HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED By Kenneth Gyado

How Times have Changed

By Kenneth Gyado

As a student of mass communications in the late 80s, one of my elective subjects was introduction to Sociology. My lecturer then was Dr Sam Ibeabuchi, a well groomed and elitist scholar whose trademark was his immaculate appearance. His students called him " the dapper professor".  We all looked foward to his lectures and I must say that some of us feverently waited to see his perfectly manicured mustache, his well knotted tie and his matching pocket square. He sure knew how to choose his suits.

while the Professor's spotless appearance was a distraction to most students especially the female ones who usually swarmed around him, some of us never lost the import of his often repeated mantra which was " the adaptive Nigerian Personality" . Dr Ibeabuchi was very passionate in highlighting how the Nigerian was the most adaptive to situations in the world.  He taught this subject at the peak of the anti-SAP protests of 1988 when prices of commodities spiraled out of control due to the harsh economic policies of the Babangida administration.  He kept reminding us that the protests will last a few days and life will return to normal. This according to him is because the Nigerian society is growing progressively individualistic with a tendency to focus on self survival rather than the collective good.

This way of thought has affected the sense of right or wrong. In Nigeria there is no objective yardstick of measuring right and wrong. The phenomenon of RIGHT and WRONG  is defined by how the situation affects the individual.. It is purely a matter of personal perspective.

The coming on board of President Muhammadu Buhari has tested this theory of the  adaptive Nigerian Personality. For the first time, it seems that Nigerians especially the elite are finding it difficult to adapt to the changing times. Maybe the elite have been unprepared for the kind of Change that Buhari has brought upon the nation. The loudest cries we hear today are from people who were perceived yesterday to be very wealthy. These were people who lived obscene lifestyles fueled by free funds stolen from government coffers or borrowed from banks. They hosted lavish parties at the pleasure spots of the world aboard yachts and in villas.

I remember a bizzare birthday celebration in the immidiate past era. One of the nouveau Rich entrepreneurs turned 40 in 2011. He took up 40 full color pages in a popular newspaper to mark his birthday. This is only half the story. The grand finale of this festival of waste held in one of the ultra luxury hotels in Dubai. Your invitation card came with a fully paid airline ticket and your room key at this hotel where three whole floors were reserved for Guests. I won't waste time describing the decadent consumption of choice civilized wines and the presence of commercial bodies at hand.

Another "billionaire " mogul held the wedding of his son in a similar fashion in Dubai. The Nigerian elite is known for his waste culture. They want to own villas in the signature spots of the world. They want to be seen at the Côte d'Azur in France. They want to be in Marbella . They own expansive palaces On Alpine drive in Beverly Hills where they only visit once in 5 years.They want to enjoy sunny summers in Sardinia and the carribean islands when they have sunlight all year round in Nigeria. A semiliterate fool once told me he loves Italy because he enjoys breakfast in Rome, lunch in Florence and dinner in Venice.

They own own private planes but lack the destinations to fly them there. They fly women in first class cabins at the drop of a hat. They occupy the biggest suites in the best hotels around the world. They enjoy limousine pickups and "escort services " . They are a pimp's delight as their presence means brisk business. They host decadent parties where girls the age of their daughters entertain them in unprintable ways.

Fast foward to the post 2015 era and it is a different ball game. There are cries and gnashing of teeth especially among the elite reminiscent of the old Mexican soap opera, " the rich also cry". The Nigerian comprador bourgeoisie  has now been reduced to feel the pain they subjected the rest of us to for so many Years. Their garages are now filled up with cars needing various forms of mechanical attention. Some are grounded because the Nigerian state can no longer fuel them. The young girls are crying because parties don't hold as often as they used to. They are also weeping because even when they hold there is no more TFC ( thanks for coming). I am told that in the past era, the going TFC rate was 500,000 each. Half a million Naira for appearance fees at orgy laden parties!. If 20 girls arrive for instance, it's N10,000,000 and this is outside the fees paid for any one on one transaction.

The airlines fly empty luxury cabins because the free source of funds have dried up. A visit to the Presidential  villa which had its own TFC rate of $50,000 is no longer as lucrative. The Nigerian big man now seats on his sofa and  spreads his account details around via text messages as if they are casting lots or playing a lottery. it is now an era of digital begging. The common chorus now is " make I send my account?"

The current situation has exposed yesterday's big men as lazy and unproductive leeches who bled the country to its current sorry state. They add no value whatsoever . They only believe in pressing the country down while feathering their individual nests. In other countries , the elite prosper from the growth of their countries. An example is the Arab states where the ruling elite have become unbelievably wealthy as the states grew. In Nigeria, the elite prosper while the country collapses. This explains why a group of people will share billions of dollars meant to buy arms while insurgents ravage the citizenry. It explains why governors buy homes for harlots and buy million dollar wrist watches while teachers remain unpaid. This is the reason why some common sense proponents collect huge loans from banks and end up buying mansions in Los Angeles.

A band of people who were used to freebies and who suddenly have realized that things have changed will surely muster the remaining energy in them to resist. They are now having a taste of the reality they imposed on others. Prof Ibeabuchi  will need to propound a new theory because these elite are proving to be incapable of actualizing the Nigerian adaptive personality model. Our Ogas are not rich men after all. They a merely a group of thieves and debtors.

citizen reporter Kenneth Gyado

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo leads Nigeria's delegation to AU Summit in Rwanda

The 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) is scheduled to hold from 17 to 18 July, 2016, although a retreat of African Heads of State and Governments has been scheduled for tomorrow July 16 ahead of the formal summit opening on Sunday.
The Session has been preceded by the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and the 28th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Union at the ministerial level ending today.
The AU summit theme is African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women.
2016 is also being celebrated by the Union as the year of Human Rights with the aim of raising awareness on human and peoples’ rights, particularly women’s rights, on the continent and taking stock of progress or efforts made, including major challenges and/or obstacles encountered.
Prof. Osinbajo, who is being accompanied by Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe among other functionaries, leaves for Kigali today and his expected back on Monday.

DHQ hands over freed Boko Haram suspects to states

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, on Friday handed over three cleared Boko Haram suspects to their states.
The suspects are – Bakura Tijani, Saidu Lawal and Muhammed Umoru from Yobe and Borno States respectively, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Olonisakin said the gesture was to further demonstrate the level of adherence, observance of rule of law and transparency by the military in the prosecution of fight against terror in the Northeast.
He was represented by the Chief of Administration, DHQ, Rear Adm. Andrew Dacosta, at the event.
The CDS said the suspects had been investigated and cleared, hence the need to officially hand them over to their state officials.
 He noted that such professional conduct had been exhibited by the military in the past, particularly by the Nigerian Army.
“The exercise is a continuous one and as many suspects that are cleared will be released, “he said.
He said the military is committed to the observance of the rule of law, human rights and international best practices.
Olonisakin said it was in this regard that the DHQ recently initiated the operation SAFE CORRIDOR to de-radicalise, rehabilitate and integrate surrendered Boko Haram members into the society.
He said the initiative was yielding results as some members of the group were surrendering.
Responding, the Yobe State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Ahmed Gonori, who represented the state government, said the state is committed to the plight of its citizens.
“The state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, is committed to the plight of citizens of the state wherever they are,” he said.
 http://thenationonlineng.net/dhq-hands-freed-boko-haram-suspects-states/

UPDATE: Coup,Military take over in Turkey

The Turkish military on Friday said that it had assumed power over Turkey, in what the prime minister has termed an illegal act.
“The power in the country has been seized in its entirety,” said a military statement read on NTV television, without giving further details. The military‘s website was not immediately accessible.
The Turkish military had earlier said that it had launched a coup on Friday.
Soldiers were seen on the streets in Istanbul and Ankara as jets flew low overhead, while ordinary citizens rushed for the safety of their homes after witnessing the coup attempt.

“The power in the country has been seized in its entirety,” said a militarystatement quoted by Turkish media.
It said the move had been made “in order to ensure and restore constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms and let the supremacy law in the country prevail, to restore order which was disrupted.”
“All our international agreements and commitments retain their validity. We hope our good relations will continue with all countries in the world.”

UPDATE: Burial Of Slain Abuja Preacher Put On Hold

The burial of slain Abuja preacher Eunice Olawale, previously scheduled for tomorrow, July 14, was suspended indefinitely on Wednesday to enable the police conclude its investigations.

An Area Pastor of Mrs. Olawale’s Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Biola Egebeyemi, disclosed this to newsmen in the city.
He said the decision was taken by the family of the deceased with a view to allowing a thorough investigation on the immediate and remote cause(s) of her death by the police, who claimed to have arrested six suspects in connection with the murder.                                                   
Pastor Egbeyemi also announced that the postponement would also enable the family to carry out a post-mortem examination on the body of the deceased.         
He stressed that any plan to sweep the murder under the carpet would not be allowed, and that justice must be seen to be done.
A new date for the burial of Mrs. Olawale, who was killed in the early hours of Saturday as she went out to preach the Gospel, as was her habit, is to be determined.
Prior to the announcement, residents of the Pipeline, Gbazango West Extension in Kubwa, the location of the crime, had expressed serious concern over what they described as the lukewarm manner in which the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police was handling the investigation of the brutal murder.
Their anger stemmed from various reports and complaints previously given to the police when residents suspected the movement of miscreants who are living inside the shanties constructed in front of an RCCG building.

Ambode Ambode vows to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday presided over the State Executive Council Meeting held at the VIP Chalet in Badagry, just as he said that his administration has fine-tuned plans to make the ancient town of Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.
The Governor, who spoke to journalists shortly after embarking on an inspection tour, said his administration would spare nothing to make Badagry a flashpoint for developmental projects in the State.
The Governor said, “Our eyes are set on Badagry, let’s do something for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever.”
Ambode, who was accompanied by all members of the State Executive Council, also inspected ongoing projects and other government establishments in Badagry which according to him was an immediate response to the questions and suggestions from the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall Meeting which held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry on Tuesday.
He also inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he said that the contract for completion would be awarded next week, which according to him would further boost the tourism potentials of the area.
Ambode also paid an unscheduled visit to the Badagry Asphalt Plant, where he also seized the occasion to commission the facility.
Addressing the workers at the Asphalt Plant, Governor Ambode commended them for the duty and commitment to work, saying that his administration is not unaware of their hard work just as he assured that they would be duly rewarded.
Adding his voice, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that this was the first time, in his many years in service in the State Executive Council, that a Government would be holding its Executive Council Meeting in Badagry.
This, according to him, was a good sign of the visionary leadership Governor Ambode was providing in the State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, reiterated the symbolism and importance of the State Executive Council Meeting, which according to him was holding in Badagry for the first time.
Ayorinde said that the decision of the Governor to take the meeting outside the Lagos House, Ikeja, for the very first time, was a clear indication of the Governor’s readiness and commitment to spread development to every nook and cranny of the State.
He said that the Governor had spent three days in Badagry, which according to him, goes to show that every part of the State is secured and the Governor can perform his duty in every part of the State.

No more Room for stolen Money - President Buhari

Buhari, who urged all Nigerians to think closely about the country’s situation, said:
“There is no easy money to throw around. We must go back to farming and livestock rearing so that we can develop the industries, we must put our hands on deck to ensure success of our mission in engineering Nigeria.”
The president emphasised that his administration would not relent in the ongoing anti-graft war, saying corruption had stunted the nation’s growth.
He said his government had no intention to humiliate or disgrace anybody, assuring that recovered loots would be put to public use.
“I also wish to reiterate to the people of Zamfara State and Nigerians in general the commitment of this administration to restore sanity in governance. We shall continue to prosecute the war against corruption. We do not wish or desire to humiliate or disgrace anybody, but we must recover stolen funds and put them to collect public use,” he said.
Buhari said since his administration was inaugurated on May 29, 2015, the journey to fix the country and restore the hope of the common man had begun in earnest.
He said the challenge of his government was translating the change promised into reality, noting that this could not happen without the culture of accountability and good governance.
“I assure all Nigerians that the grim economic situations are a passing phase which all societies go through,” the president added.
Buhari also stated that the security situation in Nigeria was improving, saying his administration’s commitment to securing the nation was already yielding results.
The president said the federal government remained committed to dealing decisively with all threats to national security from any quarters.
He said that was part of the reasons he was personally in Zamfara to flag-off the military operations aimed at routing out the menace of cattle rustlers and armed bandits, not only in the state, but in the entire axis of the North-west.

Photo from Zahra and Yusuf Buhari's college graduation

Congratulation to the first children....

UPDATE: Reps urge IG to probe Abuja preacher’s murder

The House of Representatives yesterday directed Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris to ensure a thorough investigation of the killing of a preacher, Mrs. Eunice Elisha Olawale.
She was murdered around Gbazango-West area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while evangelising last Saturday morning.
The lawmakers also urged the IGP to ensure that perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.
The police on Sunday  announced the arrest of six suspects.
The resolution of the House followed a motion of urgent national importance by a member, Hon. Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole (APC Ondo).
Moving the motion with the title: “Gruesome murder of Mrs. Eunice Olawale in Kubwa, Abuja and the need to protect other citizens in the FCT,”  the lawmaker said the woman and the wife of  a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Olawale Elisha,  was hacked to death in  the early hours of Saturday, while preaching the gospel a few meters from her house in Kubwa, by unidentified miscreants.
“The late Mrs. Eunice Olawale is from Ilawe  (Ekiti  State)  while her husband  Pastor Elisha Olawale is from Ikare-Akoko in Ondo state, and that she was allegedly murdered by miscreants who were said to be annoyed by her early morning preaching in the area.
‘This incident has  caused ethnic tension in the Federal Capital Territory because some are claiming she was killed by extremists while others say they are miscreants, and there is therefore the need for the House  to be proactive to prevent the breakdown of law and order and  further loss of. lives.”
When Speaker Yakubu Dogara called for a vote on the motion, it was overwhelmingly supported by members.
The lawmakers thereafter observed a minute-silence for the late Mrs. Olawale.
Also yesterday, the General Overseer of the RCCG Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye visited the family of the late Assistant Pastor of the Divine Touch Parish of the church in Abuja.
Adeboye visited the husband of the deceased, Pastor Olawale Elisha and the family around 6 a.m. to condole with them.
He was received by Pastor Olawale, his children and other church members.
In the condolence register, Adeboye wrote, “ E. A Adeboye; Glory to God for a divine warrior gone to glory”.
Wife of the vice president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, also a pastor of the RCCG, on Sunday visited the family.
In a statement yesterday, the RCCG, said the church is “appalled and in grief on the sad incident of the gruesome murder of our sister, daughter and minister, Mojisola Elisha Olawale, in the early hours of Saturday the 9th of July 2016 while making early morning call to salvation.
”We are indeed mournful in RCCG. As sweet as heaven is, death of our youths is not what we wish for.
”The RCCG shall not cease to pray that God will end bloodshed in Nigeria and all over the world. The church sympathizes with the widower, and prays The Lord will restore joy to the Olawale family and intervene speedily to make the innocent safe”
In its statement, the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) described the killing of Christians across some states especially the recent one in Abuja as brutal and unacceptable.
CAN said: “Authority’s inaction is becoming unbearable and may not be tolerated anymore.”
It called on Christians all over to always be ready to defend themselves against further attacks.
CAN advised authorities both at the states and federal level to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice before the crisis gets out of control.
The statement by CAN General Secretary Rev. Musa Asake added: “Mrs. Eunice Elisha was murdered in Kubwa area of Abuja, FCT, in the early hours of the day. Her neck was slashed and she was also stabbed in the stomach. About a month ago in Kano, Mrs. Bridget  Agbaheme, a 74 year old Christian was murdered at  Wambai market  due to an altercation with a Muslim man who came to the front of her shop to perform ablution. Her offence was that she objected to the Islamic washing rite in front of her shop.
“Just last week a clergyman of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Reverend Zakariya was killed by attackers suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen in Obi LGA of Nasarawa State.
“Before the situation escalates into an unmanageable national crisis, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is calling on the authorities both at the states and federal to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice if the confidence of Christians on this government must be maintained.”

Conduct Bureau: Buratai declared $1.5m mansions in wife’s name

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has opened up on the acquisition of $1.5 million mansions by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

The bureau said its records showed that the assets of Buratai in Dubai were declared in his wife’s name

The CCB made the clarification in a July 11 letter by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor, to Ugochukwu Osuagwu of St. Francis Xavier Solicitors and Advocates in Abuja.

Osuagwu had requested information on Buratai “pursuant to Section 1 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

The CCB said: “We refer to your mail dated Jun 29, 2016. We wish to state here that Gen. Tukar Yusuf Buratai, after his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, declared his assets as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“He was served the Form CCB-I on July 21, 2015, and returned same on August 21, 2015.

“We also wish to confirm that his property at Dubai was declared in the wife’s name. Please, accept the warmest regards of the chairman.”

In a June 29, 2016, letter of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Osuagwu sought clarification on whether or not Buratai declared the controversial mansions.

The letter said: “We request that the CCB, pursuant to the FOI Act 2011, avail us the following concerning the declarations of Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

“On July 13, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gen. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff. The newspapers are awash that Gen. Buratai and his two wives in 2013 paid 1,498,534.00 AED (N120 million/ $419,000) for a Dubai property, Project TFG Marina Hotel, Unit 2711.

“Sale documents indicated that the property was handed over to the Buratais on January 13, 2013, prior to his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.

“For the purpose of clarity sir, we request you as follows: (1) Confirm if Gen.Tukur Yusuf Buratai declared his asset with you upon his appointment on July 13, 2015, as Chief of Army Staff; (2) Whether the above property he bought with his wife was also declared with the CCB.

“Kindly avail us a reply within the time allowed under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 as much as you can sir.”

The Executive Chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran, said assets declarations to the CCB, by public officials,  should be made public for the purpose of transparency and public scrutiny.

Adeniran, who made his position known in a statement in Lagos, said public officers should not hide their assets.

He, however, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Gen. Buratai.http://thenationonlineng.net/conduct-bureau-buratai-declared-1-5m-mansions-wifes-name/

Court dethrones Ekiti monarch over ‘illegal’ selection

AN Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ikole-Ekiti, has dethroned the Owa of Odo Ayedun, Oba Ilesanmi Ajibade, who was enthroned in 2010 despite the pendency of a suit challenging his nomination.

Justice Abiodun Adesodun, in the judgment, approved the nomination of his challenger, Adekunle Adeniyi, as the Owa-elect.

He granted a restraining order against the kingmakers and warrant chiefs from disturbing the claimant’s nomination.

He ruled that Ajibade’s selection on January 29, 2010, when the case was still pending and his approval five days later, on February 5, 2010, violated Section 132 of the Chiefs Law, which stipulated a time frame of 21 days.

Justice Adesodun held: “It is my humble opinion that conducting the selection process on the 29/1/10 during the pendency of this case by the defendants was in contempt of this court. They cannot now approach the court for redress without purging themselves of the contempt.

“The whole exercise, that is the appointment of warrant chiefs, the second nomination exercise of January 29, 2010 and the appointment of the 15th defendant, from the circumstances of this case and the evidence on record is nothing short of an exercise in futility.

“Come to think of it, the 15th defendant was purportedly appointed or elected Owa-elect on January 29, 2010 and his appointment was approved February 3, 2010, five days after the election contrary to section 13(2) of the Chief Law which stipulated mandatory 21 days. Why the hurry in this case?”

Justice Adesodun added that the claimant has been able to establish his case based on the pleadings and the totality of evidence before the court to give him reliefs sought.

“It is hereby declared that the selection of the claimant to fill the vacant stool of Owa of Odo Ayedun is valid and legal. It is equally declared that the notice of intention to set aside the nomination of the claimant to the vacant stool of Owa of Odo Ayedun is illegal, null and void.

“I also grant an order directing the 10th defendant to approve the nomination of the claimant as the Owa of Odo Ayedun. I also declared that the nomination of the 11th -14th defendants as warrant chiefs is null and void.

“I also grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies or any other person from appointing warrant chiefs or taking any further step to disturb the nomination of the Claimant as Owa of Odo Ayedun.

“On the whole, the claimant’s action succeeds” Justice Adesodun declared.

http://thenationonlineng.net/court-dethrones-ekiti-monarch-illegal-selection/ 

The Voice Nigeria: Chike, Cornel evicted

With the eviction of Chike and Cornel in the ongoing The Voice Nigeria musical reality show, contestants are down to 16, with four coming from each team.
This round of live shows involves the four members left from each team performing, with the coach choosing to save one contestant and the three remaining contestants put up for public voting. This time Nigeria gets to save the two lucky contestants who amass the most votes.
#TeamTubaba kicked off the show with David Operah revealed as the contestant with the most public votes. Brenda, the tomboy with a strong voice, sang Beyonce’s if I were a boy whilst the shy Jennifer rocked the stage with some diversity by performing Evanescence’s Bring me to life. The saved David Operah serenaded with R Kelly’s classic I believe I can fly and Viveeyen sang When love takes over by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.  David Operah was two times lucky as he is saved by Tubaba.
Meanwhile, the last week from #TeamWaje had Arese, Chiche and Dawn up for voting and Nigeria chose to save Arese. The performances began with Promise singing Miguel’s Adorn whilst Patrick the hustler was next with Reekado Banks’ Katapot. Michael, affectionately known as Waje’s “jollof rice”, sang John Legend’s Everybody Knows and the recently saved Arese sang Inogen Heap’s Hide and Seek. Waje saved Michael.
#TeamTimiDakolo was next as Nigeria had to pick from Armstrong Martins, Kofo or Tobore. Armstrong came through with the most votes and was saved. The music teacher and fan favourite Cornel waxed nostalgic as he performed Bryan Adams’ Have You Ever Loved a Woman whilst Dewe gave an amazing performance singing Fire by Bez. The recently saved Armstrong Martins sang Let it Go by James Bay and Vicky sang Adele’s Make You Feel My Love. Vicky, one of the few ladies left, is saved by Timi.

Melaye under fire for attacking Senator Tinubu

Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye came under attack yesterday for charging at Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the executive session of the Senate on Tuesday.

Senators were meeting over the forgery case filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu when Melaye seized the floor and poured invectives on his colleagues and the Executive for their perceived role in the matter.

Sources at the meeting said Senator Tinubu (Lagos Central), who was speaking, continued with her speech against indecorous acts by senators. Melaye was angry, it was learnt. He reportedly used unprintable words to describe her. He was said to have attempted to physically attack.

The other Lagos State Senators – Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West)- yesterday condemned Melaye’s unwarranted outburst against Senator Tinubu.

The lawmakers dissociated themselves from Melaye’s comments and behaviour.

Ashafa and Adeola, in a joint statement, said:  “We the two Senators representing Lagos East and Lagos West, having reviewed the recent happenings in the hallowed Chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly at the executive session of 12th July, 2016, which dwelt on the running of the Senate and now in the public domain without any denial from the affected parties, feel compelled to state as follows:

“We deplore in very strong terms the use of abusive, threatening, uncouth, vulgar and un-parliamentary language by any senator against any other senator, particularly our female colleagues.

“As distinguished members of the Red Chamber, we are strongly in favour of resolving any conflict that has arisen in course of our representation and national duty through dialogue and due process and we will not be part of any solution obtained through any form of coercion, threat, intimidation and ungentlemanly conduct of the distinguished office of a senator.

“We dissociate ourselves from the comments and behaviour of Senator Dino Melaye (APC – Kogi West) at the Executive Session of 12th July 2016 as we represent people known for finer character and noble culture of social interaction.

“We equally state that we will be part of efforts to instill and enshrine decorum and gentlemanly conduct associated with the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While condemning the use of any vulgar and un-senatorial language in all ramifications, we particularly take offence to the use of such abusive and denigrating words against the person of Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC- Lagos Central).

“As such words greatly demeaned the female gender and the hallowed chamber of the Senate.

“Finally, pursuant to the threat of physical abuse against Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC- Lagos Central) by Senator Dino Melaye (APC- Kogi West), we state that we are not lily-livered and cannot be intimidated or deterred from our primary assignment of representing the good people of Lagos State and carrying out our national duties of law making, even if it entails testifying in court on the side of the truth as part of the resolution of any conflict in the upper chamber.

Senator Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North) also condemned the attack on Senator Tinubu:

He said last night: “In actual sense, the unsenatorial utterances of Senator Melaye constitute threat to the life of a fellow senator. It is not only condemnable, it is also criminal.

“At a time when Nigeria is faced with rising cases of violence against women, it is utterly unfortunate that a senator threatened to beat up a fellow senator. To say the least, that nature of threat should not be associated with the Nigerian Senate. “

He however added that “it is comforting that Senator Tinubu has forgiven Senator Melaye and has decided to move on.”

Former Deputy Senate Minority Leader Olorunnimbe Mamora also condemned Melaye’s unruly behaviour.

Senator Mamora  said for Melaye “to have threatened to beat up  Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a fellow senator for that matter, he has gone too far”.  “There is minimum standard of modicum expected of a senator; Melaye fell short of that modicum.”

 “I had expected the Senate President Bukola Saraki to caution him but there was no report that he did. Melaye should apologise in his own interest; whatever respect people have for him must have dropped; he should apologise and redeem his image.”

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Chairman Monday Ubani condemned the un-parliamentary behaviour and language used by Melaye in addressing his colleagues.

 “I have said it many times that this eighth National Assembly may be the worst in the history of this country’s democracy. The leadership of the Senate has lost respect of the people; they think of themselves and not the people that they are representing. It i s unfortunate we have found ourselves in this mess,” he said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/melaye-fire-attacking-senator-tinubu/

Kaduna power plant to be inaugurated in 2017 – Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Wednesday said the 215 Megawatt (MW) Dual Fired Kaduna Power Plant will be completed in June 2017.
Fashola gave the assurance after he inspected the power project in Kaduna, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
He said the contract was awarded in 2009 and was expected to be completed within 36 months.
According to him, the project cannot be completed as schedule due to inadequate budgetary allocation by the previous administration.

The minister said work had since resumed at the site in Kudenden Area of Kaduna, adding that the project would be completed in the second quarter of 2017.
Fashola commended the state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, for his determination to ensure the timely completion of the project.
El-Rufai, who accompanied the minister, said the state government had sourced for N7.5 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure prompt completion of the project.

Court rules on Boko Haram sponsor’s bail August 4

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday picked August 4 for ruling on the bail application filed by a suspected Boko Haram sponsor, Salami Abdullahi.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole fixed the date after hearing the submissions of the defence and prosecuting counsel, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Kolawale also fixed October 25 and November 3 for continuation of trial.
Abdullahi, a businessman, is standing trial for allegedly sponsoring activities of the Boko haram sect.

His counsel, Mr. Jubril Okutepa (SAN), said the law allowed multiple applications for bail in the same court and when there were exceptional circumstances.
Okutepa said Section 161 (2b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) defined exceptional circumstances to include instances where the prosecution exceeded one year.
He said, “It will be recalled that my lord ordered accelerated hearing of this case since 2014 and we are now in 2016. The accelerated hearing ordered by the court has not been followed.
“Besides there is a change in circumstances, the prosecution called seven witnesses and the evidence they have is consistent with the extra-judicial evidence of the second defendant that he knows nothing about Boko Haram.
“There is inordinate delay and what if at the end of the day, the defendant is not found guilty, will he be compensated?”

UPDATE: Husband of murdered Redeemed church preacher: I warned my wife weeks before her death

There were no signs that it would be her last day on earth.
When Mrs Eunice Elisha, a deaconess with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) set out from her home at about 5.30pm last Saturday, she had no premonition that some assailants were going to cut her life short and send her packing from this world. But that was the case. She was gruesomely murdered while preaching around Gbazango-West area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Even now, days after her demise, Pastor Olawale Elisha, her bereaved husband, and indeed, the entire family, are still finding it hard to believe that the preacher is no more.
He told Daily Sun: “I am a pastor, and a pastor depends on what God gives to him. Sincerely speaking, my wife was the breadwinner of this home. That is the truth. She sold things to take care of the house. She was the one God used to take care of this house.
“In the past, I was into business. But my wife and I agreed about two years ago that I needed to face the ministry since the business was affecting it. She said I should be fasting and praying for people. She was the one who paid the school fees and took care of other things,» Pastor Elisha revealed.
The cleric was surrounded by family members and some of the children of the murdered mother of seven when the correspondent paid a visit to the house on Monday.
He continued: “My wife always went out early in the morning for the ‘Morning Cry,’ to preach. On that fateful morning, she went around 5.30am and I was still in bed because we had a vigil overnight. She participated for a while and slept because she was going out to preach in the morning. Two of my boys are footballers, so they went to the field to play. And when they came back, they told me that they heard some footballers saying that they butchered a woman preaching early this morning.
“So, when I heard this, we trekked down with the short I was putting on and we did not see anybody, but we saw blood on the ground. I asked a policeman around and he said it is true but that they had taken her to Phase 4 Police Station. I went to the station with my children and when we got there, I saw the lifeless body of my wife at the back of the police van and there, she was taken to the mortuary. The incident happened between 5am and 5:30am because she usually went out by 5am and came back by 6am.»
How did he receive the devastating news? And what was the immediate reaction of the family? Pastor Elisha said sorrowfully: “I fell down when I saw the body of my wife covered. I cried. I was too tired and could not drive back home. Someone had to drive us back to the house.»
He disclosed that his wife was a peace-loving woman, explaining that she was at peace with everyone. He also told the reporter that he warned his wife three weeks before her gruesome murder. He said an Imam in a nearby mosque had commended her wife’s preaching, but informed that he was uncomfortable with the whole thing.
Said he: “My wife never argued with anyone. She was the giving type and the church can confirm that. About three weeks ago, my wife went to the back of my house. That morning, after preaching, she came and told me that a man in the mosque heard her and called on people to listen to what she was saying.
“When she came back and told me about it, I warned her. I did that because I was a Muslim before I converted and became a Christian. I told her to be careful. I told her that although what the man in the mosque said was commendable, she needed to be careful.
“For about a week, she did not go out to preach because of the warning. That was about three weeks ago that I warned her. The comments made by the man in the mosque were not against her. In fact, they were commending her.”
Pastor Elisha said there was no prior warning from the assailants before they murdered his wife. But he affirmed that he had forgiven the assailants. According to him, as a Christian, it was not in his nature to seek personal revenge.
“There was no harassment or warning before she was murdered. My wife was a child of God. She did not have issues with anybody. We were married for 16 years and had seven children. I am not a lawyer or a law enforcement agent. All I can say is that I forgive those that killed my wife.
“There is no need to avenge her death. When we went to the place where her lifeless body was kept, the crowd said her head and breasts were removed. Till this moment, I have not seen her body. I only heard. I have not confirmed,» he said.
Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, who is also a pastor with the RCCG, visited the Elishas at about 1:30pm on Sunday, the day after Mrs. Elisha’s killing.

Ghana begins visa-on-arrival policy for AU member states

The Immigration Service of Ghana (GIS) said on Friday that foreign nationals from the African Union (AU) member states can now travel to Ghana and be issued with visas on arrival as Ghana kick-starts the new policy.

A statement signed by Francis Palmdeti, head of public affairs of the GIS, said the arrangement would be piloted at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra for three months, and thereafter extended to all other entry points of the country.

"All AU nationals affected by this policy who arrive in the country must have a passport, valid for at least three months, from the date of entry; they must have a return ticket or evidence of onward travel," it said.

According to the GIS, travelers must show evidence of sufficient funds and proof of accommodation before they are granted visas.

The visa-on-arrival decision by the Ghanaian government is in fulfillment of a resolution adopted at the AU Executive Council meeting held earlier this year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The resolution stipulated that AU Member States review their internal and external security realities in an attempt to implement mechanisms allowing for the issuing of visas on arrival for citizens of Member States, with the possibility of a 30-day stay.

Ghana becomes the first AU member state to adopt such a policy and has received commendation from the AU Commission for the bold step. Enditem

Taylor Swift the world's highest-paid celebrity, according to Forbes rich list

Taylor Swift is the world's highest-paid celebrity at the tender age of 26, pulling in a whopping $US170 million over the past year, Forbes magazine said.

The pop diva's take from June 2015 to June 2016 is the highest total of her young career, the magazine said, more than doubling her previous record of $US80 million last year.
She out-earned other famous musicians including Adele ($US80.5 million), Madonna ($US76.5 million), Rihanna ($US75 million) and Bruce Springsteen ($US60.5 million).
The Shake It Off singer also outpaced rival Katy Perry, who was last year's top-earning musician at $US135 million, according to Forbes magazine's annual list of 100 highest-paid celebrities.
Perry dropped to number 63 on this year's list, earning $US41 million.
Rockers AC/DC were the highest paid Australian celebrities, sitting at 17th place on the list after earning $US67.5 million in the past year, according to Forbes.
Swift's huge earnings were largely thanks to her 1989 World Tour during which she smashed the Rolling Stones' North American record, grossing $US200 million on the continent en route to a quarter of a billion worldwide, the magazine said.
Coming in at number two on the list this year was boy band One Direction ($US110 million), followed by author James Patterson ($US95 million).
Taylor's former beau, musician Calvin Harris, also made the cut coming in at number 21 ($US63 million).
"The world's 100 highest-paid celebrities pulled in $US5.1 billion pre-tax over the past 12 months, more than the GDP of Belize, Gambia and Bhutan combined," Forbes said.

IMF says Nigeria’s economy will probably contract this year

Nigeria’s economy will probably contract this year as energy shortages and the delayed budget weigh on output, according to the International Monetary Fund.
“I think there is a high likelihood that the year 2016 as a whole will be a contractionary year,” Gene Leon, the fund’s resident representative in Nigeria said in an interview in the capital, Abuja, on July 8.
While the economy should look better in second half of the year, growth will probably not “be sufficiently fast, sufficiently rapid to be able to negate the outcome of” the first and second quarters,” he added.
Africa’s largest economy shrunk by 0.4 per cent in the three months through March, the first contraction in more than a decade, as oil output and prices slumped and the approval of spending plans for 2016 were delayed.
A currency peg and foreign-exchange trading restrictions, which were removed last month after more than a year, led to shortages of goods from gasoline to milk and contributed to the contraction in the first quarter.
While conditions that impeded growth in the first half of the year, including shortages of power, fuel, and foreign exchange, as well as the higher price of dollars on the the parallel market, may have been reduced, they still weigh on the economy, Leon said.
The Washington-based lender cut its 2016 growth forecast for Nigeria to 2.3 percent in its April Regional Economic Outlook from 3.2 per cent projected in February. The World Bank lowered its forecast to 0.8 percent last month, citing weakness from oil-output disruptions and low prices. Last year’s expansion of 2.7 per cent was the slowest in two decades, according to IMF data.
“Most people would agree that if you should fix one thing in this country, it should be power. There is a need to start changing the power equation from 2016, from today, not tomorrow or later,” Leon said.
Nigeria generated an average of 2,464 megawatts of electricity on June 6, according to information from the power ministry. This is less than half of the installed capacity of 5,000 megawatts for a nation whose population of 180 million people is the highest on the continent. It compares to power generating capacity of more than 40,000 megawatts in South Africa, which has a population a third of the size.
http://tribuneonlineng.com/imf-says-nigerias-economy-will-probably-contract-year/

UPDATE: Murdered female preacher: Mum asked me to love my siblings night before her death —Daughter •I won’t press charges on culprits —Husband

FIRST daughter of the woman who was murdered while preaching at Kubwa, Abuja, Mrs Eunice Olawale, Jessica, said her mum asked her to love her siblings and take care of them night before her death.
She also said her only consolation was that her late mum was in heaven.
The 15-year-old girl, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, said “the evening before she was killed, she woke me up to follow her somewhere, When we got to a junction, she paid a shopkeeper who she was owing.
“When we were returning home, she asked me if I noticed the love between her and her siblings, she then asked me to love my siblings as well and bring them together. She said I am supposed to love them and be their mother.”
“The last thing she told me before she died was ‘good night dear’.”
A condolence message by Jessica read: “Mummy, I can’t still believe you are gone. I love you so much. I will try to be very strong for daddy, ok.
“I will take care of my younger ones like you wanted me to do. Oh! How I miss you. You were so beautiful in all, suffering and pain. I miss you, come back to us.”
The second child, Michael, said her mother was the strongest woman he ever knew.

Foiling Boko Haram’s plan in the South-West

IT  is doubtful that many people attached great importance to the startling revelation recently made by the military authorities that fleeing Boko Haram terrorists had infiltrated parts of the South-West. Perhaps what caught the attention of most people was the security alert issued by the United States on the possibility of terror attacks  on foreigners domiciled in Lagos.  However, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, General Isidore Edet had, at a church service marking  the Army Day celebration at Saint Charles Catholic Church, Ikeja Cantonment, sounded a note of warning on Boko Haram fighters seeking refuge in Yorubaland. According to him, it was becoming a daily routine for security operatives to apprehend suspected Boko Haram members in Lagos and Ogun states, following sustained military operation against the terrorists.
General Isidore said: “Almost on a daily basis, we arrest Boko Haram members in Lagos. They have seen that the war is being won, so they are running. The army, in conjunction with other security agencies, arrests them almost daily. Initially, they deny when we ask them questions. But when we profile them, they start revealing where they fought, how they killed soldiers, how they detonated bombs in Maiduguri, and so on. ”
While we commend the gallantry and vigilance of the Nigerian military and other security agencies against the invidious activities of the terrorists, we warn that the incursion of the killer sect into Ogun and Lagos states cannot be handled with levity. Rather, the threat demands the concerted efforts and collaboration of  the civil populace and security operatives, to stave off possible catastrophe. The magnitude of the damage done by Boko Haram to the North-East and indeed the nation is too grave to treat the latest incursion of the blood-thirsty sect with levity. The South-West, being the industrial and commercial hub of the country, deserves a comprehensive security apparatus in all its nooks and crannies. On their part, state and local governments should, as a matter of urgency, step up campaigns aimed at achieving improved public awareness on security.
In August last year, the State Security Service (SSS) confirmed the arrest of nine suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Lagos. In October 2014, there were reports that no fewer than 1,000 fleeing Boko Haram fighters were arrested, also in Lagos. The third round of arrests took place in the densely populated Ijora, where security operatives apprehended two suspected terrorists and recovered arms, including AK 47 rifles and explosives, in a building on Aromire Street. A bomb kept in a cooler and hidden inside the ceiling of one of the rooms occupied by one of the suspects was recovered by soldiers. Sadly,  however, not much has been heard concerning all the arrests till date.

Fani-Kayode meets bail conditions, awaits EFCC verification

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday met his bail conditions but he was still awaiting verification of some documents by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A statement by Jude Ndukwe, the Media Adviser to the ex-minister, said Fani-Kayode was eager to reunite with his family.
The statement said: “Kindly be notified that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has met all the conditions for his bail and the relevant documents have been duly filed and submitted at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“We are now waiting for the EFCC to verify the documents after which he would be released. Despite the fact that he has been locked up for the last 62 days he remains confident, strong, healthy and in very high spirits.

“He misses his family very badly, especially his five month old son Aragon, and he looks forward to coming home to be with his family, friends and loved ones.”
The ex-minister is standing trial on a 17-count charge of unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of about N4.9 billion.
He was arraigned alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a company – Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.
Investigation by the EFCC indicated that Fani-Kayode was allocated about N840million from the funds which were used for the 2015 presidential campaign.
The ex-minister’s share of N840million was paid in three tranches into his account.
The first tranche of payment involving N350million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015, while N240million was similarly credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.
The balance on this account as at December 31, 2015 was N189, 402.72.
http://thenationonlineng.net/fani-kayode-meets-bail-conditions-awaits-efcc-verification/

PM-in-waiting Theresa May promises 'a better Britain'

 Theresa May promised to build a "better Britain" and to make the UK's EU exit a "success" after she was announced as the new Tory leader and soon-to-be PM.

Speaking outside Parliament, Mrs May said she was "honoured and humbled" to succeed David Cameron, after her only rival in the race withdrew on Monday.
Mr Cameron will tender his resignation to the Queen after PMQs on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron, who has been UK prime minister since 2010, decided to quit after the UK's Brexit vote.
It follows another day of dramatic developments in the political world, when Andrea Leadsom unexpectedly quit the two-way Conservative leadership contest, saying she did not have the support to build "a strong and stable government".
Her decision left Mrs May - the front runner - as the only candidate to take over leading the party and to therefore become prime minister.

In a speech flanked by dozens of Conservative MPs, Mrs May, the home secretary since 2010, praised Mr Cameron for his stewardship of the Tory party and the country.
And she paid tribute to Mrs Leadsom for her "dignity" in withdrawing her leadership bid, as well as to the three other candidates who ran in the contest.
"I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative Party to become its leader," Mrs May told the gathered media.

NCC remits N70bn into Federation Account

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it has remitted N70 billion into the Federation Account in the last one year.
This is in addition to the N30 billion paid by MTN Nigeria for SIM card infraction, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The Special Assistant on Media to the chief executive of the commission, Mr. Yakubu Musa, said this in a statement in Abuja.
It also said the NCC won the European Award for Best Practices in 2016.

“ The ceremony, which was held in Brussels, Belgium, was hosted by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), an affiliate of the European Union (EU),” NAN quoted the commission spokesman as saying in the statement.

Agriculture, way forward for Nigerian economy – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said Agriculture is an integral part of the country’s plan for sustainable economic growth and development.
He made the remark during a meeting with a group of Nigerian and Mexican agro-business interests at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, who led a Mexican agro-business concern, the San Carlos Group and their Nigerian partner, Wells Farm, from Edo State, to Aso Rock.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo (Jnr), was also at the meeting.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “President Buhari has said it repeatedly that agriculture and solid minerals, especially agriculture is our economic way out. This is the President’s vision, and our job-the rest of us- is to look for ways to get that dream actualized.”
Buhari, he said, is ready to support the agricultural plans in any way necessary.
He assured that the federal government will ensure conducive customs and immigration policies including tariffs in order to attain the vision.
Osinbajo said that was the reason the President set-up the Presidential Council on the Ease of Doing Business to attract local and foreign investors.
“There is no doubt in which direction we should go. Agriculture is in the forefront and we do realise the urgency of the moment and the importance of getting things done quickly,” he added.

Kansas Cop Fired After Threatening Dallas Woman on Facebook

A Kansas police officer was fired Sunday after threatening a Dallas woman and her 5-year-old daughter on Facebook, authorities said.
The threat came after a sniper opened fire on a protest in Dallas, killing five police officers and wounding seven more.
In a statement, Overland Park Police Chief Francis Donchez Jr. said an investigation concluded that "it was obvious that our officer did not meet the standards of professionalism" at the department.
Donchez didn't name the officer. NBC News hasn't independently verified a name being widely reported online.
The comment was posted Thursday night on a 2014 post by LaNaydra Williams, which included photos of her daughter. It read:
"We'll see how much her life matters soon. better be careful leaving your info open where she can be found :) hold her close tonight, it'll be the last time"

Overland Park, Kansas, police said this comment by a city officer does not 'represent the Overland Park Police Department in any way.'

"I felt horrified," Williams told NBC station KSHB of Kansas City, Mo.
"For this guy to just come out of nowhere, just being disrespectful, how can you be an officer? How, how?" she asked. "That's unacceptable for a police officer — for anyone, but especially for a police officer."
In the statement, Donchez said that after professional standards investigators verified the post, the officer was immediately fired.
"I want to publicly apologize to those affected by our officer's personal actions," the statement said. "His actions do not represent the Overland Park Police Department in anyway and no one should be subjected to any type of discrimination or this kind of behavior."
A criminal investigation is under way, police said

UPDATE: Dallas Police Department confirms death of fifth officer

1. Five police officers have been shot dead by snipers at a protest in Dallas
2. Six more officers were injured in the shooting, some critically
3. Police are exchanging fire and negotiating with a suspect who has threatened to detonate bombs
4. Three suspects are in custody but are refusing to co-operate with police
5. The protest in Dallas was sparked by the shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling by police in Minnesota and Louisiana

Buhari to IPOB, militants: Nigeria must remain one

President promises justice for all
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sent a message to some restive groups – they should forget about Nigeria breaking up.
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)have been attacking oil facilities. The Indigenous People of Biafra and the Movement for the Emancipation of Biafra (MASSOB) have been pushing for a Biafra State, independent of Nigeria.
But, Buhari insists that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable.

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is also the director of the separatist and illegal Radio Biafra, is on trial for alleged treason, among other charges
The president was emphatic yesterday that anybody seeking the break-up of the country should perish the thought.
He spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents paid him an Eid-el-Fitri homage.
The President said the slogan in the 1970s, “Go On With One Nigeria” (GOWON), is very apt now as keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done”.
He urged the militants to give peace a chance.
Noting that there is a lot of improvement on security in the Northeast, Buhari said the attention has now shifted to the Niger Delta.
He said: “On security, we have made a lot of improvement. There is improvement in the battle against Boko Haram. We are now concentrating on the militants to know how many of them in terms of groupings, leadership and plead with them to try and give Nigeria a chance.
“I assure them that the saying by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (a former Head of State) that ‘to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done is still relevant.  In those days, we never thought of oil, all we were concerned about was one Nigeria. So, please pass this on to the militants – that one Nigeria is not for negotiation and they had better accept it.
“The Nigerian Constitution is clear as to what they should get and I assure them there will be justice.”
Buhari urged those with plenty of money which does not belong to them to negotiate and return it in peace.
“So that both they and us will be in peace; otherwise, we will continue to look for it,” the President added
To solve some of the problems of agriculture, he said Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh was working very hard with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to ensure that 13 states start rice production..
According to him, the programme is good and giving the country confidence while many farmers are already going back to the field.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the past one year had been tough, adding that  the administration was busy clearing the mess it met.
He stressed the administration’s commitment  to placing the country on a sound footing, acknowledging that things were already looking up.
Minister of FCT Mohammed Bello, who led the delegation, prayed for God’s wisdom, good health and success for the President.
The President was presented with Sallah greeting cards and a mirror.
At the ceremony were Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal; Primate of the Church of Nigerian (Anglican Communion) rev. Nicholas Okoh; Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu; Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar; National Security Adviser Babagana Mongunu and Acting Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT Chapter, Israel Akanji and Dr. Kabir Adam of the National Mosque, Abuja were also part of the delegation.

http://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-ipob-militants-nigeria-must-remain-one/

Snipers kill four police at US protest over shootings

Four police officers were killed and seven others wounded by snipers in chaotic scenes in Dallas during a protest against police shootings of black men, with a suspect warning that bombs were planted throughout the city center.
City Police Chief David Brown said two snipers shot at “police officers from elevated positions during the protest/rally.” A civilian was also wounded.
Police were continuing to exchange gunfire with a suspect holed up in a downtown garage hours after the shooting started.

The suspect “has told our negotiators that the end is coming, and he is going to hurt and kill more of us, meaning law enforcement. And that there are bombs all over the place in this garage and in downtown,” Brown told reporters.
A woman who had been in the same part of the garage was also in custody, along with two suspects who had camouflage bags in a Mercedes and a person of interest who turned himself in after police tweeted a picture of him wearing camouflage and an assault rifle slung across his shoulder.
It is legal for those with permits to openly carry weapons in the state of Texas.
“We still don’t have a complete comfort level that we have all the suspects,” Brown warned.
Several hundred people attended the Dallas rally, which ended just before the shots rang out around 9:00 pm (0200 GMT Friday).
The protest was one of several nationwide over the fatal police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana this week that have prompted US President Barack Obama to make an emotional appeal for urgent police reform.
The Federal Aviation Administration restricted 2.5 nautical miles of airspace over the city, saying “only relief aircraft operations under direction of Dallas Police Department are authorized in the airspace.”
Mayor Mike Rawlings said both the White House and Texas Governor Greg Abbott had offered to help.
In a poignant moment, Rawlings spoke of a “heartbreaking morning” for the city.
“We as a city, we as a country, must come together, lock arms and heal the wounds that we all feel from time to time. Words matter. Leadership matters at this time,” he said.
Brown initially said two of the officers were undergoing surgery and three were in critical condition. The condition of the other officers was unclear.
“Ambush,” read a headline in The Dallas Morning News, above a photograph of a woman comforting a police officer.
– Dramatic video –
Dramatic video of the shooting emerged from witnesses, who posted the footage online. Bursts of gunfire and police sirens could be heard in the videos.
“That is him by the white column, you know, shoots to the left, shoots on the right, shoots on the other side of the pillar, you know, he was shooting at somebody, aiming at somebody,” Ismael DeJesus, who was hiding in the Crown Plaza Hotel during the shooting, told CNN in narrating video he shot.
“Then he turned around, you know, checked his back. Made sure no one was coming but the officer did come across the right side of the screen to the pillar of the right, and the officer did try to take him and it didn’t end well. It just ended very tragically.
“It looked like an execution, honestly. He stood over him after he was already down. Shot him maybe three or four more times in the back.”
In another video, posted by Twitter user @allisongriz, one witness can be heard saying: “Oh, my God. There are people laying on the ground. I hope they’re just hiding.”
Another witness says: “Somebody is really armed to the teeth. This is not just one person.”
The Twitter user who posted the video said she filmed it from her living room.
– Soul-searching after killings –
The deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota are once again fueling a debate about police use of lethal force, especially against blacks.
Castile’s girlfriend Diamond Reynolds livestreamed the aftermath of Wednesday night’s shooting in a Saint Paul suburb with an officer pointing his gun at her through the window as her four-year-old daughter sat in the back of the car.
The 10-minute video — which shows Castile bleeding profusely — prompted widespread outrage and has been viewed millions of times after it was posted on Facebook.
It prompted thousands to march across Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, Dallas and Atlanta Thursday evening, with more than 1,000 protesters gathered in New York’s Time Square.
Protests were continuing into early Friday throughout St. Paul, a dispatcher for Ramsey County law enforcement agencies said just after midnight.
Obama, America’s first black president, said it was clear the shootings were not “isolated incidents.”
– Support pours in –
Words of support and concern came pouring in as the situation unfolded in Dallas.

“As this situation continues to unfold, I’m praying for the brave men and women of the @DallasPD and those in downtown Dallas,” Republican Congressman Pete Sessions said on Twitter.
But criticism of the civil rights movement Black Lives Matter was also swift.
“This is now war. Watch out Obama. Watch out black lives matter punks. Real America is coming after you,” former Republican congressman Joe Walsh wrote in a tweet that was later deleted after he came under heavy criticism for his comments.

COULD PISTORIUS BE FREED IN JUST ONE YEAR?

Experts say the disgraced athlete, who remained staring blankly forwards as the judge handed down the paltry jail term, could be released on house arrest after serving one sixth of his murder sentence.Criminal lawyer William Booth, who chairs the South African Criminal Law Committee, said it was extremely likely Pistorius would be released after three years or even earlier.
He told The Sun Online: "They will normally serve half of a sentence but in South Africa there is a law which could see him released even before that. After you serve around a quarter of the sentence you can be taken back to court and your sentence be converted to correctional supervision.
"It will depend on if he does all the rehabilitation programs and is cooperative."
He said the decision that would see the prison term changed to correctional supervision would be up to the Department of Correctional Services with it important that Pistorius show remorse.
With more than 25 years of legal experience behind him, Booth said: "The judge made a lot of the fact that he tried to apologise to the family but actual remorse is different. I don't think he ever really accepted responsibility for what he did." "The judge was not clear in her judgement, but there is an argument that the Supreme Court of Appeal set aside the earlier conviction and the sentence and now this court has re-sentenced him and he is re-commencing a sentence he had begun to serve for the previous conviction.
"So, his lawyer could argue that he has done one year already and then he could be out in two and half years on straight parole.
"Or, according to this law, the prisons authorities could approach the judge in one year from now and ask her to reconsider the sentence and release him on correctional supervision, or house arrest."
Legal expert Llewllyn Curlewis has reportedly said there is a possibility the shamed paralympian could be out of jail after serving just one year of his new sentence.
Citing Section 276 (3) (a) ii of the Criminal Procedures Act, Curlewis, who is a former acting judge as well as being the chair of the Law Society Criminal Law Committee, said the paralympian may be able to be released from jail after serving just one sixth of his sentence.
Sky News reported the possibility is dependent on the Commissioner of Correctional Services deciding that Pistorius is fit for correctional supervision - house arrest.
It six year jail term comes despite the model's parents asking for horrific pictures of her gunshot wounds to be released while pleading for the double-amputee to be sent down for at least 15 years.
The six-year jail term was blasted by the ANC Womens League with the league's Jacqui Mofokeng calling it "an embarrassment to the justice system of this country."
Other members of the league who were in court said the decision was "a total insult" to women.
The six year sentence is only one year longer than the initial five-year sentence that Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down for culpable homicide before it was upgraded to murder by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal last year.
After being sentenced, Pistorius clutched at his family, savouring his last physical contact with them, as he was led down to the cells to await his return to prison.
He has since arrived at the Kgosi Mampuru correctional facility.