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FG working to secure release of 83 Chibok girls.

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A faction of Boko Haram is ready to negotiate with credible intermediaries for the release of about 83 Chibok girls, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman said on Sunday.

The terror group on Thursday released 21 of the more than 200 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls held since April 2014 in a prisoner swap deal with the Nigerian government. The deal was brokered by the International Committee of Red Cross and the Swiss government.

“These 21 released girls are supposed to be talebearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls,” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, told Reuters.

“The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them,” said Shehu, adding that the state is prepared to negotiate with the branch of Boko Haram.

The group apparently split when the Islamic State group appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the head of Boko Haram early in August. But the erstwhile leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau,countered the appointment, insisting that he was still in charge.

It is unclear what the Federal Government did to secure the release of the 21 girls freed on Thursday, but AFP quoting local sources said four Boko Haram commanders were freed.

“The four Boko Haram militants were brought to Banki from Maiduguri in a military helicopter from where they were driven to Kumshe in ICRC vehicles,” AFP reported.

But Shehu and Nigeria’s minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed insisted that the government did not release any Boko Haram prisoner.

Boko Haram ready to negotiate the release of 83 Chibok girls – Presidency

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The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammdu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday announced that the Boko Haram insurgents have expressed willingness to negotiate with the Federal Government on the release of 83 more Chibok girls.

Recall that the insurgents had on Thursday released 21 of the Chibok girls after over two years in captivity.

Reports filtered in yesterday that the group may give the government two conditions for the release of the girls.

Affirming the report, Shehu, in an interview with Reuters Foundation, said a faction of the Islamic sect released the girls to assure the current administration that they had them.

According to Shehu, “These 21 released girls are supposed to be tale bearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls.

“The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them.

The Presidential media aide, also disclosed that the remaining abducted Chibok girls were with the Shekau faction of the terrorist group.

Boko Haram group was reported to have been factionalised, following the appointment of Musab Al-Barnawi by the deadly Jihadist group, ISIS, to head the sect in August.

However, the leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau had dismissed Al-Barnawi’s appointment, insisting he remains the leader of the extremist group.

NNPC Cuts Top Management From 122 To 83

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In line with its cost cutting measures and effort to operate a leaner, more efficient structure, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday continued with the streamlining of its operations by sacking several of its top managers at its various strategic business units.

The restructuring saw the state-run oil corporation slashing its top-heavy management structure to a slimmer one comprising 83 personnel from 122.

Yesterday’s shake up, which was contained in a statement from the corporation’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs Department, Ohi Alegbe, showed that key amongst those who were relieved of their jobs included Mr. Haruna Momoh, Managing Director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the petroleum products distribution and marketing subsidiary of the NNPC, as well as Mr. Tony Ugonna Muoneke, who was appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) barely a year ago.

Read More: thisdaylive

Ex-Information Minister Olu Adebanjo dies at 83

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Chief Olu Adebanjo, one of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State and former Minister of Information in the Second Republic regime of President Shehu Shagari, has passed away.

Adebanjo died at his residence in Idowa, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday at about 1.35pm at the age of 83.

While commiserating with the family at the late statesman residence, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, described Adebanjo as a selfless leader and a pillar, which the progressive party was built on.

The governor said Adebanjo left a great legacy of true progressive behind by contributing to the growth of the state and the country.

Amosun also said he was happy that Adebanjo’s dream of having a progressive man rule the country came to pass before his demise with the victory of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor promised the late Adebanjo’s widow, Joanna, that the state would ensure Adebanjo got a befitting burial worthy of a statesman.

Also, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru and Ogun APC stalwart, Chief Doja Adewolu, described Adebanjo as a great man who spent most of his life in meritorious service.

Honourable Akintunde Amu, a family member, said Adebanjo had been ill since February.

He thanked the governor and his entourage for a swift response to the news of Adebanjo’s demise.

The family have yet to fix a date for the burial of the deceased.

Credit: NAN