FEATURES Archives - Abusidiqu

Since its popularization especially in the current dispensation, public officials have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by the New Media to engage the citizenry. From communicating their plans and programmes or seeking their opinion in policy planning and implementation, those who understand and appreciate the value of social media has tapped into it.

This is exactly what the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh did on Saturday, June 17 when he engaged some social media influencers on everything that has to do with the agricultural sector. What is however remarkable about this engagement is that a novel idea was added to it. Rather than conduct the interaction at a conference centre as is typical with similar exercise, the minister choose to meet the influencers at a farm located somewhere in Kuje in the FCT.

Put together by Aisha Onusi, the Special Adviser to the minister on New Media, the farm chat and tour kicked off with the transportation of the social media influencers from the meeting point at Barcelona Hotel in Abuja, to the location of the farm in Kuje. Upon arrival, the minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh was already at hand waiting. Few minutes after arrival at the farm in Kuje, the participants settled for the business of the day which kicked off with the introduction of every member of the delegation.

In his introductory remark, the minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh spoke generally on the agricultural sector in Nigeria and the efforts of the ministry in turning around the sector. While putting the average age of the Nigerian farmer at 65, the minister called on Nigerian youths to embrace farming because it is a profitable venture.

He said to encourage the involvement of youths in farming, the Federal Government was taking proactive measures by the soon to be introduced ‘Invent Your Future’ programme as well as the mechanisation of agriculture by bringing in modern technology which will enable them feed Nigeria’s teeming population he estimated will reach 450 million people in the next 33 years.

“If you have a piece of land, go into plantations such as banana, cashew nuts, coconut, plantain, sesame seeds, gum Arabic among other crops” , he stated.

After his introductory, the floor was thrown open for questions from the social media infleuncers which the minister provided answers to. One remarkable feature about the farm chat is that social media users who were not opportune to be at the farm were also given the opportunity to send in their questions and the answers provided were relayed to them via the facebook, twitter and other platforms.

Questions that borders on the high interest rates for agricultural loans, access to credit, herdsmen/farmers clash, access to information by rural farmers amongst many others.

On access to credit and high interest rate charged to farmers, the minister said the agriculture ministry has concluded plans to secure second licence for the Bank of Agriculture to enable it have branches in all the Local Government Areas in Nigeria so as to facilitate prompt loans for farmers.

He decried the high interest rate charged by commercial Banks in Nigeria, saying that “any interest rate higher than 5-7 per cent is not for farmers. It’s 3-4 per cent in the United States and United Kingdon, Brazil is 2.5 per cent and Japan is zero per cent”.

Chief Ogbeh said the government is already tackling poverty, provide employment and foreign exchange on a sustainable basis with the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme, having already disbursed N33.34 billion to 146,557 farmers under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
over 180,018 hectres of land.

To tackle the clash between farmers and herdsmen in the country, the Minister said 3,000 Agro Rangers were being trained under the Civil Defense to protect farms while lands were also being acquired in some states of the federation to create cattle colonies, this statement by the minister further gave hope to youths who were concerned about the insecurity in farmlands.

He said about 10,000 extension workers were also being trained under the N-power programme of the Federal Government to cater for the needs of Nigerian farmers. It could also be noted that these extension workers are all youths as the N-Power programme only recruits Nigerians from age 18 to 35years.

The minister also spoke on the distribution of rice mills to encourage more production of rice for local consumption and export as well the commencement of export of Nigerian yam.

He said the ministry has approved the distribution of 200 rice mills to farmers across the country, adding that the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise (LIFE) scheme which the ministry has put in place would also create an atmosphere for food processing mills to be established in rural areas to create wealth and jobs for the rural women and youths.

He also added that Nigeria has began the export of yams as the first consignment of certified yams from Nigeria to the United States of America (USA) arrived on June 16, adding that another consignment will leave for the United Kingdom on the 29th of June.

While enjoining farmers to follow strictly all laid down procedures for food export, the minister said: “among a number of initiatives to fast-track these interventions and solidify our base, the federal government has empowered the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), to make it more responsive to issues of safety and phytosanitary standards in food exports, so that its reports will be acceptable globally.

“The federal government has also put in place a standing committee, technically supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and consisting of membership from critical and relevant agencies of the federal government. The agencies are the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), among others.

“These agencies, working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, have commenced work on an export control plan to target our beans rejection and develop HS codes for other exportable commodities from Nigeria. The development of HS codes for agro commodities, currently in progress, will maximally aid traceability and effectiveness of the single window platform.

After the chat which lasted for more than two hours, the influencers were conducted round the farm where they were shown the fish farm, poultry farm and hatchery as well as

More details on the farm chat and tour is available on twitter, facebook and instagram with the hastag #HMAgricMeets

FEATURES

Jibrin @AbdulAbmj Set N100,000 Each For 10 Best Captions Of This Photograph Of Buhari And Wife

By Editor , Jun 15, 2017 8:49 amJun 15, 2017

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on appropriation, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin has earmarked a cash prize of N100,000 each for the best two captions of this photograph of President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha Buhari.

The honourable member from Kano State posted the photograph of the president and wife in a love tango on his instagram page after the photograph emerged online.

“…Caption this sketch and share the story you think it represents. I have a reward of 100k each for the best 10 captions/stories,” Jibrin wrote on his instagram page.

To pick the best 10 captions for the photograph, Jubrin selected Maryam Abubakar and J Gawat, whom he described as two promising Nigerians to help in the process. Maryam Abubakar is the Senior Special Assistant to Kaduna State governor on New Media, While Jubril Gawat is a social media influencer whom many refer to as mekunu twitter president.

“I have nominated to two young promising Nigerians to help select the winners @mareeyaama and @jag_baba. I hope they do me the honour.”

Although, Jibrin did not specify how interested participate are expected to submit entries for the photo caption competition, caption for the photograph can be dropped as comments on his instagram page, abdulabmj.

He ended the instagram post with a prayer for the president.

“Allah Sarki Baba Buhari… May Allah continue to bless you,” Jubrin prayed.

FEATURES

June 12: The ‘Epetedo Proclamation’ Speech That Landed MKO Abiola In Prison

By Editor , Jun 12, 2017 9:20 amJun 12, 2017

Below is the full speech, delivered by late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola whom many believed won the June 12, 1993 election, described till date as Nigeria’s “freest and fairest” election ever.

The speech was delivered on June 11, 1994, and dubbed the ‘Epetedo Proclamation’, having been made in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island:

People of Nigeria, exactly one year ago, you turned out in your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had yourselves elected.

These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the “annulment” of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation.

Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls. But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation.

My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin.

All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.

However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their fellowmen.

Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule, bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile) propaganda. They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the 71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this? People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the will of our people.

There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that has not been put in my path, no “setup” that has not been designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year ago. It has been a long night. But the dawn is here.

Today, people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying, “Enough is Enough!” We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence.

Military rule has led to our nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilised our nation today as not before in its history. Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced a dreadful trade in drugs which has made our country’s name an anathema in many parts of the world. Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s name is linked with credit card and fraud and “419.” Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due to our country because of its size and population.

The permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that should be rightfully ours, is all but lost. For who will vote for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not respect the votes of their own people?

Enough of military rule. We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone.

Enough of square pegs in round holes. We are tired of then military repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day after, they say “Fine tuning”.

The next day, they say “Devaluation.” A few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira upwards again Abi?” All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military “about turns;” high inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralised populace.

Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? We are plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs, that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries.

A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories are crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and corruption becomes the order of the day.

Enough is enough of economic mismanagement! People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93. This programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic (problems) that have demoralised us all. I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained from the people.

Because you knew I would not only listen to you but deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states.

I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves: “What have we done to deserve this, when we have a president- elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better? Our patience has come to an end.

As of now, from this moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated.

The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them. At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council. We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power.

I pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them. For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time.

I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President.

My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as of now. People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country.

Nelson Mandela fought to replace MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule. We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces. Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today, that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections.

The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and must be booted out. I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria, to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke of minority rule for ever.

The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest. In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever.

So, let it be with Nigeria. Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land.

No one can give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer to. God bless you all. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long live the Government of National Unity.

FEATURES

Making Ede Cocoa Industry Work 15 Years After [ Plus Video]

By Editor , Jun 12, 2017 9:03 amJun 12, 2017

Commissioned on October 17, 1982, the Ede Cocoa Product Industry was setup to process and refine Cocoa from harvest to products of high standard and exports.

However, in 2001, the industry became moribund until 2016. For years, the industry that has hitherto been a model and part of the industrialization sector of Osun became obsolete and moribund with equipment worth millions of naira ineffective.

But in 2016, the Aregbesola administration in partnership with Skyrun Cocoa Processing Company agreed to rejig the industry for optimum performance.

As of today, the partnership has yielded positive results. One is the daily assemblage of 20,000 tonnes of Cocoa for processing to various products.

The company presently process 20,000 tonnes of Cocoa into Cocoa Liquor. In a chat with news men recently, the company says it will soon begin the production of Cocoa Powder and Cocoa Cake.

Also, the Commissioner For Commerce, Co-Op & Empowerment, Mr. Jayeoba Alagbada revealed to news men over the weekend that through the partnership with the company running the industry, the state of Osun owns 30% equity which gives it a 30% revenue derivable from all resources and funds generated here.

“Through this partnership, many people in Osun would learn the trade of cocoa processing. The possibilities are just endless. At least, now, our people know that more value accrues to them if they process cocoa rather than exporting in its raw form,” the commissioner stated.

It was revealed that the industry has plans to expand it capacity in the next few months.

https://youtu.be/rpzo13n7eLk

The Ede Cocoa Industry At A Glance

1. The Ede Cocoa Processing industry was revitalized in 2016.

2. Before 2016, the processing industry was moribund for 15 years.

3. At current capacity, the company processes about 20,000 tonnes of cocoa daily.

4. Production capacity was actually increased by 200%.

5. The processing industry is currently being run by Skyrun Cocoa Production Company which presently produces cocoa liquor for local and international brands.

6. The factory has created hundred of jobs for locals.

FEATURES

“A New Era Is Rising,” Democracy Day Speech By Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

By Editor , May 29, 2017 5:10 amMay 29, 2017

DEMOCRACY DAY SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, COMMEMORATING THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUHARI ADMINISTRATION, MAY 29, 2017

Dear Nigerians, I bring you good wishes from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who as we all know is away from the country on medical vacation.

Today marks the second anniversary of our assumption of office. We must thank the Almighty God not only for preserving our lives to celebrate this second anniversary, but for giving us hope, strength and confidence as we faced the challenges of the past two years. Our administration outlined three specific areas for our immediate intervention on assumption of office: these were Security, Corruption and the Economy.

In the Northeast of our country, the terrorist group Boko Haram openly challenged the sovereignty and continued existence of the state, killing, maiming, and abducting, causing the displacement of the largest number of our citizens in recent history.

Beyond the North East they extended their mindless killings, as far away as Abuja, Kano And Kaduna. But with new leadership and renewed confidence our gallant military immediately began to put Boko Haram on the back foot. We have restored broken-down relations with our neighbours, Chad, Cameroon and Niger – allies without whom the war against terror would have been extremely difficult to win. We have re-organized and equipped our Armed Forces, and inspired them to heroic feats; we have also revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force, by providing the required funding and leadership. The positive results are clear for all to see. In the last two years close to one million displaced persons have returned home. 106 of our daughters from Chibok have regained their freedom, after more than two years in captivity, in addition to the thousands of other captives who have since tasted freedom. Schools, hospitals and businesses are springing back to life across the Northeast, especially in Borno State, the epicentre of the crisis. Farmers are returning to the farms from which they fled in the wake of Boko Haram. Finally, our people are getting a chance to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their lives.

Across the country, in the Niger Delta, and in parts of the North Central region, we are engaging with local communities, to understand their grievances, and to create solutions that respond to these grievances adequately and enduringly. President Buhari’s New Vision for the Niger Delta is a comprehensive peace, security and development plan that will ensure that the people benefit fully from the wealth of the region, and we have seen to it that it is the product of deep and extensive consultations, and that it has now moved from idea to execution. Included in that New Vision is the long-overdue environmental clean-up of the Niger Delta beginning with Ogoni-land, which we launched last year. More recent threats to security such as the herdsmen clashes with farmers in many parts of the country sometimes leading to fatalities and loss of livelihoods and property have also preoccupied our security structures. We are working with State governments, and tasking our security agencies with designing effective strategies and interventions that will bring this menace to an end. We are determined to ensure that anyone who uses violence, or carries arms without legal authority is apprehended and sanctioned.

In the fight against corruption, we have focused on bringing persons accused of corruption to justice. We believe that the looting of public resources that took place in the past few years has to be accounted for. Funds appropriated to build roads, railway lines, and power plants, and to equip the military, that had been stolen or diverted into private pockets, must be retrieved and the culprits brought to justice. Many have said that the process is slow, and that is true, corruption has fought back with tremendous resources and our system of administration of justice has been quite slow. But the good news for justice is that our law does not recognize a time bar for the prosecution of corruption and other crimes, and we will not relent in our efforts to apprehend and bring corruption suspects to justice. We are also re-equipping our prosecution teams, and part of the expected judicial reforms is to dedicate some specific courts to the trial of corruption cases.

We are also institutionalizing safeguards and deterrents. We have expanded the coverage of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). We have introduced more efficient accounting and budgeting systems across the Federal Government. We have also launched an extremely successful Whistleblower Policy. The Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance has succeeded in plugging leakages amounting to billions of naira, over the last two years. We have ended expensive and much-abused fertilizer and petrol subsidy regimes. We have taken very seriously our promise to save and invest for the future, even against the backdrop of our revenue challenges, and we have in the last two years added US$500m to our Sovereign Wealth Fund and US$87m to the Excess Crude Account. This is the very opposite of the situation before now, when rising oil prices failed to translate to rising levels of savings and investment.

Admittedly, the economy has proven to be the biggest challenge of all. Let me first express just how concerned we have been, since this administration took office, about the impact of the economic difficulties on our citizens. Through no fault of theirs, some companies shut down their operations, others downsized; people lost jobs, had to endure rising food prices. In some States civil servants worked months on end without the guarantee of a salary, even as rents and school fees and other expenses continued to show up like clockwork.

We have been extremely mindful of the many sacrifices that you have had to make over the last few years. And for this reason this administration’s work on the economic front has been targeted at a combination of short-term interventions to cushion the pain, as well as medium to long term efforts aimed at rebuilding an economy that is no longer helplessly dependent on the price of crude oil. Those short-term interventions include putting together a series of bailout packages for our State Governments, to enable them bridge their salary shortfalls – an issue the President has consistently expressed his concerns about. We also began the hard work of laying out a framework for our Social Intervention Programme, the most ambitious in the history of the country.

One of the first tasks of the Cabinet and the Economic Management Team was to put together a Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, targeting initiatives that would create speedy yet lasting impact on the lives of Nigerians.

Indeed, much of 2016 was spent clearing the mess we inherited and putting the building blocks together for the future of our dreams; laying a solid foundation for the kind of future that you deserve as citizens of Nigeria.

In his Budget Presentation Speech to the National Assembly last December, President Buhari outlined our Economic Agenda in detail, and assured that 2017 -would be the year in which you would begin to see tangible benefits of all the planning and preparation work. It is my pleasure to note that in the five months since he delivered that speech, we have seen tremendous progress, as promised.

Take the example of our Social Investment Programme, which kicked off at the end of 2016. Its Home Grown School Feeding component is now feeding more than 1 million primary school children across seven states and would be feeding three million by the end of the year. N-Power, another component has engaged 200,000 unemployed graduates – none of whom needed any ‘connections’ to be selected. Beneficiaries are already telling the stories of how these initiatives have given them a fresh start in their lives. Micro credit to a million artisans, traders and market men and women has begun. While conditional cash transfers to eventually reach a million of the poorest and most vulnerable households has also begun.

Road and power projects are ongoing in every part of the country. In rail, we are making progress with our plans to attract hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to upgrade the existing 3,500km narrow-gauge network. We have also in 2017 flagged-off construction work on the Lagos-Ibadan leg of our standard-gauge network, and are close to completing the first phase of Abuja’s Mass Transit Rail System.

In that Budget speech in December, the President announced the take-off of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative. Today, five months on, that Initiative – the product of an unprecedented bilateral cooperation with the Government of Morocco – has resulted in the revitalisation of 11 blending plants across the country, the creation of 50,000 direct and indirect jobs so far, and in the production of 300,000 metric tonnes of NPK fertilizer, which is being sold to farmers at prices significantly lower than what they paid last year. By the end of 2017, that Fertilizer Initiative would have led to foreign exchange savings of US$200 million; and subsidy savings of 60 billion naira. The Initiative is building on the solid gains of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, launched in 2015 to support our rice and wheat farmers, as part of our move towards guaranteeing food security for Nigeria.

All of this is evidence that we are taking very seriously our ambition of agricultural self-sufficiency. I am delighted to note that since 2015 our imports of rice have dropped by 90 percent, while domestic production has almost tripled. Our goal is to produce enough rice to meet local demand by 2019. In April, the President launched our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which built on the foundations laid by the Strategic implementation Plan of 2016. The plan has set forth a clear vision for the economic development of Nigeria. I will come back to this point presently.

Another highlight of the President’s Budget Speech was our work around the Ease of Doing Business reforms. As promised we have since followed up with implementation and execution. I am pleased to note that we are now seeing verifiable progress across several areas, ranging from new Visa on Arrival scheme, to reforms at our ports and regulatory agencies. The President also promised that 2017 would see the rollout of Executive Orders to facilitate government approvals, support procurement of locally made goods, and improve fiscal responsibility. We have kept that promise. This month we issued three Executive Orders to make it easier for citizens to get the permits and licenses they require for their businesses, to mandate Government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods, and to promote budget transparency and efficiency. The overarching idea is to make Government Agencies and Government budgets work more efficiently for the people. The impact of our Ease of Doing Business work is gradually being felt by businesses small and large; its successful take-off has allowed us to follow up with the MSME Clinics -our Small Business support programme, which has taken us so far to Aba, Sokoto, Jos, Katsina, and we expect to be in all other states in due course.

Let me note, at this point, that several of our Initiatives are targeted at our young people, who make up most of our population. From N-Power, to the Technology Hubs being developed nationwide, to innovation competitions such as the Aso Villa Demo Day, and our various MSME support schemes, we will do everything to nurture the immense innovative and entrepreneurial potential of our young people. We are a nation of young people, and we will ensure that our policies and programmes reflect this.

One of the highlights of our Power Sector Recovery Programme, which we launched in March, is a N701 billion Naira Payment Assurance Scheme that will resolve the financing bottlenecks that have until now constrained the operations of our gas suppliers and generation companies. Let me assure that you will soon begin to see the positive impact of these steps. Our Solid Minerals Development Fund has also now taken off, in line with our commitment to developing the sector.

Because of our unerring focus on Solid Minerals development over the last two years, the sector has, alongside Agriculture, seen impressive levels of growth – in spite of the recession. On the whole, just as the President promised in the Budget Speech, these early months of 2017 have seen the flowering of the early fruit of all the hard work of our first eighteen months. We opened the year with an overwhelmingly successful Eurobond Offer – evidence of continuing investor interest in Nigeria.

We have also launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, to build on the gains of last year’s Strategic Implementation Plan. And the implementation of our 2017 Budget, which will soon be signed into law, will bring added impetus to our ongoing economic recovery.

In the 2016 Budget we spent 1.2 Trillion Naira on infrastructure projects, another milestone in the history of this country. Our 2017 Budget will double that investment. That budget also provides for substantial investment to implement the rollout of Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), as well as our Social Housing Programme. The Industrial Parks and Economic Zones will fulfill our ambition of making Nigeria a manufacturing hub, while the Family Home Fund of our Social Housing Programme will provide inexpensive mortgages for low-income individuals and families across the country.

These plans offer yet more evidence that we are ramping up the pace of work; the work of fulfilling all that we promised. In the next two years we will build on the successes of the last two. We have demonstrated a willingness to learn from our mistakes and to improve on our successes. The critical points that we must address fully in the next two years are : Agriculture and food security, Energy, (power and Petroleum,) Industrialization and Transport infrastructure. Every step of the way we will be working with the private sector, giving them the necessary incentives and creating an environment to invest and do business.

Our vision is for a country that grows what it eats and produces what it consumes. It is for a country that no longer has to import petroleum products, and develops a lucrative petrochemical industry. Very importantly it is for a country whose fortunes are no longer tied to the price of a barrel of crude, but instead to the boundless talent and energy of its people, young and old, male and female as they invest in diverse areas of the economy. And that vision is also for a country where the wealth of the many will no longer be stolen by or reserved for a few; and where the impunity of corruption – whether in the public or private sectors – will no longer be standard operating practice; a land rid of bandits and terrorists.

As citizens you all deserve a country that works, not merely for the rich or connected, but for everyone. And our promise to you is that we will, with your support and cooperation, take every step needed to create that country of our dreams. We also know that this journey will of necessity take time. But we will not succumb to the temptation to take short-cuts that ultimately complicate the journey. We did not find ourselves in crises overnight, and we simply do not expect overnight solutions to our challenges. The most important thing is that we are on the right path, and we will not deviate from it, even in the face of strong temptation to choose temporary gain over long-term benefit. As the President has summed it up: “The old Nigeria is slowly but surely disappearing, and a new era is rising.” And so we commemorate this second anniversary of our administration with confidence and optimism.

I firmly believe that we have put the most difficult phase behind us; and we are witnesses to the ever-increasing intensity of the light at the end of the tunnel. We ask for your continued cooperation and support, to enable us realise all our best intentions and ambitions for Nigeria.

On our part We will continue to carry you along on this journey, speak to you, explain the challenges, and share our Vision. And while we all daily pre-occupy ourselves with pursuing the Nigerian Dream – which is the desire to better our lives and circumstances vigorously and honestly – it is inevitable that grievances and frustrations will arise from time to time. This is normal. What is not normal, or acceptable, is employing these frustrations as justification for indulging in discrimination or hate speech or hateful conduct of any kind, or for seeking to undermine by violent or other illegal means the very existence of the sovereign entity that has brought us all together as brothers and sisters and citizens. Nigeria belongs to all of us. No one person or group of persons is more important or more entitled than the other in this space that we all call home. And we have a responsibility to live in peace and harmony with one another, to seek peaceful and constitutional means of expressing our wishes and desires, and to resist all who might seek to sow confusion and hatred for their own selfish interests.

Before I end this speech, let me ask for your continued prayers for the restoration to full health and strength and the safe return of our President. I congratulate all of you on today’s commemoration of this important day in the democratic calendar our country. Nigeria is on a journey of greatness, and together we shall arrive at the destination of our dreams.

May God bless you all, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

FEATURES

Forbes Profiles Hadiza Bala Usman, The Market Enthusiast Reforming Nigerian Ports

By Editor , May 25, 2017 2:13 pmMay 25, 2017

Ports play an important role in shaping the economy of countries when the potentials are well harnessed through efficient operations. Singapore’s maritime industry, for example, contributes 7 percent of the nation’s GDP with revenue in excess of $3 billion as at 2012. Nigeria in contrast barely made $500 million in revenue in 2015 through the Nigerian Ports Authority. This among other reasons informed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint in July 2016, Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of that agency.

Since her appointment, Hadiza Bala Usman has instituted a number of key reforms with focus on tackling endemic corruption at the ports and putting an end to an era of monopoly in the maritime sector. She is profiled in Forbes Magazine as the incredible work she has done at the Nigerian Ports Authority continues to attract commendation locally and internationally.

FORBES – Meet The Incredible Young Woman Running Nigeria’s Port Authority

President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Hadiza Bala Usman, 41, as the first ever female Managing Director of the NPA in July 2016. Until then, she was the Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, helping to spearhead reforms in a state that badly needed rejuvenation. By entrusting the herculean task of reforming one of the most important agencies of government to a young Hadiza, President Buhari seemed to dispel all sentiments of his aversion to youth and women inclusion in government. The appointment also signaled the intentions of his administration to tackle corruption in a major revenue generating agency to diversify the nation’s revenue stream and break away from the over-dependence on oil.

A Master’s degree holder in Development Studies from the University of Leeds, Hadiza’s background and experience in policy research and public sector reforms has been instrumental in terminating systemic corruption and repositioning a moribund NPA for excellence in performance and delivery of quality services within 9 months. Unremitted funds represent the darkest shade in a spectrum of economic and financial crimes against the Nigerian people by those trusted with the resources of the nation. It took less than 6 months after Hadiza assumed her role as Managing Director to uncover a N11.23 billion fraud at the maritime agency. Investigations revealed that some commercial banks in collusion with some officials of the agency hid funds collected as revenue in secret accounts instead of remitting same into the NPA’s Treasury Single Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

$24.1 million of NPA revenue that should have been remitted to the federation account was found hidden in an account at one bank and another 6 million Euros in separate accounts at two other banks. Another $5.4 million was cleverly moved to TSA accounts in the Central Bank of Nigeria, but those accounts do not belong to the NPA. A determined Hadiza Bala Usman has since put strategic measures in place to recover these unremitted funds as well as recoup debts of about N250 billion owed the agency.

This is nothing compared to the $952 million and N3.3 billion revenue belonging to the agency allegedly cornered by a major oil & gas logistics services company operating in the sector. The $952 million, according to reports, forms part of the dues and charges collected on behalf of the agency since 2010 while the N3.3 billion is rent owed the agency for the company’s occupancy of the Onne port from which it operates. In essence, a company occupying government property without paying rent had been collecting dues and charges on behalf of the government without remitting same to government account. This is one of the most telling anomalies dismantled by Bala Usman.

But that wasn’t all. The Bala Usman-led management discovered that top officials at the NPA bypassed Nigeria’s procurement laws to award contracts to handpicked contractors under a poorly disguised joint venture. A particular company netted two major contracts every year from 2006 to 2016 for a total of $2.4 billion. Sums awarded to this company for projects in Rivers Port and Onne Port included $127 million in 2006, $163.2 million in 2007, $195.4 million in 2008, $143.4 million in 2009, $192.1 million in 2010, $327 million in 2011, $300.2 million in 2012, $296.3 million in 2013, $328.6 million in 2014 and $286.2 million in 2016. These revelations and Hadiza’s resolve to not only recover the funds but also put structures in place to block future access by private firms and individuals to public revenue accruing to the NPA naturally set her on a collision course with the forces of corruption in the maritime sector. Hadiza, who is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, has indeed committed to opening an anti-corruption office in the NPA in line with a report submitted by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices Commission on the corruption index in ports administration.

A memorandum of understanding signed with budget tracking and transparency platform BudgIT has made Bala Usman’s NPA the first revenue-generating government agency in the history of Nigeria’s public service sector to open its budget and accounts to public scrutiny. According to Hadiza, the move represents ‘a departure from the morally flexible and opaque practices of the past administrations by moving towards information democratisation, budgeting transparency and open governance.’

While fighting corruption at the NPA, Hadiza has also ensured a free market system, through a major policy review that ended a regime of monopoly and undue advantage enjoyed by some terminal operators. Prior to now, these terminal operators created a monopoly in connivance with some NPA officials to have all oil and gas cargoes directed to their terminals under a fictitious exclusive concession agreement. With that monopoly broken, about 170 port operators can compete favourably and on equal footing for cargoes to be discharged at their terminals.

In line with her mandate, Hadiza has also put structures in place to boost Nigeria’s foreign earnings through the NPA by setting up fast track desks for exportation of agricultural commodities and solid mineral resources in the nation’s seaports. This move will drastically reduce the time, and number of steps, it takes for farmers and miners to export their products through the ports. This is a clear indication of her commitment to pursuing reform measures aimed at instituting best practices that would ensure ease of doing business in NPA’s operating and administrative processes.

With Hadiza’s commitment to blocking all revenue leakages and making operations at Nigerian ports seamless and efficient, the NPA could very well become a key economic driver for a Nigeria desperate to see a truly diversified economy in an efficiently run system. The ports are central to this vision and while Hadiza Bala Usman has clearly shown she is up to the task, there is still quite a long way to the vision desired by Nigerians for their ports. Before then, she is sure to deal with the now firmly established counter-attack of the corrupt system, often referred to as ‘corruption fighting back,’ by Nigerians desiring the better or ‘Cofiba’ in short. So far, we have no doubt she is definitely more than capable of holding her own.

Mfonobong Nsehe travels across Africa, helping FORBES track the richest people on the continent and telling their stories. He also chronicles the stories of successful African enterprises and the entrepreneurs behind them. Follow him on Twitter @MfonobongNsehe

FEATURES

How To Stay Safe When You Ride On An Uber Taxi

By Editor , May 10, 2017 12:43 pmMay 10, 2017

This week, Uber is joining the Global Safety Community to participate in the UN’s Global Road Safety Week.

Uber values the safety of riders and driver-partners before, during and after every trip and this is why Uber continually improves their safety features, the world over.

On the driver side, driver-partners and their vehicles are pre-screened, empowering riders with the knowledge that they are being transported in quality and vetted vehicles by responsible drivers.

But there are also things that riders can do to ensure their safety. Riders are urged to follow these safety tips:

Know your ride: Riders should always take the time to review the safety features available to them in the app, remember Uber rides can only be requested through the Uber app, so users should never accept street hail solicitations from those claiming to be with Uber.

When riders are ready to request a ride, it is important for them to avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with their phone in their hand. Instead, it best for them to wait indoors until the app shows their driver has arrived.

Know your driver: When a driver accepts a rider’s request, the rider is able to see the driver’s first name, photo, license plate number, type of vehicle as well as the vehicle colour. You’ll be able to see this from within the app itself – on the map. The rider should always make sure that those match before they enter the vehicle and ensure they ask for the drivers name when they open the door.

Sharing Trip Details: Uber’s technology has made it possible for all trips to be tracked using GPS. While en route the rider is able to monitor their own trip in the app as well as share their Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) with their loved ones. This will help friends and family keep track of where they are on the trip and they can do this without even downloading the Uber app!

In-app Help: The tool is designed to help riders get a prompt response to their queries in the shortest time possible. The support system can be accessed by navigating to the “Help’’ section on the menu, which helps riders and driver-partners alike to communicate their concerns they might have during a trip and get an instant response.

Follow Intuition: When using Uber the rider should be aware of their surroundings, if they feel like something’s not right they should trust their instincts and use their best judgement. Riders should be cautious when sharing any personal information and should always confirm that the driver-partner is in fact the one they saw on the app, and if they ever feel they’re in an emergency situation, they are advised to alert the local emergency services immediately.

Give Feedback: Riders should always give feedback on how their trip went. This helps improve the Uber experience for everyone, maintain a high quality service and provide accountability. Uber has a 24/7 global support team which reviews the feedback and follows up with appropriate action regarding reports of conduct that violates the Community Guidelines.

Uber constantly develops new technologies to ensure safety before, during, and after every ride which was not possible before. Uber is committed to continuously help in educating riders and driver-partners on how to use the technology by providing the tips to improve their safety on every ride.

FEATURES, NEWS

North Lags Behind In Distance Learning

By Lekan Paul , May 10, 2017 8:22 amMay 10, 2017

Students’ enrolment figures at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) reveal that northern states trail behind their southern peers in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

Admission document seen by Daily Trust shows that seven southern states of Delta, Imo, Ogun, Edo, Anambra, Osun and Oyo account for 186,023 of the total 399,260, or 47 per cent of students admission in the university.

Delta State has the highest number with 33,416 students; Ogun – 30,635; Imo – 27,752; Edo – 26,060; Anambra – 25,850; Osun – 22,915 and Oyo – 19,395.

In contrast, six northern states namely: Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa and Gombe make the bottom of the enrolment figures with a total of 6,389 or 1.6 per cent of the total.

Sokoto State has the least with 684 as at April 2017 followed by Yobe, 766; Zamfara, 793; Kebbi, 1,154; Jigawa, 1,218 and Gombe – 1,774. The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has 1,344.

There are about 40 federal universities, 38 state universities and over 50 private universities in the country. However, most states in the north hardly produce enough students to fill their admission quotas.

NOUN was established to offer distance learning, a system that is flexible in regard to modalities and timing of teaching and learning as well as admission criteria without compromising quality. Teachers and students need not to be present at the same place or time.

Former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Munzali Jibril, said the educational disparities between students from the northern region and their counterparts in the south have existed for long because “historically, education came through the south.”

He said some states governments have done a lot to close the education achievement gap.

He said the disparity on access to open and distance learning widened because of the general lack of awareness about learning from a distance. He also said people in the northern part of the country were mostly of the view that education was free due to high poverty rate.

He said “People thought education should be given free by the government.”

He said the gap between students would be reduced by developing more awareness methods. “Concerted effort and awareness will improve the situation.”

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Professor Is-haq Oloyede said apart from merit and catchment area, educationally less developed states were given preference during admission exercises. He said 15 per cent of admission quota in all universities was set aside for educationally less developed states but they hardly filled them.

Member representing Dukku/Nafada federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Aisha Jibril Dukku, said most people were not aware about the advantages of distance learning which included allowing the learner to fit his learning around his work and home life. Also, even in the conventional universities, north never filled its admission quota, she said.

She said people have little or no knowledge of Open University.

She also said internet helped a lot of people especially in the urban areas to get access to education and learning resources but lack of access to information technology as well as lack of knowledge about the internet in the rural areas have restricted the opportunity of thousands of candidates from enrolling in open university.

She said the university must create more awareness about its activities and lead the way in the establishment of more studies in the north.

“Many people will join if there is awareness and we are ready to contribute by establishing study centers.”

Reacting to the development, NOUN’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, said the headquarters of the university was initially sited in Lagos, southern region before it was recently transferred to Abuja, central region, which gave more advantage to the south.

Another reason he said was the curricular offering in the sense that courses such as peace and conflict study were more popular than those in conventional institutions such as languages and accountancy.

He said the university was using mass media to advocate for open and distance learning especially in the north.

He said: “We have done advocacy programme on radio in Sokoto about the university and many people telephoned for clarifications.”

Daily Trust

FEATURES, HEADLINES

‘Big Men’ Arrested Under Buhari’s Government

By Editor , May 6, 2017 6:34 amMay 6, 2017

This month marks the second anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ascension to power on May 29, 2015 after a tortuous political campaign on the crest of fighting corruption, insecurity and revamping the economy.

A former Deputy Director at the National Intelligence Agency, Ibrahim Ibrahim, said new laws must be put in place to succeed in the fight against corruption. “The laws in Nigeria relating to corruption are characterised by many loopholes which give room for corruption to take place… the penalties are too soft and they encourage corruption. Acts 6 and 7 of the EFCC legal instruments should be changed. Why should somebody who stole about $50 million be jailed for only five years? A person who stole a goat may still get five year jail term.”

Ibrahim added: “The burden of proof should be on the accused and not the prosecuting agency. That’s how it should be if we want to deal with corruption in Nigeria, because we can’t deal with it the way things are now. We can only do half-done job.”

The fight against corruption, which has been borrowed by many state governors using federal security apparatus, has shoved many politicians, senior military officers and technocrats into various cells. Though most of the accused are now out of incarceration on bail, we look at some of the ‘big men’ who have experienced life in detention, at a time when lawyers and security experts are calling for new laws that would reduce encumbrances hampering prosecuting of corruption cases in Nigeria.

Landmark conviction with Ngilari

The anti-graft crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari scored a major goal in March, this year when a former governor of Adamawa State, James Bala Ngilari was surreptitiously investigated, taken to court where he was found guilty and sentenced for five years by a Federal High Court.

The unprecedented ruling by the court in Yola, presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ngilari violated the Public Procurement Act of the state by awarding contracts for the procurement of 25 vehicles for his commissioners at the cost of N167 million without following due process.

Ngilari was found guilty of corruption charges brought against him in September last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge said Ngilari’s action “amounted to executive lawlessness,” adding that the five years were the least he could give Ngilari, whose lawyer, Mr. Samuel Toni (SAN), pleaded for leniency “in view of [Ngilari’s] invaluable contribution while he was the governor of the state during the trying moments of insurgency.”

The judgement was indeed a breakthrough even though Ngilari was later granted bail to attend to his health.

Ex- Gov Lamido’s two days in Kiyawa Prison

The former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido was earlier this week remanded at the Kiyawa Prison over alleged “inciting statements” ahead of local government elections in Jigawa.

Lamido was said to have preached violence while addressing members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who he told to resist intimidation and rigging by the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

The former governor was last Sunday picked by the Kano State police for questioning following a petition written against him by Jigawa State. He remained with the police until Tuesday when he was arraigned before the Dutse Chief Magistrate Court II. He was arraigned on four-count charges of inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, defamation of character and criminal intimidation which are contrary to section 144, 113, 397 and 372 of Jigawa State Penal Code.

The Chief Magistrate, Mohammed Usman Lamin later directed that Lamido be remanded in prison for the next two days to enable him study the possibility of granting him bail.

Lamido was remanded at the Kiyawa Prison located in Kiyawa town, the headquarters of Kiyawa Local Government Area, which is about 30 kilometres away from Dutse, the state capital. For the following two days, the prison turned to a mecca of sorts as his supporters from across the country trooped in to sympathize with him.

During a visit by our reporter, it was noticed that all the roads leading to the prison located in the heart of the town were blocked by heavily armed policemen who thoroughly screened prospective visitors.

A former Director of Press to Lamido, Malam Umar Kyari Maidamuwa, said the former governor was stress-free, calm and cheerful during his incarceration.

In July, 2015, the former Jigawa governor and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, were before a federal high court, for allegedly receiving N1.35 billion kickback from a government contractor. They were remanded in prison custody but later granted bail.

Like many other politicians, Lamido’s handlers attributed his arrests to his rising profile. Around this time in 2016, the former Jigawa State governor said he will vie for the presidency in 2019. “If my party (PDP) finds me worthy of the party’s presidential ticket to serve Nigeria, I will thank God and oblige,” he said.

Suswam in the ‘cool hands’ of DSS

A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has been in detention of the Department of Security Services (DSS) since February 27, this year on alleged possession of some unlawful items said to be found at his property in Abuja. The items included firearms, several Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os), 23 luxury watches and 45 keys of various cars among others.

Suswam’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) on April 5 filed a N10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit over his continued detention by the DSS. Beside his case with the DSS, the ex-Benue governor is also standing trial before an Abuja Federal High Court over alleged diversion of the sum of N3.1 billion raised from Benue State shares in major companies alongside Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia. The case was adjourned to May 9 after the DSS failed to produce him on March 28 for trial.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on January 25 brought an application for indefinite adjournment in a fresh N7 billion allegation of criminal misappropriation charges filed against Suswam. On April 11, the Federal Government failed to arraign him on the fresh charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the DSS failed to produce him in court. The case was adjourned to May 11.

Speaking to our correspondent in Makurdi, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, noted that the continued detention of Suswam by the DSS is a drift to the old days of military rule.

While some of Suswam’s supporters are fingering the Benue State government in the issue, Governor Samuel Ortom had at a public function on March 20, announced ceasefire between him and Suswam.

Babangida Aliyu’s quiet time in jail

A Minna High Court on Wednesday, March 3 granted bail in the sum of N150 million to former Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger who was also remanded in Minna prison for some days. He was charged alongside Umar Nasko, the Chief of Staff under his administration on a six-count charge of misappropriating N4.568 billion.

Nasko was the Niger State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015.

Justice Aliyu Mayaki granted the bail to Babangida Aliyu after he met the bail specifications which also included two sureties in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. They deposited Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)of landed property worth not less than N200 million.

According to the EFCC, which is prosecuting the former officials, the misappropriated funds are ecological project funds as well as money realised from the sale of 16 per cent shares of the state in the North-South Power Company.

Dasuki considering ditching trial?

Ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has served the longest time in detention by any a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) held by the Buhari government. He was arrested in in November 2015 and for nineteen months now, has been held at the detention facility of the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

This, according to a close associate of the former NSA, continued despite four High Court orders and an ECOWAS court order to release him on bail while his trial continued. According to the source, who does not want his name in print, Dasuki’s unlawful incarceration continues despite amended charges.

Dasuki, who was first arraigned over allegations bordering on treasonable felony and $2.1 billion misappropriated public fund amongst others, is now facing charges for illegal possession of fire arms and money laundering of about N13 billion.

Daily Trust gathered that Dasuki has considered not attending his own trial anymore, said to be frustrated over the refusal of government to obey the court orders to release him on bail. However, his lawyers, it was learnt, prevailed on him to continue attending the trial.

Badeh’s mix-up of persecution and prosecution

On March 2016 , a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh was arrested and thereafter paraded at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was arraigned for allegedly corruptly enriching himself with N3.9 billion.

Operatives of the EFCC had claimed they found over 1 million dollars in hidden safes during a search at the house and he was later sent to Kuje prison.

But Badeh denied that five properties were acquired for him from the $2.1billion funds allegedly squandered at the office of ex-NSA boss Sambo Dasuki.

“I was Chief of Air Staff from Oct 2012 to January 2014 and then appointed CDS. During my time serving as the CDS, funds for weapons were directly released to the Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff and that of Naval staff, and not to me. I had no control over the funds and yet I am being accused of embezzling. The office of the CDS had no operational control of the services and had nothing to do with their spending,” he said.

Badeh was later granted bail to the tune of N2 billion by Justice Okon Abang.

El-Zakzaky’s 16 months

The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been in detention since 14th December, 2015 when men of the Nigerian Army raided his house in Gyellesu following his members’ altercation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Even though a Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in its judgement on December 2nd, 2016 ordered for the unconditional release of Zakzaky and his wife from detention, they are still being held in a DSS facility in Abuja.

Counsel to the IMN leader, Barrister Festus Okoye said the court also ordered that Zakzaky and his wife be released and be paid N25 million each. “That was done because the DSS in their affidavit told the court that Zakzaky has not committed any offence known to law and that they are holding him in protective custody to make sure that nobody harms him.”

Commenting on Zakzaky’s health condition, Okoye said: “The Sheikh is not doing well health-wise, at the initial stage, he was shot severally on his thigh and on his arm, the wife was also shot three times in the stomach and also on her thigh. Those injuries have to a certain extent healed although the wife is still carrying shrapnel in her stomach, which has not been operated upon.

Asked if Zakzaky is allowed to receive visitors, he said, “Sometimes they allow one of the daughters to come into the facility.”

On what Zakzaky does to pass his time, he said, “Malam does not talk much in the facility, he is always in his room praying, that’s the only thing he does.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s time in detention

The self-styled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony, equally got a taste of jail time before he was granted bail just over a week ago. He was arrested on 14th October, 2015 over alleged treasonable felony.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako said her decision to release Kanu on bail was based on health grounds and was let go after he produced three sureties, including a recognised jewish leader.

Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor said his client was released after he perfected all the conditions, including producing notable people from the South East.

Ex-ministers Bala Mohammed, Fani Kayode, Nenadi Usman, et al at EFCC

In 2016, former FCT minister Bala Mohammed, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, a former spokesman of ex-President Jonathan, Reuben Abati, and Alhaja Moroophat, the wife of Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence, were taken into custody by the EFCC and DSS but later released.

Bala Mohammed was invited by the EFCC but later released for alleged land racketeering. His son was also arrested by the EFCC, paraded before a Federal High Court in Abuja and later remanded at Kuje Prison on a 15-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.1billion.

Shamsuddeen Bala Mohamed was later in February this year granted bail by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each, as part of the bail condition.

Abati was invited by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N50 million from ex-NSA Dasuki which was reportedly spent on media activities ahead of 2015 elections.

Obanikoro, who later reacted to the arrest of his wife by the DSS, said he was being persecuted. In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Jonathan Eze, the former minister said the DSS only concocted lies as a prelude to the arrest of his wife.

It later emerged that Moroophat was picked as part of ongoing investigations into how her husband and two sons collected and laundered over N4.7 billion from the national treasury in 2014.

Separately, Justice Suleiman Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos in June remanded Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman (a former minister of finance) and Danjuma Yusuf, who were arraigned before him by the EFCC over an alleged fraud of N4.9bn. The case is still lingering in court.

The cases of Yuguda, Bafarawa

In December 2016, a former Minister of State For Finance, Bashir Yuguda, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafawara, a former governor of Sokoto State; Sagir Attahiru, Bafarawa’s son and Dalhatu Investment Limited and ex-NSA Dasuki were arraigned by EFCC before Justice Peter Afen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N28, 315,000.000.

Specifically, Bafarawa and his son were accused of receiving N3, 350,000.00 which was later said to be have been used in settling “prayer warriors” that worked for the success of ex-President Jonathan.

Haliru, Metuh, Dokpesi, Dudafa and their pending cases

The EFCC had in February 2016 told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the NSA office paid N300 million to a former national chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru, to fund election campaign. Haliru was later granted bail and the case is still pending.

The EFCC had also docked the founder of Daar Communication Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, in a money laundering suit brought against him by the Federal Government.

Mr. Dokpesi is facing and his company were said to have received N2.1billion from the ex- NSA between October 2014 and March 2015, which was diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the PDP.

In January 2016, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered for the incarceration of the erstwhile spokesman of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in Kuje Prison for allegedly receiving N400 million from former NSA Dasuki. He was later released as the case continued.

granting him bail.

Lamido was remanded at the Kiyawa Prison located in Kiyawa town, the headquarters of Kiyawa Local Government Area, which is about 30 kilometres away from Dutse, the state capital. For the following two days, the prison turned to a mecca of sorts as his supporters from across the country trooped in to sympathize with him.

During a visit by our reporter, it was noticed that all the roads leading to the prison located in the heart of the town were blocked by heavily armed policemen who thoroughly screened prospective visitors.

A former Director of Press to Lamido, Malam Umar Kyari Maidamuwa, said the former governor was stress-free, calm and cheerful during his incarceration.

In July, 2015, the former Jigawa governor and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, were before a federal high court, for allegedly receiving N1.35 billion kickback from a government contractor. They were remanded in prison custody but later granted bail.

Like many other politicians, Lamido’s handlers attributed his arrests to his rising profile. Around this time in 2016, the former Jigawa State governor said he will vie for the presidency in 2019. “If my party (PDP) finds me worthy of the party’s presidential ticket to serve Nigeria, I will thank God and oblige,” he said.

Suswam in the ‘cool hands’ of DSS

A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has been in detention of the Department of Security Services (DSS) since February 27, this year on alleged possession of some unlawful items said to be found at his property in Abuja. The items included firearms, several Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os), 23 luxury watches and 45 keys of various cars among others.

Suswam’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) on April 5 filed a N10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit over his continued detention by the DSS. Beside his case with the DSS, the ex-Benue governor is also standing trial before an Abuja Federal High Court over alleged diversion of the sum of N3.1 billion raised from Benue State shares in major companies alongside Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia. The case was adjourned to May 9 after the DSS failed to produce him on March 28 for trial.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on January 25 brought an application for indefinite adjournment in a fresh N7 billion allegation of criminal misappropriation charges filed against Suswam. On April 11, the Federal Government failed to arraign him on the fresh charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the DSS failed to produce him in court. The case was adjourned to May 11.

Speaking to our correspondent in Makurdi, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, noted that the continued detention of Suswam by the DSS is a drift to the old days of military rule.

While some of Suswam’s supporters are fingering the Benue State government in the issue, Governor Samuel Ortom had at a public function on March 20, announced ceasefire between him and Suswam.

Babangida Aliyu’s quiet time in jail

A Minna High Court on Wednesday, March 3 granted bail in the sum of N150 million to former Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger who was also remanded in Minna prison for some days. He was charged alongside Umar Nasko, the Chief of Staff under his administration on a six-count charge of misappropriating N4.568 billion.

Nasko was the Niger State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015.

Justice Aliyu Mayaki granted the bail to Babangida Aliyu after he met the bail specifications which also included two sureties in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. They deposited Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)of landed property worth not less than N200 million.

According to the EFCC, which is prosecuting the former officials, the misappropriated funds are ecological project funds as well as money realised from the sale of 16 per cent shares of the state in the North-South Power Company.

Dasuki considering ditching trial?

Ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has served the longest time in detention by any a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) held by the Buhari government. He was arrested in in November 2015 and for nineteen months now, has been held at the detention facility of the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

This, according to a close associate of the former NSA, continued despite four High Court orders and an ECOWAS court order to release him on bail while his trial continued. According to the source, who does not want his name in print, Dasuki’s unlawful incarceration continues despite amended charges.

Dasuki, who was first arraigned over allegations bordering on treasonable felony and $2.1 billion misappropriated public fund amongst others, is now facing charges for illegal possession of fire arms and money laundering of about N13 billion.

Daily Trust gathered that Dasuki has considered not attending his own trial anymore, said to be frustrated over the refusal of government to obey the court orders to release him on bail. However, his lawyers, it was learnt, prevailed on him to continue attending the trial.

Badeh’s mix-up of persecution and prosecution

On March 2016 , a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh was arrested and thereafter paraded at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was arraigned for allegedly corruptly enriching himself with N3.9 billion.

Operatives of the EFCC had claimed they found over 1 million dollars in hidden safes during a search at the house and he was later sent to Kuje prison.

But Badeh denied that five properties were acquired for him from the $2.1billion funds allegedly squandered at the office of ex-NSA boss Sambo Dasuki.

“I was Chief of Air Staff from Oct 2012 to January 2014 and then appointed CDS. During my time serving as the CDS, funds for weapons were directly released to the Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff and that of Naval staff, and not to me. I had no control over the funds and yet I am being accused of embezzling. The office of the CDS had no operational control of the services and had nothing to do with their spending,” he said.

Badeh was later granted bail to the tune of N2 billion by Justice Okon Abang.

El-Zakzaky’s 16 months

The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been in detention since 14th December, 2015 when men of the Nigerian Army raided his house in Gyellesu following his members’ altercation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Even though a Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in its judgement on December 2nd, 2016 ordered for the unconditional release of Zakzaky and his wife from detention, they are still being held in a DSS facility in Abuja.

Counsel to the IMN leader, Barrister Festus Okoye said the court also ordered that Zakzaky and his wife be released and be paid N25 million each. “That was done because the DSS in their affidavit told the court that Zakzaky has not committed any offence known to law and that they are holding him in protective custody to make sure that nobody harms him.”

Commenting on Zakzaky’s health condition, Okoye said: “The Sheikh is not doing well health-wise, at the initial stage, he was shot severally on his thigh and on his arm, the wife was also shot three times in the stomach and also on her thigh. Those injuries have to a certain extent healed although the wife is still carrying shrapnel in her stomach, which has not been operated upon.

Asked if Zakzaky is allowed to receive visitors, he said, “Sometimes they allow one of the daughters to come into the facility.”

On what Zakzaky does to pass his time, he said, “Malam does not talk much in the facility, he is always in his room praying, that’s the only thing he does.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s time in detention

The self-styled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony, equally got a taste of jail time before he was granted bail just over a week ago. He was arrested on 14th October, 2015 over alleged treasonable felony.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako said her decision to release Kanu on bail was based on health grounds and was let go after he produced three sureties, including a recognised jewish leader.

Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor said his client was released after he perfected all the conditions, including producing notable people from the South East.

Ex-ministers Bala Mohammed, Fani Kayode, Nenadi Usman, et al at EFCC

In 2016, former FCT minister Bala Mohammed, former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, a former spokesman of ex-President Jonathan, Reuben Abati, and Alhaja Moroophat, the wife of Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence, were taken into custody by the EFCC and DSS but later released.

Bala Mohammed was invited by the EFCC but later released for alleged land racketeering. His son was also arrested by the EFCC, paraded before a Federal High Court in Abuja and later remanded at Kuje Prison on a 15-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.1billion.

Shamsuddeen Bala Mohamed was later in February this year granted bail by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each, as part of the bail condition.

Abati was invited by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N50 million from ex-NSA Dasuki which was reportedly spent on media activities ahead of 2015 elections.

Obanikoro, who later reacted to the arrest of his wife by the DSS, said he was being persecuted. In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Jonathan Eze, the former minister said the DSS only concocted lies as a prelude to the arrest of his wife.

It later emerged that Moroophat was picked as part of ongoing investigations into how her husband and two sons collected and laundered over N4.7 billion from the national treasury in 2014.

Separately, Justice Suleiman Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos in June remanded Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman (a former minister of finance) and Danjuma Yusuf, who were arraigned before him by the EFCC over an alleged fraud of N4.9bn. The case is still lingering in court.

The cases of Yuguda, Bafarawa

In December 2016, a former Minister of State For Finance, Bashir Yuguda, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafawara, a former governor of Sokoto State; Sagir Attahiru, Bafarawa’s son and Dalhatu Investment Limited and ex-NSA Dasuki were arraigned by EFCC before Justice Peter Afen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N28, 315,000.000.

Specifically, Bafarawa and his son were accused of receiving N3, 350,000.00 which was later said to be have been used in settling “prayer warriors” that worked for the success of ex-President Jonathan.

Haliru, Metuh, Dokpesi, Dudafa and their pending cases

The EFCC had in February 2016 told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the NSA office paid N300 million to a former national chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru, to fund election campaign. Haliru was later granted bail and the case is still pending.

The EFCC had also docked the founder of Daar Communication Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, in a money laundering suit brought against him by the Federal Government.

Mr. Dokpesi is facing and his company were said to have received N2.1billion from the ex- NSA between October 2014 and March 2015, which was diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the PDP.

In January 2016, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered for the incarceration of the erstwhile spokesman of the PDP, Olisa Metuh in Kuje Prison for allegedly receiving N400 million from former NSA Dasuki. He was later released as the case continued.

Source: Daily Trust

FEATURES

Tribute To Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, By Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

By Editor , Apr 24, 2017 2:06 pmApr 24, 2017

ERIN WO, AJANAKU SUN BI OKE, A TITAN IS GONE

TRIBUTE TO SENATOR ISIAKA ADELEKE (JANUARY 1955 – APRIL 23, 2017)

I received with deep shock but submission to the will of Allah (SWT) the news of the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke early this morning. He was 62 years. Senator Adeleke was the first civilian governor of the State of Osun elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the aborted Third Republic. He was in office between January 1992 and November 1993.

At the return of civil democratic rule, he was elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Osun West in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2007 to 2011. Senator Adeleke came from the illustrious Adeleke family of Ede. His father, Senator Ayoola Adeleke, was a progressive politician, an ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a staunch member of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), under which banner he was elected to the Nigerian Senate in the Second Republic.

It is not surprising therefore that Senator Adeleke returned to the progressives fold in 2014 when he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). He returned to the Senate in 2015, having contested the Osun West Senatorial seat in the general election and won as the candidate of the APC.

Senator Adeleke became the first civilian governor of Osun at the age of 37, barely a year after the creation of the state, at a period he was most energetic. He therefore laboured hard, giving his best, to lay a good foundation for the then young state, the impact of which we still feel today, even though he was in office for less than two years.

He was a charismatic politician and political leader with panache, passion and fervour that traversed the political spectrum, appealing to all social strata. He was at home with the grassroots as he was with the elite.

Senator Adeleke was a very generous man who gave his all to the needy, friends and constituents, without favour to ethnicity, religion and background. Thousands benefitted from his scholarship scheme and social empowerment programmes.

He was a loyal party member and a team player who was determined to help realise the progressive agenda of the party, through legislation, not just in the whole country but in the State of Osun and Osun West Senatorial District as well.

Senator Adeleke was a personal friend who was committed to my re-election with his entire being. He was unflinching in his support and commitment, even when the security agencies laid a siege to his residence on the eve of the August 9, 2014 governorship election.

His death is very painful and a blow to us all. He is leaving a void in us, the Senate of the Federal Republic, Osun politics and his community in Ede that will be hard to fill. We give thanks to the Almighty God for the fruitful and exemplary life that Senator Adeleke lived. All mortal come from him and to him shall they return.

On behalf of the government, the good people of Osun and my family, I offer sincere condolences to his wife and children, the Adeleke Family of Ede, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the APC national and in the State of Osun, the good people of Ede and the progressives family at large.

May God grant him eternal repose and Aljanna Fidaus.

Rauf Aregbesola

Governor, State of Osun

FEATURES

The Greatest Athlete In Kenya Showed The Photo Of The Expensive Car, But The Tracks Remained Unhidden

By Editor , Apr 22, 2017 6:42 amApr 22, 2017

One of the best athletes was caught in a million shilling farce. The man declared that he had bought the Range Rover, although fans pointed out it was all the deceit.

As reported at Tuko Newspaper, the biggest part of the athletes in Kenya are rich. With their winning streak, they are raking in millions for their winnings and appearances. Because of this, the fact that these sportsmen are at the head of their own hotel, have the number of sports clubs or a range of amazing cars, must not surprise you.

Well, one of these rich people is called Geoffrey Kipsang. It is known that he is 25 years old. He is the great champion of the country. The man has many fans and the last news that shocked them was on his official social page. Geoffrey posted the photo with his new amazing automobile — Range Rover.

On the photo, people could see the number plate with the athlete’s name. A lot of rumors appeared on the theme that the car was bought due to the great holiday — St. Valentine’s Day. However, by monitoring the photo, it was found out that the pic had been downloaded from another site and everything on the car was made with photoshop. The site, where the pic was taken, is called the Ebay. Moreover, Kamworor captioned the image on his social media with the words “Up to this far, I thank you, Lord”.

FEATURES

Timeline And Amount Of Recoveries By EFCC Since October 2016

By Editor , Apr 21, 2017 3:11 pmApr 21, 2017

One of the most controversial agencies during the present Buhari administration is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

From the outset of the administration, it was obvious that the President was relying heavily on the agency to carry out his anti-corruption war. Since then, the EFCC has been more active than ever before, claiming to make several recoveries.

While many have lauded the actions of the EFCC as sanitizing a corrupt polity, others claim that the agency has just been used by the Federal Government (FG) to target political enemies and deal with them. One of the most resounding arguments of critics of the EFCC remains their inability to produce a coherent and accurate record of the so-called loot they claim to be recovering.

The Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, who has been denied confirmation as the substantial Chairman twice by the Senate, himself could not produce neither an accurate figure nor an estimate during his appearance before the legislators. SBM Intel has compiled a timeline of recoveries and the amounts EFCC claimed to recover between October 2015 and April 21, 2017 below.

October 4, 2015

N1,200,000 from former Minster of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke

February 6, 2016

N25,000,000 from Abba Dabo, former political adviser to ex-Vice president, Namadi Sambo

February 21, 2016

N381,000,000 from Mrs. Omolara Amosu, wife of former Chief of Air Staff
$1,000,000 from former Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh

May 24, 2016

N10,000,000 from Alhaji Ahmed Dandija

May 24, 2016

N2,000,000 from Nuhu Poloma

May 25, 2016

N5,000,000 from Bunu Mulima

June 6,2016

N10,061,172,600 from National Broadcasting Commission
N2,300,000,000 from ex-Chief of Air Staff
N900,000,000 from an ex-presidential aide
N750,000,000 from a businessman
N420,000,000 from an ex-Chief of Staff and others
N140,000,000 from an ex-Minister
N100,000,000 from an ex-military adiministrator
N359,000,000 from Oyo and Ogun INEC
N2,000,000 from a former Minister
N580,000,000 from a former Minister
$1,000,000 from an ex-governor of Delta state
N1,000,000 from a former State speaker
N2,500,000,000 from an account belonging to an housemaid of former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah
£2,000,000 from a former state speaker

September 2, 2016

N78,000,000,000 from unknown persons in Abuja
$3,000,000 from unknown persons in Abuja

September 4, 2016

N10,000,000 from Jumoke Akinjide

November 3, 2016

N100,000,000 from Musiliu Obanikoro

November 17, 2016

N400,000,000 from Olisa Metuh

November 26, 2016

N6,500,000 from Vice-Chancellor FUNAAB, Olusola Oyewole

November 30, 2016

N30,000,000 from Musiliu Obanikoro

December 3, 2016

N1,400,000,000 from Abdullahi Dikko

December 18, 2016

N1,150,000,000 from unspecified persons in Kano State

January 6, 2017

N34,000,000,000 from former Minster of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke

January 13, 2017

N100,000,000 from Jafaru Isa

February 3, 2017

$9,800,000 from Andrew Yakubu, former NNPC MD
£74,000 from Andrew Yakubu, former NNPC MD

February 7, 2017

N111,000,000 from 23 INEC officials in Rivers State

February 11, 2017

$37,500,000 from former Minster of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke

February 12, 2017

N8,000,000,000 from unknown persons in Lagos state
$151,000,000 from unknown persons in Lagos state

February 14, 2017

N84,000,000 from Air Commodore Gbadebo

March 13, 2017

N49,000,000 from unspecified persons at Kaduna Airport

April 9, 2017

N448,850,000 from unspecified persons at an empty shop in Lagos

April 11, 2017

N4,000,000,000 in a fixed deposit account domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank

April 12, 2017

N23,218,000 in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos
$43,600,000 in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos
£27,800 in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos

A total of 41 recoveries were reported with the overall sum of recoveries standing at N169, 634,722,600, $260,900,000 and £2,101,800.

Nairametrics

FEATURES

A Day With Minister Of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh #HMAgricMeets

Jibrin @AbdulAbmj Set N100,000 Each For 10 Best Captions Of This Photograph Of Buhari And Wife

June 12: The ‘Epetedo Proclamation’ Speech That Landed MKO Abiola In Prison

Making Ede Cocoa Industry Work 15 Years After [ Plus Video]

“A New Era Is Rising,” Democracy Day Speech By Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Forbes Profiles Hadiza Bala Usman, The Market Enthusiast Reforming Nigerian Ports

How To Stay Safe When You Ride On An Uber Taxi

North Lags Behind In Distance Learning

‘Big Men’ Arrested Under Buhari’s Government

Tribute To Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, By Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

The Greatest Athlete In Kenya Showed The Photo Of The Expensive Car, But The Tracks Remained Unhidden

Timeline And Amount Of Recoveries By EFCC Since October 2016

Pages

Quick Links

Follow Us