FG To Invest Yakubu, Diezani Loot To Fund Welfare Scheme For The Poor

The Federal Government is set to invest some of the recently recovered funds on its social intervention programmes.

A top government official told Sunday Punch on Saturday that the $9m recovered from a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu and the $153m forfeited by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, would be immediately used to fund the welfare scheme for the poor.

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said the money would be used in paying the N30,000 monthly stipend to beneficiaries of the N-Power scheme, the job creation programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration; as well as the school feeding programme.

He said, “The National Economic Forum has been meeting and we are looking at the idea of investing the recovered funds on the social intervention programme which will gulp hundreds of billions of naira.”

The Federal Government is also on a mission to recover at least N399bn and $6.62bn in cash and assets from the high profile cases being prosecuted across the country.

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See the Best State University in 2016 According to Institute for Governance Research

The best university in Nigeria, 2016 has been announced by the Institute of Governance Research at an event held in Ogun State.

 

The Institute for Governance Research, Leadership and Technology at a colourful event that took place on Friday, 28 October, 2016 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, named the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, as the best state university in Nigeria for the year 2016. 

 

While reading the citation of the university, the chairman, Technical Committee of the institute, Professor John Akanya, said that OOU was adjudged the best based on its outstanding performance in university infrastructure development and management; expertise in staff recruitment; competence in students’ admission administration, training and development, as well as proficiency in university asset protection and security staff management, The Tribune reports.

 

While receiving the award on behalf of the university, the vice chancellor, Professor Saburi Adejimi Adesanya, thanked the institute for exhibiting due diligence and high ethical standard in the assessment process.

 

Professor Adesanya reminded the audience that in 2014, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had also ranked OOU as the best state university in Nigeria.

 

“I was not surprised when OOU was chosen this year for the premier award by your organisation,” he said. 

 

Adesanya dedicated the award to the staff and students of the university for their cooperation, Adesanya assured the gathering that the university would not rest on its laurels but sustain the tempo of development.

 

Both candidates – Oludare Subomi Onakoya and Oyeleke Samson Oyeniran –graduated from OOU with Second Class honours (Upper Division).

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Jigawa Government Empowers 200 Women with 600 Goats

Jigawa State has made frantic efforts to reduce the rate of poverty in the land by economically engaging the women folks.

The Jigawa Government has empowered 200 women with 600 goats in Buji Local Government Area of the state.

Ali Safiyanu, the Information Officer of Buji LGA, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Dutse.

The goats were distributed to the beneficiaries in the 11 wards of the local government under the Goat Rearing/Breeding Loan Scheme introduced to empower women in the state.

The beneficiaries would pay back the revolving loan in 18 months. Mr. Safiyanu said the state’s APC Women Leader, Binta Shuaibu, distributed the goats to the beneficiaries on Oct. 14, in Buji town.

He said that the women were given two she-goats and one he-goat to rear, adding that the breeds would give birth twice a year. According to him, the women would pay back the loan with three goats.

The spokesperson quoted the APC women leader as explaining that the decision to give the beneficiaries goats was because of its economic value and simplicity in rearing.

“The government decided to give the women goats because of its economic values; both the goat’s meat and its skin are needed.

“Since most of the beneficiaries are rural dwellers, to feed the animals will not be hard for them because of the availability of the animal feeds in their villages,’’ he quoted Binta as saying.

Mr. Safiyanu further told NAN that while commenting, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Hashim Ahmad, said the state government also distributed 20,000 improved fuel economy stoves for free to local food vendors in the local government.

“The stoves were distributed under the state government’s “Women Food Vendors Support Programme,” he said.

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The Shocking Story of a Powerful Government Minister Who Never Slept with His 4 Wives

Many people have been left with mixed-feelings over the passion of a powerful Minister who never slept with his four wives.

Highly guarded government official (Photo:File)

 

This might come as a shock for many regarding this seemingly unbelievable news of a powerful government Minister who never slept with his four wives.

 

Here is the story as detailed by The Kenyans.

 

************

 

The Kenyan political system is one that has been full of intrigues and secrets, with different players sometimes going overboard to hold on to power.

 

Though less publicised to many, Kenyan Presidents have over time been known to have close confidants in their inner circles, most of whom influence major decisions by the government.

 

As documented in a book titled: Dark Secrets of the Kenyan Presidency by one Chris Kumekucha, selected individuals held top government secrets with a classical case being that of the late powerful Minister Mbiyu Koinange. Mr Koinange served as the Minister of State in the office of Kenya's founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

 

According to those close to him, Koinange is said to have revealed to a friend that he was afraid of sharing a room with any of his four wives just to guard the secrets of the State.

“What would happen if I dreamt in my sleep and started divulging Jomo’s secrets? I certainly cannot live with such an eventuality, so I decided never to share a bedroom with anyone, my wives included,”he once divulged.

 

During Mzee Kenyatta's administration, Mr Koinange is said to have been one of the most powerful government officials trusted with all the good and dark secrets of the President.

 

According to former Butere Member of Parliament Martin Shikuku as documented in other files, there was some information purely trusted with Koinange and Kenyatta could not even mention a word of it to his wife Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

“I was told to mind my business because there were things Kenyatta talked about with Koinange that he couldn’t share even with First Lady Mama Ngina,” Shikuku said.

 

Being an instrumental political go-between and the power behind the throne in the Kenyatta Presidency, Mr Koinange was close to untouchable.

 

To further demonstrate the bond, former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere once narrated how a powerful Koinange was protected after being mentioned by a Commission investigating the death of former Nyandarua North lawmaker JM Kariuki.

“Kenyatta is reported to have said that to have Koinange’s name on the report was to have his own there as well,” Wamwere was quoted.

 

Being a highly regarded and well-protected government official, Koinange paid for the privilege by maintaining a high level of secrecy in regard to undertakings by the Kenyatta regime.

 

Mbiyu Koinange passed away on September 2, 1981, at Nairobi Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

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Shameless Married Female Government Official Caught N*ked With Her Driver (Photo)

A top government official has been shamed after she was caught in a sexually compromising position with her driver.

The photo has since gone viral

 

A married senior female government official, Esther Githinji has become a subject of caricature after she was caught in a picture totally n*ked with her driver who is a police officer. The explicit picture depicted the n*de officer apparently twerking with her driver from the governor’s office resting with the two completely n*ked.

 

According to The Nairobian, it has emerged that the driver who was also in his birthday suit is one Joseph Mugambi. The two were apparently taking time off for extra-official duties at lodging and the hapless man accidentally uploaded the image on the ‘Cross-Fire Nakuru Debate’ WhatsApp group.

 

The picture, taken by a standing and n*ked Mugambi as the two lovers struck an amorous pose in front of a mirror was posted at 9.15am on the forum. Thereafter, it was widely shared by group members to five other WhatsApp groups run by county government staff. Githinji is an IFMIS (Integrated Financial Management Information System) officer with the Nakuru County government of Kenya.

“I was sharing the picture with Githinji but I accidentally posted it in the group. Someone who is malicious downloaded and re-posted it to other groups. I regret doing the incident (sic),” he said when The Nairobian reached him for comment.

 

“One of the members even forwarded it to my wife. This is a witch hunt,” he complained.

 

Complaining that the “simple mistake” has destroyed his marriage, Mugambi said his primary goal was to sort out the mess the picture had caused in his home.

 

“I’m now focusing on working on my marriage. My wife is mad at me but things will work out,” he said.

 

Speaking on how the incident became public, the WhatsApp group administrator, Peter Cheruiyot, said he was shocked when members started calling him about the inappropriate picture.

 

“But I could not do anything because some members had already downloaded and shared the photo,” he said, adding that members of the group comprise senior county officials, Members of Parliament and members of the local county assembly.

 

Cheruiyot explained that the agenda of the WhatsApp group is to articulate development and political issues in the county and not for posting personal pictures. 

 

“We have rules in this group because I have invited even senior people in the county government as members,”he said. 

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Buhari Seeks Emergency Powers To Tackle Economy Recession

President Muhammadu Buhari will be seeking emergency powers from the National Assembly to push his planned stimulus for the economy.
The objectives of the action-plan on the economy, which is in recession, include shoring up the value of the naira, creation of more jobs, boosting of foreign reserves, reviving the manufacturing sector and improving power.

Government sources said the decision to seek emergency powers for the President was based on a proposal from the economic team headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The team reviewed the various policies so far introduced and how they have affected the economy.
The economic team, it was learnt, gauged the mood of the polity and decided that unless there is an urgency which some of the extant laws will not permit, “the recession may be longer than expected and Nigerians will not get the desired respite, which is the goal of this government”.

An executive bill titled: “Emergency Economic Stabilisation Bill 2016” is to be presented to the National Assembly when the Senate and the House of Representatives resume from vacation on September 12.
In the bill, the executive will be asking for the President to be given sweeping powers to set aside some extant laws and use executive orders to roll out an economic recovery package within the next one year.

A government source said: “This may be more expensive but it is a price to be paid for Nigerians’ comfort”.
It was learnt that President Buhari will engage the leadership of the National Assembly before their resumption to solicit support for the bill’s quick passage.

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Chinese Govt. Grants Scholarship To 24 Nigerians

The Chinese Government has offered scholarship to 24 Nigerians to study in various universities in China, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Mr Qin Jian, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, said today in Abuja at a send off party organised by the embassy for the beneficiaries.

The envoy who described education as the foundation of a nation, said that “since 1987 China has provided 700 government scholarships to Nigerian students.” He also added that “237 Nigerians are currently studying in China under the Chinese government scholarship scheme, apart from the self sponsored ones.”

Ayotunde Adesugba, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, thanked the Chinese government for the gesture. According to her, Nigeria and China have come a long way, adding that both countries have a lot to share. Ayotunde charged the students to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and ensure they excel in their studies.

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Fiji Declares Public Holiday After Winning Its First Olympic Gold Medal

The Pacific nation of Fiji has erupted with wild celebrations and announced a nationwide public holiday after winning its first Olympic gold medal in the men’s rugby sevens. 

The thumping 43-7 victory over Britain in the final prompted celebrations across the island nation as drivers leapt out of their cars and people took to the streets to wave the national flag. 

The government has now declared August 22 a national holiday to mark the win. What a grace! Lol.

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Crash In Oil Price Has Left Nigeria Poor - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the sudden drop in the price of crude oil has left Nigeria poor, leaving it to struggle economically and the people of the country suffering.

He however said his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability was serving the country in good stead, despite severe shortage of resources in the country.

The said this today at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin.

“It has been a very difficult year for Nigeria. Before we came to office, petroleum sold for about $100 per barrel.

Then it crashed to $37, and now oscillates between $40 and $45 per barrel. Suddenly, we’re a poor country, but commitment to transparency and accountability is not making people know that there is severe shortage,” Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted the President as saying

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Just In: Federal Government Bans PTA Levies in 104 Unity Schools Across the Country

The Federal Government has banned the collection of development levies by Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) in the 104 unity colleges across the country. In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday and signed by Bem Goong, a deputy director of press, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has banned the collection of development levies by Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) in the 104 unity colleges across the country. The Federal Ministry of Education said the ban, aimed at alleviating the sufferings of parents, would take effect immediately. “No PTA of any unity college is allowed to initiate any development project in any of the unity colleges without the express or written authorisation of the Federal Ministry of Education. “The new measures are aimed at arresting the shocking trend where development levies imposed on parents by PTAs are becoming higher than the school fees charged by government which established the unity schools," the ministry said. According to Premium Times, the ministry who said that the Minister, Adamu Adamu, had noted excessive PTA levies in Kings College, Lagos, and Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, added that in the two schools, fees charged for JSS1 in the first term was N69, 400 while the PTA collection was N70, 000 at Kings and N74, 000 at Yaba. “This brings the total paid by parents in these two schools to N139, 400 and N143, 400 respectively. “With the reduction on development levies and ban on charges for new projects as well as pegging of the development levy to a maximum of N5, 000, parents of JSS1 in these two schools will now pay N88, 000. “I acknowledge the complementary roles played by parents and the support provided by the PTA to the colleges but I will not allow the PTAs to constitute themselves into a government within a government at the level of unity schools and at the expense of parents,’’ the ministry quoted Adamu as saying. It said that Adamu expressed concern that PTAs in unity colleges had formed themselves into national associations and said that running additional organisations, such as National Parents and Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC), increased the burden on parents.

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Jonathan is using Niger Delta Avengers to dis-stablize Buhari Government - mend

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been vindicated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers’ allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a grand patron of new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

MEND claimed in a statement on Tuesday that Jonathan was sponsoring the NDA to destabilise the government of his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement signed by one Jomo Gbomo was MEND’s response to Jonathan’s denial of the allegation by the RNDA, linking the ex-President with the new militant group.

The full text of the statement was made available to online news platform, SaharaReporters by MEND.

MEND said it was highly infuriated by Jonathan’s rebuttal of the RNDA earlier claim, particularly his declaration that Henry Okah was after his life rather than clear the air on the allegation.

The statement said, “MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA, which pointedly accused Mr. Jonathan of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis and patronising the NDA, apparently for political reasons.

“We are, however, quick to point out the fact that the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND’s belief and conviction that the former President and his cronies, who lost the 2015 presidential election, were using the illegal and treasonable NDA platform to destabilise President Buhari’s government.”

The group accused Jonathan of wasting the opportunity of the South-South to rule the country, accusing him of failing to develop the region when he was in the saddle as President.

The statement added, “Indeed, the problem in the Niger Delta today has nothing to do with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Far from it! The problem is simply the failure of Mr. Jonathan to address the root issues confronting the region when he was at the helms of affairs.

”Even though he was from the impoverished region and had, by his own admission in numerous electioneering campaigns, experienced the utter poverty and abject neglect of the region foisted by successive Nigerian governments and the international oil companies since the discovery of oil in 1958 at Oloibiri (a few metres away from his native Otuoke) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Jonathan disappointingly frittered away the opportunity to rescue his people when the Nigerian Presidency fortuitously landed on his laps, virtually on a platter of gold.

“For six whole years, Mr. Jonathan was busy drinking, making merry and generally chasing shadows at the State House. Such a fellow deserves to be ostracised from the assembly of reasonable men; because the Nigerian Presidency might never come back to the Niger Delta region as cheap as it came to Mr. Jonathan; perhaps, in the next 100 years.

“Lest we forget, MEND was at the forefront of the armed struggle back in 2006/2007 which forced the then Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo to consider the option of drafting an Ijaw into the mainstream of Nigerian politics. That was how the perpetually timid and naïve Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became Vice-President and later, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When he assumed the reins as President, he did the unthinkable; he tracked down perceived MEND leaders and promptly got them imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of attempt to assassinate him.

“Up until today, Mr. Jonathan is still suffering from an assassination paranoia complex.

The group added that a substantial portion of Jonathan’s statement, “unfortunately, dwelt on judicial matters which are pending in various courts in Nigeria and South Africa.”

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Assembly crisis: Reps summon Kogi gov, chief of army staff

The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, over the festering leadership crisis in the state House of Assembly.

It accused the governor of encouraging five out of the 25-member legislature to continue sitting, defying a resolution of the National Assembly in which it assumed control of the state assembly.

The group of five recently passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill of the state and also approved the nominees for commissioners and special advisers for Bello “illegally.”

The governor is to appear along with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, before a panel constituted by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.

The panel is chaired by the Leader of the House, and member of the All Progressives Congress from Lagos State, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Buratai was dragged into the matter following reports that Bello allegedly secured the services of soldiers to give protection to five members to continue to sit and make laws for the state.

Lawmakers also pointed out that an Abuja Federal High Court on May 19, “nullified the purported” impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Momoh Jimoh-Lawal.

Jimoh-Lawal’s impeachment had triggered the crisis, which had seen the National Assembly jointly passing a resolution in March to assume control of the state assembly in compliance with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended).

Tuesday’s decision of the House to summon Bello and Buratai came after a motion of urgent national importance moved by a member from Enugu State, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ujam.

It was a session where angry Reps also threatened to initiate impeachment proceedings against Bello.

One angry member from Gombe State, Mr. Ali Isa, argued, “We can begin a process to impeach the governor. Before law as it stands today, the National Assembly is the legislative House of Kogi State.”

Ujam mentioned instances of what he termed, “illegality and impunity” in the state beginning from May 31.

He stated that on May 31, masked armed men reportedly invaded the legislative quarters in Lokoja, “shooting into the air and causing pandemonium in an attempt to either assassinate the G-15 members of the Kogi State House of Assembly or intimidate them from carrying out their legislative functions.”

Ujam added, “The House is aware that the armed military men were alleged to be officers of the Nigerian Army led by one Captain Usman from Nigerian Army Records, Lokoja in company with the Chief Security Detail and escorts of the governor.

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BREAKING News: Federal Government Releases Full Details of Recovered Loots Worth Billions

The federal government has fulfilled its promise of releasing details of recovered assets. In a statement issued on Saturday, the current administration said it has made cash recoveries totaling N78 billion since it came to power.

President Buhari

 

The Federal Government has released the statement below detailing assets recovered from corrupt officials of the past administration led by Goodluck Jonathan.

 

Full Statement

 

The Federal Government made cash recoveries totaling N78,325,354,631.82 (Seventy eight billion, three hundred and twenty-five million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty one Naira and eighty two kobo); $185,119,584.61 (One hundred and eight five million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, five hundred and eighty four US dollars, sixty one cents); 3,508,355.46 Pounds Sterling (Three million, five hundred and eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five Pounds and 46 Pence) and 11, 250 Euros (Eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty Euros) from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016.

 

In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also disclosed that Recoveries Under Interim Forfeiture (cash and assets) during the period totaled N126,563,481,095.43 (One hundred and twenty six billion, five hundred and sixty three million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, and ninety five Naira, forty three Kobo; $9,090,243,920.15 (Nine billion, ninety million, two hundred and forty three thousand, nine hundred and twenty Dollars, fifteen cents; 2,484,447.55 Pounds Sterling (Two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, four hundred and forty seven Pounds, fifty five Pence) and 303,399.17 Euros (Three hundred and three thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine Euros, 17 cents ).

 

According to the statement, which is based on the interim report on the financial and assets recoveries made by the various government agencies from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016, the Funds Awaiting Return From Foreign Jurisdictions total $321,316,726.1 (Three hundred and twenty one million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty six Dollars, one cent); 6,900,000 Pounds (Six million, nine hundred thousand Pounds) and 11,826.11 Euros (Eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty six Euros, 11 cents).

It showed that Non-Cash Recoveries (Farmlands, Plots of Land, Uncompleted Buildings, Completed Buildings, Vehicles and Maritime Vessels) during the period total 239.

 

The following is the breakdown of the recovered cash and assets

 

INTERIM REPORT ON FINANCIAL AND ASSET RECOVERIES MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA FROM 29 MAY 2015 TO 25 MAY 2016

 

Cash Recoveries

 

Segun Adeyemi,

SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture, Lagos

4 June 2016.

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Nigeria to Sign Visa-free Pact with 8 Countries...See Exciting Details

The Nigerian government has moved to cement its trade relationship with sister African countries by ensuring free passage.

Mr Geoffrey Onyeama

  

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, says plans have been concluded to sign visa-free pacts with a bloc of eight African countries to promote economic partnership on the continent.

 

Onyeama announced this in Abuja on Tuesday at a news confernce to mark one year of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration. The minister, who did not disclose the names of the countries making up the bloc, noted with concern that trading among African countries had been very low. He, however, said that with the new idea by the President Mohammadu Buhari led administration.

 

“it is expected that there will be upsurge in economic activities.

“Africa is the centrepiece of our foreign policy but it is a paradox that as a Nigerian, you cannot go to an African country without a visa unlike what is obtainable in Western Europe.

“To address this as a leader in the continent, the country is at a point of introducing an initiative to promote African trade as part of the country’s foreign policy of Africa as the centrepiece”, he said.

 

Onyeama said Nigeria was trying to come up with an initiative, like the one in Western Europe where one could enter any sister country without a visa. According to him, what we are trying to do at the ministry is to promote visa-free, free movement of business people.

“We want to start with about eight countries or see if they come up as a group of eight countries. At the presidential level, they agreed to that, and signed up to free movement.

“If we can achieve that within a year, then other countries may want to join and we believe this is a better way to go than institutional ECOWAS etc, as countries take so long to ratify agreements.

“We believe we can just start off, eight countries and they agree among themselves, then others will come in,” he said. Onyeama also added that it would not help if the continent continued to export just raw materials to developed nations.

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