Democracy Day: Let's Keep Hope Alive, Atiku Abubakar Urges Nigerians

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress Atiku Abubakar says democracy, despite its limitations and challenges, remains the best form of government anywhere in the world.
In his message to mark Nigeria's Democracy Day, the former Vice President explains that the freedom of choice is one of the most important ingredients of the democratic system.


According to him, the freedom to choose your leaders makes democracy fashionable, adding that any system that subverts the will of the people destroys the progress of the society.
The Turaki Adamawa says as an active participant in the democratic struggle in Nigeria and an ardent proponent of the rule of law, rather than the rule of man, he recognises the sacrifices of gallant Nigerians whose struggles brought us to the current stage.

According to him, as Nigerians celebrate democracy day, the memory of late Shehu Yar'Adua and MKO Abiola would resonate across the country, adding that the sacrifices of countless others who paid the supreme price for opposing dictatorship would also not be forgotten.
The former Vice President says no sane society would choose despotism over democracy because, under dictatorship, dissent is met with death or torture.

 On the current challenges facing the ordinary Nigerians, the former Vice President says no democratically elected government would intentionally hurt the voters that put it into office.
He explains that the APC administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians, and that the current challenges are temporary.

According to him, the 2016 budget is specifically targeted to address the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerians, explaining that the implementation of the budget would bring succour to Nigerians.
He therefore urges Nigerians not to lose hope because of the current temporary challenges that they are going through.

LUTH Doctor Hacked To Death In Ogun State Shortly After Being Kidnapped

Dr Thomas Adekoya-Cole was gruesomely murdered this morning in his hometown near Itele, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State shortly after he was abducted from his home.

The 60-year-old consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who until his death worked with Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, was said to have been killed by suspected sympathisers of a native doctor.

According to PM News, the native doctor was reported to have been killed by ‘area boys’ in Ijebu Ode, Saturday night during a ceremony. Sympathisers of the native doctor then arrived at the doctor's home later that night and abducted him.

He was later found with machete wounds and rushed to Amazing Grace Hospital in Ijebu-Ode where he passed away despite attempt to save him.

Source: PM News

Borno Residents Commend President Buhari’s Political Will To End Boko Haram

Some residents of Borno on Sunday expressed their satisfaction over President Muhammadu Buhari‘s ample political will to end all forms of arms insurgency in the country.

A cross section of the residents who listened to the President’s Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that they have noticed improvement in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

Muhammad Babagana, a resident, said indeed one year of Buhari’s government has recorded remarkable improvement in security and fight against corruption.

“The President has also performed well in a bid to regaining our national image in the eyes of the world. Yes, the ordinary Nigerian is yet to notice true change as promised by the government, but this was born out of the massive looting and corruption by the former administration. But even at that this government should focus on polices that would cure hardship and suffering of ordinary Nigerians with immediate effect,’’ said Babagana.

Another resident, Mr Asiwaju Abiodun, said “More grease to the elbow of Mr President, though the economic hardship is alarming and the patriotic and intellectual Nigerians understand the numerous factors that caused it. Yet we are ready to endure, work and pray along with you to reposition our great country into a better nation. Be as it may, in God we trust.”

Bunu Grema, said: “Well, a year is now gone and the clock reset. I would want to assume that the PMB-led APC government have laid a foundation that best fits their goals and mandate and that in the next several months we shall see uncanny fruits of achievements.”

However, Aruwa Isa, said: “I concur with His Excellency’s position and views, and would also make bold to say it takes doggedness and determination to get things right for one to rightly move the state ship forward from the wreck it was left for in May 2015. I can categorically tell you that we now sleep with eyes closed, unlike what we experienced some few years back. If you remember vividly there was a time in this country when we could not go to our churches, mosques, plazas, viewing centres, and we were constantly warned of going to crowded places, yes it was that bad. Our soldiers were been killed and slaughtered like chicken on a daily basis in the hands of Boko Haram, No thanks to GEJ and Dasuki who diverted monies budgeted for arms. Now Nigeria may not have turned to safe haven under Buhari, but we can now have a sigh of relief as our gallant security agencies are now rejuvenated and ready to take on any group or individual that will want to disrupt our collective peace in the country.

Brace Up Or Have Your Scholarships Withdrawn – Gov. Shettima To Borno Medical Students Abroad

                                                                     Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State

Borno State Government on Saturday warned 10 out of its 60 female indigent students studying medicine in Khartoum, Sudan, to brace up or have their scholarships withdrawn.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students are studying medicine under a scholarships programme introduced by the governor.

A statement issued in Maiduguri by Malam Isa Gusau, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, quoted the Chief Executive as issuing the warning when he visited the students in Khartoum, Sudan.

“Even though he was impressed with the performance of 70 per cent of the students, Shettima has given what he called final chance to 10 out of 60 female students currently studying medicine in two private Universities in Khartoum, Sudan, urging them to buckle up or face sanctions.

The students involved have been performing below average in their academics.

The governor’s visit to the institutions where 60 female students from state are studying medicine is the first since the programme began in 2014 during his first term in office.

Shettima was highly impressed with the performance of 50 of the students, particularly three of them, Rebecca Ndahi from Hawul Local Government Area, Aisha Hala from Jere LGA and Fatima Kabiru from Shani LGA, who had the best academic records at the medical school of the National University, Khartoum,” said Gusau in the statement.

The spokesperson said Shettima also held a meeting with all Nigerian students at the Elrazi University, Sudan, with a call on them to take their studies seriously.

“The governor decided to meet all the students, regardless of their states of origin and extend some gestures to them because of the manner they all received him,” added Gusau.

Russia To Establish Nuclear Centre In Nigeria – Envoy

                                                   Ambassador Nikolay Udovichenko

The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Nikolay Udovichenko, on Saturday announced that the Nigerian and Russian Governments plan to sign an agreement for the establishment of a multifunctional
scientific research nuclear centre in Nigeria.

Udovichenko, who disclosed this in Lagos at this year’s Alumni Congress of the Soyuznik Alumni Association in Nigeria, said that the Nigerian and Russian governments had been negotiating for the centre’s establishment.

The theme of the congress was “Harnessing The Potentials of the Nigerian Graduates of Higher Institutions of former USSR States”.

“Bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Russia is blessed with huge potential in every avenue Nuclear energy development is another area with good prospects for our two countries’ cooperation. This June, we expect to sign a bilateral agreement for the establishment of a multifunctional scientific centre in Nigeria,” he said.

The Envoy also said that his government was working at reactivating its Trade Representation in Nigeria, to further promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Udovichenko, who said that thousands of Nigerians had over the years benefited from quality education in Russia, also announced his government’s plan to sustain the scholarship programme for more
Nigerians.

The Envoy said that it was imperative for such Nigerians to use their knowledge for the development of their country, as well as strengthening ties with the Russians.

President of Soyuznik and Chairman of the ceremony, Otunba Henry Ajomale, said that the association was made up of academicians, medical doctors, engineers, diplomats, political administrators and heads of professional organizations trained by the Russian government.

Ajomale expressed the gratitude of the beneficiaries to the countries that formed the former Soviet Union for bequeathing a lasting legacy, with which they could contribute to the development of Nigeria.

“We should not forget to celebrate our common heritage as beneficiaries of a unique programme by the former Soviet Government that gave us the opportunity to become what we are today,” he said.

The Soyunik Alumni Association of Nigeria, is the association of Nigerian graduates trained by the the Former Soviet Union and Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS).

Lady Who Carried A Placard "I'm Looking For A Job" In Lekki Meets VP Yemi Osinbajo

last week, a lady was spotted in Lekki, carrying a placard I'm looking for job.


The  lady is a Computer Science Graduate, she meet with the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo.
She was hosted at VP Osinbajo's residence on Friday.

Presidency Lists President Buhari’s Achievements After First Year In Office

The presidency has released a list detailing all the achievements of President Buhari in the last one year. He marks one year in office tomorrow May 29th. The list as published by the News Agency of Nigeria contains the following:


SECURITY:

• The relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri, since May 2015, contributed to the success in the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country.
• As at February 2016, the total number of persons rescued by the Nigerian troops during the ongoing operations in the North East came to 11,595
• Since December 2015, the well-motivated and rejuvenated Nigerian Military have regained all Nigerian territories previously under Boko Haram control.
• Prioritized regional cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and violent extremism, through the operations of the 8,500 strong Multi-National Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, currently headed by a Nigeria military general.
• Nigeria has provided $21million USD to the Task Force since June 2015 and is committed to an additional $79 million USD, bringing the total of Nigeria’s commitment to the Task Force to 100 million USD.
• Cohesive international support in the fight against terrorism and assistance to victims and communities affected by terrorism, following President Buhari’s meeting with G7 leaders and other world powers.
• In May 2016, Nigeria hosted a Regional Security Summit to boost military operations against Boko Haram and forge a global support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs and rebuilding of the North East.
• In June 2015, the United States announced a 5-million-dollar support for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region.
• In April 2016, during the visit to Ms Samantha Power, the U.S Ambassador to the UN to Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, the U.S Government further announced an additional $40 million USD for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region
• Recruitment of additional 10,000 persons into the Nigeria Police Force is ongoing. The recruitment will address the manpower gap which currently exists in the Nigeria Police
• Overhaul of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian military which resulted in optimal result and degradation of the Boko Haram elements.
• Was able to bring back our hitherto military allies; which saw the United States and UK governments commit their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous administration. The Israeli government has also indicated interest in the fight against insurgency.
• Introduction of the motor cycle battalion (This is so that the Nigerian Army can travel to remote areas that were not accessible to cars/trucks)
• Realigned our partnership with regional allies by embarking on foreign visits which resulted in bilateral and multilateral agreements to tackle insecurity back home.
• No more roadblocks and curfews, which normally impeded free flow of movement.
• Continuous monitoring of activities in the region of war through the use of satellite images and geographical information system is helping in fighting insurgency and strategizing against the enemy.
• The trips to our neighbouring countries showed the resolve of the President to push Boko Haram elements out of existence by going for the jugular of the group, cutting their arms, food supply routes. Support has thus been mobilized through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
• Another major stride is the Trans National Organized Crime (TNOC) where the president got partnership with regional allies in the fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
• As part of the reconfigured military partnership, the United States donated 24 mine-resistant armoured vehicles (MRAP) which had protected the Nigerian troops from the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices. Today we have less causalities.
• Reached out to the G7 countries and achieved the following: intelligence sharing; technical military training; arms deals/donations
• Overhauling of NIMASA. A reversed policy of the past administration where national infrastructural assets were given to militia leaders to protect as against established bodies like the Nigerian Navy was stopped.
• The President Buhari government has drafted the army to partner with other security agencies in ensuring the security of our national infrastructure and this is already yielding the desired results.
• A major ring of pipeline vandals in Lagos state were captured recently in a joint operation by security forces led by the army.
• The government has renewed its fight against oil bunkering
• The Nigerian Navy has recorded tremendous success lately in apprehending vessels used by oil thieves. This operation has improved security on our water ways and it has also helped improve the revenue of government.
• Deployment of sophisticated weapons to ensure vandalism is contained by setting up a pipeline security force in stamping out the menace.
• Effective Management of the Separatist Biafran Movement
• Improving the technical capacity of Nigerian Police Force. We now have a forensic lab and GSM tracking device. We now have a more IT integrated Police force.
• Restructuring of Nigerian Immigration to stop cross border crimes.
• NSCDC has become more proactive in the prevention of pipeline vandalization, with arrest of several pipeline vandals.
• Joint operations involving various security outfits in curbing the menace of the herdsmen in the country has been set up.
• The use of surveys and updated mappings across the country as strategies for preventing threats among ethnic groups in Nigeria.

CORRUPTION

• Right from the moment he won the Presidential Election in 2015, the impression of the President as a ‘‘no nonsense and incorruptible leader’’ sent a signal to looters of public funds, with many of them returning funds that had been stolen under the previous administration.
• To create a frame work for prosecuting the war against corruption and institutionalize probity, President Buhari set up an Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption.
• The anti-corruption battle is gaining ground with several high profile cases already in the courts. The administration is being guided by the rule of law in the prosecution of corruption cases.
• President Buhari enlisted the support of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF, security agencies, Western countries and other friendly nations to locate and repatriate stolen assets.
• At a London summit on anti-corruption, President Buhari announced that Nigeria will begin the full implementation of the principles of the OPEN contracting data standards.
• In the first quarter of 2016, President Buhari embarked on trips to the Middle East to sensitize the governments on the need to repatriate stolen assets and hand over the looters for trial in Nigeria. In January, Nigeria and UAE signed Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.
• In March 2016, the Federal Government and the Swiss Government signed a Letter of Intent On the Restitution of Illegally-Acquired Assets forfeited in Switzerland. Under the agreement, Switzerland will repatriate $ 321 million USD illicitly acquired by the Gen. Sani Abacha family.
• In March 2016, the Presidential Committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015 announced the recovery of over N7 billion from indicted companies and individuals.

ECONOMY

• Implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has provided greater visibility of government revenues and cash flows. Between June 2015 and April 2016, the Federal Government TSA collection clocked N3trillion.
• To further instill fiscal discipline, President Buhari directed the closure of all multiple accounts in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, thereby plugging loopholes for leakages with new technology.

• The opaque accounting structure of the NNPC has been reconstructed to be more transparent with the closure of more than 40 accounts. As a corporate entity, NNPC is now accountable and more transparent in operations, publishing its monthly financial reports.
• The President also resolved the lingering shadowy oil swap deals that had cost the country billions of dollars and left it at the mercy of a few rich Nigerians.
• To alleviate the suffering of Nigerians in September 2015, President Buhari directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to disburse N689.5 billion as bailout to 27 states of the federation to pay salaries.
• To stimulate the economy and reduce poverty, in April, 2016, President Buhari approved deferment in the payment of the bailout as states were still reeling under the burden of the fall in commodity prices.
• Records of more than 34,000 ghost workers draining the nation’s resources were expunged from the Federal Civil Service, saving N2.29 billion monthly.
• In 2015, President Buhari ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. By this decision, the government saved about one million U.S dollars and N30m of local expenses
• Enforcement of the Bank Verification Number: Also the BVN has ensured that the menace of “ghost workers” are being identified and dealt with, while looters with multiple accounts can no longer hide their loot undetected.
• Social Protection: Groundwork for social intervention/palliatives for the poor is being put in place as data is being collated by the economic planning office of the VP in conjunction with the World Bank.
• Reorganization/restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into a focused, accountable and transparent institution with autonomous Units (Upstream; Downstream, Gas & Power; Refineries; Ventures and lean Group Headquarters)
• Reduction of operational deficits in NNPC by over 50% as at March 2016 as a result of Increased Transparency and Commercial focus
• Conduct of NNPC outstanding Annual Audits from 2011 to 2014, and the publication of Monthly Financial and Operations Reports to ensure transparency
• Introduction of third party financing in order to eliminate direct funding of cash calls by the Federal Government
• Renegotiation of existing service contracts under Joint Venture and Production sharing contracts (PSC) Operations by about 30% leading to operational efficiency improvements and cost reductions
• Elimination of the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) through the introduction of the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable off-shore refineries thereby yielding annual savings of US$1 billion
• Resuscitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries presently producing about 7 million litres of products per/day
• Repair of products pipe lines and the resuscitation of supply of products from Atlas Cove-Mosimi- Ibadan- Ilorin after a six year lull
• Repairs of Escravos/ Warri and Bonny/Port Harcourt crude oil pipe lines
• Introduction of a Price Modulation framework for downstream petroleum product pricing to encourage responsiveness to market dynamics
• Guided deregulation of the downstream sector to allow market forces determine product price and eliminate subsidy payments
• Introduction of the initiative on refinery co-location to increase domestic refining capacity and minimize the drain on scarce foreign exchange for product importation
• Commenced policy reforms for gas monetization, flare out and infrastructure development, to fast track power supply and economic diversification.

POWER

• Under President Buhari, the Federal Government agreed to a 50 million Euro (about N11.15 billion) loan agreement with French government for capacity-building and upgrade of power training facilities in Nigeria.
• Nigeria signed a $237 million agreement with World Bank to improve power.
• Chinese solar power manufacturers agreed with the Federal Government to set up solar panel manufacturing business in Nigeria.
• President Buhari has signed an agreement with the Chinese government to improve Nigeria’s power infrastructure

ENVIRONMENT

• Presidential approval for the Implementation of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report 2010 for the clean-up of Ogoniland with regards to oil pollution and inclusion of stakeholders in the process of implementation.
• Continuation of the implementation of the Great Green Wall project to fight and contain desertification in Northern Nigeria initiated by past administration.

JUDICIARY

• Since assumption of office, President Buhari has maintained a clear stance on the rule of law and respect for separation of powers.
• The President has focused on the strengthening of institutions with key appointment of professionals.
• Appointment of 30 new Federal High Court Justices

NATIONAL IMAGE

• On assumption of office, the President undertook some foreign trips both within and outside Africa to re-establish Nigeria’s position in the global arena and solicit support for Nigeria and Africa.
• President Buhari has continually pushed the agenda for enhancing Nigeria’s global image by always demonstrating Nigeria’s credentials in the 2015 general elections, which saw the country scoring high on peaceful transition.
• President Buhari strongly supported the emergence of a Nigerian, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as President of the Africa Development Bank. (NAN)

Kano Sate Governor Sacks His SSG, Makes New Appointments

Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi and replaced him with Usman Alhaji Usman. The sack of the former SSG was made known in a radio announcement by head of the state's civil service, Auwalu Mohammed Naiya, this morning.
Naiya also announced that the governor approved the appointment of Ibrahim Mohammed Kankarofi as his new principal private Secretary while the Director General media and communication to the governor, Halilu Dantiye, was posted as Permanent Secretary and replaced by Salihu Tanko Yakasai.
Although the reason for the adjustments was not stated, it is believed that the removal of the former Secretary to the State Government was because he is a close ally and confidant of the former Governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

University Staff Diverted N11b For Former NIMASA Boss, Akpobolokemi – EFCC Witness Tells Court

A prosecuting witness in the ongoing trial of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Nwobike, today told the Lagos High Court in Igbosere how the sum of N11, 316,295,549.29 was allegedly diverted from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) into accounts operated by a staff of Niger Delta University (NDU), John Simon Adomene.

Nwobike is facing a five-count charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official, a charge he denied.

The Nation reports that the prosecuting witness, Orji Chukwuma, who is an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, told the court that Adomene laundered the money on behalf of an ex -Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

According to the prosecuting witness Chukwuma, in 2015, the commission received intelligence on “a monumental fraud perpetrated in NIMASA.”

“In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that one John Simon Adomene, a staff of Niger Delta University was used by the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, to perpetrate this fraud. Subsequently, efforts were made to trace accounts linked to John Adomene and companies linked with him,” he said.

He listed the companies to include Wabod, Global Resources Limited, Gokiad Marine Services and Boloberi Properties and Estate Limited. “We traced billions of naira in accounts and properties to these companies which were merely fronts for Dr. Akpobolokemi,” Chukwuma alleged

Accident Victim Joy Akabuike Is Out Of Coma

A reporter with Abia Fact Newspaper has just confirmed that Joy Akabuike is alive. She has regained consciousness days after the ghastly accident.

All the passengers (except her) were confirmed dead following an accident involving a commercial bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit and a truck last Sunday May 22nd in Umuahia, Abia State.

'Femi Fani Kayode Will Be Vindicated' - His Wife Precious Chikwendu Releases Statement

Read her statement below...
If life was a movie I'm sure we would have our fingers on the fast forward button to skip so many scenes that ain't just fair. But this is reality and in reality we live through it. It's a time when strength and courage comes in play and only the brave can afford both. My Lion (Femi Fani-Kayode) will walk through this webby den of lies and injustice. Persecution and trials are common, only the weak fear them. He remains brave and strong through all these and soon he will be vindicated. I stand with my husband Femi Fani-Kayode.

Gov. Ambode Launches N400m Dangote Foundation Micro-Grant Scheme For Women

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday flagged off the N400 million Dangote Trust Fund Micro-Grant Scheme for 40,000 women across the state.

Ambode, during the ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said the scheme was designed to enhance the income generating capacity of beneficiaries through seed grants of N 10,000 and other accessories.

The programme will reach beneficiaries across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the State.

He said:

We shall ensure that the micro-grant is administered to benefit the targeted disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community, especially the widows and other special interest persons.

The real essence of wealth is to improve the standard of living of people around us. True wealth is measured not by the property one acquires, but by the ability to positively affect the society and lift up less privileged people.

The governor appealed to the first set of beneficiaries not to abuse the opportunity afforded them by the scheme.

“The seed grants you will receive have been provided to enable you engage in petty commercial activities and cottage business that will put food on the table for your family and not a largesse that should be spent frivolously,” Ambode said.

The governor urged members of the Micro Grants beneficiary selection committee to ensure transparency in the nomination process from the ward level.

“Nobody must be denied access to this facility on the basis of gender, political, ethnic or religious affiliation,” he said.

Ambode commended Aliko Dangote for the gesture and urged other well meaning, public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to emulate his kind gesture.

Earlier, Dangote said the programme was targeted at a minimum of 1,000 vulnerable women in each of the 774 Local Government Areas across the country.

He said that it provided the women the opportunity to reduce their vulnerability and meet their livelihood needs.

Dangote said that due to the special status of Lagos State, the number of beneficiaries per local government was doubled to enable the programme reach out to a larger population of women.

He said that the programme was implemented in partnership with the State Government to make it inclusive.

According to him, beneficiaries will be given mobile phones in addition to the N10,000.

Dangote said that payments would be made electronically via mobile money platform and beneficiaries could redeem their cash immediately.

Photo Credit: Lagos State

'I Can't Stop Ekiti Workers From Going On Strike, These Are Perilous Times' - Ayo Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose says he cannot stop workers in the Ekiti state civil service who intend to go on strike over unpaid salaries. Fayose said this in an interview session with pressmen yesterday May 25th
"I want to make some clarification particularly on issues that affects the welfare of our workers. I want to say very expressly that workers are the engine room of government and they deserve all the encouragement but currently we are in crisis financially, the average wage bill in terms of payment of workers is between 2.5 to 2.6billion which includes parastatals, university, college of education and all that.
 And since I became governor I have always put this before the leadership of labour, each time they give us a figure from Abuja, I give the paper to them for them to share and bring it for signature. Obviously at some point we all realized that there was nothing to share or probably for what we earn when you are to pay 2.5 or 2.6 billion as wage bill and you now get 1billion, you get 800million, you get 1.2billion, there is nothing to share. So rotating an alternating payment in terms of paying the university, the college of education, higher institution and so on, we pay them this month and pay the major work force next month. That has been the practice and we work with a technical committee of labour and government, we meet monthly to disburse. I want to tell u very expressly that it has not been easy. As it is, last month I got about 850million, the month before which was the month of March I got 1.1billion, February I got about 1.2billion and in December I got about 1.3billion, it has not been easy and I want to say very expressly that I am owing four months salary and with the month of May it will be five months. This is not about Ekiti alone, all states reasonably are affected by this development irrespective of which governor, which party controls that state. So as it is, I am doing my best within the ambits of availability. You will recall that I took over a debt profile of commercial loan of over 31billion where deductions are made from source and apart from the commercial loan we have the bond by the last administration as a result, it is difficult for me to sustain the salaries. Ekiti has the least in Nigeria in terms of IGR(internally generated revenue) and most of the times if you don't pay, if you pay the basic it means you don't expect tax next month, that has been the style, that has been the situation. Right now I am helpless and that is the fact. Yesterday, the 25th of this month, the commissioner for finance called me that we got 751million which is one third or one quarter of the wage bill. So I need to set this record straight, I have been guided and being careful and that is why most of the time when workers doesn't come to work, I don't have the morals to go and stop them from coming late or not coming to work because when you don't pay wages you are handicapped to enforce discipline in the people. As it is, I am doing my best on the needful but it is difficult for me to sell myself or my wife or sell my property, it is a trying time for our state and for Nigeria, I can only deploy what I get from Abuja within available resources, we are trying our best to improve on the internally generated revenue. You will discover that it is very difficult to squeeze water from a dry tissue paper. You can't get money when people don't get wages, when the money doesn't circulate, when business are not running, taking IGR from them will be a bit difficult. As it is, this is the position, I just want the public, the workers to understand that it's in my priority to make them very comfortable, apart from wages, it is the responsibility of government to provide electricity,it is the responsibility of government to provide security, to provide for the less privileged, water among others. This has been very difficult, even in government house most of the times we don't have diesel to power generators, so we have to move to the office during office hours and when we move home, we use generator for the government house. It's been very tough and that's the position but I can't stop workers from going on strike, if you want to go on strike I can't stop you, I can only give explanation which I have given and the best I could do is what I can do. So I sympathise with them but I am helpless, if you want to go on strike, we will be waiting when they will come back.
On his message for the Labour leaders who were threatening to strike:
It is not about threatening, what you have is what you can give, we do this meeting together Technical Committee every month, they have facts more than myself but I don't want to join issues, I appreciate their patience, I appreciate their situation, the same situation they are in is the same situation I am in. So I want to say very clearly, even if you hate the labor force, will you hate the political leaders and political class, No!
He appealed to the workers to see reason with the state government on why salaries are not being paid
The plea is to all see reasons with the present situation, it is a situation beyond anybody and everybody. If you go to Osun State, go to Ogun, go to Oyo, most states don't even have commissioners, they don't have means, so I won't blame anybody, the financial situation I have said it long ago that this time shall come, this are very perilous times, difficult times, I share the pains of the common people in our society, it is not right time to be governor I must confess to you.
He also explained why is still being able to fund capital projects in the state
Some ask me, but you are doing some capital project like the fly over, and the new market, yes! I said it, I made it public a year ago that the federal government arranged a loan for each state for 10billion which must be attached to capital project in each state. I made it public in one of 'The Governor Speaks', and I have attached the flyover, the new market and one other project, I have attached that money to them. The money goes to them from source, so this is to clarify the misrepresentation regarding the projects, it is not as if we have the money in our coffers, the money is with the banks and they pay contractors directly. In fact, there are a lot of agreements signed by contractors that won the projects before they can get the money and it is being regulated by the bank with our approval.

Another Major Airline Exits Nigeria! United says Goodbye to Lagos – Houston R

Sad news for travellers especially on the Lagos – Houston route.
United Airlines is cancelling the service and the last flight will depart from Lagos on the 30th of June 2016.

There has been speculation for some time but the confirmation came tonight via social media after @united on Twitter responded to a question from a Nigerian traveller.

With crashed oil prices and a flailing economy, the Lagos – Houston route which was once a favourite especially for oil sector workers and executives has suffered a major decline in patronage. In addition, airlines operating in Nigeria have all faced a hard time with foreign exchange restrictions. Recently, Iberia, the official airline of Spain exited Nigeria as well. It is speculated that other major airlines will follow suit.

FG, Niger Delta Stakeholders Resolve To Stem Pipeline Vandalism As FG Promises Economic Empowerment For Region

The Federal Government and stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have resolved to work together to stop the recent upsurge in attacks on critical oil and gas installations and ensure security, stability and economic development of the area. Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, expressed the Federal Government’s readiness to check the resurgence of pipeline sabotage in the region.

Dr. Kachikwu said all the stakeholders resolved that solutions to the incessant attacks on oil and gas pipelines are within the communities, stressing that communities were now saddled with the responsibility of ensuring protection of pipelines within their domain. He added that all the states in the region would nominate 4 or 5 representatives that would work hand-in-hand with security agencies to secure oil facilities in their respective states.

The Minister further stated that it was resolved that violence was not an option in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta and that all threats from the region should end henceforth. He stated that there was need to reach out to all other stakeholders who were not part of the meeting to embrace peace and dialogue. According to him, there was the need to restructure the Amnesty Programme so as to address the critical issue of neglect by the government and international oil companies.
“The Niger Delta Governors must be involved in providing lasting solutions to the resurgence of pipeline vandalism and there is urgent need to create business opportunities for the locals in the region,” Dr. Kachikwu stated.
Gov. Adams Oshiomole and other leaders of the Niger Delta region who spoke at the meeting urged the agitators to drop their arms and embrace dialogue as the Federal government was committed to the development of the area. All the stakeholders who spoke at the meeting reassured that they would take the message of peace back home in order to provide a win-win situation for the Federal Government and the Niger Delta region.

The meeting was attended by high level government functionaries such as the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole; National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. General Mohammed Babagana Monguno(Retd.); Minister for Niger Delta, Usani Uguru; Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heneiken Lokpobiri , Coordinator Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Retd.); and stakeholders from Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Ondo States.