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http://ift.tt/2p29U9p PHOTO:AFP Military fails to disclose amount used Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, yesterday said N15.8 billion has been expended on fighting Boko Haram insurgency for three years in the state.He disclosed this when the House Committee Chairmen on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Emergency Disaster Preparedness (EDP) paid him an official visit at the Government House, Damaturu. He lamented that the colossal sum could have been expended on execution of several development projects that could improve the living condition of the people across the state. On how funds were expended, Gaidam said: “The immediate past federal administration failed to finance the fight effectively and fully. The state government had to deploy the meagre resources at its disposal to support the campaign in areas of payment of allowances to security operatives, procurement of vehicles, logistics, medical assistance to security operatives and vigilante groups, maintenance of ...

http://ift.tt/2rxhzwE A cross section of Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GCCLAC) members during a protest demanding the removal of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO A Coalition of civil society groups, under the aegis of Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GCCLAC), yesterday in Abuja demanded the immediate removal of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. The protesters, including men and women in T-shirts and fez caps bearing various inscriptions in support of the anti-corruption war, said they were supporters of the anti-graft war but were opposed to Magu’s style of prosecuting the war. They also carried placards denouncing Magu and his activities at the commission, accusing him of adopting a Gestapo style, playing to the gallery and breaching the fundamental rights of other Nigerians....

http://ift.tt/2oZxX5E The proposed law captioned “The National Road Fund Establishment Bill”, which is part of the 11 economic reform bills initiated by the Senate, has already been endorsed by the House of Representatives.PHOTO: GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH • Motorists to pay N5 tax on one litre • Govt to maintain roads with funds • IPMAN, NUPENG oppose move A Fresh increase in the pump price of petrol is among the contents of a bill that has been approved by the Senate Committee on Works. It was presented yesterday for enactment by the upper chamber. The proposed law captioned “The National Road Fund Establishment Bill”, which is part of the 11 economic reform bills initiated by the Senate, has already been endorsed by the House of Representatives. The import of the proposed fuel levy charge is that end-users, including motorists, will pay N5 tax on every litre of fuel bought at any fuel station. This will worsen the hardship most Nigerians currently face. Among the nine sources ...

http://ift.tt/2rxdIR4 Political activist and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, Nnamdi Kanu (L), wearing a Jewish prayer shawl, poses in the garden of his house in Umuahia, southeast Nigeria, on May 26, 2017, before commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the war on May 30.<br />The war was triggered when the Igbo people, the main ethnic group in the southeast, declared an independent breakaway state, the Republic of Biafra. / AFP PHOTO / STEFAN HEUNIS *Sit-at-home order’s success shows unity of Ndigbo, says MASSOB Apparenyly buoyed by the success of the sit-at –home exercise called on Tuesday by agitators, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, stormed Enugu yesterday and held closed door meeting with some Southeast leaders under the auspices of the Ala Igbo Development Foundation (ADF). At the over two hours meeting chaired by the president of the ADF, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, were Archbishop Maxwell Aniekwenwa; a former Ohana...

http://ift.tt/2rH5GW2 “The people of Akwa Ibom State see this investment as representing our hopes and dreams and we want to sincerely thank Ovia for his faith and belief in our state and our people.” The plan to set up Quantum Petrochemicals in Akwa Ibom State by Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has been described as a giant stride that would reduce unemployment and boost the economies of state and the country. Speaking with reporters during the second anniversary of the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration at the Uyo Township Stadium, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Integrity Group, Robert Okon, commended the promoters of the company, saying it would enhance the state’s industrialisation policy. Okon lauded Ovia for the $1.5 billion (about 489.6 billion) initiative, which was inaugurated in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding it would not only engender the administration’s industrial development plan but also create employment and alleviate poverty in the ...

http://ift.tt/2rihCsS The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru PHOTO: TWITTER/NNPC * ‘Buhari misled on award of OML to NPDC’ The termination of the construction of a modular refinery in Akwa Ibom state by Hi Rev Exploration and Production Company is sending conflicting signals to the oil and gas sector. It concerns the position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to frustrate the building of modular refineries in the Niger Delta to compete with its existing three refineries. Curiously, the memo which was written by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, dated 20th December 2016, was read, approved and signed personally by President Muhammadu Buhari same day. Additionally, a letter conveying the President’s approval of the NNPC request was also written by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari on the same 20th December 2016. The letter had reference number: PRES/158/NNPC/38. Abba Kyari is a member of the NNPC Board. ...

http://ift.tt/2ppOsaG National Assembly Complex Abuja. Civil society groups and experts have called for the probe of N1.15 trillion received by the National Assembly between 2005 and 2014, with the view to making it public. They also expressed concerns that since 2010, NASS has spent about $3.3 billion (N1.01 trillion at subsisting official exchange rate) without recourse to transparency and public information. This is coming just as failed attempts to enthrone accountability and transparency in the use of public funds over the years, is creating doubts on their commitments and claims over the anti-corruption war. A coalition of individuals and organisations, Enough Is Enough Nigeria (EiENigeria) and BudgIT, while lamenting the long years of opaque budget system in the country, said the latest increase in the budget of the National Assembly from the proposed N115 billion to N125 billion is worrisome. Nigerians who responded to the “#OpenNASS Datathon” study have proposed t...

http://ift.tt/2skIhG1 Gas flaring has remained a major economic and environmental challenge since the discovery of oil in the 50s. Successive governments had only mouthed their disgust but failed serially to decisively tackle the issue. • Dealers threaten to cut supplies over N200b debt The Senate yesterday declared that Nigeria is losing $2.5 billion yearly to gas flaring. This is just as it began moves to enact a legislation to outlaw gas flaring in the country. At a public hearing on the Gas Flaring (Prohibition) Bill in the National Assembly, the Senate Committee on Gas Resources also lamented that gas flaring is creating so much health hazard. Gas flaring has remained a major economic and environmental challenge since the discovery of oil in the 50s. Successive governments had only mouthed their disgust but failed serially to decisively tackle the issue. If the new initiative by the Senate is able to stop the practice, it will mark a paradigm shift in oil exploration and ex...

http://ift.tt/2rmyiAH Gambari said that there was need for good governance, human rights, justice, access to education and individuals’ fulfillment. These, he said, could only be enhanced if each individual has the opportunity to fulfill his or her potentials.<br /> Army reiterates ban on commercial fishing in Lake Chad region Former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, says that most global conflicts cannot be resolved by the deployment of military force alone. Gambari, who is regarded as the doyen of diplomacy in Nigeria, also believes that justice is imperative for peace to thrive anywhere in the world. In his keynote address with the theme, “Peace and Security in Promoting Global Partnership in Africa,” at the maiden edition of diplomatic and executive night organised by Diplomatic Vista Magazine, publishers of Nigerian Link and African Women in Leadership magazine, Gambari said that apart from justice, peace buil...

http://ift.tt/2rH1PbA Apparently unable to pay the bills amidst other critical obligations that include maintenance, fuel and personnel, the airlines are more in financial distress with the attendant debt burden cumulatively estimated at N15 billion. • Carriers list 37 levies, taxes • Charges are statutory, says NCAA Local airlines in the country have very slim chances of survival under the alleged current regime of multiple taxes. According to the airlines, sundry charges, under the guise of taxes and levies at airports nationwide, account for at least 65 per cent of revenue accruing to them. Apparently unable to pay the bills amidst other critical obligations that include maintenance, fuel and personnel, the airlines are more in financial distress with the attendant debt burden cumulatively estimated at N15 billion. The eight surviving local airlines are at the risk of collapsing if the situation is not checked and made to align with the ‘ ease of doing business’ mantra of th...

http://ift.tt/2sc3K3O Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (right); presenting the award of the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, during the Excellent Achievers of Rivers Golden Jubilee State Awards in Port Harcourt, Rivers State …yesterday. PHOTO: NAN Despite the unresolved dispute over the ownership of some oil wells between Rivers and Bayelsa states, former President Goodluck Jonathan has sued for their peaceful co-existence. Jonathan made the call at the weekend during the Rivers State Golden Jubilee celebration when the state honoured 127 distinguished Nigerians who served the state meritoriously in different fields of human endeavour. The former president, who was a special guest of honour at the occasion, observed that Governor Wike does not discriminate against Bayelsans living in the state. He, therefore, urged the two states to live in harmony. “I was honoured with the award of Grand Service Star of Rivers Stat...

http://ift.tt/2rvRrTG Chairman of the presidential advisory committee against corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said that the non-passage of the whistle-blower bill would affect the war against corruption negatively but not devastatingly. Unless the whistleblower protection bill is passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, the fight against corruption may be threatened due to fear of victimisation, lawyers say. A professor of law, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), said it is imperative to get the law passed to shield those who provide information from victimisation and harassment. He said: “There are provisions in the whistleblower bill, which is before the National Assembly and they are designed to protect people who give vital information. I believe that the earlier we pass the bill, the better so that those who have information will be able to give out those information with the assurance that they have the backing and protection of the law.” Also, Chief Ro...

http://ift.tt/2pmoRn5 Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the first Military Administrator of the state, the late Lt. Col. Inuwa Bawa as a pathfinder who set the pace for the state development. He pledged N2.5 million yearly for the upkeep of the three children late Bawa left behind for the next 10 years. Bawa died last week at a private hospital in Jos, Plateau State after a brief illness and has since been buried according to Islamic rites. Fayose, who paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Bawa with Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State yesterday at Ray Field in Jos described Bawa as a pathfinder and a father figure who worked tirelessly to set the state on the right path of development. His words: “My last encounter with him was about two years ago, where we discussed the happenings in our state. His death was a shock to us because we love him. “I have made the pledge of N2.5 million for the up keep...

http://ift.tt/2rc6g9M Acting President said Nigerians must not emulate the politician and cleric in the story that looked the other way when they saw the man that was attacked by thieves and left. • Leaders task Buhari on restructuring • Adebanjo, Okocha, Yakassai, Ikedifie seek review of polity • ‘Nigerians will resist coup’ Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to stop the blame game and contribute their quota for the greatness of the country. He spoke yesterday at the 2017 Democracy Day interdenominational church service with the theme: The Dry Bones Shall Live Again” Ezekiel 37:11, held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja to mark the nation’s 18 years of democracy. Drawing from the biblical story of the good Samaritan to illustrate his message, the Acting President said Nigerians must not emulate the politician and cleric in the story that looked the other way when they saw the man that was attacked by thieves and left. Osinbajo urged Nigerians to be like t...

http://ift.tt/2sclyw0 Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said that one of the air bases of the Nigerian Air Force may be attacked according to intelligence report. • Commissions additional training facilities The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said that one of the air bases of the Nigerian Air Force may be attacked according to intelligence report. A statement issued by Air Force spokesman, Olatokunbo Adesanya in Abuja, at the weekend, said Abubakar stated this while addressing participants at a retreat held between May 25 and 26, 2017 in Kaduna. The retreat was aimed at further educating relevant stakeholders on the new NAF base defence concept, which is premised on the development and deployment of an air-minded ground defence force, trained and equipped as special light infantry and capable of operating both inside and outside the base perimeter against contemporary threats while leveraging on intelligence and available modern technology. The state...

http://ift.tt/2qt6o56 Leicester City are reportedly worried that West Ham will beat them to the signature of Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho has left the Super Eagles’ training camp in Paris to sort out his future in England. PHOTO:AFP • Man City star leaves Eagles’ Paris camp Former English champions, Leicester City are reportedly worried that West Ham will beat them to the signature of Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho has left the Super Eagles’ training camp in Paris to sort out his future in England. Iheanacho is one of the youngsters lined up by the 2015/2016 champions for next season amid the uncertainty surrounding Riyad Mahrez’s future at the club. But the club is worried that West Ham, who has bid £24 million for the Nigerian will beat them to the signature of the 2013 U-17 World Cup most valuable player. Aside the Hammers, several other clubs have been linked to the striker. Iheanacho returned to Manchester on Saturday from the Niger...

http://ift.tt/2scjG6d Jeddah Tower is to rise more than a kilometre – almost 3,300 feet –  above the desert, making it taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The building will feature a glass-floored, circular “sky terrace” at a height of 610 metres The completion date for the world’s tallest tower has been pushed back to 2019, a Saudi Arabian billionaire said – almost six years after launching the record-breaking project. The Jeddah Tower is to rise more than a kilometre – almost 3,300 feet –  above the desert, making it taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The building will feature a glass-floored, circular “sky terrace” at a height of 610 metres “The project was delayed… but it’ll open (in) 2019,” Prince Alwaleed bin Talal told AFP during a visit to the site beside the Red Sea. Alwaleed chairs the Kingdom Holding Company, whose affiliated Jeddah Economic Company is developing the spire-topped landmark. The Kingdom Tower, as it is also known, will accommodate the wor...