Finally, Senate screens Amaechi, awaits confirmation

The Senate finally screened former Rivers state Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, at resumption of plenary on Thursday.
Mr. Amaechi was screened alongside five other ministerial nominees listed on the Order Paper issued for the day.
In his introductory remarks, the former Governor said he was humbled to have been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as a minister if confirmed.
He also said it was a rare privilege to address the Senators whether or not he becomes Minister.
Mr. Amaechi highlighted few of the achievements recorded during his tenure as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and as Governor.
However, it was not a smooth sail for the embattled Amaechi as attempt by the Minority Leader, PDP Senator Godswil Akpabio and Majority Leader, APC’s Alli Ndume, to allow him ‘to take a bow and go’ was resisted by Senators who were aggrieved by the manner Senator Ndume presented it referring to them as “You People”.
Senator Akpabio had said on behalf of PDP Senators that they would not have any question for the nominee.
To settle the uproar caused by Ndume’s presentation, Senate president Bukola Saraki, apologized on behalf of the Majority Leader and thereafter allowed that nominees be asked questions.
Screening of the former Governor had been controversial as a result of petition sent to the Senate by Integrity Group in Rivers State.
The petitioner relied on the report of a Panel of Inquiry that purportedly indicted Mr. Amaechi of corruption while serving as Rivers Governor, the petitioner had asked the Senate not screen him.
Interestingly, despite the fact that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by Senator Sam Anyanwu, had dismissed the petition on the basis that it is still in court, the Senate kept postponing his screening.

Amaechi not constitutionally qualified to be Minister – Rivers PDP

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This it claimed is consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1) and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and read together, disqualifies him from becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Special Adviser On Media And Publicity, Mr. Jerry Needam on Monday, in view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional provision which states as follow:
Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government respectively”.
Furthermore, Section 147 (5) states thus: “No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives”.
Suffice it to hold that Section 147 (5) as spelt out above unequivocally states that what qualifies or disqualifies a member of the House of Representatives applies to a Ministerial Nominee, for which former governor Chibuike Amaechi is one.
The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly issued.
Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Breaking: Buhari sends second list of 15 ministerial nominees

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the second batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki confirmed this Monday on his twitter handle @bukolasaraki.
It read: Few minutes ago, on behalf of @NGRSenate I received the 2nd batch of #Thelist of #MinisterialNominees.
Sources said 15 names are contained in the second list. This is a follow up to the first batch of 21 names earlier received by Saraki on September 30.

"Here We Go Again": Senate C’ttee Suspends Petition Against Amaechi

In a sudden turn of events, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public petitions has announced the suspension of the petition against former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi is one of the 21 ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Earlier, we reported that Amaechi and another nominee, Amina Ibrahim, appeared before the Senate Committee to respond to the petitions against them ahead of their screening on Tuesday.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday, the committee chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, explained that the decision to step down on the petition brought by Senator George Sekibo (PDP/Rivers State), was reached as a result of a pending suit against the charges on Amaechi.
The former governor is facing stiff opposition from his state government, which has thrown every hurdle on his path to becoming a minister.
The Rivers government is accusing Amaechi of large-scale corruption while in office.

LASTMA arrests 10 military vehicles on BRT corridor

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says it arrested and cautioned the drivers of 10 vehicles belonging to the military on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor on Monday.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bashir Braimah, made the disclosure to newsmen during the authority’s “Operation Stand Strong’’ to bring sanity on the state roads.
Braimah said that the programme was aimed at removing lawless road users and promoting economic activities.
“Those that have no business to obey our traffic laws should not be on our roads. We don’t want lawlessness on our roads.
“Whoever has no good intention should rather park his vehicle at home and allow those who have businesses in Lagos to continue with their businesses without any hindrance.
“Our focus this morning is to enforce law on BRT corridor and we have made a large number of arrest. People you expect to obey the law are the ones disobeying the law.
“We have let them know that nobody is above the law,’’ Braimah said while emphasising that if caught again they would be prosecuted.
“There is law in Lagos, there is a government in Lagos and we shall maintain sanity. For today, the most erring people on BRT lane are the military officers.
“Over 10 vehicles of the military were found on the BRT corridor and we are going to write the army authorities.’’
According to him, LASTMA impounded the vehicles of recalcitrant drivers and ticketed those that are civil.
He said: “If Lagosians are saying they cannot be civil with us, we are going to show them the other side of the coin.
“We are going to sustain this. It is a continuous process until there is sanity on our roads.
“Violators who thought they escaped will be tracked and arrested because we have photographs bearing their vehicle numbers’’.
Braimah said that the exercise was going on in all the 40 zones in the state to bring sanity to the road.
He added that “there will be no escape route for anybody, this is zero tolerance for lawlessness on Lagos roads, we are out now and we will not relent in this effort.
“If drivers disobey traffic laws, they should know that they will be caught, if they are caught they will be embarrassed, they will be tried and then face the penalty’’.
The LASTMA boss, however, noted that road users who were compliant and road-friendly had nothing to fear, noting that the authority had started bringing human face to enforcement.
On the rumour that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State had directed LASTMA not to impound vehicles, he said that “the governor never said so’’.
Many commercial vehicles were impounded and towed away for picking and dropping passengers at illegal bus stops and for lack of valid documents at Yaba and Oyingbo. (NAN)

'The Beginning of The End of Ahmed Bola Tinubu' by Harold Smith

Nigeria - Pre-historically, the world has seen kingdoms come and go. Indeed, one of the numerous philosophers that history has known is said to have prophesied that, “no kingdom lasts forever.” Perhaps, that saying, if correct, might be coming true for a novo-prince Nigerian politician in the southwestern climes.



This “prince’s” story sounds like a typical Indian movie-yarn which was a popular fare at a town in Lagos known as “Pen Cinema” where this same self “impostor” has allegedly converted to a personal estate, demolished and built up condos, shopping malls and banking halls et cetera today. He wants to be known as “Leader of the Yoruba” race after the venerated Obafemi Awolowo but the tides are turning.

Perhaps, Alhaji (Ja-gaba-n-somewhere in the north, Chief, ‘Asiwaju’) Bola Ahmed Tinubu might spare a few moments of his “very boogey time” to reminisce upon the historical antecedents of one of the world’s numerous political dynasties, which boomeranged. It is about an Indian of humble beginnings who failed to heed the creed that, whose palm kernel-nuts were cracked for them by benevolent spirits, must not forget to be humble!

It is about the Shaishunaga dynasty. Shaishunaga, or Susunaga, the founder (ofobscure origin) may have initially served as a mere orphan. Gradually he came to be associated with the early Magadhan capital ruler and re-established an important city of in the northern Indian province of Bihar. However, during his “reign” he failed to be humble and eventually got “brutally murdered” politically because of his greed.

That sounds like ‘Asiwaju’ Tinubu’s story, but let us look at another scenario … of the Yoruba group of the Nigerian people who ‘Asiwaju’ Tinubu, in mere wishful thinking, considers himself as “leader.” Perhaps, this is not only because they number possibly 20 per cent of the national population, but also because the Encyclopedia Britannica as lists them scattered in “significant groups” in countries as far-flung as Cuba (North America/Caribbean), Brazil (South America), Benin Republic, and Togo (West Africa).

That encyclopedic entry says something profound about Yoruba women (a.k.a. persons cultivated by others to be “domesticated”): Yoruba “women [or “acquired” numbers] do little farm work but control much of the complex market system – their status depends more on their own position in the marketplace than on their husbands’ status.” It is simple to understand: the “cultivated” among certain classes of people (employees, political associates, or even protégées) must not always be taken for granted.

Herein lies the miscalculation – no I did not write “folly” – of ‘Asiwaju’ Tinubu’s serendipity. He forgot to be humble and now he has to force himself to eat the proverbial humble pie!

Has anybody noticed that, Tinubu, since badgering the national polity about being the cosmos that brought about the emergence of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) and so must dictate all trends therein, has suddenly gone silent since President Muhammadu Buhari obviously clipped Tinubu’s wings? Case in point is the much awaited #TheList.

One is intrigued that, a whopping 83 senators, dominated by no less than 59 APC of whom Tinubu claims to be “national leader,” have passed a vote of confidence on their President, Bukola Saraki – a name that Tinubu never wants to hear as Senate President. Mind you, there are only 108 senators currently, given that one died before inauguration.

Take a mini-census: literally all the people Tinubu put up for “safe-zone” posturing (positioning for personal Tinubu power) in the National Assembly have been chalked out politically and legally including Ahmed Lawan, George Akume and lately Kabir Marafa … keep counting.

Oh, it was to be Lawan for the Senate presidency or nothing – certainly – not any Bukola Saraki according to the Nostradamus alias ‘Asiwaju Jagaban’. But, that was not going to be, perhaps, because a more pragmatic and brilliant politician in Saraki, says so. Surely, the “Jagaba-n-Bida” does not seem to have noticed. In the Hausa language predominant in northern Nigeria, the word “jagaba” translates lead but the attached “n” represents the word “of” in the English language. So the Jagaba-n (which most people misconstrue as mythical) is just like saying, for instance, the “Jester-of-Borokiri.”

But, back to germane national matters, against all avowals as to who Tinubu liked, wanted in, favoured or cared most about, virtually all have been shorn of respectability by Buhari and the APC. Note that, never did Tinubu ever wish that any word sounding like “Fashola,” “Fayemi,” et cetera could appear on anything tagged “ministerial list.” Now, all those and more “non-Tinubu” words are prominent there on.
Or, did any person expect that both President Buhari and the APC (the party of which Tinubu’s domineering influence is anything now fast diminishing) could so ignominiously ignore the self-aspiring leader of the Yoruba?

Indeed, even in Tinubu’s South-West political zone where claims to be king, it is no longer anything as politically rosy as he sees his spurious dynasty. Instead, most of people he claims to be his foot soldiers politically are beginning to read the graffiti and getting used to aligning with the realities of the times: the the man is suffering, perhaps, from an aggrandizement of self far larger than the political image he paints of himself. It is not only the manner in which both former President Olusegun Obasanjo and sitting Ogun State Gov. Ibikunle Amosun shot down Tinubu’s plans for the Federal Cabinet, but also in the manner in which Obasanjo (especially) dashed Tinubu’s hopes to thwart Saraki’s Senate presidency. Perhaps, Gbajabiamila is learning the bitter lessons of blind followership.

Meanwhile, one is tempted to encourage the very erudite propagandist Alhaji Lai Mohammed to similarly see the light and stop bickering over his misfortune of becoming governor of Kwara State instead of Bukola Saraki (many years ago) in different political party tags at the time, and now concentrate on being confirmed minister of nigeria. Blind followership is simply over: anybody who is honest with him/herself can see that Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s political ascendancy has gone the way of all earthly kingdoms. Exile beckons, perhaps

Harold Adebola Smith is a political commentator.

Nigerians Don Enter One Chance With Buhari - Etcetera

Long long ago in 1979 when I was still sucking my mother’s breast, Audu Ogbeh ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party Of Nigeria (NPN). He became deputy speaker of the house and he was 32 years old at that time.



In another ancient year of the gods, in 1982, Audu Ogbeh was one of the ministerial nominees that was screened by lawmakers, including the late Sola Saraki, the father of the current senate president, Bukola Saraki. He was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office ended in December 1983 when a military coup brought Major-General Buhari to power. He was almost clocking 40 at that time.

Now In 2015, the year of the living, the same Audu Ogbeh has again been nominated as a minister. You don’t need to be an excellent mathmatician to figure out how old Audu Ogbeh is today. Some of the names on Buhari’s ministerial list won’t even know how to send a thank you message to him from their expensive smart phones. And you are making them ministers at this age and time. Are we moving forward or backward?

Much has been said about all of president Buhari’s controversial appointments, not only his ministerial nominees, but to other key positions, as well as to the unaccountable (and probably unconstitutional) personal assistance. Much of our criticism has dwelled on the contrast between the president’s “zero tolerance to corruption” campaign and the lack of proper scrutiny of the individuals on his ministerial list —but that’s not the issue.

To the contrary, Buhari did investigate thoroughly and choose precisely. When the government of a country repeatedly nominates wrong individuals, it’s not a vetting error—it’s a pattern. We should not allow the president’s sympathizers to portray these appointments as a series of errors; but rather, we need to realize that president Buhari is simply nominating those who share his goals and ideology.

Most Nigerians have a hard time understanding this because they refuse to accept that Buhari is not going to be any different from past presidents. For months prior to the last election I warned voters that everything we knew about president Buhari indicated that his views were far from the mainstream. This was obvious when one analyzed his days as a military head of state.

The reality, of course, is that the president’s views are far from the mainstream and it is embarrassing that so many Nigerians fell for his candy-coated “change” mantra. Indeed, it appears that this administration may be worse than privious administrations.

That some of the people on his ministerial list still have pending corrution case at EFCC only confirm this. Some of the nominees hail from the same crowd who have placed this country in coma for so long. They hate Nigeria, or more precisely, they hate Nigeria’s heritage; Nigerian institutions, and the Nigerian Constitution, and they are not ready to “change” a system that they have benefited from for so many decades.

Most of these nominees hail from academia, where they were shielded from outside scrutiny while they quietly looted the country. But don’t let the cloak of academia fool you; they are now back to “change” Nigeria in ways most of us oppose. More importantly, Nigerians need to realize their views are the president’s views because he chose them knowing how badly they performed in previous governments.

The Nigerian media is partly responsible for bringing this upon us. There is little doubt the media engaged in a massive propaganda effort to convince Nigerians that Buhari was some kind of moderate; a breath of fresh air, a reformer, and the messiah who would hold us in the hand and lead us right straight to eldorado.

Until Nigerians wake up and stop relying on the mainstream media for their source of news, they will continue to pay a heavy price for their ignorance. Can we sit back for a minute and ask ourselves what are president Buhari’s objectives? We can’t choose presidents before we know what they will do in office? What is the president’s mission over the next four years? And under that umbrella, what are his three or four most important objectives? We have seen too many presidents pursue too many things, or pursue the wrong things.

Nigeria is like a piece of hardware that hasn’t had any major upgrade over the last 55 years. I have heard people insinuating that Buhari is trying to compensate some of the persons on the ministerial list for their huge financial support during his election. Do you compensate someone by appointing him as minister? Are you authorizing him to recoup the money he spent getting you elected? My God, when are we going to get out of this predicament?

Buhari’s New Ministers: To Steal or Not to Steal?

“Out of his twelve disciples, Jesus decided to make the thief, Judas, his “Minister of Finance.”

If you were appointed as Minister of Finance in Buhari’s new cabinet, would you steal? It all depends what kingdom you belong to. If you belong to the kingdom of this world, you would be a fool not to steal. No matter the anti-corruption noises being made right now, you would know you cannot be in that post forever. In fact, you can be removed at a moment’s notice.

Therefore, you need to seize the day and siphon as much money as you can as soon as you can. The only imperative today is that you will need to steal with a lot more finesse than has been exhibited by past looters. You have to make sure you cover your tracks very well. In any case, the possibility of capture and the threat of imprisonment has yet to discourage daylight robbery in the kingdoms of men.

However, put Christians who claim they belong to the kingdom of God in the same office, and what do you find? They would also steal. But why would Christians who profess the righteousness of God also do that? Jesus provides a cryptic answer. He says Christians would steal because, in general, we are not as smart as unbelievers: “The children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.” (Luke 16:8).

Foolish Christians

In short, unbelievers steal because they are smart: while Christians steal because we are foolish. Unbelievers are wise because, by pocketing government funds, they prepare for their future, which is on earth. However, Christians are foolish because, by stealing, we fail to prepare for our future, which is not on earth but in heaven.

Unbelievers only have this world; heaven is not their portion. Therefore, they are wise to steal and thereby secure their future in this world. However, this world does not belong to believers. We are only strangers and pilgrims here. Since heaven is our future home, it is foolish to disqualify ourselves from it by seeking to secure our past in this world through thievery.

Therefore, Jesus warns: “Whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:25). Paul also counsels: “Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3).

Purpose that is purposed

Why would God allow a child of light to become a Minister of Finance in a world of darkness? Why would God “promote” a member of his kingdom with a high-ranking job in the kingdom of this world? The answer lies in the understanding of kingdom dynamics.

There is a reason for everything that happens in the life of a man. There is a reason for every situation, for every affliction, for every triumph, and for every failure. There is a reason because God leaves nothing to chance.

Why were Christians born and why was it necessary for us to be born (again) a second time spiritually? Was it so we can prosper materially in this world and make a name for ourselves? Was it so we can make a lot of money, build a lot of houses, and reach the pinnacle of our careers? Or were we born again to actualise the purpose of God in your lives, even if this involves suffering shame for Christ’s name?

The Father’s business

Jesus went with his parents on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On their way back, they suddenly discovered he was not with them. They searched for him frantically for three days and finally found him in the temple discussing with the teachers of the law. When they told him how distressed they had been looking everywhere for him, the twelve-year old Jesus wondered why. “Didn’t you know,” he asked, “that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

What precisely is the Father’s business, and to what extent have we been going about it? Jesus says to his disciples: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” (John 15:16).

We were chosen for a purpose. Peter spells out that purpose: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, (God’s) own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).

How does a believer proclaim the praises of God? We do this by who we are and not by what we have. If you believe it is by what you have, then if you become a minister in Buhari’s government you would be determined to acquire as much wealth as possible. But if you believe it is by who you are, then you would use your position to serve others and would be a pillar of integrity.

True riches

Jesus says one of the reasons why believers are still in the world is to determine if we can be entrusted with the true riches: “If you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:12-13).

Thus, out of his twelve disciples, Jesus decided to make the thief, Judas, his “Minister of Finance.” Judas must have thought Jesus is a fool, no matter how spiritual he might be. Therefore, he stole regularly from the common purse. So doing, he failed a simple integrity test. The man who steals is disqualified from the true riches of God’s kingdom and condemned to the counterfeit riches of this world. True riches endure: counterfeit riches ultimately grow wings and fly away.

Jesus says money does not belong to the believer: it belongs to someone else. What then belongs to the believer? God himself! As God proclaimed concerning the priests and the Levites of the Old Testament: “It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.” (Ezekiel 44:28).

Believers are not called to showcase the glories of this world. We are called to show forth the glories of God’s kingdom, which are chronically absent in the world. While the world is rich in money, it is poor in mercy. The world is lacking in righteousness, in justice and in equity. It is deficient in love, joy and peace. The world is starved of the ornaments of the kingdom of God.

Look around you. There are people in your neighbourhood in need of kindness. There are people next door in need of compassion. People need truth. They need the goodness of God. Jesus says: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

The Vanguard Newspapers

MINISTERIAL LIST: Storm over Buhari’s ‘saints’!

NIGERIANS waited for four months for President Muhammadu Buhari to nominate his ministers. During the wait, the polity was suffused with claims, counter-claims and controversies over the necessity or otherwise of the delay.

Criticised, the Presidency, among others, said it was searching for credible people; there was need to be thorough and not rush the issue to the detriment of the polity; it got handover notes four days to its swearing-in on May 29 and hence needed time to study the notes and hammer out the way forward, etc. At a stage, the Presidency assured that the appointments would be made in September.

When it appeared that the September time-line might not be met, Buhari, on September 30, told Nigerians that he had forwarded names of the first batch of ministerial nominees to Senate President Bukola Saraki and that the second list would follow shortly.

He did not disclose the number of nominees on the list and their names, a development that left the door ajar for speculations.  Saraki confirmed receiving the list on September 30, but insisted  he would not open the letter until the plenary of the Senate the following Tuesday, October 6.

And when Saraki unveiled the 21 ministerial nominees as promised, the announcement appeared to have increased the controversies. Nigerians were clearly divided over the issue leading many to wonder if the long wait was worth it given the calibre of people he nominated. The nominees were a mixture of very old politicians, retired military men, immediate past governors, technocrats, former political appointees and new faces.

The President also continued with the old ways of not attaching portfolios to the nominees to aid the lawmakers in their screening as is done in some advanced democracies like the United States of America.

The nomination of 21 persons from as many states meants the waiting game will continue in the remaining 15 states.

The nominees

The nominees include Abubakar Malami (SAN), Kebbi; Abdurahman Bello Dambazzau, Kano; Aisha Jumai Al Hassan, Taraba; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Kwara; Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos; Adebayo Shittu, Oyo; Solomon Dalong, Plateau; Senator Chris Ngige, Anambra; Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers and Chief Audu Ogbeh, Benue.

The rest are Mrs. Amina Ibrahim; Dr. Osagie Ehaneri, Edo; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Delta; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Jigawa; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Ogun; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Abia; Hon. Ahmed Musa Bello Ibeto, Niger; Ibrahim Usman Jubrin, Nasarawa; Senator Hadi Serika, Katsina and Senator Udo Udoma, Akwa Ibom.

States awaiting nominees

The states awaiting ministerial nominees are Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.

Sunday Vanguard sought the views of eminent Nigerians on the development and their opinions are mixed even though most of them pooh poohed the list as falling short of the standard  Buhari promised Nigerians before he was elected.

It is not the best we have been waiting for – Ikokwu

Second Republic politician and lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu, said the list fell short of expectations.

His words: ‘’The ministerial list does not reflect the best the nation has been waiting for these past months. Each zone ought to have at least three ministers in the list to have fairer spread. Some zones  are presently short changed. There are those on the list sent to the Senate for proper screening and disqualification under their oversight functions. It will be business as usual and a negation of the change mantra if they just go and take the usual bow.

‘’There are very few women in the list where as there should be at least 12 in the cabinet, which is even less than their electoral participation. We need more technocrats in a government of change than old politicos with hidden past agenda and misadventures under their carpets.

‘’Nigerians are watching and wondering aloud and praying for the mantra. The screening is now in the public domain and social media which is  now scrutinising the list. The president is very watchful and wants also to be guided. We want a cabinet that will enthrone discipline, accountability, equity, fairness, education, health, diversification, devolution of powers, and restructuring so that the nation can move forward at at least nine per cent, which is a quantum growth rate for Africa’s biggest economy with production and reduced consumption of imports as a dumping ground.’’

It is a dream team – DPC

The Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) commended Buhari for nominating patriotic, credible and dynamic Nigerians for ministerial positions.

DPC National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters, said: ‘’We believe the ministerial nominees are the dream team that will actualize President Buhari’s transformation agenda and fast track the nation’s dwindling economy. It is statesmanship at its best.

“Nigerians need men and women of integrity with exceptional passion to serve the fatherland and direct the ship of the Nigeria state to the part of rectitude, progress, development and advancement. Inept leadership has been the bane of the country’s socio-economic and political development. President Buhari’s dream team is a giant step forward towards economic emancipation and political salvation of our long suffering compatriots.’’

Noting that the expectation of Nigerians and indeed the international community from the ministerial nominees is high, Peters urged the Senate to ‘’thoroughly screen the candidates to ensure none of them has any skeleton in his or her cupboard. President Buhari has zero tolerance for corruption and assured the nation that his ministers will be people of impeccable character. The Senate has the onerous task to ensure they are free of corruption to avoid unnecessary scandal that will distract the Buhari administration as their failure will bring the nation into disrepute.’’

The team can’t drive change – LP

However, National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, disagreed with the DPC, saying the team cannot drive Buhari’s avowed change.

“Buhari has succeeded in creating problems for the people in some states. For instance, in Niger state where I come from, the governor is from Kotangora and the person he has nominated is also from Kotangora. In Plateau, the governor Lalong and Dalong are from the same local government. In Oyo state, Barrister Shittu who has been rejected by all the APC people, he has included his name on this list. For us in Labour Party, we did not see anything like change here,”he stated.

Some nominees dent Buhari’s image – Rep Oghene Egor

Also speaking, Rep Oghene Egor, PDP, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, said the President should be commended for keeping his promise of not exceeding September.

However, he picked holes in the credibility of some nominees, saying: ‘’Looking at the ministers’ list, I want to say that some of them dent the image of President Buhari because Buhari is somebody people respect, even we who are in PDP in the National Assembly we respect him. But for him to take people who have been accused of serious financial malpractices into the list reduces the integrity of the  President.

‘’So what I think is that we need to give the people the benefit of doubt for them to prove whether they are corrupt or not because, as the law goes, you are not guilty until you are found guilty. But because of the integrity of Buhari, the fact that he wanted the best and he said he has been spending all this time,  over three months, looking for the best, for him to just come back and pick these people, speaks volume and I don’t think it is good for the President.

‘’Also, look at Audu Ogbeh. The father of present President of the Senate the (late Senator Olusola Saraki) considered him for ministerial position more than 35 five years ago. For him to come now come into the regime of Mr. President, I think Mr. President needs some young minds, some freshers. The President’s age is on the high side, let us say that is experience, which is good for the nation but he needs to complement it with young minds, young hands. Even the President himself confessed at a time that he wished he became President when he was much younger.

‘’So, what I thought he would have done will be to bring some younger people. What we are seeing now is the same people who have been involved in politics at a time that he accused people of being fraudulent and corrupt. I would have thought he would have taken people from the private sector, taking more technocrats, people who have not been there before, people who have not been associated with governance.’’

It shows Buhari is not serious about fighting graft – Rep Nwonu

To Rep Anayo Edwin Nwonu  (PDP, Ezza-North/Ishielu, Ebonyi), the pedigree of the nominees indicated that the President is not serious about fighting corruption.

He said: ‘’Nigerians have been complaining and have also complained to the National Assembly. With President Buhari, as somebody that said he wants to change the country, we are surprised that he appointed past governors that are very corrupt and some  people who have held government positions and have been  accused of corruption. They are not worthy to hold public office. Somebody, who says he is fighting corruption, with such list, it shows he is not serious in the fight against corruption.’’

There is nothing special about the list – Oseasochie

Also speaking, Rep Ogun Sergius Oseasochie (PDP, Esan North East/South East, Edo), said: ‘’There is nothing special about the ministerial list. These are the names we already know. Is it Rotimi Amaechi, Chris Ngige or Babatunde Fashola that we have known that should take him up to four months to nominate? There is no adequate representation of women and even no youth on the ministerial list. But I think we can give him the benefit of doubt.’’

Buhari came up with recycled materials – Pondi

In like manner, Rep Julius Pondi (PDP, Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State), said: ‘’As an individual and a Nigerian, President Buhari told us to wait as he wanted people that are corruption free only for him, after the long wait, to come out with the kind of characters he has nominated. He could have done that after inauguration but he just came out with recycled materials. What he came up with is not worth waiting for.’’

Buhari took time to block loopholes – Akpatason

However, Rep Peter Akpatason  (APC, Akoko-Edo, Edo State), said: ‘’To start with, there is nothing new on the list; they are old persons we know, people that have been around and familiar persons. The waiting is President Buhari’s personal decision as he is trying to understand the system and the ministers so that when they come on board, he would be able to know what they are doing. He took his time to have a grasp of the system so that he would be able to assess what they will do. He has taken this time to get information from the civil servants, the permanent secretaries so that he will be able to block all the loopholes the ministers may use to manipulate the system when they come on board.’’

SOURCE: Vanguard Newspaper

Breaking News: Bomb Blast Hit Abuja Again

Unconfirmed report reaching our news desk claims that a bomb blast went off in and around nyanya just some few minutes ago. Details shortly..

Ex Bayelsa Governor Alamieyeseigha is Dead

Nigeria - Former Bayelsa state governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is dead, aged 63.



The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Esueme Dan-Kikili, say the former governor died of cardiac arrest on Saturday, according to Channels.

Reports say he slipped into a coma two days ago and was placed on life support.

Alamieyeseigha, who was facing money laundering charges in Britain had jumped bail and returned to Nigeria and has since then refused to answer summons for trial to continue.

The British Government during the week had made moves to resurrect an outstanding case of money laundering against the former governor and had requested for his extradition to London.

He was born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Ogboin North Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

He attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a Cadet Officer in 1974, then joined the Nigerian Air Force thereafter.

He held various air force positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja. Alamieyeseigha retired from the air force in 1992 as a Squadron Leader.

He became Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development of the National Fertiliser Company (NAFCON) and later on governor of Bayelsa state.

He was impeached on allegations of corruption on 9 December 2005.

National security remains our topmost priority - President Buhari

 Abuja - President Muhammadu Buhari has said that significant improvements in national security remains the topmost priority of his administration.
The president made the statement on Thursday in Abuja when he granted audience to Britain's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Nicholas Houghton.
He said that security was imperative because other socio-economic initiatives could not be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country.
He reaffirmed the determination of his administration to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.
Buhari said: "for a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

 An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma.
"Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.
"When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored.
"That is what we are determined to do. Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising.’’
The president said that Nigeria appreciated Britain's support for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.
He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which "crude oil stolen from Nigeria is shipped’’.
In his remarks, Houghton said that the Buhari Presidency was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress.
He said that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria had made in the war against terrorism under Buhari.
Houghton assured the President that Britain would continue to support the Federal Government's efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
"We will also help to ensure that the causes of insurgency are removed.
"Beyond the military dimension, we are also interested in the stabilisation dimension,’’ he said.

- NAN

Breaking News: Election Tribunal sacks Kogi APC Senator

The Senatorial Election Tribunal sitting in Lokoja Kogi State has annulled the election of Abdulrahman Abubakar of the All Progressive Congress representing Kogi East senatorial district.
The tribunal which gave its judgement Friday also declared former Senator Atai Aidoko of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as dully elected.
More details shortly …

Source: Nigerian Times

Exclusive Executive Car Hire Service Debuts in Lagos

 

Exclusive and Exquisite standard enterprises is glad to announce the opening of a car hire service here in Lagos. As a tradition engraved in all our business dealing, we offer world class executive car hire service that supersedes expectation. We also have very courteous and experienced drivers who have vast knowledge of Lagos terrain and its road networks to get you to your destinations in quick time and in comfort. We offer airport drop off and pick up, round trips around Lagos and long term lease. Give us a call today on our hot lines lets treat you to a wonderful driving experience around Lagos. The hot lines are 08033594810 and 08108482464.  

Custom Boss Lifts Ban On Rice Import

The comptroller-general of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has ordered the immediate removal of rice from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders.

The public relations officer of Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, said that the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations.


He said that all rice imports through land borders by rice traders would attract the prevailing import duty of 10 percent, with 60 percent levy. Rice millers (preferential levy) with valid quota allocation would also attract duty rate of 10 percent with 20 percent levy on rice importation.

“Over the years, importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.

“When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken, it was not an effective measure because the smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance, including small trucks, bicycles and even animals – putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.

“These new measures will be for Customs to recognise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty

“Before the ban on rice importation, Customs had placed different rates of levy on rice imports – 30 percent levy was placed on rice millers (preferential levy) and 70 per cent for rice importers. The purpose was to encourage local production.

Ministerial nominees must show proof of assets declaration – Senate

The Senate on Thursday set conditions for screening of ministerial nominees insisting that they must show proof of declaration of their assets.
The Senate Spokesman, Sen. Dino Melaye, told newsmen at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja that the decision was the outcome of its executive session on Thursday.
Melaye said that nominees, especially those who have held political offices, must show certificates of assets declaration issued by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
“Our meeting this morning was primarily to develop a procedure for the screening of ministerial nominees on Tuesday, we considered the approach for the screening.
“We shall be relying on Section 147 of the Constitution; there shall be such offices of the ministers of the federation as may be appointed by the President.
“This section shall be strictly adhered to by the Senate, meaning that there will be ministers from each state of the federation in compliance with the constitution.
“We shall also consider Section 65 which stipulates that only a person who is qualified to be a member of the House of Representatives can be qualified to be screened as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Senate will not consider the screening of anybody who has held any public office except the person has declared his assets,” he said.
Melaye said that the Senate would insist on seeing the proof of assets declaration before a person who had held a public office could be cleared to be a minister.
He said that the Senate would uphold its convention on insisting that two Senators from the state of any nominee must accept the nomination before such a nominee can be screened.
Melaye, however, said that he could not categorically say if that rule would be waived, stressing that “I cannot predict the future.”
He said that former legislators would not just bow and go, but would not be exposed to rigorous scrutiny as their counterparts who had never been federal legislators.
“The Senate is not going to politicise the screening; there will be no provision for religion, tribe, ethnicity and other discrimination.
“All ministerial nominees must submit a minimum of 115 copies of their curriculum vitae on or before Monday Oct. 12,” he said.
He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari, in keeping to his word, will make available other nominees before, on or after Tuesday’s screening. (NAN)

Breaking News: DONE DEAL: Klopp agrees to join Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has agreed a three-year deal to become the new manager of Liverpool, with the club expected to make the announcement on Thursday evening, Goal understands.

The 48-year-old, who Fenway Sports Group have twice before attempted to lure to Anfield, will be unveiled in a press conference scheduled to take place at the stadium on Friday.

In the immediate aftermath of Brendan Rodgers's axing, Liverpool vowed to move in a “decisive, timely manner” to fill the vacancy and made the former Borussia Dortmund coach their first choice.

The owners were encouraged by talks with Klopp, who showed the enthusiasm and energy required to inject some life back into the squad as well as enliven the atmosphere around the club.







The two-time German Manager of the Year will arrive at Melwood on Thursday afternoon to ink a deal and familiarise himself with his new surroundings.

He has reshuffled the backroom set-up, with Sean O’Driscoll and Gary McAllister no longer part of the coaching unit. The latter will be offered a different role at the club. Pepijn Lijnders, however, will remain to work on first-team development. The trio formed part of a new technical approach Rodgers had only just put into place this summer.

Glen Driscoll, head of performance, and Chris Davies, head of opposition analysis - both of whom were recruited by the Northern Irishman shortly after he was appointed in 2012 - have also been let go.

Klopp’s trusted assistant Zeljko Buvac, and his technical analyst Peter Krawietz, will join him at the club. Their first test is the trip to Tottenham on October 17.

Source: Goal.com
 

We Have Received More Petitions Against Amaechi’s Ministerial Nomination – Dino Melaye

Spokesperson of the senate, Dino Melaye, says the senate has received more petitions against Rotimi Amaechi’s ministerial nomination asides the petition from Senators from Rivers state which was presented to the senate by Senator George Sekibo yesterday October 7th.

“The petitions from the senators from Rivers state is not the only one that we have received. We will continue to receive petitions after the screening exercise”he said

Asked what the senate will do with the petitions presented, he said

“The senate especially the 8th senate is a responsible senate and all the petitions will receive the attention of the senate. The senate president in his wisdom has refer this particular petition to the committee on Ethics and public petitions and I am sure it will be treated. All petitions will be looked into, will be investigated. The authenticity of the petitions will be investigated and and at the end of the day the conclusion will be drawn”

BREAKING NEWS: Issa Hayatou named FIFA acting president

 
African football leader, Issa Hayatou has been named to take charge of FIFA after former president, Blatter was suspended and “stripped of all duties.”
African football leader Issa Hayatou on Thursday took temporary charge of FIFA after Sepp Blatter was “relieved of his duties” because of his 90-day suspension, the world body said.
Hayatou, 69, is president of the Confederation of African Football, and takes over as senior vice president of FIFA. He has in the past been reprimanded for misconduct by the International Olympic Committee.
“Joseph S. Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA president” after the move by the FIFA ethics committee to suspend him for 90 days because he is under criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors, FIFA said.

BREAKING NEWS: Vincent Enyeama retires from Super Eagles

Nigeria’s ever best goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has said that he is no longer a player with the Nigeria’s senior football team, the Super Eagles. Enyeama who took to his Instagram page,  ‘vinny 2908’, said he has served Nigeria his best while in the pitch and now, has retired from active play with Eagles to focus on his club career.
“I have fought a good fight for more than 13years.I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion. henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only GOD can reward me for my 13years of national services. God bless NIgeria.
“Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the NIgerian senior football team, I am no more the goalie of the team. I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties.
“I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter world wide. It’s been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me. God bless NIgeria.”
Recall that the former Eagles captain was recently stripped of that title by the Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh and handed over to CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa, following an altercation between them.
Although the Oliseh has said the rift between him and the Enyeama has been sewn, he insisted that his decision stripping the former Eagles captain was based on discipline. ‘’I want a captain who is disciplined. A leader who can motivate other players. A player who  comes to camp early. I want a young player not a retiring player as captain. And Ahmed Musa is that player. He is my captain.’’
“The fact that I would like to have somebody (as captain) who is thinking of playing now and not somebody who is preparing for retirement or thinking of life after-football. And I think it’s time we had peace and quiet around the Super Eagles. That is why I am glad that most of the players here are finding ways to work as a team because I get the feeling now that they are aware that they are representing 170 million people’’, Oliseh said on Brila.