Nigerian And World News

Monday, September 7

IN PICTURES: Chief of Army staff exercises with soldiers

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been accused by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of allegedly squandering over N120 billion during his first 100 days in office.

The APC, in a statement on Monday by its chairman, Davies Ikanya, said Governor Wike who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been merely engaging in falsehood and propaganda.

The party alleged that the money included N30 billion Mr. Wike borrowed shortly after assuming office, the N10 billion left by the previous administration and over N80 billion that accrued from Internally Generated Revenue and the Federation Account.

The party said, “Chief Wike represents everything that should not be found anywhere near the corridors of power. He personifies inaction, profligacy, corruption, maladministration and vendetta.
“Wike has not initiated any meaningful project in Rivers State since he forcibly assumed office in May 29th through the blood of Rivers people and in connivance with the corrupt and demented State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan.”

“Apart from setting up the vindictive Judicial Commission of Inquiry and awarding contracts to his companies for the filling of potholes in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor local government areas, Chief Wike cannot justify the expenditure of the N30 billion he borrowed plus the N10 billion left by the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and over N80 billion that has accrued to the State through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and from the Federation Account.”

The APC alleged that the governor presented roads constructed by Mr. Amaechi as those he constructed in the last 100 days in office, noting that no quality road could be constructed within six month let alone 100 days.

It also accused the governor of sponsoring a media war aimed at disparaging and decimating Mr. Amaechi’s character as well as visiting various churches to pray for forgiveness for the 100 people killed in the state in order to assume office.

The party said Mr. Wike could only boast of increase of insecurity, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities associated with a visionless administration.

“Today, all the initiatives of the Amaechi administration to curb insecurity in Rivers State have been annulled by Wike and his cohorts,” it said.

“The result is that Rivers residents now sleep with two eyes open as kidnapping, such as the case of Vanguard Columnist Donu Kogbara is now the order of the day.”

The APC also berated Mr. Wike for failing to declare his assets contrary to the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution that elected public officers should declare their assets.

It said, “We are, however, not surprised about his reluctance to make his assets public because he knows that if he does so, Rivers people and the entire world would be shocked to know that half of the property in Port Harcourt is owed by Chief Wike and his acolytes due to his greed and insatiable crave for wealth.”

The party lambasted Mr. Wike for refusing to constitute a cabinet, saying the governor preferred “to run the state from his bedroom in collaboration with former first lady, Patience Jonathan and other war lords that installed him as the Rivers State Governor.”

Former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timiprieye Silva, on Monday made a last minute entrance into the state governorship race when he submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms at the All Progressive Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja.

There have been speculations about Silva’s interest in the race with many saying he is still undecided between the choice of contesting the APC primary or going for a national appointment.

Addressing journalists after submitting his form, the former governor accused former president, Goodluck Jonathan of constituting himself into an opposition to his government since he was elected as governor of the state in 2007.

He said despite the opposition from the Presidency, he was able to deliver some quality projects to the people of the state but were not consummated before he was ousted by “impunity and wickedness in high places.”

Dickson said, “There is always a driving force behind an ambition. For me, it is very simple. I went into Bayelsa government house in 2007 under very difficult circumstances, having a central government that was interested in ousting me from day one.

“If you noticed, from day one when I entered government house in 2007, the vice president as he then was, was the head of my opposition. When all the state apparatus is summoned to run you out of office, it was a very uphill task. But despite that, we were undaunted and we carried on.

“I went into Bayelsa state at the height of the militancy problem and a few years into my government, I was able to design a strategy which I called the triple e- strategy that led to the end of militancy in the Niger Delta and I can single handedly take credit for that and even my opponents will not begrudge me on that.

“I also went ahead to do a lot of roads. No other governor in the history of the state can say he has done more roads in Yenogoa city than I did. The senatorial roads leading to Okporoma, I started it and also started the road leading to Brass. In the area of power, what we did in power was seen by all.

“As at 2012, we were poised to celebrate in 2013 one year of uninterrupted power supply in Yenogoa city, I had installed turbans and there is a turban that was 93 percent completed when I was ousted.

“The outgoing government refused to commission it because they did not want me to take credit for it. I built a hospital that would have been one of the best in Nigeria and was to be commissioned in May 2012. The outgoing government has refused to go near that hospital since I was ousted.”

The Police in Lagos on Monday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court, Igbosere, a “hungry man” who allegedly stole yam and palm oil, valued at N5,000

Nasiru Ibrahim‎, 33, who is unemployed, with no fixed address was docked on a one- count charge of stealing under Section 285(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

He was alleged to have committed the offence on September 3 at about 2:00am, at Falomo Police Barracks, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Prosecuting police officer, Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, alleged that ‎the defendant stole a yam tuber and 25 litres of palm oil belonging to one Wilson Ogechi.

‎However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail by Magistrate A.T. Omoyele in N10,000 with two responsible sureties, who are gainfully employed.

The case was subsequently adjourned till September 30 for mention.

The Senate will on Tuesday begin investigation into alleged unwholesome practices in the power sector.

A statement by the Clerk of Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Power, Cletus A. Ojabo, said the power sector probe will be in form of investigative hearing/interactive session.

Ojabo said the investigation will centre on funds appropriated for the power sector since 1999 and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The statement was however silent on those that had been invited to appear before the probe panel.

It is expected that all those who played key roles in the power sector since 1999 including ministers and heads of government departments and parastatals will appear before the panel.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, inaugurated the ad-hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive probe of allegations of questionable practices in the power sector.

The committee headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, (Borno North) is charged with the task of looking into the entire power value chain including generation, transmission and distribution with a view to identifying what the problems in the sector are.

Saraki noted at the inauguration of the committee three weeks ago that the task before the panel is huge.

The Senate President frowned at the continued absence of regular supply of electricity despite the country’s huge investments in the sector.

Kyari, in his remarks, detailed the nature of the investigation his committee is saddled with.

He said: “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order to obtain optimum performances across the board.

“The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the current deteriorating power supply which hovers around 4,600MW for a population of over 170million people, despite the huge resources committed into it.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday gave reasons why the Nigeria’s civil service has been declining over the years.

He blamed it on inability of successive administrations to clearly articulate a vision and develop the required capacity to implement various components of the vision.

Buhari was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the launching of a capacity building programmes for public servants, Structured Mandatory Assessment-based Training Programme (SMAT-P) and Leadership Enhancement And Development Programme (LEAD-P) at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “Many who mourn the decline of the civil service today from its days as ‘primus inter pares’ in the Commonwealth to one which has earned a reputation for inefficiency, low productivity, corruption and insensitivity to the needs of the public fall into the error of thinking that the problem is a poverty of ideas and capacity on the part of the civil service; whereas, it is the inability to clearly articulate a vision, ensure that the service develops the required capacity to articulate and implement the various components of the vision.

“Here, we’re launching capacity building initiatives designed to strengthen the leadership at all levels in the service and build a new performance management system. But the fundamental questions are: what is the ethos, the ethical and ideological world view that the service is to deliver? To what purpose do we deploy leadership skills and for what ends? How can we measure performance when the objective itself is unclear?

“Without clear answers to these questions, the service will grope in the dark and take the government and people along with it on a blind-leading-the-blind voyage. So, what sort of country do we envision?

“We want to build a nation with the citizen as its reason for being and thus its sole focus and responsibility. The citizen regardless of station in life must be respected by the governing authorities and treated with dignity. Flowing from these is the imperative that our society must be governed by the rule of law administered by a trustworthy, fearless, impartial and efficient judiciary.”

All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos chapter, has condemned what it called “calculated attempt” by some sponsors to bring its National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu down to their “miserable level” through dubious allegations.

APC Lagos chapter Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe made the remarks Monday, while reacting to a publication in one of the national dailies where the writer urged President Buhari to “beware of Tinubu because he is a moral burden and a dent on his image”.

According to the party, “Our attention has been drawn to an article published on 2nd September 2015 written by one Dele Akin Rahman encouraged by his sponsors.

“Lagos APC condemns in strongest terms this calculated attempt to bring Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu down to their miserable level and to judge the consummate leader of men by their horrible and dubious standards.

“Before the 2015 Presidential elections our well-respected National leader Tinubu and President Buhari were subjected to vicious attacks and debilitating assaults just to bring them down but they failed woefully. President Buhari and Asiwaju BAT ran away with resounding and unprecedented victory on March 28 2015”

“Ever since then, Dele Rahman and his sponsors have been angry, frustrated, confused, humiliated, humbled, afraid and disgraced. Politically they have been decimated and relegated to the background, economically their business of stealing government money in billions has been checkmated and blocked and socially they have been ostracized and rejected by Nigerians”

“These fraudsters and morally bankrupt nonentities know that it is impossible for them to get to Asiwaju BAT’s intimidating, illustrious and glorious personality, so they resort to blackmail and character assassination to bring the sage, the colossus and the leader of men to the miserable level”

“It is obvious that these dying forces of evil are on a futile effort to parry their 16years of wreckage and who else to bear the brunt but a Tinubu who has come to personify a living nightmare to the dying PDP”

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains a well-respected political figure in Nigeria, Africa and the world today and woe betide anybody who thinks in his wildest imagination that a strong and powerful image built for nearly 50years can be destroyed by the antics of a foolish constituency and men without honour”

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday sentenced 30 women to six weeks imprisonment for prostitution.

Those sentenced are Funmi Olayemi, Damilola Ibrahim, Blessing Emmanuel, Grace Nwaokoro, Anu Titus, Princess Osu, Cynthian Ozumba, Chindima Eke.

Others include Blessing Winwah, Rebecca James, Gift James, Bukola Taiwo, Patience Amos, Oyinda Adesewa, Funmilayo Ajayi, Modinat Bello, Damilola Abiodun, Saki Godwin.

Others are Glory Edet, Blessing Okafor, Tope Obatula, Shade Afolabi, Foluke Kolawole, Tosin Ajayi, Bisi Onanuga, Princess Isaac, Esther Akpan, Cythia Osas, Joy Osas and Patricia whose surname is unknown, among others.

The accused were tried for prostitution and breach of peace.

The Magistrate, O. Odusanya, sentenced the accused to six weeks each with an option of N10, 000.

“You are hereby sentenced to six weeks imprisonment with an option of N10, 000 fine each,” she said.

The accused, during their arraignment on Monday, pleaded guilty to the offence, attributing it to the handiwork of the devil.
The accused, whose ages and residential addresses were not given, were arrested at Obalenda area of Lagos at 2 a.m.

The prosecutor, Femi Alabi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 5, at Obalende area of Lagos.
He said the accused paraded themselves on the street as public nuisance.

“The accused were caught soliciting for clients, which is against the law of the state,” he said.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 142 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the involvement of the World Bank in the repatriation, management and spending of repatriated stolen funds.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Adetokunbo Mumuni, stated ‎this at a public presentation of the organisation’s new publication- “Deterring Kleptocracy: Finding Nigeria’s Re-Stolen Billions and Repatriating Looted Asset” held at the Weston Hotels, Opebi link road, Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday.

Mumuni claimed that over $2‎billion stolen by the late Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, was repatriated back to the country during the Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo administrations.

He said such investigation into the repatriated fund was to ensure full transparency and accountability in these transactions.

SERAP also asked the World Bank to “publicly disclose the level of involvement of the bank in the repatriation of Abacha stolen funds and other similar funds to Nigeria, and its role on the management and spending of such funds, as well as the projects on which the funds were spent. “

“The World Bank should publicly disclose its involvement in any other ongoing repatriation initiatives to Nigeria, and the mechanisms it is putting in place to ensure transparency and accountability of such mechanisms and the judicious use of repatriated funds.”

The 37- page report also urged the Buhari government to “revisit and challenge in court unfair settlements in bribery cases by successive governments and repatriation agreement between the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the family of the late Abacha dated July 14, 2014 and other similar dodgy and unfair agreements with a view to getting better deals, receiving damages/compensations from companies such as Halliburton, and achieving justice for the Nigerian people.”

The Nigerian Police on Monday arrested suspected female kidnapper with three toddlers in Lagos.

Details later….

The Nigeria Customs Service operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) ) two persons arrested last week for attempting to traffic over $271,135 out of the country .

The public relations officer of the Airport Customs Command, Thelma Williams, gave the names of the two persons as – Mr. Owolabi Tijani, a staff of Patovillki, a cleaning firm at the airport and one Mr. Uwan Livinus .

She said the money was handed over to the EFCC for safe keeping.

Williams said the commission will carry out thorough investigation on the circumstances leading to the crime.

She said:” At about 11.00hrs on September 3, 2015, one Owolabi Tijani a staff of Patovilki, cleaning firm was apprehended by FAAN officials while attempting to smuggle $271,135 through “D” wing departure screening point.

“The said Owolabi after interrogation confirmed to FAAN Officials names of people involved in the crime, including Mrs. Omo seun (Iya Urobo) and Uwan Livinus.

“Statements were therefore taken from the suspects and officers who witnessed the process.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson for a second term citing his excellent track record of regular payment of workers salaries, reduction of the state’s huge debt profile and infrastructural development.

The former President who spoke while receiving Governor Dickson at his country home, Otuoke in Ogbia local government area of the state said his decision was based on the developmental strides of the governor in the last three and half years in the state.

He said, “if Bayelsa is compared to other states in the country in terms of the level of physical infrastructure coupled with the degree of indebtedness in terms of bank loans and capital market, Dickson deserved to be praised.”

“I am not expecting the governor to score 100 per cent. There are three key parametres I will like to score Governor Dickson which are payment of salaries, physical infrastructure and low indebtedness of the state in terms of bank loans and in the capital markets.

“If you compare what has happened in other parts of the country, you will praise the governor. People should think more of about the way the state is being run and prepared for our future generation.

“Bayelsa is not a cursed state. On the notion that governors in Bayelsa cannot do 8 years; it slows down the rate of development and except there is continuation in government, development will be truncated. Performance is not about satisfying individual needs and so we need to encourage Governor Dickson to go for second term.”

He described Dickson as his political first son, adding that if Governor Dickson was given the opportunity of a second term, he would strive to consolidate on the achievements already recorded.

Earlier in his remarks, Dickson had solicited the support and encouragement from Dr. Jonathan to run for a second term, stressing that he and his entourage needed to seek his support, as he is the leader of PDP both at the state and national levels.

Dickson who has been canvassing support from stakeholders of the party as well as royal fathers of the state preceding his formal declaration to run for the governorship election had earlier paid homage to the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete Spiff.

The governor, who equated Dr. Jonathan’s support to him to the “Rock of Gibraltar” said his encouragement dated back to 2005 when he served in the former president’s cabinet as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Judges at the International Criminal Court, The Hague, have asked South African authorities to explain why they failed to arrest Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, in June when he attended a conference in the former apartheid enclave.

The ICC asked South African authorities to submit by October 5 the reasons for “their failure to arrest and surrender Omar al-Bashir”.

The tribunal said it had to give full explanation on how al-Bashir was able to leave an AU Union summit in South Africa and fly home.

The Sudanese President had been accused of masterminding genocide in Darfur.

His flight back home was in defiance of a ruling by a South African court ordering his detention under a warrant from the International Criminal Court.

South Africa, a member of the ICC, is obliged to enforce warrants from The Hague-based tribunal.

The tribunal said in cases where a member of the ICC fails to cooperate, the tribunal may refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body.

It can also take the matter up with the UN Security Council, which established the court and has the power to impose sanctions.

President Jacob Zuma has defended the decision to let al-Bashir leave the country, saying as a leader, he had immunity as a guest of the African Union.

Meanwhile, Pretoria has said it would review its membership of the ICC and challenge a high court ruling that found the state erred in letting al-Bashir leave.

A Twenty three year old man, Okon Aniedi Okon, from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has stabbed his friend Daniel Obot with a broken bottle to death for allegedly stealing and selling his three mobile phones.

The incident happened in the village of Ekpri Obutong in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State over the weekend following a fight between the two friends with the use of machetes and broken bottles.

According to Okon, the deceased came into his one-room apartment at the Ekpri Obutong village and stole his phones. Daniel gathered that Okon had sold the phones, hence demanded for the money.
: “He (Okon) said Daniel brought out a machete with which he wanted to kill me and I got hold of a bottle and stabbed him.”

Okon said he and Obot have been friends for a long time as they both dropped out of school and took to fishing some years back but have recently been having frequent altercations and he did not know that the bottle he stabbed Obot in the chest would kill him.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Cross River State Police Command, Mr Hogan Bassey said one the courts resume, he and others who have been in detention in the cells of the police headquarters will be arraigned before the courts.

Photo credit: Bayo Omoboriowo/Dele Momodu

Pope Francis has appealed to every European parish and religious community to take in one migrant family each, in a gesture of solidarity. “I appeal to the parishes, the religious communities, the monasteries and sanctuaries of all Europe to take in one family of refugees. “The Vatican’s two parishes would take in a family of refugees each in the coming days.

“Taking in migrant families was a “concrete gesture” to prepare for the extraordinary Holy Year on the theme of mercy which is due to begin on Dec. 8,’’ he said. A report on Monday from the Vatican City, noted that Francis made the appeal, at the St. Peter’s Square,Vatican, after his Sunday address, adding that he too would start in the tiny Vatican state where he lives.

The report said Pope’s call was meant for tens of thousands of Catholic parishes in Europe, as the number of refugees arriving over land through the Balkans and across the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece hits record levels.

There are more than 25,000 parishes in Italy alone, and more than 12,000 in Germany. It said the crowd in St. Peter’s Square applauded as the pontiff, himself the grandson of Italian emigrants to Argentina, made the appeal.

Two community leaders were on Sunday found dead at the outskirt of the Namnai village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

NAN reports that the deceased were the village heads of Namnai, Malam Musa Kachalla, and his ward head, Malam Manu Jahun.

The Chairman of the local government, Mr Tukura Bashir, confirmed the incident to NAN in Jalingo.

Bashir said the leaders were on their way to settle a farmland dispute between herdsmen and farmers in the area.

He explained that family members of the deceased raised the alarm after waiting for several hours without hearing from their loved ones on assignment outside the village.

The chairman explained that a search party was later organised by the community, which discovered the corpses in a pool of their own blood.

NAN learnt that the people fled from the area for fear of possible reprisal.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the development.

Kwaji said the police recovered the bodies of the two persons, adding that they were murdered by yet to be identified persons.

He added that the timely arrival of armed policemen in the community calmed down a rising tension.

The PPRO said the command would investigate the incident with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

Naguib Sawiris, an Egyptian billionaire, has on Monday in Cairo disclosed his plan to buy an island for refugees. He said his plan was to buy a Mediterranean island from Greece or Italy, to house the world’s refugees, especially people fleeing to Europe from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Sawiris said the choice of Greece or Italy has become imperative because there are dozens of empty islands off both countries that could house 100,000 to 200,000 people. “It’s a very simple solution, they sell the island to me and I’ll make a temporary shelter for these people.

“I’ll make a small port or marina for the boats to land there. I’ll employ the people to build their own homes, schools, a hospital, a university, a hotel,’’ he said.

The billionaire said European countries have taken a hard line on refugees and are refusing to accept any more.

Sawiris said they argued that welcoming them would send the wrong signal to people smugglers.

A 40-year-old man, who allegedly forged the identity of an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was on Monday arraigned in Lagos.

The man, Ayodeji Albert, who resides at Redeemed Camp in Mowe, near Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of impersonation and forgery. The Prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa, told the court that the offences were committed on Aug. 25. Imhonwa said that the accused had obtained a forged identity as an EFCC official at a printing press at Obalende, Lagos.

He said that Albert, on Aug. 25, harassed some members of the public after presenting himself as an official of the EFCC attached to the department of finance.“Albert presented his forged identity card, bearing the forged details. “He claimed to be an EFCC operative and a staff of the anti-graft body,” Imhonwa said.

Although Albert denied the charges, the prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 78 and 368 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Nov. 23 for mention.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight over the abundant rainfall being witnessing in most parts of Nigeria, saying this maybe a sign of bumper harvest by farmers across the country. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the president, Mallam Garba Shehu.

The president noted that with this positive development, the spectre of agrarian distress was fast disappearing; giving rise to hope that hunger would not rear its ugly head this year. According to President Buhari this will represent a sharp turnaround in the fortunes in rural communities.

The president, who is farmer, had been to his farm in Daura at 7:00am on Saturday. He said that he felt reassured about this when he saw good crop performance lining the roads all the way to his farm. The statement said the president also expressed delight over the decision of the Daura Emirate Council, under the leadership of the Emir of Daura to honor him with a reception.

He congratulated the Emir and the people on the prospect of good harvest this year. The Emir, Alhaji Umar Faruk, said the entire people of the state were proud of the President and his achievements in office so far. He pledged their total commitment to his success in office.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari administration would not let them down inspite of their high expectations. He gave the assurance on Sunday at the 33rd Holy Ghost Convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Garden of Victory, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.

Osinbajo, who was accompanied by his wife, Dolapo, said the administration understood that there were high expectations and had prepared. “We know that it’s been very good; I think that the nation has high expectations and I know that things are just getting better by the day.

“I believe that by the grace of God, all of those expectations and beyond will be met. So, we’re looking forward to more exciting times and great things for this nation,’’ he said. The vice president said that it was impossible to talk about a policy direction in one year, adding that he was sure of better days ahead.

Osinbajo also expressed the hope that Nigerians had heard the president’s recent speech on the economy and what to expect in the next few days. He said a lot of work was underway on the economy, especially in the area of agriculture, infrastructure, power and roads. “A lot of work is to be done in the next few months, so we will see a lot,” Osinbajo said.

Also speaking, Oke urged the people to protect the welfare of others, adding that God had always been with the righteous. “When you answer the call of God, definitely you become a blessing and that blessing will transform to divine enlargement,’’ he said. He said God had promised to use the convention with the theme, “Divine Enlargement, ” as a symbolic season.

“ It is a season of supernatural enlargement, double rejoicing, double portion, double reward, double honour and double advancement on all frontiers,’’ Oke said. He said that the convention had provided a divine network for believers of all denominations for rich advancement. Prayer sessions led by notable clerics were held for Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.
Among those who conducted the session were Rev. Supo Ayokunle, the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Prelate Ola Makinde, Methodist Church Nigeria, and General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara.

Also present at the event were Chief Moses Adeyemo, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Prof . Isaac Adewole, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, and Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Sunday advised Nigerians to be concerned with the change process rather than President Muhammadu Buhari’s wealth.

Okowa decried various statements from some Nigerians over Buhari’s declaration of assets.

“What the President has today in terms of his personal wealth ought not to be the business of Nigerians,” the governor added.

He spoke in Benin at the 13 years anniversary celebration of Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International Incorporation.

Okowa, however, noted that Buhari’s declaration of assets was a welcome development.

Responding to questions from newsmen after the service on PMB’s asset declaration, he said, “I don’t comment about asset declaration; assets declaration is personal, the man has declared his asset which is a welcome idea. But his personal wealth and all he has at the moment is not supposed to be the business of Nigerians.

“The only thing that we should be concerned about is what is going to be his performance in government; that is where we should concentrate on.”

Okowa explained that his government had put in place measures to bring respite to the people by restructuring its expenditure to cut cost, in spite of the huge debts it inherited from the immediate past administration in the state.

He urged the congregation to pray fervently for the country for God to heal the land of all the challenges bedevilling it, calling on Nigerians to desist from raining abuses on their leaders.

The governor, whose election is being challenged at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal by the All progressives Congress, believed that God had been merciful to Nigeria.

He said, “When I listen to our father, Pastor Omobude, there is still a lot of Jordan to cross; there is still a lot land to be conquered. Please take note of that so that you will not relax that we have arrived. It is time to pray more, not only for the church but for Nigeria and all the states in this country.”

The Senegalese National Civil Aviation Agency confirmed on Monday in Dakar that a small medical evacuation plane carrying seven people, which crashed off Senegal, collided with a Boeing 737 over the Atlantic Ocean.

It said in an earlier report that the reasons for the crash of the Air Senegal aircraft, which was coming from Burkina Faso and went down about 100 kilometres off Senegal’s coast on Saturday, had been unknown.

It said the medical evacuation plane was carrying a Senegalese doctor and two nurses, two Congolese and one Algerian national, as well as a French patient.

It said authorities have dispatched a search and rescue team to the area.

Meanwhile, the aviation agency had on Sunday mistakenly reported that three people from Burkina Faso had been on the flight.

(NAN)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with the government and people of Delta State over the death of the Olu of Warri, Godwin Edomi.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, on Monday.

The statement stated that the speaker said the country had lost one of its revered traditional rulers.

“The late monarch was a father for all and consummate lawyer whose 28 year reign brought peace and tranquility amongst his people.

“I am deeply touched by the news of the demise of the Olu of Warri. I pray God gives his family, his subjects and the people of Delta State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’’ it stated.

The statement, which said the late monarch lived an exemplary life worth of emulation, urged the people of Warri to honor him by living in peace and harmony.
“The late Olu’s demise was a big loss not just to the Itsekiri nation, but Nigeria at large.

“As people of faith, we know that he has gone to rest as all mortals must die,’’ the statement stated.

(NAN)

Drivers of luxurious buses early Monday morning blocked the Ife- Ilesa Expressway to protest the robbery incident which they said happened on the road over night.

It was not clear if any life was lost in the accident, but it was gathered that the drivers said the robbers took over the road since last night until early Monday morning.

One of the motorists trapped in the traffic congestion caused by the blockage of the road, Sanya, revealed that the protest started around 4am on Monday.

Sanya said the protesting drivers said robbery cases were frequent on the road and vowed not to leave the road until the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, came to address them.

He said the policemen who arrived at the scene to restore order were chased away by the irate drivers, who demanded to see the commissioner of police.

Sanya said, ” We are close to 1000 vehicles trapped in the traffic snarl now. I have been here for over two hours and there is no exit road to take. We are stuck in the mess.

“Many newspapers delivery vans are here before dawn and there is no way anybody can escape except the road is cleared.”

Another motorist, Peter Dada, also told our correspondent that the blockage of the road had frustrated road users caught in the web of the protest.

He called on security agents to increase their presence on the road to prevent robbery cases.

The new Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mr. Kola Sodipo, when contacted on the telephone by our correspondent said he had sent his men to the scene.

Sodipo said, ” I have sent my men there. I learnt that the robbery didn’t happen this morning but it has happened before.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has set a deadline of Tuesday, September 15, 2015 for full compliance with his directive that all revenue due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies must be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or designated accounts maintained and operated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), except otherwise expressly approved.

A circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi urged the MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the deadline to avoid sanctions.

The circular – HCSF/428/S.1/125 of September 4, 2015 noted that a number of MDAs were yet to comply with Circular Ref. No. HCSF/428/S.1/120 of August 7, 2015 which conveyed President Buhari’s original directive on the payment of all Federal Government revenue into a Treasury Single Account.

“In this regard, His Excellency, Mr. President has directed that all MDAs are to comply with the instructions on the Treasury Single Account (TSA) unfailingly by Tuesday,
September 15, 2015.

“Heads of MDAs and other arms of Government are enjoined to give this Circular the widest circulation and ensure strict compliance to avoid sanctions,” Mr. Kifasi wrote.

The need to get the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to optimise its potential as the nation’s cash cow informed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Col. Hameed Ali as its Comptroller-General, the Presidency said at the weekend.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu said the government believes that the Customs Service could triple its revenue target.

Fielding questions from reporters, he said: “Do you, in all sincerity, know Col. Hameed Ali?

“If you do know him, how many of his types do we have in this country? This is the man who many probably felt should have gone to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But, looking at the critical place of the Customs in the economy of this country, you need somebody like him.

“After oil, the next revenue spinner for the government is the Customs. In these few days we have been listening to briefings, I have seen people flying ideas that Customs revenue can be tripled and that there are ideas that can lead to the revenue being tripled on the basis that corruption is eliminated.

“I think that Col. Ali has a rare breed of reputation that will be difficult to find. There might be a few people in the Customs, but maybe they are too low in rank to warrant this appointment.

“I think the President has done the best thing anybody can do for the Customs and for the economy of this country. Otherwise, smuggling will ruin Nigeria. Look at what is happening in the textile industry in Aba, Ikeja, Kaduna, Kano and Gashua.

“There was a time when they used to employ about 400,000 people. All the textile companies in the country today can no longer employ more than 30,000 people. We have more Nigerians in need of clothing today than those so-called glorious days of the textile industry. This is just one example.

“Look at the issue of rice. Ebonyi, Anambra, Niger, Osun, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kogi states have been brought together by the President and given the marching order to produce the rice need of this country. The rice industry in this country has failed because cheap Asian rice is being dumped here. The President did not ban importation because that would have offended the World Trade organisation (WTO).

“What he has done is to say if you want to import rice, go and source your dollars anywhere you can get it. But the CBN and the banks will always supply to manufacturers who want to bring in spare parts, equipment and employ Nigerians and for those who want to pay for medical bills abroad and maybe for school fees.

Following the recent asset declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari, Balarabe Musa, who was sacked from office in 1983 by Buhari, said that it was clear from the assets listed that the President that he is a multi-billionaire, who also wields enormous power and influence and cannot therefore be seen as a peasant committed to the well being of the less privileged.

Noting, however, that the declaration is better late than never, apparently referring to previous presidents, who did not care to make public their worth, he doubted what Buhari presented to the public, saying that it was at variance with the low profile and ‘poor man’ posture the president had wanted to foist on Nigerians.

He said: “Before the last election, Buhari had given us the erroneous impression that he was a poor man, requiring bank loans to buy nomination form and run his campaigns but now he has shown that he has cash of N30 million, huge investments in companies and banks and farm assets.

“By this declaration, it is clear that Buhari is one of the wealthy and influential Nigerians, who wield enormous power. He can therefore, no longer pretend to be among the poor masses and I doubt if he can still effect the change he promised the poor. We are therefore, waiting and watching to see the expected change.”

A four-man gang of armed robbers, weekend, invaded the residence of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members serving in Abeokuta , Ogun State, and robbed them at gunpoint.

The NYSC lodge is located behind Develop-ment Centre, Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta.

It was gathered that the robbery, which occurred on Saturday at about 3a.m., was the third in five months.

Some of the victims, who spoke with newsmen said the four-man gang escaped through bush path after the operation.

Two of the bandits moved from one room to another, while the other two stood guard outside.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, on the issue proved abortive. But sources said efforts were ongoing to provide adequate surveillance in the area.

Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, berated Governor Nyesom Wike and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over a documentary being aired by African Independent Television, AIT, to allegedly dent the image of the former governor of the state, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

The party described the documentary as highly obnoxious and evil.

A statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, said it was not surprised that the medium for airing the documentary was the same AIT that angered decent Nigerians with documentaries that disparaged the present President of Nigeria and his family members just to ensure Nigerians did not vote for him.

According to him, “The present documentary is simply aimed at driving a wedge between President Muhammadu Buhari and the former governor by blackmailing Buhari from having a place in his government for Amaechi.”

“The APC believes that just as the blackmail against Buhari was ignored by Nigerians and they massively voted for him, so President Buhari having himself been a victim of PDP and AIT documentary terrorism will discountenance the dirt the PDP and AIT are trying so hard to pour on a honest, sincere and courageous Rotimi Amaechi.”

A seven-year-old girl (names withheld) has narrated how her father paid her after sexually abusing her at their Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran, Ijaiye, Lagos, residence.

The primary three pupil said: “My daddy usually gives me money after touching my private part or putting his penis in my mouth. He touches my private part when my mother is outside washing clothes or when she is not in the house.”

The victim’s father, identified as Chukwuemeka Odunzie, allegedly started defiling his daughter early last year.

Narrating her ordeal, the victim’s mother, Mrs Odunzie, said: “Last year, my son told me that his younger sister was fond of playing with her private parts. It sounded strange that a seven-year-old child would be doing that.

“I will talk to her, scold her and sometimes beat her. There was a time I told my husband.
“All he said was that if she was acting strangely I should take her to any of these white garment churches. I was alarmed when one day, while we were in the sitting room, she started touching and playing with herself.

She confesses to mother

“Immediately, I called her inside the room and asked her what the problem was. I asked her if anyone was fiddling with her private parts. She said it was her father that always touched her private parts and that after touching her private parts, he would give her money.

“I confronted my husband when he returned from work but he denied vehemently. I reported a case of defilement to Ebenezer Divisional Police and the policemen invited my husband for questioning.
“He was arrested later by the police, who gave me a report to take my daughter to the hospital. The doctor said there had been no penetration, but that there is an opening in her virginal and advised that the victim be tested for infection.

Family pressure
“By the time we came back from the hospital, the IPO said it was a family issue and that we should go home and settle the case.

“Members of his family were shouting, saying that I had no right to report the case to the police, that it was a family issue that should be treated as one. They pressurized me till I withdrew the case, after which he promised not to defile our daughter again.

“After I withdrew the case, my husband began to beat the children at the slightest provocation. And at times, he would beat them for no tangible reason.

“Two weeks ago, it happened again. I asked her what she did for her father that made him give her money without giving her siblings. That was when she said that daddy gave her the money after touching her private part.

“Her siblings said it had been ongoing for a while and that they refused to tell me because the last time they did, their daddy kept beating them.

“He puts it in my mouth”

“Her brother said whenever I was not around, or I was outside washing clothes, daddy would send him and his other siblings inside the bedroom, while he would ask the victim to kneel down in between his legs and bend her head towards his manhood.
“She also confirmed that after touching her, daddy would put his penis in her mouth.
“There was even a time my daughter was caught in the act with a four-year-old boy, who is a neighbour’s child.”

In his defense, the victim’s father, Chukwuemeka Odunzie, admitted that it was only once he abused his daughter and that he was not doing it for occult reasons.
Reacting to the issue, the Co-coordinator, Project Alert, Josephine Effah Chukwuma, said: “Apart from ensuring that the law takes it course, the main task is how to rehabilitate this little girl, whose life has been messed up by her father.

“This is because the abuse was not a one-off thing as the victim had become so accustomed to the act, that when she feels the urge and there is no one to touch her, she touches herself.
“There is need to rehabilitate her and her siblings, who watched.”

Culled from Vanguard

The Nigerian Medical Association have called on President Muhammed Buhari to ban political officeholders and other government officials from seeking medical treatment abroad.

Lagos State Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Tope Ojo, made this call at a press briefing on the activities leading to its General Meeting/Scientific conference in Lagos on Sunday.

Ojo charged the President to issue directives to the heads of various government agencies in the country to ensure that the policy takes effect immediately.

According to him, public officeholders still used public funds to pay for medical treatment in India, the United Kingdom and the United States for ailments that could be handled effectively in local health facilities.

Ojo said there was a provision for the ban in the National Health Act and failure to do so could amount to a violation of the Act.

He stated, “The ban on overseas medical treatment should be implemented immediately if the president is committed to eradicating corruption. Why should government pay for a treatment that could have been handled in any Nigerian hospital?

“The Federal Government must insist that Nigerians should access health care locally to help generate funds to equip hospitals and also recover the billions of naira that Nigerian patients have paid to develop other countries health care system.”

The Lagos NMA Deputy Secretary, Dr. Peter Ogunnubi, also urged the Federal Government to influence the passage of the Mental Health Bill.

Ogunnubi said the absence of the bill has exposed mentally challenged patients to several acts of victimisation and discrimination in the society.

He said, “Government has not paid attention to issues concerning mental health even though statistics show that 20 per cent of the Nigerian population is living with one form of mental challenge. If the bill becomes a law, the rights of patients will be protected,”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said it is illogical to assess the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari in just a few days in office.

He expressed optimism that with the path that the President had taken, he would meet the expectations of Nigerians.

Osinbajo said this at the 33rd Holy Ghost Convention of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan on Sunday, where the General Overseer, Bishop Wale Oke ministered.

While acknowledging that winning the election was only a step among many, Osinbajo said a lot had to be done to bring the desired change Nigerians voted for.

He added, “I think that the nation has high expectations and I know that things are just getting better by the day. I believe that by the grace of God, all of those expectations and beyond will be met. So, we are looking forward to more exciting times and great things for this nation.

“We can’t talk about a policy direction in one year but am sure you heard the President’s speech on the economy and what to expect in the next few days. I hope we all heard what we’ve said about the economy especially what we intend to do in the area of agriculture, infrastructure, power, roads; so much has to be done. A lot of work to be done in the next few months, so we will see a lot.”

He recalled that when he was nominated as Buhari’s running mate, a lot of issues were brought up about religion and ethnicity, noting that several men of God were eager to hear from him why he accepted to run.

Osinbajo stated, “A meeting of men of God was called by Bishop Oke and they wanted to understand why it was that I was running for office and they wanted to ask questions about the threat of Islamisation. They needed answers.

“After I answered the questions, they began to support the effort. They decided that they have heard enough and they were convinced that what the Lord was about to do was something that will make a difference in this country.

“I am happy they have not been disappointed. God fulfilled the promise and we won the election.

“Winning an election and being the Vice President is nothing. The most important thing is that God has said that we must be the light of the world. All the accolades and prestige of my office cannot compare with the duty that God has given us to be true disciples.

“I pray that God will help me and the President to truly do the work. With the prayers of Nigerians, we will see a change, prosperity and all of us will enjoy this nation.”

About 24 people were reported to have lost their lives in Gusau, capital of Zamfara State, following a downpour, which many people described as a calamity beyond human imagination.

Also, property worth millions of naira were destroyed, including food items and domestic animals.
The rain, which lasted about seven hours, also washed away over 400 houses, submerged a number of culverts and uprooted many shops and kiosks erected in some major streets.

At press time, over 2,000 people had been rendered homeless, with the victims taking refuge at some government quarters across the town.

Five among the dead were female, while the remaining were male, including children, whose ages ranged from four to five.

Eyewitness account said some of those who died in the calamity were trapped in their rooms, while sleeping, as the rain started very late.

The remaining, according to the eyewitness, who sought anonymity, drowned in the flood water, despite screaming for help, which they did not get because every other person was struggling to survive.

The State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chairman, Engr. Sanusi Kwatorkoshi, could not be reached for comment on the issue as he was said to have left the state capital for Mecca.
The areas mostly affected were Birnin Ruwa, Sabon Fegi, Filin Gunza and Tudun Wada.
Other areas also affected include Sabon Gari, Hayin Danhausa, Tudun Kosau and Hayin Malam Sani, which lost nine of their residents, four vehicles and nine motorcycles.

There is palpable tension in the military while fear has gripped loyalists and former aides of Chiefs of Army Staff who held sway from 2010 to May 20, 2015. This follows the setting up of a panel by Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to probe his predecessors over how billions of dollars were spent on arms purchase and logistics during their tenure.

The army boss, who took over from Lt.0-Gen. KTJ Minimah, decided to institute the investigation panel after carrying out a preliminary inventory of army weaponry needed to combat the Boko Haram menace and other security challenges, and discovered that what was available was a far cry from what should have been in stock.

Consequently, it was gathered that the eight-man panel headed by a Brigadier General with four Colonels and three Lieutenant Colonels as members will investigate all armament equipment most of which were denominated in dollars, including armoured tanks, artillery weaponry and other logistics bought by the Nigerian Army from 2010 to 2015.

Since the outbreak of the violent Boko Haram insurgency in 2009, the Federal Government had consistently increased budgetary provisions for the army on a yearly basis with a view to acquiring sophisticated weapons, logistic support and needed training to ensure the security challenges were tackled.

The panel is expected to go round all the army’s armament depots across the country, take inventory of specific arms, compare types and quality of arms with actual recommendation, approval and amount of money released for the purchase as well as what was bought.

In doing this, the panel is to find out the names of the contractors who executed the jobs and supplied the equipment and at what cost. The panel will also ascertain why some of the arms purchase contracts whose monies have been collected were not done and at what level those implementing contracts have reached.

Expatiating more on the investigation, the source said there is no link between the probe being carried out by the Chief of Army Staff and the general probe ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari whose committee is sitting at the office of the National Security Adviser.

Other reasons which influenced the decision of General Buratai to set up the investigation panel, include revelations which came out during the battle to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists that subsequently led to thousands of soldiers deserting their commission and so many abandoning their duty posts and running away from terrorists.

It was gathered that many of the weapons failed to respond in the frontline, armoured tanks broke down while many could not shoot. Aside this, many logistics equipment deployed refused or failed to work in very critical periods where soldiers were face-to-face with armed terrorists.

In some cases, there are documentation showing that some of the arms were purchased and have been taken to certain locations but these arms are nowhere to be found and nobody could render account.
The panel is expected to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Chief of Army Staff by November.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight over the abundant rainfall being witnessed in most parts of Nigeria, saying this maybe a sign of bumper harvest by farmers across the country.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Buhari noted that with this positive development, the spectre of agrarian distress was fast disappearing; giving rise to hope that hunger would not rear its ugly head this year.

According to the President, this will represent a sharp turnaround in the fortune in rural communities.

Buhari, who is a farmer, had been to his farm in Daura at about 7am on Saturday.

He said he felt reassured about this when he saw good crop performance lining the roads all the way to his farm.

The statement said the President also expressed delight with the decision of the Daura Emirate Council, under the leadership of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk, to honor him with a reception.

He congratulated the Emir and the people on the prospect of good harvest this year.

Faruk said the entire people of the state were proud of the President and his achievements in office so far.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been described as probably the least corrupt African leader, following the public declaration of his assets, The Washington Post has said.

Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, refused during his administration to make public his asset which was declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua, who Jonathan succeeded, was worth $5m.

“By the standards of sub-Saharan African leaders, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is dirt-poor. The question on many minds is this: Is Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler and ex-head of the oil ministry, telling the truth?” the paper asked.

According to a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, the President has about N30m in his only one bank account with Union Bank Plc, while the Vice President has a balance of N94m and $94,000.

Buhari’s assets consist of houses in his hometown, Daura, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja, as well as his farm in Daura. The President equally declared his investment in Berger Paints and landed property in Kano and Port Harcourt.

The Washington Post added, “Corruption, after all, is a major problem in Africa’s largest economy. Buhari himself has publicly said that more than $150 billion is missing from the government’s coffers. Still, the public declaration appears to be an attempt to show some much-needed transparency. Buhari was elected in March largely by promising that he wouldn’t tolerate corruption.

“What is clear is that Buhari has done what his predecessors – and most other African leaders – have never done.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President and Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, says President Muhammadu Buhari never promised to rescue the Chibok girls on the second day of his administration.

Shehu said this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday.

He explained that while the anxiety among Nigerians was understandable, it was better to allow the President to do a thorough job even as he focuses on key areas to revive the nation.

The Presidential aide noted that Nigerians and indeed friends of Nigeria from across the world would bear witness to the fact that the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram had been on a steady decline.

He attributed this to the reinvigoration of the long lost military traditions where leaders lead the battle.

Shehu said, “To be fair to President Buhari, did he ever say he will bring back the girls on the second day of his administration? What he has always said is that we don’t even know where the girls are and that we need to go in there and get the intelligence and situation of things and then act.

“Without meaning to endanger what is left of those girls, you know that the Sambisa Forest is being degraded right now.

“In the last few days, you even saw the Chief of Army Staff leading the troops and I am aware that in the last few weeks, very interesting pictures have been shown to the President on the basis of which we will say to Nigerians, don’t lose hope on the Chibok girls.

“I am not saying they have been found or that they have been seen. But it is not yet time for Nigerians to say we have lost them.”

According to him, officers and men of the various armed services are now more confident to deal with Nigeria’s enemies because the presence of their service chiefs with them on the battleground has done a lot to boost their morale.

Commenting on the bombardment of Boko Haram’s strongholds in the operation areas, Shehu also explained that the troops were being careful so as to minimise avoidable collateral damage.

According to him, drones monitor the forest at night and a combination of manned and unmanned aircraft as well as troops take over in the day.

He added that the success being recorded by the troops had left the terrorists with no option but to resort to carrying out isolated attacks on soft targets such as churches, mosques and markets to give an impression that they were still active.

Shehu explained that the President, who is currently on a private visit to his countryhome in Daura, was not interested in marking his first 100 days in office just like he said during his address at Chatham House in London because he considered the exercise as somehow fraudulent.

In response to a question as to whether Nigerians should still expect the appointment of ministers this month since the National Assembly would still be on recess till the September 28, Shehu said, “Can the President be given the benefit of doubt till the 30th of September? Ministers will come; we should place our national interest above everything else.”

He explained that the President had since his assumption of office brought to bear the kind of focus Nigeria required to deal with the myriad of problems it had faced with on all fronts.

Shehu also said, “People are taking a cue from the fact that there is a new sheriff in town. People are taking a cue from the body language of the President who without saying a word, his body language sends a message.”

Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Sunday asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly to investigate Thursday’s raid of the state’s Government House by operatives of the State Security Services.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday and signed by all members of the Assembly, the lawmakers said the raid on the governor’s official residence was an attack on the entire people of Akwa Ibom state.

An official of the SSS had on Friday revealed that officials, who carried out the raid, found piles of dollars at the presidential wing of the Government House.

He said the operatives left the cash intact and did not take evacuate it from the complex.
The lawmakers, however, accused the SSS agents of having “damaged valuables belonging to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State”.

They said their call for investigation is based on the constitutional provision that guarantees immunity from prosecution for a sitting governor.

They also said the SSS did not inform Governor Udom Emmanuel of their mission, arguing that the raid violated Section 308 of Nigeria’s constitution.

“Since the Constitution has clearly freed the Governor from being brought under court warrant in the discharge of his legitimate duties, it is on record that before embarking on that ill-advised operation, the SSS never communicated with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, who is also the chief security officer of the state, on why it was necessary to search his official residence in Uyo,” the lawmakers said.

The assembly also alleged that Governor Emmanuel was being singled out for persecution by the leadership of the SSS.

“While the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President as well as the Governors and Deputy Governors across the country are protected under constitutional immunity, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been singled out and stripped of this right which was provided for him under the law.

“We are firm in the belief that if the raid on the Hilltop Mansion was not an act of felony, persecution and political vendetta, the DSS would have declared their mission before unleashing terror on innocent workers of Akwa Ibom State Government and or openly declare to the authorities in the state what they found and what they took away from our Government House,” they said.

The lawmakers also said contrary to information released by an official of the SSS to the media, “no arms or stacks of money were found in Akwa Ibom State Government House”.

They added, “We also condemn in the strongest terms the illegal assault on the symbol of our pride and the embodiment of the confederacy of Akwa Ibom State in the Nigerian Federation by the Daura-led State Security Service.

“We, hereby challenge the Director General of the SSS, Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, to tell the people of Akwa Ibom State, Nigerians and indeed lovers of democracy all over the world, why he ordered the ill-fated operation on the Akwa Ibom State Government House.

“The people of Akwa Ibom State will hold Mr. Daura and the SSS responsible if any unforeseen incident befall the Governor, his Deputy or key officials of Akwa Ibom State Government.
“We, therefore, invite Nigerians from all walks of life to rise up and overwhelmingly challenge acts of impunity by the political class and security operatives in the country, including the State Security Service.

“We also invite President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly to launch proper investigation into the ridiculous action of the SSS.

“We are shocked that the SSS which is currently purging officers it claimed to have shown unconcealed partisanship should descend so low to the extent of staging a coup d’état on our governor, simply because he belongs to an opposition party

“It is, therefore, on this note that we pledge that the House of Assembly and indeed the people of Akwa Ibom State will take every necessary action within the law, to protect and preserve our federacy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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