Eagles won’t lose form after Xmas - Agu

Eagles won’t lose form after Xmas - Agu

Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Alloy Agu, has said the side will not experience loss of form after the Yuletide break.
The team is expected to embark on a Christmas holidays on Wednesday and return on Saturday to continue with the preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda, in January, supersport.com reports.
Agu said the players are professionals and will not lose focus on the daunting task at hand while with their respective families.
“I want to believe that they players know what is at stake, I equally believe they have Nigerians at heart as well as their expectations at the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.
“We understand that family is important especially this festive period. That’s why we are allowing them few days to celebrate festivity with their families.
“We agreed on the need to stay focus while the Yuletide holidays last and to come back better players to continue on the programme for CHAN.
“They are core professionals and we do not expect them to abuse the rare privilege,” he told supersport.com.

Power, works, housing take lion’s share of budget

Power, works, housing take lion’s share of budget

By Our Reporter  on December 23, 2015
• Buhari: Fuel price stays at N87/litre for now
From Kemi Yesufu and Fred Itua, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday personally presented the 2016 N6.8trillion budget to the joint session of the National Assembly. Highlights of the budget were that Works, Housing and Power got the lion’s share of N433.4billion. He promised to retain the N87 per litre of petrol for now, while strengthening the key agencies that would keep the price at that level.
Buhari was accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osibajo and other members of the federal cabinet as he presented government’s spending plan for 2016 to a jam packed joint session of the federal legislature.
The President took the opportunity of the budget presentation to announce that pump price of petrol hasn’t been reviewed from N87. He emphasised that the price of fuel remained at the official price “for now”.
He arrived in the House of Representatives chambers which hosts budget presentations, around 10am and proceeded to present his speech after the welcome address by Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is the chairman of the Assembly.
He said the government plans to spend N6.08 trillion in 2016 with a revenue projection of N3.86 trillion, resulting in a deficit of N2.22 trillion. while capital projects will gulp N1.8 trillion.
“To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion, in the 2016 bud- get. Distinguished and honour- able members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expendi- ture will represent 30% of our total budget. In future years, we intend to raise the percent- age allocation for capital ex- penditure” the President said.
A breakdown of capital ex- penditure shows that Works, Power and Housing received N433.4 billion, while Transport got N202 billion. This is just as Special Intervention Program was allocated N200 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior Ministry – N53.1 billion.
Buhari stated that the target- ed investments in infrastructure and security are linked to government’s reforms in the agriculture, solid minerals and other sectors with capability to create jobs for the youth.
The President, while reiterating his resolve to run a lean and transparent government, said borrowing will be strictly for capital projects, noting that N113billion will be set aside for Sinking Fund to deal with maturing loans.
He said: “Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, our 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund our capital projects. Furthermore, the sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service. This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings.
“In fulfilment of our promise to run a lean government, we have proposed a 9% reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016. Furthermore, we have budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Program, which takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion,” he said.
According to him, the government will ensure adequate funding for critical sectors such as education and health- care which fall under recurrent expenditure.
“We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in education; N294.5 billion in defence; N221.7 billion in health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, policemen, firefighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time,” he disclosed.
Buhari who admitted the downturn in the economy, owing to the slide in the oil price from $112 per barrel as at June 2014 to the present $39 per barrel, noted that the prevailing socio-economic challenges has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges experi- enced in the last few years. He, however, stressed his commitment to the ongoing fight against corruption especially in the oil and gas industry.
The President said: “Al- though we are working to diversify our economy, we will not lose sight of the need to restructure the oil and gas sec- tor which has been marred by corruption and plagued with inefficiencies. Accordingly, I have directed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components. We believe this can lower input costs and at- tain efficiency savings that will enable PPPRA to keep the selling price for all marketers of petrol at N87 per litre for now”.
On the issue of ensuring transparency and accountability in non-oil revenue generating agencies, which will lead to increased availability of funds for government, Buhari said he has appointed qualified persons to head these agencies. This is even as he expressed the hope that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) will block leakages.
“Some of the decisions taken by the new administration include: injection of new leadership at the helm of our revenue generating agencies including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) as well as implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which, so far, has provided greater visibility of government revenues and cash flows.
“The present administration also provided intervention funds to support states to navigate their fiscal challenges by restructuring their commercial bank loans and by providing facilities to enable them to pay salary arrears,” Buhari said.

FG to borrow N1.84trn to finance 2016 deficit

FG to borrow N1.84trn to finance 2016 deficit
By Our Reporter  on December 23, 2015   Business
By Adewale Sanyaolu
FROM its budget proposal of N6.08 trillion, Nigeria is to borrow about N1.84 trillion to augment its dwindling revenue, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
The President disclosed this in his 2016 Budget address delivered to the joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday.
Giving the break down of the N1.84 trillion borrowing, Buhari said domestic borrowing would amount to about N984 billion while foreign borrowing would be N900 billion.
The President noted that the country is targeting a revenue projection of N3.86 trillion from the N6.08 trillion budget proposals, resulting in a deficit of N2.22 trillion, adding that the deficit, which is equiva- lent to 2.16 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will take the country’s overall debt profile to 14 per cent of its GDP.
‘‘This remains well within acceptable fiscal limits. Our deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic and foreign borrowing and over the medium term, we expect to increase revenues and reduce overheads, to bring the fiscal deficit down to 1.3 per cent of GDP by 2018,’’ he said.
In 2016, he said oil related revenues are expected to contribute N820 billion. Non-oil revenues, comprising Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs and Excise duties and Federation Account levies, will contribute N1.45 trillion.
‘‘Finally, by enforcing strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and public expenditure reforms in all MDAs, we have projected up to N1.51 trillion from independent revenues,’’ he said.
And to deliver on development objectives, he said the Federal Government has increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion.
In the 2016 budget and for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30 per cent of our total budget. In future years, we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure,’’ he assured.
The increase in capital expenditure to 30 per cent of the total budget is in fulfilment of its promise to align expenditure to long-term objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to sustainable development.
He gave a breakdown of the capital expenditure component to include critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202.0 billion; Special Intervention Programmes – N200.0 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion and Interior – N53.1 billion.
On fuel scarcity, he said the supply shortages were as a result of market speculators and resistance to change by some stakeholders, assuring that government was working hard to end the shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the country.

MAN charges CBN to stop funding Bureaux de Change

MAN charges CBN to stop funding Bureaux de Change
 December 23, 2015 at 3:29 am in Business, News 

By Naomi Uzor
THE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has charged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to stop funding the Bureau de change market.
CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele
CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele
In a statement , the President of MAN, Chief Frank Jacobs, said: Ït is difficult to understand why, in the first instance, these outfits should depend on official allocation of forex by the CBN for their survival.
“The Bureau De Change market should provide alternative funding window to the economy, in which case they source their forex independently from other sources and supply to the forex market. It is difficult to understand their real functions with the kind of arrangement Nigeria has.
Distributive conduit pipes
They act as mere distributive conduit pipes by simply getting forex allocation from CBN and selling to very few Nigerians out of the multitude that need forex; thereby making their profit without much value addition”
“Foreign exchange allocated to the Bureau De Change as well as from other sources should be channelled to the productive sectors of the economy, especially manufacturing for the importation of essential inputs and machinery that are not locally available as well as the social welfare segment of the society like hospitals, schools, etc” he said.
He noted that MAN advocates the use of guided deregulation in such a way that Naira would be left to flow freely within a bracket which the CBN would determine, adding that, this is important because at their stage of development, they cannot afford to allow the Naira to flow freely without any check.
“MAN believes that this arrangement will allow the exchange rate to be determined by the market but with some moderation and also leave room for investors to be attracted to invest in the country. This will also assist in checking the ugly situation that took place during the SAP era where, as a result of devaluation, over 60 per cent of small and medium scale industries closed down because of their inability to sustain their operations.
Restriction on dollar inflow should be lifted but this should not preclude CBN’s duty of investigating sources of such incomes” he stated.
According to him, a major source of forex wastage in Nigeria is through the on-going subsidy on importation of petroleum products.
“In the real sense, Nigeria should not have relied on fuel importation to meet the fuel requirement of the nation, given the number of refineries we have in this country which are currently lying waste. Instead, we turned around to import fuel and pay huge subsidies to fuel importers thereby wasting huge scarce foreign exchange as subsidy. MAN believes that the downstream petroleum sector should be privatized in order to save the country from wasting the huge forex paid as subsidy” he said.
Some years back, he noted, many refining companies applied for licenses and we do not know what happened to those applications or why those companies that were granted licenses did not start operation?
“Why does the Government have to subsidise fuel imports when such subsidies, some of which are even ambiguous, would have been channelled to streamlining the refining capacities of existing refineries or even establishing new ones? The solution appears to tilt towards the privatization of the sector so that Government would hands off subsidy payment.
To avoid perceived abuse of foreign exchange allocation and save the Naira, the management of forex which is vested on a Committee chaired by the Governor of the CBN should monitor utilisation of forex by recipients by remitting funds directly to the beneficiary company overseas,” he said.

Buhari’ govt spending money like a drunken sailor – Fani- Kayode

Buhari’ govt spending money like a drunken sailor – Fani- Kayode
 December 23, 2015 at 7:11 am in News 

ABUJA- FORMER Spokesperson of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode has described the 2016 budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint National Assembly as that fueled by insincerity.
According to him, it was ironic that former governor Asiwaju Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nasir El- Rufai who kicked against deregulation during former President Jonathan, have suddenly become great supporters of deregulation.
In a statement he signed yesterday and made available to Journalists in Abuja, Chief Fani- Kayode who accused Buhari’s administration of spending money like a drunken sailor, alleged that the government was borrowing as if there was no tomorrow.
The former Aviation Minister who noted that the government was mortgaging the future of Nigeria, Nigerians and our children,said, “The 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity, shrouded in fantasy, built on tall dreams and spawned by deceit, ignorance and the illusion of change. It is bloated, unrealistic, expensive, cosmetic and it will not result in anything good.
“In order to fund part of the budget the government intends to borrow money and this will throw our country into even greater debt. What a tragedy this is given the fact that in 2007 Nigeria was debt-free. The Buhari administration is spending money like a drunken sailor and they are borrowing as if there is no tomorrow, mortgaging the future of our nation and our children.
” We need far more fiscal discipline and seriousness than that if our government really wishes to improve the economy and better the lives of ordinary people.
“Meanwhile the Federal Government has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is responsible for today’s long fuel queues even though he left office 7 months ago.
” They seem to have forgotten that in 2012 it was their group, led by Bola Tinubu, Nasir El Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi and President Buhari himself that aggressively opposed deregulation and almost brought the whole country to a standstill with protests and riots all over the place in their efforts to prevent the government from removing the oil subsidy.
“Had it not been for their pettiness, lack of understanding, shortsightedness and double standards the subsidy would have been removed three years ago and fuel queues would have been a thing of history. Sadly they lacked the foresight to appreciate the virtues of that policy and today they have the nerve to blame Jonathan for the mess that they themselves essentially created.
“They have been in power for 7 months now: it is time for them to step up to the plate, start taking responsibility for their own actions, do a better job and stop blaming Jonathan for their own miserable and avoidable failures.”

ASP, 2 other policemen die in gun battle with alleged kidnappers

ASP, 2 other policemen die in gun battle with alleged kidnappers
 December 23, 2015 at 7:37 am in News 

PORT HARCOURT— THREE policemen reportedly lost their lives yesterday when they went to foil an attempted kidnapping   of  the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Rivers State Chairman,  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jerry Needam.
Needam who disclosed this in a statement commended the gallantry of the policemen deployed to rescue him during the attempted kidnap and alleged assassination attempt  on his life.
He said one of the killed policemen was an Assistant Superintendent, ASP, adding that the policemen engaged the heavily armed  assassins in a fierce gun battle for several hours.
Needam accused his political opponents of being behind the alleged attempt on his life.
While expressing gratitude to God for sparing his life, Needam said two of ther policemen and his security guard sustained bullet wounds during the incident and were receiving treatment at a hospital.
A text to the state Police Public Relations Officer,  DSP Ahmad Muhammad from Vanguard for  comment on the issue had not been responded to at press time

Alabama teen pleads guilty in hanging death of 9-year-old

Alabama teen pleads guilty in hanging death of 9-year-old
Associated Press
JAY REEVES 47 minutes ago

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama teenager pleaded guilty Tuesday in the death of his 9-year-old half-sister, who was hanged from a tree in their yard, but the motive remains a mystery to prosecutors more than three years later.

Court documents show John Dillon Salers, 18, pleaded guilty to murder in St. Clair County, about 30 miles east of Birmingham, and a judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
Salers could be released earlier since he got credit for jail time served and will be eligible for parole. Using uneven print, Salers signed a court document in which he stated no one had coerced him or promised him anything to plead guilty in the death of Katelynn Arnold in May 2012.
Media photos taken outside court showed an unsmiling Salers with closely cropped, dark hair and wearing a striped jail uniform.
Salers was only 14 when the girl was found hanging in a tall hardwood outside the rural home they shared with relatives in Ragland.
Authorities at the time said the girl was outside playing when her aunt realized she was missing. She went outside to find the child hanging from a tree by a cotton rope that once held a tire swing.
Salers went to bed afterward, and police awoke the youth to question him and place him under arrest. He was initially charged as an adult with capital murder but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
Court documents do not indicate a motive for the killing, and prosecutor Lamar Williamson said it was still unclear why the girl was killed.
While an investigation showed that Salers and schoolmates had said some things that concerned the girl, Williamson said, Salers hasn't explained his actions.
"He did not say why he did it," Williamson said.
A defense attorney did not immediately return messages seeking comment

Trump uses crude language to mock ClintonAssociated Press 14 mins ago

Trump uses crude language to mock ClintonAssociated Press 14 mins ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump labeled Democrat Hillary Clinton "disgusting" for using the restroom during a commercial break at the last Democratic debate and used crude language to describe her primary loss to now-President Barack Obama in 2008.
"She was favored to win and she got schlonged, she lost," he said on Monday night, using a slang word for male genitalia.

Trump, who has ramped up his criticism of Clinton in recent weeks, also mocked Clinton for returning late to Saturday's debate following a commercial break because she'd been using the bathroom.
"What happened to her? I'm watching the debate, and she disappeared. Where did she go?!" Trump said at the rally at the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
"I know where she went. It's disgusting, I don't want to talk about it," he added. "No, it's too disgusting. Don't say it, it's disgusting."
This isn't the first time Trump has used what could be interpreted as gendered language to criticize Clinton. He has repeatedly described her as lacking the strength and stamina to be president and invoked the image of her putting on a pantsuit before heading to work.
But the latest remarks appear to have hit a new nerve. After declining to comment Monday evening, Clinton spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri took to Twitter to label the language "degrading."
"We are not responding to Trump, but everyone who understands the humiliation this degrading language inflicts on all women should," Palmieri said on Twitter, concluding with the hashtag "imwithher."
The latest rift between Clinton and Trump began during Saturday evening's debate. Clinton claimed the Islamic State group had used videos of Trump's comments about Muslims to recruit militants.
"They are going to people showing videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists," she said.
There was no evidence to back the claim, and Trump quickly called Clinton a liar and demanded an apology.
"She's a liar!" he repeated at the rally, labeling Clinton "not a president."
Some of Trump's critics have leveled similar criticism at him. Many Republican leaders fear Trump's incendiary rhetoric would make him unelectable in a general election against Clinton, who is widely favored over two rivals for the Democratic nomination.
Trump continues to the lead the Republican field going into the new year — a development that has stunned the political world and deeply divided the Republican party.
Clinton appeared Tuesday in Keota, Iowa, a small rural town where three high school students launched an energetic campaign to get Clinton to visit their school. Clinton entered the high school gymnasium — packed with about 700 people — alongside the students to huge cheers.
During her remarks, Clinton stressed the differences between Republicans and Democrats in the field. She decried Trump's rhetoric on Muslims, saying it was "not only dangerous, it's shameful." She said that kind of talk plays in to the hands of violent jihadists.
"It's a very serious matter when you hear some of the things he and unfortunately some of the others have been saying," Clinton said.
Clinton did not reference Trump's latest comments on her 2008 presidential bid, but she made a veiled reference to his campaign when a student asked her about combatting bullying.
Advocating for more "love and kindness" Clinton added: "That's why it's important to stand up to bullies wherever we are and why we shouldn't let anybody bully his way into the presidency. Because that is not who we are as Americans

I received this from an old time friend.I think it's worth sharing. "We, the people born between 1941-1970...are the blessed ones...

I received this from an old time friend.I think it's worth sharing.   "We, the people born between 1941-1970...are the blessed ones...
We are the awesome people... Our life is a living proof..........
While playing and riding rented bicycle, we never bothered to wear helmets. We played marbles, steycions, skipping ropes, clapping (Ooya, 10-10), bojuboju ooo, talowa ni'nu Ogba na? Etc.
After school time we played until it's dusk but never watched the world (TV) by locking up ourselves in a room.
We played only with our real friends, not with NET friends.
 If we ever felt thirsty, we used to drink tap water but never searched for bottled water.
We never got ill even after sharing the same juice with four friends.
We  never put on weight even after eating plate full of sweets and eba, amala, koko,Monday to Saturday (but on Friday at schools, dodo ati raisi) , on Sundays only, ordinary tea with bread or yam . On special celebration day(Xmas. New year, easter, Maulud Nabiy, Eidil Fitri / Ileya, Jolof raisi for lunch! We jolly well ate Saara anywhere with fresh chicken. Turkey keee?
Nothing happened to our feet even after street-roaming bare footed.
We never used any health supplements to keep ourselves healthy.
We used to create our own toys and played with them.
Our parents were not rich, they never ran after money and wealth. They just searched for and gave  love.. not any worldly materials.
We never used to share our emotions just by emoticons in
mobile phones.
We never had cellphones, DVDs, Play stations, X-Boxes, video games, Personal computers, internet, chat but we had many good friends.
We used to visit our friends' homes uncalled and enjoyed food with them. We never had to call them to seek permission to visit.
Loving people were near us so our hearts and souls were happy. Hence we never required any insurance policy.
We might have been in Black and White photos but you can still find good colourful memories in them.....
Last is the ultimate
 We are a unique and the most understanding generation, because we are the last generation that listened to their parents....
and also the first which has to listen to their children.
We are not special, but "
LIMITED EDITION AND ENDANGERED SPECIES"

Ladder crisis: Aero indicts Bauchi airport manager

Ladder crisis: Aero indicts Bauchi airport manager

 By:   Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo     Monday, 21 Dec 2015 07:59PM 
 Business 
The Accountable Manager and Managing Director, Aero, Capt Russel Lee Foon, has said that the airline was assured of adequate ground handling services by the Bauchi Airport Manager before the airline embarked on a flight with B737—500 series with registration 5N-BLG.
Lee Foon, who disclosed this while briefing aviation correspondents, on Monday, on what happened at Bauchi Airport, at the weekend, added that the charter was booked by a group of young people, who were to attend a wedding party and that the groom was also on board.
The Accountable Manager explained that on December 18, 2015, the airline Head of Ground Operations, Mr. Peter Omata, confirmed the handling of the flight through the Airport Manager of Bauchi, Mr. Abubakar, and that he, also, confirmed, on many occasions, the availability of the air stairs and cost.
 
He further explained that prior to leaving Abuja, the Flight dispatcher contacted the Airport Manager to advise that the aircraft was taxing out and he confirmed that they were ready to receive the flight.
According to him, “At 10:42 the aircraft touched down on Runway 35 at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport. The controller advised the crew that due the absence of marshallers and ramp officials of any sort, that parking would be at their own discretion.”
He continued, “At 10:44 the flight dispatcher on board contacted the Airport Manager to advise him that they were on the ground, to which he confirmed that he was seeing the aircraft on taxi and that they were waiting. After parking, the captain reported that they waited for up to 10 minutes for the stairs to be brought to the aircraft but no assistance or stairs came to the aircraft. The captain reported that he informed the passengers of the situation as they were beginning to get agitated. What was not known to the crew, at the beginning of the flight, was that the groom of the wedding was on board the flight. The wedding was to start in another 20 minutes.”
The Accountable Manager stated that at 10:57 a.m. the crew called the Controller to enquire why there was no one to position the stairs to the aircraft and that he was told that the stairs had “just broken down” and that the fire services were making provisions to sort it out.
He added that after waiting for another five to seven minutes the passengers became furious, as they were now getting very late for the wedding, adding that at that point the captain went to the cabin and explained to them that he may have to take them back to Abuja as they cannot disembark for lack of stairs.
According to him, “The group insisted that he cannot keep them on board the aircraft and he considered that their anger was becoming potentially threatening for the crew to take them back to Abuja. The alternative which the fire services provided was a ladder, which the passengers took as an option, and on their own free will, decided to use the ladder to disembark against the wishes of the captain and crew. The captain allowed this procedure, in order to reduce what he thought was a volatile situation.”
Meanwhile, the Accountable Manager said that an investigation into the event had begun and that the results could lead to changes in the airline’s operational procedures.
The findings, he stated, would become a part of the airline training and Crew Resource Management (CRM) re-currency training exercises.
He said that the decision to perform any further charters into Bauchi had been suspended on B737 equipment but that the airline could consider charters into Bauchi on Q400 or Dash 8-300 aircraft.
Lee Foon stated that any future charters to destinations that were not areas of scheduled commercial flight operations must have at least one permanent ground handling company that is functional before we will consider it.
“We will continue to operate our aircraft safely and within the guidelines of the law and the company must continue to ensure the safety and security of our crews and passengers, he said

FG orders probe of Aero’s Bauchi airport scandal
  Scandalised by the use of a ladder to disembark from an Aero Contractor’s flight to Bauchi, at the weekend, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has directed an immediate investigation into the use of an unauthorised equipment by Aero Contractors Airlines at the end of a…





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Ambode has approved free ride for physically challenge person to ride on BRT and LAGBUS buses free

Ambode has approved free ride for physically challenge person to ride on BRT and LAGBUS buses free

 By:   Dailytimes     Tuesday, 22 Dec 2015 11:04AM 
 News

brt-bus
Lagos State government has approved that henceforth all physically-challenged citizens will ride, free of charge, on all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS buses across all routes where the services are available in the state.
To give effect to the new development, the commissioner has directed all buses operating under the BRT and LAGBUS franchise to begin to pick physically challenged passengers free of charge. The directive takes immediate effect. The commissioner was, however, silent on whether the government would pay the operators on behalf of the physically challenged passengers.
The BRT buses are owned and operated largely by private investors while the LAGBUS buses are operated by an agency of the state government.
Mobereola also urged Lagosians commuting on the roads to obey traffic laws as well as traffic officers, especially during the yuletide season.
“It has become necessary to state this against the background of observed huge traffic gridlock experienced at this festive period. The situation reflects the disdain of motorists for the traffic laws and officers on the one hand and gross indiscipline exhibited by motorists on the other.
“For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the traffic officers, whether the men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA) are there to serve us but will view infractions with the eyes of the law.

Buhari: I'll make tough decisions in 2016

Buhari: I'll make tough decisions in 2016
By Isiaka Wakili | Publish Date: Dec 22 2015 4:12PM | Updated Date: Dec 22 2015 4:14PM 

Buhari: I'll make tough decisions in 2016
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his administration will make tough decisions in the 2016 fiscal year.
 He, however, said that this does not necessarily mean increasing the level of pain already being experienced by most Nigerians.
 Buhari said this Monday while presenting the 2016 budget to the National Assembly.
 He said "Indeed, tough decisions will have to be made. But this does not necessarily mean increasing the level of pain already being experienced by most Nigerians".
 He said he was aware of the problems many Nigerians currently had in accessing foreign exchange for their various purposes "--from our traders and business operators who rely on imported inputs; to manufacturers needing to import sophisticated equipment and spare parts; to our airlines operators who need foreign exchange to meet their international regulatory obligations; to the financial services sector and capital markets who are key actors in the global arena".
 Buhari, who noted that these were clearly due to the current inadequacies in the supply of foreign exchange to Nigerians who needed it, said he was however assured by the Governor of Central Bank that "the bank is currently fine-tuning its foreign exchange management to introduce some flexibility and encourage additional in-flow of foreign currency to help ease the pressure". 
He said: "We are carefully assessing our exchange rate regime keeping in mind our willingness to attract foreign investors but at the same time, managing and controlling inflation to level that will not harm the average Nigerians. Nigeria is open for business. But the interest of all Nigerians must be protected. Indeed, tough decisions will have to be made. But this does not necessarily mean increasing the level of pain already being experienced by most Nigerians.
"So, to the investors, business owners and industrialists, we are aware of your pains. To the farmers, traders and entrepreneurs, we also hear you. The status quo cannot continue. The rent seeking will stop. The artificial current demand will end. Our monetary, fiscal and social development policies are aligned".
The president said in spite of the global economic uncertainties, the government must remain steadfast in her commitment to steering Nigeria back to greatness.
 According to him, the Nigerian economy needs to move away from dependency on oil.
Buhari said: "Our growth must be inclusive. Nigerians must be part of the growth story. As a Government, we shall deliver security, jobs and infrastructure. This is the right of all Nigerians.
 "I know many people will say 'I have heard this before'. Indeed, trust in government, due to the abuse and negligence of the past, is at an all-time low. This means we must go back to basics. Our actions will speak for us. My team of dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerians is well aware of the task ahead and I can assure you that we are taking on the challenge.
 "We will not betray the trust reposed in us. We will welcome and be responsive to your feedback and criticisms. We are here to serve. And indeed, Nigerians will get the service they have longed for and which they rightly deserve. We, as a government, cannot do it alone. We will require the support of all civil servants, the organised labour, industry groups, the press and of course, our religious and traditional institutions. This is a call for all of us to stand and serve our country.
 "This budget represents a major step in delivering a new opportunity for Nigeria. It demonstrates our confident optimism that despite the challenging times, we have the will, resourcefulness and commitment to deliver prosperity to our people. And by the grace of Almighty God and the sheer will and determination of the Nigerian people, we will come out stronger and more united than ever".
Read more at http://dailytrust.com.ng/news/news/buhari-i-ll-make-tough-decisions-in-2016/125587.html#RLHETfd4ehhDROVQ.99

Buhari’s budget a big fraud ‎- PDP

Buhari’s budget a big fraud ‎- PDP
By abdulwasiihassan@yahoo.com | Publish Date: Dec 22 2015 5:30PM | Updated Date: Dec 22 2015 5:31PM
Buhari’s budget a big fraud ‎- PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the N6.8 trillion 2016 federal budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday as a "big fraud" and "executive conspiracy" which it said is tailored towards mortgaging the future of the nation.
The party queried President Buhari’s decision to borrow N2 trillion which it claimed was the biggest in the history of the nation.

The PDP in a statement Monday by its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh alleged that the federal government was trying to use "their bogus welfare programme and phantom capital projects as cover and conduit to syphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests" particularly to settle what it described as huge campaign debts.

The PDP said the budget clearly showed that after seven months in power, President Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to differentiate between governance and campaign propaganda.
It said there is need to regulate campaign promises in the future so that Nigerians will not end up with a government that promised to "climb Mount Everest with bare hands" and end up "mortgaging" the future of the nation through borrowings.
"It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises. 
“There has never been any known economy in the world where government deliberately mortgage the future of its nation by borrowing excessively to finance partisan interests while hiding under bogus welfare programmes. This is moreso important as the APC in reeling out their bogus campaign promises never informed Nigerians that they would mortgage their future through excessive borrowing.
“We have it on good authority that this is the first in the series of APC borrowings which would leave the future generation of Nigerians under the burden of huge debts after four years.
“By all standards, the 2016 budget, the first major economic policy outing of this government, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predications, a development that confirms fears by economy watchers and investors that this administration is obviously ill-equipped for governance," the PDP said.
‎It requested Buhari to involve experienced and well-tested hands in the management of the economy and budgeting processes. ‎

But the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Dr. Victor Ikechukwu Oye in a telephone interview with Daily Trust said the budget has shown President Buhari's economic direction.

"It was a reasonable budget presented to the National Assembly by Mr. President. It shows commitment for him to have gone to the National Assembly to present the budget himself. This is a complete departure from the past.

"The budget is in order; it is okay because we believe it will bring about sanity in the system and economic direction ‎for good governance and socio-political development of the nation and its citizenry," he said.
Read more at http://dailytrust.com.ng/news/news/buhari-s-budget-a-big-fraud-pdp/125597.html#52IC6zAzM7FGP1p5.99

Guinness sues NAFDAC over controversial N1bn fine

Guinness sues NAFDAC over controversial N1bn fine
By Ameh Comrade Godwin on December 22, 2015@dailypostngr
GuinnessGuinness Nigeria Plc has dragged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere over the N1b fine imposed on it by the agency.
The company prayed the court to henceforth stop NAFDAC from publicly discussing, analysing or providing any information to the media, whether print, electronic or in any other manner,” to suggest that the decision to sanction it was lawful.
Guinness, through its lawyer, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), claimed that NAFDAC did not afford it the opportunity of fair hearing as to the allegations that prompted the controversial fine.
NAFDAC had issued a letter dated November 9, 2015 on Guinness directing the company to pay N1bn “as administrative charges for various clandestine violations of NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time.”
The agency claimed that Guinness had been revalidating its expired products without the authorisation and supervision of NAFDAC.
Among other things, NAFDAC also accused Guinness of failing to secure the gate of its warehouse and claimed that “the raw materials used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages by the brewer were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity of the raw materials.”
However, Guiness had filed a fundamental right enforcement action, urging Justice W. Animahun to declare that its right to fair hearing under Section 36 (1) of the constitution was being violated by NAFDAC.
Sued alongside NAFDAC is the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The plaintiff urged the court to restrain the respondents, “whether by their agents, servants, officers and privies however from imposing any sanction on the applicant in any manner other than recognised by law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999

Deaf children have 95% chance of hearing – ENT expert

Deaf children have 95% chance of hearing – ENT expert
By Daily Post Staff on December 22, 2015@dailypostngr

imageProf. Milan Profant, an expert on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), on Tuesday said many children born deaf in Nigeria have 95 per cent chance of hearing.
Profant, Head of MED-EL, a visiting medical team from Austria that specialises in bone implant, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He spoke at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where his team performed a bone-bridge surgery for children with hearing defects.
Profant said that the hearing defects, whether congenital or accidental, could be corrected through implant surgery which was first carried out successfully in Africa on Dec.18.
“Bone-bridge is the world’s first active bone conduction implant.
“This bone conduction implant enables sound transmission directly to the inner ear by means of bone conduction, ’’ MED-EL said in its online publication.
Profant said that with bone-bridge, many children born with ear defects in Nigeria could have “a 95 per cent chance of hearing whether congenital or accidental.’’

“There is hope for the rehabilitation of children born with ear defects, they are normal people, the only problem is deafness.
“About 90 per cent of children born deaf are by parents who can hear and the parents cannot expect such a problem.
“The hope is that the problem can be solved.
“The cost of implant for Nigerian condition is about 20, 000 dollars (N3.94 million). It is not a price for a single procedure, but all,’’ he said.
Profant said that the surgery carried out in Lagos was successful.
He said that some doctors in Nigeria had been trained to continue with the rehabilitation process after the surgery.
Also speaking, a consultant audiologist to the group, Mr Vangeiwva Barnabas, said that the aim of the organisation was to bring treatment closer to the grassroots.
“It has become imperative to realise that the world is now a global village and there is need for us to partner with developed societies so that our people can benefit from their expertise.
“This can be done without travelling overseas; this brought the idea of the partnership with MED-EL with a team of top experts to share their procedures with us.
“This will reduce cost and make it affordable to most people in the middle class. Everything will be done in-house.
“ The operation at LASUTH is bone implant, it is the first in Nigeria, West Africa and in Sub-Saharan Africa, besides South Africa,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Mr Mohammed El Disouky, the Africa Development and Regional Manager of MED-EL, said, “Implant is for those people whose hearing aids are not working, especially children born deaf.’’
In his comments, LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Oke, said, “This surgery is the first of its kind.
“I must commend the organisation (MED- EL) that deemed it fit to have the operation done in LASUTH. The organisation came on its own volition.’’ (NAN)

Confess all your sins to Buhari before you are arrested – Sagay advises Jonathan

Confess all your sins to Buhari before you are arrested – Sagay advises Jonathan
By Esther Ogenyi on December 22, 2015
Prof-Itse-Sagay-360x225Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay SAN, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan to secretly confess all he knows about the scandalous $2bn arms deal, of which his name has been linked, to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Chairman told The Punch that if Jonathan go by the advice, he may be accorded the respect due to him by virtue of being a former President.
Sagay however pointed out that the case of the former President being arrested relating to the arms scandal is a “sensitive one”, adding that his concession of defeat to Buhari during the March 28 Presidential election does not make Jonathan a hero, as one good action could not correct several evil deeds.
According to him, “To start with, the great reputation he (Jonathan) seems to have is the fact that he admitted defeat. There are thousands of actions that are negative actions so I don’t think that we should overplay it.
“But on the issue of the former President going to prison, I agree that it is a bit touchy politically but the case of Jonathan is particularly bad if you see the manner with which the country’s resources and government coffers have been turned into a bazaar parlour where everyone goes to collect his own share. Just like Warri boys would ask, ‘You don obtain your own?’
“Everyone was going to ‘obtain’ under Jonathan. It was just bizarre but I understand that dealing with a former Head of State is always a sensitive issue but I would say he should have a private chat with President Muhammadu Buhari and say all that he knows and if there is anything he has to release, then he should release it and be allowed to go quietly into retirement,” he stated.

Ethno-religious crises, Boko Haram caused by failure of leadership – NLC President

Ethno-religious crises, Boko Haram caused by failure of leadership – NLC President
By Maina Maina on December 22, 2015@dailypostngr
AYUBAThe President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has said that past leaders of the country lost focus on how to overcome the challenges of “poverty and unemployment”.
He said the situation was responsible for the various ethno-religious crisis and Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
Wabba disclosed this yesterday while addressing workers at his grand reception organized by the Labour Movement in Borno State and the state government at the University of Maiduguri.
His words: “Failure to overcome these challenges will, however, continue to make all of us here in this hall and beyond to be lamenting, instead of moving the country forward.”
He said the country cannot have peace, until there was “social justice and equity” across the various segments of the nation.
This, he said will make the entire citizenry to have a sense of belonging, and contribute their respective quotas in the rebuilding and reformation of the country.
On transparency and accountability, the NLC President said: “The issue of transparency and good governance will also determine the full implementation of the ‘clamoured changes’ that President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressive Congress (APC) wanted to effect and sustain for better Nigeria among the comity of nations.”

Anambra Central: APGA jubilates as court bars Ekwunife, PDP

Anambra Central: APGA jubilates as court bars Ekwunife, PDP
By Emmanuel Uzodinma on December 22, 2015

There were jubilation in the camp of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, on Tuesday as fresh indications emerged that the Enugu Appeal court barred the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Senator Uche Ekwunife from taking part in the rerun.
The development has sent jitters down the camp of Ekwunife and the PDP.
With the development, Chief Victor Umeh of the APGA may be coasting home to victory as he would likely face less hurdles in the election. This is as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the election, Dr. Chris Ngige is now a serving minister and may not take part in the rerun.
DAILY POST recalls that although Ekwunife was declared winner, an Appeal Court sitting in Enugu voided the polls and ordered a rerun.
However, in a full text of the certified true copy of the Appeal Court judgment made available to journalists in Enugu yesterday, the court held that the 11th respondent (Ekwunife) “was not the product of a valid primary and was, therefore, not duly and legitimately nominated.
The court further held that such situation “has disqualified her from contesting the election into the Anambra Central senatorial District.”
The court cited Supreme Court ruling on Wambai Vs Donatus (2014) that “a person cannot be qualified to be a candidate of a party except and unless he is nominated and sponsored by a political party.
The court noted that neither Ekwunife nor the PDP led an evidence to prove that there was a primary and those who participated in such a primary where Ekwunife was elected.
Chairman of the Appeal panel Justice A.D. Yahaya who read the judgment said “after an election if a person wishes to challenge the result of the election on ground of nomination/pre election matter, he can legally do so before a tribunal under Section 138 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and it is wrong to hold that an election tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine such a matter.”
He, therefore, held that “nomination is part and parcel of qualification to stand for an election and since an election can be challenged on the grounds of lack of qualification, it follows that the appropriate forum to challenge it after the election is held is the Election Tribunal….”
The Court ruled that the tribunal was therefore patently wrong in its decision.
“It had completely misapprehended the case presented in that vein and that had coloured it’s vision, denying it the composure and dispassionate consideration of the case”, the court added.
It noted that once the tribunal held the opinion that the issue of nomination was an internal affair and not justiceable, denying it the jurisdiction to entertain the issue, it lost focus and that clearly was prejudicial to the interest of the appellants.
The court further held that “The decision arrived at was perverse and the right course of action is to set aside the decision.
“Consequently, the perverse decision which held that the 11th respondent had been properly and legitimately sponsored by the 12th respondent, must and is hereby set aside.
“In view of this, it is totally unnecessary to go into other issues raised for determination by the appellants, especially as we have set aside the judgment for being perverse. Nothing can be built on it.”
Speaking on the revelations of the detailed judgment Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA candidate in the election said, “the judgment has clearly removed Uche Ekwunife and the PDP from the next election” arguing that if one was not qualified to contest an election, the person cannot be qualified to be part of the re-run election.
“We have heard rumours that the PDP is planning to hold ward congress on January 7th and thereafter hold a primary on the 9th to nominate their candidate.
“So, it’s laughable because nomination for participation in this election ended in December 2014 and for that, withdrawal and substitution has also been concluded.”
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Ekwunife dismissed as laughable the claim that she had been disqualified from the election, noting that the enrolment order directed that fresh election should be conducted by INEC.
She noted that the constitution and the Electoral Act were clear on how a candidate for an election would be disqualified, explaining that nothing of such had sufficed in her case.
Ekwunife noted further that because of the absence of a valid party leadership in Anambra at the time of the primaries last December and following the court observation that she was a product of an invalid exercise, the PDP in Anambra had fixed January 9 for fresh primaries, observing that she was already prepared for the exercise.
She said, “I wonder why some people will start going through the entire body of the judgment and ignore the main issue which is the enrolment order that fresh election be conducted for all the candidates.
“It smacks of somebody who is jittery and not ready to face the popular judgment of the people. I will soon begin my campaign and Umeh is busy looking for what to blackmail me with.”
Ekwunife maintained that she beat Chief Umeh in the last election and as such will always beat him in any contest under platform of any political party because of her antecedents and popularity.
“I won’t join issues with Chief Victor Umeh whom obviously is still licking his wounds after I beat him silly in the last election. What concerns me at this moment is how to go into the election and win again so as to continue to represent my people at the senate and not to join issues with him or his pay masters.
“My victory at the last election was an act of God and as such, I am not seeing anything as an obstacle to my re-election as my people have absolute confidence in me and that is why they voted me in at the first polls. Umeh is obviously very jittery about the re-run election because he knows he is not electable and as such will be beaten again”, she maintained.
She called on her supporters and people of Anambra Central senatorial zone to disregard the speculations and allegations being made by her opponent and promised to continue to strive to guard the votes of the people in March next year re-election in the zone.

Our gods will punish those who collect David Mark’s rice without voting him – PDP

Our gods will punish those who collect David Mark’s rice without voting him – PDP chieftain
By Ameh Comrade Godwin on December 22, 2015@dailypostngr

david mark11A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sunday Ogebe has warned that anyone who collects anything from former Senate President, David Mark and refuses to vote for him will not go unpunished.
Ogebe, while addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday ahead of the forthcoming rerun in the senatorial district, said it was unfortunate that people were beginning to blame Mark over the under-development in the land, bearing in mind that he was not the state governor.
The party chieftain expressed disappointment that some persons were rejoicing over the invalidation of Mark’s election, forgetting the good thing he had done for the people of Zone C, particularly the Idoma natives.
“Anyone one who says our able leader, David Mark should be voted out is an enemy of Idoma community.
“A leader like Mark is not common. It is sad that we are chasing away a man who spent 16 years of his life representing the good people of our land at the senate.”
He recalled that, “after serving the nation in the military, the love Mark has for his fatherland made him to join politics.
“It is sad. I heard some people condemning him for distributing rice and other food items to his constituents. This is a man that is out of job at the moment. Anyone who collects his gift and refuses to vote him will not escape the punishment of alekwu (gods) of our land,” he added.


On whom to blame over the failure of the creation of Apa State, Ogebe said, “is Mark the only legislator? Can only him create state? We should stop all these unnecessary blames. Wait if any state is created and Apa State is not on the list. I can assure you that this man is doing underground works but people won’t see it,” Ogebe said.

Tunisia extends state of emergency for two months: govt official

Tunisia extends state of emergency for two months: govt official
By AFP on December 22, 2015 5:43 pm

Tunia MapTunisia extended for another two months Tuesday a state of emergency imposed after a deadly November bus bombing claimed by the Islamic State group, the presidency said.
President Beji Caid Essebsi has “decided on an extension of the state of emergency over all the territory” of the country “until February 21, 2016”, a statement said.
It had been due to expire on Wednesday. It was imposed on November 24 following a suicide attack in the capital that killed 12 presidential guards.
The measure gives authorities the power to prohibit strikes by workers and meetings that might stoke unrest, as well as to close entertainment venues and bars and to censor the press.
In addition to the state of emergency, the authorities also imposed a curfew on Tunis and closed the border with Libya, where investigators believe the attack was planned.
Both of those measures were lifted earlier this month.
Tunisia, the cradle of the Arab Spring uprisings, has been plagued by Islamist violence since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, with three IS-claimed attacks this year.
The earlier attacks — at the capital’s National Bardo Museum and on a hotel near the Mediterranean resort of Sousse — killed a total of 60 people, all but one of them foreign tourists.

Blatter to use ‘all legal steps’ to clear name – lawyers

Blatter to use ‘all legal steps’ to clear name – lawyers
By AFP on December 22, 2015 5:30 pm

Joseph Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter is ready to take “all legal steps” to clear his name after he was banned from football for eight years by a FIFA court over ethics violations, his lawyers said on Tuesday.
“President Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the appeal committee,” his Zurich-based lawyer Lorenz Erni and Virginia-based counsel Richard Cullen said in a joint statement.
After FIFA announced his suspension on Monday, Blatter held a defiant press conference in which he said he would first challenge the suspension at a FIFA appeals committee before going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), if necessary.
“President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to prevail on the remaining charges and clear his name,” his lawyers said.
Blatter was provisionally suspended in October after he became the target of a criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors over a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euros) payment he authorised to UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011.
Blatter and Platini were found guilty of a conflict of interest over that payment by FIFA judges.
Blatter has not hidden his desire to secure reinstatement in time for a FIFA congress on February 26, when his replacement will be elected.
But despite his impending appeals, Blatter’s chances of ever returning to FIFA may have suffered a fatal blow with Monday’s verdict

Over 650 people rescued from boats off Libya, body recovered

Over 650 people rescued from boats off Libya, body recovered
By AFP on December 22, 2015 6:25 pm
 
libya mapMore than 650 people have been plucked to safety in the Mediterranean and one body recovered, the Italian coastguard said Tuesday, as migrants continue to attempt the perilous crossing to Europe despite the winter weather.
The coastguard rescued 360 people from three rubber dinghies, while the Doctors Without Border’s boat Bourbon Argos picked up another 96 and 95 migrants from rickety vessels adrift off Libya.
The Italian navy said one of its vessels had rescued another 100 migrants and recovered a body.
More than one million migrants and refugees reached Europe this year, including over 970,000 who made the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.
A total of 3,692 migrants died or disappeared crossing the Mediterranean sea this year, the International Organization for Migration said.

Tariffs, Stops Fixed Charges

Tariffs, Stops Fixed Charges

22 Dec 2015
280415F-Sam-Amadi.jpg-280415F-Sam-Amadi.jpg

Dr. Sam Amadi
•Customers to pay for what they consume
•Amadi, others step down as govt keeps mum on replacements
Chineme Okafor in Abuja
 
 Going forward, electricity consumers in Nigeria would no longer pay the fixed charge included in monthly electricity bills issued by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country but will pay higher tariffs for electricity consumed, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said monday.
NERC said in Abuja that the new electricity tariff regime, which it approved over the weekend, has effectively removed the contentious fixed charges for all classes of electricity consumers in the country.
It explained that Discos would from the next billing period, not charge their customers monthly fixed charges under the new tariff regime.
It however approved a slight increase in energy tariffs for the different classes of consumers to be charged by the Discos.
The fixed charge is that component of the tariff that commits electricity consumers to paying an approved amount of money mostly on a monthly basis, irrespective of whether electricity is consumed during the billing period or not.
NERC said in a statement that under the new tariff regime, electricity consumers would now only pay for what they consume monthly (pay-as-you-consume).
Its chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said that the commission acted in good faith to both consumers and operators in line with its mandate to enthrone regulatory transparency in the country’s electricity market.
“This is good news for electricity consumers who have long asked for more just and fair pricing of electricity.
“The regulatory commission promised to address all the complaints against fixed charges through a regulatory process that promotes investments in the electricity industry without unfairly burdening electricity consumers.
“This is in line with NERC’s mandate to be fair in all its regulatory interventions,” he explained.
While acknowledging that electricity tariffs have been increased, Amadi said all electricity consumers – residential and commercial – would no longer pay fixed charges, so their total bills would reflect the electricity they consume and might be reduced when they conserve electricity.
“Consumers will no longer be spending money every month to pay for fixed charges even when they do not receive electricity in their homes and businesses.
“The objective of the new tariff is to enable prudent consumers to save money on electricity bills as they can now control their consumption and not pay the monthly fixed charges,” Amadi said.
Giving some insight into the new tariff structure, NERC disclosed that residential consumers classified as R2 under the Abuja Disco coverage area, would no longer pay N702 as fixed charge every month but their energy charge would increase by N9.60 per kilowatt/hour (Kwh).
Residential consumers under the same category covered by Eko and Ikeja Discos will no longer pay the N750 fixed charge but will see their tariffs increase by N10 and N8 per Kwh increases respectively.
Similarly, N800 and N750 fixed charges would be taken away from R2 consumers covered by Kaduna and Benin Discos respectively, but they will pay N11.05 and N9.26 per Kwh.
NERC also explained that the new tariffs would be reasonable for commercial consumers in the C2 category which paid N17,010 and N22,141 as fixed charges to Ibadan and Enugu Discos respectively. C2 consumers instead will see their energy charges increased by N12.08 and N13.35 per Kwh respectively.
The commission however asked consumers to look out for the full details of the new tariff regime, which it said would be published across board in line with its transparent operational model.
It added that the new regime comes with key performance benchmarks such as a renewed commitment by the Discos to rapidly improve the quantity and quality of electricity supply to consumers.
NERC noted that the commitment was included in the service level agreements they signed as part of the performance level agreements executed during the sale of the assets by the federal government.
According to the commission, the tariff order also encourages the Discos to develop new sources of supply within their franchise to increase the quantity and quality of supply to target customers on a willing buyer-willing seller basis.
It said it initiated these measures to improve electricity supply across Nigeria and ensure that the Discos work to increase investment that would ensure stability in power supply.
NERC equally said all Discos would have to meter all its customers, as the metering policy it signed into law would be strictly enforced.
“For those willing electricity customers who paid for meters under the Cash Advance Payment Metering Initiative (CAPMI) but are yet to be metered within the allowable 60 days, they would no longer be billed by the electricity distribution companies under the new tariff regime.
“The Discos will not disconnect them. There is zero tolerance for overbilling of customers. An unmetered customer who is disputing his estimated bill would not be expected to pay the disputed bill.
“He would pay his last undisputed bill as the contested bill goes through the dispute resolution process. This is a departure from the old practice which prescribed that customers should first settle the bill while the dispute resolution was in process,” added Amadi.   
He explained further: “The new tariff regime is the result of a transparent, rigorous and credible rate review process. The tariffs will lead to greater reliability in the provision of electricity.
“More people will progressively have access to the grid, more meters will be deployed and the need for self-generation would be gradually reduced.”
He also stated that NERC would not allow Discos to connect new customers without first metering them, adding that the measure would help close the wide metering gap of over 50 per cent and reduce high incidence of collection losses in the market.
 But as NERC announced the new tariff regime, the federal government monday failed to announce replacements for Amadi and his commissioners at NERC whose five-year tenure ends today.
Amadi; deputy chair, Muhammed Bello; Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Steven Adzinge; Commissioner for Finance, Mary Awolokun; Commissioner for Market Rates and Competition, Patrick Umeh; and Commissioner for Engineering, Safety and Standards, Abba Ibrahim, were appointed on December 22, 2010.
According to Section 35(5) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), all appointments and reappointments of commissioners for NERC shall be made before the expiration of the terms of office of the outgoing commissioners.
THISDAY’s attempt to confirm the position of the government on their replacements from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yielded no result, as the minister did not respond to a call and text message to his phone.

Buhari Presents N6.08tr 2016 Budget

Buhari Presents N6.08tr 2016 Budget

22 Dec 2015

Buhari

Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari this Tuesday presented N6.08 trillion as the 2016 budget proposal before the joint session of the National Assembly.
According to him, the budget which is designed to revive the economy, will be predicated on a rise of capital expenditure from N557 billion in 2015 to N1.8 trillion in 2016.
He also said the recurrent expenditure has been reduced from N2.57 trillion in 2015 to proposed N2.43 trillion in 2016 while N1.66 trillion is designed for foreign and domestic debt servicing. 

Buhari Presents N6.08tr 2016 Budget

Buhari Presents N6.08tr 2016 Budget

22 Dec 2015
Buhari

Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari this Tuesday presented N6.08 trillion as the 2016 budget proposal before the joint session of the National Assembly.
According to him, the budget which is designed to revive the economy, will be predicated on a rise of capital expenditure from N557 billion in 2015 to N1.8 trillion in 2016.
He also said the recurrent expenditure has been reduced from N2.57 trillion in 2015 to proposed N2.43 trillion in 2016 while N1.66 trillion is designed for foreign and domestic debt servicing. 

Kachikwu Deploys NNPC Staff in Fuel Stations, Oil Prices Hit New Lows

Kachikwu Deploys NNPC Staff in Fuel Stations, Oil Prices Hit New Lows

22 Dec 2015

 Ibe Kachikwu

•  FG blames Jonathan administration for  scarcity
•  Tax laws for review, president presents budget to NA tuesday
Omololu Ogunamde , Tobi Soniyi and Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency report
 
 In a bid to eradicate queues at fuel stations across the country, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has ordered the deployment of personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in filling stations across the country for effective monitoring of the distribution system.
Speaking at an emergency meeting with the senior staff of the corporation at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja yesterday, Kachikwu said though there were a number of challenges in the supply and distribution system that hamper efficient distribution of products across the country, it was time for NNPC to rise above the challenges by ensuring that the special intervention supplies are not diverted or hoarded.
A statement issued by NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe quoted the minister as stating: “This calls for effective monitoring of the supply system, especially at the end points, to ascertain that what is trucked out from the depots is delivered at the designated fuel stations and dispensed to the public in the most efficient manner.
“We need you to be out there to help achieve this; we can’t be at ease while Nigerians are going through so much pain to get fuel.”
He called on NNPC staff to volunteer for the monitoring exercise, adding that standing up to provide creative solutions to challenges was what the new NNPC was all about.
The minister also urged the staff to work towards achieving zero-queues at their respective stations as soon as possible, adding that they should be ready to sacrifice their Christmas break if need be.
Also speaking at the emergency meeting, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, Dr. Victor Adeniran, advised staff on monitoring duties to work closely with the Rapid Response Team by reporting any situation that required urgent intervention such as low stock, delayed arrival of trucks or any underhand dealings.
Adeniran said the Rapid Response Team is made up of staff of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and representatives of law enforcement agencies who can adequately handle any challenge, adding that so far about 200 trucks of the special intervention stock had arrived Abuja.
He called on the staff deployed for monitoring to be vigilant and ensure that petrol designated for their respective stations is delivered and dispensed to members of the public in a most efficient manner.
 In continuation of the special intervention fuel supply for the Yuletide season, another 567 trucks were dispatched nationwide yesterday, the corporation stated.
But as NNPC continued to grapple with measures to end the debilitating fuel queues nationwide, the Information Minister, Mr. Lai Mohammed, yesterday blamed the Goodluck Jonathan administration for the fuel shortage.
Addressing journalists at the conclusion of an emergency meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at which President Muhammadu Buhari presided, the minister said the inability of the past government to make provisions for the payment of subsidy for fuel was the cause of the queues at filling stations across the country.
When asked what he would tell Nigerians if they told him that this was not the “change” they voted for, he replied: “What I will be telling Nigerians is that what we met on the ground is such that we are paying for the sins of the last administration.
“I am being very serious. You remember that about two weeks ago, we had to go to the National Assembly for a supplementary budget of N674 billion. Of that figure, N522 billion was for the arrears of fuel subsidy which was incurred as far back as August last year.
“One of the reasons for the fuel scarcity was the inability of the last government to make adequate provisions for fuel subsidy.
“We do also face some other logistics problems but majorly we are paying for the sins of the last administration.”
He said, however, that the federal government was working on a solution to the supply gap.
“The first thing we have done now is to make sure that, unlike before when the marketers used to import the bulk of fuel, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has been involved in importation because some of the marketers stopped importing for a couple of months. If you see any fuel anywhere today, it is imported by the NNPC.
“We also inherited the vandalism of the pipelines which made it impossible for us to even transport the fuel. At the depots today, we have 14 days of reserves and outside the depots, we have 10 days of reserves.
“So the issue is not non-availability of the product, it is the distribution because of the pipelines that have been vandalised and the gridlock in Lagos.
“It takes about five days for anybody to load fuel with a tanker in Lagos. As at two days ago, this matter had been resolved,” he added.
 Mohammed said the Moisimi pipeline has been secured and was improving distribution.
He further revealed that FEC considered two major memos – one from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) – on the review of the extant taxation laws, in order to improve their legal framework and enhance compliance.
He said the memo was approved.
“We have noticed some inadequacies in the current tax regime and these inadequacies have been exploited by both individuals and corporate organisations to evade tax which has led to loss of revenue to the government. The review aims at plugging these loopholes,” he said.
The information minister said the second memo was presented by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, seeking approval for the 2016 budget, which was also approved.
“As you know the president will be presenting the budget before the National Assembly tomorrow (today) morning,” Mohammed said.
 Earlier, Udoma confirmed that the details of the budget would be made public after the president’s presentation today at 10 am.
He said: “Everything will be there in his budget address. The president will address a joint session of the National Assembly tomorrow.”
On the review of the tax laws, Udoma said the memo presented by the attorney general was basically looking at the policies behind taxation laws and to see where they could be strengthened.
When asked what the implication of a tax review would mean for the poor, he said: “It’s a little premature to talk about what exactly the review is all about. I’m sure they would be consulting very widely and definitely any review will not be aimed at those who can’t afford it. It would be aimed more at the affluent rather than the poor. It is a review to see whether there are any gaps.”
However, as FEC approved the 2016 budget yesterday, crude oil prices crashed yesterday to new lows, beating the 2008 global economic crisis prices and sank below an 11-year low after the US Congress voted to lift the ban on oil exports.
New data released yesterday revealed that the price of crude oil in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of 12 crude stood at $31.63 – an 11-year-low. The last time the OPEC basket stood at less than $32 was in April 2004, when it traded at $31.32.
Brent crude oil prices also fell to levels last seen in 2004, falling to $36.17 per barrel around 0500 GMT, with production around the world remaining at near record highs.
The prices are the weakest since 2004 and below the $36.20 low reached on Christmas eve 2008.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 33 cents at $34.40 per barrel and close to last Friday’s 2015 lows.
This comes only a few days after the US voted to lift a 40-year-old ban on crude exports, which could see some of its excess production sold on the global market.
Analysts say lifting of the ban would increase the already increasing oversupply of global crude and drive prices to new lows in 2016.
 With oil prices plunging to below $36 a barrel, this poses a threat to Nigeria’s 2016 budget estimate of $38 a barrel.
 Oil revenue accounts for 90 per cent of Nigeria’s export earnings and two-thirds of total revenue.
Meanwhile, ahead of today’s budget presentation by the president, the management of the National Assembly has shut down the entire complex.
Accordingly, it asked all of its non-essential personnel, banks, airline and telecoms organisations operating in the complex to stay away.
 Giving the order through a circular from his office, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, said the directive was meant to avert a rowdy atmosphere during the presentation.
The circular, signed by the Director, Personnel Management, Mamud Abubakar, on behalf of the clerk, said staff of the National Assembly in both chambers who are on essential duties as well as security personnel are however not affected by the directive.
 The circular warned against violation of the order, saying appropriate punishment would be meted to such persons.
Besides banks, telecoms firms and airlines, other organisations affected by the order are insurance companies, the National Open University Office (NOUN) and restaurants.
Security operatives took over the premises of the National Assembly yesterday evening, preparatory to the president’s presentation of the budget.
In addition, the red carpet from the main entrance into the White House where both the Senate and House of Representatives chambers are located was laid out.

Printer electrocuted on football pitch

Printer electrocuted on football pitch

Printer electrocuted on football pitch

He woke up hale and hearty last Sunday, but he died a few hours later on a football pitch.
Habeeb Sanni was electrocuted while trying to fix a canopy which he and his fellow players removed before their football game on a field in Ogba, Lagos.
Seven others suffered burns.
Sanni, popularly called Alfa, was confirmed dead at the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC) in Ikeja, where they were rushed to.
Sanni, a printer, was 28.
  
He was electrocuted when the canopy’s edge touched a high-tension wire as they were trying to mount it.
Solomon Ason, who played with the late Sanni, said members of a church rushed them to LASAEC.
He said: “When we got to the centre, he was confirmed dead. We have been playing on this pitch for over eight years and we haven’t witnessed this kind of incident. It is really painful. Alfa was very jovial. I don’t know when next we will be on the pitch because of this incident.”
His mother, Mrs Foluke Sanni, said the last time she spoke with him was on Saturday around 9pm.
She said he told her he would visit her on Sunday with his wife and child to celebrate his sister’s birthday.
“He said he had bought a cake for his sister because she must celebrate her birthday. That was the last discussion we had. It is still like a dream because since his father’s death, he has been my helper. He is young but he did so many things for us. He takes care of my mother, his sisters and their children.
“He always listened to me. It is still like a dream to me because we planned so many things together. He was my joy. Whenever my friends saw him, they were always amazed and kept asking if I trained him in Agege. He doesn’t smoke or drink. He didn’t have all the money in the world but we were content with whatever he gave us. I don’t even know what’s next. I didn’t even have any feeling. I still called his line that morning to ask him not to come late but there was no response.”
His wife, Nurat, said when he returned from the mosque that morning, he left for the field and promised to be back soon.
The 24-year-old mother of one said: “When it was 8.30am and he was yet to return, I became worried. I waited till 10am still I didn’t see him. I dialled his number several times but there was no response until my mother-in-law called me and said he was gone.
“We got married at a young age and were fond of each other. He hardly got angry. He promised to get a shop for me next year so that I will have something to do. I need help to start a business and cater for my daughter’s education and wellbeing. How long will I continue to be a burden on his mother? I miss my humble best friend. He wanted to achieve so many things so as to take care of his family. It is so unfortunate.”
The late Sanni’s close friend, Jamiu Onasanya, said they spoke on Saturday around 10pm, adding that they attended the same high school and have been like brothers since then.

Biafra: FG charges Kanu, 2 others with treasonable felony

Biafra: FG charges Kanu, 2 others with treasonable felony

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015 
• Brother raises alarm over safety of Radio Biafra founder
From Chidi Nnadi, Enugu and Okey Sampson, Aba
AS members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) jubilated last week over the news of the release of their leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Government has slammed a fresh charge of treasonable felony on the Radio Biafra Founder, who had been detained since three months ago.
The Federal Govern- ment had gone to a Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday to prefer six charges against Kanu, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
In the charge-sheet signed by the Director, Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed Saidu Diri, for the Attorney-General of the Federation and exclusively obtained by Daily Sun, Kanu and the two others were charged with treasonable felony which is punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Giving details, the charge-sheet read in part: “That you, Nnamdi Kanu and other unknown per- sons, now at large, at Lon- don, United Kingdom, between 2014 and September, 2015 with intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to force the President to change his measures of being the President of the Federation, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation as defined in Section 3 of the Consti- tution of the Federal Re- public of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by doing an act to wit: Broadcast on Radio Biafra your preparations for the states in the South- East geo-political zone, South-South geo-political zone, the Igala Community of Kogi State and the Idoma/Igede Community of Benue State to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form them- selves into a Republic of Biafra, and thereby committed an offence punish- able under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Fed- eration of Nigeria 2004.”
On count two of the charges, the federal authorities also accused the trio of managing an unlawful society.
Giving the particulars of the offence, the Attorney- General said: “That you, Nnamdi Kanu and others, now at large, between 2012 and September, 2015 at South-East geo-political zone and the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court manage an unlawful society with more than 10 members to wit: unregistered with the Corporate Affairs Commission or any other registration au- thority to wit. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) thereby committed an offence which is punishable under Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Kanu and the two others were also accused of concealing goods in a container that was holding goods of different descriptions, punishable under Section 47 (2)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, CAP 45 Laws of the Federation.
The particulars read: “That you, Nnamdi Kanu between the months of March and April, 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor town in Ihiala local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, a radio transmitter known as TRAM 5OL concealed in a container which you described as containing household items, which you so declared and that, you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 47(2) (a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.”
They were also accused on counts four and five of assisting in the management of unlawful society and unlawful possession of firearms respectively. Madubugwu was also charged with assisting in the management of unlawful society: “That you Benjamin Madubugwu in the month of April, 2015 at Ubulusiuzor town, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State of Nigeria within the juris- diction of this honourable court assisted in the man- agement of an unlawful society known as the In- digenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by doing an act to wit, accepted and kept in your residence a container housing a radio transmit- ter known as TRAM 50L, with knowledge that the said transmitter belongs to an unlawful society (known as IPOB) and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Earlier, while raising the alarm, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, told Daily Sun on phone that after the court released his elder brother unconditionally, IPOB members went to the DSS office to complete papers for his release, but that unfortunately, the DSS brought a document for Nnamdi Kanu to sign to the effect he would denounce the agitation for Biafra.
Prince Emmanuel dis- closed that based on the fact that the Abuja High Court granted his brother unconditional release, Nnamdi Kanu rdid not sign the document and the DSS refused to release him on the pretext they were coming up with a treason charge against the IPOB leader.

Akwa Ibom Assembly elects new speaker

Akwa Ibom Assembly elects new speaker

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015 
From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, yesterday, elected Mr. Onofiok Luke as its new Speaker following the sack of the Speaker, Mr. Aniekan Uko, by the Court of Appeal which nullified his election.
 Luke, a 35-year-old law practitioner, from Nsit Ubium state constituency was unanimously elected in an unusual meeting of the House, yesterday.
 Daily Sun learned that the House had to hurriedly elect a new speaker after it was rattled by the nullification of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s election by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja last Friday.
 Though the House usually meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it had not met for over a month due to what its spokesman, Mr Ime Okon, described as “distractions arising from the legal challenges” over the election of members.
 However, Okon told Daily Sun yesterday that the House had to meet to elect a substantive Speaker who would receive the governor today when he presents the 2016 appropriation to the House.
 He refuted claims that the rush to elect Luke, who the party had in June rejected as speaker, was connected with the fear that without a substantive speaker by the time the Supreme Court would dispense with Udom’s appeal, the state’s Chief Judge would take over as governor should the apex court affirm the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the matter.
 Ironically, Okon and Luke had squared up for the speakership position in June but the party brushed both of them aside and went for Uko, then a legislative neophyte.
 On why he did not contest the speakership this time round, Okon said: “There are so many intervening circumstances. For instance, the Peoples Democratic Party we all belong to has zoning arrangement.  Itu Federal Constituency, where I come from, already has a Senator.
“So going by the arrangement of the party, Onofiok should pick it up.
“He is qualified;  he’s a lawyer; a second time legislator and intelligent enough.
“You can only have one Speaker at a time. And during a period like this, we must play down primordial sentiments.”
We should allow the overall interest of the state to prevail,” Okon said.
 The new Speaker and the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Umana Okon Umana, are from the same local government area.

B’Haram: Jonathan’s govt bought arms with raw cash –Buhari

B’Haram: Jonathan’s govt bought arms with raw cash –Buhari

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015
From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, disclosed how former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration sought to procure arms to fight Boko Haram by simply stuffing dollars in suitcases.
He, however, disclosed that his administration was taking urgent and appropriate actions to restore order, due process and probity to the procurement processes of the Armed Forces.
He made the disclosure at a meeting with the British Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Michael Fallon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President regretted that procurement of equipment for Nigeria’s Armed Forces, which followed due process in the past, became open to corruption and shady deals under the last administration.
“They just put foreign ex- change in a briefcase and traveled to procure equipment for the military. That is why we have found ourselves in the crisis we are now facing,” he said.
Welcoming the offer by the British Government to assist Nigeria in defence procurements, intelligence gathering and training, Buhari restated his conviction that the inter- national community must collaborate more and work with greater unity of purpose to overcome global terrorism.
“Terrorism has become very sophisticated now. If developed nations can be at- tacked, and hundreds of lives lost, how much more devel- oping countries?
“In the West African sub- region, Nigeria is the main battleground of the Boko Haram insurgency. We have made a lot of progress against the terrorists, but we will welcome more assistance from our friends and the international community,” he said.
Earlier, Fallon said he was in the country to see what more Britain could do to sup- port Nigeria in battling terror- ism and violent extremism.

Buhari sacks Dan Abia, NDDC boss

Buhari sacks Dan Abia, NDDC boss

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015
•Seminitari is acting chairman

By Chinelo Obogo
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Managing Director and Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Bassey Dan Abia. He was replaced by Ibim Seminitari, who served as commissioner for information in the administration of Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate former governor of Rivers State. Seminitari will serve in Acting capacity.
Abia, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013. He served two terms as the representative of Akwa Ibom. Different corruption allegations have been levelled against the NDDC, which was created as a response to the demands of the people of Niger Delta.
Prior to his appointment, there was strong opposition to the choice of Abia, who was believed to have enjoyed the backing of Chief Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and the then chairman of the Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Responding to a petition which opponents sent to the Presidency, Abia said: “Those writing petitions against me should be bold enough to state clearly what they claim I did wrong, while serving on the NDDC board or shut up forever. My records are very clear and I am ready to defend them at any point in time.”

Again, DHQ alerts Nigerians on new B’Haram tactics terrorists

Again, DHQ alerts Nigerians on new B’Haram tactics terrorists

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015   National
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Defence Head Quarters (DHQ), yesterday alerted the public of yet another trick by Boko Haram  who now pretend to be in distress and cry for help to attract victims.
 The DHQ said members of the terrorist group who are now desperate, have devised some means where they use various tactics which include crying and feigning pains and shouting for help to attract sympathy from unsuspecting public.
 As soon as they get such help, according to the DHQ, “they would then detonate the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which they usually conceal under their clothes.”
Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Mohammed Rabe, who made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, linked the recent bombing in Damaturu, Yobe State in the same vein.
“Similarly, suicide bombers use monetary incentives and other inducements especially in crowded places to lure innocent citizens in order to cause colossal damage to both lives and property. Yola suicide incident is fresh in our memory,” he said.

Happening Now: President Buhari presents 2016 Budget

Happening Now: President Buhari presents 2016 Budget

By Our Reporter  on December 22, 2015   Breaking News, COVER, National.
President Muhammadu Buhari is presenting the 2016 national budget before a joint session of the National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives today, December 22.
The National Assembly complex has been locked down by presidential guards ahead of the presentation.
There are strong indications that lawmakers are ready to ensure that the 2016 Appropriation Bill gets speedy consideration and is passed into law.
Once the budget is presented today by the president, the Senate and the House of Representatives will go to their various chambers to commence work.
The arrangement is to present the bill for first reading today and tomorrow, the lawmakers will formally adjourn sitting till next year, when the bill would be presented for second reading and passed.
Thereafter, it will be referred to the appropriate committees on Finance, Budget, National Planning and Appropriation among others, which would make the job easy.
At this point, ministers, heads of parastatals, departments and agencies of government would be invited to defend their budget.
The budget presentation by Buhari is coming on the heels of the approval of Medium Term Framework Expenditure (MTEF) by the National Assembly. The Senate approved the MTEF last Wednesday.
The Federal Executive Council yesterday approved the final draft of the 2016 budget with an unprecedented capital vote of N2 trillion.
The 6.07 trillion Naira budget proposal for 2016 was predicated on $38 per barrel oil benchmark; 197 Naira exchange rate.
It is an increase of about 40 per cent from the previous budget of 4.357 trillion Naira which was presented to the National Assembly in 2014 by former president, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

N1.4trn fine: FG calls MTN’s bluff, says Dec 31 deadline subsists

N1.4trn fine: FG calls MTN’s bluff, says Dec 31 deadline subsists
 December 22, 2015 at 5:35 am in News 

By Prince Osuagwu, Emeka Aginam & Emmanuel Elebeke
LAGOS — The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would neither be cowed nor threatened by MTN’s court action against the N1.4trn fine which was later reduced to N780 billion, insisting that the telecommunications company risks another fine if it fails to pay on deadline.
Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, made the statement yesterday in reaction to the suit instituted by the telecom operator at a Lagos High Court, weekend.
The minister, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, however, admitted that MTN had the right to seek court’s interpretation if it feels unsatisfied with the action of the regulator but made it clear that nothing would stop the government from imposing additional fine on the operator, at the expiration of the deadline.
According to the minister, “it is the right of MTN to approach the court but there was an infraction, which MTN admitted to have committed before it pleaded for leniency that led to the reduction of the fine from N1.4 trillion to N780 billion and the subsequent December 31, 2015 deadline to  pay.
“If it has decided to go to court, it is still within the ambit of the law. I will not intervene, since they have gone to court, we will allow the court to decide if it is right for MTN to commit those infractions and breach the laws of the land.”
He, however, said that “it is unwise for MTN to go to court after the Federal Government had magnanimously reduced the fine. It will surely be fined for violating the rule at the expiration of the deadline, should it fail to pay the initial fine.”
Why we  are in court —MTN
Meanwhile, MTN, yesterday, also insisted that its action was induced by commitment and belief in the long term sustainability of its business.
According to the company’s Human Resources & Corporate Services Executive, Amina Oyagbola, “the N780 billion fine has potentially dire consequences for the company, its employees, partners, stakeholders as well as the entire Nigerian telecommunications industry.
Being a significant contributor in Nigeria, MTN has an obligation to protect the interests of its ecosystem of millions of Nigerians who are directly and indirectly affected by its business operations and continuity.
According to Oyagbola, “the decision to seek judicial determination was reached after careful consideration of all factors, including extensive attempts at a sustainable resolution. It is important to state that seeking judicial determination was a last resort. We hold the Nigerian Government, its national objectives, laws and regulations in the highest regard.”
She, however, added that notwithstanding the action, the company will continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities in an effort to reach an amicable resolution in the interest of all stakeholders.
The NCC sanctioned MTN for refusing to remove over 5.1 million unregistered telephone subscribers from its network.
The regulator fined the telecoms operator N1.04 trillion, but later reduced it by 25 per cent after the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, amid pressure and negotiations from the company’s parent body in South Africa.
The NCC also reviewed the deadline from November 16 to December 31, 2015.
Ahead of that date, the MTN Group, last Thursday, said in a statement from Johannesburg, South Africa, that it was taking legal action over the matter and subsequently filed the suit at the weekend, lining up about six Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs.
According to the firm, since its previous advice to its shareholders on December 4, 2015 that all factors relating to the sanctions were thoroughly and carefully considered, including a review of the circumstances that led to the fine and subsequent reduction by NCC, there were enough grounds upon which to challenge the fine in court.
Claiming to act on legal advice, MTN queried the manner the fine was imposed, describing it as “not in accordance with the NCC’s powers