Pres. Buhari's Senior Special Adviser On Economic Matters, Ayoleke Adu, Dies At 44

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Economic Matters, Ayoleke O. Adu has died. He was aged 44. A statement by the Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, states that Adu died last week Saturday after a brief illness. Read the statement from the Vice President's office regarding Adu's passing after the cut...


May his soul rest in peace Amen. With heavy hearts, we regret to announce the untimely passage of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, Mr. Ayoleke O. Adu. He was aged 44. Adu, a diligent economic professional and Certified Financial Analyst, CFA, passed on last week Saturday after a period of illness. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on behalf of the President and himself condoles with his wife, children, mother and the entire family.
He prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. Before he joined the Buhari presidency last year, Adu was the Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Capital Securities Ltd, a leading investment firm with headquarters in Lagos. As a member of the President's Economic Management Team and a presidential aide deployed to the Office of the Vice President, Adu would be remembered as a patriotic, forthright, creative and astute professional.
He will indeed be sorely missed. Burial arrangements will be announced later. Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity In the Office of the Vice President

Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo And Mrs Bolanle Ambode Flag Off Get Involved Campaign In Lagos

Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule joined wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo at the #GetInvolved campaign in Lagos today. Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) got involved in the programme in Lagos today.  Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo got involved by providing supplies for some children in Lagos. More pictures below...

Lionel Messi Returns To Argentina’s National Team

 Lionel Messi of Argentina and Marc Wilmots, headcoach of Belgium during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Quarter-Final match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional stadium in Brasilia, Brazil.

Star footballer Lionel Messi in a statement has confirmed his intention to return to the Argentina national team.

Messi said that his love for Argentina convinced him to return for the next World Cup qualifiers.

According to GOAL.com, the 5-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner said:

I see there are lots of problems in Argentine football and I do not want to create another.

I do not want to cause any harm, I have always tried to do the opposite and help wherever I could.

We have to fix a lot of things in Argentine football, but I’d rather do that from the inside and not criticising from the outside.

A lot of things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought about quitting, but I love this country and this shirt too much.

I thank all the people who want me to keep playing with Argentina, I hope we can soon deliver them some joy.

The Barcelona star made the decision to retire from international football after another heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2016 Copa America.

6 Killed In Clash Between Indigenes And Hausa Residents In Imo State

No fewer than six people have been feared dead in a clash between indigenes of Akokwa community in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State and some Hausa residents in the community.

According to Channels TV, the State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu said that preliminary investigations revealed that the clash was triggered by an alleged murder of a woman and her friend by a Hausa man.

Lakanu said that the Hausa man, a security guard in the area had an altercation with a woman which escalated, and he murdered her with a shovel.

Lakanu also said that the Hausa went on to kill the lady’s friend who tried to intervene, adding that “on seeing the level of crime committed, the Hausa man went ahead and committed suicide”.

Lakanu said that there was a reprisal attack by indigenes against the Northerners, leading to the death of three other people.

He said that policemen have been deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The state government has also called on the indigenes to remain calm and as security agents fully restore peace to the area.

Why We Arrested Popular Political Blogger Abubakar Sidiq Usman – EFCC

                                                            Abubakar Sidiq Usman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arrested Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a blogger, for offences bordering on cyber stalking.

According to the EFCC, Sidiq, an online publisher was picked up at his Kubwa, Abuja home in the early hours of Monday August 8, 2016 its officials and is currently being questioned over the alleged offence which contravenes sections of the Cybercrime Act.

He has already been offered administrative bail and would be released to his elected sureties.

Reports say Sidiq’s arrest was as a result of a post on his blog, abusidiqu.com titled: “EFCC boss, Magu, commences total war with core EFCC staff”. The post was published on August 2, 2016.

Part of the post read:

Regular members of staff at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC are complaining that they are being bullied by the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

Magu, who returned a few seconded police men to their mother organisation has become panicky following series of revelations on his activities at the commission.

According to a source, Magu was ‘panicking because his confirmation had been deferred and is beginning to suspect any and every one in the commission for his problem’.

                                              Sidiq and President Buhari

Manchester United Sign Paul Pogba From Juventus For £100m

Manchester United have completed the world-record £100 million signing of 23 year old Paul Pogba. Pogba who has been termed as the world's most in-demand midfield talent arrives from Juventus, to rejoin Manchester United, the club that he left for next to nothing in 2012. Pogba, is expected to wear the No 6 shirt and has signed a £290,000-per-week, five-year contract to work under Jose Mourinho. There is also the option to extend for a further year.

On their twitter page Manchester United wrote:
Manchester United is delighted to announce that Paul Pogba has completed his transfer from Italian club Juventus. Paul joins on a five-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year. Paul, 23, has been with Juventus for four seasons, making 124 appearances and scoring 28 goals.

He joined the Bianconeri from United in 2012. The midfielder has been capped by France on 38 occasions, scoring 6 goals and was a member of the recent squad that reached the final of Euro 2016.
Paul Pogba said:
“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with José Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

José Mourinho said:
“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”

Daily Mail claims he was signed for £100m
BBC claims he was signed for £89m
The Guardian claims he was signed for £93.2m

We Have Defeated Boko Haram Group And Stopped It From Regrouping

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, during a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Buba, in his palace in Jishe yesterday, said that the Nigerian Army had defeated Boko Haram terrorist group and have also stopped it from re-grouping anywhere else in the country.
Buratai said:
“Our efforts in the North-East have really paid off. As you can recall, the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and high population areas has virtually stopped now. I can assure you and the people of Plateau State that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.
“The Army has not only succeeded in routing them from their camps in the North-East, we have been able to block these criminal elements from crossing down to these areas or building their camps anywhere in Nigeria.
“I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos, for all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people.”
General Buratai, also spoke at the pull out of seven retired Generals of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers, NASME, Makurdi, saying that without discipline and professionalism, there wont be any core values of the service remaining.
Represented by Major General Lincoln Ogunewe, Chief of Policy and Planning, Buratai praised.


Source: Vanguard

Speaker Dogara And His Corrupt Gang Have Gone Mad- Abdulmumin Jibrin Says

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, shared some new tweets alleging that Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others have fabricated a screenshot (s) of a fake WhatsApp chat, with the intention of blackmailing him and sending it out to the Media. Jibrin debunkeded the authencity of the screenshot(s) and made more allegations. More tweets as you continue.

Sani Omolori Emerges New Clerk Of National Assembly

Mohammed Sani Omolori has been confirmed the substantive Clerk of the National Assembly. Omolori's confirmation was contained in a letter signed by the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission‎, Adamu Fika, in Abuja yesterday Wednesday August 3rd.
“I have the pleasure to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission has at it 443rd Meeting approved the confirmation of your appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly. This appointment takes effect from Aug. 15, 2016.” the letter read

Ambode Leads As Top Performing Governor..

An ongoing opinion poll has shown Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to be in the lead as Nigeria’s top performing governor.




The poll being organised by the African Leadership Magazine is to determine Nigeria’s top performing governor.

According to a statement by Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna yesterday, the poll tagged; ‘ Good Governance Polls for Nigeria’s Top Performing Governor, ’ started two weeks ago, with Ambode maintaining the lead with increased 36.1 percent of the total votes cast.

The poll, according to organisers, was designed by the group as part of its strategic engagement tool to monitor performance and gauge the mood of the electorate in Nigeria in line with its objective of providing credible information and support to leaders in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Meantime, at the time of filling this report, voting was ongoing and expected to close in the next four days.

Vanguard

Muslims Pray With Catholics Over Priest's Murder

Muslims attended Catholic mass in churches around France on Sunday in solidarity following the brutal murder of an 85-year-old priest, Father Jacques Hamel by 2 ISIS jihadists. More than 100 Muslims were among the 2,000 people who packed the 11th-century Gothic cathedral of Rouen, near the Normandy town where the priest's throat was slit.

"I thank you in the name of all Christians," Rouen Archbishop Dominique Lebrun told them. "In this way you are affirming that you reject death and violence in the name of God."

A few policemen and soldiers stood guard outside but did not conduct searches on the attendees. The local imam Otaman Aissaoui led a delegation of Muslims to a Catholic mass and said:
"Being united is a response to the act of horror and barbarism."
Notre Dame church in southwestern Bordeaux also welcomed a Muslim delegation, led by the city's top imam, Tareq Oubrou.
"It's an occasion to show (Muslims) that we do not confuse Islam with Islamism, Muslim with jihadist," said Reverend Jean Rouet.
Muslims were responding to a call by the French Muslim council CFCM to show "solidarity and compassion" over the priest's murder on Tuesday.

A woman wearing a beige headscarf who sat in a back pew at a church in central Paris said:
"I'm a practising Muslim and I came to share my sorrow and tell you that we are brothers and sisters." Giving her name only as Sadia, she added softly: "What happened is beyond comprehension."
At the Saint Leger church in the northern city of Lens, around 30 Muslims attended mass wearing T-shirts emblazoned with messages such as, "Terrorism has no religion or identity".

Father Hubert Renard told the congregation: "We are not alone; our Muslim brothers are here too."

Many were moved to tears during the sign of peace, a regular part of the liturgy when the faithful turn to greet each other in the pews, either shaking hands or kissing.

Muslims also attended Catholic masses in Italy, notably at Rome's Santa Maria di Trastevere church, in response to a call by the Sant'Egidio community known for its international mediation efforts.

Also on Sunday, dozens of prominent Muslims published a joint letter pledging: "We, French and Muslim, are ready to assume our responsibilities."


Source: AFP

I Regret Campaigning For Sheriff To Become PDP Chairman And I Have Learnt My Lessons - Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said he regrets campaigning for the embattled factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to become the Chairman.

Fayose said:
“I must tell you that I have learnt my lessons from my past experience. I will not openly identify or campaign for a candidate any longer. As part of our great party in Ekiti, I ‘m assuring you that I do not have a personal candidate and God knows I have not spoken to my people about any candidate.
“We will allow God to choose for us this time by ensuring that all aspirants have a level-playing ground.
“I have learnt my lessons on Ali Modu Sheriff and I take full responsibility for the consequences. Imagine, if we have allowed him to get there, with the way he is now behaving, it would have been worse than this.”
Fayose lamented that in regards to the crisis rocking the party, some people were merely paying lip service to reconciliation efforts in the PDP because of selfish interests.

Fayose also condemned those going to court to express their grievances on party matters.

He said:
“Dry bones of the PDP will rise again”. “God will give the PDP a new leader that will reposition the party to progress in the country.
“In Ekiti, we have no anointed candidate; we would come to Port Harcourt with open mind and let God do justice”
Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, who is running for PDP Chairmanship was in Ekiti State at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, soliciting for support. He pleaded with the stakeholders to allow him to serve the party. He assured everyone that he is a great leader, a transformer and a bridge builder, who will promote, protect and project the PDP with growth.



Source: This Day

Nigeria Makes Headway In Securing China's Funding Of Projects

Press statement from the Presidency
Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, at the weekend, in Beijing, made a strong case why the Chinese government should assist Nigeria financially in funding critical major infrastructure projects in the country. Senator Udoma who was in China for the Coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) also used the opportunity to discuss issues of vital economic interest with that country’s Vice Minister for Commerce, Mr. Qian Keming; and officials of China EXIM bank, where he stressed the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries will eventually enjoy if Nigeria’s economy is assisted to grow rapidly.


At the Johannesburg Summit in South Africa in December 2015, China had agreed to Assist African countries in ten strategic areas that will help their economy. It pledged $60 billion in aid, grants and concessional loans.

Nigeria is trying to get as much of the Chinese funding for projects in the form of grants, aids, investments and loans. The loan component will however be within the country’s debt sustainability limits. Projects proposed for the facility by Nigeria is in the region of about $20 billion, and the Minister said Nigeria will be in a better stead if the Chinese government will assist with a substantial part of the funds required.

During the various meetings, Senator Udoma stressed the need for special consideration for Nigeria given its strategic relationship with China, its economic potentials, and its capacity to redeem its part of the transaction obligations.

The Minister said following the meetings, both countries expressed satisfaction with the proposals and are very anxious to take proceedings to the next level.
During the Cooperation meeting attended by ministers from various countries in Africa, China’s President Xi Jinping said the meeting was an important step taken by China and Africa to implement the consensus of Chinese and Africa leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC.
“It is a significant measure to boost China-African cooperative development. The meeting demonstrates to the world once again that no matter how the international landscape may change, the resolve of China and Africa to pursue unity and win-win cooperation will never change”, Jinping said.

The President noted that the weak performance of the world economy brings both opportunities and challenges to the economic development of China and Africa. “We must stand shoulder to shoulder and march forward hand in hand,” he admonished.

In his keynote speech, China’s State Councilor, Yang Jiech, explained that his country initiated the meeting at this time “to take stock of the delivery of summit outcomes, to align our thinking, built consensus, overcome challenges and difficulties, share experience and promote cooperation, so that we can pool the wisdom and strength of both sides and give a leg up to the implementation work”.

At the plenary session, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was pleased that both China and the African countries have attained a high level of implementation of the outcomes of the summit, have acted promptly to take forward the five pillars and ten plans of cooperation and have made substantial progress in enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across board.

He added that China has delivered on its commitments and made every effort to advance follow-up actions.

Akpandem James
Media Adviser to the Hon Minister

Waje's Stunning Look To The Finale Of The Voice Nigeria

For the final episode of the popular show, The Voice judge Waje plunged into leather pants and complemented it with a white jacket. She wore sleekly cut hair with a clean bronzed make up look.
View More pictures below.

Hair: Priscilla Nqoko
Make up and Styling: Artistry By Tolani

Niger Delta Militant Group, MEND, Claims FG Has Agreed To Release NNamdi Kanu, Okah Brothers

Niger Delta Militant group, MEND, has released a statement alleging that the President Buhari-led administration has agreed to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB Nnamdi Kanu and Charles and Henry Okah, suspected masterminds of the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND said the decision to free the men was reached at a negotiation meeting which was facilitated by former Senate President, Adolphus Nwabara. The statement reads in part ;

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is the only militant group from the Niger Delta region who are presently engaged in a dialogue with the federal government of Nigeria through oil companies and security agencies -with a view to resolving the current Niger Delta crisis. Thus far, the deliberations have been fruitful, various concessions and guarantees have already been secured. Some of which include, but are not limited to: release of Henry Okah, Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze; review of the life sentence handed to Mr. Edmund Ebiware based on a proposal put forward by the Aaron Team representative for Abia and Imo states, Senator Adolphus Wabara. Also, conditional release of IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and others if they renounce their agitation for a “Biafra Republic,”.
The statement by the group adds that part of the agreement includes the that wanted militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo will not be arrested if he comes out of hiding.