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HEADLINES, NEWS

Full Text Of Kemi Adeosun’s Resignation Letter

Kemi Adeosun today resigned her appointment as the Minister of finance.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adriana accepted the resignation of the former minister which was hinged on the outcome of investigation into the NYSC certificate scandal traced to the minister.

The full text of the resignation letter she sent to the President reads:

His Excellency
Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
State House
Aso Villa
Abuja

Dear Excellency,

Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.

I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.

Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.

On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine. Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.

Your Excellency, It has been an exceptional privilege to have served our nation under your leadership and to have played a role in steering our economy at a very challenging time. I am proud that Nigeria has brought discipline into its finances, has identified and is pursuing a path to long term sustainable growth that will unlock the potential in this great economy. Under your leadership, Nigeria was able to exit recession and has now started to lay the foundations for lasting growth and wealth creation. Repositioning this huge economy is not a short term task and there are no short cuts, indeed there are tough decisions still to be made but I have no doubt that your focus on infrastructural investment, revenue mobilisation and value for money in public expenditure will deliver growth, wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.

I thank His Excellency, the Vice President and my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council for the huge pleasure and honour of working with them. I also thank most specially, the team in the ‘Finance Family’ of advisers and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance. Your Excellency, this group of committed Nigerians represent a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. They have worked well above and beyond the call of duty to support me in the tasks assigned. The diversity in my team and their ability to work cohesively to deliver reforms, convinces me that Nigeria has the human capital required to succeed.

Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter. I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted. As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to improving this nation.

Please be assured, as always, of my highest regards and best wishes.

Kemi Adeosun (Mrs)

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FEATURES, POLITICS

2019: Niger Governorship Aspirant, Bello Bwari Picks ADP Nomination Form
Frontline contender for the number one seat in Niger State, Alhaji Bello Bwari yesterday picked his expression of interest and nomination form for the 2019 governorship election in the state.
Bwari who stormed the National secretariat of the party in Abuja with some of his supporters was received by the National Chairman, Engr. Y. Y. Sanni.
Speaking during the presentation of the forms, Engr Sanni urged the aspirant and his supporters to keep working hard to ensure the success of the party at the polls in 2019.
He further said he was encouraged by the quality of the aspirant and his track record in building a strong footing for the party in Niger State.
Responding, Alhaji Bwari assured the national chairman of his commitment to the party and their resolve to ensure that there people of Niger State under his leadership experience a better life and prosperous future.
Bwari said his administration if voted into power will better the lives of the people through the provision of a responsive and responsible style of leadership.
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HEADLINES, NEWS

EFCC Quizzes Zenith Bank MD Over N117bn Suspicious Transaction In River State Govt Accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has quizzed the managing director of Zenith Bank, Peter Olisamedua Amangbo, in connection with alleged N117b suspicious transactions by the Rivers State in the last three years.

Mr Amangbo has confessed that the bank raked in N5.2billion as charges on the transactions

The sums were cashed over the counter by state officials for “unknown purposes” suspected to be money laundering.

Peter Olisamedua Amangbo, Zenith Bank MD*Peter Olisamedua Amangbo, Zenith Bank MD
The anti-graft agency is hunting for four officials of the state who were central to the massive withdrawals.

Among the officials are the director of Finance and Accounts of the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara Similari and his cashier.

Sources in EFCC said the MD was quizzed on Thursday and granted bail at night before he was re-invited on Friday all through Sunday after being detained.

It could not be immediately ascertained if Amangbo has been released by the anti-corruption agency.

A top EFCC official said: “We have a case of unreported suspicious transactions which led to the invitation of the MD of Zenith Bank. We acted after receiving financial intelligence alert.

“About N117billion was withdrawn in cash in the past three years by the Rivers State Government in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

“The MD cooperated with us confessed that the bank saw the transactions as purely business issue and it realized about N5.2billion as transaction charges.

“Definitely, the bank has a case to answer because of lack of Suspicious Transaction Report(STR) and violation of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.”

Concerning Rivers State Government, the EFCC detectives uncovered how the withdrawals were made.

“The bulk of the money was collected by one official over the counter with as many as 45 to 50 cheques issued in one day.

“The records retrieved showed that on June 8, 2015, about N450million was cashed over the counter through 45 cheques with each cheque worth N10million.

“The same thing was done on June 9, 2015 when N500million was cashed in bit of N10million. There is no record of what the cash was used for.

“There is a case of money laundering which we cannot gloss over. And it is good that the MD of Zenith Bank has admitted that the bank did not report the suspicion transactions.

“Our detectives are making progress and the nation will soon be briefed on the findings of the EFCC.”

Spokesman for Zenith Bank, Akin Olaniyan, could not be reached on his mobile line for comment as at the time of filing in this report.

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NEWS

Kwara Ranks Second in Africa Report States’ Progress Report

Kwara State has been ranked second after Lagos in Nigeria in the latest Progress Report, titled ‘The State of the States’ released by Africa Report in its July/August, 2018 issue.

The Africa Report is an international publication of reference dedicated to African affairs, and is the guide used by decision makers to anticipate economic and political changes in Africa.
The publication is relied upon for the expertise of an independent editorial team in its surveys, sector reports and country focus published in each issue.

According to information available on the Africa Report website-www.theafricareport.com, the survey of Nigeria’s 36 states used fighting poverty, providing access to electricity, facilitating business and raising local revenue as indices.

In terms of Internally Generated Revenue per capita, Kwara ranks seventh out of the 36 states of the federation while it ranks tenth in the ease of doing business. The State also ranks tenth on the poverty index.

In terms of access to electricity, Kwara was ranked third and sixth in number of internet users in the country.

The summation of the indices put Kwara at second position in the progress report. The full report can be found on pages 22 to 26 of the July/August, 2018 edition of the Africa Report.

Responding to the report, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed described Africa Reports’ ranking of the state as the second highest in the country as an affirmation of his administration’s reform programs and an acknowledgement of its efforts to enhance the welfare, security and prosperity of all citizens and residents. He pledged his preparedness to sustain the administration’s ongoing drive to build a prosperous and sustainable Kwara State for the benefit of current and future generations of Kwarans.

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NEWS

FAAC: Kwara Govt Releases June, July Allocation Figures

The Kwara State Government has released its federal allocation figures for the months of June and July, 2018.

In a statement on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu disclosed that the State government received a total of N3, 647, 209, 363.97 as allocation for June.

A breakdown of the June allocation figures shows that the State government got a statutory allocation of N2, 775, 630, 308.40 and Value Added Tax (VAT) of N871, 579, 055.57.

For July, Banu said the state government got a total of N3, 736, 644, 795.48 as allocation for the month.

He revealed that the July allocation was made up of statutory allocation of N2, 890, 575, 029.68, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N800, 155, 369.71 and exchange difference of N45, 914, 396.09.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the 16 local government councils in the State received a total of N2, 604, 769, 806.48 as allocation for June.

According to him, the local councils got a statutory allocation of N2, 110, 667, 033.06 and Value Added Tax (VAT) of N494, 102, 773.42.

Banu added that the July allocation to the local councils stood at N2, 680, 279, 278.01.

The councils’ July allocation is made up of statutory allocation of N2, 196, 374, 385.08, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N453, 621, 236.42 and exchange difference of N30, 283, 656.57.

Banu clarified that the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee agreed at its meeting in Abuja on Friday to save N100 billion against future drops in allocation or other revenue fluctuations.

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NEWS

Offa Robbery: Kwara Court summons IGP

An Ilorin High Court has summoned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to appear before it on Wednesday next week to justify the continued detention of Lekan Alabi, Personal Assistant to Kwara state Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, arrested over the April 5, 2018 armed robbery in Offa.

This is as the lead counsel to the suspect, Adelodun Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) bemoaned the failure of the police to release another suspect over the same incident, Alhaji Babatunde AbdulWahab the Chief o Staff to the governor, who has been granted bail by another high court in the state.

Adelodun, leading four other lawyers, told newsmen after yesterday’s proceeding that the refusal of the police to obey the court order on AbdulWahab was worrisome as it portends grave dangers to the deepening of democracy and might lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness of the police to handle such cases among the populace.

The police was not represented at yesterday’s proceeding although Adelodun told the court they had been served all the processes related to the case. The case was brought to Ilorin following the refusal of a Federal High court in Abuja to hear it as the alleged crime was committed in Kwara state.

Alabi has been in detention since May 28, 2018 and has not been arraigned before any court of law, a development his counsel, Adelodun, argued is in contravention of the provisions of Order 4, Rules 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights enforcement procedure rules (2009) as well as Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 41 And 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Making the order at its sitting yesterday, Justice Adebayo Yusuf said there was nothing in the constitution that allows the detention of a suspect without trial for a period beyond 24 hours where there is a court or 48 hours in environment where there is no court.

In a short ruling following the application by Adelodun for an interim bail for the suspect pending the determination of the substantive application, the court aligned with the position of the SAN but decided to allow the police another opportunity to defend its position.

“The position of the law is as stated by the leaned silk, however I’m inclined to hear from the respondent to come to court and show cause why the applicant should not be released from their custody, since they have been served the motion on notice”, the judge said adding that it is clear that the police cannot change the constitution.

Adelodun had while moving the application pointed out that the detention of the applicant for 60 days without trial is a prima facie case of a breach of his rights to liberty as enshrined in section 35 (7) of the constitution and pointed out that Section 122 of the Evidence Act empowers the court to take judicial notice of the time involved in the exchange of written addresses and affidavit by parties which can compound the suffering of the applicant.

“We are not asking the court to declare our client guilty or innocent at this stage but the police has no right to keep a suspect forever”, he said citing the decision of the Appeal Court in the case of EFCC vs Akingbola,  (2015 NWLR p1470,pgh249,pp290) to buttress his submission.

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NEWS

Offa Bank Robbery: Court Grants Kwara Gov’s Chief of Staff Bail

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Tuesday granted an interim bail to Alhaji Yusuf Abdulwahab, the Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, in the sum of N10million.

Abdulwahab has been held in police custody in Abuja since 2 June, 2018 after he responded to Police invitation over his alleged link with suspects who carried out robbery attacks on commercial banks in Offa on April 5, 2018.

Hon. Justice M.O. Adewara granted the bail upon carefully considering the oral application for bail made on behalf of the governor’s aide by his counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) and the response of the counsel for the respondent, the Inspector General of Police.

It will be recalled that the Chief of Staff had initially filed a motion on notice before a Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order granting him bail from police custody on the grounds that he had been detained for longer than 24 hours allowed by law, without charge.

But the presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri rejected the bail application on the grounds that the subject matter of the case was outside the jurisdiction of his court. He therefore, ordered the transfer of the case to the High Court of Kwara State for hearing and determination.

The case was, thereafter assigned to Justice Adewara, who issued a hearing notice to the respondent, and initially fixed hearing for Tuesday, 17 July, 2018.

However, according Adelodun, no one represented the IG or filed any process on the said date of the hearing.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria then moved the court to grant his client’s bail application. The court then adjourned the case till Tuesday, 24 July, for ruling.

However, on Thursday, 19 July, the Officer in Charge Legal for the Police filed three processes, seeking for time to file a response, a notice of preliminary objection to the case and a counter affidavit to the application for Abdulwahab’s bail.

As a result, the ruling which was scheduled for Tuesday could, therefore, not be delivered.

Consequently, counsel to the Chief of Staff, made an oral application for his interim bail pending the determination of the main application.

According to Adelodun, Counsel to IGP did not object the application and left it to the discretion of the court. The IGP’s counsel however, sought to move a motion for extension of time, which was granted by the court.

Thereafter, Justice Adewara in his ruling, granted the Chief of Staff bail in the sum of N10million with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge also ruled that the sureties must be persons of means and should swear to an affidavit of means and deposit to the court, their respective certificates of occupancy of house or land located anywhere in Kwara State.

He then adjourned the case to 15 October, 2018 for hearing of the motion.

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HEADLINES, NEWS

Aviation Minister Responds To Criticisms Of Nigeria Air, Says Govt Not Spending $300m

The current campaign of falsehood, unfortunately reminds me of what happened when we decided for safety reasons to close Abuja Airport and make repairs that had been abandoned for years. The same group of Nigerians went to social media again spreading falsehood. We stayed on course and delivered the runway which has served now faultlessly. As we delivered on the Abuja Runway repairs so shall we on the national carrier and we will not bow to falsehood.

While we provide the clarifications below for record purposes, only delivering a world class national carrier is good enough for Nigerians, this will stop the export of jobs and exploitation of Nigerian air travelers. We are not deterred but we are focused on our target and mission.

Part of the falsehood being spread is the lack of a domain name, as part of the airline PPP project development phase – Nigeria Air Limited – has been incorporated with the corporate affairs commission for now as a wholly government owned company with the corporate affairs commission using nominal directors who are directors of the ministry of aviation. On conclusion of the PPP procurement process, when full equity structure pre financial close is finalized the incorporation will be updated and certificate of incorporation made public. The present certificate of incorporation is attached. Nigeria Air Limited is indeed a legal entity.

Further to the incorporation of the company with nominal directors the domain name www.flynigeriaair.ng has been reserved and will be made active very soon as part of the project evolution and marketing process. Some people whose only desire is to steal Nigeria’s common wealth by hawking domain names will not a get a kobo from the people of Nigeria. They can eat their domain names.

In terms of ownership Nigeria’s national carrier by international convention must be beneficially majority Nigerian owned to enjoy the benefits and privileges accruing to national carriers. So in all cases majority ownership in equity terms will be Nigerian, while management of the national carrier will be concessioned via a renewable long term operate and maintain concession agreement to the minority private sector strategic equity partner to be selected via an open competitive international two stage PPP procurement exercise.

For general information and awareness, the national carrier is being procured as a PPP. Nigeria’s PPP process has three phases – one is an internal government bankability process – the business case phase and the other two external. The PPP process cycle is:

PPP Development Phase – Outline Business Phase

PPP Procurement – Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal to pre qualify and select PPP partner

PPP Implementation

For the national carrier only the Development phase has been completed and all the information about this phase has been transparently disclosed on the PPP Disclosure Portal of the regulator the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (no private party has been selected, final financial requirement not completed only business case funding estimate is available, final equity structure not in place yet).

Other information in the social media claiming ownership or others post PPP procurement decisions are false and unfortunate. Once the Request for Qualification and Information Memorandum document is completed for the procurement phase, these documents will be released to the public for an open competitive international bidding process to select a minority strategic equity partner who will invest and operate the national carrier. The public will know more.

As part of efforts to make airlines viable in Nigeria, the ministry is making moves to have the National Assembly pass a fly Nigeria act. This act will require that anybody travelling on a ticket bought with public funds must travel on a Nigerian carrier unless the route is not served by a Nigerian carrier. However, with your private funds you can do as you like. Many countries including America has such as Act.

Answers to specific falsehood raised in the social media are provided below.

Who are the owners of the 95% equity?
***Ans*** At start up government will own majority equity in Nigeria Air Limited Joint Venture Company. A Joint Venture Company that would be very similar to Nigeria LNG Limited. Nigeria LNG Limited is a huge JV success that is private sector managed so will Nigeria Air Limited. After one year of operations, government will through an IPO divest her equity for purchase by Nigerians subject to approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Government will then retain only 5% equity. The rest of 95% equity of Nigeria Air Limited will then be owned by the strategic equity investor and the general public. Majority ownership must however remain with Nigerians so that the national carrier can benefit from BASA and other bilateral agreements which require local beneficial ownership as a condition precedent. Management of the national carrier will be concessioned to the strategic equity investor with no step in rights and management control by government. Signed up acceptance and approval of the management concession agreement will be a condition precedent for the IPO.

Why is the ownership shrouded in secrecy?
***Ans***: No secrecy. The entire process is guided by the infrastructure concession regulatory commission guidelines/regulations.
Because it’s a PPP, it has 3 stages – the project development stage, procurement stage and implementation stage. The project development stage was just concluded with the approval of the Outline Business Case, which the Infrastructure and Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) issued a certificate of compliance. Once the process gets to the PPP procurement stage, there will be an RFQ, Information Memorandum and RFP bidding process which will be made public, competitive and transparent. It is only after the PPP procurement process that the strategic equity investor will be known. At that stage the JV partners will be government and the strategic equity partner. Government’s equity share held in trust for Nigerians will be devolved to Nigerians via an IPO. The government will retain only 5% equity, the list of shareholders then will be available to SEC and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. At that point Nigeria Air Ltd becomes a public company subject to SEC, NSE and relevant CAMA rules for public companies. All PPP procurement and ownership moves will be made public. Signed up acceptance and approval of the management concession agreement will be a condition precedent for the IPO.

Why is 5% equity holder funding the business?
***Ans*** The Government is not funding the entire project. It’s just providing startup capital in the form of an Upfront Grant/Viability Gap Funding. Once the strategic equity investor is in place, they will be expected to build on the initial investment made.
The OBC made it clear that the strategic equity investors will not start the national carrier; government has to start it in order to attract credible investors.

Where are these fundings $8m, $300m coming from? Budget? Borrowing?
***Ans*** $8m represents startup capital for offices etc required for takeoff. But $300m is the entire airline cash flow funding requirements (aircrafts, operations and working capital) for three years (2018, 2019 and 2020). This funding can be in the form of equity or debt. The financial model estimates cash flow requirements as follows 2018 ($55m – $8 million is included here), 2019 ($100m) and 2020 ($145m). In order to ensure take-off of the airline in 2018, government will provide US $55 Million upfront grant/viability gap funding to finance startup capital and pay commitment fees for aircrafts to be leased for initial operations and deposit for new aircrafts whose delivery will begin in 2021.

The remaining financial injection by government will be determined by the quantum of equity that the strategic equity partner will bring as a result of the PPP competitive bidding process. This explanation clearly debunks the claim in the social media that government is paying $300 million for a 5% equity share.

Furthermore, with ongoing discussions the cash flow requirement may be lower than $300 million; furthermore, the cash flow estimates contains a 20% buffer that is put in on the assumption that the airline may suffer an operating loss in year One due to competition and need to build a brand. As mentioned earlier, government’s contribution to equity will be in the form of an upfront grant/VGF. Government’s upfront grant/VGF contribution to equity will be funded through either a supplementary budgetary allocation or development financial institutions like AFREXIM bank, AFBD, ISDB etc, who have indicated keen interest in funding the national carrier project because of its bankability and profitability profile.

Are the aircrafts under lease agreement? If yes, for how many years?
***Ans*** As you may be aware it’s almost impossible for you to pay for and get a new aircraft immediately because it is not an off the shelf item like indomie noodles.

However, as part of discussions with major Aircraft Manufacturers, the Government will pay deposits for brand new aircrafts and the manufacturers will support Nigeria Air in getting very good dry lease aircrafts coming directly from C checks and certified by the original manufacturers. These aircraft lease period will be for an initial period of 5 years with an early termination option after 4 years. By the time the new aircrafts are ready, they will be replacing the leased aircrafts. Till all the aircraft are owned by the airline. This is how Emirates Airlines started with two leased aircrafts from Pakistan Airlines until it was able to buy her own aircrafts. According to the manufacturers, the new aircrafts will start coming through from 2021.

If it’s private investment, why would a 5% equity holder determine the name, logo and other trademarks of the airline?***Ans***The logo etc are requirements for an ATL and AOC required for NCAA to license an airline. In any case the name and logo can be amended it the strategic equity partners feel it’s not right for the business. We must recall that the airline name and logo was the result of an open national competition. However, this airline is going to represent our Nation, the Name, logo and color should be in line with what was done with the public.

Is Air Nigeria same as Nigerian Airways? (Staff of the airline are waiting for their entitlements)

***Ans*** Well you can ask the owners of Air Nigeria, because what we have is Nigeria Air which is a totally different entity from Air Nigeria and Nigerian Airways.
You can seek further clarification and confirmation from the CAC.

Since it’s private sector driven, why not adopt any of the existing airlines in Nigeria as the National carrier?
***Ans***The existing airlines have their own business plan and liabilities which does not conform with the OBC developed by the TA. Furthermore, to attract a good strategic investor, it’s best to start on a clean slate. Adopting the existing airlines will immediately transfer their liabilities to Nigeria Air and it may never take off.

Are there sinister motives? (Sure! Time shall tell.)
***Ans*** You are absolutely right, time will tell!!

Facts that you may need to compare notes:
The facts below are duly noted. However, you may wish to note businesses are operated to suit a particular environment. Nigeria is completely different from all the countries mentioned below.
The airline business is not a one-size-fits-all business.

What we did was to identify our needs. Now we are trying to use our strength to get the opportunities that are out there in order to minimize our weaknesses and overcome our threats.

Some tweeted this which is very true “An age where people can hashtag, tag and tweet useful suggestions on improving aviation industry especially on the back of #NigeriaAir launch..they spend it being bitter and doomsday prophets @hadisirika and others am sure are receptive to positive ideas. @mustyjun2000”

The Honourable Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has mentioned time without number that he welcomes constructive criticism, it helps him in doing his job better.

This National carrier is for us as a nation, and it should be our pride and joy. Let’s try and contribute positively to the success of Nigeria Air.

(Compilations from a post by Minister Hadi Sirika on social media in response to criticisms).

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NEWS

Ahmed Flags-off CBN Anchor Borrowers Program in Kwara

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed on Monday flagged-off the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) in the State.

The governor said the flag off was a demonstration of his administration’s resolve to pursue an agricultural policy that is farmer friendly. He disclosed that about 3,000 small holder farmers across the State are to benefit from the programme.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Adegoke Bamidele, Governor Ahmed said the scheme was initiated by the federal government through CBN as an agricultural intervention to help farmers boost production.

He said the N1b loan from the CBN will further drive his government’s initiatives in agriculture and empower more local farmers engaged in rice, maize, soyabeans and cassava production in the state.

The governor added that immediately after the flag off, a capacity building training workshop will commence for all the farmers before the disbursement of the loan.

He also revealed that prior to the flag-off, a Project Management Team (PMT) was inaugurated, town hall meetings where the required economics of productions for the four crops were approved were organized and input vendors were also screened.

Governor Ahmed urged the beneficiaries to abide by the rules and ensure that all the conditions of the loan are strictly followed. He added that state will not condone misuse of fund or any attempt to embark on side selling of produce.

He assured all farmers and farming communities in the State of government’s continued support to them in their effort to produce more food and raw materials for industries.

Two of the beneficiaries, Babatunde Gbadamosi, a cassava farmer from Asa local government and Kadijat Hamzat, a rice farmer from Edu local government appreciated the government for initiating the programme and promised to effectively utilize the loan that will be given to them after the training.

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NEWS

Governor Ahmed Hails Saraki’s Elevation to Wazirin Ngeri of Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has hailed the elevation of the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki from the Turaki of Ilorin to Wazari Ngeri of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, said the elevation is well-deserved considering the contributions of the Senate President to the development of the Emirate in particular and the entire state at large.

According to the governor, “the announcement of the elevation to the prestigious title of Waziri Ngeri by the Miamartaba Al Ilory, ALHAJI, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, OON, was a pleasant but fitting surprise to cap our joy over the exoneration by the Supreme Court from the code of conduct tribunal trial”.

“It is fitting that you have stepped into the traditional shoes of your father and our great mentor, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki. The time is apt, the occasion is unique and your profile is most fitting for this honour”, governor Ahmed said.

The governor observed that the elevation would no doubt serve as morale booster for the the Senate President to continue to do more for the emirate and the entire state.

Dr Ahmed therefore, enjoined the new Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin not to relent in his oars to attract developments and growth to the state and empowerment for its people.

The governor prayed God to guide the newn Waziri Ngeri and grant him wisdom to pilot the affairs of the new traditional office.

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OPINION

Sorry Uncle @DeleMomodu, The Laundry Job No Longer Pays, By Ayantunji Benjamin Gbenro @bengbenro

This is in response to Uncle Dele Momodu’s article titled “DO BUHARI HANDLERS UNDERSTAND THAT THE NUMBERS ARE AGAINST THEM IN 2019 AT ALL”.

Let me start by congratulating Uncle Dele on the launching of his book and encomium showered on him by Pastor Tunde Bakare. You paid your due Sir. I will however love to bring to your attention that the laundry job is no longer adding up and you are gradually losing your gift of Pen Prophecy or Clairvoyance as alluded to by the revered Pastor Bakare, nothing pointed to that more than this article. I will endeavor to address the points you raised one after the other to show where you erred. You might probably have a rethink and correct yourself. We certainly need you to retain that unique gift of Pen Prophecy of Calirvoyance.

APC in disarray: I am not APC’s spokes person and I hope the party will find time to provide a more robust response to this. However, as an observer, APC at inception was a conglomerate of the progressives before the New PDP block joined and it became a collection of strange bed fellows. Nobody, can discountenance the contribution of the New PDP block in the victory at the polls in 2015 but when other factors such as Buhari, Tinubu, PVC and card reader are taken into cognizance, it pales into insignificance. The mistake APC made was probably taking the New PDP into its fold after they become political orphans. Probably it would have been better for APC not to have them. The New PDP block became an impediment to APC government immediately after election. Even the fact that they got the Senate Presidency and Speaker House of Representative, albeit against the party’s dictate did not satisfy their sense of entitlement. The former APC chairman also in my opinion failed to assert the party’s authority and bring everybody together. The new chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomole is obviously trying to assuage frayed nerves. Whether this succeed or not is for future to tell, however, if I can hazard a guess, genuine APC members will be persuaded while fake members will leave back to their natural habitat. I will suggest at this juncture that you advice your friends to expedite their movement back home. Any time wasted is tragic. Presidential election is just about seven months away.

Your analysis of the outcome of the recent gubernatorial election in Ekiti State is completely out of sync with the reality. We know what a display of Federal Might you alluded to in the article look like. July 2014 election in the same Ekiti and September 2014 election in Osun State is not such a long time that we won’t remember. We didn’t see your “friend” Dr. Kayode Fayemi moving about in DSS bulletproofed vest with hooded DSS officers as was Gov. Ayodele Fayose in 2014. No PDP leader was arrested by the 30,000 strong police contingent in 2018 unlike the 36,000 combined security men/women of 2014. The home of the campaign director of PDP was not invaded nor was his 84yrs old mother harassed in 2018, unlike what happened to Mr. Bimbo Daramola in 2014. PDP leaders were not prevented from entering Ekiti in 2018, unlike 2014 when Ameachi, Oshiomole etc were prevented. There was no Musliu Obanikoro to ferry billions in chattered aircraft into Ado Ekiti in 2018, unlike 2014. I heard a helicopter landed in government house Ado Ekiti with tons of cash from somewhere in the Niger Delta. Rather than display of Federal might, the Governor used State might to place every possible impediment on the path of APC candidate, to the extent of trying to prevent the President from entering Ekiti State. We didn’t witness a 16-0 result were incumbent and all his party leaders lost their wards. Uncle, let’s not turn history on its head for posterity sake. PDP lost because incumbent Governor performed woefully, insulted elders and civil servants, disgraced Ekiti people and APC and it candidate took advantage through a robust and well coordinated campaign. There will be no need for 30,000 police in every State in 2019 Presidential election, but there will be need in some States with history of electoral violence. It’s a constitutional responsibility that the President must not shirk from irrespective of blackmail.

The most ridiculous of your assertions is trying to deny President Buhari’s domineering popularity in the north and that North has always been PDP’s region. Let me help you with a little history in case you missed it or you deliberately turn it on it head to encourage your friends. In 1999, Former President Obasanjo of PDP had 18,738,154 votes, while Chief Olu Falae of APP has 11,110,287 votes. The total votes was about 30 million. Bulk of PDP votes came from SE, SS and NC while bulk of APP votes came from NE, NW and SW. In 2003, PDP has 24,456,140 votes, Buhari of APP has 12,710,022 votes, Odimegwu Ojukwu of APGA has 1,297,445 votes and Jim Nwobodo of UNPP has 169,609 votes. The total votes increased to about 40 millions from 1999. That’s about 25% increase, this can only happen if the votes were inflated. Buhari of APP got bulk of his votes from NE and NW while PDP added SW to it votes. By 2007, Yar’Adua of PDP got 24,638,063 votes, Buhari of ANPP got 6,605,299 votes, Atiku of AC got 2,637,848 votes and Orji Uzor Kalu of PPA got 608,803 votes. Total votes was about 34 millions. The curious thing about the results is while PDP maintained almost the same number of votes as 2003 despite losing SW to Atiku of AC, Buhari’s votes dropped by about 6million votes despite retaining his traditional NE and NW. No wonder the 2007 election was adjudged the worst in our recent history. Even the winner agreed that the election was the worst. In 2011, Former President Goodluck Jonathan of PDP got about 22,495,187 votes, Buhari of CPC got 12,214,853 votes, Nuhu Ribadu of ACN got 2,079,151 Votes and Shekarau of ANPP got 917,012 votes. Total votes was about 37 millions, about 8% increase from 2007. This increase is basically due to increase in total votes from SE and SS which obviously due to inflation of results. Buhari retained his NE and NW and 12million votes. 2015 elections saw Buhari’s emergence as the winner with 15,424,921 votes and GEJ of PDP got 12,853,162 votes. The total votes was about 28millions. Compared to the previous elections since 1999, that’s a minimum of about 20% drop. While this could be superficially attributed to voters apathy, the truth is that physical evidence during campaign and voting shows more turn out than previous elections. The introduction of PVC and card readers prevented inflation of votes. Despite the fact that Buhari marginally defeated PDP in the SW and NC for the first time, these technologies prevented votes inflation from SE and SS which could have made PDP a comfortable winner. Sir, let’s always present facts for the sake of upcoming generation. Buhari’s dominance is not a myth, North is not a traditional PDP enclave and you got the arithmetic wrong.

As long as Tinubu and Buhari remain in APC, you can advice your friends to move into any other party. Advise them to field the most formidable candidate among them and that they should all back him up. Let’s settle this issue of who own Nigeria between the masses and your political elite friends once and for all in 2019.
God bless the Federal republic of Nigeria

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NEWS

LUK: Kwara Govt Raises Alarm Over Vandalisation

The Kwara State Government has raised the alarm over vandalisation and theft of streetlight cables and bulbs and other components of solar farm tunnels currently being built in Ilorin under the Light-Up Kwara (LUK) project.

In a statement issued via its Facebook page on Thursday, the government described activities of the vandals as sabotage and warned that anybody caught vandalizing the LUK facilities would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The government noted that it has alerted security agencies in the State to the development and warned those involved in the act to desist or face prosecution.

It also urged residents to take ownership of the public facilities and secure them, noting that the facilities were procured with tax revenue paid by members of the public and must be protected against vandalism.

The government also urged the members of the public to report any suspected vandalisation or theft of the facilities to security agencies, Kwara State Ministry of Energy on Fate road, Ilorin or call this toll-free number 08001000100.

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