Tag Archives: “No”

No Plastic Rice In Nigeria- Minister

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Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has dismissed claims by the Nigria Customs Service (NCS) that there is plastic rice in Nigeria.

On December 21, 2016, Customs said it intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no manufacture date.

Yesterday, the minister laid to rest claims about the presence of plastic rice in Nigeria.

For some weeks, reports in social media claimed plastic rice had allegedly been imported massively into the country.

In two tweets, yesterday, through his twitter handle; @IsaacFAdewole, the Health minister said preliminary tests and results proved no rice in the country was plastic.

He noted that some of the impounded rice, when cooked, had “normal odour,” “normal colour” and was “off white.”

He added that the Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Oluremi Oni had also informed him that there is no such rice in Nigeria.

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http://sunnewsonline.com/no-plastic-rice-in-nigeria-minister/

No Quick Fix To Recession– Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has declared that there is no quick fix to the current problems confronting the nation’s economy.

According to the vice president, “there is no country that can make progress without some pain.”

A statement last night from the office of the Vice President quoted him as declaring this earlier yesterday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Mpape artisans’ village in Abuja.

He urged the artisans not to despair as government remained focused on improving key sectors that would revive the economy and create jobs saying “we’re trying to deal with the problem in the Niger Delta, address farming, industry and the economy so that this problem you’re talking about will be fixed permanently.”

Osinbajo, who assured of Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the growth of small and medium scale enterprises, said Buhari’s administration was progressing.

The vice president, however, admitted that the present administration was slow “because there have been a lot of damages in the past.”

Earlier, the chairman of the Mpape Artisans Association, Obafemi Adeleye, appealed to Osinbajo to help them secure a permanent location for their workshops. He assured the vice president of their support for Buhari administration’s policies.

Credit: dailytrust

No New Chibok Girls Released– FG

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The Nigerian government has denied reports claiming the release of another set of 21 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram.

Reports had claimed that the girls, who were kidnapped in April 2014, had been transported to Yola, Adamawa State, after their release on Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu denied that more girls had been released.

“No new girls have been released,” Mr. Shehu tweeted. “To my friends spreading the news of a further release of Chibok Girls, we are not there yet. But, by God’s grace, they will be. Happy Christmas, everyone.”

Mr. Shehu said the 21 girls reported Thursday were those released in October. He said they were being escorted by security to Yola on their way home to celebrate the Christmas with their families.

“Today, the DSS took the 21 Girls already secured to Yola, Adamawa State on their way home to celebrate the Christmas with their families.

“The negotiations are ongoing and the Department of State Service, DSS is full of optimism that they will be successful,” he wrote.

Credit:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/218724-breaking-no-new-chibok-girls-released-nigerian-government.html

There Will Be No Famine, Hunger In Nigeria- Ogbeh

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, says the Federal Government has put necessary measures in place to forestall hunger and famine in the country.

“There will be no hunger. It is just that there is heavy export of our grains to North, West and Central Africa,” The minister said on Tuesday.

“However, we are taking steps to ensure enough food in the next harvest.”

The minister said the Federal Government was also working to develop and establish more dams and lakes to aid irrigation farming to have three harvests within one year.

On preservation of excess grains, he said the Federal Government had provided no fewer than 33 silos with capacity to store over four million tonnes of grains.

He said, “The long term answer to that is to develop more dams and lakes for irrigation so that we have three harvests a year and if West Africa wants food from us, we sell to them.

“We do not have to panic. We have the means to preserve these grains. We have 33 silos, the total capacity of nearly four million tonnes so, we have enough.

“However, we are taking steps; we are assuring Nigerians that there will be no hunger.

“That is why we are here, there will be no need to panic about hunger or famine.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, recently warned that Nigeria, the largest producer of cereals risked famine from early next year following huge demand in the global market.

He said in a radio interview in Kano that the demand of the nation’s grains in the global market was creating an “excellent environment for the mindless exports of Nigeria’s food across the borders’’.

He said unless this was curtailed, Nigerian markets would be bereft of grains by January.

Credit:

http://dailytimes.ng/will-no-famine-hunger-nigeria-ogbeh/

No Sharia Bill Before Reps

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House of Representatives  yesterday said there is no Sharia Bill before it and that contrary to the general uproar on the proposed legislation, no such bill has passed second reading on the floor of Green Chamber.

Speaking on the controversial issue yesterday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affair, Abdulrazak Namdas, said there was the need for him to clarify the issue because of the numerous enquiries from reporters and members of the public.

“On this issue of the proposal people are calling the Sharia Bill, a lot of people came to my office today. I want to make clarifications.

“We don’t have a bill in the House of Representatives called the Sharia Bill. What we have is that a member on the floor of the House made a proposal to amend the constitution and this was referred to the Special Committee on Constitution Review of which I’m a member.

“Now, it actually talks about trying to amend a certain section of the Sharia. As it is, it’s been referred to a committee. And if the committee decides that this is not worth a bill, it will not even come back to the House.”

No Mercenaries Involved In Fight Against Boko Haram- Military

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The military said yesterday that it had both the capacity and capability to defeat the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, and so would not engage mercenaries to achieve such feat.

In a statement from the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, released by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, the military insisted that it had the ability to clear the remnants of the terrorists from the area without seeking any assistance of mercenaries. It said the statement was in response to a media report that it was considering the engagement of mercenaries in its prosecution of the war in the North East.

The statement read: “We read with dismay the disturbing newspaper report on Wednesday 9 November claiming that foreign mercenaries would be used to fight Boko Haram. “This story is not only mischievous and unfounded but also lacks merit and far from the truth.

“The DHQ wishes to state with emphasis that the Nigerian Armed Forces has the capacity and capability to clear the remnants of the terrorists from our land and that is what the military has been doing.

“It is not necessary or logical to go for mercenaries after the battle of Boko Haram insurgent had been won.

“The pocket of attacks witnessed in the last few days by the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists are isolated cases, though regrettable.

‘’That does not call for serious concern as it is not uncommon worldwide for such occurrence in any area that was once infested by terrorist groups.

“Those peddling rumours on the use of mercenaries are mischievous. They have done it before and failed and are at it again.

“Surely, they will definitely fail this time also. The unprecedented successes recorded against the deadly Boko Haram sect by the Nigerian military without seeking external force is there for all to see.

“The DHQ, therefore, urges our patriotic citizens to ignore the senseless talk and dismiss the story in its entirety as it was concocted to serve inglorious selfish interest.”

Credit:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/no-using-mercenaries-fight-boko-haram-says-military/

No Boko Haram Flag Hoisted Near Chibok- Army

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The Nigerian Army has refuted the report that Boko Haram insurgents have hoisted flags in some communities near Chibok, Borno State.

A statement by the army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the troops of the Operations Lafiya Dole are maintaining a high level of vigilance in and around the area to forestall infiltration by the terrorists.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had yesterday reported that the insurgents hoisted their flags in three villages in northern Borno, after over-running the area.The report said the attack followed another one on Monday evening in three villages of Kubirivour, Boftari and Kuburmbalah.

According to the report, it led to the death of eight people, including a village elder.

The elder was said to have been slaughtered by the terrorists, as other villagers scampered into the near by bushes for safety.

Usman said there was no presence of the sect near the reported location.

According to the army spokesman, “At about 4.35pm, suspected remnants of the sect attacked Boftari, which is about 15 kilometres from Chibok town.

“On receipt of the information, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole stationed in Forward Operation Base Chibok, mobilised to the area. The troops encountered the terrorists’ ambush site shortly before Kuburmbula village. They quickly cleared the ambush and proceeded to Boftari.

“Unfortunately, the terrorists had set some houses on fire and fled. The troops put out the fire and are currently on the hunt for the terrorists.”

Credit:

http://guardian.ng/news/army-denies-boko-haram-hoisted-flags-near-chibok/

No Criminal Implications In Naming Dog After Person- Lawyers

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The incoming Second National Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Monday Ubani, yesterday, said that no offence is committed by someone naming his dog after somebody else.

He said: “In the eye of the law, it is not criminal for somebody to name his or her dog after another person. It may be offensive by examining the circumstances under which the incident happened.

“I understand that a particular dog was named after a neighbour and both of them were not in good terms; in a Hausa community somewhere in the South-West.
“So expediency would have prevailed on him not to name his dog after somebody he was quarrelling with.“The Bible says wisdom profited for direction. Anything you are doing must be with wisdom. If such a thing would provoke unnecessary argument, you should avoid it.”

Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Tunji Muyedeen, said: “As far as I am concerned, there is no way such offence could be sustained in law. Anybody can name his pet after anybody’s name.

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http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/no-criminal-implications-naming-dog-person-lawyers/

No Going Back On Niger Delta Republic, NDA Stresses October 1 Deadline

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The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), yesterday, said the October 1 dealine for the  declaration of the region as an independent state remains sacrosanct.
Reaffirming its commitment to the date in a press statement signed by its spokesman, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, yesterday, the group expressed lack of confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu
Buhari to address some of the critical issues facing the nation, especially the restructuring of the country.
The NDA statement read: “The Buhari-led government has fail Nigerians with their misdirected policies that has divide the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state not even the Niger Delta.”
“The October 1st, declaration of independence is still sacrosanct.  If the Nigeria government fails to retrace its step by restructuring this country”, the group said.
It further urged the federal government to intensify its search for oil in commercial quantity in the northern region as that would be the only basis the north would agree to restructuring that would guaranty the freedom of the Niger-Delta region.
The statement read: “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrites (Northern Governors) is for oil to be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go.”
Meanwhile, the group also warned individuals or groups parading themselves as their appointed agents “to defraud innocent members of the public, especially multi-national oil companies within the region”
to desist or be prepared to face the consequences.
The group said it has received reports on how some persons and groups have approached private individuals and corporate bodies for financial and material support on its behalf.
While dissociating itself from such dubious act, the group noted that it had started compiling such fraudulent cases and would come out with a clear cut decision to how to deal with those involved in such acts,
stressing that; “we want to inform the general public that the day of reckoning for those using NDA to defraud the people is close.”
Another group, Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) had threatened to declare Niger Delta Republic at Kaiama, Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on August 1, but shelved the plan after the Federal Government deployed troops to the community.
The group claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, foremost Ijaw leader, Chief  Edwin Clark, King Diete-Spiff and other prominent Niger Deltans prevailed on them to drop the idea.

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http://sunnewsonline.com/niger-delta-republic-no-going-back-on-october-1-nda/

We Have No Fraud Information On Buhari’s Wife– US

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The United States government says it has no information on the alleged crimes committed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha.

The acting Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, Frank Sellin, said this in an email sent to a reporter on Tuesday.

Sellin said this in response to an enquiry made by reporters regarding allegations that the President’s wife was wanted in the US and was avoiding travelling to the country.

In a message, Sellin said, “Thank you for the inquiry.  We have no information to provide on this matter.”

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had, last month, alleged that Mrs. Buhari was involved in the $185m Halliburton scandal.

Credit: Punch

No Ceasefire Agreement With FG, Says Avengers

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The Niger Delta Avengers has denied entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government.

The group said this on Tuesday in reaction to media reports saying it has signed a 30-day ceasefire pact with the government.

Reports quoting sources at the Ministry of Petroleum as saying that the government secured truce from the group as part of the reported negotiation process flooded the Internet on Tuesday.

According to local and foreign media, including Reuters, sources at the Ministry of Petroleum, revealed that the NDA was among the group that agreed to a ceasefire agreement signed by the representatives of the Federal Government and Niger Delta militants.

But a Twitter post by the NDA said its “high command” was not aware of the reported ceasefire.

“The NDA high command never remembers having any agreement on ceasefire with the Nigerian Government,” it tweeted.

The NDA has taken a responsibility for a series of bombings of oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta in recent times.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, on Tuesday said the carrot and stick approach  would help check  the violence being unleashed by the Niger Delta Avengers.

Credit: Punch

No Genetically Modified Organisms Officially Grown In Nigeria – FG

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The Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has finally put to rest the growing concerns about genetically modified organism (GMO), saying at present, no genetically modified organisms are officially grown in Nigeria.

She therefore called on Nigerians not to panic over the issue.
“What we have approved are for field trials,” she said. “All the GMOs in Nigeria officially approved are under experimental fields.”

According to her, the insect-resistant cotton for commercial release will still be subjected to further processes for the next two years.

In a statement issued by Alhaji Isiaka Yusuf, Director Press, Federal Ministry of Environment, in Abuja, the minister stated that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), established in 2015, under the Federal Ministry of Environment was charged to, among others, ensure proper regulation of modern biotechnological activities and genetically modified organisms so as to protect the lives of Nigerians.
According to her, with the Act in place, Nigeria has taken laudable strides in order to adopt the necessary legal biosafety framework and policy, bearing in mind that if Nigeria gets it right, it will guide other African countries.

Furthermore, Amina Mohammed stated that the quest for Nigeria’s biotechnological advancement dates back to 2001 when the country adopted a National Biotechnology policy and subsequently established the National Biotechnology Development Agency, adding that over 20 research institutes, private biotechnology firms and universities are also players in the biotechnology sector.

She stated that the agency is not working alone, as it is partnering with critical stakeholders such as the Nigerian Customs, the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NCDC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, National Seed Council, Science and regulatory based institutions, the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and African Biosafety Network of Expertise, (ABNE), among others.

Credit: Thisday

Half Goat Born With No Hind Legs In China

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A goat born with no hind legs has shown its triumph over adversity after it reached six months old – just walking on its forelegs.
The young kid was born without rear legs last December, and its owners felt it wouldn’t survive but it overcame its disability mere days after its birth. According to the unnamed farmer who witnessed the birth of the animal some six months ago, the goat’s mother had previously given birth to two healthy kids.

Breeders on the forest farm in Xinping Yi Dai Autonomous County, in south-west China’s Yunnan Province, were shocked to see the deformed goat, but they were even more surprised to see it walking within a week of its birth.

The goat farmer said the young animal learned to perfect its balance and stand on its two front legs, and it is clearly unaware of and unfazed by its disadvantage.
It now hops around the farm merrily using only its two forefeet, travelling with its herd and grazing on the same foods given to the rest of its kin.

Reports citing local veterinarians suggested that the doe may have suffered an abdominal injury during pregnancy that resulted in the birth of the two-legged animal.

Credit: dailytrust

No Evidence Boko Haram Gets Weapons From ISIS– Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday that there was no credible intelligence linking Boko Haram’s source of weaponry to the Islamic State.

Boko Haram had last year pledged edged allegiance to IS, the group based in Iraq and Syria but which has carried out terror attacks in several parts of the world.

While fielding questions from journalists at the closing of the second Regional Security Summit in Abuja, Mr. Buhari said the claim that Boko Haram was getting its arms and ammunition from IS remained unsubstantiated.

He said a major source of the group’s sophisticated weaponry was from the various military and police bases attacked at the peak of the insurgency in the affected countries.

“The type of weapons they are using, I believe were the ones taken from military bases they attacked at the peak of the insurgency especially in Nigeria,” the Nigerian leader said.

“If you recall they attacked military bases and carted away weapons, they attacked police stations and broke into their armouries, that was how they got the kind of weapons they have been using to fight.

“Frankly, up till now we don’t have firm intelligence of what IS has been able to send to Boko Haram in terms of weapons or even money.

“But the fact that they said they are affiliated to IS has made many people to believe that they were getting weapons from ISIS,” he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

No Decision Yet On When 2016 Budget Will Be Signed- FG

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The federal government has said that talks to reach a truce between it and the National Assembly on grey areas in the 2016 budget were still ongoing, adding that it could not give any definite date as to when the budget would be signed into law.

The implication of the government’s statement is that the hopes of many Nigerians who were expecting that the 2016 budget would be signed into law anytime soon has been dashed.

This was one of the outcomes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja wednesday and presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari,

Despite the absence of clarity on the fate of this year’s budget, the government set out the timetable for the submission of the 2017 budget, explaining that this was done to ensure early delivery of next year’s expenditure estimates.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, who was accompanied by his colleagues in the Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Fashola; and Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said that ahead of the eventual signing of the 2016 budget, the federal government had set up a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure that the budget is implemented.

Udoma also dismissed speculations that the budget was returned to the National Assembly to be reworked.

He said: “On the expectation that we will soon have a budget, the monitoring and evaluation mechanism to make sure that the budget delivers what it promises. That mechanism was looked at by the Federal Executive Council and approved.

“To make sure that 2017 budget is done on time, a timetable was approved for the 2017 budget.
“In addition, council noted the report of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which in partnership with National Planning Commission organized an economic summit last year and made various recommendations; these recommendations were presented and noted.”

Credit: Thisday

No Going Back On Fuel Subsidy Removal- PPPRA

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The Federal Government said it has not reversed its decision to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol more so when there is no appropriation for subsidy in the 2016 budget.

The Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in a statement last night said stated that contrary to media reports, what still exists is Price Modulation Policy, through which it considers and reviews pump price of PMS quarterly.

“The Agency also wishes to assure Nigerians that the funds from Over-Recovery in the first quarter (Q1) shall be duly utilized for whatever noticeable imbalance in April 2016 in line with the Price Modulation Principle.” The statement signed by Sotonye E. Iyoyo Acting Executive Secretary of the PPPRA said.

While appreciating the patience of Nigerians, the PPPRA reiterated its commitment to ensuring seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products in the Country.

 

Credit: dailytrust

 

No Reliable Intelligence On Whereabouts & Condition Of Chibok Girls- Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari says that there is no reliable intelligence on the whereabouts and condition of the missing Chibok girls.

The President made the statement on Wednesday during his first Media Chat since he assumed office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“There has been no firm intelligence where those girls are physical are and what condition they are in.

“What we believe from our intelligence, they kept on shifting them around so that they are not taken by surprise and get them (the Chibok girls) freed,” the President said when asked if the military and other security agencies have any information that confirmed if the girls were alive and in good condition.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also disclosed that he was working with neighbouring countries including Niger Republic and Chad amongst others to ensure the release of the abducted girls.

Credit: ChannelsTV

NYSC Says No To Long Hijab In Camps

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Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, yesterday said the scheme is against the use of hijab during orientation camp exercise due to its security implication.

Olawumi, who stated this during a courtesy visit to NYSC national headquarters in Abuja by a group of Muslim youths under the aegis of League of Muslim Youths in Da’wah, insisted that NYSC would only accommodate the use of small hijab.

Olawumi also denied the allegation by the visiting youths that NYSC had infringed on the right of female Muslim corps members in the camp, challenging the group to report any infraction to the leadership of the scheme for proper action.

Earlier, National Coordinator of LMYiD, Luqman Hassan and Deputy coordinator, Kamarudeen Adefila, had told the NYSC DG that a major protest by Muslims was averted because of the ban on hijab in most orientation camps.

Adefila added, “Many Muslim organisations wanted to protest, but we said wait a while. In fact, we had to intervene to avoid the situation and if Muslims march on the streets, it will generate a lot of negative comments, but people won’t know why we are protesting.”

Credit: NationalMirror

No Coordinating Minister For Economy In Buhari’s Cabinet- Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday disclosed that there would be no position of Coordinating Minister for the economy in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo made the disclosure while receiving Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, in his office.

It would be recalled that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan had created the position of Coordinating Minister for the Economy for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was also the Finance Minister.

Osinbajo, while addressing the envoy, recalled his remarks during the National Economic Summit held in Abuja few weeks ago that as vice president his role was to supervise the economy.

“We are not going to have a system where there would be a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that.

“My role as vice president is to ensure that everyone involved in economic activities, there is a way by which the President is fully apprised of what everyone is doing such that we are all on same page and to make it easier for the President to make decisions,” he said.

Credit:NationalMirror

No Missing Money, NNDC MD Tells Buhari

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Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, Managing Director, Mr. Dan Abia, yesterday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that the N183.7 billion funds misappropriation allegation was completely false.

Briefing journalists after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abia said no money was missing. The MD also dissociated himself from issues of contract splitting.

He said: “It is only proper that we should come and brief the President. I requested to meet Mr. President in my capacity as the Managing Director of NDDC. I was not summoned as reported in the media. We briefed the President on our mandate.

“As far as the audited account of NDDC is concerned, how many of us know that the audited account under reference refers to 2008 to 2012? I was not the Managing Director then. Let’s get that the facts clear…”

Read More: vanguardngr

 

No Ghost Corps Member In NYSC, DG Debunks Media Report

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The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, debunked a media report in one of the national dailies that there were ghost corps members, serving with the scheme.

Olawumi refuted the report during the 2015 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Desk Officers’ Training Workshop with the theme: ‘Broadening the Horizon of FOIA Desk Officers for Enhanced Compliance’, in Abuja.

The DG noted that the report might not be unconnected to failure of the newspaper to cross check the information at their disposal or inability to access such information, directing NYSC Desk Officers across the country to always comply with the Act.

“I am imploring you! Please, make information available, if you don’t do that you are giving people opportunity to fill all the gaps with whatever they have,” he directed.

According to him; “With the commitment of the present administration to fighting corruption, promotion of the rule of law and other fundamentals of good governance, the implementation of the FOIA must be given additional impetus not only by the NYSC, but all stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

“It is in furtherance of this that, I seize the opportunity to announce that corps members will be used to enlighten our citizens at the grassroot on their right to seek for information on government policies and their implementation.

“The scheme will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure a quick take-off of this initiative.”

Read More: vanguardngr

 

Like Jonathan, Buhari Has No Political Backbone- Odia Ofemium

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Renowned poet, novelist and social critic, Odia Ofeimun expresses his worries about the new administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and suggests ways to move the country forward. Ofeimun also worked as private secretary to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo before his death. Excerpts:

Expectations?

President Muhammadu Buhari wishes to fight corruption, uphold national security and run an efficient government.

Let me be straight out with it: How successful he can get depends on how willing he is to move away from the Greek gifts he is being promised by our so called foreign friends who know but won’t tell that we have all these problems of corruption insecurity and inefficiency in government because Nigeria has not restructured in favour of a common morality for all Nigerians.

Only a restructured Nigeria can stand up to foreign wheelers and dealers. Restructuring is not only about North and South struggles. Although it is part of it. It is about national strategy and grand policy making. Let Muhammadu Buhari join Goodluck Jonathan in rejecting the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA, and continue to reject foreign soldiers stamping on West African soil, and refuse the wayo Western solution to malaria scourge that Goodluck sidestepped to the annoyance of so called Western friends.

And then insist, as no Nigerian government has dared since SAP, on building proper factories to stop the influx of goods, essential commodities that glut our spaces. See who will offer to attend his next anniversary. And that will tell who Nigeria’s friends are.

Worries about Buhari’s administration

I want to hope that President Buhari wont buy the hash which says that in an emergency, such as we are in, you must leave all control to market forces that are usually blind but controlled by identifiable levers.So, to make a clean breast of it, I have worries about, not expectations from, President Muhammadu Buhari. My worries stem from knowing what he must confront as other Nigerian Presidents before him and as he himself did in his first coming. Near certainty is that, one of these days, he will go to Davos as Mandela did and they will give him scientific reasons why he must stop being so passionate about a Freedom Charter or call it a development charter for his country. Davos wanted a Free South Africa without spine. Apartheid had given white children a special deal. But when Mandela had his time to do it for all South African children black and white, they showed him the beauty of market forces which can only now be justified by the trade imperialism over far and distant neighbours while fuelling xenophobia in those left behind.

The domestic component of such disavowal is to be gleaned from the body language of domestic allies who do not want to have anything to do with political restructuring or who are buying into a crude regionalism that is really another name for co-federalism.

The first thing to note, and quite a pity, is that like Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari has no serious political party. Just a rabble with ill – digested political slogans. So if he is determined he will have to learn to work truly outside the box.

Read More: vanguardngr

First Lady Screams “No” To Divorcing Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday gave an insight into the fate that awaits him under the incoming government of the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

He recalled the story of the last ruler of apartheid South Africa who was divorced by his wife for accepting to abolish minority rule in the country, and said jokingly that he hoped his wife will not also divorce him after he might left office. Mrs. Jonathan replied with a shout of “Nooooo”.

Her response was greeted with a loud applause by congregation members.

The President also prepared the minds of the ministers and aides who served under him, saying though times await them all.

He said, “I believe there are reasons for everything. Some hard decisions have their own cost, no doubt about that.

“That I have ran the government this way that stabilised certain things, the electoral process and other things that brought stability into this country. They were very costly decisions which I myself must be ready to pay for.

“Some people come to me and say this or that person, is he not your friend that benefitted? Is it not your government that this person benefitted from? But this is what the person is saying.

“But I used to say that worse statements will come. If you take certain decisions, you should know that those close to you will even abandon you at some point.

“And I tell them that more of my so-called friends will disappear. When FW De Clark took the decision to abolish minority rule in RSA, even his wife divorced him. I hope my wife will not divorce me. But that is the only decision that has made RSA to still remain a global player by this time. If we still had that minority rule there, by this time, nobody will be talking about RSA.

“If you take certain decisions, it might be good for the generality of the people but it might affect people differently. So for ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathise with them, they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution.

“Quoting Tai Solarin, may your ways be rough. To my ministers, I wish you what I wish myself. They will have hard times, we will all have hard times. Our ways will be rough.”

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