Wednesday, 8 March 2017
GOVERNOR WIKE HAILS ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO AT 60
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has sent a message of felicitation to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who turns 60 today.
In his message, governor Wike praised the Acting President as a " man of destiny, whose intellect and Pan-Nigerian vision will continue to serve the country well at a momentous time."
Governor Wike prayed for God's protection and guidance for the Acting President as he pilots the affairs of the country.
Signed:
Dr Austin Tam-George,
Commissioner for Information and Communication , Rivers State.
8th March 2017.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
BREAKING NEWS - RSG SETS UP TASK FORCE TO TACKLE BLACK SOOT
pitakwang 13:54:00 BREAKING NEWS, NATIONAL, RIVERS STATE No comments
Rivers State Government has set up a Task Force to tackle the black soot pollutting the atmosphere of Port Harcourt and its environs.
The Task Force is mandated to investigate and resolve the environmental challenge.
This was part of the resolutions of the State Executive Council meeting of Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt Executive Council Chambers chaired by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike .
The Task Force to investigate the Black Soot has the Commissioner of Environment, Professor Roseline Konya, Commissioner of Special Duties, Mr Emeka Onowu and the Commissioner of Information, Dr Austin Tam-George as members.
The committee which will be backed by technical experts will liaise with major stakeholders to resolve the environmental challenges posed by the black soot.
Briefing the media after the Executive Council meeting, Commissioner of Information, Dr Austin Tam-George stated that the resolution was reached after the Commissioner of Environment, Professor Roseline Konya on the preliminary results of its Ministerial Investigation.
Also on Wednesday, the Rivers State Executive Council approved the purchase of hi-tech equipment for the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital at the cost of $10.5million.
The Rivers State Executive Council also resolved to ensure that all the General Hospitals being rehabilitated are duly equipped to create access to quality healthcare for the people.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
8th February, 2017.
A wake-up call by Niger Delta Youth Association Worldwide
In a statement by the founder and national president comrade Victor James with BBC in London and the chairman for United Kingdom chapter, comrade Eme Praise and some officials from United Nation.
Comrade Victor said, "It is becoming worrisome that most Nigerian voters have no idea of who they are voting for during elections. It seems as the votes follow the money men, this level of ignorance and behaviour is perpetuating and enabling the old men in politics.
He pointed out that, "These old men, are the creators and enablers of our corrupt system. I am not an ageist, I am an activist and I owe nobody loyalty. To make progress and end this cycle of disappointment facing our people, we need to make way for the new generation, time to give the young blood a chance.
"The only thing I care about is development of Niger Delta and for every Nigerian to live like the people of Kuwait. As for our Nigerian youth, am really not impressed, less a few exceptions, nigerian youths are embracing and enslaving themselves freely to these old men in politics. They should believe that they hold the key and solutions instead of standing for president, governor, Senator etc, the would rather take cash from them.
What is this nonsense about wanting to be afrobeat stars, rappers, pop stars, we have work to do my brothers. Think of how to run the politics of your country, and if you genuinely talented, use these mediums to promote the cause!!! Tell the old people in politics that 70 percent of Nigerian population is youth and that they should sponsor you to be governor or president. That the entire nation is tired of grandfathers running the country."
Niger Delta Youth Association Worldwide.
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| Com. Victor James National President NDYA |
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
PRESENTATION OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL PCMs
Due to the seeming misinterpretation of instruction on the above subject as contained in our earlier post, we wish to state once again that presentation of medical certificate showing health status is COMPULSORY for all prospective Corps members.
The instruction contained in our post of Monday, 16th January, 2017 is clear as represented below:
"In addition, all Prospective Corps members MUST present medical certificate from a government or military hospital showing their health status before they will be registered and admitted for the Orientation course".
All PCMs are strongly advised to comply accordingly, please.
Thank you.
Management
Monday, 16 January 2017
2016 BATCH 'B' (STREAM II) ORIENTATION COURSE COMMENCES 24TH JANUARY 2017
The NYSC Management wishes to inform prospective Corps members and other stakeholders that the 2016 Batch 'B' (Stream II) Orientation course will commence on Tuesday, 24th January, 2017.
The lineup of activities for the course is shown below:
a. Tue 24th - Wed 25th, Jan 2017- Registration/verification exercise
b. Thursday, 26th January, 2017 - Swearing-in ceremony
c. Monday, 13th February, 2017 - Closing ceremony
Prospective Corps members are advised to report to camp at the scheduled date as registration/verification will end at midnight of January 25, 2017.
All are also to note that original copies of academic credentials and other documents uploaded during the online registration MUST be presented on camp for physical verification.
In addition, all Prospective Corps members MUST present medical certificate from a government or military hospital showing their health status before they will be registered and admitted for the Orientation course.
Management wishes prospective Corps members safe journey to their respective camps as well as a successful Orientation course.
PRINTING OF CALL-UP LETTERS BY THE 2016 BATCH ‘B’ (STREAM II) PCMs
Further to our earlier announcement, prospective Corps members of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream II) are hereby informed that the printing of Call-up Letters will commence on Saturday, 21st January, 2017.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Management
Saturday, 19 November 2016
MMM-Nigeria donates relief materials worth N5 million to IDPs in Abuja
‘MMM-Nigeria’, a community of mutual financial aid and donations, on Saturday donated relief materials worth N5 million to two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the Federal Capital Territory.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gesture was part of the community’s humanitarian week tagged ‘MMM cares’ to mark its one year anniversary.
The Gwoza and Bama IDP Camp located in Durumi area and the New Kuchingoro IDP camp were the two beneficiaries of the relief materials. Bags of rice, beans, garri, as well as cartoons of beverages and noodles, were some of the items donated by the group. The group also donated clothing, drugs, and educational materials for the pupils among them.
Mr Seyi Bello, a Guilder in the ‘MMM Community’ said the donation was motivated by the desire of the group to affect the society positively, especially the less-privileged. “We are marking our first year anniversary and we have decided to come and celebrate it with our brothers, mothers and children in the camp. “As a community, we do not only provide help to our members, we also extend that to the larger society as part of our social responsibility.
“In these times of economic challenges, the IDPs are the ones that need help and support more than any other person; that is why we visited them today,” he said. Bello explained that besides providing help and donations to its members, humanitarian service was a flagship programme of the group. He said that the relief items were bought from free-will donations of members in their quest to touch lives positively.
He said: “The N5 million was raised from voluntary donations my members in the FCT. “That is what defines us as a community of people providing financial help to each other on the principle of reciprocity and benevolence. “In MMM there are no lenders and no debtors. One participant asks for help, another one helps.’’
Bello appealed to individuals, groups and corporate bodies to always remember the IDPs across Nigeria, since government alone would not be able to provide for them adequately. “They are our brothers and sisters who have left the comfort of their homes and are now struggling for survival here.
“No matter how little, let us always extend a hand of help to them to complement what government and other donors are doing, “he urged. Mr Enoch Yohanna, General Secretary of the IDP camp at New Kuchingoro, who received the items, expressed gratitude for the gesture which he described as `timely.’
“The Christmas season is very close; we thank MMM-Nigeria for bringing these items to us. “We hope to share them satisfactorily among us for everybody to be happy and have a happy Christmas celebration, “he said. NAN reports that the visit to the IDPs camps was preceded by a two-hour environmental sanitation by members of the group on Nyanya/Mararaba route, a suburb of the FCT. Members of the group came out in their numbers to clear garbage from drainages and streets in the area.
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
We Are Investigating MMM Ponzi Scheme - EFCC
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, gave this indication in an interview with DAILY POST on the sidelines of a training programme in Port Harcourt.
Uwujaren, however, said the House of Representatives cannot direct the EFCC to investigate what he described as faceless wonder bank like MMM.
He said the anti-graft agency was also watching other online schemes that promise huge returns on investments.
The EFCC spokesman said preliminary investigations have shown that such online schemes thrive in countries that are facing economic recession.
He warned that there was big chance of desperate subscribers on such platforms of losing their investments.
“We can only arrest people based on the evidence that we have. The House made a resolution but the resolution is a public announcement.
“We have always been advising people not to patronize wonder banks because experience over time has shown that their activities are not sustainable.
“If you get involved in it, you will eventually get hurt. What we are currently doing is to sensitize people. We know people want to make quick money as a result of recession through this MMM.
“The unfortunate thing about this MMM is that it is not a Nigerian firm but we are looking at and we will still tell the media whatever we find out,” Uwujaren said.
Friday, 11 November 2016
"Soyinka risks jail term of three to seven years if he cuts green card"-Legal expert
It was reported that Soyinka issued the threat to destroy his American Citizen’s Card before voting begun in the keenly contested election between Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Most people around the World, including some huge population of Americans, had wished for the Democratic Party’s candidate to win the race to the White House.
The election of the Republic candidate as the U.S. President-elect had sent some waves of shock to most countries.
Reacting to the threat, Ajulo warned Soyinka that he risked a jail term of three to seven years, if he (Soyinka) cut his green card.
“I have no problem with Kogi; he is an opinion moulder, an elder statesman and nation builder, who should know the implication of such act.
“Under the American law losing or having your U.S. green card destroyed can be a serious problem,’’ he said.
He said legally such is tagged as wishful destruction of government’s property.
Ajulo said the truth is that Soyinka is far better and far bigger than that because such act is provocative and unacceptable.
He stressed that the literary icon is free to leave the country but does not have to tear the card; instead he should return the card as required by the law.
Ajulo said the 82-year-old author, who is currently a resident scholar at New York University’s Institute of African American Affairs, should know better.
He said it has a lot of implications for Nigerians.
Ajulo said green cards or passports are valuable documents and should be looked after it with care.
He said mishandling of passport could stop you from travelling not to talk of destroying green card.
Ajulo described Soyinka as a good ambassador who cares not just about Nigeria but the world at large, advising him to keep to it.
He said Trump’s victory had “brought an already teetering world closer to the precipice.
“Trump’s wall is already under construction. Walls are built in the mind, and Trump has erected walls, not only across the mental landscape of America, but across the global landscape,” said the lawyer.
Soyinka pledged to keep a promise he had given a few days before the Nov. 8 election, when he told students at Oxford University that “I will cut my green card myself and start packing up” if Trump won the polls.
The literary icon also vowed to leave the United States by Jan. 20, 2017, the day president-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated.
The green card is the U.S. permanent residence permit. (NAN)
Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Admission into 69th Regular Course 2017
Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) - This is to inform the general public that online application for admission into the 69th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna will be available from 8th November to 28th February 2017. Admission into NDA is open to both Male and Female Nigerians.
NDA - Application for Admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy 69th Regular Course
Examination Date and Requirements
The examination will be conducted as an Entrance Examination and it is scheduled to hold on Saturday 22 April 2017.
Therefore, all eligible candidates are to bring along their Acknowledgement Form, Examination Admission Card, JAMB result slip and TWO (2) postcard sized (3.5 x 5 inches) photographs to the Examination Centre on the examination date.
The photographs should show only from the chest upwards and should contain the candidate’s Name, Exam number, State, Exam Centre, Course of study and Signature at the back.
Only successful candidates at the NDA Entrance Examination will subsequently be invited for the Armed Forces Selection Board following which the list of admitted candidates will be published.
Nature and Duration of Training
Admitted candidates into NDA for the Regular Course will undergo military and academic training as Officer Cadets for a duration of 5 years.
On successful completion of training, graduands will earn a honours degree in a core discipline (BSc, BEng, BA).
They will equally earn a commission into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Administration
All Regular Course cadets will train in NDA and the cost of their administration and logistics will be borne by the Federal Government.
Reference Materials
In response to requests from candidates for reference materials, the Academy has offered a Compendium of Past Questions & Answers to interested candidates which can be purchased from the Academy Registry, NDA.
Requirements for Admission into Academic Departments of the Nigerian Defence Academy
1.) To be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), a candidate must have the following:
Minimum of 5 credit passes at SSCE (WAEC, NECO or NABTEB) or GCE ‘O’ Level obtained in not more than 2 sittings relevant to the Faculty of their choices.
Credit in English Language and Mathematics.
At least two supporting relevant credits to the compulsory credits in Faculty of Military Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences while that of Faculty of Science is shown in the columns for compulsory and relevant credits. However, only one supporting relevant credit is required in the Faculty of Engineering.
Be at least 17 years old and not more than 21 years old as at the month of August in the year of entry into the Academy (2018). Note that candidates who desire to join the Nigerian Air Force must be between 17 and 18 years old at entry, and also the Nigerian Army has suspended the enlistment of female candidates in her Regular Combatant programme in NDA.
Must not be less than 1.68 metres tall for male and 1.58 metres for female.
Must be medically and physically fit and must be of good moral character.
Must be single male or female without legal obligation to support any child or other individuals.
Present a Certificate of State of Origin obtained from a Local
Government Area or a Certificate of State Indigeneship from the Office of the State Governor.
Working knowledge of French Language will be an added advantage.
2.) Furthermore, candidates are to note the following:
Candidates awaiting results are not qualified. Application forms submitted without results will not be accepted.
Only examination results of not more than 5 years old from the date of examination will be accepted.
Currently, admission into the Academy is for both male and female Nigerians only, and is limited to Navy and Air Force in the case of female candidates.
A.) Course Requirements for faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
1.) Course: BSc Economics
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Accounts, Commerce, Government, Civic Education, Geography and History
2.) Course: BSc Accounting
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Commerce, Government, Civic Education, Accounting, Geography and History
3.) Course: BA French
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Economics, Geography, Government, Civic Education and History
4.) Course: BSc Geography
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
History, Economics, Government, Civic Education Physics, Chemistry and Biology (preference will be given to those having credits in social science subjects).
5.) Course: BA History
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, History or Government/Civil Education and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Economics, Geography, Commerce and French
6.) Course: BSc Political Science and Defence Studies
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Government/Civic Education and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
History, Economics, French and Geography
7.) Course: BSc Psychology
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Economics, Government, Civic Education, Chemistry and Geography
B.) Course Requirements for Faculty of Military Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
1.) Course: B.Sc Intelligence and Cyber Security Studies
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Computer Studies and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Economics/Geography Chemistry/Biology
2.) Course: Logistics and Supply Chain Management
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Economics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Chemistry, Government, History and Geography
3.) Course: Military Science and Technology
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Physics and Mathematics
Relevant Credits:
Chemistry and Biology
C.) Course Requirements for Faculty of Engineering
1.) Course: BEng Civil
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
Relevant Credits:
Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
2.) Course: BEng Electrical and Electronics
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
Relevant Credits:
Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics and Biology
3.) Course: BEng Mechanical
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
Relevant Credits:
Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics and Biology
D.) Course Requirements for Faculty of Science
1.) Course: B.Sc Biological Sciences
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry
Relevant Credits:
Any one of the listed subjects: Physics, Further Mathematics and Agric Science
2.) Course: B.Sc Chemistry
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
Relevant Credits:
Any one of the listed subjects: Biology and Further Mathematics
3.) Course: B.Sc Mathematics
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics and Physics
Relevant Credits:
Any two of the listed subjects: Chemistry and Further Mathematics and Biology
4.) Course: BSc Computer Science
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics and Physics.
Relevant Credits:
Any two of the listed subjects: Chemistry, Further Mathematics and Biology
5.) Course: B.Sc Physics
General Requirement:
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English
Compulsory Credits:
English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Relevant Credits:
Any one of the listed subjects: Biology, Further Mathematics and Technical Drawing
Application Closing Date
28th February, 2017.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here to Start Application
Application Forms
When the page opens, select "Purchase Access Code" and fill in their details to pay for their application via REMITA after first obtaining their ORDER ID and REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR) Code in the sum of N3,000.00 only. Please note that only payment against RRR Codes generated via the application portal would be accepted.
Submission of Applications
Applications should be submitted online. On completion of the online application, candidates are to download an Acknowledgement Form. Upon release of the JAMB results, candidates should return to the applications portal and download their Examination Admission Card. Only candidates who make the JAMB national cut-off mark will be allowed to participate in the NDA Entrance Examination.
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Reps ask security agencies to arrest ‘MMM’promoters
The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately go after the promoters Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox, otherwise known as ‘MMM’ in Nigeria.
Lawmakers strongly opposed the investment scheme, which lately gained popularity among Nigerians in the wake of the current economic recession in the country.
MMM promises 30 per cent return on investment for any money put into the scheme within 30 days.
The investment scheme has a Russian origin and “involves directing clients to make money available for an anonymous person with a promise of 30 per cent return within one month.”
But, members described the scheme as a “scam” and warned Nigerians not to be carried away by the “mouth-watering” returns on investments.
Lawmakers warned that the “trick” used by the operators was to attract as many Nigerians as possible to invest substantial amounts of money before the bubble would burst.
The House directed the EFCC, security agencies and the CBN to take urgent steps to halt the scheme before many Nigerians would become victims of the scam.
It also asked its Committees on Banking/Currency and Financial Crimes to investigate the activities of MMM Nigeria Scheme, “with a view to saving Nigerians participating in the scheme from you financial ruin.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Mr. Saheed Fijabi, had in a motion, drawn the attention of the House to the growing popularity of the scheme among Nigerians.
Fijabi, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Oyo State, represents Ibadan-South/West Federal Constituency.
“The scheme entered the Nigerian circle in 2016, capitalising on the high level of unemployment and poverty to deceive unwary Nigerians into falling prey to their antics”, Fijabi stated.
He said the fact that MMM was not regulated by law or approved by the CBN as a secure business venture, made Nigerians more vulnerable.
Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB congratulates Trump
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday, said the United States of America, USA, will be great again under the Presidency of Donald Trump.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group congratulated the winner of US Presidential election, stressing that Trump’s victory was an act of God.
The statement reads, “The IPOB under the command structure of Mazi Nnamd Kanu the director of radio and Biafra television thank the good people of America and Republican party who challenged the incumbent president of Barack Obama and the democratic party to a stand still and defeated them to the landslide winning.
“Furthermore, we thank God Almigh who made it to be possible because if it is the wish of some power brokers and some party members in America, it will not be possible.
“Mr Donald Trump passed through so many trials and so many odds from the leadership of the party but God Almighty made it possible for him to become the president of United States of America USA, not man.
“However, he should also remember his promises to the people of America and other people across the globe because USA is going to be great again by the power of God Almighty who selected him from the mist of millions in America.
“Therefore, we wish him successful handover and best luck in his days in the oval office at the white house. We pray to God Almighty to guide and protect USA and Donald Trump the newly elected president.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND DONALD TRUMP.”
Thursday, 3 November 2016
African Development Bank AfDB approves $600m loan for Nigeria
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $600 million loan as the first tranche of a one-billion-dollar budget support to help finance Nigeria’s economic governance, diversification and competitiveness programme.
Fatima Abubakar, the spokesperson for the bank in Nigeria, said the executive directors of the bank approved the facility on Wednesday.
“The last tranche of 400 million dollars will be approved in 2017,” Abubakar said.
The operation is part of a two-year (2016-2017) fiscal programme support to enable Nigeria implement reforms to achieve efficiency in government business, combat corruption and promote diversification.
It will help the government to create fiscal space to facilitate smooth implementation of its budget, support fiscal and structural reforms and improve social sector spending to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population.
“The facility will also assist the country’s efforts to quickly build a buffer of foreign exchange reserves, which will contribute to easing pressure on the foreign exchange market and stabilising the naira,” she said.
Nigeria’s success in efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability and economic recovery will signal the end of the current recession.
An elongation of the recession has potential to severely affect the economies of neighbouring countries in West and Central Africa.
Abubakar quoted Akinwunmi Adesina, AfDB president, as saying: “We must think through innovative solutions to support our regional member countries in crisis situations like this.”
“We must also provide them with the knowledge products they require to get back on track.”
She said given Nigeria’s demonstrated commitment to significantly scale up infrastructure investments (30 per cent of the 2016 budget), the resources would contribute to creating the fiscal space for investments in power, housing and transport.
“These are key sectors for stimulating the strong economic growth required to exit the recession,” Abubakar said.
Nigeria’s economy has been hit by a sharp decline in oil prices. Oil provides the bulk of government revenues and exports although agriculture and services contribute most to GDP.
Over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s exports and at least 70 per cent of government revenues come from the oil sector, which is projected to have shrunk by 1.6 per cent within the year.
The economy slipped into a recession in the second half of the year because of foreign currency shortages, sharp reduction in power generation, vandalism of oil installations, lower oil production and weak investor confidence.
At the end of December 2015, AfDB’s portfolio comprised 46 operations estimated at $3.01 billion.
The portfolio consists of 22 public sector operations valued at 1.51 billion dollars or 31 per cent of the entire portfolio and 24 private sector projects, estimated at 2.21 billion dollars or 69 per cent.
At a recent meeting with President Munhammadu Buhari and economic stakeholders, Adesina pledged to provide Nigeria with one billion dollars loan to help it reinvigorate the economy.
Tuesday, 1 November 2016
APC AND ITS BOUT WITH HYPOCRISY, FRAUD AND TYRANNY By Oraye St. Franklyn
It was Frederick William Robertson who said, "There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny" and I completely agree.
Unfortunately, these three vices, not one or two, are exactly what define the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emphasise the need to not show mercy to its characterised intransigence in spite of its avowed rhetoric of change. Talk about hypocrisy, duplicity and tyranny and APC pops up at your very before.
So much has been said lately by the APC, through its Rivers adjunct, about the nominations of two Rivers sons into the Ethics Committee of the National Judicial Council, a constitutional body surreptitiously being primed for imminent destruction by the hands of tyrannical governmental establishments in a bid to completely compromise the substructure of constitutional democracy in Nigeria and superimpose what can best be described as a democratic diarchy by military fiat.
The concerned gentlemen are Hon. Justice Iche Ndu (Rtd) and Okey Wali (SAN). The basis for the aggravated angst against their inclusion as members of the committee is simply that they are Rivers people and said to be 'friends' of the Governor of Rivers State. In fact, APC is even more infuriated by the membership Okey Wali (SAN) of the recently inaugurated Rivers State 50th Anniversary celebration Committee, populated by distinguished sons and daughters of Rivers State including Agbani Darego and others, that they readily point to as evidence of his affinity to Governor Wike; including his being Governor Wike's lawyer, and on the basis of that should stand disqualified from being members of the Ethics Committee of the NJC.
As for His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Iche Ndu, not much is said of him except that the entire trouble that the judiciary in Rivers State was bedevilled by, which prompted the closure of courts for over a year, was placed squarely on his shoulders and not at the doorsteps of the former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, whose refusal to accept the nominee of the NJC as provided by law, was the Genesis and Revelation of the judicial imbroglio in Rivers State. Who would forget that in a hurry?
What the APC is not saying, is that neither Okey Wali, SAN, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and accomplished lawyer of repute nor Justice Ndu, a former Chief Judge of Rivers State, now meritoriously retired, have been compromised by acts carried under their hands in the entirety of their individual careers.
What the APC is not saying is that the NJC Ethics Committee is a 27 member committee, of which 2 members are not just insignificant to derail the outcomes of the committee's assignments but also makes the promoters of the logic of that possibility, mischief makers.
But APC's protest smacks of inordinate hypocrisy. This is the same Party, whose leader, the current President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has violated every piece of legislation providing for Federal character in the appointment of Nigerians to political offices. A Party that produces a President who justifies his lopsided appointments in favour of his kinsfolk on the basis of not wishing to work with unknown and untrusted hands; who sets out to appoint his family relatives into the Federal Cabinet and populates other related appointments with men of his tribe, now turns around to oppose the inclusion of distinguished Rivers Sons into a committee that exemplifies the diversity of the Nigerian nation and charged with duties they are competent to discharge? What defines hypocrisy and duplicity better than this? What speaks of tyranny better than this effort and the grand agenda to emasculate the judiciary and her internal bodies in a bid to loosen the restraints on the pervading lawlessness and give free course to illegalities?
INEC, EFCC and the entirety of the Security structure of the Nigerian federation are controlled by Northern Nigerians, from where President Buhari hails, against the norm and provisions of extant laws governing appointments into such offices. The APC, a Political Party that has devalued the rule of law in Nigeria's democracy, made mockery of the essence of the diversity of our nation and promoted nepotism to the status of State policy is the same organisation that is querying the inclusion of men of impeccable character and unblemished reputation into a committee on the basis of their affinity to Governor Wike. It's almost stupefying. What does the APC aim to achieve if not to further compromise our democracy?
The APC also says Governor Wike wields so much influence in the NJC that allowing people linked to him and from his State will completely compromise the NJC. As laughable as that is, one must say, its logic also falls flat on its face. Beyond mere propaganda, the stock-in-trade of the APC, what substantiates the influence of Governor Wike in the NJC? Does it now mean that because Rivers State is governed by a lawyer, lawyers in the State are forbidden from participating in the affairs of their profession? Does it make sense? Does the mere fact that judicial decisions are against the reigning impunity and that lawyers themselves now lead protests against the lawlessness of this government not impinge on its avowed integrity and so called credibility? Is that Governor Wike's fault?
Why is the APC fear-stricken by Governor Wike? Is there proof of anything he has done that undermines Nigeria's democracy, integrity and solidarity? Does Governor Wike not model a true Democrat and nation-builder who is focused on developing the lives of the people of his State? Is this not essence of governance? Why is his name being used as the pretext to further decimate the judiciary beyond the injury already inflicted on it by the Department of State Services (DSS) without any known and justified cause? Does Nigeria no longer practice democracy? Is that why Democrats are being taken hostage, slammed with charges and detained in flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the decisions of courts?
If the APC feels so pained about the inclusion of 'friends of Governor Wike', as they describe them, in spite of the credibility of their respective individual standing and in concomitance with the diversity of our nation, can they kindly begin the change process by prevailing on their leader to take out all personal relatives of his from both the cabinet and other government parastatals and spread the appointments to reflect the diversity of our nation? Won't that be a good starting point and to exemplify exemplary leadership?
Do they really have the right to query justified actions, when they themselves ridicule every provision of our laws if not that their aim is to unleash an era of impunity, and are they to go unchallenged?
Finally, the APC through its Rivers Chapter has said it would make Nigeria ungovernable if the nominees are not dropped. Both the Police and the Department of State Services have done nothing known to the public about this. One is hoping that they won't surprisingly spring to action against nationalists that will rise to oppose the suppression of democracy and the rule of law because as Frederick William Robertson opines, which makes perfect sense: hypocrisy, fraud and tyranny do not deserve any mercy, whatsoever.
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Outstanding Strength: ‘Cucumber Queen’ Chidinma, To Receive Award Of Excellence
Ex-Miss Anambra, Okeke Chidinma, also known as ‘Cucumber Queen’ is set to receive an Award of Excellence as Queen of Gold at the Divas Award on 18th of December, 2016.
Despite her back to back lesbian video scandal going viral for almost 1 week, while topping the Google’s chat for the most search scandal; Chidinma Okeke who has reportedly fled the country and granted asylum in another country would be recognised for her Outstanding Strength; for not giving up during trying times & staying strong against all odds.
The event according to what Celeb Police gathered, will take place at Kolanut Centre, Calabar, Cross River State.
Saturday, 29 October 2016
Cucumber Scandal: Group wants Miss Anambra beauty pageant banned
The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, CRRAN, has called for thorough investigation over the controversy surrounding the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant.
The group asked the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons to look into the alleged suspected case of sexual exploitation and trafficking involved in the contest.
The development followed the circulation of an online lesbian sex video involving the winner of the 2015 edition of the pageant, Miss Chidimma Okeke.
In a petition dated October 29, and addressed to the Director General of NAPTIP, the group said there were strong indications that the organisers of the pageant were sexually exploiting young girls who participated in the beauty contest.
President of CRRAN, Mr. Olu Omotayo, who signed the petition, urged NAPTIP to prosecute masterminds of the alleged sexual exploitation.
He expressed regrets that the pageant, which was established by a government agency – Anambra State Broadcasting Service – has turned into an avenue for sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Part of the petition read, “Recent happenings which led to the online circulation of nude pictures and video of the said Miss Anambra pageant queen 2015, Miss Chidimma Okeke, have shown prima facie that the organisers of the pageant are using the avenue to sexually exploit young innocent girls of South East Nigeria.
“The purpose for which the state government through one of its parastatals, the Anambra State Broadcasting Service, established the pageant competition has been defeated because it could no longer be said that the pageant is promoting morality, culture of the people or empowering the female youths of this zone.
“We submit that it is part of the functions of your agency to among other things: ‘investigate all cases of trafficking in persons including forced labour, child labour, forced prostitution, exploitative labour, and other forms of exploitation, slavery and slavery like activities, bounded labour, removal of organs, illegal smuggling of migrants, sale and purchase of persons’.
“We submit that the incident in Anambra State is sexual exploitation and slavery of young female persons.
“We urge you to urgently commence thorough investigation into this barbaric competition and made those behind it face the full wrath of the law.”
The group insisted that the beauty contest should be banned, in order to prevent further exploitation of young girls.
It said, “It becomes more worrisome when it is an agency of the state government that is involved in a dastardly act of this nature. This is a serious embarrassment to the whole nation.
“We urge you to take immediate action to save female youths in the South-East Nigeria, particularly Anambra State, from further sexual exploitation and slavery being perpetrated under the so called pageant.
“The government should immediately ban the said pageant.”
Friday, 28 October 2016
Don’t Borrow Above $22 Billion – Debt Management Office Warns Buhari
The DMO gave the recommendation on Tuesday in its 2016 Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) report, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
In the report, DMO stated that the end-period on Net Present Value (NPV) of the Total Public Debt-to-GDP ratio for 2016 for the Federal Government was projected at 13.5 per cent.
”The maximum amount that can be borrowed (domestic and external) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2017, without violating the country-specific threshold, will be 22.08 billion dollars (i.e. 5.89 per cent of 374.95 billion dollars).
”The Debt Management Strategy, 2016-2019 provides for the rebalancing of the debt portfolio from its composition of 84:16 as at the end of December, 2015 to an optimal composition of 60:40 by the end of December, 2019 for domestic to external debts, respectively.
It explained that the development supported the use of more external finance for funding capital projects, noting that the policy was in line with the focus of the present administration on speeding up infrastructure development in the country.
The DMO stated that it would achieve this by substituting the relatively expensive domestic borrowing in favour of cheaper external financing.
”This policy stance has been reinforced by the recent deterioration in macroeconomic variables, particularly with respect to the rising cost of domestic borrowing.
”Hence, the shift of emphasis to external borrowing would help to reduce debt service burden in the short to medium-term and further create more borrowing space for the private sector in the domestic market.
”Accordingly, for the fiscal year 2017, the maximum amount that can be borrowed is 22.08 billion U.S. dollars and it is proposed to be obtained from both the domestic and external sources as follows:
”New Domestic Borrowing 5.52 billion U.S. dollars (equivalent of about N1.6 billion) and New External Borrowing: 16.56 billion U.S dollars (equivalent of about N4.8 billion).”
The DMO also emphasised that the recommendation was made, taking into account the absorptive capacity of the domestic debt market and the options available in the external market.
Nigeria’s total debt portfolio rose 30 per cent to $62 billion in 2014, up from $47.6 billion as at September 2013.
The country’s external debt stood at $9.52 billion, 15 per cent of the entire debt stock.
Domestic borrowing, however, accounted for bulk of the total money owed by Africa’s largest economy.
Prior to the 2005 debt relief, bad debt management practices led to the payment of $4.9 billion yearly on debt servicing.
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION INVITATION OF APPLICATIONS FROM YOUTHS OF THE NIGER DELTA REGION FOR TRAINING AS LOTTERY BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in its bid to further enhance capacity building of youths and promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Niger Delta region is set to select eligible applicants for training in the Lottery Business. The training will equip interested youths and enable them to set up and run their own lottery businesses in accordance with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission’s guidelines.
Consequently, interested youths across the Niger Delta are hereby requested to submit their applications online by filling the form online here with an attachment of your LGA Identification Letter.
Click here to fill the form
REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants must:
1. Possess a minimum of a University Degree or its equivalent;
2. Be indigenes of the Niger Delta;
3. Be between the ages of 21 and 35 years;
4. Be computer literate;
5. Have a passion for the lottery business; and
6. Have a very good character.
EXAMINATION:
An online examination on General Knowledge will be conducted for selected applicants. Only successful applicants will be invited for final selection.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Applications must be submitted online, along with relevant credentials from 24th October to 31st October, 2016.
Signed
Management
Saturday, 15 October 2016
DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN HAS NO FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
The attention of Dame Patience Jonathan has been drawn to some Facebook pages set up in her name from which the public is being misled by some controversial comments supposedly made by her.
For the avoidance of doubt, Dame Patience Jonathan does not own any Facebook or social media account and has not authorised any person or group of persons to operate one in her name.
The former First Lady advises the general public to discountenance such pages and the accompanying postings, as many as they are, and irrespective of the novelty or nobility of their character as they neither emanate from her nor represent her views on any issue.
In a statement made available to the Press, Dame Patience Jonathan also urged Nigerians to continue to do their best to promote the unity, peace and development of the country.
Friday, 14 October 2016
U.S. to host northern Nigeria governors in Washington
Governors of all 19 states in northern Nigeria are expected to spend three days in Washington DC next week at the invitation of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
They will be participating in the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Symposium from October 18 to 21 with civic leaders from the Senior Working Group of Nigeria and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Organized by the institute with support of U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, the upcoming Symposium is the second such event in as many years.
The first one which held in May 2014 discussed security challenges caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and strategies for stabilization and development in northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday at the pre-symposium media briefing, USIP Senior Advisors and former ambassadors, Princeton Lyman and Johnnie Carson said the institute’s Northern Governors’ symposium was designed to bolster Nigeria’s commanding stature in Sub-Saharan Africa by addressing causes of instability and seeking opportunities for durable peace in the north.
Describing the country as “a significant powerhouse”, whose position in Africa compares to that of India in Asia and Brazil in South America, Mr. Carson said Nigeria also became “one of the world’s premier democracy” after the epochal election of 2015.
Mr. Lyman, who was U.S. ambassador to Nigeria 1986 to 1989, said Boko Haram insurgency opened “new frontiers for engagement” and opportunity to address the “disconnect between political power and development” in northern Nigeria.
While all 19 governors got invitation to the Symposium, as of last week, only Governors Abdullah Abubakar (Bauchi), Kashim Shettima (Borno and head of the Northern Nigeria Governors Forum), Bello Masari (Katsina), Bako Lalong (Plateau) and Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) have confirmed their participation.
Minister of the Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, have also confirmed their attendance.
The governors and other participants will meet with officials from U.S. government, public agencies and corporate bodies.
USIP’s Senior Program Officer for Nigeria, Oge Onubogu, said the visiting Nigerian governors will also meet with Steve Hayes, chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa and Gayle Smith, USAID director, to discuss project priorities for northern Nigeria.
USIP officials are confident that the upcoming Northern Governors’ Symposium will build on the tangible successes of the first symposium which, according to Ambassador Carson, include the growing confidence of democratic governance as evidenced by the laudable outcome of the 2015 elections and improved governance environment with lessening of the “disconnect between northern governors and the federal government”.











