Nigerian Parliament Urges Posthumous Promotion For Slain Military Hero

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The House of Representatives on Tuesday recommended that a Nigerian soldier who died over the weekend be given a posthumous promotion to be a colonel.

Muhammad Abu-Ali died in a Boko Haram ambush on Friday night as a lieutenant colonel.

The proposal by the House followed a motion of urgent national concern raised by one of its members from Sokoto, Abdulsamad Dasuki.

Mr. Dasuki in his motion also said the Nigerian government should employ his wife into the civil service and take possession of his children’s education forthwith.

The lawmaker also said all salaries and allowances due to Mr. Abu-Ali should be immediately paid out to his family.

Mr. Abu-Ali and six others were killed in an attack by terrorists in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

During the discussion on the floor of the House, Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, described the soldier as a dogged and patriotic soldier.

“He proved that in any capacity you can serve the nation with great enthusiasm and commitment,” Mr. Ogor said.

Credit:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/214796-nigerian-parliament-urges-posthumous-promotion-slain-military-hero.html

Butchers’ Association Urges FG To Allow Cattle Free Access Into Nigeria

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Butchers Association on Monday asked the Federal Government to allow cattle free access into the country, to allow for bountiful availability of meat and meat products in Nigerian markets.

Alhaji Asimiyu Tela, Chairman, Ondo State Chapter of the association, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure.

Tela called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the association to find new ways for cattle to come into the country without any hitches, to enable the butchers to be able to meet the daily needs of their customers.
“If the Federal Government can ensure that cattle are able to come into the country in abundance, as was being done in the past, that will help butchers in the country to be able to satisfy the needs of their customers.

“The cows we have in Nigeria as at now are not enough to meet the demands of our customers and thereby, there are not enough of meat and meat products to meet local consumption,’’ he said.

Tela said that the association adhered strictly to the prescribed sanitary conditions for the handling of cow meat, stressing that erring members who violated such rules were usually sanctioned.

“The executives of our association take compliance with sanitary rules with all seriousness and members found culpable were usually handed over to the law enforcement agencies.

“There are also some punitive measures attached to going against the sanitary rules,’’ he said.

According to him, Veterinary Doctors on daily basis carry out tests on every cow before being slaughtered for sale and consumption by the public.

Tela assured that members of the association would contribute their quota to ensure that peaceful elections were held nationwide, to enable democracy thrive in the country.

He urged the government to revive all moribund industries and firms, adding that, “if the youths are meaningfully engaged, there would be peace and order in the land’’.

Credit: NAN

UNICEF Urges FG To Rehabilitate Released Chibok Girls

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to provide intensive support for the 21 released Chibok girls to safeguard their future.

The group made the call in a statement signed by Mr Gianfranco Rotigliano, its Country Representative and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.

“The release is a great news and we are delighted to see the girls back with their families. “But we must keep pressing for all the women and children held by Boko Haram to be freed.

“And we must bear in mind that all of those who have been held by Boko Haram will face a long and difficult process to rebuild their lives after the indescribable trauma they have suffered,”

Rotigliano said. He also said that the more than 200 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 were among thousands of women and girls that UNICEF estimated had been held and subjected to violence by the group. “UNICEF has supported hundreds of women and girls who have already been released or escaped from Boko Haram.

“The girls’ report that they have been subjected to rape – frequently in the form of forced marriages – beatings, intimidation and starvation during their captivity. Many returned pregnant or with babies as a result of rape.

“When they do reach safety, girls who have been held by Boko Haram are often ill, malnourished, traumatised and exhausted.

“They are in need of medical attention and psychosocial support so that they can begin to come to terms with their experiences and reintegrate with their families and communities.

“Frequently, returning to their families and communities is the beginning of a new ordeal for the girls, as the sexual violence they have suffered often results in stigmatisation.

“People are also often afraid that the girls have been indoctrinated by Boko Haram and that they pose a threat to their communities. “The use by Boko Haram of children – mostly girls – as so called ‘suicide bombers’ has fueled such fears.

“Children born as a result of the sexual violence are at even greater risk of rejection, abandonment and violence.

“Since January, UNICEF and its partner International Alert have been providing psychosocial support for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence in the hands of Boko Haram.

“UNICEF and International Alert are also working with affected communities through a network of trained religious and community leaders to promote acceptance and to address negative perceptions that hamper the reintegration of women and girls who have suffered such violence.

“Funding from the Swedish International Development Agency and the UK Department for International Development has so far this year enabled UNICEF to provide a comprehensive programme of reintegration assistance to more than 750 women and girls subjected to Boko Haram-related sexual violence.

“With such large numbers of women and girls having been held by the group, however, the long-term provision of much-needed support remains heavily underfunded,’’ the UNICEF official said.

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http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/unicef-urges-fg-rehabilitate-released-chibok-girls/

Group Urges FG To Comply With ECOWAS Court Ruling On Dasuki

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A Northern coalition of 14 human rights groups on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, comply with the ruling of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by releasing former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.).

Speaking with journalists in Sokoto, the National Secretary of the Network for Justice and Human Rights Crusade,, Al-mustapha Abubakar Bello, said ignoring the ruling of the ECOWAS Court by the Federal Government would amount to impunity, abuse of due process and disregard for rule of law.

“Since it is a government that believes in the rule of law, the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari should adhere to the ruling of the ECOWAS Court.

“This competent court of law presided over by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke has ordered the immediate release of Dasuki on bail as stated in the judgement of October 4, 2016, with No: ECW/CCJ/JUD/23/16 of the SUIT NO: ECW/CCJ/APP/01/16,” Bello said.

According to him, the coalition lamented that having been granted bail by three different domestic courts, Dasuki is still in detention.

He said this was without respect for his fundamental human rights and personal liberty, which the present government preaches.

Credit: thisdaylive

Soyinka Urges Buhari To Dialogue With Militants

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to hearken to the agitations of Niger Delta militant groups, who have had to resort to insurgency and bombing of oil pipeline in recent months.
Soyinka made the call while addressing journalists at the launch of Study Abroad in Lebanon (SAIL) initiative in Lagos on yesterday.

The elder statesman, who said he was recently contacted to play an interventionist role in the crisis rocking the oil-producing region, appealed to Buhari to show more commitment that would bring about lasting solution.
“I wish to make an appeal to government to respond to the outrage of the militant groups. That was a request being made by some of the groups, who got me into this interventionist role in the first place. At the moment, they feel the government of President Buhari is not seriously responding to their outrage. And I wish to personally appeal to the government to positively respond and lets us see where it ends us,” Soyinka said.
The Nobel Laureate was however quick to debunk the insinuation that he was actually working with some international organizations to get the crisis resolved, insisting that so far, he has been acting in his capacity as an individual interventionist.

Credit: dailytrust

Rio2016: Bronze Better Than Nothing, Izilein Urges Dream Team

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Super Falcons, on Friday appealed to the Dream Team VI to play well and win the bronze medal.

Izilein said that winning the bronze was better than not getting anything.

The football tactician identified late preparation for major events as responsible for the poor performance of Nigerian sportsmen and women in tournaments.

He called on administrators of sports in the country to be alive to their responsibilities by ensuring early preparation for tournaments.

He said, “I still salute their courage, considering what they went through. It takes people with lion heart to easily come out of what they went through.

“I will urge them to concentrate well for the bronze medal. We need it, it is better than not having anything at all.

“Why are we always starting late in terms of preparation?

“As we speak, some countries are already planning for the 2020 games.

‘’Here, we only start rushing things when it is two or three months to a major tournament and expect the athletes to perform wonders.”

http://punchng.com/bronze-better-nothing-coach-izilein-tells-dream-team/

Bin Laden’s Son Urges Overthrow Of Saudi Rulers

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The son of Al-Qaeda’s slain founder Osama bin Laden has urged Saudis to “overthrow” the kingdom’s rulers in order to “free” themselves from US influence, SITE Intelligence Group reported Wednesday.

In an undated audio message, Hamza bin Laden urged Saudi youth to join the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to “gain the necessary experience” to fight, according to SITE.

Classified by the United States as the network’s deadliest franchise, AQAP was formed in January 2009 as a merger of the Yemeni and Saudi branches of Al-Qaeda.

Yemen is the ancestral home of Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, who was killed in Pakistan in 2011 by an elite team of US Navy SEALS after a decade on the run.

US intelligence officials have said that 23-year-old Hamza was the favorite son of the 9/11 mastermind who had been grooming him to take over as Al-Qaeda’s leader.

Osinbajo Urges Public Officers To Return To Farm

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged public officers to return to the farm for the nation to be liberated from the periodic cycle of boom inter-laced with busts and meltdowns.
He made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s agricultural promotion policy, ‘The Green Alternative’ on Monday.

Osinbajo noted that farming was the only conventional activity which the constitution allows a public officer to participate in.
“This agricultural revolution calls us all to farm, even small vegetable farms. The only conventional activity that our constitution allows a public officer is farming. So, we have no excuse,” he said.
He described President Buhari and the Agriculture minister Chief Audu Ogbeh as farmers who practice what they preach, and the “rest of us are being slowly converted!”
“It is an urgent call for the nation to embrace the truth that an oil-dependent economy would never provide enough for 170 million people and still grow in leaps and bounds,” he added.
Commending Buhari for his renewed vision of an agriculture-led economy as an alternative proposition to an oil dependent growth, Osinbajo said the government knew it had to put the economy on the path to inclusive growth with job opportunities for the nation’s huge population.
“One of the most critical components of that plan is to position agriculture as the arrow-head of the economic recovery effort. There is no question at all that if we get agriculture right, we’ll get our economy right. The road map we’re about to present, identifies two key challenges. The first is the inability to meet domestic food requirements: this is a productivity challenge driven by an input system and farming model that is likely inefficient, the lack of good seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, crop protection, etc.
“And two: the inability to export at the level required for marketing which is typified by an inefficient system for setting and enforcing food quality, poor knowledge of target markets, a weak inspectorate system and poor coordination amongst relevant agencies. With great clarity, ‘The Green Alternative’ sets out strategies for resolving these challenges. I’m personally impressed that The road map does not dismiss the Agricultural policies of the past. Indeed, the policy says that it is “building on the successes of the agricultural transformation agenda, closing the gap,” he said.

Lagos Urges Residents To Volunteer Information To Security Agencies To Combat Crime?

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Lagos State Government yesterday reassured residents of its ability to combat all forms of crime within the state just as it reaffirmed its commitment to prompt response to all crime incidents reported by residents to the various security agencies.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communication, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, spoke at the monthly interactive session held at Ikorodu with the theme ‘Securing our Communities’ organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs for Community Development Committees (CDCs), Neighbourhood Watch, Community Development Associations and other relevant stakeholders.

In a statement, Bamigbetan urged residents not to hide any vital information on crimes from security agencies, saying that, “information gathering is an integral part of securing the environment as it is fuel on which both offensive and defensive operations are based.? “If proactive information intelligence is not provided to security agencies about a threat, the threat will eventually manifest,’’ he said. He said that the state government has provided enough equipment and resources, human and materials, to wipe out criminality in the entire state and is exploring ways to foster a structured relationship with all informal security agencies with a vision to holistically and collectively combating crime in the state.

He assured Ikorodu residents that the state government had zero tolerance for crime, be it kidnapping, stealing, and other criminal acts, urging them to remain calm as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was on top of the security challenges being faced at present.

“Lagos State Government has established a RRS Marine Police and is now working with the Naval authorities to ensure that the creeks are taken care of; monitoring and surveillance of these areas has increased and Lagos State is contributing its own quota to ensure that both the marine police and naval authorities are able to respond to challenges facing our creeks,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Sole Administrator, Ikorodu Local council, Gbolahan Ogunleye, earlier in his address assured all the security agencies in Ikorodu Division of his administration’s support in ensuring that operations are carried out judiciously, adding “security is everybody’s business and we all need to work hard to ensure a crime free society.”

In his own contribution, representative of the State Security Service, Ikorodu Division, Mr. Funsho Adeleke, implored residents not to leave security issues to government alone because people in the neighbourhood have vital information about those who reside in their various localities.

Adeleke, therefore, urged all residents in Ikorodu to volunteer vital and useful information that will be helpful to the office of the State Security Services in ensuring that all areas of the state are safe and secured.

Credit: Guardian

Lawyer Urges Buhari To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram Members

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant amnesty to Boko Haram members in the wake of the defeat being inflicted on the insurgents by the Nigerian military.

In a statement issued Sunday, Mr. Adegboruwa said one year after Mr. Buhari declared war on the group, it had become clear that they may not be totally defeated immediately.

“It would seem, from all indications, that it will require a long drawn out war, for which we trust that our president and the military are well equipped and prepared,” Mr. Adegboruwa said.

“It is in the light of this that I am urging the president to seize the momentum of the victory being recorded against the insurgents, to extend an olive branch, to their accredited and authentic representatives, for some reprieve, by way of amnesty.

“After all, Boko Haram once named the president himself as their chief negotiator, in the last dispensation. So, in the same way that the president is engaging the Niger Delta militants, he should extend same to the insurgents, to achieve sustained peace, which will in turn put an end to the deplorable crises being experienced in the various IDP camps and indeed usher in development in the North East region.”

Mr. Adegboruwa’s suggestion came following a reported ambush by the Boko Haram group of over a dozen officers and soldiers of the Nigerian military, last week.

According to the Nigerian army, 19 personnel comprising 16 soldiers and three officers were declared missing after an ambush on troops at Guro Gongon village in Borno State.

“Our hearts and prayers go to the president, the military and indeed the families of these very gallant soldiers, believing firmly that in due course, they will all be rescued alive, by the power and grace of God,” said Mr. Adegboruwa.

“I join other Nigerians to commend the president, for the victories so far recorded against the terrorists, even though this would have been better celebrated with the rescue of the Chibok girls.

“This has indeed reinforced the view in many quarters, that the president would have been better placed as a minister of defence, in a true democratic environment.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

PDP Crisis: Makarfi Urges Sheriff To Embrace Dialogue

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The national caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised a factional chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, to tow the path of dialogue over Edo governorship election.

The chairman of the committee, Ahmed Makarfi, gave the advice on Monday in Abuja when he received the report of the PDP Edo governorship primaries.

“Once again, I call upon the former chairman of PDP, my colleague and friend Sheriff and those associating with him to follow the path of dialogue.

“They should not to do anything further that will cause PDP harm in Edo state,’’ Mr. Makarfi said.

He said it was important for the party to work together as INEC had stated that it required 21 days notice to monitor any primary.

“This means validly and legally, no primary can be conducted apart from the one which we conducted and monitored by INEC.

“If the intention is not to cause the PDP to fail the election, any talk towards conducting other primaries in Edo by anybody either within or outside the state is supposed to have ceased by this time.

“I will continue to plead that what you cannot achieve through peace or dialogue, you cannot achieve it through the opposite,’’ he added.

Credit: PremiumTimes

NYSC DG Urges Corps Members To Marry Each Other

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members from different tribes to intermarry, as an avenue of boosting national integration.

The Director General of the Corps, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure, gave the urge when he visited the 2016 Batch A (Stream II) corps members undergoing their orientation programme.

He noted that the essence of the scheme is to ensure national integration, which would bring the desired unity which the country earnestly desires.

“I wish to see you to intermarry within the orientation period to enhance national integration, as this would be achieved through adequate bonding in the camp.

The DG remarked that Nigeria needs unity and development, as the outlined camp activities such as military drills, skills acquisition and sporting activities would prepare the Corps members for life within and after the service year.

“The Ramadan did not stop us from coming to the camp as I received lots of text messages inquiring about the possibility of organizing the camp with the approach of the period.”

He noted that he insisted that the orientation programme would be organized and by God’s grace it went on and the Corps members would soon leave the camp.

“Corps members would not be posted to Ishiellu Local Government Area where the Ezza–Ezillo communal war took place until we get assurances of adequate security in the area.

Kazaure also advised the corps members to be security conscious and ensure that they go out in the company of friends and colleagues instead of going out alone.

“You should also pay special attention to skill acquisition while in the camp and the entire service year, to enable them be self reliant and not rely on white collar jobs.

The Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Scheme, Mrs Gladys Mbachi, told the DG that 1, 932 Corps members were undergoing the programme with 1, 346 males and 586 females.

“The corps members have been behaving well since they arrived in the camp, though we presently have some health challenges.

She noted that one of the corps members has a mental problem while three others have asthmatic cases, but all have been referred to the hospital for adequate medical attention.

Credit: Nation

NERC Urges Electricity Distribution Companies To Provide Consumers With Prepaid Meters

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called on electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to “meter’’ consumers, who have paid for various types of meters since November 2013.

The Acting Chairman of NERC, Dr Anthony Akah, made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at a meeting with representatives of distribution companies.

Cue in audio

“Before we conclude our investigation we want to use this opportunity to ask any distribution company that has collected money from any consumer since November 2013 for meter and has not metered him that it is a criminal offence.

“You can’t hold the consumers’ money.

“Between this time and the time we are verifying, find a way to go and meter these consumers, because the kind of complaints we get on our table every day is as huge as this.’’

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According to Akah, it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide meters to consumers in line with the tariff model all over the world,.

He said Nigerian electricity consumers were desirous of constant electricity supply in the country.

“Nigerian consumers certainly need 24 hours light that is the most important thing they want to hear.’’

He said the commission’s engagement with the consumers showed that they were dissatisfied with estimated billing rates, noting that they desired an end to unfair estimation.

He said the greatest challenge facing the commission as a regulator was metering, noting that efforts were on to mitigate the challenge.

“We must protect the consumers; there is no going back on our resolve to step up our monitoring mechanism to stop unfair billing of Nigerian consumers. It is grossly unfair.’’

He said that NERC had written to the distribution companies requesting for clear information on the consumers metered over the years.

Credit: NAN

NANS Urges Buhari To Reinstate Sacked Vice Chancellors

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) are calling on the Federal Government to reinstate the Vice Chancellors of thirteen federal universities who were sacked over a month ago.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, National President of the Association, Comrade Tijani Shehu, said the sacking was unjustly done by the government in violation of rules governing the appointment of vice chancellors.

The Association appeals to the Minister of Education to advise President Buhari properly in order to reverse the sacking of the thirteen vice chancellors which they described as unconstitutional.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier in the year sacked and appointed Vice Chancellors (VC) of Federal Universities established by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Credit: DailyTimes

Faleke Urges Tribunal To Declare Him Winner Of Kogi Gubernatorial

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The running mate to the Abubakar Audu, James Faleke, has called on the state Election Petition Tribunal to declare him the validly elected governor of Kogi State.
Mr. Faleke made the call on Monday while being led in evidence at the tribunal in Abuja by his counsel, Wole Olanipekun.
“I confirm to all the documents that were tendered this morning to be the ones I refer to in my petition.
“I will like to adopt the documents in my witness statement on oath and as my evidence in the petition.
“I want the tribunal to accept my petition and grant my reliefs as stated in paragraph 27 of my witness statement on oath and declare me as the winner,” Mr. Faleke said.
When asked during cross-examination by the counsel to the 1st respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission, if he was still a member of the All Progressive Congress, he said ‘yes’.
According to Mr. Faleke, “I am not aware that the 2nd respondent, Gov. Yahaya Bello, is a member of the APC. All I know is that the 2nd respondent campaigned and worked for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Credit: NAN

Fayose Urges Buhari To Devalue Naira

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to devalue the nation’s currency.
Fayose said: “With the gap between the official rate of N199 and open market rate of over N400 to one dollar, the naira has already been devalued.”
He said President Buhari should, therefore, stop deceiving himself and short-changing Nigerians, especially states and local councils in the country with his forex folicy.”
Governor Fayose, who said there was no time in the history of Nigeria that the gap between dollar official rate and open market rate was more than N200, pointed out that it made no economic sense for the Federal Government to be calculating the country’s revenue on the basis of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rate of N199 to a dollar, while states and local councils that are sharing the revenue with the Federal Government run their businesses at the open market rate of over N400 to one dollar, thereby causing business to be folding up by the day and prices of goods skyrocketing everyday.
Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the governor, Lere Olayinka, in a statement issued in Ado- Ekiti yesterday, quoted the governor as saying apart from breeding corruption through round-tripping or foreign exchange arbitrage, Nigerians are also being duped and middle class Nigerians, the main people that grow the country’s economy, are being decimated.
He said: “President Buhari has travelled to 24 countries in eight months, and will be spending 16 out of the 29 days in February outside the country, with over $500,000 being spent on estacode, while the presidential air fleet, which includes fuelling of the planes and allowances for crew is said to be in the range of $500,000.

Credit: Sun

Buhari Urges Greater Global Cooperation Against Climate Change

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for greater global cooperation against the devastating effects of climate change to avert disaster for the human race in the 21st century.

Addressing the opening of the 2016 World Future Energy Summit on Monday in Abu Dhabi, President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world in a collective effort to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Africa is already suffering from the consequences of climate change, which includes recurrent drought and floods. In Nigeria, the drastic drying up of the Lake Chad to just about 10% of its original size, has negatively impacted on the livelihood of millions of people and contributed in making the region a hot bed of insurgency.

“Desert encroachment in Niger (Republic), our northern neighbour and in far northern Nigeria, at the rate of several hundred meters per annum, has impacted on the existence of man, animal and vegetation, threatening to alter the whole ecological balance of the sub-region.

“In the middle and southern part of Nigeria, land erosion threatens farming, forestry, town and village peripheries and in some areas major highways. Constant and abrupt alteration between floods and droughts prove that climate change is real and therefore a global approach and cooperation to combat its effects are vital, if the human race is not to face disaster in the 21st century,” he told participants at the summit.

Noting that the summit was taking place soon after the United Nations Conference on Climate Change held in Paris late last year, the President praised the United Arab Emirates for consistently supporting international action on climate change.

“We see Abu Dhabi as a dependable partner in the collective effort to manage climate risks, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Thank you Abu Dhabi, for consistently continuing to support international action in this sphere.

“We appreciate your immense contributions worth hundreds of millions of dollars in energy aid to developing countries,” he said.

President Buhari is expected back in the country on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

Credit: Channelstv

PDP Urges NASS To Impeach Buhari Over Missing Budget Saga

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday asked the National Assembly to commence impeachment process of President Muhammedu Buhari for allegedly breaching the constitutional by submitting two version of the 2006 budget.

The party said the National Assembly should thoroughly investigate the shameful act, including the distortion and bandying of figures to accommodate their personal interest and ensure that appropriate sanctions is meted to whoever has a hand in the dubious action that has brought embarrassment to the legislative body.

According to a statement by the acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, the opposition party arrived at this decision after rising from an meeting on Thursday.

The party also asked the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning to resign “having failed to provide the much needed capacity in the management of the nation’s economy resulting in the embarrassing crashing of the nation’s currency to as low as N305 to a dollar.”

Also the party asked the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN to resign for “plunging the country’s currency policy into chaos an action that has thrown investors into total confusion.”

Credit: Leadership

PDP Urges Nigerians To Support The Buhari Administration Anti Boko Haram Crusade

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Following the attacks by two suicide bomber in Borno yesterday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called on all Nigerian to support th Buhari led fight against Boko Haram.

The party made this known via its Twitter handle as they praise our gallant soldiers who they said are battling in the war front during the festive period. They added that the gallant soldiers protecting the nation are non political, thus the fight should not be politicized. See tweet below:

World Bank Urges Buhari To Remove Fuel Subsidy Now

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The World Bank has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to act now if he is seriously considering the removal of fuel subsidy.

The World Bank’s Lead Economist, John Litwack, said Tuesday the best time to take such decision is now.

While the Buhari administration has hinted at its intention to remove fuel subsidy, the debate is still on in the country with many Nigerians, including the organised labour, rejecting the plan.

The issue was discussed Monday at the Executive Council of the Federation meeting.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, while unveiling the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the government’s N6 trillion budget proposal for 2016, said the government was seriously weighing the options between removing or retaining fuel subsidy next year.

The government’s body language appears to favour the former, rather than the latter.

Mr. Litwack said at the launch of the new edition of Nigeria Economic Report that if the government really meant to take a decision on the issue of fuel subsidy removal, the best time to act would be now that global crude oil price was at its lowest level.

Despite last Friday’s attempt by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, during its 168th conference to maintain its production quota so as to stabilize the crude oil market, the price of the commodity slumped further to $37.89 per barrel on Monday from $38.09 on Friday.

While presenting the economic outlook of the global economy and the crude oil market, Mr. Litwack said the Bank foresaw continuous decline in global crude oil price.

He said now is the best time for the government to scrap the subsidy, as doing so would not push retail pump price beyond an average of N100 per litre, or generate the kind pressure that would negatively impact on the people beyond what they are currently facing.

Credit: PremiumTimes

FG Urged To Criminalize Failure Of Parent To Enrol Children In Schools

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A group has urged the Nigerian government to criminalize the failure of parents to enrol their children in schools.

The charge was given in Abuja by a nongovernmental organization, Paulash Initiative, during its programme to increase awareness of the impact of girl child education.

The founder of the group, Folashade Okomayi, said unless the government makes non-enrollment of school-aged children an offence punishable by law, Nigeria will not be able to rid itself of out- of-school children.

“I think what the government should do is that when children are seen hawking; or doing menial jobs during school hours; government should take them somewhere and trace their parents or wards,” she said.

“If they punish one or two parents under a certain law that should be enacted for the purpose; others will take caution.”

Mrs. Okomayi added that the rally was organised to enlighten Nigerians about the growing challenges facing the girl child in the country.

“A lot of girls are still being subjected to the background in our society. When you talk about growing number of out-of-school children, the greatest number of those affected is girls,” she said.

“In terms of domestic violence, girls are also mostly at the receiving end. The story is the same when you talk about child marriage.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

PDP Crisis Deepens As Jonathan’s Ex Aide Urges Court To Sack Secondus

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Ali Gulak, has urged a Federal High Court , sitting in Abuja to declare the appointment of the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Chief Uche Secondus, unconstitutional.

Gulak, in an originating summon, prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Secondus from continuing to act in the Office of the National Chairman of the party or organising or planning any election or carrying out any other functions or duties pertaining to the office.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the PDP and Secondus as first and second respondents.

The plaintiff also sought a declaration that by articles 35(1) and 47 (6) of the constitution of the party, read together with Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the continued functioning of Secondus as acting national chairman of the party, when he is not from the Northeast, was a breach of Article 47(6) of the constitution of the party and Section 223 of the 1999 constitution.

Credit: Nation

Don’t Give Up On Dialogue With Boko Haram, Monarch Urges FG

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Worried by the increase in Boko Haram related attacks in the North East, the paramount traditional ruler of Igbo-Ukwu Kingdom in Aguata Local Government of Anambara State, Igwe Martin Eze has called on the sect to sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue which they proposed to the Federal Government sometime ago.

In a statement, the royal father condemned the bloodbath which is already taking a terrible toll on lives and property of innocent Nigerians and urged Boko Harram to cease hostility and bloodletting in the country. “When lives are lost in such gruesome way, it creates fear and scares investors away from our country. So, I’m begging them to stop the killings in the name of Almighty God,” he said.

While calling on the Federal Government to adopt the carrot and stick approach in dealing with the sect, Igwe Eze urged the government to dialogue with members of the sect that are willing to lay down their arms in the interest of peace.

Speaking on the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the monarch lamented that the crisis has turned these Nigerians into refugees in their own country and commended Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode for donating money to alleviate their suffering and urged other Nigerians to emulate this kind gesture.

Credit: SunOnline

Give Boko Haram ’Final Push’, Nigerian Army Chief Urges Troops

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Monday urged troops in the Northeast to remain focused in their final push to end insurgency in the country.

Mr. Buratai, who visited the front line unit of 113 Task Battalion in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno, commended the troops for the successes recorded so far.

“You have done well and you must maintain the tempo.

“You must be on the offensive and waste no time in giving a final push in ending Boko Haram.’’

He assured the soldiers that there was no cause for alarm over their salaries and allowances, stressing that the issue was being sorted out.

“There may be a little delay, but everything is being sorted out,’ Mr. Buratai said.

The Army chief was also at the 118 Task Force Battalion, where he urged the troops to sustain the final offensive against insurgents.

Credit: NAN

Again, IMF Urges CBN, Others To Weaken Currencies To Absorb Shocks

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other central banks in Africa to allow their currencies to depreciate in order to absorb shocks to their economies.

The multilateral donor agency pointed out that resisting currency pressure depletes foreign exchange reserves and results in weaker imports.

The IMF stated this in its 134-page Regional Economic Outlook for October 2015 posted on its website yesterday.

It said that central banks in a growing number of countries had started tightening monetary policies, concerned that these developments may affect inflation expectations where inflation rates are near or even surpass the highest point of established bands.

According to the IMF, in a few highly dollarized economies on the continent, the recent exchange rate depreciation could also increase financial sector vulnerabilities.

It also noted that the recent depreciation of some currencies on the continent would increase the value in local currency of dollar-denominated liabilities, and hence the debt service burden for unhedged borrowers.

This would potentially expose banks to losses—even though banks themselves generally have only limited currency, it stated further.

Credit: ThisDay

Kifasi Hands Over To Oyo-Ita, Urges Welfare Support For Civil Servants

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Mr Danladi Kifasi, the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), has called for more attention to the provision of welfare support for civil servants.

Kifasi made the call while presenting his hand-over notes to the Acting HOS, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Kifasi, the desire to motivate civil servants for higher productivity has always been constrained by lean budgetary allocation.

He said it had become imperative to adjust expenditure to meet critical needs, sustain operations and ensure effective service delivery to the public.

Kifasi maintained that he had kept faith with the oath of allegiance he took on assumption of office 13 months ago, serving the country dutifully and faithfully.

He stressed that with the cooperation of permanent secretaries, he had achieved a lot within the period he was in office.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity given him to serve.

Kifasi promised continued support for the Buhari administration as he retires, adding that he would always remain proud of the country`s civil servants, whom he said, played a significant role in stabilizing the polity.

“I am sincerely proud of you all for your sense of duty, patriotism and professionalism.’’

Credit: NAN

Aisha Buhari Urges Students To Use Education For National Development

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Monday in Abuja called on Nigerian students to use education as a tool for national development.

Aisha, who was represented by the Wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, said this when the Chairman, Advisory Board, President’s School Debate Nigeria (PSDN), paid her courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.

“I am exceedingly proud of the young citizens that have taken education as a way forward for the national development,’’ Aisha said.

She said the students, through education, were empowered and had enabled them to represent Nigeria in Singapore for a debate.

“You have done so well and made Nigeria proud. I am proud of you and hope that other young Nigerians will look at your achievement and emulate,’’ she said.

She urged other students in the country to emulate the example, to make the country a great nation.

The president’s wife commended the organizers and students for doing well at the Singapore debate competition, adding that “we hope to celebrate your progress, productivity and success in the next years.

Read More: dailyindependentnig

Lamorde Urges Western Nations To Reject & Return Stolen Funds

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, has asked countries keeping Nigeria’s stolen wealth to quickly reject and return the funds so as to prove their rejection of corruption.

Lamorde threw the challenge Monday when he hosted the leadership of Amnesty International, an international human rights advocacy, who met with him in Abuja.

The chairman claimed that the funds being stolen and stashed abroad by corruption officials in Nigeria, was preventing the country from providing basic services to the people thereby adding to the poverty level in the land.

He described corruption and impunity as the worst form of human rights abuse, which AI must help to end to move society forward.

Lamorde said: ‘‘Western countries must end the impoverisation of developing countries. They must reject and return stolen funds, so that respective governments of the affected developing countries could use the money to better the lives of the poor in their countries.

“It is the common wealth of the people that has been diverted for private use. So, it is the worst form of human rights abuse. When corruption and impunity become the order of the day, human rights abuses flourish.

‘‘When you consider the cause of water-borne diseases suffered by people in rural areas, it is because someone has diverted the funds meant for pipe borne water in those areas.

“Also, when you consider the fact that our hospitals lack the basic amenities, it is because some people have kept the funds allocated to the hospitals to themselves…”

Read More: vanguardngr

Ban Oversea Medical Treatment, NMA Urges Buhari

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter has challenged President Buhari Muhammadu to direct all political office holders to henceforth seek medical attention in Nigeria and ban them from oversea medical treatment.

Speaking at a press briefing to herald the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Lagos, chairman of the association, Dr Tope Ojo said, the ban of oversea medical treatment will be taken as the first signal of seriousness of this regime to reform the health sector.

Ojo said, “The NMA remains as worried as ever regarding the state of our dear country as evidenced by the deplorable conditions of infrastructure and amenities such as bad roads, lack of portable water, poor state of medical facilities, lack of uninterrupted power supply, unavailability of decent and affordable homes, poor drainage system, environmental pollution and poorly developed transportation system amidst other social, political and economic challenges faced by Nigerians on a daily basis.”

Read More: dailytimes

Prosecute Jang, Others, Lalong Urges EFCC

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Governor S?mon Lalong of Plateau State has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to expedite action on former Governor of the state, Jonah Jang, and others who he alleged looted the state’s fund during his administration. Lalong said the call has become necessary in order to recover the funds looted.

It would be recalled that the governor had while receiving report of the State’s Transition Committee in Jos recently, gave the former administration, his appointees and cronies two weeks to return funds taken illegally from the state’s treasury or risk prosecution.

Lalong, who spoke with journalists as part of the activities to mark his 100 days in office disclosed that he had already written to the antigraft agency with “enough evidence about the enormity of financial sleaze that occurred dur?ng Jang’s administration” “We have already briefed the anti-graft agency and we are calling on them to swing into action immediately.”

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Pope Urges European Parishes To Host One Migrant Family Each

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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.

Read More: vanguardngr

Enhance Media Salary, NUJ Urges FG

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, on Friday urged the Federal Government to enhance media salary because “journalism deserves better care like other professions”.

The union’s National President, Mr Waheed Odusile, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that improving on media wellbeing would go a long way in enhancing performance.

Odusile decried the way graduates working in the government owned media were being treated, describing the media as strong body in nation building.

“What we want from the government is a kind of enhancing the salary of journalists; let it start first with our members and colleagues in government media because the bulk of members are government employees…”

Read More: nigerianpilot

Don’t Defend Looters, Buhari Tasks Lawyers

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari urged lawyers in the country not to sacrifice the integrity of the country’s legal system in a bid to cover the misdeeds of their clients, no matter how lucrative the brief may be.

Speaking at the opening of the 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, Buhari called on lawyers to support his administration’s war against corruption and help the country return to the path of rectitude by making Nigerian courts functional and effective again.

The president stressed that his administration had taken on the challenge of improving security, fighting corruption and revamping the economy, among many others.

Buhari said: “The fight against corruption is in reality a struggle for the restoration of law and order. Corruption and impunity become widespread when disrespect for law is allowed to thrive in society. Disrespect for law also thrives when people get away with all sorts of shady deals and the court system is somehow unable to check them.

“Ability to manipulate and frustrate the legal system is the crowning glory of the corrupt and, as may be expected, this has left many legal practitioners and law courts tainted in an ugly way…”

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Sultan Urges Buhari To Go After Looters

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday told President Muhammadu Buhari to make sure that he prosecutes every person found to have looted the national treasury.

The Sultan said Buhari should not only prosecute the corrupt and ensure that the proceeds of their corruption are forfeited to the Federal Government but that such persons should be sent to jail.

“We are 100 per cent in support of your fight against corruption in this country, and it is our belief that all those found guilty should not only have their entire assets seized and forfeited to government but also face jail sentences,” he said.

The Sultan also asked the Federal Government to institute a national integrity plan as soon as possible. He however challenged the police and other security agencies to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari government.

Read More: punchng

Tambuwal Urges Nigerian Govt To End Rice Import Waiver

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The current waiver regime enjoyed by rice importers is hampering local production of the commodity and should be phased out by the Nigerian government, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has stated.

Mr. Tambuwal gave the advice when he received the new Customs Area Controller for Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, Muhammad Kabir.
The governor said preliminary studies undertaken showed that despite efforts to boost local rice production, unfavourable government policies such as rice import waivers were the impediments to objectives of achieving local self-sufficiency.

The position taken by the Sokoto governor is similar to the one taken by the Nigerian Senate recently on the same matter.

Mr. Tambuwal also said that the quality of rice produced locally is of international standard and far better than many imported into the country. He said his administration would continue to support farmers in rice production to enable them acquire standard facilities that will process their produce.
“We have the potential to meet Africa’s rice needs,” he added.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Probe Obasanjo, Atiku, Tinubu, Others, LP Urges Buhari

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

If any probe of those alleged to have looted the nation’s treasury is to have any meaning and not be seen as a selective witch-hunt, then President Muhammadu Buhari should start with all past civilian administrations beginning from 1999.

This was the position of the Chairman, Labour Party of Nigeria (LP), Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, who yesterday urged Buhari to be holistic by extending such probes to former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, erstwhile Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Senate President Bukola Saraki and other former state governors.

Read More: ngrguardiannews

PMB Urges Muslims To Rise Against Boko Haram

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Against the backdrop of the incessant terrorism attacks in Nigeria and the world over, President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday urged the Muslim community to make a strong statement that would condemn the activities of insurgents.

According to the president, speaking with one voice was a sure way of rejecting the attackers claim of acting in the name of Islam, stressing that it would also stop the abasement of their religion.

This is even as Buahri called on the international community to unite and forge a stronger worldwide consensus for more effective action against global terrorism.

The president’s injunctions came on the heels of the killing of about 150 men, women and children in Kukawa, Borno state on Thursday and also the recent murder of Egyptian Attorney General, Hesham Barakat, and the killing of about 70 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula by terrorists.

While strongly condemning the act, Buhari in separate statements issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja further stated that it was “a very heinous atrocity which must be unreservedly condemned by all people of conscience.”

He conveyed his heart-felt condolences to families of the victims of Boko Haram’s dreadful killings in Kukawa just as he also condoled the government of Egypt and the families of the victims, reaffirming “Nigeria’s commitment to working with other countries facing terrorists’ threats to overcome the scourge of violent extremism.”

Read More: vanguardngr

UN Urges FG To Relax Abortion Laws For Boko Haram Victims

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Staff Reporter

UN Human Rights Chief, Zeid Al-Hussein, has appealed to Nigerian authorities to ease abortion restrictions for women and girls who had been sexually enslaved, raped and forced into so-called “marriages” by Boko Haram fighters.

He said this on Thursday in New York while discussing with the Human Rights Council on Boko Haram’s rights violations and abuses, the findings of a 12-member team to Cameroon, southern Niger and the north-eastern regions of Nigeria on Boko Haram.

Al-Hussein said interviews had confirmed that during their captivity lasting for months or even years, women and girls were sexually enslaved, raped and forced into marriages.

The Rights group chief said as a result of this, many survivors of the horrific experiences are now pregnant for their rapists.

Al-Hussein also drew attention to the situation of many formerly captive women and young girls, who are pregnant and their reported wish to terminate these unwanted pregnancies.

“I note that abortion is legal in Nigeria only when the life of the woman is at risk. Human rights mechanisms have consistently called for ensuring access to safe abortion services beyond the protection of the woman’s life, including in cases of rape, and to preserve the health of the woman,” he said.

Read More: punchng

Lawmaker Urges Colleagues To Make Sacrifice For Change

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A Lagos lawmaker, Bisi Yusuff, on Sunday urged lawmakers in the country to make sacrifice in the interest of the masses. Yusuff (APC-Alimosho 1), Lagos House of Assembly, spoke against the backdrop of the call for lawmakers to review their salaries and allowances.

The lawmaker, who spoke to the media in Lagos, advised his colleagues to ensure positive change in the living condition of Nigerians. “Anything that will bring change should be embraced by all of us; there is no change without sacrifice, this is my personal opinion. While the government is doing its best, individuals too must also think of making the economy more vibrant,” Yusuff said.

Commenting on calls for the introduction of ‘part-time’ legislature, the lawmaker said the country was not ripe enough for such exercise, adding “I adding don’t think we are ripe for part-time legislature because we are doing a lot of things.” He however, expressed confidence that the present administration would transform the country, urging Nigerians not to be in hurry.

On the activities of insurgents, Yusuff commended the President Buhari for the steps taken so far. “It seems we are too much in a hurry; the system had been bad for so many years and you want somebody to provide solutions immediately. If you plant a palm tree, it is not that very day that you will start reaping; very soon, you would see the outcome of what the president is doing.

“If the Federal Government can divert the money used for subsidy to provide security, roads, electricity and make refineries work well, the masses will be happy. Once we refine our crude oil, the pump price of petroleum will come down, jobs will be created and the welfare of people’s will be enhanced,” Yusuff said.

Credit: NAN

First Lady Urges Nigerians To Embrace Yoga

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, on Sunday in Abuja urged Nigerians to embrace yoga to enhance their physical and mental well-being.

Buhari, who spoke at the First International Day of Yoga, organised by the Indian High Commission in Abuja, said, “Yoga is a gift from India to the world”.

The first lady, who was represented by Alanyingi Sylva, the wife of the of the former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva, pointed out that Yoga had been a success story of India.

“Her (Aisha’s) message is to thank the Indian High Commission for bringing Yoga and to encourage Nigerians to embrace the initiative of yoga.

“This is because, it (yoga) is for the well-being of your mind and body. Yoga is a very welcome initiative by the Indian High Commission because it has been around and it has been a source of well-being for the Indian people.

“It is a gift from India to the world. They’ve had a success story of yoga for thousands of years and they are bringing it to Nigeria.

“We hope it is going to add to the well-being of Nigerians. Nigerians should do what is physically fit for them to enhance their well-being,” she said.

The Indian High Commissioner, Ajjanpur Ghanashyam, said yoga was a concept designed for the well-being and wellness of humankind.

He said: “It tries to put together the body, the mind and the soul with the rest of environment and nature.

“The beauty of it is it doesn’t require any money, it doesn’t require equipment; it does not require any kind of financial investment and it helps you.

“Basically what it does is to make sure that your bones are fit, the joints of your bones are well-healed and well-oiled.

“You also feel more focused when you do your work and much more happy with yourself, with your family, with your environment and with your friends.

“So most people think that Yoga is a form of exercise; it is not just an exercise, it is much more than exercise,” he said.

Ghanashuam said Yoga had the capacity to increase the oxygen content inside the body to ensure well-being.

“It has been proved that children who do Yoga perform better in their examinations.

“They are able to hold their minds and focus on to what they are doing by helping their attention span to go up,” he said.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, whose address was read by Ghanashyam, said India was proud that the UN had taken Yoga as one of the world’s invaluable legacies.

“If we really wish to have a stable, stress-free life, we need to have a stable inner self.

“The opportunity of stability of inner self comes through the practice of Yoga when we attempt to explore our inner self everyday for a certain period of time.”

The UN General Assembly on December 11, 2014, declared June 21 of every year as the International Day of Yoga.

Credit: NAN

PDP Urges APC To Stop Mocking Nigerians

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to stop mocking Nigerians with premature celebration of imaginary achievements.

The party in a statement on Thursday said it was embarrassing that the APC and aides of President Buhari decided to invade the minds of Nigerians with propaganda and tissues of lies instead of assisting the President to settle down and deliver his campaign promises to Nigerians.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, who released the statement, said Nigerians were thoroughly embarrassed by the frivolous list of the so-called achievements of Buhari in three weeks.

The party noted that the frivolous list of the so-called achievements has further exposed APC’s lack of capacity and direction as well as the inability to draw a line between propaganda by an opposition party and disseminating of credible information as a party in government.

The party urged the APC to stop embarrassing the nation with premature and unsubstantiated celebration of imaginary achievements.

Read More: Vanguard

PDP Urges Aregbesola To Resign

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State to resign. The party noted that Aregbesola has no moral right to continue as governor since he has been unable to pay workers’ salaries in the past seven months.

The PDP, which spoke through its Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Jackson Adebayo, noted that Aregbesola lacks the capacity to lead the state and should not, therefore, hold the people of the state to ransom.

He stated that Aregbesola’s admittance that the situation in the state is beyond his control is an admittance of failure.

Read More: NewTelegraph

NGO Urges APC To Accept Saraki’s Leadership

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), an NGO, has advised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President.

Abdulwahab Ekheide, the Programme Officer of ACE, gave the advice in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.

He also urged aggrieved APC members to accept the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly rather than go to court to challenge the election of Saraki.

The programme officer added that the plan of some members of the APC to file a suit over the issue was not necessary, adding that the issue could be settled within the party.

“The leaders of the party must manage the crisis in order not to lose the senate seat to the minority.”

He described the election of Saraki and other principal officers of the National Assembly as democracy in action.

“This means that our legislators are now fully independent to make their choice of leadership.”

According to him, members of the 8th National Assembly made up their mind to choose their leaders by themselves and not somebody choosing for them.

“Exactly what happened at the Senate, also happened in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly; the Speaker is APC and his deputy is a PDP member.”

The programme officer said that APC could not have voted the Senate President alone without the support of the PDP senate members because APC could not form two-third majority in the Senate.

He commended Buhari for pledging to work with the leaders of the Senate and urged them to work with him for the interest of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, APC has described as “totally unacceptable and the highest level of indiscipline and treachery” the conduct of Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly that led to the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.

The National Publicity of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the party was supreme, adding that its interest was superior to that of individual members

Credit: NAN

Atiku Urges Assembly Leaders To Be Non-Partisan

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has encouraged newly-elected leaders of the National Assembly to be professional in carrying out their mandate.

He encouraged them to view their elections beyond the” narrow interests”
of respective political parties.

“The Nigerian people look up to the new National Assembly to work with the executive arm in finding solutions to the problems of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and joblessness in the country. Their election is indeed a call to duty, and it is a call for which they cannot afford to fail the nation,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress executive noted that with the elections of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly should swing to work and put the overall national interest beyond the personal political interests of its members.

He said that with the election of its presiding officers, the eighth National Assembly had prepared the ground work for a full legislative business.

While congratulating the new leaders of the Parliament on their election, Atiku reminded every member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of their responsibilities to their constituents, which, he said, is to put national interest before their individual political interest.

Abubakar’s sentiments follow the election of the National Assembly leaders on Tuesday.

Bora Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu have been elected and retained as Senate President and Deputy respectively. Yakubu Dogara has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Credit: CAJ News

Address Farmers, Herdsmen Conflicts; Council Of State Urges Buhari

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Council of State on Tuesday in Abuja urged the incoming administration of retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to develop viable solutions to the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

Addressing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue said already, a document had been prepared by the council to address the menace.

“The issue of the clashes between the herdsmen and the farmers in various parts of the country was also addressed and the way forward.

“Actually, the report that was presented by the Economic Council under my chairmanship as relates to issue of grazing and what the Federal Government needs to do in order to address that will be presented to the incoming president so that he will act on it since there is no time for the present administration to do that.’’

According to him, the prepared document states what needs to be done that will reduce the clashes.

He recalled that a decision was taken at one of the National Economic Council (NEC) meetings on how government could reduce the clashes and gradually domesticate the herdsmen.

“We can domesticate them in ranches. That document stated clearly how the Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture ?can act.

Read More: dailypost

Cleric Urges Buhari To Be Transparent To Electorates

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Staff Reporter

An Islamic cleric in Nasarawa State, Malam Ishaq Adudu, has called on the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and other elected leaders to be transparent in the discharge of their duties. Adudu, who is the Chief Imam of Kidi Magoron Mosque in Lafia, made the call in an interview on Sunday in Lafia.

He said it was imperative for all elected leaders to ensure prudence in the management of public resources and be transparent in the discharge of their duties. “As religious leaders, our role is to preach peace and unity because no meaningful development can be achieved in any society without peace.

“Peace is priceless and non-negotiable and Nigerians must embrace peace for speedy development to be achieved.

“I also want to task our president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other incoming leaders on the need to be prudent and transparent in the discharge of their duties.

“Corruption, injustice, violence, among other social evils have affected the socio-economic development of the country negatively for too long; there is need for all hands to be on deck to redirect the affairs of this country.

“For Nigeria to achieve speedy development, all incoming elected leaders, political office holders, civil servants and ordinary Nigerians in general must do away with sentiments, corruption, injustice, abuse of office among others social ills.

“We must all imbibe the culture of transparency in the discharge of our duties in order to improve on the standard of living of the ordinary people.”

According to Adudu, henceforth, every public office holder will be expected to exhibit exemplery traits in the management of public resources.

He called on leaders at all levels to be fair and just in order to earn the confidence of the public, adding that people would account for their actions before God on the Day of Judgment.

The cleric urged Nigerians to pray for the new leaders to take up the task of restoring the glory of Nigeria with vigour.

He said the leaders would need God’s guidance to execute luadable projects, alleviate poverty, reduce youth restiveness and unemployment as well as boost the country’s economy.

The cleric enjoined people of the state and all Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations, for the overall development of the country.

Credit: NAN

U.S. Vice President, Biden, Urges Jonathan To Remain Global Leader

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Staff Reporter

As global commendation continue to pour for President Goodluck Jonathan over his role in recent peaceful elections in Nigeria, U.S. Vice President, Joe Bidden called on Monday to commend for his leadership.

Mr. Bidden, who spoke with President Jonathan, urged him to “remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues” as his presidency is gradually winding to an end in a month’s time.

A statement from the U.S Embassy in Abuja also congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory.

The statement reads:
“Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to commend him for his leadership in ensuring Nigeria’s recent elections were peaceful and orderly.

“The Vice President noted that President Jonathan’s actions to accept the results and congratulate President-elect Buhari, as well as his steps to date to ensure a successful transition, have strengthened Nigeria’s democracy and set a strong example for Africa and the world.

“The Vice President encouraged President Jonathan to remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues after his presidency ends.”

Credit: premiumtimesng