Rapists on the rampage in Borno IDPs camp-victims

Babakura Mustapha, a 67-year-old blind displaced person, has moved his family out of the Dalori Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Maiduguri due to the alleged activities of rapists.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that about two million persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency are taking shelter in various camps in Maiduguri and other liberated communities in the North-East.

NAN reports that six of the 11 designated camps in Maiduguri are managed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while five others are under the Wold Food Programme (WFP).

Mr. Mustapha told NAN on Sunday in Maiduguri that he had evacuated his six daughters from the camp to save them from rapists.

The retired civil servant alleged that unknown men attacked and vandalised the tent housing his daughters after they refused to submit to their sexual advances.

He also alleged that unidentified men in the camp enticed women with N100 or N200 as token for sex, adding that they also forced themselves on those who refused to cooperate.

“I came into the Dalori camp from Bama in the past three years after the Boko Haram insurgents sacked the town.

“The insurgents abducted my wife; I have six daughters, three of them are widows because the insurgents killed their husbands, while the remaining three are spinsters.

“Every night you hear the cry of women when they are being attacked by rapists. One of my daughters was also attacked by rapists and as a result she sustained fatal injuries.

“Since then, I have always kept vigil at night, to guard against intrusion by suspected rapists into the girls’ tent.

“My health condition worsened in the camp and my vision impaired after I had glaucoma infection,” he said.

Mr. Mustapha added that in view of his predicament, he could not protect his daughters from mounting pressures of the rapists who devised various means to seduce women.

He lamented that many women suffered in the hands of the rapists in various camps in the state.

“I would rather move out of the camp than to allow my daughters become sex toys to randy elements,” he said.

Mr. Mustapha said that he had met a kind-hearted person in Maiduguri who offered him a room to stay with his family.

Also, Fatima Bana, a rape victim, corroborated Mr. Mustapha’s experience, and also alleged that many women had been raped in the camps in Maiduguri.

Ms. Bana said the rapists forcefully had canal knowledge of women who refused to take money or cooperate with them.

She noted that most women had experienced one form of sexual abuse or assault in the camps.

“One night, I went out to fetch water and some men pursued me. I started running and I fell down and broke my shoulder.

“Some kind-hearted persons came to my rescue; this made the rapist to run away,” Ms. Bana said.

Muhammad Kanar, the NEMA Zonal Coordinator, North-East, said the agency had adopted proactive measures to check sexual abuse and violation of rights of the IDPs.

Mr. Kanar said that the agency was working with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) to protect and guarantee the rights of the IDPs.

“We have no reports of the incidents. Nonetheless, the agency will investigate the matter and the culprits will be prosecuted,” he assured.

The zonal coordinator added that the agency had deployed aid workers and security personnel to ensure protection of IDPs in camps within the region.

He urged the IDPs to report cases of violation of their rights to NEMA officials posted to the camps.

Boko Haram: Top Boko Haram commander who led the abduction of Chibok girls have repent

- A top Boko Haram commander who co-led the abduction of the Chibok girls is giving useful information to the army on locations and hideouts of other top commanders of the sect - Auwal Ismaeela says he regrets his actions of violence against his own people - The ex-terrorist states that he voluntarily surrendered to Nigerian troops after realising that the activities of Boko Haram was contrary to the teachings of Islam A top Boko Haram commander who co-led the operation that resulted in the abduction of about 276 girls in the town of Chibok on April 14, 2014, has surrendered to the Nigerian army.

Business: 3 ways to grow your audience without paying for advertising

Allow me to re-write a pretty famous saying: growth is good.

Growth is essential for businesses to stay alive. There’s no need for greed to enter the picture, but growth- growth is what you should be all about.

The more people you can reach, the more potential clients your work gets in front of. There are a few simple ways that you can grow your audience (without buying followers) and increase your client list.

Partnerships

Partnerships are a wonderful way to quickly grow your audience. And I do mean partnerships- not sponsorships, not paid campaigns.

Find people that are in niche’s adjacent to yours whose work you admire. Find businesses that get you excited about their product. Look around your current community and ask yourself who love are a personal fan of and why. Those are the people you should partner with.

There’s nothing wrong with a partnership that makes you money, but the word partnership means at its core that it should benefit both parties. Working with people that you admire gives you a chance to show your value to new people, as well as offer value to the other party. It’s also a very genuine way to grow your audience. Disingenuous growth is easy to spot a mile away.

Speaking Opportunities

What better way to share your message with people than to actually share your message? Scout out speaking opportunities to get yourself in front of new people. Great places to start are your cities commerce department, small business communities, applying to speak at conferences, and Facebook groups in your niche.

You can also put on your social media or website that you are available for speaking gigs. See if anyone contacts you. There’s a lot of power in opening yourself up to speaking gigs, and it’s an easy way to get your work in front of a new audience.

Think Local

It’s wonderful to have big picture goals for yourself and dreams of taking over the world. We’ve all got to start somewhere though, and it’s easier to become a big fish in a small pond first. Take every opportunity that comes your way to make an impact in your local community.

Become the go-to person in your city for your niche. Reach out to people and companies of all sizes in your city and ask for coffee to introduce yourself. Attend events that focus on the local community- things like volunteer days, council meetings, and traditional networking and business events are all good.

Being seen and interacting at these events will show that you are a person of note, and people like to know people of note.

Growth does take time, but with these strategies, you can make it happen for yourself. Implement them all at the same time for the best results (though you might cut into your sleep a little bit.)

What are some ways that you have found successful for growing your company?

Leadership: 7 ways to encourage people to reach the next level

Leadership is about relationships and environments that provoke others to reach for the next level. Moderate discomfort is central to the process.

                 7   ways to allow discomfort:

1.   Believe people will rise to challenges. Helping less is an expression of            confidence.“I believe in you.”
2.  Trust that working through moderate difficulty elevates fulfillment. Work    that isn’t challenging isn’t fun or fulfilling.
3.  Delay helping. Don’t rush to rescue. Ask questions.
 “What have you tried?”
 “What are you learning?”
 “What might you try?”
 Too much help encourages helplessness.
4.  Be available. Helping less isn’t detachment. It’s respect. Participate in conversations about purpose, improvement, process, goals, and achievements.
5.  Challenge directly while providing encouragement. People respect you when you believe in their abilities.
6.  Monitor frustration.
7.  Offer support, like a spotter with a a weightlifter.
 Warning: Too much discomfort is destructive. Think of adding too much weight to the bar.

Obasanjo has distanced himself from restructuring

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has distanced himself from the clamour for the restructuring of Nigeria by some section of Nigerians. Obasanjo, who faulted the call, said what Nigeria needs now is not restructuring of the country but that of individual mentality. He made his stance known on the sidelines of the African Leadership Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. The former President said Nigerians should restructure their minds before calling for restructuring of the country. Obasanjo said Nigerians’ focus should be on how to include everyone in a nation that is already well endowed. He said, “We have to restructure our mentality, we have to restructure our minds we have to restructure our understanding of Nigeria, what country do we want and if we decide on what country we want, how do we get that country, all hands on deck. “How do we get inclusive, how do we get every Nigerian feeling a sense of having a stake in the country.”

Dangers of smoking shisha

Smoking shisha has become a trend among the youth today. Many young adults gather in shisha cafes and share the pipe between friends. They see smoking shisha as a pleasant and relaxing experience. Approximately 44% of them believe shisha is not as harmful as cigarettes. However research has shown that smoking shisha is worse than smoking regular cigarettes. Why do young people think smoking shisha is safer? Many people wrongly believe that bubbling tobacco smoke through water makes it safe. This misconception originated in the 15th century when a physician called Hakim Abu Faith wanted to make smoking shisha safer. He believed that if the tobacco smoke passed through a filter it would be safer, so he devised a small receptacle of water that smoke could pass through. However, modern research states that filtering tobacco smoke through cold water does not make it safer. Disadvantages of Shisha Shisha smokers inhale more smoke than cigarette smokers because an average shisha session lasts longer. One session can last up to an hour,causing smokers to large amount of tobacco smoke as well as the second-hand smoke. The World Health Organization reported that the smoke inhaled in a typical one-hour hookah session can equal 100 cigarettes or more. Shisha contains: 36 times more carcinogenic tar than cigarette smoke 15 times more carbon monoxide higher levels of lead, nickel and arsenic hydrogen cyanide and a whole bunch of potent carcinogens nicotine, a chemical that causes an addictive effect If the shisha pipe is not properly cleaned, sharing it with others can increase the risk of contracting diseases, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, meningitis and other infectious diseases.

Darikar Tijjaniya Na Ziyarar Wayar da Kawunan Jama'a kan Gujewa Ta'addanci

Saboda yadda wasu ke fakewa da addini suna kafa kungiyoyin ta'addanci ya sa shugabannin darikar Tijjani soma kai ziyara jihohin Najeriya inda yanzu suna jihar Neja domin jawo hankalin mutane su gujewa shiga ta'addanci da sunan addini. Shugabannin kungiyar darikar Tijjaniya sun isa jihar Neja a cigaba da rangadin fadakar da al'umma illar shiga kungiyoyin ta'addanci da sunan addinin Musulunci. Kungiyar tace ziyarar fadakar da jama'a na cikin ayyukan da ta sanya a gaba a daidai wannan lokacin da ake matukar bukatar hadin kan al'umma a matakai daban daban a kasar. Shaikh Sayyadi Kasimu babban sakataren kungiyar a Najeriya ya yi karin haske akan dalilin ziyararsu zuwa jihar Neja. Yana mai cewa sun isa jihar ne a karkashin jagorancin Sarkin Kano Muhammad Sanusi II da kuma sunan shugaban darikar na kasa Shaikh Tijjani Ibrahim. Manufar ziyarar ita ce kara dankon zumunci tsakaninsu da 'yanuwansu dake jihar, musamman 'yan darikar Tijjaniya da sauran Musulmai da ma jama'a gaba daya domin samun masalaha. Inji Shaikh Kasumu suna fadawa 'yanuwa su kara hada kai saboda kasar na bukatar hadin kai wajen yaki da ta'addanci. Sun ba da shawarwari saboda ta'addanci ba addinin musulunci ba ne.

My husband does not show me love – Woman tells court

A housewife, Asmau Abdullahi, has pleaded with a Minna Sharia Court to dissolve her marriage over constant beating, raining insults, and abuses by her husband. Asmau told the court that her husband, Ibrahim Abdullahi, was in the habit of assaulting her for no just cause. “My husband insults me a lot and calls me names like `mad woman’, `foolish woman’ and things like that. “He is always beating me and forcing me to fetch water from the well at odd hours of the night.

“He does not show me, love, at all, and that is why I want an end to this marriage,” she added. Ibrahim, however, denied his wife’s allegations, saying that he had always been a good husband. He maintained that he still loved his wife and wouldn’t want them to go their separate ways. The judge, Malam Ahmed Bima, advised the couple to give peace a chance and settle their differences, as marriage required a lot of patience and understanding. He adjourned the case until Sept. 11, to give room for both parties to settle their differences.

Peterside offers #500,000 reward for arrest of wanted child killer

A concerned prominent son of Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has offered a reward of N500,000 for anybody that has useful information that can lead to the arrest of a wanted murder suspect, Ifeanyi Dike. Ifeanyi Dike, a 200-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, was last weekend arrested by the police in connection with the gruesome murder of an eight-year old Miss Victory Chikamnso. The suspect is also accused of raping the minor and cutting some vital parts of her body for alleged ritual purpose. However, Dike was said to have escaped from police custody in suspicious circumstances, prompting a manhunt by security agencies. On hearing the sad development, a visibly disturbed and saddened Dakuku Peterside condemned the escape of the suspect from police custody, saying Dike being on the loose was a threat to Rivers people and neighbouring states.

According to him, “we must all rise and condemn this heinous crime. What could an eight-year-old girl have done to deserve this wicked act? What kind of future are we trying to give our children? Are we trying to say that our girls are no longer safe? Are we saying that our girls do not have future? “Without women, we have no future. The onslaught on girls and women is becoming increasingly disturbing. We must protect our young girls and women. This could have happened to any family. This is deeply saddening. “Please, I do not want my action to be seen through a political prism. The dastardly act should be a concern for all of us as Rivers people. Let us join hands with the police and ensure the re-arrest of Ifeanyi Dike.” Peterside, who is also the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) called on the Commissioner of Police in Rivers state and other sister security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the arrest of the suspect as quickly as possible, while commiserating with the family of the late Miss Victory Chikamnso.

Residents of Eliozu community, Rivers state, stage protest after suspected ritualist escape from police custody

- A resident of the community Mr. Promise Wobo, stated that it was unfortunate and embarrassing for Ifeanyi Dike to have escaped from police custody - Another resident Mrs. Alaerebo Jack, called on the Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, to act within his powers to ensure that the police are made to re-arrest Dike to face prosecution - The father of the victim Dr. Earnest Mezuwuba, urged the Police to ensure that the suspect was re-arrested to face the law Some residents of Eliozu area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday August 23, protested against the unfortunate escape of Mr. Ifeanyi Dike, a suspected ritual killer from police custody, NAN reports. The Rivers Police Command had paraded Dike for raping and killing Miss Victory Chikamso, an eight-year-old girl residing in the same compound with him. Read more: https://www.naij.com/1121888-residents-eliozu-community-rivers-state-stage-protest-escape-suspected-ritua.html

Boko Haram Have Used 83 Child Suicide Bombers In 2017, UNICEF Says

Boko

Haram militants in northeast Nigeria have sent out 83 child bombers against Nigerian targets this year, according to a tally by United Nations Children’s Fund. This is four times as many child suicide bombers used in all of 2016, UNICEF said. The UN agency said out of the 83 children deployed by the atrocious insurgents, 55 were girls, mostly under 15 years old and 27 were boys. One was a baby strapped to a girl. Nineteen children were used last year, UNICEF said. The Boko Haram insurgency, now in its eighth year, has claimed over 20,000 lives and forced more than two million people to flee their homes over eight years. The frequency of suicide bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria has increased in the past few weeks, killing at least 170 people since June 1, according to a Reuters tally. UNICEF, in a statement released on Tuesday, said it was “extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as ‘human bombs’ in northeast Nigeria. The use of children in this way is an atrocity”. Boko Haram is trying to create an Islamic state in the Lake Chad region, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It gained notoriety by abducting more than 200 girls from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. Aid groups say it has kidnapped thousands more adults and children. Children who escape are often held by authorities or ostracized by their communities and families. Nigerian aid worker Rebecca Dali, who runs an agency that offers counseling for those who were abducted, said children as young as four were among the 209 escapees her organization had helped since 2015. “They (former abductees) are highly traumatized,” Dali told Reuters on Monday at the United Nations in Geneva, where she received an award from the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation for her humanitarian work. Her team, which includes former police officers, identified some returnees as having been trained as suicide bombers. “There were two girls taught by Boko Haram to be suicide bombers … The girls confirmed that they were taught that their life was not worth living, that if they die detonating the bomb and killing a lot of people, then their lives will be profitable,” Dali said. Some 450,000 children are also at risk of life-threatening malnutrition in 2017 by the end of the year in northeast Nigeria, UNICEF said. President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday the country would “reinforce and reinvigorate” its fight against the group following the latest wave of attacks. *UNICEF Press statement Abuja, Geneva, 22 August 2017 – UNICEF is extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as ‘human bombs’ in northeast Nigeria. Children have been used repeatedly in this way over the last few years and so far this year, the number of children used is already four times higher than it was for all of last year. Since 1 January 2017, 83 children have been used as ‘human bombs’; 55 were girls, most often under 15 years old; 27 were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl. The sex of the baby used in the explosion was impossible to determine. The use of children in this way is an atrocity.Children used as ‘human bombs’ are, above all, victims, not perpetrators.The armed group commonly known as Boko Haram has sometimes, but not always, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which target the civilian population. The use of children in such attacks has had a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children who have been released, rescued or escaped from Boko Haram. As a result, many children who have managed to get away from captivity face rejection when they try to reintegrate into their communities, compounding their suffering. All of this is taking place in the context of a massive displacement and malnutrition crisis – a combination that is also deadly for children. There are 1.7 million people displaced by the insurgency in the northeast, 85 per cent of them in Borno State, where most of these attacks take place. Northeast Nigeria is one of four countries and regions facing the spectre of famine, with up to 450,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition this year. UNICEF is providing psychosocial support for children who have been held by Boko Haram and is also working with families and communities to foster the acceptance of children when they return. This includes providing social and economic reintegration support to the children and their families. UNICEF also supports reconciliation activities in northeast Nigeria, led by respected community and religious leaders, including influential women, to help promote tolerance, acceptance and reintegration.

Ojukuwu’s son blasts IPOB, MASSOB and others agitating for Biafra

- The son of late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Emeka, has declared that his father actually met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s unity before he died - Buhari had on Monday 21 said in his broadcast that he and Ojukwu met in Daura, Kastina state and discussed on why Nigeria should remain united before Ojukwu died - The IPOB and MASSOB had described Buhari’s comment on Ojukwu as false and untrue The son of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. has disowned Biafra agitators, vindicating President Muhammadu Buhari on his celebrated discussions with his late father on the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian nation. Read more: https://www.naij.com/1121813-my-father-held-meeting-buhari-nigerias-unity-ojukuwus-son-blasts-ipob-massob.html

•​TSOTSON FARJIN MACE YAYIN SADUWA!!

To 'yan'uwa hakan ya halatta, ba matsala a sharian ce, saboda an rawaito halaccin haka, daga magabata, daga cikinsu akwai Imamu Malik, saidai ya wajaba a tabbatar an tsaftace wurin musamman farjin mata, saboda a bude yake, sannan kuma wuri ne da ake yin haila, ake kuma zuba maniyyi, ga shi kuma yana kusa da wajan yin bahaya, wasu masana likitanci suna bada shawarar cewa : a dinga wanke wurin da gishiri kafin a tsotsa, saboda neman kariya. Allah madaukakin sarki a cikin suratul Bakara aya ta: 223, ya kwatanta mace ga mijinta da gona, wannan sai ya nuna dukkan bangarorin jikinta ya halatta a ji dadi da su, in ban da cikin dubura wacce nassi ya togace. ‎ ​Allah ne mafi sani.​ Duba : Mawahibul-jalil sharhin Muktasarul Khalil 3\406 ‎

Abinda ‘Yan Najeriya Ke So Buhari Ya Fara Tunkara

Jama'a daga ciki da wajen Najeriya na ci gaba da bayyana ra'ayoyinsu tun bayan da shugaban Najeriya Muhammadu Buhari ya dawo daga jinya ya kuma koma aiki, inda suke bayyana abinda suka fi so shugaban ya fi mayar da hankali a kai.

Bayan da shugaban Najeriya Muhammadu Buhari ya gabatar da jawabinsa ga ‘yan kasar mutane da dama suke ta bayyana ra'ayinsu kan abinda ya kamata ya fuskanta. A irin muhawarorin da ake ta yi, wasu sun bayyana ra’ayinsu kan abubuwan da shugaban ya kamata ya fuskanta da suka hada da tunkarar matsalar tsaro da kuma yajin aikin da malaman jami’a ke yi. ‘Yan Najeriya da dama na da ra’ayin cewa tun bayan tafiyar Buhari jinya, harkar tsaro ta tabarbare musamman game da batun Boko Haram da kuma yawaitar satar mutane domin neman kudin fansa. Ba ma ‘yan Najeriya kadai ba, a kasashe makwabta irinsu Jamhuriyar Nijar, jama’a da dama sun yi kira ga shugaban da ya tunkari matsalar tsaro musamman ta Boko Haram, lura da cewa wannan matsala ta shafi kasarsu. Shugaba Buhari ya dawo Najeriya ne a ranar Asabar bayan da ya kwashe sama da watannin uku yana jinya a London kan cutar da har yanzu ba a bayyana ba. Tun a farkon watan Mayu, Buhari ya tafi London, lamarin da ya sa wasu masu fafituka suka yi ta korafin cewa ya kamata ya dawo ko kuma ya sauka a mulki.

Charley Boy write an open letter to Buhari. List three things he must address

NAIJ.com reports that the President of all Frustrated Nigerians, CharlyBoy writes an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over his return and lists three important things the president must address without further delay. Dear Mr. President Sir: When I learned that you would be returning yesterday, I was glad because it means you eventually listened to our cries and yearnings. You have returned at a time when our country needs you most to surmount the crucibles battering us as a people and a nation. Though for a very steep price, we never allowed our voices to go unheard and we are glad you ultimately listened to us. You have returned at a time when our great country is battling a slew of disastrous storms.

This is a difficult time in our national history where insightful and sagacious leadership is greatly required. Now that you are back stronger, I would like you to become the rescuer that our country terribly needs at this trying time. As you may know, millions of students are currently at home doing nothing because their schooling was suddenly disrupted by the decision of their disgruntled lecturers to go on an indefinite strike. Some of these students are 3 months away from becoming graduates. This is the time to rekindle their hope before they become a nonentity to themselves and nuisance to the society. You must expediently attend to our ever-debilitating education sector, massively increase the budget for education and treat not only the ministers and permanent secretaries but also the lecturers and school heads alright. If the lecturers are well-paid and paid as at when due, they will gleefully impart knowledge onto our children who will become the leaders of this great nation tomorrow. Ensuing from my research, no Nigerian university is currently among the top 20 universities in Africa. This is a shame for a country touted as the Giant of Africa. We must raise the standard of our education sector tremendously. A country with a vibrant education is a country with a bright future. By investing massively in education, we indubitably bolster productivity in our economy and also transformational innovations that would avail our country of real greatness. Further to this Mr. President, one of the most pernicious threats beleaguering us today is insecurity of lives and properties. We are constantly being battered and forced to the grim reaper by different monsters in different quarters of the nation. In the north, the Boko Haram sect, Fulani herdsmen, the October 1st ultimatum and the IPOB agitation still depredating lives and properties. The people in other parts of the country are not safe either. Kidnappers are increasing by the day and hoodlums are flooding the streets every other day. This is the time to deliver on the mandate the Nigerian people gave to you. I believe that you will take every necessary step to quickly bring an end to these national threats just as you work assiduously towards exterminating the perennial economic hardship besetting the country. I wish you long life and sound health Mr. President. Once again, you are welcome!

There is nothing like middle belts. Northern elders

Ambassador Yahaya Kwande argued that the north does not have anything like the middle belt - Kwande, a member of the Northern Elders Forum, said the association would meet to consider restructuring - He argued that the appointment of Paul Unongo as the chairman of the NEF confirms the unity in the north Those claiming to be from middle belt part of Nigeria must just forget the idea as Yahaya Kwande, the country’s former ambassador to Switzerland, has declared that the north is not broken into parts. Read more: https://www.naij.com/1121593-we-northern-part-nigeria-forget-middle-belt-kwande-declares.

SIHIRI: RIKICI YA BARKE A FADAR PDP

RIKICI YA BARKE TSAKANIN SHUGABANIN PDP DA BOKAYEN DA SUKA GAYYATO DAGA KASAR INDIYA. Rahotanin daga ofishin jam'iyar PDP da ke Abuja, na nuni da cewa ana can ana dauki ba dadi tsakanin shugabanin PDP da Allolin su. Watau mashahuran bokayen nan da suka gayyato daga kasar Indiya domin halaka shugaba Buhari. Takardamar ta samo asali ne tun satin da ya gabata lokacin da wasu gwamnoni suka kai wa shugaba Buhari ziyara a London, inda ta bayyana cewa Buhari ya sami lafiya sabanin alkawalin da bokayen sukayi na cewa da gawar Buhari za' a dawo a Najeriya. Ganin Buhari ya sami lafiya sai daya daga cikin shugabanin PDP tsohon gwamnar wata jaha dake mukwabtaka da Jahar Kebbi da Zamfara ya kira taron gaggawa, inda suka gayyaci shugaban matsafan mai suna Mugulor Prasad da wakilin sa a Najeriya Guru Muhraj, inda shugabanin PDP suka nuna bacin ransu akan kasa halaka Buhari, suka kuma zargi Guru Mahraj da cin amana saboda ya fito kafafen yada labarai yanayi wa Buhari tayin cewa zai iya warkar da shi bayan PDP ta bashi Naira Miliyan 170 (N170 m) domin sihirce Buhari. A wancan taron gaggawan ne Boka Mugulor Prasad na kasar Indiya ya nemi da akara masa kudi dola miliyan 40 ($40m) bayan dola miliyan 60($60m) da aka bashi kafin ya yarda yazo Najeriya kuma kai tsaye aka bashi wadannan kudaden. Lamarin ya cabe ne a ranar Asabar 19/8/2017 bayan Shugaba Buhari ya dawo lafiya a raye, sai shugabanin PDP suka nemi boka Mugulor da Guru Mahraj da su mayar masu da kudaden su tunda sun kasa halaka Buhari. Bukatar da bokayen sukayi watsi da ita suka kuma kalubalanci shugabanin PDP da cewa sukai karan su a kotu idan suna bukartar kudaden su. A ranar Lahadi 20/8/2017 boka Mugulor da tawagar sa suka fice daga Najeriya inda suka bi jirgin Ethiopian Air Line domin komawa kasar su ta INDIYA yayin da shi kuma Guru Mahraj ya fice zuwa matsafarsa da ke dajin garin Ibadan. Yanzu PDP ta zama babu tsuntsu babu tarko; basu ga Allah basu ga Annabi, babu kudi babu mulki. Duk sihirin da suka shekaro sunayi wa Buhari Allah ya juya shi zuwa Vitamin 'A' a jikin Buhari la'akari da kwarin da wannan datijjo ya dawo a cikin sa. Ko wayannan shugabanin PDP za su shigar da kara kamar yadda bokayen suka kalubalance su, ko hasara zasu runguma kamar yadda ta zama sana' a a gare su? Lokaci zai nuna. Daga Amb Abu bako

Transcript of President Buhari speech

“My dear citizens, I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters. In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far. In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united. Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood. Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance. I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view. This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence. The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse. The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart. Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax. Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety. Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; • elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets • kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, • in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all. Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of; • economic security, • political evolution and integration • as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians. I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home. Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.”

Ghana crisis : No Nigerian killed, high commission

The Nigerian High Commission to Ghana has denied reports regarding the purported killing of some Nigerians in Ghana. The high commission in a statement on Monday said although there were xenophobic attacks targeted at some Nigerians in Ghana, no one was killed. It said on August 18, 2017, Nigerian nationals living around Sowutoun area in the Ga Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana, were allegedly targeted for attacks. The foreign mission said the attack was in retaliation to the stabbing to death of a 27-year-old Ghanaian, Mr.Misbau Amadu, by 48-year-old Thompson Peters, a Nigerian national from Delta state in his residence around 11pm on August 17, 2017. The statement added that the Deputy Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Kwabena Danso, revealed that the Nigerian, Mr. Peters, had on August 10, 2017, lodged a complaint at the Police Station at Lapas Area of Accra that Mr. Amadu broke into his apartment and stole some items. It added that while investigation on the claim was ongoing, Peters again on August 17, 2017, called the police to report that Mr. Amadu went to his (Peter’s) house around 9am armed with a knife and attacked him for reporting the case to the police.

The statement read in part, “In the course of the fight that ensued, Mr. Peters claimed he overpowered Amadu and stabbed him in his head in self-defence. The victim was rushed to the Mary Lucy Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors. As a result, Mr. Peters was accordingly arrested by the police for investigations. “Consequently, in the early hours of the next day, Friday, August 18, 2017, news quickly filtered out to Ghanaian residents of the area that a Nigerian had killed a Ghanaian following a misunderstanding over a girlfriend. “Ghanaians therefore mobilised against the Nigerians in the area and carried out attacks against them and their properties. The Accra Regional Police reportedly intervened and brought the situation under control. “Before it was curbed, some Nigerians had reportedly sustained injuries and their properties, including vehicles, damaged. There was, however, no confirmation of the death of any Nigerian as a result of the incident as alleged. Some Nigerians have reportedly moved out of the area for fear of further attacks on them.” The high commission said the suspect is currently in protective custody at the Odokor Police Station while some Nigerian diplomats would be meeting with the police and the suspect later

Nigeria has no alternative to Buhari now – NUPENG

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, on Sunday said the jubilation that followed the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari was an indication that the country had no alternative to him now. Tokunbo Korodo, the Chairman, South-West Chapter of the union told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that Nigerians were in happy mood with the arrival of their President. “We believe in our president and I can tell you, categorically, that there is no alternative to Buhari in moving the country forward,” he said. According to the chairman, the people came out immensely to welcome him, because they believed in him to turn around the ailing economy. “It is with happiness that Nigerians came to welcome their president, after 104 days in United Kingdom’s hospital. “The gesture showed by Nigerians is a sign that they believe in him and they have been praying for him to recover from the illness. “They have hope in him that he is back to turn the country’s ailing economy round. “Everybody is happy to receive the president back in the country.”

Mr. Korodo urged Mr. Buhari to continue with his good work. “Our president should not relent in his effort in getting rid of corrupt Nigerians and also ensure that money recovered from treasury looters is pump into the economy.’’ On August 19, many residents of Federal Capital Territory thronged the major roads from airport to catch a glimpse of the president who had spent 104 days outside Nigeria. He was on medical vacation in London. Some were seen singing, dancing with banners of the president’s portraits in their hands while others jostled to take photographs of his convoy with their cell phones. The presidential aircraft that conveyed Mr. Buhari landed at the airport at about 4:35 p.m. to the excitement of all those present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The aircraft then taxied to the tarmac amidst music played by the Guards Brigade along with a cultural troupe performing at the airport. The president later mounted a rostrum and saluted the guard of honour before getting into his official car and driven to the presidential villa.

LIVE UPDATES: President Buhari returns to Nigeria after 105 days on medical vacation

President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Nigeria today after 105 days in the United Kingdom where he was on medical vacation. The president's return was announced by his media aide Femi Adesina in the early hours of Saturday. The statement read: "President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the country later today, after receiving medical attention in London. "The President had left the country on May 7, this year, after handing over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has functioned as Acting President since then." Read more: https://www.naij.com/1121118-live-updates-president-buhari-returns-nigeria-105-days-medical-vacation-phot.html

Dangote to invest $450 million in agriculture in Niger State

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, has said that the company would invest U.S.$450 million in agriculture in Niger State over the next three years Dangote, who made this known during the 2017 Niger State Investment Summit in Minna, said the funds would be used to establish a large scale rice processing mill to process over 200, 000 metric tonnes of paddy rice. He said that a state-of-the-art fully integrated sugar refining industry would also be established. "Our company is also establishing a state of the art fully integrated sugar industry involving the development of over 30,000 hectares of sugar cane plantation and the production of about 500, 000 metric tonnes of refined sugar. "We are very excited about these investments and look forward to kick starting this mutually beneficial partnership with the government and good people of Niger State," he said.

Dangote, who was represented by Alhaji Mansur Ahmed, noted that the company also planned to invest over $1 one billion in agricultural production and processing of selected commodities like sugar, rice and tomatoes across the country. According to him, Niger has become the destination of choice for investment in the agricultural sector given its rich and vast arable land. He said that the company was poised to leverage on that toward a virile agriculture based economy. Dangote said that the group would also continue to engage governments at the federal and state levels where there were great potential to explore investment opportunities. The Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mrs Ramatu Yardua said the aim of the summit was to market the state as an investment destination in agriculture considering its enormous potential which were largely untapped. Yardua said that agriculture was key to moving the country out of recession, adding that the state was committed to creating a conducive and enabling environment for would be investors. NAN reports that the summit, which had as its theme: Impact Investing for Advancing Agricultural Economy and Innovation will end on Aug. 15. (NAN)

LUTH doctor tests positive to Lassa fever

Another doctor has tested positive to Lassa fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba. The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chris Bode, who confirmed the new case on Friday, said the doctor had had contact with the index patient. Three doctors who attended to the first patient, a 32-year-old pregnant woman who eventually died, had tested positive to the disease; while 135 other contacts were placed under surveillance at the hospital earlier this month. LUTH had discharged the doctors who had been infected with the disease on Wednesday after they were certified free of it by experts at the tertiary hospital. Bode, in a statement on Friday, said the doctor tested positive to Lassa fever on Thursday. Bode stated, “The three doctors admitted with confirmed Lassa fever have all been certified fit and discharged home because subsequent repeated tests on them showed they have now tested negative. “The 70 of the contacts being followed up have also been let off, having completed their period of observation.

“However, one new case was identified yesterday (Thursday) from among the doctors that first had close contact with the index case and she (the doctor) has already commenced treatment and is expected to recover fully very soon. “Psychological and other supports have also been provided and her family contacts are closely monitored.” The CMD who said the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Ministry of Health had provided more drugs, Personal Protective Equipment, follow-up services and decontamination services added that over 400 LUTH staff had been trained on the protocols of identifying and managing haemorrhagic fever to ensure that cases are caught early at the tertiary hospital. “Overall, the disease is gradually tapering off, but we must remain vigilant while ongoing efforts are maintained to control the disease. “There is a fully equipped response squad available round the clock to assess and take over the management of any suspected case in LUTH,” Bode added.

Collapsed Akpajo bridge will soon be repaired – Sen. Abe

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are at present collaborating to effect repairs on Akpajo bridge at Eleme which has cut off the Rivers South East Senatorial District from the rest of the State. Disclosing this to NTA International, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, said that he had tabled the case of the collapsed bridge to the two federal agencies and assured that the two agencies are putting their heads together to rehabilitate the road. Senator Abe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, sympathizes with the people of the district on their anguish on the collapsed bridge.

“As we speak now, a major bridge in my Senatorial District along the East West road has collapsed and people are spending days in gridlock on that road”, Abe stated. He, however, promised that efforts are being made to effect the repairs as soon as possible to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. “As we speak now, they (NDDC and FERMA) are meeting to find areas of collaboration to try to remedy the road so that life can be made easier”. He appealed to Nigerians to always exercise patience if there is effort to address a problem as challenges could arise at any time.

400 Level Unilag student arrested for rape

A 400 level student of the University of Lagos, Oluwaseyi Anyiam, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defiling a fellow student. Anyiam, 22, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault, is studying Actuarial Sciences. He resides at Ogundare Street in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos. The Prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Imhonwa, said the accused committed the offence at Alaogomeji area of Ebute-Meta, Lagos on Aug. 3 around 2 p.m. “The accused had forceful carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent. “The accused had earlier invited the victim to an eatery at Alaogomeji but on getting there, he told her that he forgot something at his house and they should both go to pick it. “When they got to the house, they met some of Anyiam’s friends at home playing loud music so they excused themselves and went into the room.” Imhonwa alleged that the accused offered the victim a drink which she declined and in the process, he started touching, kissing and fingering her. “The victim struggled with the accused but it was fruitless because of the loud music his friends were playing and his threat. “He eventually had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.”

The prosecutor said that the case was brought by the authorities of the University of Lagos to the office of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT). The coordinator of the body, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the case was reported to her office on Aug. 7 and that drastic actions were taken immediately. “On Aug. 9, the team went to Unilag to get the perpetrators but was told they had been transferred to the Sabo Police Division. “We went to the police station but we were told the parties had resolved the issues. “The survivor advocate requested to see the affected person the following day to ascertain the truth. “On August 10, DSVRT met with the survivor and her parents. They said they wanted to prosecute but were informed that they were going to be stigmatised if they did and that the survivor’s education would be affected. “Afterwards, the team counselled the family and made them realise there’s no stigma in reporting a crime.’’ The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two reputable sureties with verifiable addresses. Osunsanmi said the sureties must provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. She referred the case file to the office of the director of public prosecutions for advice and adjourned the matter to Oct. 19.

Masari decries encroachment into grazing reserves in Katsina

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has expressed concern over the rampant cases of encroachment of cattle routes, grazing and forest reserves in the state. Masari spoke on Thursday in Katsina at the opening ceremony of a stakeholders’ meeting on the menace of “Forest Reserves/Cattle Routes Encroachment’’. “The state is currently experiencing indiscriminate convert of cattle routes and grazing reserves into farmlands by influential people and farmers. “The state government is aware that several people have converted the cattle routes and government forest reserves into their farms. “The encroachment of the government reserve forest and the cattle routes are the sources of conflict between farmers and cattle breeders in the state. “The state government decided to organise this meeting with a view to finding solution to the menace of encroachment into the forest, grazing reserves and cattle routes,” he said. Earlier, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Kofar-Sauri, the Chairman, Committee for Peaceful Co-Existence between Farmers and Cattle Breeders, said that over 500 people in 34 local governments had encroached into the cattle routes, grazing reserves and forests.

“Our committee has uncovered that over 500 persons deliberately encroached into the places and converted them into farms illegally. “We have ejected over 200 people from the illegal farms and to our surprise, they have returned into the ejected farms,” he said. In his remarks, the Chairman, Civil Liberty Organisations, Alhaji Bashir Ruwan-Godiya, called on the state government to take drastic action against the offenders. “We are aware that prominent people are behind the syndicates that caused encroachment into the government forest reserves and cattle routes. “If this people are punished by the government, the common man will not even attempt to commit similar offence,” he said. In his contributions, the District Head of Bakori, Idris Sule Idris, appealed to the state government to give traditional rulers the chance to eject those that encroached into cattle routes and grazing reserves. Idris said that the menace had been causing unnecessary death of many people anytime there was clash between farmers and pastoralists in the state. NAN reports that the Katsina State Government had managed to dismantle the syndicate of cattle rustlers disturbing the cattle breeders and farmers in the state.

Dangote wants to buy Arsenal, sack Wenger

Africa’s richest man says he is plotting a bid to take over Arsenal — and that his first move as owner would be to fire Arsene Wenger. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote told Bloomberg in an interview that he is planning to make an offer to majority owner Stan Kroenke once the construction of a new oil refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, is completed. “The first thing I would change is the coach,” Dangote was quoted as saying. “He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.” Wenger was handed a new two-year contract as manager at the end of last season despite a turbulent campaign that saw Arsenal finish fifth in the Premier League.

While a growing number of fans turned against Wenger, Kroenke remained steadfast in his backing and extended his 21-year reign after the club won the FA Cup in May. Kroenke also rejected a takeover bid from minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov in May and has said the club is not for sale, though that has not deterred Dangote, who has spoken of wanting to purchase Arsenal in the past. “If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away,” he said. “Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away. And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.” According to Forbes, Dangote has a net worth of nearly $13 billion — considerably more than Kroenke’s $7.5bn.

First group of Qatari pilgrims enter Saudi Arabia by land: Saudi TV

DUBAI/DOHA (Reuters) - Qatari pilgrims began arriving in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Saudi media reported, after Riyadh said it was opening up its border and airports for those attending the annual haj pilgrimage despite a diplomatic rift that cut travel ties. Qatar welcomed the Saudi decision to open the border and provide flights for Qatari pilgrims, but saw the move as politically motivated, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed transport links with Qatar in June and imposed sanctions, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and Iran, which Doha denies. The state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the Salwa border point would be open for Qataris performing the haj, which this year runs from late August to early September.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television and state television reported that 50 Qatari pilgrims had entered Saudi territory on Thursday through the Salwa crossing, which was opened for the first time since the four-nation boycott of Qatar began. The pilgrims entered as guests of the Saudi king, al-Arabiya said. There was no immediate confirmation of the report by border officials on the Qatari side of the frontier. "Despite the fact it's been politically motivated to ban the Qatari people from haj and politically motivated that they allow them (in)..., we welcome such a step, which is a step forward to get rid of this blockade that is imposed against my country," Sheikh Mohammed told a news conference on a visit to Sweden. He did not elaborate on what he meant by "politically motivated". Saudi Arabia had already said Qatari pilgrims would not be affected by the travel restrictions, but some Qataris have said they faced difficulties organising the trip. Qatari pilgrims can cross the frontier without the permits usually needed to be obtained in advance for the haj, SPA said. A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Thor in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage October 11, 2013. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/File Photo The Saudi king has ordered the dispatch of a Saudi Airlines plane to fly Qatari pilgrims to Jeddah at his own expense, SPA added. Qatari pilgrims would also be able to pass through two of the kingdom's airports, it added. COMPLAINT Between 2 million and 3 million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, for the pilgrimage each year. Every able-bodied Muslim is supposed to undertake it at least once in the lifetime. Qatar had accused Saudi Arabia of politicizing the pilgrimage and complained to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion last month. It was not clear how far the opening of the border to pilgrims would go to help heal the rift, the worst involving U.S-allied Gulf Arab countries for years. A Qatari government spokesman said Qatari Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani had held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman before the announcement was made though he did not have a post in the Qatari government. Sheikh Mohammed, the foreign minister, said the ruling family member had been there on a personal basis. A Qatari semi-government rights body gave a cautious welcome to the Saudi move. "This is a step toward removing the obstacles and difficulties (Qataris) faced during haj procedures this year," the National Human Rights Committee said in a statement. Some Qataris said that even with permission to enter Saudi Arabia they would be concerned for their safety. "I think it is very risky to go to Mecca this year, there could be hate crimes against Qataris," said Fatima al-Mohannadi, a Qatari student.

Hope rises for Kaduna textile over planned $15m investment

The New Nigeria Development Company, NNDC, says it will invest $15 million through a partnership with a Turkish firm to reactivate the collapsed Kaduna Textile company. The Group Managing Director, Ahmed Musa, said this to journalists shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Turkish business delegation at the NNDC’s head office in Kaduna. The delegation had earlier inspected the site of the firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, both at the Kakuri Industrial Layout in Kaduna. The GMD said the NNDC and the Turkish firm, Sur International Textile, would invest the amount in revitalising the Kaduna Textile. According to the proposal, the Turkish firm will provide 35 per cent of the amount, the federal government 45 per cent and KTL will give 20 per cent of the funds. Mr. Musa said in a short term, the KTL would produce uniform needs for the Nigerian Armed Forces as well as the police and other paramilitary agencies in the country, and across the West Africa sub-region. He said revamping the KTL would boost the economy of Kaduna state and create employment opportunities to the unemployed youths within and outside the state. “We held a private meeting with a team of delegation from Turkey. “They want to invest in Kaduna Textile and turn it around. “In summary, they want to start producing military and paramilitary uniforms for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Mr. Musa said.

According to him, the project is a big and laudable one that will boost the economy of Kaduna State by increasing its revenue drive and create massive employment. “We have been able to attract investors into the state,” he added. The NNDC’s Executive Director, Investments, Abdullahi Ali-Gombe, said the agreement would revamp the collapsed Textile firm, owned by the 19 Northern States. Besides boosting the ailing economy, Mr. Ali-Gombe explained that when operational, the firm would essentially go into production of military and paramilitary garments. Mr. Ali-Gombe, who is also the Chairman, Restructuring Committee of the KTL, said “we cannot say tentatively when this will take off. We are hoping very soon. The Kaduna Textile Limited, established in 1957, operated a large integrated textile mill, producing various kinds of garments. The company, currently in a state of comatose, started operation in November 1957, spinning the country’s cotton and later in January 1958, went into full production of unbleached grey bafts. In 1961, it began the production of finished garments. The firm was financed by the Northern Nigeria regional Marketing Board and the region’s development corporation and was managed by an expatriate firm, David Whitehead & Sons. It was closed down in 2000 following various financial crises and inadequate power supply.

How Buhari Is Controlling Osinbajo From London

More than three months after leaving Nigeria, it remains unclear when President Muhammadu Buhari will return, despite his remarks about his desire to resume work. They were merely the latest in a number of presidency announcements. But even from far-away London Buhari and his aides have restrained acting president Yemi Osinbajo. “He (Osinbajo) is so scared to offend President Buhari to the extent that he takes no major action without consent from him through phone,” said a presidency official, asking not to be named. Osinbajo and his aides often hold meetings which has enlivened a presidential villa criticized for inertia — but he still seeks approval from Buhari or his chief of staff. He flew to London for a few hours last month to get Buhari’s approval to appoint two ministers who had been already cleared by parliament, the official said. During the meeting, Buhari even asked Osinbajo to give the ministers no portfolio as he wanted to assign them himself after his return, he said. Moreover, when Osinbajo tried to appoint a new board for an anti-corruption commission he had to withdraw his candidates because Buhari’s aides did not like two names, the official said. Among the few projects Osinbajo got underway are the legalizing of illicit refineries in the restive Niger Delta oil hub, often the only work for youth who tend to join otherwise militants. Osinbajo also ordered an overhaul of dilapidated facilities at Lagos airport, the main entry gate into Nigeria, as part of a plan to ease doing business. The new FX trade window has prompted some foreign investors to return, pushing Nigerian stocks to a nearly three-year-high in August. But its inconclusive nature still holds back investors, London-based Capital Economics said. “There is a possibility that Buhari returns, sees things improving and thinks there is no need to change anything. Further reforms are desperately needed to achieve meaningful growth,” said John Ashbourne, Africa economist at Capital Economics. The window for Osinbajo to launch bold economic reforms and wrestle the ill-disciplined naira currency into shape is fast closing. President Buhari signalled over the past weekend that he is ready to return from receiving medical treatment in London as soon as his doctors allowed it. That could put paid to investor hopes for economic changes to qualify Nigeria for a World Bank loan to drag it out of recession. It will also leave the plethora of naira exchange rates standing, albeit perhaps closer to each other. Buhari has kept a grip on power despite his medical leave, and the more business-friendly Osinbajo has been reluctant to challenge him. This has gone as far as him flying to London to get permission for personnel changes. “We don’t expect any deviation from the current economic policy stance should President Buhari return,” said Cobus de Hart, senior economist at South Africa’s NKC African Economics. “One could hope that the return of the president goes hand in hand with an acceleration of reform implementation, but we doubt this will be the case.” Osinbajo, who has been running Nigeria since Buhari went to Britain on May 7 and also ran it between January and March, has made some changes. He has managed to calm tensions in the Niger Delta oil hub and pushed small steps such as a forex trade window to narrow the gap between the official and parallel naira exchange rates. But a unifying of all the exchange rates — there are at least six, including the black market — remains far away. It would amount to a devaluation, which Buhari has opposed.

Buhari, a former military ruler from the north, made Osinbajo acting president when he first went to Britain to avoid a vacuum as occurred in 2010 when then-President Umaru Yar’Adua spent three months in a Saudi hospital while his aides shrouded his illness in secrecy. His deputy Goodluck Jonathan only took over in a constitutional crisis after Yar’Adua died. Osinbajo has gone out of his way to show his loyalty — as a Christian lawyer from Ogun state, he is walking a tightrope to avoid policies that may annoy Buhari and his inner circle, who are mainly Muslim northerners. “The chief of staff and his team are working alongside Osinbajo on the understanding that (he) will not run in 2019,” a government adviser said. Osinbajo has never said he wants to run. “The election cycle is the last two years of an administration. As we enter the election the issue of mutual trust becomes crucial because nobody wants to be ambushed,” said the adviser, who did not want to be named. Traditionally in Nigeria, the leadership rotates between north and south to ensure a balance in a country evenly split between Muslims and Christians. Jonathan, a Christian from the south, upset many northerners by refusing to give way. Northerners also felt there should have been another northern term after Yar’Adua’s death. Hundreds were killed in riots after Jonathan’s election in 2011.

Presidency reply Jonathan, you left Nigeria economy in error

our Excellency Jonathan, this is the economy you left behind, in case you have forgotten: With due respects to the former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, these are the facts about the economy you left behind, in case you have forgotten. I hope this will help to erase the wrong statement credited to you at your party, the PDP Convention at the Eagle Square last weekend that you handed to President Buhari a robustly healthy economy. To the same extent, this should also help to erase yet another false statement by Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the Caretaker Chairman of the party, to the effect that under the previous administration there was money but now things are very hard. Let me start by reasserting an obvious statement, which is that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was handed an economy ravaged by years of mismanagement and corruption. It is understandable that Dr. Jonathan kept his comments short, because a cursory look at any sector clearly indicated that he and his Government presided over the most monumental and tragic economic mismanagement recorded in our national history. President Goodluck Jonathan The oil sector boomed under his tenure, with oil prices as high as US$ 120 and peace in the Nigeria Delta. Nigeria earned unprecedented dollar revenues. Sadly, that is where the story turns sour. There is nothing to show for the revenues earned, no major capital project was completed, neither power generation, road development, rail or agriculture benefitted from the windfall earnings. Rather the administration presided over the diversion of oil revenues on a such a massive scale, that even without the protection now accorded to Whistle blowers, the then Central Bank Governor blew not only a whistle but a trumpet. He was hurriedly shown the door. Meanwhile, the acquisition by public officers and their cohorts of private jets, luxury yachts and the accumulation of expensive property portfolios world-wide continued unabated. Indeed the President once celebrated having the largest number of private jets, whilst our youth languished without jobs, our fields stood idle and our factories began the lay off of workers. Government simply reticulated oil revenue through personal spending by corrupt leaders, wasteful expenses and salaries. This was done rather than investing in what would grow the economy. Economies grow due to capital investment in assets like seaports, airports, power plants, railways, roads and housing. Nigeria can not record a single major infrastructural project in the last 10 years. In short the money was mismanaged. Such was the looting that even the goose that was laying the golden egg was being systematically starved. The direct contractual costs of oil produced , in the form of cash calls, remained unpaid. The incoming, President Buhari’s welcome from the oil majors included demand for US$6Bn owed by Nigeria for oil that had already been sold or stolen. At the inception of the current administration, 21 States were unable to meet their salary bills and the specter of workers arrears had commenced. The PDP solution was the raid the Ecological Fund and selectively grant N2Bn each to the PDP States. It was only aggressive borrowing by the Ministry of Finance under Dr. Okonjo- Iweala that prevented Federal Government from also owing salaries. The economic wisdom of borrowing to pay recurrent bills is a questionable one, particularly as those paid would have included over 45,000 that have subsequently been removed by the Buhari led administration as ghost workers. It also included the lavish costs of chartering private jets, first class travel and other wasteful acts that have been eliminated under this administration. To compound the problem the government was borrowing heavily and owed contractors, and international oil companies. When this government took over we had accumulated debt back to the level it was before the Paris Club Debt Forgiveness. All these factors were building up to Nigeria heading for a major crisis if the price of oil fell. Nigeria did not have fiscal buffers to withstand an oil shock. The oil shock should and could have been foreseen. When Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS crisis started, it was clear that the United States of America wanted to cut off funds to terror groups by crashing the price of oil. When America granted permission for exploration of oil on land ( Shale) the warning signs were evident, but these were ignored by Nigeria’s economic managers. Such was the looting that even the goose that was laying the golden egg was being systematically starved. The direct contractual costs of oil produced, in the form of cash calls, remained unpaid. The incoming President Buhari’s welcome from the oil majors included demand for US$6Bn owed by Nigeria for oil that had already been sold or stolen. At the inception of the Buhari administration, 21 States were unable to meet their salary bills and the specter of workers arrears had commenced. The PDP solution was to raid the Ecological Fund and selectively grant N2Bn each to the PDP States. It was only aggressive borrowing by the Ministry of Finance that prevented Federal Government from also owing salaries. The economic wisdom of borrowing to pay recurrent bills is a questionable one, particularly as those paid would have included over 45,000 that have subsequently been removed by the Buhari led administration as ghost workers. It also included the lavish costs of chartering private jets, first class travel and other wasteful acts that have been eliminated under this administration. In summary Nigeria earned a lot of money when oil prices were high but there is nothing to show for it. Now oil prices have fallen we are suffering. What could they have done differently? They could have begun doing the very things that the Muhammadu Buhari administration is doing so painfully now: 1. Fight corruption. 2. Sanitize the huge salary bill by eliminating payroll fraud. 3. Reduce wasteful expenses like First Class Travel and Private jets. 4. Encourage State Governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments. 5. Increase spending on capital projects especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. 6. Block the leakages that allowed government revenues to be siphoned into private hands. 7. Focus on key sectors ( apart from oil) that can create jobs and or generate revenue such as Agriculture, Solid Minerals, and Manufacturing. If these things had been done when the oil price was as high as US$120 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament. We would not be suffering now if we had no cash reserves but we had power, or a rail system, or good roads, or good housing. But we don’t have money and we don’t have the projects either. Now that the oil has fallen below those levels, it is very difficult to do what is needed but they must be done to save Nigeria. There is no other way if we want to be honest. If PDP were still in power they would have continued deceiving people, by borrowing to fund stealing and wastage and the problem would have simply been postponed for future generations to face. One of former President Jonathon’s specific boasts is that dollar under him was N180 compared to today. With such a line of argument, it is clear why we are where we are. With oil prices as high as $120 the average inflow of dollars each month was high, making it easy to support cheap dollars. However, with oil price plummeting as low as $28, the fundamental laws of supply and demand dictated that the currency would need to adjust since oil was the sole export. It is instructive to note that virtually every major oil exporter has witnessed currency adjustments with the fall in oil price. The Buhari administration has taken a long term strategic view of supporting a stable naira on both the supply and demand sides. President Buhari has driven Import substitution to reduce demand for dollars to buy things we can produce thereby creating thousands of rural jobs in rice and other staples. In addition, there is a credible plan to diversify our revenue sources away from oil, with a focus on export crops as well as solid minerals, with the release of US$100M fund to develop solid mineral extraction. President Muhammdu Buhari has a positive and prosperous vision for Nigeria. A nation in which the natural talent and hard work of the people is being supported by an enabling environment for infrastructural development and policy reforms that will develop a firm future for our nation. Nigerians are looking forward and the PDP’s lurking in the economic rear view mirror only underscores the resolve of Nigerians, that as far as the economy is concerned it is ‘'never again."

Evans: Billionaire kidnapper Evans wins first case in court

- The court has ruled that the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by billionaire kidnapper Evans can proceed - Evans initiated a suit against the Police over infringement on his fundamental rights before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos - The Police argued that the suit was not ripe for hearing since the Inspector-General of Police and the commissioner have not been personally served Billionaire kidnapper Evans has won the first round of his court battle as the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday, August 16 ruled that the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by him can proceed.

Hope for students as ASUU AND FG reach some agreement after meeting

- There might be some hope for Nigerian students affected by the recent ASUU strike action - Following a meeting with the federal government, the union has agreed to an audit of earlier funds - They also agreed on monthly remittances during the period of the audit The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) met with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige in Abuja on August 15. According to NAN, the meeting held at the Minister’s Conference Room, Ministry of Labour in Abuja. At the end of the meeting they had taken significant steps toward the resolution of the issues raised by ASUU.

We are ready for war with Hausa/Fulani people - Nnamdi Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday declared that it is ready for war in order to actualize the restoration of Biafra. IPOB made the declaration while faulting the refusal of the Federal Government to grant its call for referendum. The group also faulted the stance of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, for insisting on the unity of Nigeria. In a statement by its Directorate of State, Chinasa Nworu, the pro-Biafra group maintained that it would “gladly and happily,” go to war again. “We ask for a referendum to go our separate way, but you, Okorocha and your Hausa Fulani brothers are conversing for war. “If it comes to that, Biafrans shall defend themselves, we have done it before and we shall gladly and happily do it again. “Remember that 2017 shall never be compared to 1967-1970. As you summoned the pastors, traditional leaders and your so called leaders also don’t fail to summon the Arewa youths to build bridges over the lives of Biafran in the Northern Nigeria over their quit notice of October 1st, 2017.”

20 rape cases reported in Plateau in two months – Police

Over 20 rape cases were reported in Plateau State within the last two months, the police have said, as the law enforcement agency warns of a rise in the frequency of the crime in the state. “The command wishes to inform members of the public of the worrisome increase in the frequency of rape cases recorded across the state in the last few months,” police spokesperson in the state, Terna Tyopev, said in a press statement in Jos on Tuesday. Mr. Tyopev said minors are mostly affected in the recent rape cases.

“There are about 20 rape cases within the last 60 days. The sad aspect is that under-age female persons are among victims,” he said. Mr. Tyopev called on parents to be more careful in protecting young children. “Parents are therefore advised to specially attend to be the security and welfare of their children and wards particularly female. “This is with a view to guide against falling victims of rape by randy persons and other men of the underworld.”