerian lawmakers and politicians failed and inflicted pains on the people in 2018.

In a statement made available on Monday, signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Muslim group said it met yesterday to take a cursory look at events which dominated the Nigerian atmosphere during the year, 2018.

The Islamic human rights organization scored Nigerian politicians low, adding that politicians across the spectrum have disappointed Nigerians.

The statement read, “There are only a few exceptions. Nigerian politicians displayed astounding unpredictability. They were consistently inconsistent. Political prostitution rented the air in an uncontrollable manner.

Nigeria to expect 25,685 new babies on New Year Day – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund says an estimated 25,685 babies will be born in Nigeria on New Year Day.

According to a statement issued on Monday by UNICEF Nigeria Communications Specialist, Eva Hinds, Nigerian babies make up 6.5 per cent of the estimated 395,072 babies born on New Year Day globally.

“Within Africa, Nigerian babies will account for almost 40 per cent of all those born in West and Central Africa, and more than 23 per cent of those born in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Globally, over half of the world’s births are estimated to take place in just eight countries, including Nigeria.

2019: Governors donating buses for campaigns - Sani Shehu

Senator Sani Shehu, on Monday, called the attention of anti-graft agencies to the donation of buses and cars to candidates in the 2019 general elections for campaigns.

He revealed that he was bringing this up as the anti-graft agencies had earlier promised to monitor election campaign spendings.

The senator representing Kaduna Central on his verified Twitter handle, said, “Somewhere I read anti-corruption agencies warning and threatening that they will monitor campaign spending and somewhere I read about serving state governors comfortably donating cars and buses for campaigns.”

See his tweet:

We have a warrant to arrest Dino, says Police

The Nigeria Police said it had “a duly obtained warrant of arrest duly deployed” to apprehend Senator Dino Melaye at his residence in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that policemen have laid siege to Melaye’s residence to effect his arrest over a case of culpable homicide.

NAN also recalls that the member representing Kogi West Senatorial district and some suspects were accused of shooting a Police officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force while on duty in Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

A statement by the Force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood on Monday in Abuja, said the Police would continue to occupy his residence until he surrenders.

"Buhari will record landslide victory in South East, South South in 2019"

Mr Chermberline Adiaso, the South East Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) says the South East and South-South would join forces by voting massively for re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

He said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Umuahia.

Adiaso, who is also the PSC Chairman, noted that the impressive turnout of supporters at the start of the Presidential Campaign in Uyo, in Akwa Ibom, was a sign that Buhari would win in the two zones.

The chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia said that the president had done well in the two areas to guarantee his re-election.

“Some of Buhari’s achievements in the South East include the implementation of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) in all the five states, whereas there was random selection of states in other geo-political zones,” he said.

Shagari an epitome of integrity, forgiveness - Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, condoled the family of ex-President Shehu Shagari, describing him as an epitome of integrity, commitment, who had faith in God.

Obasanjo visited the home of the deceased in company with Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Condoling the family, Obasanjo said late Shagari was a man, who was committed to national interest.

The former President while recalling his days in the military and his relationship with late Shagari, while they were federal commissioners in General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet said the deceased was an honest, transparent and a committed Nigerian.

Federer relishing ‘once in a lifetime’ Serena clash

The Hopman Cup might have saved its best for last as excitement builds for the most anticipated tennis match involving a man and woman since the “Battle of the Sexes” in the 1970s.

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, two of the greatest players in history, will face off across the net for the first time on Tuesday when United States go up against defending champions Switzerland in the mixed doubles of the unique two-player, mixed teams event.

This year’s tournament is expected to be Perth’s final Hopman Cup and Tuesday’s group tie is an early sellout on the back of the prospect of seeing two of the all-time greats, with 43 Grand Slam singles titles between them, on the same court.

“It is very exciting for both of us and I hope a lot of tennis fans tune in and watch it,” said Federer after opening his Hopman Cup campaign with an easy singles win on Sunday.

APC intensifies efforts to defeat Atiku in Adamawa

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa State has set up Buhari and Bindow Campaign Team, BBCT, to ensure Atiku Abubakar’s defeat in the state in 2019.

The committee, which was set up in the Adamawa Northern Senatorial district, will embark on a house-to-house campaign to ensure victory.

Governor Jibrilla Bindow, who spoke at the inauguration, said voting President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term is sacrosanct to the state.

Bindow said, “President Buhari has demonstrated uncommon love for the North East having executed massive road projects in the region.”

US group makes revelations on Buhari govt, Boko Haram, deaths of Badeh, Alkali

The Defence and Foreign Affairs latest report published by the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) based in the United States of America, has stated that the deaths of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (retd.) and a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Idris Alkali, “were not a coincidence”.

ISSA is a Washington-based non-governmental organisation with a worldwide membership of professionals involved in national and international security and strategic policy.

President of ISSA, Gregory Copley, told ThisDay that their analyses were not released to the public but to governments that the organisation has affiliation with.

The report released over the weekend and obtained by the newspaper stated that corruption among top military chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari is the reason Nigeria is losing the war against Boko Haram terrorists.

Revenue loss: NCC faults Falana’s N600bn claim

The Nigerian Communications Commission has faulted the claim by a Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), that the country was losing about N600 billion from the telecommunications industry.

The NCC, through its Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Sunday Dare, faulted Falana’s claim in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Dare gave assurance to stakeholders in the telecommunications industry that the NCC was committed to due process and high integrity in its regulatory roles.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Falana said the loss was due to the failure of the commission to issue “contract award letter’’ to a firm that allegedly won the contract for the implementation of ”Revenue Assurance Software”.

2019: Elect visionary leaders, Atiku advises Nigerians

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has advised Nigerians to elect visionary leaders in 2019.

Abubakar in his new year message issued on Monday in Abuja said that the citizens could collectively chart a new course for the country in 2019.

“2019 is as yet a blank page. As a nation, we must not settle for whatever it brings.

“We already have the vision, the vision of a nation that is a beacon of hope for the black race and the world at large,” he said.

Guardiola names title rivals that is best team in the world

Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Liverpool have a claim to be the best team in the world right now.

Guardiola and his team are trailing the Reds by seven points in the Premier League race and welcome Liverpool to the Eithad on Thursday in a top-of-the-table clash.

The encounter is being billed as a must-win game for City, after Guardiola admitted his team’s title defence would have been over, if they had not beaten Southampton on Sunday.

A 3-1 win restored some of City’s confidence, but Guardiola warned his players that they are about to take on the world’s in-form side on Thursday.

We will re-elect Buhari for Nigeria’s sake – Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said President Muhammadu Buhari will be re-elected for a second term in 2019, for the sake of Nigeria.

Mr Tinubu, who was speaking, Friday, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign, said Mr Buhari represents “continuity of hope” and “continuity of development.”

“Our president is seeking re-election. For the sake of this country, we will re-elect Muhammadu Buhari,” said Mr Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and an influential politician in the South-west of the country.

“We will re-elect an APC government that will give you hope, that will give you a diversified economy,” he said to the large crowd at the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Buhari, Atiku not options for Nigerians – Junaid Mohammed

A Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a mistake.

In an interview with Dailypost, Mohammed insisted that Nigerians made a mistake by voting Buhari.

He added that electing Abubakar would be another mistake.

Mohammed made the remark while rubbishing claims that the chances in 2019 narrows down to Buhari and Abubakar.

Atiku asks Buhari to release probe report on military arms procurement

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of covering up corrupt practices in the Nigerian military.

He also called on the president to release the report of the probe panel that investigated alleged corruption in arms procurement in the military from 2007 to 2015.

Atiku made the call in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, his special assistant on public communications.

He was speaking in reaction to the recent Boko Haram attacks on the military in Borno state and parts of the Lake Chad Basin. 

Police might be planning to stop Melaye from contesting in 2019 -Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki says the invasion of the Abuja residence of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, by some police officers could be an attempt to block him from the 2019 polls.

On Friday, the police stormed the residence of Melaye, who is seeking reelection, saying they wanted to arrest for culpable homicide.

But reacting through Yusuph Olaniyonu, his spokesman, Saraki condemned the action of the police, describing Ibrahim Idris, the inspector-general of police, as the worst head of the force in history.

“The general belief is that this is aimed at keeping Melaye out of circulation so that he would not participate in the general election in February,” he said.

Igbo stand better chance of producing president in 2023 if we back Buhari -Onu

Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and technology, has called on the people of the south-east to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

He made the call on Sunday during a stakeholders meeting held at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi.

Onu said Nigeria’s president of Igbo extraction in 2023 can only be achieved under an All Progressives Congress-led government.

He said: “It is important to point out that south-east remains the only geo-political zone that is yet to produce an elected president of Nigeria and this is what everybody is aware of.

Buhari planning to arrest Saraki, Atiku, Secondus, Dogara – Timi Frank

Former Deputy National Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has claimed that there were ongoing plans by President Muhammadu Buhari government to arrest the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus.

Frank made this claim in a statement he signed and forwarded on Sunday.

He also condemned in strong terms the ongoing police siege on Senator Dino Melaye’s Abuja home.

He said the government was plotting to arrest Melaye and keep him out of circulation ahead of the 2019 polls.

Yari has sidelined me, Zamfara deputy governor cries out

Ibrahim Wakkala, deputy governor of Zamfara state, says Abdul’Aziz Yari, the governor, has sidelined him.

Speaking with reporters in Gusau, the state capital, on Sunday Wakkala said the governor had denied him his rights and privileges .

“For months now,several of the legal funding that are supposed to be made to my office have been stopped and I have been completely sidelined by the state government,” he said.

“This attitude against me started since I indicated interest to run for the governorship of the state on the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

TRENDING VIDEO: Angry Nigerian soldiers complain of inadequate weapons, vows to return home

Several Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast have once again accused the authorities of not being serious with the fight against the terrorists.

A video which has gone viral showed five Nigeria soldiers moving on a road as if retreating. They accused the Nigerian Army of not providing them with adequate weapons to fight the insurgents.

The soldiers said they were going home to spend the New Year with their families and accused the Nigerian authorities of wasting their lives. They also confirmed that many of their colleagues have been killed by the insurgents.

Hear one of them: ”Omo many men don fall o so we just gas to go house. If army is ready, if Nigeria is ready to fight them, they should call us back to fight those idiots but we don’t have enough weapons, adequate weapons to fight them, so we can’t just be wasting our lives. We have families, but without weapons you are not a soldier, weapons make us to be a soldier.

Let them provide the weapon and we fight the idiots out but is not that they will give me this (touching his gun) and then they (Boko Haram) will come with something more than this, times three, old boy, no oh, i have blood in myself, so blood runs through me, So, we just have to go. We are going home. Let us go and do the new year with our family. If the army is ready, let them call us back with adequate weapon.”\

WATCH VIDEO BELOW....

ASUU strike: Buhari govt dragged to UN

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has written to the United Nations (UN), urging the body to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to reach an agreement with leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the ongoing strike.

In an urgent appeal dated 28 December 2018 and signed by SERAP senior legal adviser, Bamisope Adeyanju, the organisation said: “By failing to prevent and end the ongoing strike action by ASUU, the Nigerian government has defied and breached the explicit requirements of the right to equal access to higher education by Nigerian children and young people, under article 13(2)(c) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.”

The appeal sent to Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education and Professor Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights argues that: “The failure by the Nigerian government to reach an agreement with ASUU has also implicitly made access to higher education a privilege of the rich and well-to-do rather than a right of every Nigerian child and young person, as students in private schools continue to attend classes while those in public universities stay at home.

According to SERAP, “The failure to end the ongoing strike action by ASUU is also a fundamental breach of the right to higher education without discrimination or exclusion, as strike actions continue to penalise economically disadvantaged parents who have no means or lack the capacity to pay to send their children to private schools.

Buhari orders release of $877 million arms to fight Boko Haram

Out of the $1 billion approved by the National Assembly for the procurement of military equipment, $877 million has been released.

There has been some controversy over the whereabouts of the money.

Immediately after the Metele, Borno State attacks on the military last month, the controversy got bigger. Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the military had not received such cash from the government to boost the anti-Boko Haram and other campaigns.

However, according to a relaible source $496,374,470 was released from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. The payment has been made.

Besides, $380,513,958.71 was released (as first tranche) for the procurement of critical equipment for the Army, the Navy and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), a source said.

These releases along with other deductions may have contributed to the depletion of the ECA from $3.502 billion in January to $631 million in December 2018.

Shagari would have industrialized Nigeria if not 1983 coup – NLC

The organised labour, Sunday, mourned the demise of Nigeria’s first executive president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, saying that the country would have been industrialized if not the 1983 coup that sacked the Shagari’s government.

President Muhammadu Buhari took over government after the coup that dethroned the civilian administration led by Alhaji Shagari.

In a statement in Abuja, the organised labour through the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, noted with delight that the late Shagari signed into law the National Minimum Wage Act of 1981 that provided for a new national minimum wage of N125 which was equivalent to about $200.

The statement read, “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress would like to join the Nigerian government, world leaders, family members and other Nigerians in mourning the death of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, Elder statesman and first Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As President, Shagari, as he was popularly known, was humble, personable, considerate and broad-minded, some of the reasons that explained his popularity amongst the ordinary people.

Report on alleged corruption in military vindicates our position – PDP

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said the report of corruption in the nation’s military hierarchy published by International Strategic Studies Association, ISSA, was a vindication of its position that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration war against corruption was a ruse.

ISSA, based in the United States of America, had alleged that massive corruption among the top hierarchy of the armed forces as it relates to procurement of arms and logistics, responsible for the inability of Nigerian troops to defeat Boko Haram.

ISSA, a Washington-based non-govermental organisation, in its Defence and Foreign Affairs reports published on December 28, blamed corruption in the Nigeria’s military circle for the festering Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.

Speaking yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged President Buhari to review his parade and adopt new strategies to curtail the menace of insurgency in the land.

We will not leave Dino Melaye’s home until he surrenders – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said that its police operatives deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence will not retreat until the Senator surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.

The Police made this known in a statement on Sunday night saying furhers that Senator Dino Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

The Police in the statement signed by Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations officer Force Headquarters Abuja said that ‘the operatives with a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.

‘It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a Letter of Invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command. The claim by the Senate President in the Media that the Police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is therefore incorrect as can be seen on attached letter with acknowledgment stamp of the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja “24 JUL 2018“. Despite this, Senator Dino Melaye bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.

Hoscon hails Buhari over resolve on 13% derivation

Host communities of  Nigeria  Producing Oil and Gas, HOSCON, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for  supporting call  for the 13 percent derivation fund  to go to  oil bearing communities  in the Niger Delta region.

The body at the end of a meeting   in Warri, Delta State also  passed a vote of confidence on the President for the resolve, adding that it will speed up development of oil communities.

Spokesman of the group, Mr  Monday Whiskey also enjoined President Buhari to consider HOSCON security company in the pipeline surveillance job in the region.

“That the meeting resolved that President Buhari’s intention to ensure that 13 per cent derivation fund is made available to the people of the oil/gas bearing constituents is one of the most outstanding decisions that this government had taken as it affects the socio-economic and infrastructural transformation of the long neglected and environmentally improvised oil bearing region of the country.

My father pardoned Buhari before he died, says Shagari’s son

Alhaji  Bala Shagari, eldest son of late President Shehu Shagari has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari over his condolence visit to the family in Sokoto State, even as he noted that his father told them that he had pardoned everybody before his death.

According to him, his father had no grudge against Buhari or anyone because Shagari “told us he had pardoned everyone.”

The eldest son told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, in Sokoto, Sokoto State, that the family was happy with the visit and Buhari’s pledge to immortalize the late president.
Bala, who is the District Head of Shagari town in Sokoto, however, said he would not comment on Buhari’s pledge until it was fulfilled.

Late Shagari, aged 93, died on December 28 at the National Hospital, Abuja and was buried on Saturday at Shagari, his home town.

Keyamo to Atiku: Produce evidence of corruption against Buhari or keep quiet forever

Festus Keyamo, spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, has asked Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to quit peddling allegations against Buhari if he has no evidence.

Keyamo said this in reaction to the demand by Atiku that Buhari’s family be probed over their alleged ownership of substantial shares in Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a statement on Sunday, accused the PDP of spreading fake new, while its candidate “has refused to issue a personal statement up till this minute clarifying in details his record of crass corruption and abuse of office”.

Keyamo said Abubakar is himself, not free from corruption charges, saying he has “sealed indictments” with the US justice department.

Police stay put at Dino Melaye’s residence, want him to surrender

The Nigerian Police Force said its men sent to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until the senator surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.

According to police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, the officers have a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest to pick the senator, representing Kogi West.

“Senator Dino Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State”, Moshood said.

“It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a Letter of Invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command.

Teenager sells siblings to raise WASSCE registration fee

A teenage girl has been arrested after she stole two siblings between the ages of two and seven, and sold the children for N800,000.

The 15-year-old girl, Precious Ehiedo, and two others, Juliet Ogben and Favour Okoh, were arrested by men of the operatives of the Imo state police command.

While parading the suspects before newsmen and also handing one of the recovered babies to the parents, the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, said Precious stole the siblings, two-year-old Chiemerem and seven-year-old Mmesoma Nwoke, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State after following the advise of her parents who refused to give her money for money to register for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination WASSCE, when she asked.

Her parents had told her they had no money for her exam registration and advised her to do what her ‘mates are doing’, steal children, sell them and make money.

“On November 13 at around 9am, one Precious Ehiedo, 15, daughter of Mr and Mrs Romeo and Uchechi Ehiedo, resident at Ogbuaku in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State but natives of Abraka in Delta State, requested from her parents money for the SSCE registration. Her parents told her to go and steal children for them to sell in order to raise money for her examination. Being familiar with the two children at her maternal home, Umuezeala Ama, in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, she stole the children.

Again, Buhari’s New Year message will be empty promises — PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year message will be filled with fake promises.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the president had nothing to offer Nigerians after his promise of more hardship in 2019.

He said, “The message will be a rehash of fake promises which had been foisted on Nigerians since December 2015.”

Ologbondiyan, who is also the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, said Buhari had already admitted failure in governance.

He added that Buhari had no solutions and as such would only dwell on fictitious claims and cosmetic patriotism, in an effort to sway Nigerians and divert their attention from his perceived failures and insensitivity to their problems.