Buhari Appoints Nwalem Mbam As Chair Of Revenue Mobilization, Allocation And Fiscal Commission

President Buhari has approved the appointment of Elias Nwalem Mbam from Ebonyi state as the Chairman for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Mbam's appointment is contained in a statement released form the office of the secretary to the government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal yesterday July 26th.

The statement also adds that President Buhari also approved the appointment of Marilyn Amobi as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET). Both appointments is with immediate effect.

Pictures Of Michelle Obama At The Democratic National Convention In 2008, 2012 And 2016

Unlike President Obama, Michelle Obama  doesn't look like much has changed about her. Compare  her looks at the Democratic National Convention in 2008, 2012 and 2016... she is more beautiful as she grows older

Buhari's Presidency Will Energise The Economy - VP Osinbajo

The N500B Social Investment programmes of the Buhari presidency is a means to energize the economy and deal with issues of poverty in the country, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Speaking today while receiving a delegation of the Muslim Lawyers Association at the Presidential Villa, Prof. Osinbajo said the social investment programmes would train people, create jobs, feed school children from homegrown farming and grant soft loans to traders, artisans and market women.

"All these are ways and means of energising the economy and deal with some of the harshest problems like poverty," says the Vice President while also adding that despite the current economic conditions in the country there is great hope.
According to him, "we are here at this time because that is the will of God to deliver the goods and do the right things for this country. It is very interesting the situation we find ourselves, but there is great hope."
The Vice President said both the president and himself are committed to a new united Nigeria, populated by a 'New Tribe' that would be united across otherwise divisive lines be it ethnic or religious. He added that Nigerians must fight corruption which is responsible for the current situation of things in the country, stressing that if it is not challenged, corruption would worsen the situation.

He added that as a people "we should never be divided on religion and ethnicity, everyone is free to practice their own faith. When we come together as a people we must advance the interest of our nation."

Earlier the President of the Muslim Lawyers Association, Dr. Kamal Alhaji Daud praised both the president and the vice president pledging the association's support in the fight against corruption and also prayed for wisdom and strength for the Buhari presidency. The group had held a lecture entitled Service Above Self, in honour of the Vice President.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President

I Will Not Shield Any APC Member- Buhari

President Buhari says if any member of his party APC nor any of his supporters is found guilty in any act of corruption, he will not shield them. He said this in a new interview with The Interviewer magazine.
“Do you just grab people along the road and take them off to court for trial just because you want to create a semblance of balance? First, there has to be an accusation which must be properly investigated, and when a prima facie case has been built, you prosecute.
 If any of my backers or party (APC) members has anything established against them, let’s see whether I will shield anyone from prosecution. There seems to be a preponderance of the People Democratic Party members standing trial because they had been in power for 16 years, they had access to the public treasury and abused the trust reposed in them. You can be assured that anybody caught in corruption will answer for it irrespective of party, tribe or religion.”he said

Budget Scandal: Hon. Jibrin Makes More Accusations Of Bribery And Diversion Of NASS Funds

The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has accused Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three principal officers of diverting money meant for the lawmakers’ official residence.

Jibrin made the allegation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

According to Jibrin, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun diverted millions of Naira all in the name of paying for guest houses and their official residence.

“The issue became so messy that the Deputy Speaker openly accused Hon. Herma Hembe of short changing them of millions of Naira in the deal to the shock of many members.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara frequently abuse his office amounting to conflict of interest by soliciting for inappropriate favours from agencies and multinational companies.

He forced an agency to grant loans and a construction company blackmailed to do some work at his Asokoro ‘plot’

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has carefully designed a scheme to scam members through deduction from their salaries certain amount of money for a so called mortgage arrangements to build houses for members.

He has been applying every under hand tactics to ensure Members agree to the deal,” he said.

Jibrin further alleged that the speaker had consistently refused members access to the financial dealings and internal budget of the house.

According to him, the speaker runs the financial management of the House like a cult, aided and abated by the Chairman House services, Hon. Babanlle Ila.

“It is no longer news that all over the House, Members are aware of the monumental fraud perpetrated by Speaker Yakubu Dogara in this regard. We are even told that this is a child’s play compared to the mess and allegations of money laundering he left behind as Chairman house services in both the 6th and 7th Assembly, ” the statement read in part.

According to Jibrin, the EFCC should have something to start working with in respect to his tenure as Chairman House services, if they properly dust their files.

“I am therefore once again calling on colleagues and well meaning Nigerians to prevail on Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Whip Ali Doguwa and Minority leader, Leo Ogor to put the interest of the country first.

“They should allow the house to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations on them. This is just the tip of an ice bag. I will make further revelations in due course,” Jibrin threatened.

Responding to the allegations, the Special Adviser to the speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Hassan Turaki, described the allegations as false and baseless.

“These are all lies and desperate attempts of a drowning man to clutch unto anything found. All his frivolous allegations do not disclose any element of corruption or wrongdoing against the Speaker,” he said.

The crossfire between Dogara and Jubrin had started since he was removed as chairman appropriation committee, which had led to avalanche of revelations on illegal activities of lawmakers in the padding the recently passed appropriations act.

Jubrin had accused the speaker and some of his principal officers of adding N40 billion for themselves in the budget; he also claimed to have prevented the trio from perpetrating the fraudulent act.

Kebbi State Governor Pays Unscheduled Visit To Schools, Orders Immediate Sack Of FIve Teachers Over Absenteeism

Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has directed the relevant education authorities to immediately terminate the appointment of five teachers at Gamjeji Village Primary School in Maiyama LGA for their nonchalant attitude towards their work.


The Governor gave this order during an unscheduled visit to Mayalo, Gamjeji, Gumbin-Kure, Sambawa and Unguwar Shuaibu where he inspected some primary and secondary schools in the early hours of Monday, July 25th.

Governor Bagudu discovered that the affected teachers remain absent from the school for long periods of time, which consequently affects the level of education received by the pupils. In Unguwar Shuaibu, it was discovered that five teachers allegedly teaching at the primary school presented to him by the headmaster were in fact security guards and not teachers.


The Governor, who is well known for paying unscheduled visits to government facilities, offices and schools, warned that his government will not condone laziness, absenteeism, idleness, unpunctuality and falsehood in the discharge of duties by teachers and supervisors in the educational sector. He made it clear that it would amount to criminality for the teachers to continue to receive salaries every month without working for it.

He also warned that the incumbent government has made discipline one of its priorities in the civil service and would continue to monitor the attitude of workers across the state.

The Kebbi State Government is set to train and retrain teachers, renovate and furnish public schools with much needed educational facilities and furniture in a bid to upgrade the educational sector of the state.

Army Rescues Missing Commanding Officer, 5 Others

The Nigerian Army has rescued five soldiers and officers among those declared missing after an ambush by Boko Haram members at Guru Gongon in Borno state on Wednesday July 20th. ‎ A commanding officer, three officers and 16 soldiers were declared missing in action after the ambush.

In a statement released today by Army spokesman, Col. Usman Sani, the commanding officer of the troops was among those rescued early this morning.


The statement reads
”It will be recalled that some of our troops were missing in action after an ambush at Guro Gongon on July 20, 2016. Consequently, concerted efforts were initiated to search for and rescue them. The measures included the use of air assets, special forces and patrols. We wish to inform you that the search party has this morning found five more officers and soldiers that were declared missing in action, including the unit’s commanding officer. Although they are in a stable condition, they have been moved to our medical facilities for medical care.”

Train Crashes With A Truck And A Car On Ibadan - Abeokuta Road, No Casualties Recorded

A train badly crashed with Vehicles today at Kila, Kilometer 3 on Ibadan - Abeokuta road today. A DAF truck, Toyota Camry, and a Train were involved in the accident. However, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), no casualties were recorded. More pictures from the scene below.

The Federal Government Has Said That The Killers Of Slained Abuja Evangelist, Eunice Elisha Will Be Brought To Book, PUNCH Reports

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal said this on Saturday as a representative of President Muhammadu Buhari at the burial service held in RCCG FCT 2 Provincial Headquarters in Kubwa on Saturday.

“As a government, we want to inform you that all the perpetrators of this act will not go free and will be brought to book. All Nigerians should be safe and free to practice their religion anywhere.

Government’s resolve is to fish out the perpetrators. We pray to God not only to forgive them, but pray that the perpetrators seek for repentance.

On behalf of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, may God console you,” Lawal said.

Also present was President Buhari’s Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina.

She was murdered in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, July 9th at about 5:30AM.

They left her in a pool of blood, with her bible, megaphone and cellphone, until her corpse was spotted by residents of the neighbourhood, who alerted the police.

SA to President Buahri (Media and Publicity) Femi Adesina (L) and SGF, Babachir David Lawal (R).

 See more pictures below....

 

Photo Credit: NTA | PM News

A 7 Year Old Ayo Ajomgbolo is Missing

A 7 year old boy is missing. His name is AYO AJOMGBOLO. According to his family member, he was last seen on Tuesday, July 19th around Igando bus stop around 7.30pm. He was at his Uncle's shop, and was with other kids playing. Please if found, please contact the nearest police station or call 08033479434, or 07034515787, 08038070876. Thank you.

Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates To Meet With African Youth On MTV Base Meets

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa is excited to reveal that Bill Gates is to appear on a special episode of “MTV Base Meets…”
The US entrepreneur and philanthropist will make a special TV appearance in MTV Base Meets Bill Gates, discussing his views on the future of African technology, innovation and development with a group of African youth.

Produced by MTV Base (Africa),the show will seat Bill Gates alongside a panel of leading African tech entrepreneurs, innovators and social investors. Making valuable contributions in the energy, employment, health, environment and education sectors, the panellists comprise Nigeria’s Chris Kwekowe (23), George Mtemahanji (23) from Tanzania, Brian Gitta (24) from Uganda, Thato Kgathlanye (23) and Siya Xuza from South Africa (27) and Martha Njeri Chumo (21) from Kenya.

Nigerian panellist Chris Kwekowe is the co-founder of Slatecube, a service that adequately solves the constraints of e-learning to help solve youth unemployment in Nigeria. Slatecube aims to link more qualified and well-deserving Nigerian students with top-notch organisations. Nearly 200 individuals actively use the Slatecube service to take free courses, acquire new knowledge, read new books, and serve virtual internships.

MTV Base Meets Bill Gates was recorded at artSPACE, in Durban, South Africa during Bill Gates’ visit to the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in July. The show will premiere in Nigeria on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) on 5 August 2016 at 6.30pm.

A long-standing franchise of MTV internationally, the African iteration of “MTV Base Meets…” connects opinion formers and thought leaders with African youth by creating an intimate forum in which young people can pose candid questions about issues affecting their lives and futures.
Bill Gates' connection with Africa stretches back to 1993, during a visit to Tanzania with Melinda. During the trip, the couple began discussing how they could use their wealth to give back to the world in an impactful way. He has subsequently been involved in development initiatives across Africa, most notably through the  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In 2008, Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft to focus on his work as co-chair of the foundation. As co-chair, he works with Melinda to shape and approve grant making strategies, advocate for the foundation’s issues, and help set the overall direction of the organization.

Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, ‘African youth are amazingly entrepreneurial, creative and committed to contributing to a positive future for the continent. We are delighted to create this platform for them to access and interact with Bill Gates, one of the world’s most visionary businessmen and philanthropists and to learn from his insights and experience.”


Previous participants in theMTV Base Meets series have included FLOTUS Michelle Obama, Winnie Mandela, musicians Alicia Keys, Akon and Hugh Masekela, Sir Richard Branson, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, businessman and entrepreneur Aliko Dangote, and many more.


For more information on MTV Base Meets Bill Gates, please go to  www.mtvbase.com like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified  and chat with us on Twitter  @MTVBaseAfrica, using the hashtag #MTVMeetsBillGates..

11 Passengers Burnt To Death In Lagos Auto Crash, 3 Rescued Alive

11 persons; 3 females, 8 males were burnt to death while 3 persons were rescued alive after a 14 seater  commercial bus lost its brakes, somersaulted and burst into flames yesterday, July 21 at Berger by Otedola bridge.

According to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA) the horrific accident occurred when the bus was moving inward Berger by Otedola, around 6.10 pm. LASEMA response team, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigerian Police were involved in the rescue.

General Manager LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele advised motorists to avoid over speeding and also ensure proper checks on their vehicles.

Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun Says Nigeria Economy Is In Recession.

Nigerians yesterday got a piece of bad news from the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun that the economy is in recession. But there is no need to panic because it will be short, according to her.

Mrs Adeosun, broke the depressing news to Senators in plenary while briefing them on measures adopted to get the economy out of the woods. She said the Federal Government had released N247.9 billion in the last two months for capital expenditure.

She said N60 billion would be released for capital vote in the next few weeks, adding that N74 billion went to the Works Ministry.
All the releases, Mrs. Adeosun said, had been fully cash-backed.

The Minister, however, told the Senators that the recession would be a very short one because the government had measures to reverse the trend.
She said Nigerians should not dwell on the recession but rather on where the country is going through the measures being taken to save the economy.


Mrs. Adeosun said: ”Is Nigeria in recession? Technically. If you go into two quarters of negative growth, technically, we are in recession. But I don’t think we should dwell on definitions. I think we should really dwell on where we are going. I think if we are in recession, what I will like to say is we are going to come out of it and it would be a very short one because the policies that we have would ensure that we don’t go below where we need to go and I think with what we are doing, we would begin to turn the corner I believe by Quarter Three.”

“We are not the only country in recession; many countries are doing far worse than us. But for Nigeria, what Nigerians want to know is ‘how’s that going to affect me’ and I want to assure everybody that what we are doing is going to work and it’s going to turn this economy around,” the minister said.


-The Nation.

OPC Issues 14-Day Ultimatum To Militants, Warns Them To Desist From Attacking South-West Communities

Pan-Yoruba organisation Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has issued a warning to suspected Niger Delta militants attacking people in South-West communities. According to the OPC, either they allow peace to reign, or face the consequences of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth clash, considering they know where the properties of their leaders’ are situated and where their people reside in the entire South West. Read the full statement titled "Incursion of Ijaw militants into Yoruba land:
Enough is enough" after the cut.

“Enough of these invasions, killings and kidnapping of our people right on our own soil. We of the Oodua Peoples Congress (Reformed) have waited for this long, hoping that the government would curb the deadly acts of the Ijaw people on our kinsmen in their fatherland in Ogun and Lagos states. But, it has now dawned on us that the lives and properties of our people and, indeed, the masses are of no importance to those in authorities and the marauding militants. It is a known fact that we, the Yoruba, are the most contented, accommodating and tolerant among all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. We wholeheartedly welcome other tribes coming into our states either to reside or do business. But, if they want to take our hospitality for stupidity, we are ready to prove to them that the gentility of a tiger is not an act of cowardice. Before now, it was the Fulani herdsmen, now it is the Ijaw people that are on the prowl. Enough is enough.
Consequently, we are giving the Ijaw militants a 14-day ultimatum to allow peace to reign in our land. If they fail to heed the warning, it will henceforth be an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. We will prove to them that Lagos belongs to the Yoruba and not a no man’s land that they tend to erroneously claim. If they must care to know, we have information and facts about where their leaders’ properties are situated in the entire South- West and where their people reside in our midst as well.”

Saraki Denies Going Back To Join PDP

Senate President Bukola Saraki has released a statement denying claims in some quarters that he has joined the PDP. Saraki briefly attended a PDP caucus meeting in the senate yesterday July 20th. Many believed his attendance was a move to join the opposition party. In a statement released by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki denied the claim. Read the statement below

The attention of the Senate President's Media Team has been drawn to a false publication that is making the rounds on social media that Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has defected from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). This fabrication is entirely untrue as the Senate President stands committed to the APC; a party that he helped midwife and worked for its victory in the 2015 elections.
In his official capacity as Senate President and chairman, National Assembly, he attended the end of session event of the PDP caucus yesterday evening and spent only 30 minutes before leaving the members to continue with the event.

The Senate President would like to assure every Nigerian that he is committed to the APC-led government and appreciates the confidence reposed in him and the APC during the 2015 General Elections.

Signed,
Bamikole Omishore
Special Assistant New Media to President of The Senate.