ABUJA – AS the Senate prepares to confirm the remaining 18
ministerial nominees, today, following the conclusion of their screening
yesterday, senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
have told the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the exercise can only
be carried out if the report of Samuel Anyanwu – led Senate Committee
on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Rotimi Amaechi, is
considered.
The opposition senators insisted that anything short of their demand
would not be acceptable today, putting the Senate President in a
difficult situation now.
At the resumed sitting this morning, the PDP Senate Caucus, speaking
through the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, PDP, Ekiti
South, said it was necessary that the Senate tabled the Anyanwu report
for consideration before going into the confirmation of the nominees.
Olujimi, who raised a point of order, under Order 43 of the Senate
Standing Rule, told the Senate President to suspend all the processes
leading to the confirmation of the ministerial nominees until the
consideration of the report.
But she was, however, ruled out of order by the Senate President,
Bukola Saraki, who said the Senate would first handle the screening of
nominees for appointments as federal commissioners of the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He said the issue raised by the senator would be handled when the Red Chamber goes into ministerial confirmation.
Among the 19 minister nominees listed on the Senate Order Paper for
confirmation today, Amaechi’s name is the last, fueling speculation that
the former Rivers State helmsman may have difficulty scaling the
process.
At the moment, the Senate is screening the nominees for the INEC jobs.
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Police Arrest Four Fake Soldiers In Lagos
Four fake soldiers have been arrested at Idi-Araba, Agege and Mile 2 areas of Lagos state.
The Nation reports that the fake soldiers were paraded by Fatai Owoseni, the commissioner of the police, on Tuesday, October 27.
According to the police, the suspects are 25-year old John Izunwanne, 23-year-old John Otu, 22-year-old Richard Acha, and 39-year-old Simon Anthony.
Briefing journalists, Owoseni said that materials recovered from the suspects included: two Nigerian army camouflage uniforms, army camouflage t-shirts, a pair of boots, two army belts and two jungle hats.
One of the arrested men, Anthony, revealed that he had been dismissed from service as a corporal for falling out from duty.
“I was dismissed in January 2014 for falling out from duty. I am from Adamawa state. I wanted to use the uniform to travel to Lagos because I had no transport money. But unfortunately, I was arrested by soldiers,” he said.
Another suspect, Acha, said that he had found the camouflage t-shirt inside the bag his brother gave him at Ikeja cantonment.
Izunwanne told journalists that he bought the uniform at Ojo Cantonment on September 2.
“I wanted to go and sign my army recruitment form at Ojo Barracks when I bought the uniform at the Mammy Market. However, on October 7, my friend had a court case and I was to appear in court as a witness. The court was in Agege and I did not have the transport fare to go, so, I decided to wear my uniform to save me the cost of transportation,” he said.
Otu said that he heard his friends were arrested and went to the police to secure their bail, but was also apprehended for wearing the uniform.
Earlier this year, the Lagos state police command apprehended three fake soldiers, one fake Air Force personnel and three car snatchers.
Owoseni revealed that one of the suspects threatened to blow up the Command Headquarters because police officers at Ipaja Division refused to grant his friend bail.
Fake soldiers who were arrested at Idi-Araba, Agege and Mile 2 areas of Lagos state. Photo Credits: The Nation
According to the police, the suspects are 25-year old John Izunwanne, 23-year-old John Otu, 22-year-old Richard Acha, and 39-year-old Simon Anthony.
Briefing journalists, Owoseni said that materials recovered from the suspects included: two Nigerian army camouflage uniforms, army camouflage t-shirts, a pair of boots, two army belts and two jungle hats.
One of the arrested men, Anthony, revealed that he had been dismissed from service as a corporal for falling out from duty.
“I was dismissed in January 2014 for falling out from duty. I am from Adamawa state. I wanted to use the uniform to travel to Lagos because I had no transport money. But unfortunately, I was arrested by soldiers,” he said.
Another suspect, Acha, said that he had found the camouflage t-shirt inside the bag his brother gave him at Ikeja cantonment.
Izunwanne told journalists that he bought the uniform at Ojo Cantonment on September 2.
“I wanted to go and sign my army recruitment form at Ojo Barracks when I bought the uniform at the Mammy Market. However, on October 7, my friend had a court case and I was to appear in court as a witness. The court was in Agege and I did not have the transport fare to go, so, I decided to wear my uniform to save me the cost of transportation,” he said.
Otu said that he heard his friends were arrested and went to the police to secure their bail, but was also apprehended for wearing the uniform.
Earlier this year, the Lagos state police command apprehended three fake soldiers, one fake Air Force personnel and three car snatchers.
Owoseni revealed that one of the suspects threatened to blow up the Command Headquarters because police officers at Ipaja Division refused to grant his friend bail.
Rotimi Amaechi: PDP, APC Senators Hold Separate Meetings
As the ministerial screening came to an end yesterday,
October 28, the Senate seems to have heated up over whether or not it
should confirm the former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi.
According to Vanguard, ahead of today’s confirmation of screened
ministerial nominees by the senators, the Peoples Democratic Party
senators had a crucial meeting in over the confirmation process.
On the other hand, their counterpart on the platform of the All Progressives Congress also embarked on a last minute meeting simultaneously.
The APC senators meeting was said to have been aimed at coming up with ways they would impede any form of opposition from the PDP senators.
According to some sources, the former governor of the oil rich state is being opposed owing to the roles he played in unseating the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, during the 2015 presidential election.
It was said that the PDP senators vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
During Amaechi’s screening, the PDP had senators refused to ask the ministerial nominee any questions.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure.
Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru, have been causing controversies among of the senators.
The APC lawmakers are maintaining a position of ensuring that Amaechi was confirmed a minister, but the PDP Senators are saying no to that position until the report of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions was considered.
However as the confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to be held today, it is said that the ruling of the Senate president will be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division.
Meanwhile, the presidency on Monday, October 26, said that the Senate acted within its rights in deferring the screening of the former governor of Rivers state Amaechi.
Rotimi Amaechi
On the other hand, their counterpart on the platform of the All Progressives Congress also embarked on a last minute meeting simultaneously.
The APC senators meeting was said to have been aimed at coming up with ways they would impede any form of opposition from the PDP senators.
According to some sources, the former governor of the oil rich state is being opposed owing to the roles he played in unseating the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, during the 2015 presidential election.
It was said that the PDP senators vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
During Amaechi’s screening, the PDP had senators refused to ask the ministerial nominee any questions.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure.
Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru, have been causing controversies among of the senators.
The APC lawmakers are maintaining a position of ensuring that Amaechi was confirmed a minister, but the PDP Senators are saying no to that position until the report of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions was considered.
However as the confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to be held today, it is said that the ruling of the Senate president will be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division.
Meanwhile, the presidency on Monday, October 26, said that the Senate acted within its rights in deferring the screening of the former governor of Rivers state Amaechi.
The Nation Is Dying Economically - CSOs Warn Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has been warned of an impending
death of the Nigerian economy. He was warned by a coalition of over 60
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria.
The CSOs decried what they termed “steady and continuous decline of the Nigerian economy” under the watch of President Buhari.
The call was made on Wednesday, 0ctober 28, at a strategy meeting they held in Abuja under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Members of the coalition include: Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Wangonet, Partners for Electoral Reform, JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA).
Others include: Development Dynamics, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Centre LSD, CITAD, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), CISLAC, WREP and Proactive Gender Initiative.
At the meeting, the groups said there was an urgent need for President Buhari to create a sustainable economic plan that will attract foreign investors into the country.
Mr Clement Nwankwo, the leader of the coalition and executive director of PLAC, in his opening remarks, said the “dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria” could be a function of the inability of President Buhari to appoint his Ministers six months after he assumed office.
Nwankwo said: “The major challenge we are currently facing is that we cannot see the urgency of this administration to improve the situation. It was unfortunate that after the six months that it took to come up with list of proposed Ministers, those we saw are those that have always been around the hood.
“Why it took so long to forward their names to the National Assembly is quite a puzzle to us.
“Why Ministers who have been cleared have not been sworn in is also a puzzle to us. We are almost in the first week of November. The laws are clear that government should have submitted its budget projections for 2016 by now.
“We would have thought that Ministers would have been around to help finalise budget for presentation to the National Assembly.
“Everyday we hear on social media that some people have returned money they stole from the treasury. The government should do well by telling us who they are, the amount returned and since the money is unanticipated, we should be told what it will be used for.
“So much information and misinformation is a major worry for us. We are desperately concerned to see the government begin to function”.
Vanguard reports that Nwankwo also faulted the current foreign exchange regime operating in the country, saying: “a person who is attune with modern day economics cannot recommend such”.
“We want to see change reflect in proper understanding of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
In the same vein, Dr Ayo Teriba, the chief executive officer of Economic Associates, noted in a paper entitled ‘Towards a Policy Framework For Economic Inclusion in Nigeria”, that President Buhari inherited so many economic problems from the past administration.
He however, maintained that “this regime should be quick, wake up and address the problems”.
He said: “Using six months just to share portfolios is not how to go about it. Currently, there is fiscal disconnect. The revenue of the government has declined, relative to the Gross Domestic Product.
“Nigeria has the highest economy, yet the lowest revenue. The revenue has steadily declined. The revenue to GDP in 2014 was 11%, while 25% is what non oil producing economies like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, have. Other countries like Angola and Algeria that have oil, have higher revenue level of 33%.
“Nigeria should have about 40% like it use to have in 2004. The reason for the decline is not that revenue are not collected, but the leak-out from government processes, e.g, crude oil theft, subsidy fraud, wide spread abuse of administration of import duty and tax waivers, abuses by autonomous income revenue collecting agencies that spend what they collect as they wish, only remitting about 80% to the Federal Government.
“There is also the issue of sectorial and regional exclusion. We currently have one of the worst unemployment rate in Africa. Our economy today compared to 1960 is weaker. Nigeria needs an orderly plan to raise revenue. There is need for this administration to not only stop the leakages, but to also institute periodic watch on impact of fiscal reforms on revenue inflows.
“The new regime should have told us the situation they met at least by May, and what has changed within the first quarter since it took over. It should tell us if there is no more crude oil theft.
“Currently Nigeria has not been attracting foreign investment, we urge this administration to make the economy more attractive. Steady currency regime is required to spur growth”, he buttressed.
There has been questions regarding President Buhari’s stand on the establishment of a ministry for economy.
In a bid to still the dusts stirred, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, October 28 disclosed that Buhari would not name any minister for the economic sphere.
President Buhari has been warned of a decline in economic growth within the country.
The call was made on Wednesday, 0ctober 28, at a strategy meeting they held in Abuja under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Members of the coalition include: Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Wangonet, Partners for Electoral Reform, JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA).
Others include: Development Dynamics, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Centre LSD, CITAD, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), CISLAC, WREP and Proactive Gender Initiative.
At the meeting, the groups said there was an urgent need for President Buhari to create a sustainable economic plan that will attract foreign investors into the country.
Mr Clement Nwankwo, the leader of the coalition and executive director of PLAC, in his opening remarks, said the “dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria” could be a function of the inability of President Buhari to appoint his Ministers six months after he assumed office.
Nwankwo said: “The major challenge we are currently facing is that we cannot see the urgency of this administration to improve the situation. It was unfortunate that after the six months that it took to come up with list of proposed Ministers, those we saw are those that have always been around the hood.
“Why it took so long to forward their names to the National Assembly is quite a puzzle to us.
“Why Ministers who have been cleared have not been sworn in is also a puzzle to us. We are almost in the first week of November. The laws are clear that government should have submitted its budget projections for 2016 by now.
“We would have thought that Ministers would have been around to help finalise budget for presentation to the National Assembly.
“Everyday we hear on social media that some people have returned money they stole from the treasury. The government should do well by telling us who they are, the amount returned and since the money is unanticipated, we should be told what it will be used for.
“So much information and misinformation is a major worry for us. We are desperately concerned to see the government begin to function”.
Vanguard reports that Nwankwo also faulted the current foreign exchange regime operating in the country, saying: “a person who is attune with modern day economics cannot recommend such”.
“We want to see change reflect in proper understanding of the Nigerian economy,” he said.
In the same vein, Dr Ayo Teriba, the chief executive officer of Economic Associates, noted in a paper entitled ‘Towards a Policy Framework For Economic Inclusion in Nigeria”, that President Buhari inherited so many economic problems from the past administration.
He however, maintained that “this regime should be quick, wake up and address the problems”.
He said: “Using six months just to share portfolios is not how to go about it. Currently, there is fiscal disconnect. The revenue of the government has declined, relative to the Gross Domestic Product.
“Nigeria has the highest economy, yet the lowest revenue. The revenue has steadily declined. The revenue to GDP in 2014 was 11%, while 25% is what non oil producing economies like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, have. Other countries like Angola and Algeria that have oil, have higher revenue level of 33%.
“Nigeria should have about 40% like it use to have in 2004. The reason for the decline is not that revenue are not collected, but the leak-out from government processes, e.g, crude oil theft, subsidy fraud, wide spread abuse of administration of import duty and tax waivers, abuses by autonomous income revenue collecting agencies that spend what they collect as they wish, only remitting about 80% to the Federal Government.
“There is also the issue of sectorial and regional exclusion. We currently have one of the worst unemployment rate in Africa. Our economy today compared to 1960 is weaker. Nigeria needs an orderly plan to raise revenue. There is need for this administration to not only stop the leakages, but to also institute periodic watch on impact of fiscal reforms on revenue inflows.
“The new regime should have told us the situation they met at least by May, and what has changed within the first quarter since it took over. It should tell us if there is no more crude oil theft.
“Currently Nigeria has not been attracting foreign investment, we urge this administration to make the economy more attractive. Steady currency regime is required to spur growth”, he buttressed.
There has been questions regarding President Buhari’s stand on the establishment of a ministry for economy.
In a bid to still the dusts stirred, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, October 28 disclosed that Buhari would not name any minister for the economic sphere.
Two Ministerial Nominees That May Not Be Confirmed
The ministerial screening exercise which commenced about three weeks ago, came to an end yesterday, October 28.
The confirmation exercise was expected to begin immediately after, but did not, as Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, announced the adjournment of the Senate to today.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure. They are Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers state, and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru.
1. Rotimi Amaechi:
The former governor got into the bad books of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the defeat of the PDP during the 2015 general elections.
Amaechi’s nomination as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari was met with strong criticism. Amaechi was accused looting and fraud while he was governor of Rivers state, and his nomiation was opposed in a petition to the Senate by three PDP senators from the state.
He was finally screened on Thursday, October 22, after three initial postponements and lots of drama. But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, refused to ask him any questions on the grounds that the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against Amaechi had not been considered.
The feud between Amaechi and the PDP senators got worse after the election petition tribunal in Rivers state ruled in favour of the APC, nullifying the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and 20 other PDP lawmakers and ordering a rerun within 90 days.
Amaechi may not be confirmed because of the petition against him.
It is also reported that the PDP senators are threatening to withdraw their support for Senate president Bukola Saraki should he enforce Amaechi’s confirmation.
2. Pastor Usani Uguru:
The ministerial nominee from Cross River state stirred controversy on
the floor of the Senate during his screening. He brought himself into
the bad books of the PDP Senate caucus when, during his screening, he
said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
There was uproar after Uguru said ‘God Forbid’, as the senators of the opposition party criticized his remark about their party.
He was quick to retract his remark, followed with an apology but his plea did not save him. The Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, cited Order 14 of the Senate standing rule pointing out that the privileges of PDP had been breached by Uguru’s remarks. He said it was unfortunate that the nominee could see the party as a forbidden thing long after he had served the PDP administration as a commissioner in the National Copyright Commission.
The confirmation exercise was expected to begin immediately after, but did not, as Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, announced the adjournment of the Senate to today.
So far, 18 nominees have been confirmed while the other half are yet to be confirmed.
Most of the nominees impressed the Senate and are expected to be confirmed without any hitches but the confirmation of two of the nominees is not so sure. They are Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers state, and the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru.
1. Rotimi Amaechi:
The former governor got into the bad books of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the defeat of the PDP during the 2015 general elections.
Senate screens Rotimi Amaechi
He was finally screened on Thursday, October 22, after three initial postponements and lots of drama. But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, refused to ask him any questions on the grounds that the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against Amaechi had not been considered.
The feud between Amaechi and the PDP senators got worse after the election petition tribunal in Rivers state ruled in favour of the APC, nullifying the election of Governor Nyesom Wike and 20 other PDP lawmakers and ordering a rerun within 90 days.
Amaechi may not be confirmed because of the petition against him.
It is also reported that the PDP senators are threatening to withdraw their support for Senate president Bukola Saraki should he enforce Amaechi’s confirmation.
2. Pastor Usani Uguru:
Senate screens Pastor Uguru
There was uproar after Uguru said ‘God Forbid’, as the senators of the opposition party criticized his remark about their party.
He was quick to retract his remark, followed with an apology but his plea did not save him. The Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, cited Order 14 of the Senate standing rule pointing out that the privileges of PDP had been breached by Uguru’s remarks. He said it was unfortunate that the nominee could see the party as a forbidden thing long after he had served the PDP administration as a commissioner in the National Copyright Commission.
Nigeria Senate Set To Decide Amaechi's Ministerial Fate
Following the conclusion of the ministerial screening
exercise yesterday, 18 ministerial nominees are set to undergo
confirmation process today, October 29, as the Senate resumes plenary
session.
With 18 nominees already confirmed as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate looks all set to determine the fate of the other nominees.
Topping the list of nominees to undergo confirmation today is former governor of River state Rotimi Amaechi.
However, a source has alleged that some caucus of the PDP senators has vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
The Senate will also focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners today.
Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the confirmation process. Refresh your browser always for new update.
13:20: Yakubu says: “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.”
13:17: Yakubu says: “You can never expect perfection over night.”
13:13: Yakubu says: “By this time next year, i’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.”
13:10: Yakubu says: “No election is going to go beyond the constitutional requirements of conducting elections.”
13:01: More questions for Yakubu
13:00: Yakubu says: “No election is complete without the political parties addressing town hall meetings.”
12:59: Yakubu says: “The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early.”
12:58: Yakubu says: “We need to strengthen our institutions.”
12:57: Yakubu says: “I am on a consolidation mission.”
12:56: Yakubu says: “Fundamental reforms even constitutional amendment is needed to allow people in the diaspora to vote.”
12:54: Yakubu says: “I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification.”
12:53: Yakubu says: “We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.”
12:52: Yakubu says: ” Democracy is not about here and now, it’s about here and forever.”
12:50: Yakubu says: “The problem with technology is that it always comes with challenges’
12:49: Yakubu says: “We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System.”
12:48: Yakubu says: “Gender sensitivity and youth participation are issues the new INEC under the new leadership should tackle.”
12:46: Yakubu says: “The success of any election depends on the ability of the commission to plan in advance.”
12:43: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu opens the floor for questions directed to Yakubu.
12:39: Saraki asks Yakubu to introduce himself.
12:34: Afro is told to bow and go after responding to the posers from the Senators. It’s now the turn of the nominee for INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu
12:28: Questions for Afro.
12:25: Saraki asks Afro to introduce himself.
12:20: After answering just a question, Simbine is told to take a bow and go. Last commissioner to be screened is Baba Shettima Afro.
12:18: Simbine says: “If i’m confirmed as INEC commissioner, I would expect to operate as an unbiased Commissioner. I would also expect INEC to be unbiased & independent.”
12:14: Saraki asks Simbine to introduce herself.
12:12: Zakari is told to take a bow and leave after answering just one question raised by the Senate leader Ali Ndume. Antonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine
12:11: Zakari says: “We need to use more technologies to ensure efficiency and transparency in our election.”
12:10: Zakari says: “The elections have been transparent but we need to do more to make them more transparent.”
12:08: Zakari now entertaining questions raised on the floor of the House.
12:05: Saraki asks Zakari to introduce herself.
12:03: Lecky is told to bow and leave after answering series of questions. Next to be screened is Amina Zakari
12:01: Lecky says: “Going forward, there are things we can do to improve the Electoral System.”
11:59: Lecky says: “I see that dream of using Card Readers is Local Government Areas as a dream that can come to reality.”
11:57: Lecky says: “The place of technology is irreversible, this is because technology enhances efficiency.”
11:52: Questions now for Lecky.
11:48: Saraki asks Lecky to introduce himself.
11:43: Soyebi takes a bow and leaves after answering few questions on Electronic voting and the use of card readers. Next INEC national commissioner to be screened is Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky.
11:42: Soyebi says: “We’ll look at problems associated with the Card Readers, retrain our workers & invent new ways to make it better.”
11:40: Soyebi says: ‘We would do more training and retraining of the operators of the card readers.’
11:34: More questions for Soyebi Adedeji Solomon
11:32: Soyebi says: “Technology is an important solution to delivery of election services. Flawless election can’t be possible manually.”
11:30: Soyebi says: “No election in this world is perfect. What can be done is to reduce the hiccups and ensure there’s transparency.”
11:29: Soyebi says: “Electronic Voting has been adopted in many countries because of the facilities they have there.”
11:28: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon now answering questions on Electronic voting.
11:24: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon is now being quizzed by Senators.
11:20: Saraki asks Soyebi Adedeji Solomon to introduce himself.
11:18: The Senate now moves to commence the screening of INEC commissioners. First to be screened is Soyebi Adedeji Solomon.
11:16: The Senate also moves to allow the entrance of the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters and the INEC Nominees
11:14: Saraki also welcomes the staff and students of Gloryland Nur/Pry School and Doveland Nur/Pry School who are in the Gallery.
11:10: Saraki felicitates with Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central who is celebrating his birthday today.
11:o7: Senate President takes the official prayer
11:03: Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives the Red Chamber.
11:00: Today would see the Official Confirmation of the remaining screened 18 ministerial nominees.
With 18 nominees already confirmed as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate looks all set to determine the fate of the other nominees.
Topping the list of nominees to undergo confirmation today is former governor of River state Rotimi Amaechi.
However, a source has alleged that some caucus of the PDP senators has vowed to withdraw their support for Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
The Senate will also focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners today.
Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the confirmation process. Refresh your browser always for new update.
13:20: Yakubu says: “Any nation that has no room for condemnation is prone to failure.”
13:17: Yakubu says: “You can never expect perfection over night.”
13:13: Yakubu says: “By this time next year, i’ll make sure the 12.3million PVCs that were not distributed, get to the owners before the next election.”
13:10: Yakubu says: “No election is going to go beyond the constitutional requirements of conducting elections.”
13:01: More questions for Yakubu
Mahmoud Yakubu undergoing screening
12:59: Yakubu says: “The solution to late arrival of materials is to start early.”
12:58: Yakubu says: “We need to strengthen our institutions.”
12:57: Yakubu says: “I am on a consolidation mission.”
12:56: Yakubu says: “Fundamental reforms even constitutional amendment is needed to allow people in the diaspora to vote.”
12:54: Yakubu says: “I am not coming for experimentation, I am coming in for solidification.”
12:53: Yakubu says: “We should explore the possibility of accreditation and voting simultaneously in 2019 elections.”
12:52: Yakubu says: ” Democracy is not about here and now, it’s about here and forever.”
12:50: Yakubu says: “The problem with technology is that it always comes with challenges’
12:49: Yakubu says: “We have moved from Voter Registers to Photographs and Biometrics, we will eventually get to E-Voting System.”
12:48: Yakubu says: “Gender sensitivity and youth participation are issues the new INEC under the new leadership should tackle.”
12:46: Yakubu says: “The success of any election depends on the ability of the commission to plan in advance.”
12:43: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu opens the floor for questions directed to Yakubu.
12:39: Saraki asks Yakubu to introduce himself.
12:34: Afro is told to bow and go after responding to the posers from the Senators. It’s now the turn of the nominee for INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu
12:28: Questions for Afro.
12:25: Saraki asks Afro to introduce himself.
12:20: After answering just a question, Simbine is told to take a bow and go. Last commissioner to be screened is Baba Shettima Afro.
12:18: Simbine says: “If i’m confirmed as INEC commissioner, I would expect to operate as an unbiased Commissioner. I would also expect INEC to be unbiased & independent.”
12:14: Saraki asks Simbine to introduce herself.
12:12: Zakari is told to take a bow and leave after answering just one question raised by the Senate leader Ali Ndume. Antonia Taiye Okoosi Simbine
12:11: Zakari says: “We need to use more technologies to ensure efficiency and transparency in our election.”
12:10: Zakari says: “The elections have been transparent but we need to do more to make them more transparent.”
12:08: Zakari now entertaining questions raised on the floor of the House.
12:05: Saraki asks Zakari to introduce herself.
12:03: Lecky is told to bow and leave after answering series of questions. Next to be screened is Amina Zakari
12:01: Lecky says: “Going forward, there are things we can do to improve the Electoral System.”
11:59: Lecky says: “I see that dream of using Card Readers is Local Government Areas as a dream that can come to reality.”
11:57: Lecky says: “The place of technology is irreversible, this is because technology enhances efficiency.”
11:52: Questions now for Lecky.
11:48: Saraki asks Lecky to introduce himself.
11:43: Soyebi takes a bow and leaves after answering few questions on Electronic voting and the use of card readers. Next INEC national commissioner to be screened is Dr. Mohammed Mustapha Lecky.
11:42: Soyebi says: “We’ll look at problems associated with the Card Readers, retrain our workers & invent new ways to make it better.”
11:40: Soyebi says: ‘We would do more training and retraining of the operators of the card readers.’
11:34: More questions for Soyebi Adedeji Solomon
Soyebi Adedeji Solomon undergoing screening
11:30: Soyebi says: “No election in this world is perfect. What can be done is to reduce the hiccups and ensure there’s transparency.”
11:29: Soyebi says: “Electronic Voting has been adopted in many countries because of the facilities they have there.”
11:28: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon now answering questions on Electronic voting.
11:24: Soyebi Adedeji Solomon is now being quizzed by Senators.
11:20: Saraki asks Soyebi Adedeji Solomon to introduce himself.
11:18: The Senate now moves to commence the screening of INEC commissioners. First to be screened is Soyebi Adedeji Solomon.
11:16: The Senate also moves to allow the entrance of the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters and the INEC Nominees
11:14: Saraki also welcomes the staff and students of Gloryland Nur/Pry School and Doveland Nur/Pry School who are in the Gallery.
11:10: Saraki felicitates with Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central who is celebrating his birthday today.
11:o7: Senate President takes the official prayer
11:03: Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives the Red Chamber.
11:00: Today would see the Official Confirmation of the remaining screened 18 ministerial nominees.
Confirmation: PDP, APC Senators Get Set For Showdown
There are indications that senators belonging to the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), and those belonging to the All Progressives
Congress (APC) are preparing for a showdown over the confirmation of
some ministerial nominees.
The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.
A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, PDP in the 2015 general elections.
The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused speaking to newsmen.
However, some who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.
It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.
After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC.
Recall that during Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any question. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to hold today. The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.
The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.
A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, PDP in the 2015 general elections.
The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused speaking to newsmen.
However, some who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.
It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.
After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC.
Recall that during Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any question. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to hold today. The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Troops rescue 338, kill 30 terrorists at Sambisa
Abuja - Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade: Nigerian Army have
rescued more than 300 people in an operation that has left 30 Boko Haram
terrorists dead in the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.
The troops deployed at Bitta and Pridang carried out the successful raid on suspected Boko Haram terrorists' camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road.
The rescued persons which comprised of 8 men, 138 women and 192 children, have since been evacuated to Mubi.
Troops also recovered arms and ammunitions during the raid operation which include a General Purpose Machine Gun and two Dane Guns, 150
rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), six boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and three cutlasses.
In a related development, troops based on a tip off, ambushed and killed four suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
Apart from tw AK-47 rifles recovered, the troops also recovered some Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs), mortar bombs and cash sum of N153 385 was
retrieved.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said it was worthy to note that the raid operation on the Boko Haram
terrorists enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff's operational visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi.
"The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent
victims of their suicide bombings," he added.
The troops deployed at Bitta and Pridang carried out the successful raid on suspected Boko Haram terrorists' camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road.
The rescued persons which comprised of 8 men, 138 women and 192 children, have since been evacuated to Mubi.
Troops also recovered arms and ammunitions during the raid operation which include a General Purpose Machine Gun and two Dane Guns, 150
rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), six boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and three cutlasses.
In a related development, troops based on a tip off, ambushed and killed four suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
Apart from tw AK-47 rifles recovered, the troops also recovered some Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs), mortar bombs and cash sum of N153 385 was
retrieved.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said it was worthy to note that the raid operation on the Boko Haram
terrorists enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff's operational visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi.
"The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent
victims of their suicide bombings," he added.
TheList: PDP Senators Say Amaechi Will Be Confirmed
The confirmation of the immediate past governor of Rivers
state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a minister, will not be hindered by
Senators loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when they sit
tomorrow.
This was the outcome of a crucial meeting held by of the PDP senators to take a position ahead of tomorrow’s confirmation of Amaechi and 17 other ministerial nominees who had been put through the screening process.
A PDP senator, who was present at the meeting, told The Nation that
Amaechi would be cleared like others because it was what they had
agreed.
Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia), Professor Anthony Anwukah (Imo), Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), Adamu Adamu(Bauchi) and Aisha Bello (Sokoto) were the ministers who were screened on Wednesday, October 28.
And after their meeting at Senate Hearing Room 1, immediately after Saraki adjourned plenary, an insider informed that, “you know we have just concluded the screening of the remaining nominees. We need to meet to ask some critical questions on some of the nominees. We need to take collective decision as a caucus.
“Some of the nominees impressed, others did not. Some of them are controversial, others are not. We need to resolve and agree on our voting pattern. We are a caucus and we should be seen to vote as a block. It is normal in every political arrangement.”
While another PDP senator who pleaded anonymity, said: “Amaechi will be cleared just like other nominees. The consensus is that we should allow him to go.”
The former governor was screened after three initial postponement and the general consensus was that his screening may be made tedious by the PDP senators.
But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, in a rather dramatic fashion, informed the house that they had decided not to ask the nominee any question.
Save for a last minute interjection by Akpabio, Amaechi would have been asked to bow down and go after a proposal for same by Senator Ali Ndume.
This was the outcome of a crucial meeting held by of the PDP senators to take a position ahead of tomorrow’s confirmation of Amaechi and 17 other ministerial nominees who had been put through the screening process.
Former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi will be cleared tomorrow
Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia), Professor Anthony Anwukah (Imo), Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), Adamu Adamu(Bauchi) and Aisha Bello (Sokoto) were the ministers who were screened on Wednesday, October 28.
And after their meeting at Senate Hearing Room 1, immediately after Saraki adjourned plenary, an insider informed that, “you know we have just concluded the screening of the remaining nominees. We need to meet to ask some critical questions on some of the nominees. We need to take collective decision as a caucus.
“Some of the nominees impressed, others did not. Some of them are controversial, others are not. We need to resolve and agree on our voting pattern. We are a caucus and we should be seen to vote as a block. It is normal in every political arrangement.”
While another PDP senator who pleaded anonymity, said: “Amaechi will be cleared just like other nominees. The consensus is that we should allow him to go.”
The former governor was screened after three initial postponement and the general consensus was that his screening may be made tedious by the PDP senators.
But the opposition, led by their minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, in a rather dramatic fashion, informed the house that they had decided not to ask the nominee any question.
Save for a last minute interjection by Akpabio, Amaechi would have been asked to bow down and go after a proposal for same by Senator Ali Ndume.
Why Actresses Queen Nwokoye, Rachel Okonkwo Are At War
Nollywood actresses Queen Nwokoye and Rachel
Okonkwo are reported to be at logger heads over who would be playing the
lead role in a new movie.
It was reported that Nwokoye arrived at the location to find out that
she would be taking up a role of a supporting actress to someone she
feels is her junior in the movie industry.
On hearing that Okonkwo would be taking the lead role, Queen Nwokoye stormed out of the location in anger saying she would never play a less significant role to Rachel.
In an attempt to settle the rift between both parties, the movie producers decided to switch the roles but unfortunately when Rachel heard about it she refused to show up on set and also refused to refund the money earlier paid for the movie.
Rachael Okonkwo is an upcoming Nollywood actress who may not be in the category of top actresses like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Rita Dominic and others, but she is an actress that has the potential to be bigger than them if she pays her dues well enough to get to the top.
Queen Nwokoye and Rachel Okonkwo
On hearing that Okonkwo would be taking the lead role, Queen Nwokoye stormed out of the location in anger saying she would never play a less significant role to Rachel.
In an attempt to settle the rift between both parties, the movie producers decided to switch the roles but unfortunately when Rachel heard about it she refused to show up on set and also refused to refund the money earlier paid for the movie.
Rachael Okonkwo is an upcoming Nollywood actress who may not be in the category of top actresses like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Rita Dominic and others, but she is an actress that has the potential to be bigger than them if she pays her dues well enough to get to the top.
Lagos Urge Religious Leaders To Be Wary Of Boko Haram
The Lagos state government has warned churches and mosques in
the state not to let down their guards and be vigilant so as to be able
to avert Boko Haram attack in the state.
Daily Post reports that this was made known by Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, the commissioner for home affairs and culture during a meeting with religious leaders in the state at the ministry’s office in Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday, October 27.
Abdul-Lateef urged the religious leaders to employ security personnel that will monitor the religious premises as these are the spots Boko Haram fighters target.
“We would advise churches, mosques and other worship centers in Lagos State to buy metal detectors, and to employ more security personnel to ensure that extremists or terrorists do not have their way in Lagos. This is because they know how to target soft spots.
“No place is safe unless residents of the community are proactive and vigilant. Now is the time to be very security concious. Vigilance is the key word now.
“You must employ personnel that would be trained on how to use the metal detector in order to ensure that no one come into your worship center with any explosives.
“Considering the status of Lagos, many have seen the state as the best place to live. So, on your part as religious leaders, you must know the statistics of the worshippers in your centers because insurgency is a major challenge.”
“On our part, we will be creating a data base for all religious institutions in Lagos State. The enumerating exercise will afford us the opportunity to know the number of religious outfits in the state and where they are.
“We would be partnering with religious associations in the state to set standards religious house in Lagos. Partnering with the religious association will afford us the opportunity to regulate the activities of religious institutions so as to safeguard the welfare of people who come to worship and not endanger it.
“Because without your input, without your agreement, without partnership, there is no way things can work. We are ready to work together; there is no dictator in democratic government.”
A Boko Haram attack in Lagos was averted by security operatives after the fighters were arrested as they tried to attack Dolphin Estate . They men have been remanded in prison
Daily Post reports that this was made known by Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, the commissioner for home affairs and culture during a meeting with religious leaders in the state at the ministry’s office in Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday, October 27.
Abdul-Lateef urged the religious leaders to employ security personnel that will monitor the religious premises as these are the spots Boko Haram fighters target.
“We would advise churches, mosques and other worship centers in Lagos State to buy metal detectors, and to employ more security personnel to ensure that extremists or terrorists do not have their way in Lagos. This is because they know how to target soft spots.
“No place is safe unless residents of the community are proactive and vigilant. Now is the time to be very security concious. Vigilance is the key word now.
“You must employ personnel that would be trained on how to use the metal detector in order to ensure that no one come into your worship center with any explosives.
“Considering the status of Lagos, many have seen the state as the best place to live. So, on your part as religious leaders, you must know the statistics of the worshippers in your centers because insurgency is a major challenge.”
“On our part, we will be creating a data base for all religious institutions in Lagos State. The enumerating exercise will afford us the opportunity to know the number of religious outfits in the state and where they are.
“We would be partnering with religious associations in the state to set standards religious house in Lagos. Partnering with the religious association will afford us the opportunity to regulate the activities of religious institutions so as to safeguard the welfare of people who come to worship and not endanger it.
“Because without your input, without your agreement, without partnership, there is no way things can work. We are ready to work together; there is no dictator in democratic government.”
A Boko Haram attack in Lagos was averted by security operatives after the fighters were arrested as they tried to attack Dolphin Estate . They men have been remanded in prison
Osinbajo Speaks About Minister Of Economy
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari will establish Ministry for Economy.
During the Goodluck Jonathan tenure Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala combined that office with the portfolio of the Minister of Finance.
Osinbajo was speaking through his special assistant Laolu Akande. He said that Buhari would not name any minister for the economy sphere.
His words: “We are not going to have a system like where there was a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that.
“My role is to ensure that everyone that is involved in economic activities, that there is a way by which the President is fully apprised of what everyone is doing such that we are all on the same page and to make it easier for the President to make decisions.”
Vice president also showed the federal government’s willingness to intensify the existing bilateral relations, particularly in the area of economic cooperation with Australia, in mining, agriculture, shipping and transport areas as well as in the area of infrastructure development.
He stated that Buhari’s administration would be interested in exploring deeper relationship on economic practice as it is a key area in diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
Osinbajo praised country’s excellent bilateral relations with Australia and lauded the Australian authorities for the different capacity building initiatives in Nigeria and its investments in some major sectors of the economy.
Meantime, the Nigerian Senate has concluded the screening of ministerial nominees of President Buhari.
All the appointees have been screened but only 18 of them have been confirmed.
Osinbajo was speaking through his special assistant Laolu Akande. He said that Buhari would not name any minister for the economy sphere.
His words: “We are not going to have a system like where there was a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that.
“My role is to ensure that everyone that is involved in economic activities, that there is a way by which the President is fully apprised of what everyone is doing such that we are all on the same page and to make it easier for the President to make decisions.”
Vice president also showed the federal government’s willingness to intensify the existing bilateral relations, particularly in the area of economic cooperation with Australia, in mining, agriculture, shipping and transport areas as well as in the area of infrastructure development.
He stated that Buhari’s administration would be interested in exploring deeper relationship on economic practice as it is a key area in diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
Osinbajo praised country’s excellent bilateral relations with Australia and lauded the Australian authorities for the different capacity building initiatives in Nigeria and its investments in some major sectors of the economy.
Meantime, the Nigerian Senate has concluded the screening of ministerial nominees of President Buhari.
All the appointees have been screened but only 18 of them have been confirmed.
CHILE 2015: Golden Eaglets Demolishes The Aussies
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets face Australia in the round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-17 world cup in Chile.
The Eaglets are the defending champions having won the tournament in 2013 with Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Mohammed Yahaya the leading lights.
This time however, Victor Oshiemen, Kelechi Nwakali, Chukwueze are the leading lights.
While Nigeria have not lost a second round match in the
championship’s history, Australia were beaten 4-0 by Uzbekistan in their
last Round of 16 appearance at Mexico 2011.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has already said he expects a tough battle when the Eaglets face Australia. The match will be played at 12am midnight (Nigerian time).
LINE UPS:
Nigeria: Udoh (Gk), Lazarus, Enogela, Zakari, Michael, Bamgboye, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Nwakali (C), Ikwu, Anumudu
Australia: Dragicevic (Gk), Rowles, Bandiera, Caletti (C), Brimmer, Hope, Derrick, Laws, Joice, Vakirtzis, Panetta
FT: Nigeria 6 – 0 Australia. Four second half goals from Osimhen (who got a hatrick), Essien, Chukwueze makes a memorable night for the Eaglets in a match in which they dominated from start to finish.
Oshimhen got the first goal before Nwakali scored from the spot in the first half. A late surge of goals in the second half say Osimhen score twice before Essien and Chukwueze completed the rout.
90+ Some tired legs out there and who can you blame
89′ Australia concede a free-kick following a late challenge on a player from Nigeria.
87′ GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Chukwueze adds another. Nigeria 6 – 0 Australia. Thee Aussies are now crumbling
85′ GOOOOOAAAAALLLL Essien makes it Eaglets 5 – 0 Australia. Nigeria are good to go for the quarter-finals
81′ SHOT SAVED!!!! Dragecevic makes a huge save to deny Okonkwo
78′ GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL Osimhen makes it 4 – 0 against Australia. That is his seventh goal of the tournament and his hat-trick tonight
77′ NIGERIA SUB: Orji Okonkwo comes on for Funsho Bamgboye
76′ Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Australia by Anumudu
75′ SUB: Prinsen (in) comes off the bench to replace Caletti
75′ GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!! Victor Osimhen makes it Nigeria 3 – 0 Australia.The red hot striker now has six goals in this competition. He cuts in from the left and his curler is deflected off Derrick and into the net
70′ SUB: Coach Amuneke takes off Enogela for Essien
67′ PENALTY? Armenakas is pushed to the ground by Lazarus but referee expected him to have stayed on his feet
66′ CHANCE!!! Derrick is fed Hope but he is not quick enough to get to the ball
65′ WHAT AN INTRODUCTION!!! Armenakas almost creates a goal for Australia with a stinging cross from the left with his first touch but the Eaglets handle it well
64′ SUB: Armenakas comes off the bench to replace Panetta
60′ Australia are doing all they can to crawl back into ths game and it seems coach Amuneke has set his team up to defend compactly and attack on the counter
51′ Agor comes off the bench to replace Kingsley Micheal
49′ Osimhen is adjudged to be in an offside position after he finds himself in good space
47′ Australia starts the second half aggressively
46′ Left-back Anumudu breaks down with a muscle injury but he later makes it unto the pitch
46′ Second half kicks off…
HT: Golden Eaglets 2 – 0 Australia. Osimhen scored his fifth goal of the tournament before Nwakali added a second from the pot after Bamgboye is taken down in the box.
Lazarus has been very impressive for Nigeria while Australia’s Dragicevic has pulled off at least four world class saves for the Australians
45+ Lazarus surges from right back and schools two Australians but his wonderful cutback cross cannot Osimhen or Bamgboyye, Australia survive
45+ two minutes of added time given
44′ Australia try an attacking move from the right but it is well dealt with by the defense
42′ Bamgboye is don in the center holding his belly after a challenge by Vakirtzis. He recovers however
41′ Australia’s freekick is well worked but Laws cannot find anyone in the box.
41′ Enogela earns himself a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Hope some 27 yards from goal
40′ Deveruex already looks like he would give Lazarus a tough time on the right hand side of the Nigerian defence
39′ Devereux (in) comes off the bench to replace Brimmer (out) (Australia)
36′ SHOT!!!! Chuhwueze tries one from the right but the ball is just too high
34′ Rose is found in all kins to space on right to surge forward but Micheal does well to stop the attack
33′ Nigeria has the youngest squad at the tournament…
32′ Australia have had more of the ball in the last 5 mins but the Eaglets defense has looked strong
30′ UDOH does well to come out of his box to clear a stray ball
28′ Panetta tries a shot from distance but its way way off target
25′ GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Nwakali makes it two from the spot. That is the captain’s second goal of the tournament
25′ PENALTY!!!! BAmgboye is felled in the box by Vakirtzis
24′ SHOT!!! Udoh does well to push away Brimmer’s shot, Joice cannot convert the follow up. Nigeria survive
22′ GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!! Victor Osimhen scores his fifth goal of the competition.
20′ Lazarus does well to hold off his marker and cross into the box but he cannot find a target
18′ OFFSIDE!!! Laws is just marginally offside after finding himself in space
16′ YELLOW CARD!!! Bamgboye earns another card in this competition after his red card against Chile. He recklessly tackled Derrick
14′ YELLOW CARD!!! Micheal is cautioned for Nigeria following a reckless challenge on Barnetta who has been the Aussies best player n this match
13′ HEADER!!! Competition top scorer Victor Osimhen rises well to head a cross from the left but the youngster cannot hit the net from just three yards out despite beating his marker
12′ Nigeria earn a corner and Nwakali takes but the Aussies easily deal with it. Nigeria have now grow into this match and are bossing possession
9′ Barnetta finds himself in space and takes a wonderful shot but Udoh is up to the task in goal
6′ SHOT!!! Bamgboye dribbles from the left and takes a wonderful shot that hits the post, the keeper just touches it but the referee blows a goal-kick. Even Bamgboye did not know the goalie had a hand to that
3′ Australia have started this game well and have most of the possession
1′ Nigeria immediately surrender possession
1′ The Eaglets kick off
The Eaglets are the defending champions having won the tournament in 2013 with Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Mohammed Yahaya the leading lights.
This time however, Victor Oshiemen, Kelechi Nwakali, Chukwueze are the leading lights.
Victor Oshiemen (right) playing against the USA. He already has four goals in the tournament
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has already said he expects a tough battle when the Eaglets face Australia. The match will be played at 12am midnight (Nigerian time).
LINE UPS:
Nigeria: Udoh (Gk), Lazarus, Enogela, Zakari, Michael, Bamgboye, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Nwakali (C), Ikwu, Anumudu
Australia: Dragicevic (Gk), Rowles, Bandiera, Caletti (C), Brimmer, Hope, Derrick, Laws, Joice, Vakirtzis, Panetta
FT: Nigeria 6 – 0 Australia. Four second half goals from Osimhen (who got a hatrick), Essien, Chukwueze makes a memorable night for the Eaglets in a match in which they dominated from start to finish.
Oshimhen got the first goal before Nwakali scored from the spot in the first half. A late surge of goals in the second half say Osimhen score twice before Essien and Chukwueze completed the rout.
90+ Some tired legs out there and who can you blame
89′ Australia concede a free-kick following a late challenge on a player from Nigeria.
87′ GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Chukwueze adds another. Nigeria 6 – 0 Australia. Thee Aussies are now crumbling
81′ SHOT SAVED!!!! Dragecevic makes a huge save to deny Okonkwo
78′ GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL Osimhen makes it 4 – 0 against Australia. That is his seventh goal of the tournament and his hat-trick tonight
77′ NIGERIA SUB: Orji Okonkwo comes on for Funsho Bamgboye
76′ Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Australia by Anumudu
75′ SUB: Prinsen (in) comes off the bench to replace Caletti
75′ GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!! Victor Osimhen makes it Nigeria 3 – 0 Australia.The red hot striker now has six goals in this competition. He cuts in from the left and his curler is deflected off Derrick and into the net
70′ SUB: Coach Amuneke takes off Enogela for Essien
67′ PENALTY? Armenakas is pushed to the ground by Lazarus but referee expected him to have stayed on his feet
66′ CHANCE!!! Derrick is fed Hope but he is not quick enough to get to the ball
65′ WHAT AN INTRODUCTION!!! Armenakas almost creates a goal for Australia with a stinging cross from the left with his first touch but the Eaglets handle it well
64′ SUB: Armenakas comes off the bench to replace Panetta
60′ Australia are doing all they can to crawl back into ths game and it seems coach Amuneke has set his team up to defend compactly and attack on the counter
51′ Agor comes off the bench to replace Kingsley Micheal
49′ Osimhen is adjudged to be in an offside position after he finds himself in good space
47′ Australia starts the second half aggressively
46′ Left-back Anumudu breaks down with a muscle injury but he later makes it unto the pitch
46′ Second half kicks off…
HT: Golden Eaglets 2 – 0 Australia. Osimhen scored his fifth goal of the tournament before Nwakali added a second from the pot after Bamgboye is taken down in the box.
Lazarus has been very impressive for Nigeria while Australia’s Dragicevic has pulled off at least four world class saves for the Australians
45+ Lazarus surges from right back and schools two Australians but his wonderful cutback cross cannot Osimhen or Bamgboyye, Australia survive
45+ two minutes of added time given
44′ Australia try an attacking move from the right but it is well dealt with by the defense
42′ Bamgboye is don in the center holding his belly after a challenge by Vakirtzis. He recovers however
41′ Australia’s freekick is well worked but Laws cannot find anyone in the box.
41′ Enogela earns himself a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Hope some 27 yards from goal
40′ Deveruex already looks like he would give Lazarus a tough time on the right hand side of the Nigerian defence
39′ Devereux (in) comes off the bench to replace Brimmer (out) (Australia)
36′ SHOT!!!! Chuhwueze tries one from the right but the ball is just too high
34′ Rose is found in all kins to space on right to surge forward but Micheal does well to stop the attack
33′ Nigeria has the youngest squad at the tournament…
32′ Australia have had more of the ball in the last 5 mins but the Eaglets defense has looked strong
30′ UDOH does well to come out of his box to clear a stray ball
28′ Panetta tries a shot from distance but its way way off target
25′ GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Nwakali makes it two from the spot. That is the captain’s second goal of the tournament
24′ SHOT!!! Udoh does well to push away Brimmer’s shot, Joice cannot convert the follow up. Nigeria survive
22′ GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!! Victor Osimhen scores his fifth goal of the competition.
18′ OFFSIDE!!! Laws is just marginally offside after finding himself in space
16′ YELLOW CARD!!! Bamgboye earns another card in this competition after his red card against Chile. He recklessly tackled Derrick
14′ YELLOW CARD!!! Micheal is cautioned for Nigeria following a reckless challenge on Barnetta who has been the Aussies best player n this match
13′ HEADER!!! Competition top scorer Victor Osimhen rises well to head a cross from the left but the youngster cannot hit the net from just three yards out despite beating his marker
12′ Nigeria earn a corner and Nwakali takes but the Aussies easily deal with it. Nigeria have now grow into this match and are bossing possession
9′ Barnetta finds himself in space and takes a wonderful shot but Udoh is up to the task in goal
6′ SHOT!!! Bamgboye dribbles from the left and takes a wonderful shot that hits the post, the keeper just touches it but the referee blows a goal-kick. Even Bamgboye did not know the goalie had a hand to that
3′ Australia have started this game well and have most of the possession
1′ Nigeria immediately surrender possession
1′ The Eaglets kick off
Nnamdi Kanu Gets Support From British Parliamentarian
The alleged arrest and continued detention of the popular pro-Biafran activist and Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu,has dominated the Nigerian media for a while now.
A statement published on the website of Radio Biafra on Saturday, October 17, had disclosed that Kanu was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) as soon as he got to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.
Kanu’s lawyer recently revealed that the DSS refused to produce Kanu despite his legal team fulfilling his bail conditions.
Meanwhile, a member of the British parliament representing Camberwell and Peckham, Harriet Harman, has written to the British government asking for details of Kanu’s arrest, The Scoop reports.
The letter which was dated 22nd October, 2015 and addressed to the
secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs, Philip Hammond,
was titled “Detention of my constituent Mr. Nnamdi Kanu”.
Harman description of Kanu as ”my constituent” buttresses the claim by some Nigerians that Kanu is not even a Nigerian citizen as he has since gotten a British passport.
Harman, who is the deputy leader of the Labour Party, wrote: “I understand that Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who I am told is a British citizen and lives at …was arrested on the 17th October 2015 by the Nigerian Department of Security Services (DSS) when arriving in Lagos from the United Kingdom.
“I understand Nnamdi is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who are agitating for the independence of Nigeria’s former Eastern Region. I’m told that the pro-Biafra group are non-violent and therefore should be afforded protection under Article 1 of the charter of the United Nations.
“I’d be grateful if you could let me know your understanding of what Nnamdi has been arrested for,what he might be charged with, where he has been held and what consular engagement there has been.”
Below is the letter written by Harman:
It will be recalled that Biafra supporters has been protesting against Kanu’s detention in Rivers and Delta states.
Recently, Kanu appeared in a video allegedly shot in Los Angeles in the United States of America circulating online soliciting for arms to wage a war against Nigeria.
A statement published on the website of Radio Biafra on Saturday, October 17, had disclosed that Kanu was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) as soon as he got to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.
Kanu’s lawyer recently revealed that the DSS refused to produce Kanu despite his legal team fulfilling his bail conditions.
Meanwhile, a member of the British parliament representing Camberwell and Peckham, Harriet Harman, has written to the British government asking for details of Kanu’s arrest, The Scoop reports.
Harriet Harman
Harman description of Kanu as ”my constituent” buttresses the claim by some Nigerians that Kanu is not even a Nigerian citizen as he has since gotten a British passport.
Harman, who is the deputy leader of the Labour Party, wrote: “I understand that Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who I am told is a British citizen and lives at …was arrested on the 17th October 2015 by the Nigerian Department of Security Services (DSS) when arriving in Lagos from the United Kingdom.
“I understand Nnamdi is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who are agitating for the independence of Nigeria’s former Eastern Region. I’m told that the pro-Biafra group are non-violent and therefore should be afforded protection under Article 1 of the charter of the United Nations.
“I’d be grateful if you could let me know your understanding of what Nnamdi has been arrested for,what he might be charged with, where he has been held and what consular engagement there has been.”
Below is the letter written by Harman:
Recently, Kanu appeared in a video allegedly shot in Los Angeles in the United States of America circulating online soliciting for arms to wage a war against Nigeria.
B' Haram Kills 13 In Fresh Niger Village Attack
Dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram has attacked a village in Niger state, leaving thirteen people dead.
This is coming just hours after the Nigerian troops recorded significant victory in its battle against the insurgents, where over 300 people were freed from the terrorists’ den.
According to Vanguard reports, Mallam Ligari, a local official in
Diffa region of the state confirmed the casualties on Wednesday.
“Thirteen people were executed and three others suffered gunshot wounds in an attack by Boko Haram Tuesday evening in Ala village,” he was quoted to have told AFP.
This is coming just hours after the Nigerian troops recorded significant victory in its battle against the insurgents, where over 300 people were freed from the terrorists’ den.
“Thirteen people were executed and three others suffered gunshot wounds in an attack by Boko Haram Tuesday evening in Ala village,” he was quoted to have told AFP.
BABA'S SECOND DAY IN INDIA
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently on his four-day official visit to New Delhi, India.
Buhari also told the Nigerians that he was fully aware of the expectations of those who elected him on the platform of change and integrity, while vowing to address infrastructure situation and end insurgency in Nigeria’s north-east, hopefully by the end of the year.
Mysterious Fire Guts Buildings In Lagos
This is not a good season for residents in Lagos state as their houses have gone up in flames.
It was gathered that mysterious fire gutted at least three buildings in the last one week.
First it was a fire outbreak at the Kessisheen Plaza, which formerly housed Cway confectionaries factory opposite the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) bustop Ejigbo.
The fire which occurred on Monday, October 26, caused panic as fire service battled the flames till late in the night. It was learnt that cause of fire is still unknown.
Confirming the incident, the South-West spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said no life was lost.
He said, “The outbreak of fire was at former Cway compound opposite NNPC Ejigbo. The fire service is battling to put out the flames.”
Also, the Lagos State Fire Service Director, Rasaq Fadipe, said there were other multiple fire incidents across the state.
He said: “A mini truck fully laden with jerycans caught fire while siphoning fuel from an underground tank inside Energy filling station at Ejigbo.
“We deployed fire trucks from Isolo and Ikotun and they battling it to prevent devastating occurrence.Another outbreak of fire is on now involving a storey building at 41 Ayilara Street, Lawanson Road, Surulere. We deployed fire trucks from Ilupeju and Sari Iganmu.
“Also at FESTAC Town, another outbreak of fire is ongoing at 401 road and the fire truck from Ojo is battling with it.”
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
First it was a fire outbreak at the Kessisheen Plaza, which formerly housed Cway confectionaries factory opposite the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) bustop Ejigbo.
The fire which occurred on Monday, October 26, caused panic as fire service battled the flames till late in the night. It was learnt that cause of fire is still unknown.
Confirming the incident, the South-West spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said no life was lost.
He said, “The outbreak of fire was at former Cway compound opposite NNPC Ejigbo. The fire service is battling to put out the flames.”
Also, the Lagos State Fire Service Director, Rasaq Fadipe, said there were other multiple fire incidents across the state.
He said: “A mini truck fully laden with jerycans caught fire while siphoning fuel from an underground tank inside Energy filling station at Ejigbo.
“We deployed fire trucks from Isolo and Ikotun and they battling it to prevent devastating occurrence.Another outbreak of fire is on now involving a storey building at 41 Ayilara Street, Lawanson Road, Surulere. We deployed fire trucks from Ilupeju and Sari Iganmu.
“Also at FESTAC Town, another outbreak of fire is ongoing at 401 road and the fire truck from Ojo is battling with it.”
Wenger Strongly Criticizes Arsenal Stars After Shameful Defeat
The manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, has criticised his players after a 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup.
After the match, in which two key Gunners, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, were injured, Wenger was highly critical of his side.
It was Arsenal’s biggest defeat to lower-league opposition since 1959.
Wenger said: “We were not at the level that is requested to play a team of the quality of Sheffield Wednesday.We have to congratulate them. They were sharper, quicker, more decisive than us. We had a lot of the ball but we didn’t create anything, especially in the middle of the park. Of course it [defending] was disappointing. The occasion was too great for the younger players. They are not ready to play at this level – none of them. We conceded two from set-pieces and were very naive.We have to analyse it [the defeat] and I think we knew at the start of the game that if something happened to us, we were a bit short [on back-up options]. “
Some have suggested that the North Londoners are out of the competition because of youngsters. Glen Kamara and Alex Iwobi started and Krystian Bielik and Ismael Bennacer were introduced from the bench.
However, the statistics show that Arsenal had every chance with 71% ball possession.
After the match, in which two key Gunners, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, were injured, Wenger was highly critical of his side.
It was Arsenal’s biggest defeat to lower-league opposition since 1959.
Wenger said: “We were not at the level that is requested to play a team of the quality of Sheffield Wednesday.We have to congratulate them. They were sharper, quicker, more decisive than us. We had a lot of the ball but we didn’t create anything, especially in the middle of the park. Of course it [defending] was disappointing. The occasion was too great for the younger players. They are not ready to play at this level – none of them. We conceded two from set-pieces and were very naive.We have to analyse it [the defeat] and I think we knew at the start of the game that if something happened to us, we were a bit short [on back-up options]. “
Some have suggested that the North Londoners are out of the competition because of youngsters. Glen Kamara and Alex Iwobi started and Krystian Bielik and Ismael Bennacer were introduced from the bench.
However, the statistics show that Arsenal had every chance with 71% ball possession.
Capital One Cup: Mourinho Reacts To Defeat At Stoke City
Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has reacted on his Team’s defeat to Stoke City in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.
According to Mourinho, his side played well despite Eden Hazard’s penalty miss dumping Chelsea out of the competition they won earlier this year.
Mourinho said after the match: “We played so well. This first half could finish the game at half-time. Then second half, goal, and they keep going. I told TV last year we won here 2-0. We didn’t play 25% of what we did today.
“A few months ago I won a few matches and I was champion. People were saying there are things more important than results,” he added. “Now, people say results are the most important thing. It’s a contradiction.”
“It’s difficult. It’s more difficult when you play bad and lose than play well and lose. We go with sadness but a positive feeling.”
During thr interview, the under-fire-coach, Mourinho took a jab at
the media by asking them to write more positive reports about his team
whenever they played well.
He said:“What the players did tonight is face some people that write and speak, and said: ‘You are stupid'”.
“What some people write and say is really bad for the players. Maybe they think my players are like them when they were players. My players don’t do that, they tried everything.
“If anyone saw the second half the other day, playing with 10 men the way they did, it’s a lack of respect for the players,” he added.
Arsenal also suffered defeat in the Capital One Cup while Everton and Hull City progressed to the quarter final of the competition.
Mourinho said after the match: “We played so well. This first half could finish the game at half-time. Then second half, goal, and they keep going. I told TV last year we won here 2-0. We didn’t play 25% of what we did today.
“A few months ago I won a few matches and I was champion. People were saying there are things more important than results,” he added. “Now, people say results are the most important thing. It’s a contradiction.”
“It’s difficult. It’s more difficult when you play bad and lose than play well and lose. We go with sadness but a positive feeling.”
He said:“What the players did tonight is face some people that write and speak, and said: ‘You are stupid'”.
“What some people write and say is really bad for the players. Maybe they think my players are like them when they were players. My players don’t do that, they tried everything.
“If anyone saw the second half the other day, playing with 10 men the way they did, it’s a lack of respect for the players,” he added.
Arsenal also suffered defeat in the Capital One Cup while Everton and Hull City progressed to the quarter final of the competition.
2016 Olympics: Nigeria Is Not Prepared - Siasia
Coach Samson Siasia has said he should not be held
responsible should Nigeria fail to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio,
Brazil.
Siasia has already lamented the attitude of the invited players who failed to show up to camp
and the former Super Eagles player has now asked Nigerians not to blame
him if the U-23 team fails to make it to the 2016 Olympics.
Nigeria will play at the Africa U23 Nations Cup in Senegal, which will serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympics.
Africanfootball.com quoted him saying: “Nigerians should know that we are not well prepared (for the championship) and I should not be held responsible for whatever happens.”
Siasia also blasted the NFF for failing to pay the players match bonuses for the past nine months.
He said: “We are orphans. We have not been paid our bonuses, while the Super Eagles were paid full bonuses even when they drew in Burkina Faso. We have been without allowances for the past nine months.
“How can you survive in this kind of situation, where you have not been paid for three months, no car, no training kits – we have to wash to wear our kits. It’s embarrassing.
“We can’t sit down quiet and die. I am tired of this place. The NFF keep saying they don’t have money.”
The Africa U23 Cup of Nations will be played in Senegal from November 28 to December 12. Nigeria are drawn in Group B at the U23 Nations Cup along with Egypt, Mali and Algeria.
The top two teams will advance to the knockout stage of the competition with the best three teams qualifying automatically for Rio 2016.
Four years ago, Nigeria failed in Morocco to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
Nigeria will play at the Africa U23 Nations Cup in Senegal, which will serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympics.
Africanfootball.com quoted him saying: “Nigerians should know that we are not well prepared (for the championship) and I should not be held responsible for whatever happens.”
Siasia also blasted the NFF for failing to pay the players match bonuses for the past nine months.
He said: “We are orphans. We have not been paid our bonuses, while the Super Eagles were paid full bonuses even when they drew in Burkina Faso. We have been without allowances for the past nine months.
“How can you survive in this kind of situation, where you have not been paid for three months, no car, no training kits – we have to wash to wear our kits. It’s embarrassing.
“We can’t sit down quiet and die. I am tired of this place. The NFF keep saying they don’t have money.”
The Africa U23 Cup of Nations will be played in Senegal from November 28 to December 12. Nigeria are drawn in Group B at the U23 Nations Cup along with Egypt, Mali and Algeria.
The top two teams will advance to the knockout stage of the competition with the best three teams qualifying automatically for Rio 2016.
Four years ago, Nigeria failed in Morocco to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
Tribunal Sacks Taraba Assembly Speaker
Abel Peter Diah, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of
Assembly, has been sacked by Election Petition Tribunal sitting in
Jalingo, the state capital.
The Nation reports that the court also ordered the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rip Diah, who is representing
Mbamga constituency of Sadauna local government council in the State
House of Assembly, off the Certificate of Return which he got as winner
of the poll.
Festus Idepefo, who led the petitioner’s counsel, explained that electoral body did not comply with the Electoral Act 2010 in nine of the 48 polling units of Bamga constituency.
The act stipulates that elections must start with voters accreditation.
While defending its case, the defense counsel challenged the conduct of election in six of the polling units where their opponent got majority of his votes as not being credible.
The court ruled that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) provide oral and documented evidences to support its allegations, the Speaker on his part, was only able to present documentary evidences (without witnesses) to substantiate his claim.
This however, did not meet the burden of proof as obtainable in the Electoral Act, which left the APC candidate, Emmanuel Bongo, as winner of the poll as declared by Justice AM Ali, who read the judgment on behalf of the tribunal.
It ordered rerun in eight polling units in 90 days.
The Speaker had been declared winner and Bongo as runner up by INEC, having amassed a total 8,272 and 6,691 votes respectively, but this decision was upturned by the tribunal
The new judgment now is that the APC candidate polled 6,695 votes while the PDP candidate (Speaker) scored only 5,651 votes.
But the tribunal declared the election as ‘inconclusive’ and has ordered INEC to conduct a rerun in eight polling units of Mbamga constituency in 90 days, because the difference in votes between Bongo and Diah is not up to the number of voters disenfranchised in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, the speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly has said the election petition tribunal did not sack him from office.
Speaking yesterday, October 27, at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, he explained that the tribunal only nullified the election that brought him into office and not that he had been sacked.
Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Abel Peter Diah, has been sacked by the tribunal
Festus Idepefo, who led the petitioner’s counsel, explained that electoral body did not comply with the Electoral Act 2010 in nine of the 48 polling units of Bamga constituency.
The act stipulates that elections must start with voters accreditation.
While defending its case, the defense counsel challenged the conduct of election in six of the polling units where their opponent got majority of his votes as not being credible.
The court ruled that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) provide oral and documented evidences to support its allegations, the Speaker on his part, was only able to present documentary evidences (without witnesses) to substantiate his claim.
This however, did not meet the burden of proof as obtainable in the Electoral Act, which left the APC candidate, Emmanuel Bongo, as winner of the poll as declared by Justice AM Ali, who read the judgment on behalf of the tribunal.
It ordered rerun in eight polling units in 90 days.
The Speaker had been declared winner and Bongo as runner up by INEC, having amassed a total 8,272 and 6,691 votes respectively, but this decision was upturned by the tribunal
The new judgment now is that the APC candidate polled 6,695 votes while the PDP candidate (Speaker) scored only 5,651 votes.
But the tribunal declared the election as ‘inconclusive’ and has ordered INEC to conduct a rerun in eight polling units of Mbamga constituency in 90 days, because the difference in votes between Bongo and Diah is not up to the number of voters disenfranchised in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, the speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly has said the election petition tribunal did not sack him from office.
Speaking yesterday, October 27, at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, he explained that the tribunal only nullified the election that brought him into office and not that he had been sacked.
BASKETMOUTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Basketmouth Writes On How Much He Is In Love As Fifth Wedding Anniversary Draws Closer
In readiness for his fifth wedding anniversary comedian Basketmouth has reached out to his wife in a loving note.r
Basketmouth and wife, Elsie Okpocha during their wedding in 2010. Credit: Bellanaija.
The comedian met his wife in University of Lagos in 2003 when he went visiting.
The pair has been married since Saturday, November 6 and the union has been blessed with children.
Army Reveals The Most Wanted Boko Haram Members
The Nigerian Army has released images of the most wanted members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram.
The images of the wanted members of the sect were boldly displayed on Wednesday, October 28.
An Image released by the force headquarters, showed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai alongside some other officers, brandishing a banner in which the faces of the wanted terrorists were displayed.
The photos were released as a means of incorporating public participation which will aid the Army in beating the deadline set by President Muhammedu Buhari.
The posters were launched shortly after the army chief delivered a paper titled “Contemporary Warfare, War Reporting and Dilemma of Military Leadership” at the 3-day Directorate of Army Public Relations(DAPR) study period that ended today.
An inscription on the banner urged Nigerians to report to the Army if any of the persons on the poster is seen anywhere in public.
The large poster had inscriptions written in various Nigerian languages.
There also were hotlines which the public could quickly dial or text to indicate which of the characters in the numbered photographs they know his or her whereabouts.
The quick dial numbers listed are: 08181555888, 08160030300, 07053333123
It would be recalled that President Buhari set December as the deadline when the reign of terror by the jihadist sect, will be brought to an end.
In keeping to their word and working to beat the stipulated date, the Nigerian military has been carrying out series of raids in the camps of the rebels.
The recent raids by the Army has seen many captives freed from the detention of the secessionists.
With scores of the terrorists being killed at every raid, the Nigerian Military is optimistic that they will beat the time allotted to end the current insurgency within the country.
An Image released by the force headquarters, showed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai alongside some other officers, brandishing a banner in which the faces of the wanted terrorists were displayed.
The photos were released as a means of incorporating public participation which will aid the Army in beating the deadline set by President Muhammedu Buhari.
The posters were launched shortly after the army chief delivered a paper titled “Contemporary Warfare, War Reporting and Dilemma of Military Leadership” at the 3-day Directorate of Army Public Relations(DAPR) study period that ended today.
An inscription on the banner urged Nigerians to report to the Army if any of the persons on the poster is seen anywhere in public.
The large poster had inscriptions written in various Nigerian languages.
There also were hotlines which the public could quickly dial or text to indicate which of the characters in the numbered photographs they know his or her whereabouts.
The quick dial numbers listed are: 08181555888, 08160030300, 07053333123
It would be recalled that President Buhari set December as the deadline when the reign of terror by the jihadist sect, will be brought to an end.
In keeping to their word and working to beat the stipulated date, the Nigerian military has been carrying out series of raids in the camps of the rebels.
The recent raids by the Army has seen many captives freed from the detention of the secessionists.
With scores of the terrorists being killed at every raid, the Nigerian Military is optimistic that they will beat the time allotted to end the current insurgency within the country.
PMB Reaffirms Commitment To Recover Stolen Funds.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to curbing corruption in the country.
He made the resolve on Wednesday, October 28, in New Delhi, India in an address to members of the Nigerian community.
The president departed Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, for New Dehli, India, on a 4-day official visit.
He will take part in the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 29
The president in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, his special Adviser on media and publicity stated that the recovery of stolen funds and prosecution of persons who have been indicted for corrupt practices will also continue to be vigorously pursued.
He said: “In the meantime, we will continue to prosecute those who have been indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that stolen funds are recovered, to serve as deterrence to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.”
According to The Nation, President Buhari assured the gathering that his administration fully recognise the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to stop such diversions.
President Buhari is scheduled to return to Abuja on Friday, October 30.
In the same vein, the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, during a conference held at the University of Ibadan on Thursday, October 22, reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government’s efforts in making sure that all the monies stolen by government officials are returned.
Osinbajo noted that President Buhari is resolute in the anti-corruption campaign especially recovering looted funds through the strengthening of institutions, improving sanction and enforcement and upholding the rule of law.
The president departed Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, for New Dehli, India, on a 4-day official visit.
He will take part in the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 29
The president in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, his special Adviser on media and publicity stated that the recovery of stolen funds and prosecution of persons who have been indicted for corrupt practices will also continue to be vigorously pursued.
He said: “In the meantime, we will continue to prosecute those who have been indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that stolen funds are recovered, to serve as deterrence to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.”
According to The Nation, President Buhari assured the gathering that his administration fully recognise the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to stop such diversions.
President Buhari is scheduled to return to Abuja on Friday, October 30.
In the same vein, the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, during a conference held at the University of Ibadan on Thursday, October 22, reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government’s efforts in making sure that all the monies stolen by government officials are returned.
Osinbajo noted that President Buhari is resolute in the anti-corruption campaign especially recovering looted funds through the strengthening of institutions, improving sanction and enforcement and upholding the rule of law.
Abubakar Shines As Senate Concludes Ministerial Screening
The Senate today, October 28, concluded the ministerial
screening as five nominees answered questions raised on the floor of the
House.
The five ministerial nominees who were screened today, brings the total number of nominees screened to 36.
A little drama occurred at the beginning of the Plenary as Senate President Bukola Saraki invited Senator Anyawu, chairman of the ethics comittee, privileges and Public Petitions to submit a report of the petition against one of the ministerial nominee, Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state.
Senator Anyawu however reveals the report wasn’t ready and will be made available tomorrow, October 29. His statement was greeted with disgust from some senators.
But in a dramatic fashion, Senator Ibrahim Gobir of Sokoto East immedately moved the Motion to withdraw the earlier petition against Aisha Abubakar. The Motion was seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani, and so Aisha Abubakar was declared eligible to be screened. Saraki would later inform Senator Anyanwu not to bother about the report of the petition.
Taking to the podium as the final ministerial nominee to be screened, Aisha Abubakar was dramatically told to take a bow and go without having to answer any question.
In all, 18 nominees have been confirmed, while the remaining 18 are yet to be approved as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, the 18 nominees may likely undergo confirmation process tomorrow as the Senate adjourned plenary session till October 29.
Those already confirmed as ministers include: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos state), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi state), Chris Ngige (Anambra state), Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state), Solomon Dalong (Plateau state), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state), Hadi Sirika (Katsina state).
Naij.com was live at the Red Chamber to bring you live coverage of
the final lap of the ministerial screening exercise. Read our coverage
below:
15:23: Saraki reads out what transpired in the House and announces that the Senate has adjourned plenary session till tomorrow, October 29. Recall 18 nominees were confirmed ministers, the remaining 18 may likely undergo confirmation process in tomorrow’s plenary session.
15:22: Senate has now moved back to plenary to continue the session.
15:20: After listing her achievements, Aisha Abubakar is told to bow and go without having to answer any question.
15:11: Saraki asks Abubakar to introduce herself.
15:07: Adamu Adamu is told to bow and go after answering few
questions. The final ministerial nominee to be screened is Aisha
Abubakar (Sokoto state).
15:05: Adamu says: “Everyone has interest but national interest supersedes. National Interest will be my guidance”
14:55: Adamu now being quizzed by senators. Senator Shehu Sani opens the floor for questions.
14:50: Saraki asks Adamu to introduce himself.
14:48: Having answered series of questions raised on the floor of the
House, Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa state) is told to take a bow and
go. Next to be screened is Adamu Adamu (Bauchi state). He is a veteran
journalist.
14:47: Bello says: “Govt only pays salaries and wages of staff working for the Hajj Commission.”
14:46: Bello says: “States with boundaries should look at how they can create policies to increase export of their product.”
14:45: More questions for Bello.
14:44: Bello says: “We should be able to arrange shipments and allow farmers travel out to locate their market & negotiate.”
14:43: Bello says: “The public sector cannot be the sole employer of youths. We need to revive private industries.”
14:40: Bello says: “The policy of government should be more strict so as we could start producing textile here in Nigeria.”
14:39: Bello says: “Every state governor should chief industrial officer of his/her state.”
14:37: Bello says: “Industrialization in Nigeria for quite some time has been driven by the Federal government.”
14:32: More questions for Bello
14:31: Bello on Hajj tragedy: “I am sure the Govt of Saudi Arabia will ensure that what occurred in the last Hajj will not repeat in subsequent years.”
14:29: Bello says: “We must registrar any foreigners coming in from our borders and capture those with more than 10 cows.”
14:28: Bello says: “Airports with high traffic per annum can be open to lots of investments between the Private/Public sectors.”
14:25: Bello says: “A merger is like a marriage, it cannot be enforced.”
14:23: Bello says: “Bailout Fund is not right for development purposes.”
14:10: Bello is now being quizzed.
14:05: Saraki ask Bello to introduce himself.
14:01: After answering few questions based on Education and tourism, Anthony Anwuka is told to bow and go. Next to be screened is Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa state).
13:58: Anwuka says: “‘We need to involve Parents and Community in teaching our children out Indigenous Language.”
13:55: Anwuka says: “Emphasis on Language and culture must start at the primary level.”
13:53: More questions for Anwuka.
13:50: Anwuka says: ‘There is a need for the Government to declare a kind of State of Emergency on our Educational System.”
13:47: Anwuka says: “There is need to upgrade the golf course in Oguta Lake there to attract international golf players to come. It is in the mind of the government to develop Oguta lake.”
13:46: Anwuka says: “There must be a total re-look in the UME examinations. That’ll be one of the areas we are going to look at.”
13:45: Anwuka says: “About 85-90% indicate interest in going into the Universities.”
13:42: Senate moves motion for the extension of time beyond 2pm closing time to take more ministerial nominees.
13:35: Questions for Anwuka who is a former Vice Chancellor of Imo state University and former Secretary to the Govt. of Imo state.
13:25: Anwuka is asked to introduce himself.
13:22: After answering series of questions for over an hour, Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia state) is told to take a bow and go. Next to be screened is Anthony Gozie Anwuka (Imo state).
13:21: Enelamah on tax payment: “We need to have a responsible government that will create a relationship with the people.”
13:20: Enelamah says: “I’m a very people-centred person, I love humility.”
13:17: Enelamah says: “We should budget for what we can spend and spend what we have. The Key is transparency and accountability.”
13:15: Enelamah says: “You serve God by serving man and he’s ready to serve Abia state.”
13:05: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Akpabio among others.
13:03: Enelamah says: “We need to create room for local investors to invest and give opportunity for Local entrepreneurs.”
13:01: Enelamah says “Foreign investors don’t invest because our local investors don’t invest in Nigeria. It’s sends a wrong message.”
13:00: Enelamah says: “There is a difference between Interest rate and Currency rate. One of the reasons why interests rates are high is because of the Currency.”
12:52: More questions for Enelamah.
12:51: Enelamah says: “I believe creating infrastructure and putting facilities in place will create an enabling environment.”
12:50: Enelamah says: “We need to signal that we are friendly to investors to create an enabling environment.”
12:45: Enelamah says: “To have an enabling environment, we need to have a clear vision of what we want.”
12:44: Saraki asks Enelamah to specifically talk on what ‘enabling environment’ is needed for the economic growth.
12:39: Enelamah says: “We need collaboration to solve the power problem.”
12:30: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Adeyeye, Senator Nnaji, Senator Anyawu among others.
12:28: Enelamah says: “No nation develops on its own, its paramount that an environment is attractive for investors to invest.”
12:25: Enelamah on Foreign Exchange Policy: “We need to look at the policies that will foster inclusive growth. You have to create an enabling environment to export.”
12:22: Enelamah says: “Most people will only invest in places where they are sure to get returns. I believe we can attract investment.”
12:20: Enelamah says: “I’m a greater believer of the partnership that can occur in the private and public sector. The Private Sector wants profit & Public Sector wants service to the people, I believe they can coexist.”
12:11: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Stella Oduah and Senator Binta Garba.
12:10: Enelamah says: “We need to invest in hard and soft infrastructure.”
12:09: Enelamah on unemployment: “Our youths should be getting training that can make them equipped. The most important a young man needs to get is skill.”
12:06: Enelamah says: “All growth are not equal, there is growth and there are growths. The potential of this country is enormous.”
12:05: Enelamah says: “We facing challenging times in this nation. We need shared visions.”
11:58: Enelamah now being quizzed by Senators.
11:57: Enelamah says: ‘I will work tirelessly in collaboration with other stakeholders in building a Nigeria of our dreams.”
11:56: Enelamah says: “I’m honored to be nominated.”
11:55: Enelamah says: “The tax we collect in this country is quite small.”
11:54: Enelamah says: “We need to build an economy that’s inclusive, that is an economy that will create jobs.”
11:53: Enelamah says: “Me and my generation have benefited so much from the nation and it’s time to give back.”
11:50: Saraki asks Enelamah to introduce himself.
11:45: Senate President Bukola Saraki ushers the first ministerial nominee, Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia state).
11:40: The Senate resolves into the committee of a whole to commence the ministerial screening. The ministerial nominees will be screened in this order: Eyinna Enelamah, Anthony Gozie Anwuka, Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu, & Aisha Abubakar.
11:30: The Senate has now moved to debate the Motion on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja Second Runway Contract by Senator Dino Melaye
11:27: However, in a dramatic fashion, Senator Ibrahim Gobir of Sokoto East has moved the Motion to withdraw the earlier petition against Aisha Abubakar. The Motion is seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani and so the ministerial nominee is now eligible to be screened. Saraki informs Senator Anyanwu not to bother about the report of the petition.
11:25: The Senate Leader, Senator Ndume guides the House regarding public petitions. He says the Senate should not deliberate on a matter in Court.
11:20: Senate President Bukola Saraki invites Senator Anyawu, chairman of the ethics comittee, privileges and Public Petitions to submit a report of the petition against one of the ministerial nominee, Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Senator Anyawu however reveals the report isn’t ready and will be made available tomorrow, October 29. His statement is however greeted with disgust from some senators.
11:16: Before commencing the Ministerial screening, the Senate are right about discussing other matter raised in the House. Senate Leader Ali Ndume and the Clerk of the Senate has moved to Present a total of 5 (Five) Bills for their respective First Readings. The Bills are: Prevention and Punishment of Torture Bill 2015 (SB. 47) by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Nigerian Biodiversity Bill 2015 (SB. 79) by Senator Theodore Orji (Abia Central), Fire Arms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2015 (SB. 85) by Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), Counterfeit Goods Bill 2015 (SB. 117) by Senator Isah Misau (Bauchi Central), National Ecological Agency (Est. Etc.) Bill 2015 (SB, 121) by Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central).
11:15: Speaking outside the Red Chamber, Senator Babajide Omoworare, chairman committee Rules and Business said the final five nominees will be screened today, including Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state.
He added: “At the conclusion of the ministerial screening, the Senate can then focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners. From all indications, the screening of the INEC chairman and commissioners will hold tomorrow, October 29.”
11:09: Saraki announces the presence of Staff and Students of St. Mike Anglican School and Christ Ambassador College in the Senate Gallery.
11:06: Saraki reads a letter from Senators representing Sokoto State endorsing a minsiterial nominee Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Several petitions have been filed against her candidacy.
11:01: Saraki takes the Opening Prayer.
11:00: Senate President Bukola Saraki just arrived the Senate
Gallery, He is seen exchanging pleasantries with Distinguished Senators.
10:55: Distinguished Senators are spotted greeting and chatting up one another.
10:35: Some Distinguished Senators already seated in the gallery as the atmosphere is calm going into the last day of the ministerial screening exercise. Senate President Bukola Saraki is reportedly on his way to the Red Chamber
The five ministerial nominees who were screened today, brings the total number of nominees screened to 36.
A little drama occurred at the beginning of the Plenary as Senate President Bukola Saraki invited Senator Anyawu, chairman of the ethics comittee, privileges and Public Petitions to submit a report of the petition against one of the ministerial nominee, Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state.
Senator Anyawu however reveals the report wasn’t ready and will be made available tomorrow, October 29. His statement was greeted with disgust from some senators.
But in a dramatic fashion, Senator Ibrahim Gobir of Sokoto East immedately moved the Motion to withdraw the earlier petition against Aisha Abubakar. The Motion was seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani, and so Aisha Abubakar was declared eligible to be screened. Saraki would later inform Senator Anyanwu not to bother about the report of the petition.
Taking to the podium as the final ministerial nominee to be screened, Aisha Abubakar was dramatically told to take a bow and go without having to answer any question.
In all, 18 nominees have been confirmed, while the remaining 18 are yet to be approved as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, the 18 nominees may likely undergo confirmation process tomorrow as the Senate adjourned plenary session till October 29.
Those already confirmed as ministers include: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos state), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi state), Chris Ngige (Anambra state), Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state), Solomon Dalong (Plateau state), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state), Hadi Sirika (Katsina state).
Senate President Bukola Saraki
15:23: Saraki reads out what transpired in the House and announces that the Senate has adjourned plenary session till tomorrow, October 29. Recall 18 nominees were confirmed ministers, the remaining 18 may likely undergo confirmation process in tomorrow’s plenary session.
15:22: Senate has now moved back to plenary to continue the session.
15:20: After listing her achievements, Aisha Abubakar is told to bow and go without having to answer any question.
15:11: Saraki asks Abubakar to introduce herself.
Aisha Abubakar undergoing screening
15:05: Adamu says: “Everyone has interest but national interest supersedes. National Interest will be my guidance”
14:55: Adamu now being quizzed by senators. Senator Shehu Sani opens the floor for questions.
14:50: Saraki asks Adamu to introduce himself.
Adamu Adamu undergoing screening
14:47: Bello says: “Govt only pays salaries and wages of staff working for the Hajj Commission.”
14:46: Bello says: “States with boundaries should look at how they can create policies to increase export of their product.”
14:45: More questions for Bello.
14:44: Bello says: “We should be able to arrange shipments and allow farmers travel out to locate their market & negotiate.”
14:43: Bello says: “The public sector cannot be the sole employer of youths. We need to revive private industries.”
14:40: Bello says: “The policy of government should be more strict so as we could start producing textile here in Nigeria.”
14:39: Bello says: “Every state governor should chief industrial officer of his/her state.”
14:37: Bello says: “Industrialization in Nigeria for quite some time has been driven by the Federal government.”
14:32: More questions for Bello
14:31: Bello on Hajj tragedy: “I am sure the Govt of Saudi Arabia will ensure that what occurred in the last Hajj will not repeat in subsequent years.”
14:29: Bello says: “We must registrar any foreigners coming in from our borders and capture those with more than 10 cows.”
14:28: Bello says: “Airports with high traffic per annum can be open to lots of investments between the Private/Public sectors.”
14:25: Bello says: “A merger is like a marriage, it cannot be enforced.”
14:23: Bello says: “Bailout Fund is not right for development purposes.”
14:10: Bello is now being quizzed.
Musa Bello undergoing screening
14:01: After answering few questions based on Education and tourism, Anthony Anwuka is told to bow and go. Next to be screened is Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa state).
13:58: Anwuka says: “‘We need to involve Parents and Community in teaching our children out Indigenous Language.”
13:55: Anwuka says: “Emphasis on Language and culture must start at the primary level.”
13:53: More questions for Anwuka.
13:50: Anwuka says: ‘There is a need for the Government to declare a kind of State of Emergency on our Educational System.”
13:47: Anwuka says: “There is need to upgrade the golf course in Oguta Lake there to attract international golf players to come. It is in the mind of the government to develop Oguta lake.”
13:46: Anwuka says: “There must be a total re-look in the UME examinations. That’ll be one of the areas we are going to look at.”
13:45: Anwuka says: “About 85-90% indicate interest in going into the Universities.”
13:42: Senate moves motion for the extension of time beyond 2pm closing time to take more ministerial nominees.
13:35: Questions for Anwuka who is a former Vice Chancellor of Imo state University and former Secretary to the Govt. of Imo state.
Anthony Anwuka undergoing screening
13:22: After answering series of questions for over an hour, Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia state) is told to take a bow and go. Next to be screened is Anthony Gozie Anwuka (Imo state).
13:21: Enelamah on tax payment: “We need to have a responsible government that will create a relationship with the people.”
13:20: Enelamah says: “I’m a very people-centred person, I love humility.”
13:17: Enelamah says: “We should budget for what we can spend and spend what we have. The Key is transparency and accountability.”
13:15: Enelamah says: “You serve God by serving man and he’s ready to serve Abia state.”
13:05: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Akpabio among others.
13:03: Enelamah says: “We need to create room for local investors to invest and give opportunity for Local entrepreneurs.”
13:01: Enelamah says “Foreign investors don’t invest because our local investors don’t invest in Nigeria. It’s sends a wrong message.”
13:00: Enelamah says: “There is a difference between Interest rate and Currency rate. One of the reasons why interests rates are high is because of the Currency.”
12:52: More questions for Enelamah.
12:51: Enelamah says: “I believe creating infrastructure and putting facilities in place will create an enabling environment.”
12:50: Enelamah says: “We need to signal that we are friendly to investors to create an enabling environment.”
12:45: Enelamah says: “To have an enabling environment, we need to have a clear vision of what we want.”
12:44: Saraki asks Enelamah to specifically talk on what ‘enabling environment’ is needed for the economic growth.
12:39: Enelamah says: “We need collaboration to solve the power problem.”
12:30: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Adeyeye, Senator Nnaji, Senator Anyawu among others.
12:28: Enelamah says: “No nation develops on its own, its paramount that an environment is attractive for investors to invest.”
12:25: Enelamah on Foreign Exchange Policy: “We need to look at the policies that will foster inclusive growth. You have to create an enabling environment to export.”
12:22: Enelamah says: “Most people will only invest in places where they are sure to get returns. I believe we can attract investment.”
12:20: Enelamah says: “I’m a greater believer of the partnership that can occur in the private and public sector. The Private Sector wants profit & Public Sector wants service to the people, I believe they can coexist.”
12:11: More questions for Enelamah from Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Stella Oduah and Senator Binta Garba.
Enelamah undergoing screening
12:09: Enelamah on unemployment: “Our youths should be getting training that can make them equipped. The most important a young man needs to get is skill.”
12:06: Enelamah says: “All growth are not equal, there is growth and there are growths. The potential of this country is enormous.”
12:05: Enelamah says: “We facing challenging times in this nation. We need shared visions.”
11:58: Enelamah now being quizzed by Senators.
11:57: Enelamah says: ‘I will work tirelessly in collaboration with other stakeholders in building a Nigeria of our dreams.”
11:56: Enelamah says: “I’m honored to be nominated.”
11:55: Enelamah says: “The tax we collect in this country is quite small.”
11:54: Enelamah says: “We need to build an economy that’s inclusive, that is an economy that will create jobs.”
11:53: Enelamah says: “Me and my generation have benefited so much from the nation and it’s time to give back.”
11:50: Saraki asks Enelamah to introduce himself.
11:45: Senate President Bukola Saraki ushers the first ministerial nominee, Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia state).
11:40: The Senate resolves into the committee of a whole to commence the ministerial screening. The ministerial nominees will be screened in this order: Eyinna Enelamah, Anthony Gozie Anwuka, Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu, & Aisha Abubakar.
11:30: The Senate has now moved to debate the Motion on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Int’l Airport, Abuja Second Runway Contract by Senator Dino Melaye
11:27: However, in a dramatic fashion, Senator Ibrahim Gobir of Sokoto East has moved the Motion to withdraw the earlier petition against Aisha Abubakar. The Motion is seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani and so the ministerial nominee is now eligible to be screened. Saraki informs Senator Anyanwu not to bother about the report of the petition.
11:25: The Senate Leader, Senator Ndume guides the House regarding public petitions. He says the Senate should not deliberate on a matter in Court.
11:20: Senate President Bukola Saraki invites Senator Anyawu, chairman of the ethics comittee, privileges and Public Petitions to submit a report of the petition against one of the ministerial nominee, Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Senator Anyawu however reveals the report isn’t ready and will be made available tomorrow, October 29. His statement is however greeted with disgust from some senators.
11:16: Before commencing the Ministerial screening, the Senate are right about discussing other matter raised in the House. Senate Leader Ali Ndume and the Clerk of the Senate has moved to Present a total of 5 (Five) Bills for their respective First Readings. The Bills are: Prevention and Punishment of Torture Bill 2015 (SB. 47) by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Nigerian Biodiversity Bill 2015 (SB. 79) by Senator Theodore Orji (Abia Central), Fire Arms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2015 (SB. 85) by Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), Counterfeit Goods Bill 2015 (SB. 117) by Senator Isah Misau (Bauchi Central), National Ecological Agency (Est. Etc.) Bill 2015 (SB, 121) by Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central).
11:15: Speaking outside the Red Chamber, Senator Babajide Omoworare, chairman committee Rules and Business said the final five nominees will be screened today, including Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state.
He added: “At the conclusion of the ministerial screening, the Senate can then focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners. From all indications, the screening of the INEC chairman and commissioners will hold tomorrow, October 29.”
11:09: Saraki announces the presence of Staff and Students of St. Mike Anglican School and Christ Ambassador College in the Senate Gallery.
11:06: Saraki reads a letter from Senators representing Sokoto State endorsing a minsiterial nominee Aisha Abubakar from Sokoto state. Several petitions have been filed against her candidacy.
11:01: Saraki takes the Opening Prayer.
10:55: Distinguished Senators are spotted greeting and chatting up one another.
10:35: Some Distinguished Senators already seated in the gallery as the atmosphere is calm going into the last day of the ministerial screening exercise. Senate President Bukola Saraki is reportedly on his way to the Red Chamber
We Need To Build An Economy That Creates Jobs - Nominee
The senate on Wednesday, October 28, concluded the ministerial screening of 36 nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The last six Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah, Anwuka Anthony Gozie,Muhammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar, were screened by the lawmakers today.
They are expected to be confirmed as ministers by the Senate on Thursday, October 29.
Answering questions from the lawmakers during his screening, one of the ministerial nominees, Okechukwu Enelamah said the country needs to build an economy that creates jobs and opportunities.
He said that lack of compliance and non-availability of law are the major reasons for the tax problems in Nigeria and the nation needs to instill compliance with tax laws as a means of revenue generation.
Enelemba said: “To create that economy there are some things that we must do right. I believe that we have to increase our capacity to invest in the physical and social infrastructure.
“We need to increase our revenue particularly the non-oil revenue in a way that will be significant enough to make us comparable to what we see in other countries.
“No economy can succeed without having a social contract with its people and part of this contract is to ensure that citizens pay their taxes and companies pay their taxes.
“If you look at the tax we collect in this country, compared to all our peers is quite small; I believe that Nigeria will do well to be part of that social contract.”
He also said that Nigeria must run an economy that will create shared prosperity for all Nigerians and attract investors.
Before commencement of the screening, Sokoto state senators endorsed Aisha Abubakar, the ministerial nominee from their state and withdrew the petition against her. There were petitions against her by some women from Sokoto state alleging she was not a member of the APC or any political party.
Meanwhile, a mild drama played out yesterday during the ministerial screening as one of the ministerial nominees, Usani Uguru said ‘God forbid’ in response to a remark by one of the PDP senators that he had dealings with the party under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The last six Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah, Anwuka Anthony Gozie,Muhammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar, were screened by the lawmakers today.
They are expected to be confirmed as ministers by the Senate on Thursday, October 29.
Answering questions from the lawmakers during his screening, one of the ministerial nominees, Okechukwu Enelamah said the country needs to build an economy that creates jobs and opportunities.
He said that lack of compliance and non-availability of law are the major reasons for the tax problems in Nigeria and the nation needs to instill compliance with tax laws as a means of revenue generation.
Enelemba said: “To create that economy there are some things that we must do right. I believe that we have to increase our capacity to invest in the physical and social infrastructure.
“We need to increase our revenue particularly the non-oil revenue in a way that will be significant enough to make us comparable to what we see in other countries.
“No economy can succeed without having a social contract with its people and part of this contract is to ensure that citizens pay their taxes and companies pay their taxes.
“If you look at the tax we collect in this country, compared to all our peers is quite small; I believe that Nigeria will do well to be part of that social contract.”
He also said that Nigeria must run an economy that will create shared prosperity for all Nigerians and attract investors.
Before commencement of the screening, Sokoto state senators endorsed Aisha Abubakar, the ministerial nominee from their state and withdrew the petition against her. There were petitions against her by some women from Sokoto state alleging she was not a member of the APC or any political party.
Meanwhile, a mild drama played out yesterday during the ministerial screening as one of the ministerial nominees, Usani Uguru said ‘God forbid’ in response to a remark by one of the PDP senators that he had dealings with the party under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
B'Haram: Soldiers Reveal What Boosts Their Morale
Soldiers of the Nigerian army who are fighting with
insurgents in Baga have said that they are not very comfortable with the
use of artillery.
Speaking with Daily Post, the soldiers said that they prefer using
rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) as the machine boosts their morale and
encourages them to fight against the deadly Boko Haram sect.
According to one of the soldiers, the artillery should be scrapped because terrorists do not fear the sound that it produces, but they are afraid of RPGs.
“Last week when they brought RPGs, see how happy our guys were. We charged at the Boko Haram guys and killed over 100, but we lost 4 soldiers. In fact, it is better than before, when artillery will be firing but no target. This one, you will see how you are clearing the Boko Haram boys and you are sure you killed them,” the officer said.
Speaking about the recent Boko Haram attack, another soldier said:
“Three days ago at Durun Giwa, the insurgents came attacking us with mortar. They fired over hundred and arrested one Fulani man and stripped him naked. They sent him to us to tell us that we should be gathering all the weapons because they are coming to collect everything.”
The soldier said that they allowed the Fulani man to go back and tell militants that they were gathering the weapons, and they should come and collect them.
He added that after a short time, insurgents began to fire at them, but when the soldiers returned fire with the RPGs, the area was cleared of the insurgents in 30 minutes.
The soldiers revealed that they were happy with the decision of the military authorities that they would now spend two years at an assignment and be transferred. However, one of the soldiers did not want to leave Maiduguri after he was transferred out of the state.
“He did not want to leave because he was never asked to go to the bush to fight, otherwise he would have appreciated God for the transfer,” another soldier noted.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has carried out air strikes and destroyed the terrorists’ vehicle workshops, fuel and ammunition dumps all within the Sambisa forest.
Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar assured Nigerians that with these successful strikes on the terrorists, their capabilities have been further degraded to pave the way for the final onslaught by the land forces to meet President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive to bring the insurgency in the north-east to an end.
Soldiers of the Nigerian army
According to one of the soldiers, the artillery should be scrapped because terrorists do not fear the sound that it produces, but they are afraid of RPGs.
“Last week when they brought RPGs, see how happy our guys were. We charged at the Boko Haram guys and killed over 100, but we lost 4 soldiers. In fact, it is better than before, when artillery will be firing but no target. This one, you will see how you are clearing the Boko Haram boys and you are sure you killed them,” the officer said.
Speaking about the recent Boko Haram attack, another soldier said:
“Three days ago at Durun Giwa, the insurgents came attacking us with mortar. They fired over hundred and arrested one Fulani man and stripped him naked. They sent him to us to tell us that we should be gathering all the weapons because they are coming to collect everything.”
The soldier said that they allowed the Fulani man to go back and tell militants that they were gathering the weapons, and they should come and collect them.
He added that after a short time, insurgents began to fire at them, but when the soldiers returned fire with the RPGs, the area was cleared of the insurgents in 30 minutes.
The soldiers revealed that they were happy with the decision of the military authorities that they would now spend two years at an assignment and be transferred. However, one of the soldiers did not want to leave Maiduguri after he was transferred out of the state.
“He did not want to leave because he was never asked to go to the bush to fight, otherwise he would have appreciated God for the transfer,” another soldier noted.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has carried out air strikes and destroyed the terrorists’ vehicle workshops, fuel and ammunition dumps all within the Sambisa forest.
Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar assured Nigerians that with these successful strikes on the terrorists, their capabilities have been further degraded to pave the way for the final onslaught by the land forces to meet President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive to bring the insurgency in the north-east to an end.
Forty-Two-Year-Old Father Defiles Daughters, Impregnate One
A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 27, heard
the case of a 42-year-old man who allegedly defiled and impregnated his
12-year-old daughter.
The accused, Akate Thomas reportedly had sexual intercourse with his two daughters, 12 and 10 years old.
Omaye Ujata, the prosecuting officer, said one Francis Omanga reported the case to the police.
Ujata told the court that the 42-year-old got one of the girls impregnated as a result of the “constant forceful sexual intercourse.’’
The prosecutor further disclosed that Thomas threatened to kill the girls if they ever let the secret out.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, when the charge was read.
Mr David Agada, the ruling magistrate, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum, who should be a blood relation.
The case was adjourned till Monday, November 16, for further hearing.
Recent media reports indicate that cases of incestuous relationships in Nigeria are on the increase.
On Wednesday, October 28, the case of a 35-year-old trader, was brought before a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Katsina state.
The trader, Maharazu Ali, was arraigned for allegedly impregnating a minor.
The accused, who resides at Kwamgaya village in the Mani local government of Katsina state, was arraigned on a one count charge of rape.
According to the police First Information Report (FIR), one Mahuta sent a petition to the Katsina state commissioner of police, stating that the accused had impregnated his 13-year-old daughter.
The FIR explained that the petition was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Thursday, September 17, pleading for investigation into the matter.
Nafisa Bagiwa, the magistrate, refused to take the “not guilty” plea of the accused, earlier heard.
She ordered the case file to be forwarded to the state’s ministry of justice for advice.
The case was adjourned till Wednesday, November 4.
The accused, Akate Thomas reportedly had sexual intercourse with his two daughters, 12 and 10 years old.
Omaye Ujata, the prosecuting officer, said one Francis Omanga reported the case to the police.
Ujata told the court that the 42-year-old got one of the girls impregnated as a result of the “constant forceful sexual intercourse.’’
The prosecutor further disclosed that Thomas threatened to kill the girls if they ever let the secret out.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, when the charge was read.
Mr David Agada, the ruling magistrate, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum, who should be a blood relation.
The case was adjourned till Monday, November 16, for further hearing.
Recent media reports indicate that cases of incestuous relationships in Nigeria are on the increase.
On Wednesday, October 28, the case of a 35-year-old trader, was brought before a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Katsina state.
The trader, Maharazu Ali, was arraigned for allegedly impregnating a minor.
The accused, who resides at Kwamgaya village in the Mani local government of Katsina state, was arraigned on a one count charge of rape.
According to the police First Information Report (FIR), one Mahuta sent a petition to the Katsina state commissioner of police, stating that the accused had impregnated his 13-year-old daughter.
The FIR explained that the petition was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Thursday, September 17, pleading for investigation into the matter.
Nafisa Bagiwa, the magistrate, refused to take the “not guilty” plea of the accused, earlier heard.
She ordered the case file to be forwarded to the state’s ministry of justice for advice.
The case was adjourned till Wednesday, November 4.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
FG says it needs N233bn to rehabilitate Boko Haram ravaged states
FG says it needs N233bn to rehabilitate Boko Haram ravaged states
The chairman of PCNI, who was represented by a member of the committee,
Mohammed Danjuma, said the rebuilding of the ravaged states needed
proper coordination to alleviate the sufferings of the Internally
Displaced Persons.
He said the Federal Government and other stakeholders are determined to
manage the humanitarian crisis in the region, adding that the IDPs would
return to their communities after the reconstruction of their destroyed
communities.
VP Osinbajo said:
“This region has suffered tremendously in the past six years. It has suffered from the destruction of infrastructure, farmlands, businesses, trades, the destruction of schools and the loss of school years.
“Rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitation will cost money and time. But neither money nor time can fix the trauma of loss of family members, relations and friends, the shame of the raped, the scars and fears of parents of the abducted and the kidnapped, the bewilderment that comes with loss of homes, possessions and livelihoods and the pains of hundreds of thousands of orphaned children.”
“The tasks before us are many and profound, to fix brick and mortar and to mend hearts and minds damaged by senseless murderous violence. But we are called not just to mend the hearts and minds of the victims but also of their traducers, and killers.
“The young men and women who have been brainwashed to kill, maim and destroy in the warped belief that by so doing they please God, they are also victims. Indeed, these perpetrators are themselves victims, trapped in the vortex of evil manipulation, compelled to dehumanise themselves as they shed the blood of the innocent.
“It is our duty to deconstruct the narrative that causes men to kill children on their beds at a boarding school at night even as we degrade the military capacity of the insurgents. The tasks are indeed many and profound.
“But while there is still so much to do, much has been done already. The many civil society groups, funding partners, regional and international partners who have given of their time, resources and even their lives in some cases, deserve to be commended. But for you, first responders, we would have been far worse off than we are today.”
He added, “We are in Maiduguri to show humanity and to give milk of
human kindness to our brothers and sisters who for six years have been
ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency by killing, maiming and abduction of
innocent people.”
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