Kogi State: SDP Backs Governor Yahaya Bello

The  Kogi State C‎hapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has passed a vote of confidence on the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his performance in the two months since his assumption of office.





State Chairman ‎of the party, Engr. Indah Abdulrahman stated this in Lokoja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor. The SDP Chairman, who was sighted with other executive members of his party, said there had never been an accidental leader adding that every leader had been prepared by God to lead


 He said that what happened in the Kogi state governorship election is enough to remind people that God rules the affairs of men.

God is on a  mission in "Kogi state and let us not close our eyes and pretend that we didn't see it," Engr. Abdulrahman said.

‎He commended the governor  for handling the serious  infrastructural challenges which has been competing for attention.

"You can see that work is going on the drainages and some major roads in the state, which were abandoned by the previous administration after their poor outing in the polls," He explained.


The SDP chairman, said his party has decided to support the governor because of the level of achievements he has recorded within a very short period, which has surpassed his predecessor's record for same period he was in the office.

CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation Aisha Oyebode's Trip To Chibok

This is an article written by Aisha Muhammed Oyebode CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation..
Monday April 11th  I visited the  Government Girls Secondary School  in Chibok to meet with the parents;  mothers and fathers of our Chibok daughters ahead of the  2nd anniversary of the  abduction of our Chibok daughters. Last month the parents had indicated that they would prefer that the anniversary be hosted in their school, they wished to be in their own surrounding to reflect  and pray for their daughters and commune on what they wish and want in their continued loss.

We approached the Ministry of Women Affairs on behalf of the Families and they accepted to work with us to make this reality. My preceding visit was to work with their parents in reviewing their plans, logistics  for the visit and to prepare for such an important occasion, which will take to them a strong government delegation  and give them the opportunity to be heard and ask for the continued government support they needed.

Arriving at the GGSS Chibok was a bitter sweet moment. Though I have met large numbers of the mothers of our daughters, I met many fathers as well. I could hug the mums and convey directly to all the parents that there are many of us out there in the world crying for their daughters to be released  and I  could sense that gave them so much comfort. Being physically in the school however  really brought home  the stark reality of the abduction of our girls.
The message I bring back is that of gratitude to and prayers for every one who has supported the cry for their daughters' return.

When I asked if they wanted to articulate other requests from the Federal Government, their initial response was that they wanted nothing except that their daughters be returned. However I told the parents that the schools  destroyed by Boko Haram should be rebuilt.  I told them that rebuilding Government Girls' Secondary School will be a symbol that the  community remains resilient in the face of  adversity, I also  that it is important for the younger children to resume school as soon as possible so "WE HAVE TO BRING BACK OUR GIRLS AND BRING BACK OUR SCHOOLS"

There was a high level of security and relative calm. As  emphasised by the chairman of the Missing Girls' Movement  Mr Yakubu Nkeki,  despite what happened their community was never fully occupied by Boko Haram and those that were occupied had largely been liberated.

It was evident that much of our territory has been taken back by the Nigerian . As we drove from Yola to Chibok, we could see even in Adamawa State, buildings that had been blown up,, with many riddled with bullet holes which showed how far Boko Haram  incursion  into our territory had gone. However we could see significant rebuilding efforts  both on the  road including the shiny new roofs of many new buildings in the villages.

I

really cannot end this report  without truly thanking our  Nigerian military for their valour and patriotism. As I interacted with the different brigades that kindly escorted us from Yola to Chibok and back, a journey that took 13 hours plus, I saw young Nigerian soldiers  that were drawn from all parts of our great country  working hard to defend our territorial integrity.  I am truly proud to be a Nigerian.

Amsterdam Airport And Hotel Partially Evacuated Due To Security Fears

Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and the Sheraton Hotel adjacent to it were partially evacuated late Tuesday night and one person arrested amid an unspecified suspicious security alert, an airport spokeswoman,  Danielle Timmer told AFP. She said she didn't have further info on the incident.

Television images showed heavily armed special border patrol policemen patrolling outside areas of the airport.

Olajumoke Orisaguna And Her Family In The Apartment Promised By Sujimoto

Sujimoto Construction shared these photos of model and media sensation - Olajumoke Orisaguna and her family inside the luxury apartment promised. More photos below...

FG Backs Amaechi, Says Lagos-Calabar Railway Project Was Included In Budget

The Federal Government has rebutted claims by the National Assembly that the controversial Lagos-Calabar Railway project was never included in the 2016 Budget.

A statement issued by James Akpandem, Media Adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the federal government insisted that the budget that was defended by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi contained the said Lagos-Calabar Railway project.

The statement read:

In view of the recent controversies surrounding the 2016 budget, it has become necessary to state the following so as to set the facts straight:
The details of the 2016 budget were received by the President on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

Immediately this was received the President, desirous of signing the document into law as soon as possible, directed that copies should be made available to Heads of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
“Ministers were asked to go through the details and give their reactions as it affects their respective Ministries so as to guide the President and enable him sign the Appropriation Bill into law.

That process is still on-going and no statement has been issued by the Executive on the matter, apart from the one by the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamnmed, to confirm that details of the budget are being examined. No final decision has been taken by the President and no other statement whatsoever has been issued on the matter.

With reference to the specific issue of the Calabar – Lagos rail project, we will like to state that the two railway projects, Lagos – Kano and the Calabar – Lagos, are very important projects of the present administration; and it was always the intention of the Executive to have both projects reflected in the budget submitted to the National Assembly.

However, it will be recalled that the Budget Office made a number of errors in the initial proposals of a number of ministries. These errors were all corrected by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the corrected versions were submitted to the relevant committees of the National Assembly. This included that of the Ministry of Transportation.

The amended Ministry of Transportation budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transportation and his team.

It must be emphasized that the two rail projects are part of those for which the President is currently negotiating funding with the Chinese government. The N60b provided in the budget for the Lagos – Kano and Calabar – Lagos rail lines, respectively, is counterpart funding, to support the Chinese financing for the projects.

These projects are part of the Strategic Implementation Plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council Retreat in March 2016, in the presence of state governors. They were also mentioned by the Vice President last week in Lagos at The Nation Newspaper’s First National Economic Forum.

It is hoped that with this clarification, the raging controversy over the Calabar – Lagos rail project will be put to rest.

Source: Today.ng

Press Statement On The Alleged Manslaughter Of A Bike Rider In Abuja

Below is a press statement from friends of the deceased.
On Friday, 1st of April, 2016, along the Yoruba mosque axis of the Maitama district, a biker, Mr. Somar Ain Al Shaibeh was on an afternoon ride, kitted with his helmet. Unknown to the rider, a woman driving a Toyota Matrix car with Plate Number BW 227 RSH out of impatience was carelessly driving against traffic as to avoid the traffic gridlock caused by a mosque on her rightful lane, and decided to drive one-way through the very dangerous bend.

Before the rider could sight the oncoming vehicle, it was too late and a head-on collision became unavoidable. He was hit by the woman, unconscious and was rushed to the hospital, and a case was lodged with the police.

On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, brother Somar passed on. After his death, the Abuja Riders Community tried to reach the woman through the IPO, Abah Emmanuel, of the Maitama police station, and so many shocking details was revealed to them by the IPO.

According to the IPO;
1. The woman who caused the accident was neither arrested for wrong driving nor made to leave a statement with the police. She was allowed to leave for her home directly from the hospital where the rider was rushed to.

2. The whereabouts of the woman and her car is unknown as it was not taken to the police station. IPO claims they have orders to lodge accidents cars at the VIO, this is apparently not true as efforts to compel the officer to let the Abuja bikers team to sight the vehicle with the supposed VIO was resisted by the police. The bikers were threatened with arrest if they kept insisting on sighting the vehicle. They also do not have in possession her car papers as well as driver’s license.

3. Asides the woman’s phone number, the police have no other information about her, and all efforts to reach her on phone have been abortive as she refused to answer calls.

4. The car, a TOYOTA MATRIX with plate number BW 227 RSH is suspected to be carrying an illegal plate number. Investigations carried out by the Riders comunity revealed the woman's Identity as they discovered that her name is Victoria Christopher Umoren and she is a lawyer who works with the National Boundary Commision.

The Riders Community is appealing to well-meaning Nigerians and media outlets not to let this matter be covered up in any form as it indicates, something sinister is already happening. A young man's life has just been wasted.

The Bikers are law abiding members of the society and are ready to release video evidences if the police insist on not taking appropriate action. There are testimonies from eye witnesses at the scene of the accident and picture evidences of events that occurred throughout this period.

If the police refuses to bring this woman to book, the biking community insist that they shall rise up to resist this with all legal means possible so as to ensure their free right to movement and association is not infringed upon. They passionately appeal to the public to join hands with them in this noble cause.

They also wish to let the general public to know that they shall call an international press conference within 48hours if the police refuse to do what is legitimate by producing the woman and prosecute the case.

The Bikers wishes to let the general public understand that;
1. Bikers are fun loving hard working Nigerians, you can’t own a bike if you are not hardworking and productive, the notion that bikers are irresponsible and jobless is false and inappropriate.
2. Last week the NTA tried to cook up a story that a reckless biker had caused an accident without prior investigation. However, on investigation, the story was found to be untrue. This is how we are daily treated by car users and the media.
3. We shall continue to enlighten the community that biking like every other sport has its own lovers and they should therefore be treated fairly. Power bikes are a means of and users are covered within the ambits of the law to use it as so.
4. The biking community in Abuja and Nigeria wish to call the attention of all media houses, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to the series of negative actions daily meted by car users and the FCT administration on Bikers living in Abuja.

The Passionate Appeal is from the Nigeria Biking Community.

Return Government Cars Or Get Arrested – Gov Bello Warns Ex Govt Officials

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has warned former political office holders in the state to return official vehicles they made away with while leaving office or risk being arrested. A statement issued by the state government released today reads;
“The refusal of the former political office holders ‎involved in this act to return the vehicles despite several appeals made to them has led to the constitution of the Vehicles Recovery Committee by the State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello,”
The Committee, which was inaugurated yesterday, April 11th, was mandated to go after the vehicles and recover same in order to accelerate the smooth running of the current government and its programmes. The committee which is chaired by the ‎Adaidu Akoh, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, says it has so far recovered 7 cars.

Cynthia Morgan's Stolen White Range Rover Found By Lagos Police

Lagos state command operatives has recovered Dancehall star Cynthia Morgan's stolen white Range Rover SUV. It was recovered yesterday night April 11th from a mechanic's workshop in Ojodu area of Lagos. The vehicle was stolen on 12th of March. The police said the SUV will be released back to Cynthia shortly...

T.B Joshua Denies Owning Any Company In Panama

Popular Lagos pastor, T.B Joshua has denied media reports that the recently released Panama reports indicted him as one of the few Nigerians that operate a company in Panama. Yesterday, Premium Times broke the news on their website that Joshua and his wife, Evelyn, owned Chillon Consultancy Limited, a company incorporated on June 20, 2006 at the British Virgin Island.

In a post on his Facebook wall, Joshua denied the claims. Read his statement below...

 I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PANAMA PAPERS – TB JOSHUA This is an official statement from Prophet T.B. Joshua:
“I was shocked to find a report written in Premium Times (www.premiumtimesng.com) claiming that the Panama Papers revealed a shell company called Chillon Consultancy Limited in the British Virgin Islands, allegedly owned by me. Whoever is involved in this malicious write-up and propaganda with an obvious intent to defame my person and the ministry, remember what the Bible says in Luke 2:34 – “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many… and to be a sign that will be spoken against.” “I am not a businessman and have no business whatsoever. What God has given me is more than enough. I have nothing to do with the Panama Papers. As for me and my family, we shall remain in the vineyard of God. “Premium Times – do not allow your company to be used. Do not allow your company to stand against God. This is a lie! Take note – this news was written by the same journalist who alleged that I bribed him during the building incident and went to different channels – both local and international – to propagate these fabrications. Since the building incident, there have been a series of threats towards the ministry and my person by this same journalist, Nicholas Ibekwe, who represents a gang of people. “After everything that has been done in an attempt to destroy this ministry, this is what he has resorted to. Even the picture used in the write-up is taken from the Mexico Crusade I recently held. It was a crusade I went for, nothing more. “Do not use the Panama Papers to attack those you have been looking for an opportunity to victimise. This is to show that not everybody alleged in the media to be involved in the Panama Papers is truly involved. My own case is a good example. “Beware of those using the Panama Papers for fraudulent purposes! This is a very big mistake the fraudsters have made. Those who read this report – take time to do your findings. It is malicious.” "Note – people are misusing the data in the Panama Papers for fraud to attack innocent people."
Attached is the picture of Nicholas Ibekwe and one of the many emails he has sent to The SCOAN.

Nigerian Man And His Vietnamese Wife Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking In Cambodia

A Nigerian man and his Vietnamese wife were on Thursday, March 24 found guilty at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of smuggling 1.5 kg of heroin from Cambodia to Australia and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Samuel Amechi Okeke, 34, (pictured arriving at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court) and his 26-year-old wife Ho Thi Nhu Thuy, were arrested in July 2014 after customs officials in Australia intercepted 10 backpacks lined with heroin that they had mailed from the Dangkao district post office in May that year, according to police. They were subsequently charged with drug trafficking.

During the trial on February 2016, Ms. Thuy admitted to mailing the backpacks but said she did so at the request of a friend and was unaware they contained heroin. Mr. Okeke claimed he knew nothing about the drugs. However, on Thursday, the court ruled that he did.

"The court decides to sentence, firstly, Samuel Amechi Okeke, 34, Nigerian, to 25 years in prison and fine him 50 million riel [about $12,500],"  Presiding Judge Than Leng announced in the courtroom, going on to read out an identical sentence for Ms. Thuy.

While being escorted from the courtroom, Mr. Okeke expressed disappointment about the ruling.

"How can I accept?" he said.

Hun Rithy, a deputy bureau chief at the Interior Ministry’s internal security department who led the initial investigation into the case, said he was satisfied with the verdict.

"It is appropriate because they are husband and wife, and they colluded," he said.

Mr. Okeke, who has been in provisional detention at Phnom Penh’s maximum-security Prey Sar prison since his arrest in 2014, is also facing trafficking charges over 13 kg of methamphetamine seized from a Cambodian man in Phnom Penh late last month—the biggest drug seizure of the year.

According to military police, the drugs were part of a distribution ring being operated by Mr. Okeke with four other inmates. All six suspects in the case were charged with trafficking on March 4.

Source: CD

Full List Of 30 Players Invited To Camp By Samson Siasia For Rio Olympics

Samson Siasia has invited 30 players to camp for the 2016 Olympics that will take place in Rio, Brazil this summer. A statement released by the NFF said the invited players are expected to arrive at the Starview Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday with their passports, and that training would commence on Wednesday.

The Invited players include:
1. Emmanuel Daniel (Rangers) 2. Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars) 3. Daniel Emmanson (Akwa United) 4. Omasteye Alex (First Bank) 5. Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC) 6. Oduduwa Segun (Nath FC) 7. Obanor Erhun (MFM FC) 8. Ahamefule Chizoba (Abia Warriors) 9. Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors) 10. Chima Akas (Enyimba FC) 11. Timothy Danladi (Katsina United) 12. Stanley Okorom (MFM FC) 13. Harrison Ibukun (Akwa United) 14. Ubong Ekpai (Akwa United) 15. David Itoho (Nath FC) 16. Kabiru Moshood (Ikorodu United) 17. Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah) 18. Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars) 19. Tiongoli Tonbara (Bayelsa United) 20. Olisah Ndah (Rivers FC) 21. Julius Emiloju (MFM FC) 22. Joseph Osadiaye (Enyimba FC) 23. Daniel Etor (Enyimba FC) 24. Austine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars) 25. Ezekiel Mbah (Kano Pillars) 26. Abdulrahman Taiwo (Kwara United) 27. Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists) 28. Kufre Ebong (Akwa United) 29. Uchenna Agha (Freestans FC) 30. Godwin Aguda (Rangers FC)

Tompolo Sues FG Over His N45.9billion Trial

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo who has been declared wanted by the EFCC over his involvement in a N45.9 billion scam at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has dragged the Federal government before a Federal High Court in Lagos asking that the fraud charges leveled against him be dropped.

In the court paper filed by his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa yesterday April 11th, Tompolo is seeking for the nullification of sections 221 and 306 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (ACJA), which prevents parties in a criminal trial from seeking a stay of proceedings.

Section 221 of the ACJA law states that: “Objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge.” while Section 306 states that “An application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before a court shall not be entertained.”

Tompolo in the suit argues that he is innocent and that the sections in the law prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and an application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

“He is thus asking the court to stop his further trial until the determination of these issues,” his counsel said.

The defendants in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

Senate Tells Minister Of Transport Amaechi To Apologise And Resign Over Budget Padding..

As the controversy over the true state of the Nigerian budget raged on Monday, the Nigerian Senate asked Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi to apologise for stirring one of the issues which is budget padding, urging him, to then resign

Part of the controversy that tended to create a crisis of confidence between the executive and the legislature was the alleged omission of a vote for Lagos-Calabar rail project.

While the Senate and the House of Representatives insisted that the project was not in the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari last December, a clarification was however made by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who heads the Senate Committee on Land and transportation, that the item was presented to the committee by Amaechi.

But the Appropriation Committees of the National Assembly appeared not to recognise this backdoor approach by Amaechi and insisted they only recognised the budget submitted by President Buhari, including the amended version sent after errors and paddings were detected in the first budget.

“We hereby demand from Mr Amaechi a publicly tendered apology if he is not able to show evidence that the Lagos-Calabar road project was included in the budget. Otherwise, he should resign forthwith”, said Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.

“Finally, by the provision of Section 81 (4) (a) and (b) of the Constitution, the President is allowed to sign the budget and kick-start the implementation of the other areas that constitute over 90 percent of the budget’’.
It said that the president should sign the budget and begin implementation of areas “where there is agreement between both arms, even as we engage ourselves to resolve the contentious areas, if there were any.
“ We therefore maintain that even these contrived discrepancies are not sufficient excuse not to sign the budget into law.

“We therefore urge the President to sign the 2016 budget without further delay.
“For every additional day that the president withholds his assent from the bill, the hardship in the land, which is already becoming intolerable for the masses of our people, gets even more complicated.
“Certainly, as primary representatives of the people, we shall not vacate our responsibility and watch the people continue to suffer unduly’’.
The Senate urged the Presidency to tell Nigerians the true state of the 2016 Budget.
Sen. Abdullahi said “the National Assembly had bent backwards to produce a coherent document out of the excessively flawed and chaotic versions of the budget proposal submitted to it.

“While executive is mandated to prepare and lay before the National Assembly a proposed budget detailing projects to be executed, it should be made clear that the responsibility and power of appropriation lies with National Assembly.
“If the presidency expects us to return the budget proposal to them without any adjustments, then some people must be living in a different era and probably have not come to terms with democracy.

“We make bold to say, however, that the said Lagos-Calabar rail project was not included in the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“And, we challenge anyone who has any evidence to the contrary to present such to Nigerians,’’ it said.
According to the senate, the National Assembly has suffered all manners of falsehood, deliberate distortion of facts, and outright blackmail, deliberately aimed at poisoning the minds of the people against the institution of the National Assembly.
“We have endured this with equanimity (calmness) in the overall interest of Nigerians even when the original submission was surreptitiously swapped.
“We ended up having two versions of the budget which was almost incomprehensible and heavily padded in a manner that betrays lack of coordination and gross incompetence.
“We refused to play to the gallery and instead helped the Executive to manage the hugely embarrassing situation it has brought upon itself, but enough is enough.
“This latest antic of this particular Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is reckless, uncalled for and dangerously divisive.
“Apart from setting the people of the southern part of the country against their northern compatriots, it potentially sets the people against their lawmakers from the concerned constituencies and sets the lawmakers against themselves,’’ the senate said.
The statement added that “this manner of reprehensible mischief has no place in a democracy.

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