In life, no season remains forever and similarly, situations also change one after another. When a storm emerges in an ocean, it creates violent wind and heavy rain, sometimes, causing a dreadful disaster but after some time there prevail a reign of calmness. Though the storm disturbs the man’s life, it will not remain for a long period as it soon disappears and calmness prevails everywhere. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, candidate in the forthcoming primaries of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) This is the story of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Wazirin Adamawa and the most powerful vice president Nigeria has ever produced.  Though Atiku is easily the most prepared among all those who have sought or are still seeking the nation’s presidency in the last decade, his ambition has been repeatedly frustrated by persons who feel threatened by his profile. Anytime he announced his intention to become president of Nigeria, his traducers will derisively ask : what exactly does Atiku want? Why is he so desperate to become president? Must he be president? But not anymore. Things have now changed with many Atiku detractors shocked at the momentum his current effort to win next year’s presidential poll has started gathering. An objective analyst would see that the key indicators to determine who flies the Peoples Democratic Party’s flag at next year’s poll lie more on how their campaigns have progressed in the last few months; how their popularity have been perceived and how their messages have resonated with the people. Although pundits have predicted a keen contest between Atiku, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at tomorrow’s convention scheduled to hold in PortHacourt, a close look at the situation reveals the clear edge that the former number two citizen has over 13 other aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket in almost every area of assessment. This conclusion stems not just from the way Atiku has managed to project himself to a level in which he is seen as capable and well-prepared for the task ahead, but also because the messages of other contenders are not well received by the people. First, his submissions on restructuring and fiscal federalism have been applauded as a timely wake up call, since his words bear close resemblance to the aspirations of the citizenry, who have for long yearned for a new Nigeria. From grapevine, many hints on the likely outcome of Saturday’s presidential primary are emerging. Some governors of the PDP are receptive to Atiku’s aspiration because they see him as the only one with the capacity to rebuild the party and ensure that it takes over power in 2019. A deal has reportedly been struck in this direction. Beyond what may be playing out in the realm of underground politics, the political situation in the north is clearly cloudy. Political loyalty is shifting very fast. The harsh economic situation means unconscious political reappraisal. Indeed it is no longer news that in the northern part of the country, many are uncomfortable with the grinding paralysis that have come to signpost President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic programmes. As much as the downtrodden in the North love Buhari, there is a gradual realignment targeting Atiku who they see as a likely new successor amenable to welfare politics and inclusive governance. As a prelude to an elaborate campaign that will kick off after the primary election, Atiku’s media handlers have already put out art print adverts, world class jingles, and have held town hall meetings that communicate the strength of his party and his popularity to Nigerians. The reality is that Atiku’s edge over all other aspirants in both the traditional and the new media has a lot to do with the consistency of his campaign strategy and richness of his meetings, visitations and town hall meetings. But by far the most outstanding of Atiku’s communications strategy is the rich manifesto which addresses all the challenges currently confronting the country. No document from any aspirant within the PDP can match Atiku’s manifesto in terms of concept, content and creativity. The same edge is seen on the social media where the Wazirin Adamawa is a household name. The import of this is that VP Atiku is by far more popular and more acceptable to the people. It is also impossible to ignore the successes recorded by Atiku even before his foray into politics. A quintessential businessman and industrialist, with hard, wide network cutting across various sectors of our national life, Atiku has created several hundreds of thousands of jobs to many poor Nigerians. This gives Atiku a competitive edge in tomorrow’s contest. While Atiku made reference to visible achievements to his name during his nationwide consultations and town hall meetings, other aspirants made big promises, sometimes pledging to build bridges where rivers do not exist. That Atiku literally ran the first four years of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration gives the former vice president a head start in this contest. At the Customs, Atiku stamped his seal of excellence. The groundbreaking achievements that the then Department of Customs recorded in terms of increased revenue generation for the nation speak volumes of the competence of the PDP presidential aspirant. As a team player, he never shirked responsibility nor abdicate his chosen path of greatness. Humble, unassuming, articulate and trustworthy, Atiku often brings to his job a selfless disposition that thrust him up for greater service to God and humanity. This disposition is consistent with the yearning of Nigerians from all facets of our national life-to raise the bar in public service and sustenance of a legacy of honour.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/05/atiku-on-the-verge-of-clinching-pdp-presidential-ticket/

In the 2012 Ondo State governorship election, the current governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), was perceived as a “Tinubu imposed” candidate. He ran against the then incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party, and the people of Ondo State rejected Akeredolu.
I recall stomping across Ondo during that election, as excited crowds in the State could not but approve, with songs and folk songs, as Mimiko invoked the tradition of the people not to take any imposition from “outsiders’.
Then throughout most of the nooks and crannies in Ondo State, the campaign was more about resisting Tinubu than being a verdict on Mimiko’s performance. Mimiko did not have to say much about his performance during his first term in office, it was almost above those of his peers, particularly in terms of education and health care. His Abiye healthcare project was celebrated even by his opponents.
In 2016 when Akeredolu was to run again, ironically against a candidate handpicked by Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), he presented himself as an independent candidate, his own man, and not only did he defeat Tinubu’s anointed candidate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, he also canvassed for votes while reminding the people of Ondo State of how they should not let outsiders chose for them. Akeredolu won against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and today the rest is history. A number of other factors contributed to the victories in the 2012 and 2016 elections of Mimiko and Akeredolu.
Ambode As Ambode’s Achilles Heel
A lot has been written about current governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yet the irony is that Ambode’s problem wasn’t his godfather, former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but he (Akinwunmi Ambode) was his own problem.
Power overwhelmed the governor, and he completely detached himself from the strong political party structure. A party that has been in power in Lagos since 1999 is not the kind that you ride on and ignore. You may ignore the man who brought you in from obscurity, but to survive, you need to be an exceptional performer and keep your party structure happy. Ambode did not read the handover notes of Governor Babatunde Fashola. If he had, he would not be facing the political battle of his life. The people stood with his predecessor, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, even when the body language of his godfather was hostile, and then the mighty Tinubu knew moving against Fashola would have been political suicide for him.
The Mafioso Nature of the APC In Lagos
The Lagos APC power structure is filled with contradictions. It is sometimes progressive, at other times self-serving, but mostly it operates like the mafia in its highly close knit nature. Those who control the party at every level expect absolute loyalty, with no questions asked. It reflects most political parties in Nigeria; and even the newly formed ones are mirroring the model, which they have improved on. Six of the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered political parties have founders, who are also the party chairmen/women and also the sole presidential candidates.
The Lagos civil service is an extension of the party structure. If you come in as a governor, you are not expected to rock the boat or ‘change the temple
http://mognews.com/2018/10/05/the-rise-and-fall-of-ambode/

THE Osun State governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, yesterday, granted an ex parte order to candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke,  restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from altering election results. The tribunal headed by Justice T .A. Igoche and  Justice B. A Obayi as member also ordered INEC not to tamper with  information contained in the card reader machines and other documents used for the poll. Senator Adeleke, through his counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Oke, SAN, had filed an ex parte application seeking leave of the tribunal to file the application before the pre -hearing session. The applicant also sought leave of the tribunal to inspect and obtain certified true copies of electoral documents and materials in the custody of INEC. Adeleke predicated his application on the grounds that he was the candidate that contested the election held on September 22, 2018 and the re-run election held on September 27, 2018 on the platform of PDP. Other grounds of the application are: “That the total votes won by the 1st applicant on the 22nd day of September, 2018 was 245 ,698 while the 1st respondent scored 245 ,345.  Why we teamed up with APC—SDP Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Osun State, yesterday, explained why  it formed a coalition with the All progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded state governorship supplementary election National Leader of the party, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, explained while addressing party supporters in Osogbo that: “We laid our cards open on the table but the PDP refused to play with us.” Farounbi said: “If the PDP refused to tango with us and the APC expressed its readiness, we went with the APC that was ready and we formed coalition government. Part of our agreement was that the state is a civil service state and civil servants welfare should be taken care of. “Infact, let me tell you, how it all happened, on Monday September 24th, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki came by 2.00 p.m and told us that since Iyiola Omisore was a member of the PDP, he should reason along with them on the coalition and we laid our card on table for him but promised to get across within 24 hours.” “That the 1st applicant was the winner of the election and ought to have been so declared by the 3 rd respondent (INEC). “That the 3rd respondent declared the election inconclusive, hence a rerun was conducted on the 27th day of September 2018. “That the rerun election was marred by electoral violence, vote- buying, stuffing of ballot papers, multiple thumb- printing and voting and allocation of votes by the 3 rd respondent. “That by the total actual and valid votes cast on the 22nd and 27th days of September 2018 respectively; the elections were won by the applicants. “That an examination of the electoral documents and election materials in the custody of the 3 rd respondent is required to determine the actual facts and records of the elections to maintain this petition. “That the 3rd respondent wrongfully declared and returned the 1st respondent as being duly elected and winner of the governorship election, Osun State held on 22nd day of September 2018 and the rerun election held on 27 the day of September 2018 respectively. “The 1st and 2nd applicants are dissatisfied with the said result of the election as announced by the returning officer of the governorship election, Osun State. “That instant allocation is required for the purpose of instituting and maintaining the petition.” Igoche, in the ruling said: “We are of the view that the application has merit. We, hereby, grant the application as prayed.” “Also, on Tuesday, the following morning, Atiku Abubakar, through his campaign manager, Otunba Gbenga Daniel called that they were in Osogbo and they would want to come to Ile-Ife over the coalition arrangement and after waiting for hours, Atiku called by himself on phone and said, he could no longer come because the leadership of the PDP said Omisore and the party were irrelevant to them politically. “They were quoted as saying that, we should do whatever that pleases us and that Atiku should not negotiate with us. We then told them that we were not de 
http://mognews.com/2018/10/05/dont-tamper-with-osun-poll-results-tribunal-warns-inec-2/

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said that money- based politics was a major factor responsible for unprecedented corruption and bad governance in the country. The monarch, who is also the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, made the assertion at the 23rd Ummah Convention, organised by the Ummah Movement, held in Abuja, recently. The theme of the convention was, The Muslim Voice on Good Governance in Nigeria. He regretted that the nation’s political culture had deteriorated and become increasingly mercantile, where money becomes everything, saying: “We cannot allow full reins to money politics and expect corruption to go away. “This is partly responsible for bad governance that has characterised our polity, subverting our development, perpetrating poverty and eliciting the unending social conflicts. The Sultan of Sokoto “This money-based politics will continue to fuel the unprecedented corruption we see in our society; as a result of these, our pristine values as people have been supplanted and our future thrown into jeopardy. “All leaders – political, spiritual and traditional – need to come together to salvage our polity from dangers that the current political culture poses. The consequences of ignoring these standards are already showing and we must not wait until the bubbles burst, “ Abubakar said. He admonished leaders at all levels to take issues of leadership seriously, saying: “We cannot ignore centuries old wisdom which places high premium on leadership and places criteria for shouldering responsibilities.” He said that in Islam, leadership was fundamental and it was bestowed at every level as a trust from Allah and for which Allah would hold those entrusted to account. The monarch, therefore, advised Muslims to be at the forefront in advocating and leading with example in promoting ideals of good governance.  The Sultan noted that in Islam, governance was people-centered, designed to meet the welfare and security of citizens, adding that the measure of good governance was the quality of life of the governed. Earlier, Mrs Amina Omoti, former National Amirah, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria, FOMWAN, said good governance was very important aspect of human existence. Omoti added that good governance was the citizens’ right, adding that provision of social amenities and welfare by the government was a critical aspect of governance. “ For the Muslim, it is an integral part of his or her religion to call everyone and in this case, those in positions of authority, to do the right thing and persuade them to refrain from doing those things that will lead to decadence in social values.  
http://mognews.com/2018/10/05/money-politics-is-a-result-of-corruption-sultan/

Nigeria’s crude oil export appreciated by 17.38 per cent to N7.308 trillion in the first six months of 2018 from N6.226 trillion recorded in the last six months of 2017, according to data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The NBS, in its Second Quarter 2018 Foreign Trade Statistics, stated that first half 2018 crude oil export figure represented an increase of 52.25 per cent compared with an export of N4.8 trillion recorded in the same period of 2017. File Photo: Crude Oil Giving a breakdown of Nigeria’s crude oil export on a quarter-on-quarter basis, the NBS report stated that in the first and second quarters of 2018, N3.58 trillion and N3.729 trillion worth of crude oil was exported respectively, compared to N2.97 trillion and N3.255 trillion recorded in the third and fourth quarter of 2017 respectively. In the second quarter of 2018, the NBS report noted that India emerged the highest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil, with the purchase of N635.25 billion, representing 87.9 per cent of its total import of N722.58 billion from Nigeria. The Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, United States and Italy purchased Nigerian crude oil valued at N421.28 billion, N372.91 billion, N359.17 billion, N303.7 billion and N214.58 billion respectively. Others in the top ten category are France, Sweden, Brazil and Thailand which imported Nigeria’s crude oil worth N134.81 billion, N175.03 billion, N139.38 billion and N90.25 billion respectively. The report showed the total value of Nigeria’s merchandise trade was N6.569 trillion in the second quarter of 2018, which was a decline of 8.89 per cent compared to N7.211 trillion recorded in the first quarter of 2018, while it represented an increase of 14.56 per cent from N5.73 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2017. The report indicated: “In the reviewing quarter, mineral products accounted for N4.275 trillion or 95.8 per cent of the total export from Nigeria. This category of export was dominated by crude oil exports which contributed N3.728 trillion or 83.5 per cent of total exports. “The second largest component of export in second quarter 2018 was vegetable products, which recorded N65.45 billion or 1.5 per cent of the total export in the reviewing quarter. “The value of crude oil exports recorded in second quarter 2018, N3.728 trillion, was 4.2 per cent higher than the value in first quarter 2018, which was N3.579 trillion and 53.7 per cent higher than the value in second quarter 2017, which was N2.425 trillion. “Other oil products exports in second quarter 2018 stood at N516.32 billion, declining in the reviewing quarter by 3.6 per cent compared to N536.68 billion from first quarter 2018, and a 0.8 per cent growth from the value recorded in the second quarter of 2017, which was N512.41 billion.” The report noted that Nigeria exported most products to Europe, Asia and Africa, accounting for N1.849 trillion or 41.4 per cent, N1.284 trillion or 28.8 per cent and 639.3 or 14.3 per cent respectively. However, the report added that within Africa, Nigeria exported goods valued at N265.1 billion to ECOWAS member states representing 41.5 per cent of the total export trade to Africa. Market prospect There are indications that the oil market would continue to be stable in the coming months, thus ensuring high revenue to Nigeria and other exporters, especially as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has painted a bright prospect in its latest World Oil Outlook (WOO). In launching the WOO, OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad SanusiBarkindo, said the past year had been a historic one for the organisation, as well as the global oil industry, with the historic ‘Declaration of Cooperation,’ “helping accelerate the return of balance to the global oil market, bringing more optimism to the industry, which in turn, has had a positive effect in the global economy and trade worldwide.” He added: “the importance of these recent developments, specifically in terms of helping achieve sustainable market stability, is clearly vital across all timeframes,” which is evidenced in the analysis provided in the WOO 2018. Highlight The Outlook has it that: “All forms of energies will be required in the future; it is not about choosing one form of energy over another. Oil is expected to remain the fuel with the largest share in the energy mix throughout the forecast period to 2040. Total primary energy is set to expand by a robust 33 per cent between 2015 and 2040, driven predominantly by Developing countries, which see almost 95 per cent of the overall energy demand growth. “Natural gas witnesses the largest demand growth in absolute terms, and renewables the largest growth in percentage terms. Long-term oil demand has been revised upward for the second consecutive year, with total demand at over 111.7 mb/d in 2040. Demand growth is driven by non-OECD regions, which see a huge increase of around 23 mb/d to 2040. “There is no expectation for peak oil demand over the forecast period to 2040. Long-term demand growth comes mainly from the petrochemicals (4.5 mb/d), road transportation (4.1 mb/d) and aviation (2.7 mb/d) sectors; the total vehicle fleet – including passenger and commercial vehicles – is projected to increase to around 2.4 billion in 2040. “The majority of the growth continues to be for conventional vehicles, but the long-term share of electric vehicles in the total fleet is projected to expand and reach a level of around 13 per cent in 2040, supported by falling battery costs and policy support. Non-OPEC liquids supply is forecast to increase by more than 9 mb/d between 2017 and 2027, with the major driver being US tight oil, but beyond this period non-OPEC supply is set to decline by around 4 mb/d. “The demand for OPEC crude is projected to increase to around 40 mb/d in 2040, up from 32 mb/d in 2018. The share of OPEC crude in the global oil supply is estimated to increase from 34per cent in 2017 to 36 per cent in 2040. Global refinery additions are projected mainly in developing regions, led by the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, but also Africa and Latin America. Excess revenue Nigeria 2018 was benchmarked at $51 per barrel and 2.3 million barrels per day. At the current market price, hovering at between $80 and $83 per barrel, the nation generates excess revenue of $32 per barrel of oil exported. Meanwhile, experts, including Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry,Mr.Muda Yusuf, have called judicious deployment of resources in order to enable the nation fully reap the gains of the current stability in the global oil market.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/nigeria-exports-n7-3trn-crude-oil-in-six-months-2/

Cardi B is ready to go at Nicki Minaj yet again ... this time through a brand new track which she's got in the works with her foe's ex.
Sources tell TMZ Cardi recently stepped into the studio with none other than Meek Mill to lay down some material that'll be used in a forthcoming song. We're told they cranked out hooks and verses -- all of which is fair game for a final product that's yet to be released.
Unclear on who the featured artist would be, but we do know that Meek's got an album in the works right now. Sources also say the content Cardi and Meek recorded has the potential to be a huge hit ... so, clearly, expectations are high.
Adding insult to injury, the new duo were seen being friendly last week at the Billboard 2018 R&B Hip-Hop Power Players party in NYC ... where Meek was given the Impact Award.
While we're told the collab happened a few months ago, the timing is nothing short of less-than-perfect for Nicki ... who's in the middle of a good ol' fashioned beef with Cardi.
Their NYFW fight earlier this month left Cardi with a fat lump on her eye ... and a lot of ill will between the two. That hasn't prevented them from being in the same vicinity though since then.
That said, Cardi and Meek are actually labelmates on Atlantic Records, so it's not that crazy they'd eventually work together. Still ... we're sure Nicki doesn't like it.
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/cardio-records-a-song-with-nicki-minaj-ex-meek-mill/

Alhaji Mohammed Alkali has won the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State. The official result of the Governorship Primaries held on Sunday, 30th of September, 2018 showed that Mohammed Alkali Imam won the election with 2,785 votes defeating two other major contenders, Kyari Abba Bukar who polled 52 and Mohammed Wakil who scored 20 votes. Observers of the election commended the leadership of the party for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, while adding that Alkali has the required qualification to defeat candidates of other parties in the general election. The Returning officer in the election was Chief (Barrister) Gebon Timothy, while Hon. Mohammed Basis was the Electoral Officer. Addressing members of the PDP after the exercise, Alkali called on all party faithful to join hands with him to ensure the victory of the party in the 2019 general elections. While calling on other aspirants to work with him during and after the campaigns, Alkali promised to run an inclusive government “when I eventually become the Governor Borno State in 2019 by the special grace of God Almighty.”
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/mohammed-alkali-wins-borno-pdp-governorship-primary/

The World Bank and the European Union Investment Bank have scored Edo State as one of two best states in Nigeria, where projects are being executed in line with global best standards. The state’s new ranking is based on her transparency and other reforms adopted by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in executing projects. The assessment of the state was disclosed during a courtesy visit by representatives of the World Bank and the European Union Investment Bank, to governor Obaseki at Government House in Benin City. Task Team Leader I, Nigeria Erosion & Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), World Bank, Dr Amos Abu commended the commitment of the Obaseki led-administration in tackling gully erosion ravaging communities in parts of the state, adding that Edo State is one of the two best states in Nigeria in the implementation of projects funded by the World Bank. Abu said: “It is because of the trust the Bank has in Edo that money is given directly to the state government to implement its projects along with her budget. Edo State has not been interfering in the bid and procurement processes of the World Bank projects.” Abu expressed the bank’s delight at the commitment of the state government in executing projects funded by international donor agencies, adding that the World Bank has increased the grant to fight ecological problems in Nigeria from $500 million to $1 billion. The Team Leader, European Union (EU) Investment Bank, Mr Jaime Barragan, said that his team was in Edo State for “due diligence assessment of the erosion problem in the state.” According to Barragan, “The Bank has earmarked 175 million Euros for gully erosion problems in Nigeria, and from what I am seeing in the presentation by the Governor, Edo needs urgent approval and I must say that the state is ahead of other states in Nigeria in the fight against gully erosion.” Governor Godwin Obaseki who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said the state government is poised to tackling gully erosion problem in the state, adding that the government has commenced the process of awarding contracts to reclaim seven erosion sites while eight others have been marked as deserving urgent attention. Obaseki highlighted the dangers gully sites pose to people of the state, and stressed that there was need for speedy approval of funds to effectively tackle the challenges. He said the state government has made it a policy to allow communities take ownership of projects, which has led to speedy completion and proper maintenance of the Auchi and Queen Ede gully erosion sites, noting that the approach has been adopted in tackling erosion sites in Ibore and Ewu. The governor assured that the state government will ensure due diligence in all processes of governance, as well as maintaining international best practice in the quality of services to people of the state. He expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its past interventions in reclaiming gully erosion sites in the state, adding that the government was looking forward to better partnership deals in its bid to developing smart cities with less environmental hazards and better management of waste and flood. The erosion sites advertised for contracts are in: Edo College, Ogiso/Osunde, Ambrose Alli University, Igbe quarters, Auchi, Fugar-Agenebode Road, and Ikpoba Hill. The eight sites which the state government has penciled down for urgent attention are in Iguosa, Afuze, Uzogbon/Ugboha, Jattu, Ihinmwinrin, Iwogban, Ogba and Igueben/Eguare/Idumogo. 
http://mognews.com/2018/10/01/world-bank-eu-investment-bank-score-edo-high-on-project-execution/

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with leadership and members of National Assembly over the passing of Hon. Funke Adedoyin. Funke Adedoyin Adedoyin, until her death was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Irepodun Isin/ Ekiti /Oke Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara. Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, commiserated with the government and people of Kwara, her family and friends over the sad incident. He said that her demise had deprived the nation of the wisdom and maturity she had always brought into service. The president believed that as a former member of the Federal Executive Council and legislator, Adedoyin’s sacrifice and contributions to national development would be remembered by posterity. He added that her unreserved commitment for more representation of women in government and education of children would not be forgotten so easily. Buhari prayed that God to receive her soul and comfort all her loved ones.
http://mognews.com/2018/09/30/buhari-condoles-with-nass-over-passing-of-funke-adedoyin/

Real Madrid said goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo in July of this year, but the player's journey through the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu exit doors began in May of 2017.

His problems with the Spanish tax authorities kicked off a series of discussions and decisions which ultimately led him to Turin and to Juventus.

This is according a fresh report published by El Mundo.

They reveal that Ronaldo held a meeting at the home of his agent Jorge Mendes in May of 2017, with his advisors in attendance.

"I said I didn't want any risks," Ronaldo told his advisors, referring to the legal troubles that had been caused by tax non-payments.

"I didn't study and the only thing I've done in my life is play football, but I'm not stupid and I don't trust anyone.

"That's why I always pay 30 percent more than is requested when I hire an assessor.

"It's because I don't want problems."

Lawyer Carlos Osorio, who was at the meeting, explained that he had been in charge of these fiscal issues, but urged Ronaldo not to worry.

Some months later, when he had to make a pact with the tax authorities, he became very angry.

"I never said not to pay taxes!" he exclaimed to his advisors.

"I want to know what happened.

"I don't understand anything, as the taxes should be paid by sponsors, so why do they accuse me?"

Having had to fork out payments to the Spanish tax authorities, Ronaldo hoped that Real Madrid would offer him an improved contract to soften the financial hit, as he believed Barcelona had done with Lionel Messi.

Yet the capital city club wanted to keep a distance from Ronaldo and his legal issues, which he viewed as a betrayal.

He also considered it a lack of respect that Messi was earning double his wages and that Neymar had moved ahead of him in the salary rankings after the Brazilian's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

His anger became so much that Zinedine Zidane reportedly spoke to the directors to ask them to solve the issue, claiming that Ronaldo was discussing it too much in the dressing room.

On top of all that, the Portuguese was also irritated by the fact that Alfredo Di Stefano was continually discussed ahead of him when it came to the topic of Real Madrid's best ever player.

"They always put me behind Di Stefano and I don't know what more I have to do," he is believed to have said.

In the end, the relationship with Real Madrid reached a point where he decided to leave and to move on, joining Juventus and beginning a new adventure in Italy.http://mognews.com/2018/09/30/cristiano-ronaldos-reasons-for-leaving-real-madrid-are-revealed-el-mundo/

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from New York where he participated in the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI BEING RECEIVED BY MINISTERS AND PRESIDENTIAL AIDES AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK FOR THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY He aslo attended other official engagements on the sideline of the UNGA73 between Sept. 24 and Sept. 29. The theme for this year’s Session is: ‘Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies’. Newsmen report that the presidential aircraft conveying the president, his wife, Aisha, and some members of his entourage took off
http://mognews.com/2018/09/30/buhari-aisha-arrives-from-new-york/

Governor’s Advisory Council(GAC) of the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to pick the party’s governorship ticket for the 2019 election in the state. Ambode, Tinubu and Sanwoolu Sen. Anthony Adefuye, a member the council, announced the endorsement to party members on Saturday, at a stakeholders’ meeting at the ACME Road state party secretariat. He said the GAC, the highest decision-making body of the chapter, arrived at the endorsement after a meeting which lasted for several hours. Adefuye said the meeting was chaired by national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and was attended by other prominent members of the party. Adefuye listed Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa as some of those also at the meeting. He said that the decision to back Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner for Training and Establishment, against the incumbent, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, was in the interest of the state and the party. Adefuye also announced that the governorship primary had been postponed from Sunday to Monday but gave no reason for the shift. He told the crowd that another aspirant, a former Commissioner for Works, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, had withdrawn from the race and had endorsed Sanwo-Olu. “There was a GAC meeting held this morning which was attended by the Vice President, YemiOsinbajo, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and others. “This meeting was chaired by our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. This is a meeting that we started at 10am. and we couldn’t finish early. “After the meeting, I have been mandated by the GAC to announce this to you. “The gubernatorial primary earlier scheduled for tomorrow, September 30th, has been shifted to Monday, October 1. “Also, the GAC was informed by Dr Obafemi Hamzat of his decision to graciously step down and endorse Jide Sanwoolu. “GAC has endorsed Babajide Sanwoolu as its preferred candidate ahead of the primary,” he added. The announcement threw the crowd of Sanwo-Olu supporters at the meeting into wild jubilation. Chants of Sanwo-Olu! Sanwo-Olu ! took over the atmosphere as supporters of Ambode exited the party secretariat in disappointment
http://mognews.com/2018/09/29/gac-endorses-sanwo-olu-for-apc-governorship-ticket-as-tinubu-chairs-meeting/

A Nigerian lady identified as Victoria Vicky has taken to her Facebook page to give her support to President Buhari and in her own opinion, she feels it will be better for a one’s family members to use one for money ritual than for one to vote for PDP in the coming 2019 election.In a series of posts she made on Facebook, she didn’t at any point hide her hatred for the opposition party and she campaigned seriously for the APC.

Read her posts below:

It’s better to commit suicide or let your family use you for money ritual than to vote for PDP in 2019, it’s not worth it.

All those senators and house of representatives from the north decamping to PDP won their elections because of the goodwill of the then-candidate Buhari.therefore President Buhari is still going to win his seat again… but those lawmakers that decamp to PDP I guarantee you they will all loose their seats come 2019.

All these defection doesn’t have any impact on buhari 2019, they are not the one to vote for him, and with their defection most of them have ended their political career. Cuz that doesn’t stop buhari from winning in 2019. Most people that defected now have no any contributions to the party before. Note it down that is their end.

Some people are rejoicing too soon.
Most of the people that left had always been in the APC opposing the APC. They surely know they wont get a ticket under APC again.
Just wondering if those that have been in PDP, participated in PDP convention and used their resources for the PDP will sit and wait for decampees to snatch their tickets from them.
The game is far from over….its coming a little too late.

APC still stands a big chance.
Wait for primaries in PDP and see how everything will scatter.
The other day it was parties signing agreement with PDP which one by one they started to deny,
Its not even up to 6 hrs, one is already saying he is not part of the decampees.

http://mognews.com/2018/07/26/its-better-for-your-family-to-use-you-for-money-ritual-than-vote-useless-pdp-slay-queen/

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 75 out of 230 stranded Nigerian Football fans absconded in Russia after the 2018 FIFA World Cup . The ministry’s Spokesperson, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile, said in Abuja that the fans absconded in spite of government’s efforts to repatriate them. Fatile said that 230 stranded Nigerian football fans were profiled to board charter Ethiopian Airline to Abuja but at the last-minute, only 155 boarded the flight. “As at the last count, over 230 stranded Nigerians had been cleared to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Abuja, however, only 155 boarded the flight that arrived Friday night July 22,” he said. He said that the ministry officials had to contribute to feed some of the stranded Nigerians in Moscow as many of them were left with nothing. He said that though they had the rights not to come back but it would be better for them to return because of the unfavorable weather in that country. He said that the mission had done a lot to facilitate their coming back but they did not appreciate it. ”Do you know that the officials at mission have to sacrifice their earning by contributing money to feed the stranded fans,” he said. He said that if, however, they repented and decided to come back, the ministry was ever ready to assist them. Fatile said that Federal Government was ever willing to assist Nigerians at anytime, anywhere in the world The spokesperson said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, had also made some contacts with relevant agencies to commence investigation into suspected human trafficking in the case. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, who was at the airport to monitor their arrival, had said that the Federal Government was going to probe the case. He said that government had resolved to investigate suspected human trafficking in the case of the Nigerian football fans, who got stranded in Russia after the World Cup tournament. Onyeama said that the plan to probe the issue surrounding the incident was underway. He said after a discussion with the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ms Julie Okah–Donli, it was clear that there were possible cases of human trafficking among the returnees. “I have spoken to the D-G of NAPTIP and she had also indicated that they had sounded the alarm bells for these young children not to leave the country, that it had all the hallmarks of trafficking and irregular migration,” he said. The minister insisted that some of them, among who was a nursing mother, were quite too young to have travelled to Russia by themselves solely for the purpose of the World Cup tournament. He added that an investigation would also be launched into an allegation that some travel agents cancelled the return tickets of the football fans without informing them, leaving them stranded in the European country http://mognews.com/2018/07/26/100-stranded-nigerians-in-russia-are-nowhere-to-be-found-officials/

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, fixed July 31, 2018, to deliver ruling on the no-case submission filed by the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu, and other defendants.

At the last hearing on the case, Justice Mohammed Idris, the presiding judge, dismissed the defendants' application seeking to throw out the amended charge instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In dismissing the application, Justice Idris made reference to Sections 216 and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act that allows the prosecution to amend the charge at any stage of the trial.

The trial judge further stated that the prosecution could not be shut out from filing a second amended charge as the defence had not shown that the amendment would be prejudicial to it.

Immediately after the ruling, Uzor-Kalu, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeogu, were subsequently re-arraigned on the new charge to which they pleaded not guilty.

After the defendants' not guilty plea, their lawyers notified the judge of various “no case submissions” which had been served on the anti-graft agency.

The defence team also pleaded with Justice Idris for adequate time to respond to the EFCC's written address.

The court then adjourned till July 25, 2018, to entertain arguments on the “no case’’ submissions.

According to the amended charge filed by the commission, Uzor-Kalu and other defendants were alleged to have committed the offence between August 2001 and September 2006.

In specific terms, the former Governor was accused of using his firm, Slok Nigeria Ltd., to retain N200 million in an account domiciled in First Inland Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

The said sum, according to the EFCC, formed part of funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government.

The anti-graft agency insisted before Justice Idris that Uzor-Kalu, his company (Slok Nig Ltd), one Emeka Abone and Michael Akpan, who are now at large, allegedly collaborated to commit the offence between 2001 and September 2006.

The former Governor and others were equally alleged to have concealed the genuine origin of a total sum to the tune of N7.2 billion, which the anti-graft agency declared formed part of funds illegally derived from the Abia State treasury, and converted same into several bank drafts, which were subsequently paid into the account of Slok Nigeria Ltd.

Even in counts one to 10, the EFCC pointed accusing fingers at the defendants for retaining about N2.7 billion in different bank accounts — funds said to belong to the Abia State government.

In all, Uzor-Kalu and others were alleged to have diverted over N7.1 billion from the Abia State government’s treasury, when he was Governor of the state.

The offence, according to the EFCC, contravenes Sections 14, 15(6), 16, 17 and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.

The commission further insisted that the offence flouts the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by the amendment Act No. 9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990

The International Criminal Court’s choice of President Muhammadu Buhari as guess speaker at the body’s 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute came at a time when it is still struggling to fix its sagging image in Africa, following accusations of bias made against it by some ‘rebellious’ African

There could not have been a more qualified candidate to deliver a keynote address than the president of Nigeria, who is also the chairperson of the African Union’s anticorruption committee. Nigeria is the voice of the continent in international fora, including the United Nations. It has both the largest population and economy on the continent.

Contrary to the argument that it was an honour for Buhari because he was the only head of state invited, the president’s invitation was a strategy to lift the public image of the court. Also, it was a mark of recognition of Africa’s predominance in cases brought before the court.

However, beyond that argument, inviting an African leader as a guest speaker at the august event threw a challenge at the governments of African countries, the African Union and the regional blocs, it called for sober reflection on the judicial system in Africa, especially respect for the rule of law.

African leaders overwhelmingly embraced the Rome Statute when it was created in 1998, and 34 African countries ratified it. The ICC has 124 members. Some scholars have argued that the interest shown by African leaders was inspired by the Rwanda genocide. The thinking then was that a body like the ICC, with its noble objectives, was needed to stem a repeat of the Rwanda experience.

The court was established “to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.”

Africa has remained the court’s biggest client since it started functioning, even though the crimes for which African countries have become the big catch in the court’s net are not peculiar to the continent. The crimes are also committed in the other continents of the world. But while the other regions have put in place strong institutions to address “the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,” Africa has not been able to do the same, even as issues of human rights, equality, genocide, crime of aggression and the need for judicial reform are always on the top of the agenda of political leaders during campaigns and elections.

Oftentimes, after victory is secured, the first institution that is manipulated or stifled is the judiciary, apparently to allow the ruling party have the leeway to use the machinery of government to silence the opposition and civil society organisations. The consequence is leaders trampling on the peoples’ right
to freedom of speech, movement, information and the safety and security of persons. Victory at the polls immediately transforms African politicians into ‘superior beings’ who are unquestionable over their actions.

It is this obnoxious trait in African politicians that is responsible for the challenge facing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, established by the African Union to “complement and reinforce the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

Though “the court was established by virtue of Article 1 of the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights” in June 1998, records show that “only eight out of 30 states parties” to the protocol, which came into force on January 25, 2004, “had made declaration recognising the competence of the court to receive cases from NGOs and individuals”as at April 2018.

The eight countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Tanzania and Tunisia.

The countries that are yet to make their declaration are: Nigeria, Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Gabon, Gambia, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Togo, Uganda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Rwanda, Mauritius, Niger, Chad and South Africa. The leaders of the countries who are yet to make their declaration may have to explain the dilly-dallying and for how long it will last.

It is worrisome that decades after the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union, was founded, it has not been able to put in place a judicial structure that could effectively address cases of impunity, rule of law, and other crimes that make life unbearable for the citizens of the continent. It is ridiculous that, in 2018, the AU has no court that can effectively sit in judgement over cases arising from member states, NGOs and individuals.

Still, it was ridiculous for the AU to have requested the United Nations Security Council to grant immunity to serving African heads of states brought to the court. The tacit support the AU gave some countries who had expressed their intention to withdraw from the ICC was shocking too.

So far, the only acclaimed case that has been prosecuted on the soil of Africa was that of war crimes, genocide and rights abuse brought against former Chadian President Hissene Habre. It was made possible by the bravery and support of Senegal, where the case held. The successful trial of Habre showed that, but for lack of political will, atrocious cases could be tried on the soil of Africa and the intervention of foreign bodies like the ICC would become minimal.

Interestingly, Africa has produced eminent jurists of world class. They have proved their mettle in the dispensation of justice without favour in the developed countries of the world. The current president of the ICC, Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, and the court’s prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, are Africans after all. Even with all the legal luminaries it has produced across the globe, Africa has not been able to take the bull by the horns and establish an internationally-recognised continental court.

Oftentimes, good intentions are politicised, to the extent that they become moribund even before execution. This has been the bane of the continent. Certainly, Africa needs a new crop of young and pragmatic leaders who can awaken the continent to face the realities of the times.

It is inexcusable for the continent to always come last in global development indices.

But if the continental level is wobbling, how about the regional blocs? It is a story of distasteful tales too. The Economic Community of West Africa States’ Community Court of Justice, established in 1991, ought to be a shining example for the rest of the continent. But in 2018, it is still limping. It is faced with inadequate funding and flagrant disregard for its rulings by the governments of member states. Official sources say “only 35 of the 64 decisions” of the court “have been enforced by member states due to a variety of reasons, including the preponderance of states that have not designated their focal points for the enforcement of the decisions of the court.” Only recently, the vice president of the Court, Justice Yussif Kaba tacitly indicted member states when he said, “a court whose decisions are not enforced is not worth its salt.” He was addressing a joint delegation of the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) and the Swedish-based Raoul Wallenberg Institute, who had visited senior officials of the court.

The court, PALU and Raoul Wallenberg Institute are collaborating “to develop strategies for improving on the enforcement of the decisions of the Court.” But how successful the effort will be is another topic for debate. The worry of the court’s officials is how “to sustain its credibility among citizens who
see it as the last resort for the resolution of cases relating to the violation of their human rights.”

And on the eastern front, the East African Court of Justice, established by the East African Community, was a fiasco. The embarrassment suffered by Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and his vice president, William Ruto, following their arraignment before ICC, might have been avoided if the court was in existence and empowered accordingly. In Southern Africa, the South Africa Development Community (SADC) Tribunal, created in 1992, though officially established in 2005, was suspended in 2010 “after several judgements against the Zimbabwean government.”

The court was, originally, established to enforce “adherence to, and proper interpretation of the provisions of the SADC Treaty and subsidiary instruments and adjudicate upon disputes referred to it.” Attempts to set up a new tribunal in 2012 failed. The bloc has since remained without a regional court.

There are no indications that the tribunal will be set up in the near future. Reports said that its building in Windhoek, Namibia, “is now used as an ordinary domestic court.” Akin to all other dreams expressed by leaders of the other regions, at its inception, the hope was that the tribunal would provide a “strong impetus to hold SADC governments accountable,” among others.

“Many believe that the disbanding of the SADC Tribunal in 2012 was reflective” of the organisation’s “hierarchy of values” in which its “formal commitment to human rights and a legal order is subordinate to the political imperatives of regime solidarity and respect for national sovereignty,” another report said.

The report further noted that “whereas states have traditionally been willing to relinquish sovereignty with regard to direct trade and economic matters, human rights have remained a sensitive and neglected issue,”adding that the case of the SADC Tribunal “showed a lack of appreciation for the idea that the decisions of regional courts could take priority over national courts.” It is this same mentality that informed the decision of African countries that were opposed to the decision of the ICC. And all African countries are guilty of this charge.

Following the eloquent keynote address delivered during the ICC 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute, it is expected that President Buhari will begin to consider workable solutions to the challenge of establishing a truly independent continental Court. It is believed he is already pondering over the capacity of the AU to fight corruption in the continent. The task on his shoulders is an onerous one that could either rubbish his current records or earn him further accolades at the continental level and indeed globally.

In his address, he urged “all states not to politicise the decisions of the court but to always bear in mind the rationale for the establishment of the court in the first place.” It is expected that he will urge African leaders not politicise the decisions of the regional courts.
http://mognews.com/2018/07/23/buhari-a-guest-speaker-in-international-criminal-court/

According to Daily Mail of London, Leicester are keen on recouping the £16.6m they spent on bringing the Nigerian International to the King Power Stadium.


Musa, 25, joined from CSKA Moscow in July 2016 for a then club-record £16.6m but has only made 21 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals.

Sky Sports News understands Leicester would want to recoup the majority of that outlay if Musa were to leave this summer.

The Nigeria international spent the second half of last season back on loan at CSKA and his second goal against Iceland has been nominated for goal of the tournament at the FIFA World Cup.

The former Kano Pillars star is not lacking in suitors after showcasing his talents at the 2018 World Cup in addition to his performance while on loan at CSKA in the second half of last season.
http://mognews.com/2018/07/23/leicester-rejects-n5-7b-saudi-arabia-bid-for-ahmed-musa/

Ndigwe learnt that the boat in which the wife and sons embarked on the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea had a problem very close to the Italian coast.
Forty-Three-Year-Old Ikechukwu Ndigwe, a native of Ezinwoye village of Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been running from pillar to post, strenuously trying to reunite with his two sons who survived the perilous journey to Europe that claimed the lives of his wife and one son.
In the cruel fate that befell the family happened in 2016, when the boat the wife and three sons boarded to ferry them across the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy capsized, not very far from the coast of the Italian city that was their destination. That horrible incident added their names to the lengthening list of Nigerian migrants who have died in the treacherous journey across the desert and the Mediterranean Sea, in the quest for greener pasture Europe.
Long before members of Ndigwe’s family ebarked on the ill-fated journey, they were living well in Morocco, where he was running a business. Their life took a wrong turn when Ndigwe had a problem with a citizen of the country and was arrested by the Moroccan police. He was tried and jailed.
Narrating how his ordeal started, Ndigwe told Sunday Sun: “It was in 2014 when I had a problem with a Moroccan where I was doing business. I was arrested and imprisoned but my wife and children were coming to visit me in the prison. So, in 2015 I told my wife that she should take two of my grown up boys and return to Nigeria.
I told her that it was necessary to enroll them in school at home, because over there in Morocco, they were only taught French, Spanish and Arab languages but I needed them to read English, which is our national lingua franca.
“So, initially she accepted the idea of bringing the children home to Nigeria but in December 2015 she changed her mind and said that she would not return to Nigeria. Instead, she said that she would travel to Italy. I sought from her, who she would stay with in Italy, because I knew that I had nobody there. Besides, she would have to abandon her business in Morocco. On that day, we were talking on the phone, so I did not hear her reply before she dropped the phone. I contacted her family in Benin and my family, to inform them about my wife’s decision, in the hope that they would advise her properly.
“Discussions on the issue continued until September 2016, when I could no longer get her on the phone, because normally I used to call her at night to avoid being caught by the police officers because it was an offence to make calls. I called my friend and requested him to go to my house and check my family. When he went, he saw that the house was locked. I told him to go to my wife’s shop; he went and told me that it was also locked also. I started making contacts and asking people, to know the whereabouts of my family. That was how I learnt that she had traveled.
“So, after two days my phone rang in prison and it was a foreign number. I picked the call and it was my wife. I asked her where she was, she told me that she was in Libya, I pleaded with her on phone to come back to Morocco or go to Nigeria but she refused. I asked her to give my children the phone and I spoke with them. After that call, she switched off her phone. Then I called the phone number of the person she was with in Libya and she picked after several trials and told me that I should thank God that my wife and children had entered reached. I was shocked and immediately I started having some unusual feelings.
Continuing the gripping tale, Ndigwe said that began calling his friends in different European countries, to ask them about his family but none of them had seen them. On further inquiries, Ndigwe learnt that the boat in which the wife and sons embarked on the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea had a problem very close to the Italian coast.
His words: “As they were approaching their target city, my wife out of joy stood up in the boat, probably to get a glimpse of the city. The boat tilted to one side and my son fell into the sea and was shouting, mummy, mummy. When my wife reached out to grab him and also fell into the sea. Though she was rescued, my son was not found. She was unconscious and vomiting a whitish substance. On the way to the hospital, she died. I have the video of the whole story because it was sent to me. My other two sons with her, who became stranded by the accident and her death, were rescued alive. When I heard this, I started calling my in-laws in Italy to help me locate my two surviving children, Tobechukwu Matthew Ndigwe and Ebubechukwu David Ndigwe – and eventually he found them where they were with the help of a lawyer. They also got the Nigerian embassy in Italy involved. When they saw the children, they were given my pictures to identify me. The older one excitedly shouted, ‘Daddy, daddy,’ and looking around thinking that I was close by. But they told them that I would come for them and then they went back to their office.
“They told me to come and claim my children but I was in prison at the time. I had to serve out my term, which remained about six months. When I came back to Nigeria, I went to the Italian embassy in January to apply for visa, travel to Italy to reunite with my children but I was denied visa. Instead, I was asked to appeal. I am simply appealing to the Nigerian government to use its diplomatic leverage to help me get a visa from the Italian government. Alternatively, the government can bring back my children to me.” Ndigwe stated.
Following their rescue, the two sons have in the custody of a guardian, Ms. Malandrino Maria Paula, in Siracusa, a city located 30km away from Catania in Italy.
He said the two surviving boys are his only hope and every thing he has on earth today. All he wants is to reunite with them.
Ndigwe recalled that while he was still in detention in Morocco, his relations had attempted to take custody of the children but the President of Tribunals of Minor in Catania, Italy, Dottorressa Pricoco Francisco, said that the two boys would only be released to their blood relation who must present himself or herself physically to the tribunal with his or her full identification and evidence of financial capability including bank statement.
The Judge further ruled: “Such a relation must bring to the tribunal a comprehensive biodata of the three boys including the elder one that died and also the identities of the children’s biological father and mother.”
It was based on that ruling by the Judge that Ndigwe applied for a visa to travel to Italy in line with the order of the judge. But the embassy turned down the request through a letter dated June 10, 2018, on a number of grounds.
However, in an appeal filed with the Appeal Section of the embassy, Ndigwe’s lawyer, A. M. Egbeson, stated that the applicant had provided more than enough documents both from Nigeria and from the Italian government, to fully establish that he is father of the children the wife intended to take into Italy before the disaster happened. He argued that the demand for financial capability should not in anyway be extended to the biological father of the children.
“Ikechukwu Ndigwe is applying to visit Italy to set his eyes on his children after the ill-fated journey that befell them and nothing more. Any decision to deny him the visit amounts to unfairness, inhuman and condemnable,” Egbeson said and urged the embassy to discountenance the earlier position and allow the Appeal in the interest of justice.
The lawyer said further: “If the appeal fails there is the ugly possibility that these children will forever not be allowed to see their only surviving relation, which is their biological father, Ikechukwu Ndigwe and as such a situation created by human mechanism is absolutely wrong and must be avoided at the earliest opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Human Rights Defenders of Nigeria, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, has joined in the campaign to persuade the Italian authorities to respect the sanctity of human life by providing Citizen Ikechukwu with the necessary papers to travel and see his sons.
He however commended the Italian government for the rescue and safe custody of the two children, while appealing to them to expedite action on the release of the two boys. He urged the Italian authorities to console the unfortunate widower who is still mourning wife and 14-year-old first son, both of who died in the ill-fated journeyHow I lost my wife, first son in Mediterranean Sea – Ndigwe, Anambra bizman
Ndigwe learnt that the boat in which the wife and sons embarked on the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea had a problem very close to the Italian coast.
Forty-Three-Year-Old Ikechukwu Ndigwe, a native of Ezinwoye village of Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been running from pillar to post, strenuously trying to reunite with his two sons who survived the perilous journey to Europe that claimed the lives of his wife and one son.
In the cruel fate that befell the family happened in 2016, when the boat the wife and three sons boarded to ferry them across the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy capsized, not very far from the coast of the Italian city that was their destination. That horrible incident added their names to the lengthening list of Nigerian migrants who have died in the treacherous journey across the desert and the Mediterranean Sea, in the quest for greener pasture Europe.
Long before members of Ndigwe’s family ebarked on the ill-fated journey, they were living well in Morocco, where he was running a business. Their life took a wrong turn when Ndigwe had a problem with a citizen of the country and was arrested by the Moroccan police. He was tried and jailed.
Narrating how his ordeal started, Ndigwe told Sunday Sun: “It was in 2014 when I had a problem with a Moroccan where I was doing business. I was arrested and imprisoned but my wife and children were coming to visit me in the prison. So, in 2015 I told my wife that she should take two of my grown up boys and return to Nigeria.
I told her that it was necessary to enroll them in school at home, because over there in Morocco, they were only taught French, Spanish and Arab languages but I needed them to read English, which is our national lingua franca.
“So, initially she accepted the idea of bringing the children home to Nigeria but in December 2015 she changed her mind and said that she would not return to Nigeria. Instead, she said that she would travel to Italy. I sought from her, who she would stay with in Italy, because I knew that I had nobody there. Besides, she would have to abandon her business in Morocco. On that day, we were talking on the phone, so I did not hear her reply before she dropped the phone. I contacted her family in Benin and my family, to inform them about my wife’s decision, in the hope that they would advise her properly.
“Discussions on the issue continued until September 2016, when I could no longer get her on the phone, because normally I used to call her at night to avoid being caught by the police officers because it was an offence to make calls. I called my friend and requested him to go to my house and check my family. When he went, he saw that the house was locked. I told him to go to my wife’s shop; he went and told me that it was also locked also. I started making contacts and asking people, to know the whereabouts of my family. That was how I learnt that she had traveled.
“So, after two days my phone rang in prison and it was a foreign number. I picked the call and it was my wife. I asked her where she was, she told me that she was in Libya, I pleaded with her on phone to come back to Morocco or go to Nigeria but she refused. I asked her to give my children the phone and I spoke with them. After that call, she switched off her phone. Then I called the phone number of the person she was with in Libya and she picked after several trials and told me that I should thank God that my wife and children had entered reached. I was shocked and immediately I started having some unusual feelings.
Continuing the gripping tale, Ndigwe said that began calling his friends in different European countries, to ask them about his family but none of them had seen them. On further inquiries, Ndigwe learnt that the boat in which the wife and sons embarked on the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea had a problem very close to the Italian coast.
His words: “As they were approaching their target city, my wife out of joy stood up in the boat, probably to get a glimpse of the city. The boat tilted to one side and my son fell into the sea and was shouting, mummy, mummy. When my wife reached out to grab him and also fell into the sea. Though she was rescued, my son was not found. She was unconscious and vomiting a whitish substance. On the way to the hospital, she died. I have the video of the whole story because it was sent to me. My other two sons with her, who became stranded by the accident and her death, were rescued alive. When I heard this, I started calling my in-laws in Italy to help me locate my two surviving children, Tobechukwu Matthew Ndigwe and Ebubechukwu David Ndigwe – and eventually he found them where they were with the help of a lawyer. They also got the Nigerian embassy in Italy involved. When they saw the children, they were given my pictures to identify me. The older one excitedly shouted, ‘Daddy, daddy,’ and looking around thinking that I was close by. But they told them that I would come for them and then they went back to their office.
“They told me to come and claim my children but I was in prison at the time. I had to serve out my term, which remained about six months. When I came back to Nigeria, I went to the Italian embassy in January to apply for visa, travel to Italy to reunite with my children but I was denied visa. Instead, I was asked to appeal. I am simply appealing to the Nigerian government to use its diplomatic leverage to help me get a visa from the Italian government. Alternatively, the government can bring back my children to me.” Ndigwe stated.
Following their rescue, the two sons have in the custody of a guardian, Ms. Malandrino Maria Paula, in Siracusa, a city located 30km away from Catania in Italy.
He said the two surviving boys are his only hope and every thing he has on earth today. All he wants is to reunite with them.
Ndigwe recalled that while he was still in detention in Morocco, his relations had attempted to take custody of the children but the President of Tribunals of Minor in Catania, Italy, Dottorressa Pricoco Francisco, said that the two boys would only be released to their blood relation who must present himself or herself physically to the tribunal with his or her full identification and evidence of financial capability including bank statement.
The Judge further ruled: “Such a relation must bring to the tribunal a comprehensive biodata of the three boys including the elder one that died and also the identities of the children’s biological father and mother.”
It was based on that ruling by the Judge that Ndigwe applied for a visa to travel to Italy in line with the order of the judge. But the embassy turned down the request through a letter dated June 10, 2018, on a number of grounds.
However, in an appeal filed with the Appeal Section of the embassy, Ndigwe’s lawyer, A. M. Egbeson, stated that the applicant had provided more than enough documents both from Nigeria and from the Italian government, to fully establish that he is father of the children the wife intended to take into Italy before the disaster happened. He argued that the demand for financial capability should not in anyway be extended to the biological father of the children.
“Ikechukwu Ndigwe is applying to visit Italy to set his eyes on his children after the ill-fated journey that befell them and nothing more. Any decision to deny him the visit amounts to unfairness, inhuman and condemnable,” Egbeson said and urged the embassy to discountenance the earlier position and allow the Appeal in the interest of justice.
The lawyer said further: “If the appeal fails there is the ugly possibility that these children will forever not be allowed to see their only surviving relation, which is their biological father, Ikechukwu Ndigwe and as such a situation created by human mechanism is absolutely wrong and must be avoided at the earliest opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Human Rights Defenders of Nigeria, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, has joined in the campaign to persuade the Italian authorities to respect the sanctity of human life by providing Citizen Ikechukwu with the necessary papers to travel and see his sons.
He however commended the Italian government for the rescue and safe custody of the two children, while appealing to them to expedite action on the release of the two boys. He urged the Italian authorities to console the unfortunate widower who is still mourning wife and 14-year-old first son, both of who died in the ill-fated journey http://mognews.com/2018/07/23/how-i-lost-my-wife-first-son-in-mediterranean-sea-ndigwe-anambra-business-man/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for seeing every alternation in the ruling party as an opportunity to feast.

APC has a battle on its hands to prevent its leading members from defecting to the opposition ahead of the 2019 presidential election, and has been holding peace talks with its aggrieved members.

One of those is Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State who announced early last week that he had been red-carded by the APC and would soon join another party, only for him to recant himself S Agoafter meeting with Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Leader

He subsequently maintained he would leave the APC regardless, prompting the PDP to mock the ruling party.

However, APC has now defended its actions, saying it has only been doing the same thing PDP refused to do ahead of the 2015 election when six then governors walked out on the party in 2013.

“After three years in the wilderness, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is understandably excited with possibility of hiding its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition,” Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, said in a statement on Sunday.

“Like the vulture, PDP sees every altercation as a potential opportunity for a feast.

“If PDP is not alleging wild conspiracies, they are threatening to boycott elections or announcing fake defections. What is clear with all these is that no matter how long a leopard lives, it cannot change its spots.

“What President Muhammadu Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of our Party are doing, persuading every aggrieved member not to leave the Party, is what responsible and sensible party leaders would do. Party politics is a game of number. And that game is addition. If the PDP had the same presence of mind in 2015, perhaps the calamity that befell them would have been averted.

“We challenge the PDP to face Nigerians on their own merit in 2019 and stop shopping around for supporters.”
http://mognews.com/2018/07/22/apc-warns-vulture-pdp-to-stop-feasting-on-its-members/

the current look of Air Force One is a true design classic. It dates back to 1962, and is the result of collaboration between JFK and Raymond Loewy, one of the fathers of industrial design.
But after more than five decades and eleven administrations, the elegant livery is getting a makeover. President Trump said he doesn't like the current aesthetics and intends to replace the blue hue. According to the media platform Axios, the President would like to make it look "more American."
Regardless of Trump's vision, it's highly likely that the next presidential plane will look different as the current aircraft approach the end of their lifespan and emerging technology makes a replacement necessary,
More than One
Air Force One is technically not the name of a plane, but rather the callsign used by air traffic controllers to refer to whatever aircraft is carrying the President. Popularly, though, it is the name given to the presidential plane, a modified Boeing model 747-200B, which under Air Force designation is known as a VC-25A. There are two of them, so that at least one is ready at all times. They're mostly identical except for their tail codes: SAM 28000 and SAM 29000 (SAM stands for Special Air Mission).

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The callsign was adopted in 1953, after the plane carrying President Eisenhower and a commercial airliner, both with the tail code 8610, dangerously entered the same airspace. The president's aircraft at that time was a prop plane -- a Lockheed C-121 Constellations nicknamed Columbine II -- but it was again Eisenhower who flew on the first presidential jet, a modified Boeing 707 that entered service in 1959. At that time, the planes were still full-fledged military aircraft and they sported a red, orange and black color scheme designed by the Air Force

John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson descend the presdiential plane showing a pre-Loewy livery. Credit: Michael Rougier/The LIFE Picture Collection/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The radical redesign that still survives today debuted on a brand new Boeing 707 (or C-137 Stratoliner as the Air Force called it) with tail code SAM 26000. It entered service in October of 1962.
"It evolved from an interesting interaction between JFK, Jackie Kennedy and Raymond Loewy, who was a famed industrial designer," said Air Force One historian and former Smithsonian curator Von Hardesty in a phone interview.
French-born Loewy was among the most successful designers of his time, having created such icons as the Lucky Strike pack, Coca-Cola vending machines and the Greyhound buses, and popular logos for TWA, Exxon and Shell. "He criticized the looks of the plane that had been delegated for presidential use, which had a garish orange nose and looked too much like a military plane. He wanted something that would reflect the presidency and he thought this was an opportunity to fashion a really compelling design, which arguably he did."
Air Force One SAM 26000, the first plane to sport the new design. Credit: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
'Seafoam' blue
Although one of Loewy's initial sketches included some red, the final design did not. The dominant blue paint job came at JFK's request. "The seafoam blue and silver on the lower half was a stroke of genius to make the plane seem more horizontal and sleek," said designer and former president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts Sean Adams in an email interview.




SAM 27000 sits on the tarmac at Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco, shortly before its retirement, in 2001. Credit: PAUL BUCK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

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"The seafoam is a surprising choice, but an elegant solution to the issue of making the plane sophisticated and modern, stepping away from the military look of Eisenhower's Air Force One. The plane spoke to an optimism, youth, and fresh approach that was perfect for the Kennedy administration," he added.
The typeface for the legend "United States of America" is Caslon, very similar to the one used in the Declaration of Independenc

Special Air Mission (SAM) 26000 sits on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Credit: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The plane remained in service until the Clinton administration, but it was replaced as the main presidential aircraft by another 707 in 1972. That particular airplane, tail code SAM 27000, was retired in 2001 after having served seven presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.
Adams isn't thrilled at the prospect of a revamp. "Air Force One is an identity with equity. It works," he said. "Why make it look like a Walmart in the sky?"
Red, white and blue

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During the Reagan administration work began on a new generation of Air Force Ones, with First Lady Nancy curating the interior design. But due to a number of delays, the planes only entered service under George H. W. Bush in 1990. While almost every system was upgraded, the paint job was preserved. "A good design brings with it a certain inertia and you really need to have a compelling reason to change it. By that point, it was so widely accepted and universally applauded that they just wanted the new 747 aircraft to have it too," said Harvesty.
These are the planes that are still in use today, and the Loewy design has undergone only minor amendments, due to the larger size of the 747s.
"It's faithful to the Raymond Loewy design as much as possible on a behemoth of a plane. It's hard to make a 747 look light and sophisticated, but the color, shapes, and typography do a great job. It maintains all the positives from the 1962 version. I'm especially glad that the 1980s didn't creep in on the design with mauve and almond," said Adams

Air Force One SAM 28000 at Tegel airport in Berlin in 2013. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Earlier this month, Boeing confirmed it received a $3.9 billion contract for two new presidential planes. They will still be 747s -- albeit a newer version, the 747-8 -- even though the aging plane is being phased out by commercial airlines.
"The reason is that the Secret Service requires, in the interest of safety, that the President should fly only on four-engine aircraft. The 747 also provides more space for the President, his key staff, and the complex communications equipment required for the president to be in touch with anyone in the world at all times," said aviation expert Gene Heisman in an email interview.

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But most importantly, they will sport a new look: "Air Force One is going to be incredible," Trump said in a CBS interview. "It's going to be the top of the line, the top in the world. And it's going to be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate."
How exactly this will play out is still unclear. It's unlikely but Trump could even decide to repaint the current planes instead of waiting for the new ones, which will only enter service by 2024 (though the President has requested that the planes be ready sooner in 2021)

1/11
This is the first flight photo of the Columbine III, the US Air Force Lockheed Super Constellation used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, on Nov. 26, 1954. Credit: Associated Press


According to Von Hardesty, there are no fixed rules regarding the implementation of Air Force One's design, so anything can happen. "I love the current design. But perhaps the President's motivation is that the aircraft should reflect more explicitly a sense of American patriotism, and red, white and blue, of course, are synonyms of that. If the president wants to review and possibly change the livery, there is no historical precedent that stands in the way of him doing so," he said.
But he added, "I hope they will pull something off that's pleasing and acceptable to everyone. I just hope it doesn't become some ugly debate."
PAID CONTENT http://mognews.com/2018/07/22/out-of-the-blue-a-look-back-at-air-force-ones-classic-design/