Friday 28 April 2017

I warned Jonathan about northern conspiracy –David Mark


 The last has certainly not be heard on the behind the scene forces, intrigues, conspiracy and betrayals that characterised  the 2015 presidential election and cost then incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan his second term bid.
Former Senate president David Mark alleged that a northern conspiracy worked against Jonathan.
Mark, a retired army general was quoted in a book, “Against the Run of Play: How an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria” by chairman of ThisDay Board of Editors, that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intentionally provided the president with unrealistic voting projections in the north.
“I saw it and at different times, I pointed out to him and the party that the projections being made by some people around the president about what the voting pattern in the north would be were wrong.
“I could see the conspiracy and the gang-up building up in the north against the aspiration of Jonathan but my voice was drowned out by those who took it for granted that a sitting president, and one from PDP, could not lose.
“Some people were deceiving the president with the kind of false scenarios they were painting for him. The VP could see the conspiracy but I don’t know how much influence he had on the campaign. Why Jonathan couldn’t see it until it was too late is what I find difficult to understand,” the book quoted Mark as saying.
Similarly, more facts have emerged on forces that convinced Jonathan to call Muhammadu Buhari and concede victory even before the last result was released.
The trio of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke , his then Aviation counterpart, Mr Osita Chidoka and Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs,  Mr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa reportedly prevailed on him to conceded victory and congratulate Buhari.
“The drama unfolding at The Villa on 31st March 2015, four days after the presidential election, would have profound implications for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the nation he led. Kneeling in front of Jonathan were his Attorney General and Justice Minister, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; Aviation Minister, Mr Osita Chidoka and Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs, Mr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa.
“The mission of the three officials was to persuade Jonathan to call to congratulate his opponent, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even as the final results were still being collated  by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the room, according to  the book, were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Chidoka had co-opted Adoke and Dudafa to make the plea after a conversation he had with Jonathan the previous day. The president had acknowledged that the results were going against him and that he was going to concede. This was at a period when Nigerians were unsure of who would win, with many politicians within the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still betting on Jonathan. He, meanwhile, had already asked Chidoka and a few others, including his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, to give him a draft concession speech.”
The pervading atmosphere at the Aso Villa, the book said, was gloomy even as it disclosed that most residents of the seat of power believed that then INEC chairman, Prof, Athahiru Jega  had conspired to rig Jonathan out of power.
“The general feeling within The Villa, a view fervently shared by Jonathan, was that the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, was part of a northern conspiracy against him.
“Among the strongest arguments for a potentially rigged election were the results from Kano State. Jonathan himself admitted as much to me in the course of our lengthy chat, saying, “Go and check the results from Kano. The presidential election and that of National Assembly happened on the same day and same time. The National Assembly result reflected that about 800,000 people voted but that of the presidential reflected a vote of about 1.8 million. I had reports of what happened but I decided that for such to be accepted, it meant that  those who called themselves my supporters must have colluded. I was betrayed by the very people I relied on to win the election.”
However, while Jonathan had resolved to accept the outcome of the election, the book claimed that some people close to him made effort to prevent him from conceding defeat.
“There were many around Jonathan who did not share his sense of magnanimity. Tuesday, 31st March 2015 was therefore a dramatic day, with the abortive attempt by the Niger Delta Minister and ally of the president, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to disrupt proceedings at the INEC collation centre, a spectacle that unfolded on live television.”
Orubebe’s histrionics were part of a grand plan to disrupt the election, a plot that failed essentially because other parties involved refused to play to the script.
“While Jega did not have the exact details of what would happen, he had nonetheless been alerted to the fact that there would be a disruption in the process, including a kidnap threat.
“On arrival at the collation centre that morning, we discovered that the gate between the International Conference Centre and NICON Luxury Hotel, which was always locked, had curiously been opened,” recalled a security officer detailed to work with Jega. A decision was immediate taken for the INEC chairman not to leave the collation hall under any circumstances.
“Jega’s handlers proposed a live television feed of the electoral commission’s activities so that whatever happened, the whole world would witness it. In the security official’s narration: “Of course, Jega is usually a calm person, but given what he already knew, there was no way he was going to (take) the bait of Orubebe who kept shouting, ‘Jega, go to your office!’ We knew what the whole plan was about and had resolved not to play into their hands.”
Meanwhile, at The Villa, the drama was also being watched on television. While the outcome must have deflated the hawks around Jonathan who were still looking for a way out of the looming defeat, it worked in favour of those who wanted him to concede before the final tally of the results.
With Orubebe’s antics dealt with by Jega, INEC continued to process the results from the remaining states.
Chidoka pleaded: “Why don’t you take the wind off Jega’s sail? By calling Buhari, you would have rendered whatever INEC is doing redundant.”
At one point, Dudafa stood still and said loudly to Jonathan, “Daddy, anybody can say whatever they like but we are leaving this house on May 29. You have done your best for Nigeria and the people will appreciate your sacrifices.”
Shortly thereafter, Jonathan got up from his seat and went into his study where he picked up the phone and asked ‘Control’! to get Buhari on the line. He spoke briefly with “Buhari, in a rather nervous tone, and then came out to announce to those in the room that he had conceded and congratulated the APC candidate on his victory.





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Thursday 27 April 2017

“You this Hausa boy!”: How Patience Jonathan accused me of plotting against her husband – Gov Tambuwal



Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has said former First Lady, Patience Jonathan accused him of plotting to remove her husband from power in 2012.

Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives disclosed in a book written by the Chairman ThisDay Board of Editors, Olusegun Adeniyi.

Tambuwal told Adeniyi that the former First Lady accused him of nursing an agenda against the then Jonathan’s government.

Adeniyi wrote, “The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was at the wheel of driving himself to a friend’s house on an April night in 2012 when his mobile phone rang.”

According to Tambuwal, having Known who was on the other end of the line, he picked up the call but the “greetings were not warm, an indication that all was not well.”


Adeniyi narrated that the woman handed over the phone to Patience Jonathan.

“On the line this time was an unmistakable voice,” he said.

In the book, Tambuwal quoted Patience Jonathan as telling him, “You this Hausa boy… you want to bring down the government of my husband; you want to disgrace him out of power? Una no fit! God no go allow you.”

Tambuwal also said he didn’t reply the former first lady.

“Asked whether he said anything in reply while the vituperation lasted, Tambuwal said, ‘What do you want me to say to the wife of the President? I just kept quiet and allowed her to vent her anger on me.

“After a while she paused and I asked, ‘Are you done MA? Thank you very much’ and I dropped the call,” Tambuwal said.







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Kaduna schools record over two million pupil intake : Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai




Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, has revealed that the state recently recorded a very significant increase in pupil enrollment in its public primary schools following government’s full implementation of the Universal Basic Education policy.
He said his administration had also renewed drive to provide improved learning facilities in the state, disclosing that from the one million figures recorded in 2015, total primary school enrollment in Kaduna State now stands at 2.1 million.
This was one of the various achievements listed by the governor during his courtesy call on the executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, in Abuja.
Governor el-Rufai, together with the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Andrew Nok, highlighted other achievements of his administration to include the allocation of 35 per cent of the state’s budget to the education sector and renovation of 608 out of the total of the 4,200 primary schools in the state.
He also spoke of a plan to maximise the use of available school space by constructing multi-storey structures in the existing schools, establishment of model schools across the state and other interventions towards improving basic education, especially the improvement of teachers’ quality.
Governor el-Rufai indicated that soon, schools in Kaduna State would have whiteboards instead of the usual blackboards.
The executive secretary, in his response, noted the  strides recorded in UBE delivery in Kaduna State, particularly increased access to basic education, systematic approach to improving school infrastructure and the state’s commitment to quality UBE service delivery.
He urged the state government to continue to exemplify leadership in this direction, noting that Kaduna is known to be the regional capital not only in politics, but also in other human endeavors.
He also pledged UBEC’s continued support to the state within its operational mandates.





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NDLEA intercepts police hilux van loaded with Indian hemp in Kano


 Operatives of the Nigeria Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a suspected police van loaded with over 700 tonnes of India hemp worth millions of naira in Kano state yesterday April 26th.

Commander of the NDLEA in Kano, Hamza Umar, who disclosed this to newsmen at a press briefing in the state yesterday, said the driver and one other person arrested with the hilux car were dressed in police uniforms.

The hilux van with private number Pilot 1 had departed from Edo state and was heading to Yobe state but was however intercepted.

“Our men intercepted the vehicle, which was typical of security utility vehicles. The two suspects arrested were found in police uniforms but after interrogation, they confessed the uniforms were gotten to disguise as policemen to evade search at police checkpoint. I am sure if anybody sees them in this vehicle and the security uniform, nobody will dare to stop them. But from intelligence gathering, we were able to detect and arrest them. Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the sponsors of the drug suspects,” he said. One of the suspects who spoke to newsmen, said he got the police uniform from a serving police officer in Port Harcourt “We use to carry the Indian helm once every month from Edo to Yobe. The last trip I went, they paid me N150,000 and this tour I was promised to paid N200,000” he said





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President Buhari Not Harassing Ex-President Jonathan's Family; He Only Allows The Law To Take Its Course - Presidency




The Presidency is constrained to respond to the banner headline story in a national newspaper of Wednesday, April 26, entitled: BUHARI'S GOVT HARASSING MY FAMILY, SAYS JONATHAN.
The paper said former President Goodluck Jonathan made the allegation in a new book, "Against The Run of Play", written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.
The former president also reportedly disagreed with the style being used by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting corruption.
We make bold to state unequivocally that President Buhari harasses nobody; he merely allows the law to take its course. For the umpteenth time, we say that anybody without skeleton in his or her cupboard, has nothing to fear about the bared fangs of the anti-corruption initiative. Fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office.
Anybody who feels aggrieved is free to approach the courts to seek redress or justice. President Buhari believes in the rule of law and that is why his campaign against corruption is anchored on that plank.
With regard to President Buhari's anti-graft style, which the former president deprecates, given the scale of revelations and recoveries so far by the anti-corruption agencies, it is obvious that corruption had an uninhibited course during our recent past. In any case, time will give the verdict on whose style of fighting corruption ultimately yielded the most dividends.
For now, President Buhari is resolute and single-minded in the fact that his crusade against graft is not targeted at any individual or group. He firmly believes that national interest must always be placed above personal interest, no matter who is involved.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)




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World Malaria Day: Bauchi Intensifies Fight Against Malaria



The Bauchi state government under the leadership of Gov. M. A. Abubakar is aggressively implementing her plan to roll back malaria in the state. This was disclosed recently by Alh. Abubakar Usman Misau, the Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA). He made the disclosure at a joint public lecture organised by BACATMA and Evidence for Action (E4A)
Alhaji Misau also mentioned that an intensive distribution of anti-malaria drugs, mosquito treated nets and other critical medical consumables needed in the fight against malaria have been distributed throughout the state, with a special focus on vulnerable groups like women and children.
Breaking down the figures, the BACATMA scribe revealed that a total of 333,400 long lasting insecticide treated nets; 1,519,688 dosages of ACT Anti-malaria drugs, 1,034,260 RTD malaria diagnosis kits among others have been distributed. He added that health workers have also been trained and deployed in the state to meet growing health challenges.
Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar
SA Communications to His Excellency the Governor of Bauchi State





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CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme loan: Kebbi Government Recovers N1b




The Kebbi Government says it has recovered close to N1 billion of the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme loan from 78,500 farmers.
The State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, made the disclosure to newsmen in Bagudo on Wednesday.
He said the government had taken steps to fully recover the loan from all the beneficiaries.
The government had threatened to prosecute 11,541 farmers who took the loan for rice production in Suru Local Government Area, but failed to pay back.
“We have to take steps to ensure that we prosecute whoever fails to repay his or her loan.
“There is no way you can take loan from the bank and refuse to pay back after undertaking to abide by the agreed terms on the loan,” he said.
Yombe said the state government was not using the judiciary to coerce and humiliate people, but to ensure that the agreement on the loan was adhered to.
“We are not here to make people angry or incarcerate them.
”Rather, we as the intermediary, want to ensure adherence to the agreement entered into between our farmers and the CBN,” he said.
The deputy governor promised that the state government would sustain the anchor borrower programme, in spite of the current challenges of non repayment by beneficiaries.




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Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai gets Brazilian highest military honour



Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, was on Tuesday, April 25, conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, in Brasilia, Brazil.
The Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, which is the highest military honour, is awarded to those military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours. Lieutenant General Buratai is one of the few foreign dignitaries to be so honoured with such an award by the country.
In a release issued by Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, the award and its presentation to Gen. Buratai, was based on the approval of President Michel Temer, on the recommendation of the Brazilian Army Commander, General Eduardo Villas Boas.
According to citation at the occassion, the award was in recognition of his exemplary and world’s recognized leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Governor Kaduna State: It’s not compulsory for Buhari to preside at FEC meeting



Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday said it is not compulsory for President Muhammadu Buhari to preside over the Federal Executive Council meeting. 
The governor briefed newsmen after the second meeting between the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the 24 governors, which was held yesterday. 
He said, “That is why our constitution makes provision for a vice president. Mr President is 70 something years old. And it is usual at that age, as I have said, to have one medical challenge or the other. 
“Even I, at 57, take medication for one ailment or the other. Our prayer is that the president gets better and well. But the reason why he has the vice president is precisely for this reason. It may not be because he has any medical challenge that he didn’t attend FEC meeting. He may have other pressing matters to attend to.
“I have not chaired every State Executive Council meeting even when I’m in Kaduna because the deputy governor is there. We are not worried yet. We have no concern to be worried. But we ask Nigerians to join all of us in praying for the president’s improved health. It has improved in the last few weeks, since he came back. And we will continue to pray for the improvement of his health.”





 DAILY TRUST


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Jega, Senator tackle Jonathan over claims in book


Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan came under attacks yesterday over his claims in Against the Run of Play, a book by ThisDay Editorial Board Chairman Olusegun Adeniyi.
Jonathan, in the book, accused immediate past Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega of disappointing him.
Jega’s Special Assistant, Prof Mohammed Kuna, disagreed with Jonathan’s belief that the wide margin between the presidential election and National Assembly results in Kano State was a reflection of a flawed election.
The former President said it was strange that the state recorded 1.8 million votes in the presidential poll and 800,000 in the National Assembly election on the same day.
But Prof Kuna, in a section of the book, said: “There is nothing particularly special about the Kano result; it is a general trend as many votes were more interested in the presidential election than in other elections. That was what happened across the country and you can go and do the tabulation.”
He said the introduction of the card reader made it difficult to manipulate elections and inflate results.
“There is nothing particularly special about the Kano result; it is a general trend as many voters were more interested in the presidential election than in other elections. That was what happened across the country and you can go and do the tabulation.
“With the card reader, it is no longer possible to return results that are higher than the accredited voters. If you analyse the results nationally, you will discover the same trend.”
Also yesterday, a source close to the former INEC chief dismissed Jonathan’s claim that Jega’s behaviour changed few days into the 2015 elections.
According to the source, the former President must have been misadvised to make such claims, pointing out that Jega, being a principled and disciplined personality, could not have been arm-twisted on the conduct of the polls adjudged as by local international overs as reflecting the wishes and aspirations of the electorate.
Senator Abubakar Girei urged the former President to stop blaming anybody for his defeat in the 2015 presidential election, saying that, Jonathan dug his own grave.
Senator Girei, who represented Adamawa Central Senatorial zone between 1999 to 2003 under the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), noted that it was uncharitable of Jonathan to blame his defeat on local and international leaders who have seen through his foolery and decided to ditch him in the interest of Nigeria and their respective countries.
Girei, now a staunch member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in a statement issued in Kaduna, also faulted former military governor of Kaduna State, Col Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, for tongue lashing the government for alleged disrespect for Jonathan.
Girei said:  “The likes of Col. Dangiwa Umar and their pay masters cannot save him (Jonathan) and his cohort from paying for sins sooner than later.
“GEJ and his cohorts should bury themselves in shame as the nation awaits their eventual prosecution and imprisonment.
“They must pay for their sins, especially for the thousands of our people in the Northeast who lost their lives and over two million others displaced from their homes for more than five years now.
“GEJ said it without mincing words that he did not concede defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari for patriotic, nationalistic or even Godly reasons but purely because all the tactics and strategies employed by his clueless self and his greedy co-travellers could not work.
“I am compelled to respond to GEJ’s widely reported remarks in the papers today (yesterday), that the cat is now out of the bag is no news, what makes the news juicier is that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) let the cat out of the bag by himself.”







THE NATION


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Police Recover N18mn, $19,000 In Senator Goje’s House, Says 2017 Budget Not Seized


 • Search Warrant Executed in Senator Danjuma Goje House has Nothing to do with 2017 Budget

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to reports in the media credited to Senator Danjuma Abdullahi Goje captioned “Blame the Police if 2017 Budget is not Ready Senator Goje” “REPS gives Police 24 hours to return budget documents allegedly carted from Goje’s residence”
2. The report in its entirety is false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians about the statutory roles and duties of the Nigeria Police Force as provided under Sections 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations, which includes prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations, and authority to enter any house or premises to execute search warrant.
3. It is pertinent to set the record straight and inform Nigerians of the facts of the matter. A search warrant duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja which was subsequent upon intelligence report at the disposal of the Force that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.
4. It is worthy of note that on arrival of the Police team to Senator Danujma Goje’s house, the house keeper Ango Usman informed the Senator of the presence and mission of the team and he promised coming but later switched off his phone.
5. The search warrant was successfully executed in the presence of three (3) close relatives of Senator Danjuma Goje who are residing in the house and the recoveries were made in their presence. The three (3) relatives listed below opened the house and took the Police team round the building, and endorsed their signatures after the completion of the search as required by the procedure of law on search warrant which contained the money, documents and Laptop recovered, and none of the items include 2017 budget document. This is available for inspection by any interested members of the public
(i) Danjuma Mohammed, a master Degree holder from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor is a nephew to Senator Danjuma Goje.
(ii) Ango Usman, House keeper to Senator Danjuma Goje .
(iii) Aisha Umar, Alias Iklima a step daughter to the Senator Danjuma Goje.
6. For avoidance of doubt, the followings are the sum of money both in local and foreign currencies, vital documents and a Laptop recovered for investigation when the search warrant was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje
i. Cash sum of Eighteen Million and Fifty Six Thousand Naira (₦18,056,000) only
ii. Cash sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty (19,850 US Dollars).
iii. Cash sum of Nine Thousand Four Hundred (SR9, 400) Saudi Riyal
iv. Thirty Eight (38) Files and Six (6) Envelopes containing documents, some of which are listed below
a. File on funds spent on security administration and information gathering– a-g - 2009
b. File on release of funds for Special operations a- f - 2009
c. File on Gombe State Government of Nigeria Cash inflow 2005
d. File on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – Strategies and Tactics
e. Envelopes containing permit to operate as an Oil Industry Service Company (special categories) 2011
f. A File containing write-ups on how Governor Shekarau plotted the assassination of Sheikh Jafaru
g. Letters from Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe) to the MD LUBELL Nigeria Ltd of proposed residential Devt at Kashere Phase II dated 16/01/2007 and 19/11/2010.
7. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant. There is video recording of the execution of the search warrant.
8. The Inspector General of Police honoured the invitation of the National Assembly on 26th April, 2017 to explain the legality of the search warrant that was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje on the 20th of April, 2017.
9. Further investigation is currently ongoing into the matter. Police actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
10. The Nigeria Police Force sees the report in the media credited to Senator Danjuma Goje as a deliberate distraction to cast aspersion on Police investigation to pervert the end of justice.
11. Members of the public are hereby implored to disregards the report as the search warrant which was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje has nothing to do with 2017 budget.
CSP Jimoh O Moshood
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA





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Wednesday 26 April 2017

Shiites members stage protest in Abuja, demand for the immediate release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky


 Some concerned Nigerians staged a protest at the Unity Fountain Abuja demanding for the immediate release of the Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria aka Shiites, who has been in military detention since December 2015 following a clash between members of the Islamic group and the Nigerian Army.



The protesting members are demanding that the Federal government obey a Federal High Court ruling on December 2nd 2016 that ordered the immediate release of El-Zakzaky and his wife Malamatu Zeatudden. The court had ordered that El-Zakzaky and his wife be released within 45 days of the ruling. Five months down the line, they are still in custody. 











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Kano zoological garden obtains new animal species




The Kano State Zoological Garden, has added Zebra, Crocodile, Impala to its stock of animals at its zoo in Kano to attract more visitors, its Director, Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi, has said.
The injection of the new species of the animals is part of efforts to modernize the zoo, Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Wednesday.
He said that the animals were obtained from Bauchi and efforts would continue in raising the standard of the zoological garden to what obtain anywhere in the world.
The director N1.4 million has been spent on drugs, guns and sanitization of the garden, while three pavilions with the capacity to contain 500 to 800 visitors, had been created.
Abdullahi said that 85 rangers working at the facility had been promoted, to encourage them to be part of the modernisation process of the zoo.





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Lai Mohammed explains Buhari's absence at FEC meeting



The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday said President was absent at the day’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting because he has opted to work from home.
He said the President has already called for files requiring his attention to be moved to his official residence.
The minister said: “We just concluded the Federal Executive Council meeting, I’m sure you noticed that the President was not there. He was not there because he asked that he be allowed to rest and asked the vice president to preside.
“And he will be working from home. He has asked all his files to be taken to him in the house. He will be working from home today.”
Mohammed added that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will visit the President at home later in the day.
It would be recalled that President Buhari was also absent at the last FEC meeting held two weeks in Abuja.
Wednesday’s meeting, which lasted about two hours, was chaired by Osinbajo.
At the end of the meeting, the minister told State House correspondents that the President needed to rest and had directed the vice president to preside over the meeting.










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Four burnt to death in Nasarawa auto accident



No fewer than four persons were burnt to death  in a tragic accident involving a fire-fighting truck and a J5 commercial bus along Jos road, opposite PDP state secretariat, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

It was gathered that several other people were injured in the accident.
The accident which took place, on Tuesday night, at about 8:24p.m  was alleged to have been caused by a break failure from the fire fighting vehicle.
Those said to be involve in the gory accident are suspected to be traders who were returning from a village market into Lafia.
According to eyewitness account, it was gathered that the accident resulted from the fire service vehicle alleged to have lost control and run into the J5 bus which was on its lane.
One Salisu Abubakar, who witnessed the accident, said he was 300 meters away from the scene, adding that it was difficult for people to rescue the victims.
He said that they had to use axes to force open the doors of the J5 already in flames. He maintained that the rescue efforts only succeeded in pulling out two persons who were already burnt to death while others were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
When contacted, Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC),  Mrs. Fustina Alegbe, said the accident was not formally reported to the commission as she got  wind of the news like any other person in town.
She, however, said that her agency was on top of the situation, saying she already detailed her personnel to investigate the cause of the accident.
However, the Nasarawa State Police command spokesman, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the accident.

DAILY SUN





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2017 budget documents, items missing – Goje




Senator Danjuma Goje on Wednesday told the Senate that the 2017 budget documents, including 18 files, laptop and others have been declared missing.
According to him, the documents and items were stolen by the police.
Details later…



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UNICEF partners Katsina on health sensitization



The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with Katsina state government, through the Primary Health Care Development Agency to expand the existing Viewer Listeners Club (VLC), a community participation program aimed at educating and sensitizing communities on health best practices.
Speaking at the distribution of media equipment ahead of the commencement of the expanded programme in Katsina, the state Health Educator, Binta Hussain said the tremendous impact recorded from the program had led to its expansion from nine to 48 VLC across 12 local government areas of the state.
She said the main thrust of the program was to generate information, promote local knowledge and encourage information sharing, especially to benefit communities with limited access to the media.
In his remarks, UNICEF representative at the meeting, Anson Zwan , said partnership with the media was a vital tool towards reaching the communities for greater impact especially with regards to behavioral change on best health practices.






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Vice President Osinbajo met with Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff, General Abu Belal Muhammad at the State House in Abuja.




Minister of Mining and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi toured mining sites in Ebonyi State.
Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) commenced Capacity Building Workshop on Drafting Charges for State Prosecutors in Enugu State.
Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) Released the 60-Day National Action Plan Report Card on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) organized Media Orientation Session on meningitis.
Ministry of Petroleum Resources held its monthly Governance Meeting.
Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) held Template Workshop on the 2015 Oil and Gas industry audit in Lagos.
World Bank issued a statement applauding Minister of Power, Work, and Housing, Tunde Fashola's Power Sector Recovery Plan.
Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. General T.Y Buratai arrived Brazilian Army Headquarters in Brasilia.
Interim Management Team for Bank of Agriculture inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh in Abuja.
INFORMATION: Transport Minister, Chibuike Amaechi will on April 28, 2017, flag off the dredging of the 162km Ajaokuta-Onitsha Waterway.
INFORMATION: Office of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is now on





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Kebbi State Government Commences Free Medical Camp In Collaboration With 60 Foreign & Nigerian Medical Professionals




The Kebbi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commenced a three-week long free medical mission from the 23rd of April, 2017 at the new world class Kebbi Medical Centre (KMC) Kalgo & Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi.
The mission is a collaboration between over 60 experienced medical specialists from the USA based Moses Lake Medical Team, Pro-health International, the Nigerian medical Association and the Kebbi State Ministry of Health.
KMC is a state of the art N3.9B investment that had hitherto become a white elephant which the Bagudu administration has taken the bold step opening to the people of Kebbi and environs. The hospital will be formally commisioned later in the year.
The team consists of the following specialists General Surgery, Ear Nose & Throat (ENT), Dentistry, Opthalmology, Internal medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology amongst others.
Governor Bagudu reiterated the importance of good health practices, preventative medicine and access to good healthcare towards the social and economic development of the people of Kebbi State during his visit to the hospital on the 24th of April, 2017. He appreciated the medical team for their contributions and having the confidence to return to Kebbi for a second time within one year.
HRH the Emir of Gwandu, Iliyasu Bashar also visited the hospital where he interacted with doctors and patients. He appreciated the doctors for making time out to volunteer. The traditional ruler of Kalgo said that it was a welcome development as over 100 unemployed youth around the area are now occupied with work within the hospital.
The organising committee has recieved valuable input from experienced senior doctors from the state like Professor B.B. Shehu a renowned neurosurgeon. The hospitals areas of concentration will be Orthopaedics, Cancer care, Dialysis, and Cardiology.
This is the second time the team will be in Kebbi State. 20,235 patients were treated free during their earlier visit in October last year.
Aisha Augie-Kuta
Office of the SSA New Media
Kebbi State
























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Gov. M.A Abubakar to Build 5000 Capacity Hall at NYSC Camp Wailo



In line with his drive to ensure all corps members posted to the state are made as comfortable as possible, Gov. M. A. Abubakar has approved the construction of a 5000 capacity multipurpose hall at the State’s permanent NYSC orientation camp in Wailo. The Governor made this known at the opening of the 2017 pre-orientation course held by NYSC in the state.
Gov. Mohammed Abubakar also used the opportunity to assure all Corps members posted to the state of improved welfare, security and safety during their service year. He reiterated his support for the scheme saying the NYSC remains a critical vehicle for fostering unity and integration.
He charged those calling for the abolition the scheme to have a rethink that was the only remaining national programme that truly allow the youth to have a better understanding and appreciation of the greatness that abound in the nation’s diversity.
It will be recalled that it was the effort of the administration of Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar from 2015 of providing improved security by constructing the perimeter fencing and building of four hostels accommodation and modern kitchen at State NYSC permanent orientation camp in Wailo that led to resumption of the orientation exercise which was conducted in Plateau State for some years.
Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar
SA Communications to His Excellency the Governor of Bauchi State
26/04/2017











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No looter will go scot free, Buhari vows





President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that no corrupt leader, whether past or current, would go unpunished no matter how highly placed.
He said anyone found to have illegally obtained monies meant for the good of Nigerians would not be spared as the anti-corruption agencies has been repositioned to undertake the legal battle against them.
Mr President who stated this at the “Summit on security and development agenda for Northern Nigeria” organised by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, yesterday, in Kaduna added that era of stealing public wealth without fear was over. 
Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Bello Danbazau, said that there was no going back on the anti-corruption fight of his administration.
He said the challenges confronting the nation included the reality of terrorism, the rise of proto-national ethnic agitations, the scandalising effect of rampant corruption in a period of great want among others.
According to him, “terrorism and insecurity in the North-East particularly has been brought to the barest minimum and what remains is the social programmes, already on-going, to guarantee a lasting peace.
“Political engagement at various levels have been carried out to ensure that all segments of our polity are carried along in decision making as it relates to development of our country even as a line has been drawn against actions that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria on which there can be no negotiation.
“The herders-sedentary farmers’ conflict is very rife with us, even though it also has a regional dimension. This is one serious matter that affects most concerned persons in this forum, next to the collateral kidnapping for ransom and problems associated to it.
“As you are all aware, the security forces, including the intelligence outfits, have been mandated to combine their efforts to rid our people of the violent levels it has escalated in recent times, leading to regrettable loss of lives and property, at a national scale,” he said.
In his remark, Borno State Governor and Chairman Northern State Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said it was time the North shunned all forms of discrimination. He admonished the region’s majority to learn to cherish the minority.
He said Muslims in Borno or Kano states should accept and support Christians from Benue or Kogi states, embrace them as eminently representing all Northerners.
“And this should be vice-versa so we can collectively move the region from where we are to where we ought to be,” he said.
According to him, coexistence is easily entrenched when the majority display magnanimity to the minority.
“The north has majority Muslims and the majority must make deliberate efforts to earn the trust of the minority. In our respective states, a governor of a majority Muslim state must make deliberate efforts to be fair and to show love and empathy to the minority Christian population.
“In the same vein, a governor in a majority Christian population must make conscious effort to demonstrate love and empathy for the minority Muslim population. This is the kind of chapter that is currently being written by Governor Lalong in Plateau State. Ethno-religious harmony is fast being rebuilt in Plateau State because of the leadership credentials of Lalong.
“The fairness, justness or otherwise of any leader, can unite or divide any society. When a segment perceives a leader as being unjust, a sense of marginalization builds up and breeds hatred amongst the mass, kith and kin.
“Naturally, neighbours begin to live in hate, each side waiting for the slightest opportunity to prove extent of hatred. The majority must always be large at heart and the minority must always be fair in acknowledging the realities of numbers. We must be truthful to ourselves,” he said.






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Kaduna ICT hub in partner with Google trains 5,000 youths



The Kaduna Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub in partnership with Google, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the state government have trained about 5,000 youths across the state on digital skills as part of efforts towards diversifying the nation’s economy.
The training according to the chief executive officer of the hub, Engineer Yusuf Bashir is to empower unemployed youths in the state to become self reliant as well as to equip them with the necessary tools needed to move their businesses forward. “We are interested in entrepreneurs who are willing to start their own businesses and who want to do their businesses online,” he noted.
Speaking at the training, one of the Google trainers, Charles Eromosele urged Nigerian youths to shift focus from seeking white collar jobs, admonishing that they could create hope for themselves by being self dependent. According to him, the world was growing in technology while Nigeria was growing in size, as such, Nigeria cannot afford to remain a consuming nation.












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