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Showing posts with the label Federal Republic of Nigeria

Senate approves and Increases Buhari’s virement fund from N180.8bn to N208bn

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Nigeria's National Assembly has, Tuesday, approved the virement request by President Muhammadu Buhari which is in the tune of N208.821 billion. This was contained in series of tweets sent by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Nigerian Senate Twitter handle The virement fund explained by the President as ‘critical recurrent and capital items’ is for execution of key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. President Buhari had requested for virement of N180.8 billion in the 2016 budget for provision of needed votes for some sectors as well as to “provide for inadequacy in the provision for the National Youth Service Corps in the 2016 budget’’. However, the House of Representatives increased the virement fund request from N180 billion to N208.821 billion. Senate approves the virement of funds for Special Intervention (Recurrent & Capital) for funding of Critical Recurrent & Capital Items. — Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) 29 November 2016 S

Explosion And Fire Rock Shell Facility In Ogoniland

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Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist who visited the site, said the inferno occurred just a few meters away from a military surveillance post. A trunk line carrying crude oil in the Goi community in the Ogoniland area of Rivers State became engulfed in dark plums of smoke and flames on Monday morning. The trunk line belongs to the Shell Petroleum Development Company. Celestine Akpobari, an environmental activist who visited the site, said the inferno occurred just a few meters away from a military surveillance post. According to her, the fire immediately followed the sound of an eruption affecting the Agbada/Bomu trunk line. "Goi, another Ogoni community, is on fire this early morning from an eruption on the 28-inch Agbada/Bomu trunkline belonging to Shell, which is just a few meters from the surveillance post," she told our correspondent. "The first eruption which led to a serious fire outbreak occurred in the same community last July 10, 2016, leading to a

IGP, Meets with Squadron Commanders

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K Idris today,  met with Squadron Commanders of the various Mobile Police Units of the Force at The Police Headquarters,  Abuja  yh E Federal Capital Territory. In attendance,  were the Commanders of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Anti Bomb Squad,  and Mopol Squadrons (1-58)

Yahaya Bello's Election Upheld by Supreme Court

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, had his election upheld moments ago by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. This news follows a protracted political and legal battle for the governorship in Kogi State following the death of gubernatorial candidate Abubakar Audu moments before his confirmation by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC). Our correspondent at the Supreme Court learned that the seven-man panel, lead by Justice Sylvester Nguta, dismissed the appeals filed by the former running mate of Mr. Audu, James Faleke and others. The justices stated that justification for their decision would be provided on September 30th. The court’s decision, which was unanimous, made judicial history because the situation had never been accounted for in existing constitutional laws.

SSS And Police Want Edo Governorship Election Postponed, Due to Security Threats

The Nigeria Police and State Security Services (SSS)  delivered a joint statement today Wednesday requesting that the September 10th 2016 Edo Gubernatorial Elections should be postponed,  this was as a result of intelligence gathered that violence might erupt during the process.  They also said that ‘credible intelligence’ indicates plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and high population soft targets during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between12th and 13th September, 2016. “Edo State, is amongst the States being earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremist elements,” they said in the statement, which was signed by DCP Don Awunah for the police, and Garba Abdullahi for DSS. “The public would recall that similar threats were issued during the May Labour Day and Democracy Day celebrations as well as the Ed-el-fitr holidays in July, 2016,” they said.  “However, the security agencies were able to decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgent

Bodies of Three Drowned Soldiers Recovered

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Assisted by military personnel, local divers in Bayelsa State have recovered bodies of three drowned soldiers yesterday in Brass LGA area. This was contained in series of statements issue by the Bayelsa State Chapter Chairman of The National Maritime Union,  Mr. Lloyd Sese, He said the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of four soldiers in Brass Local Government area was due to poor logistics and use of low powered engine boats to convoy military personnel. Mr. Sese, who commented on the incident yesterday in Yenagoa, said the preliminary investigation conducted by the Brass Unit of the Maritime Union showed that the accident could have been avoided if adequate logistics were arranged with high capacity engine boats used. He stated that “they used small boats with low capacity engines.” He called on the military authorities to consult the Maritime Union for logistics and transport during such movements, while we commiserate with the Nigerian Military on the loss of their m

Rotimi Akeredolu Emerges As APC Governorship Candidate In Ondo State

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Rotimi Akeredolu has emerged the governorship candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State following today’s primary election held amidst tight security in the capital of Akure. Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, who is also the chairman primary election committee of the party that monitored the exercise, announced Mr. Akeredolu as the winner of the poll at the international event center moments ago. Our correspondent found that other members of the APC Primary Election Committee include: Dr. Bruce Ugbide, Rep. Hamma Ali, Prince M. Martin, and Mr Mohammed Lawal. He described the conduct of the APC primary election producing a candidate for the opposition party in the state as transparent and credible. Mr. Abubakar, however, asked the unsuccessful aspirants in the election to pacify their supporters to join hands with Mr. Akeredolu in order to win the November 26th governorship election in the state. He disclosed that the party was prepa

14 NestOil Staff Kidnapped in Rivers State

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Unknown Gunmen on Saturday abducted fourteen workers from the Nestoil oil company in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State while travelling in their company van. According to eyewitnesses, the employees were returning from their work site at Omoku area and were en route to Port Harcourt when they were ambushed by the kidnappers. Reporters was unable to speak to anyone from the company’s management to issue a statement at the time of publication. When our correspondent contacted the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development and stressed that their men have swung into action. He added that police have located the staff van. Mr. Omoni said policemen have moved into the bushes in that area and expressed optimism that the workers will be rescued.

Bola Tinubu Returns to Nigeria, Amidst Concerns

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Several political figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) told SaharaReporters that there were serious apprehensions about former Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu of Lagos State who has not been seen in public for several weeks. Some of the politicians wondered whether the former governor had taken ill, noting that there were political challenges in the party’s south-west zone that they expected Mr. Tinubu to be on ground addressing. In the wake of their concerns, a source close to Mr. Tinubu told SaharaReporters that the former governor left Nigeria two weeks ago and flew to the United Kingdom for personal reasons. The source added that Mr. Tinubu was supposed to have returned a week later, but his whereabouts remain unknown to party apparatchiks. The APC leader’s aides did not initially return our correspondent’s phone calls and ignored text messages inquiring about his whereabouts and requesting to interview him. However, in a short text to SaharaReporters just before we went to

Ethno-Religious Cleansing Of Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State By Olufemi Opeyemi

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The way the Vice Chancellors were selected for the twelve new Nigerian universities that were established about six years ago was something unprecedented in the history of university administration--and it was also widely condemned. The new Vice Chancellor for one of the universities, Federal University, Dutsinma, Professor Haruna Kaita, was appointed in February 2016. The normal process for appointment of Vice Chancellors is first to advertise the vacancy. Qualified and shortlisted candidates are then screened by a Council Committee, which sends the three recommended candidates to the general council. The Council then ratifies the committee recommendation and the list is then forwarded to the President for the appointment of one of the three. This process was not adhered to. In the case of Federal University Dutsinma, the appointment was made straight from Abuja without due process. Commenting on the anomaly, President Muhammed Buhari, said the government would make amends, but the

A call for Biafra, How Feasible?

What these people fail to realize is the shame and ridicule the biafra movement has become ever since Nnamdi kanu was discovered to be a fraud and arrested by the Nigerian government. Right to self determination is a treasonable offense against the Nigerian state because it's not captured in our Constitution. It is totally illegal for any region or group of people to demand seccession from Nigeria. The penalty would have been death if we were in a military regime. The Indian government recently opened fire on secessionist in the Kashmir region of India just to serve as a deterrent to future agitators. Despite having a referendum, Scotland chose to remain in the UK cos they for-saw their impending doom if they decide to leave. The Spanish government have disregarded several calls for catalonia to break away from spain. Russia recently annexed crimea from Ukraine after the crimeans got tired of life outside the soviet Union. The people of South Sudan are regretting their decision to

Gabon Presidential Guard Bombs Opposition Party HQ, Leaves 2 Dead

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Jean Ping, chief rival to Gabonese President Ali Bongo, said the presidential guard bombed his party’s headquarters and killed two people on Thursday, according to a report by BBC Africa. A government spokesman who confirmed the bombing to BBC said that it was done to fish out the protesters who set fire to the parliament. “The presidential guard plus some mercenaries and the police, after 1 a.m., bombed my headquarters,” Mr. Ping said. “They destroyed everything, and we have now two deaths and several people wounded.” Protests erupted in Libreville, the capital city, on Wednesday after Mr. Bongo was declared winner amid accusations of rigging. According to the electoral commission, Mr. Bongo defeated his rival with 49.8 percent of the vote to his rival’s 48.23 percent. Mr. Ping, who had declared himself winner on Sunday, has demanded a recount. “Everybody knows that I won the election,” Mr. Ping told Reuters. “The [Bongo] family are repeating the same scenario for almost half a c

Kaduna State Governor Pays Courtesy Visit to IGP

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Courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police by the Kaduna State Governor. The Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency Honorable Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai paid courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, mni, psc, in his office at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja on 1st September, 2016 

Nigeria's External reserves rise by $595m in five days

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The nation’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $595m to hit a one-month high of $26.196bn, the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria have shown. This came on Monday just as the naira traded around 412- 413 against the United States dollar at the parallel market, compared to 414/dollar on Sunday. External reserves stood at $25.6bn as of August 24, down from $26.21bn on July 28, the CBN data showed. The reserves declined from $26bn on August 4, 2016 to $25.97bn on August 5 as the CBN stepped up dollar sales to boost liquidity at the interbank market and support the ailing naira. The central bank has been selling dollars regularly at the interbank market to prop up the naira since it floated it on June 20. The currency touched an all-time low of 365.25 per dollar on August 18 at the official market. In June and July, the reserves hovered between $26.3 and $26.4bn, but fell to $26.12bn on August 1. The reserves had stood at $26.4bn between May 24 and 27, after droppi

See Farmlands Destroyed by Floods in Katsina State.

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Katsina State branch of The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria revealed in a statement that hundreds of farmlands were destroyed in the recent floods within Baure, Ingawa, Matazu and Malumfashi Local Government areas of Katsina state. An assessment was carried out to note the extent of the damage done after the heavy downpour of rain. More photos after the cut…

Nepotism Again? Buhari 's Chief of Staff Abba Kyari In-law appointed to join NIMASA Board

Nepotism again? President Muhammadu Buhari has just confirmed the appointment of Mohammed Gidado Muazu, brother to wife his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari as a member of NIMASA board

Timipre Sylvia' Aide, Jonah Okah arrested over Facebook Post.

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An aide to the All Progressives Congress candidate in the concluded Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Elections Mr. Jonah Okah  has been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force over his status on Facebook. His crime was making comments regarding the arrest of Richie Etonye, The Chief Accountant of the Bayelsa State Government, on issues bothering on money laundering and his subsequent arrest.  Jonah,  before his arrest was an aide on social media to a past Governor of Bayelsa State Timipre Sylvia. Mr. Jonah was arrested earlier this morning at his residence in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.  As you would recall his boss,  Timipre Sylvia contested the 2016 Bayelsa governorship elections under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ,  but lost to his major opponent of the People's Democratic Party. Calls put to the Public Relations Officer(PPRO)  of the state was not returned nor answered as the officer was said to be in a meeting.

Abuse Of Power:Buhari, Check Chief Of Staff, (Civil Society Coalition Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)

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In a petition to the President, the group listed instances of power abuse by Kyari, warning that such constitute an affront to the government's anti-corruption drive. ‎Signed by its National Chairman, Mr. Olarenwaju Suraju, the petition drew heavily from a report published by Sahara Reporters earlier this month, revealed how Kyari has mined the influence of his office to further personal interests. "The letter received by reporters reportedly showed how Mr. Kyari prospects on behalf of Valiant Offshore Contractors Limited, a private business that is being fronted by the major owner of Seawolf Oilfield Services Limited. Seawolf Oilfield Services is the biggest debtor of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON)). The company is owned by Nigerian businessman Uwamu Adolor, Okulola Remi (former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ally), Rasheed Mahey Rafindadi, Wessels Alwyn, Odunlami Remi, Waziri Ibrahim Dahiru and Oduntan Adetunji.  "Sequel to the N160 billion debt owed

Aero Contractors Airlines, Nigeria Confirms Suspension of Services

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Aero Contractors Airlines, Nigeria’s second largest commercial carrier, has confirmed the suspension of its scheduled services beginning from Thursday September 1, 2016. Confirming this in a statement signed by the carrier’s management on Wednesday, Aero stated that the suspension was part of the strategic business realignment to reposition the airline and return it to profitability. It stated that this “business decision”, which is a result of the current economic situation in the country, had forced some other airlines to suspend operations or pull out of Nigeria. The management of the carrier said the airline had faced grave challenges in the past six months which impacted its business and by extension the scheduled services operations. These factors, according to Aero, are both internal and external environmental factors that have made it difficult for it to continue its scheduled services. It stated that during the period in review, Aero witnessed epileptic operations and ser

FAAN RESTORES ELECTRICITY AT MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT, LAGOS

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said on Monday that electricity supply had been fully restored to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. According to FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Yakubu Dati, the power supply was restored at about 10.50 a.m. on Sunday after two days of interrupted power supply. Dati said that the engineers successfully corrected all defaults, adding that normalcy had been restored to the affected areas. He said that the power surge at about 8.56 p.m. on Saturday adversely affected the k16 transformer that serves the E-Wing Air-bridges and rendered them unserviceable. “This affected operations of some departing flights as the heavy rainfall further delayed attempts by engineers to effect repairs immediately,’’ he said. Dati assured the public of safety and security at the nation’s airports and apologised to the passengers and airlines for the inconvenience caused by the interruption. The News Agency of Nigeria (