Here are five countries typically described by business consultants, lenders and investors as the best places for foreigners to make investments in Asia:



1. Malaysia. The country is one of the top recipients of foreign direct investment, reflected by an outsized 64% increase in foreign capital last year compared to 2015. The government of Prime Minister Najib Razak is considered pro-business. His country offers tax breaks on capital expenditures for R&, exempts duties on imports used by high-tech firms and offers a 10-year tax break of up to 70% for companies in priority sectors such as tourism, manufacturing and technical training, Healy Consultants PLC says on its website. Malaysia isn’t Asia’s bargain basement, but prices are fair.

2. Singapore. This modern city-state of 5.8 million people will cost you a bit, but it takes a free-port approach to inbound investment. The Southeast Asian financial hub lacks the corruption of other parts of Asia, meaning rules are enforced for rules’ sake. Foreign investors need not enter joint ventures. Singapore does not restrict repatriation of earnings, this U.S. government website notes. The judicial system that includes mediation and arbitration for foreign companies “upholds the sanctity of contracts, and decisions are transparent and effectively enforced,” the website says.

3. Vietnam. Low land prices and minimum wages of just a couple dollars per day plus economic growth that looks to foreign factory investment equal keen interest among producers of an ever-widening range of stuff. Among the investors are Ford Motor, Intel and Samsung Electronics. Investors said in a 2010 survey they like Vietnam for the stability of its Communist regime, the consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers says. Fast improvements in transport infrastructure and attention to rule of law have also gained the trust of foreign capitalists despite periodic economic glitches such as a sudden drop in currency rates in 2011. The economy is also one of the fastest growing in Asia.

4. Indonesia. Political stability of the world’s fourth largest country has also helped attract foreign capital, including a nearly 1% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2017. The archipelago of more than 10,000 islands comes with its own minerals as well as officials who the Asian Development Bank said this year "continue to announce policy reforms intended to ease red tape." Investor tend to pursue mining and energy, plantations and financial services. A lot of tape got cut in 2007 with the "one-stop shop" policy that lets foreigners get business licenses in one place, meaning faster than before. The process can take just months, according to ChinaGoAbroad.com. Labor costs are low, as well, and the population is big enough that manufactured goods may be sold locally.

5. India. Low wages and a young population half of the 1.25 billion people are between ages 20 and 59 put India on the board for a lot of would-be investors. The government’s focus since an economic crisis in 1991 to liberalize industries has steadily attracted a range of foreign firms to a nation that’s now growing around 7% per year. Investors are chasing automotive production, telecoms and bio-manufacturing, taking advantage of government incentives in some cases. The government in 2014 created a pro-investor “Make in India” scheme that opened 25 sectors to foreign capital. Capital inflows grew 46% over the following year and in 2015-16 India recorded is highest ever direct investment inflow, $55.5 billion.

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/05/top-5-asia-countries-for-foreign.html

Makurdi, capital city of Benue State residents  woke up Tuesday to behold the 2019 posters of president Muhammad Buhari littered major parts of the ancient town.



Workers who were resuming from May Day holiday took time to catch a glimpse of the posters which drew mixed reactions.

The Nigerian Tribune which went round the town discovered that the posters were likely pasted Monday night.

Areas the posters were pasted include; High Level round about, fence and gate of federal medical center, located along Ali Akilu road, Wurukum round about and other areas all in Makurdi.

The posters have logo of All Progressive Congress, APC which read thus, ‘Nigerians resolve Buhari 2019, after healing come greatness, just believe’.

While many people frowned at the posters at the time the president is said to be seriously sick few others who applauded the emergence of the posters however said it should have carried achievements of the present administration.

According to Mr Theophilus, ‘the sponsors of the posters ought to have mentioned achievements of the president especially in his fight against corruption.’

Another man who simply identified himself as Ogbole said, ‘I begin to ponder what manner of people Nigeria is made of, we are having an ailing president that needs our prayer but instead of this, the sponsors of the posters are making mess of issues.’

Also, Mr Tsugba described the development as ‘unwarranted’, saying ‘what the president needs from Nigerians now is prayer for God to heal him, so as to have time to focus on the challenges facing the country’.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/buhari-2019-posters-surface-benue/

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2017/05/photo-buhari-2019-posters-flood-benue.html

Nationwide CVR commences today, Thursday, April 27, 2017 in each of the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation.

The exercise shall take place on weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 9.00am to 3.00pm excluding public holidays.

The exercise is intended to: Enable citizens who have turned 18 years of age since the last registration as well as those who did not register during the last exercise to register as voters.

Allow those seeking transfer of their registration from one state to another or within a State from polling unit to another to do so.
Distribute uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to those who could not collect them before or since the last General Elections.

 Enable citizens who have the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) but whose names are on the register to collect their PVCs.

The Registration Centres shall be the Local Government offices of the Commission or such other suitable locations as will be made public by the State Offices of INEC.

The Commission advises those who are already registered not to do so again as it is an offence to register more than once.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2017/04/continuous-voter-registration-begins.html

Wife of the Benue Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, has appealed to Tor Tiv-elect, Prof. James Ayatse, to review bride-prices in Tiv land, to enable young men get married “when due”.



She made the appeal on Tuesday, when she paid a courtesy visit to the Tor Tiv-elect in Makurdi.

She decried the high demands made on young men seeking to marry Tiv daughters, and described the situation as “very discouraging”.

“Such high demands discourage many bachelors from even attempting to get married; the result is that many young girls cannot find husbands,” she said.

The governor’s wife argued that such exorbitant charges were not part of Tiv culture.

“Such charges are imported; our traditional rulers should discard them,” she said.

While noting that bride-price payment was sacrosanct in every marriage, she cautioned parents against selling their daughters “especially since the relationship between in-laws remains, long after such marriage rites”.

She regretted that many young men now preferred to elope with their loved ones owing to such huge monetary demands, and stressed the need to make the process affordable so as to restore the sanctity of the marriage institution.

Ortom pledged her support to the new monarch, saying that his emergence was an act of God that would bring unity to the Tiv nation.

Responding, the traditional ruler promised to work toward a united Tiv nation, and promised to be truthful, transparent and promote the fear of God at all times.

He also promised to uphold valuable cultural practises and repeal negative ones.

Ayatse decried the politics of rancour and acrimony in Tiv land, and promised to reconcile Tiv sons and daughters toward building a united front.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2017/02/benue-govs-wife-appeal-to-tor-tiv-to.html

President Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon from London spoke to President Donald Trump on telephone at the request of the American President.



The conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet.

The two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.

President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.

President Trump assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.


President Trump also invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date.


FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 13, 2017.

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/02/nigeria-president-buhari-speaks-to.html

Today is Facebook's 13th birthday.



We take this moment to reflect on friendship and bringing people together. The world needs more of that right now.

Lately I've been reflecting on how we can do even more to bring people together. We've mostly focused on connecting you with friends and family so far. Friendship is one of the greatest sources of meaning and happiness in our lives. But there is more we must build to help people come together.

We need communities. Our communities -- whether they're churches, sports teams or other local groups -- are an important part of our social fabric. They provide us with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing we are part of something bigger than ourselves. They take care of us and look out for our social, emotional and spiritual needs. They reinforce our values.

We need safety. We come together to support each other when times are tough. There is more we can all do to help keep our community safe -- to prevent disasters, help during them or rebuild afterwards. Whether that's Safety Check in emergencies or Amber Alerts to find missing children, we can help our community come together to keep each other safe.

We need an informed society. We can only have a shared discourse if we have common ground. Giving everyone a voice increases diversity of perspectives, but there is more we can do to build a shared perspective -- to reduce polarization, sensationalism and misinformation. This is an important social function for enabling people to come together.

We need civic engagement. Our society and governments reflect our values when we all participate in this process. This is an important institution to bring people together to decide what we will do together. Our community has helped millions of people vote, connect with elected leaders, and march to demonstrate their values. We can help even more people come together.

Friends Day is especially meaningful for me as I reflect on all the friendships and the community that have sustained me since I started Facebook 13 years ago. It has been an incredible period, yet we have so much work ahead to bring people together.

On this Friends Day, I hope you take a minute today and reach out to someone -- no matter where they are -- and tell them how much they mean to you.

I'm grateful for every person who has been a part of this journey and cares as much as I do about connecting people. Have a great Friends Day.

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/02/facebook-mark-13th-anniversary-read.html

Executives from Microsoft, Google, Apple, Netflix, Tesla, Facebook, Uber and other top American companies slammed Trump's immigration order that sparked widespread protests across the US.



Trump signed the decision to indefinitely bar all Syrian Refugees from entering the U.S. He also put a 120-day bar on refugees from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

No visa will be issued to citizens of these Muslim-majority countries for the next 30 days. Trump called this decision “a measure to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of America,” explicitly specifying, “We don’t want them here.” Trump paid homage to the victims of the September 11 attacks, dedicating this decision to them.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has expressed his disappointment with U.S. president Donald Trump’s recent action against immigrants and refugees. Sundar Pichai wrote a note to his employees on Friday regarding the matter. “It’s painful to see the personal cost of this executive order on our colleagues. We’ve always made our view on immigration issues known publicly and will continue to do so.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed concern over the order, saying his company's success is because of the immigrants.

"I've heard from many of you who are deeply concerned about the executive order issued yesterday restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. I share your concerns. It is not a policy we support," he wrote to his employees.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said as many as 76 Microsoft employees are affected by this new executive order.

"We appreciate that immigration issues are important to a great many people across Microsoft at a principled and even personal level, regardless of whether they personally are immigrants".

Reed Hastings of Netflix in a Facebook post said Trump's actions are hurting Netflix employees around the world.

"Worse, these actions will make America less safe (through hatred and loss of allies) rather than more safe. A very sad week, and more to come with the lives of over 600,000 Dreamers here in a America under imminent threat. It is time to link arms together to protect American values of freedom and opportunity," Hastings said.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was one of the first to address the ban publicly.

"We need to keep this country safe, but we should do that by focusing on people who actually pose a threat. Expanding the focus of law enforcement beyond people who are real threats would make all Americans less safe by diverting resources...," he wrote on Facebook.

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/01/tech-giants-condemn-trumps.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Gambia's President-elect, Adama Barrow, has left the country after talks failed to persuade President Yahya Jammeh to step down.



Nigeria's president flew to Banjul to try to broker a deal but Mr Jammeh would not relinquish power.

Mr Barrow is now heading to Mali, where he will meet West African leaders attending a summit there.

The former estate agent wants to resolve the transitional deadlock so he can be sworn in next week.
President Jammeh's term ends on Thursday.

The African Union has said it will no longer recognise Mr Jammeh's rule beyond this point.

Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari had flown to The Gambia's capital, Banjul, to try to broker a deal, as the region fears the consequences of a non-peaceful transition.

Ecowas, a 15-nation bloc of West African states that organised the delegation, has it said it would consider removing Mr Jammeh using military force if he refuses to step aside.

Mr Barrow is travelling to Mali with the Ecowas delegation for further discussions this weekend.

Mr Jammeh had initially admitted defeat after the December election. But shortly afterwards he called for the result to be annulled.

The 51-year-old leader seized power in the country in 1994 and has been accused of human rights abuses, although he has held regular elections.

A lawyer for Mr Jammeh filed a request with the Supreme Court on Thursday, asking for an injunction to block Mr Barrow's swearing-in.

The Supreme Court is unable to hear the challenge until May because of a shortage of judges, and Mr Jammeh says he will not step down until then.

There are growing fears that the uncertainty could cause a refugee exodus.

Thousands of Gambians, mostly women and children, have already crossed the border into neighbouring Senegal and further afield to Guinea-Bissau, where they do not require a visa, officials say.

Mr Barrow won 43.3% of the vote in December's election, compared with Mr Jammeh's 39.6%. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, got 17.1%

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/01/ecowas-gambia-talks-fail-as-jammeh.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for a sovereignty referendum in its bid to actualising Biafra from Federal Republic of Nigeria.



IPOB said in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said it does not require the permission of the Federal Government Nigeria to seek its “natural freedom”.

The statement said, “IPOB leadership invites the international community, men and women of goodwill to come and monitor this peaceful referendum in Biafraland. IPOB family members worldwide are working tirelessly to restore our long lost freedom and political independence without bloodshed.

“We, Biafrans, in pursuit of our inalienable, irreducible and God-given right to restore our stolen sovereignty, do hereby state that we do not require the permission of government officials to grant us our natural freedom.

“With these reasons, the path to Biafra independence must and will not pass through Abuja because it is a process that will be considered by Biafrans only and no other people.

“In line with this, we have decided to adopt the option of self-rule. For as long as Biafra remains a part of Nigeria, we will remain forever slaves in our own land.

“More so, the right to self-determination is always implemented through a referendum with the participation of all residents in the land.

“This path has also been implemented recently by South Sudan, Greenland, Kosovo, Albania, East Timor, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro among others. Scotland has also exercised this right to self-determination and so has the Quebec region in Canada. If these nations, populated by humans like Biafrans, can exercise this right, so can we.

“In all these newly created countries, their citizens voted in a referendum with international monitoring bodies, which ensured the validity of the votes cast. The same referendum can also be conducted in Biafraland and monitored by international observers.”

http://www.globaltrends.info/2017/01/indigenous-people-of-biafra-ipob-set-to.html

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom congratulates the Ondo State Governor-elect, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

Governor Ortom also congratulates the people of Ondo State for making a loud and clear decision on the next Governor of the state.



He describes Akeredolu's victory as well deserved as it has further confirmed the confidence Nigerians have in the current APC administration which is anchored on transparency and accountability.

Governor Ortom describes the Ondo State Governor-elect as a determined and courageous man whose conviction that the people of the state deserve better leadership has yielded the ultimate result.

He is confident that Mr. Akeredolu will not disappoint his people in the discharge of his duties as Governor.

The Benue State Governor equally commends the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Security agencies for their professional conduct before and during the governorship election.

Signed:
Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2016/11/benue-state-governor-samuel-ortom.html

The Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. James Okefe, Tuesday abandoned his original party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Hon. Ikyange, Okefe anchored his decision to defect to the APC on section 109 sub-section 1 (g) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Deputy Speaker solely relied on the current leadership tussle in the PDP at both National and State levels to dish out his membership of the PDP.

“As you may be aware, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been enmeshed in a protracted internal crisis which has thus far defiled all efforts to resolve, including court rulings.

“The crisis has polarised the party along Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff lines at the National Secretariat, and along Honourables Dan Ale and John Ngbede lines in Benue State”, the letter reads in part.

The deputy Speaker also disclosed that the unruly rivalry going on in his former party has greatly affected his smooth operations at the state Assembly.

“In view of the forgoing, therefore, I hereby write to formally notify you of my decision to quit the PDP on which platform I was elected to the House and join the APC on the strength of the above argument”, Okefe submitted.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as act of “cowardice,” the hypocritical disposition of the deputy Speaker since his assumption in office.

While reacting to the official letter of defection submitted by Hon. Okefe on Tuesday, the Minority Leader of the 8th Assembly, Hon. Sule Audu lambasted the deputy Speaker for waiting for such a long time before he could summon courage to cross-carpet.

According to Audu, the deputy Speaker has been hobnobbing with the APC since the day he betrayed his party, PDP and joined force with the minority APC to produce Principal Officers of the House, during the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.

The leader of PDP in the House said the umbrella party had since forgotten anybody in the name of James Okefe and wondered why he (Okefe) would be saying he was decamping afresh.

It would be recalled that Hon. James Okefe, a member representing Okpokwu State Constituency was elected under the PDP during the 2015 general elections, making the umbrella party the majority in the 8th Assembly.

He, however, formed alliance with the minority, APC, and with the intervention of the leaders of APC in the state, he became the deputy Speaker, after he supported the candidate of the APC to clinch the Speakership.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2016/11/benue-deputy-speaker-hon-james-okefe.html

A former National Youth Service Corps member, Mr. Isaac Sekav Ahungwa, has been offered automatic employment by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State after he rode a bicycle from Oyo State to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on completion of his NYSC.



Ortom, who received Mr. Ahungwa at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi on Monday, described the young man as a determined son of the state whose example should be emulated by others.

Mr. Ahungwa, a graduate of Statistics from Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, embarked on a 14-day bicycle ride back to Makurdi to present his discharge certificate to Ortom.

He said, at the start of the “Patriotic Tour” on the November 5th, that the ride would show that Nigerians can only overcome recession with hard work, belief, perseverance, and determination.

He said Governor Ortom’s life story inspired him to embark on the patriotism tour, riding a bicycle from Ibadan to Benue State.


He commended Ortom for his efforts in addressing the challenges of development confronting the state despite the harsh economy.

Ortom said his decision to offer automatic employment to Ahungwa was to encourage other young people to never give up on their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2016/11/gov-ortom-employs-corper-who-rode.html

MMM Pays

FULL TEXT

It has come to my attention that via correspondence from your good self to His Excellency, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (a copy of which I also received), you made very serious allegations against me and other members of the House of Representatives group that visited the United States in April 2016 as part of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP).



In your letter you claimed that I was identified as one of the members of the aforementioned group who asked for the assistance of a hotel parking attendant to solicit for prostitutes at the Residence Inn Downtown Cleveland Ohio.

I am extremely shocked, upset, irked and embarrassed by your letter and want to categorically state that these allegations are completely false, unfounded, malicious and a calculated attempt to malign and cast aspersion on my reputation and character as a Nigerian citizen and Honourable Member of the House of Representatives and to bring disrepute to the hallowed institution of the National Assembly and the entire nation of Nigeria.

Considering the enormity of these allegations it is instructive to note the following:

1)   The US State Department and the US Embassy in Nigeria appear to have concluded on the accuracy of these allegations based on the testimony of the employees of the hotel without recourse to a response from the accused individuals or a proper forensic investigation. Paragraph 5 of your letter clearly states that ‘The US Mission took the pains to confirm these allegations and the identities of the individuals with the employees of the hotel in Cleveland’. The Embassy claims the accused individuals were identified by the hotel employees from a photograph of the group. Is this the manner in which such allegations against any US citizen (not to mention Members of the US Congress) are investigated and prosecuted in the United States or does the US State Department and Embassy have so much disdain towards Nigeria and her citizens that they did not bother to carry out a proper investigation? For a country that prides itself as the bastion of Democracy, justice, the rule of law, fair hearing and human rights it is quite alarming that allegations of this magnitude can be made and confirmed without allowing the accused individuals to respond.

2)   Without conclusive evidence of any sort or contact with any of the accused individuals the US State Department and US Embassy in Nigeria have less than six days after your letter to the Speaker gone ahead to revoke the US visas of accused individuals based on hearsay from the employees of the hotel in Cleveland. Affected individuals received correspondence from the US Embassy on Wednesday 15th June 2016 indicating the denial of their US visas and requesting that they bring their international passports with current US visas to the Embassy.

3)   The accused individuals were not accosted with these allegations while in the US so they could immediately defend themselves, the hotel employees conveniently refrained from making these allegations while the members of the group were in the United States and curiously decided to do so after our departure. What is the reason behind their not reporting these incidents immediately they occurred and why are we only being informed about these allegations two months after our return from the US?

4)   None of the members of the group was driving a vehicle while at the hotel and would therefore have had no cause to interact with the car park attendants as the Residence Inn car park is not in front of the hotel but somewhere behind and some distance away from the hotel. You will have to go out of your way to go to the car park so video footage should clearly indicate whether or not any member of the group interacted with a hotel car park attendant.

5)   Other groups comprising African Americans and other ‘people of colour’ were also occupying the Residence Inn while this group of House of Representatives members was visiting Cleveland because of the scheduled basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks at the Quicken Loans Arena which is just across the road from the hotel. What is the certainty of the ability of the probably caucasian hotel car park attendants to accurately identify the specific members of any of the groups at the hotel as being responsible for the purported infractions?

6)   The US border agency has it on record that I came into the US with my wife and baby on this trip and although the organisers did not allow them to stay with me in the hotel I was always communicating with my wife on facetime whenever I returned to the hotel. I stayed indoors on the days we had a break from our usually hectic schedule and only had cause to go to the grocery store to pick up items for my room. I wonder when it was I found the time to solicit for prostitutes from a hotel parking attendant and how I intended to bring a prostitute to my room when I had a regular facetime schedule with my wife which we never concluded until I was ready to turn in. This can very easily be verified from my log in activity on the hotels Wi-Fi service.

7)   I have visited the US and several countries in the world countless times over the last several years and have stayed at countless hotels all over the world and want to dare the US government to find any instance where I have previously solicited for prostitutes from a hotel employee even when I was not a married man. I am a Hilton HHonors Diamond Member with over 1,500,000 reward points, an Intercontinental Ambassador Platinum Elite Member, a Ritz Carlton Rewards Silver member, a Marriott Rewards Member, a Starwood Preferred Guest Member and a Fairmont Presidents Club Member.

I am a member of two of the rewards programs of the parent hotel brand of the Residence Inn (Marriott Rewards and Ritz Carlton Rewards) and the record of my previous lodgings at all the hotel brands can be obtained to ascertain whether or not I have ever solicited for prostitutes from any hotel employee. Although it is very easy to obtain the previous travel history and track record of accused members, it is obvious the US State Department and the US Embassy have presumed our guilt without proper investigation because of the disdain and disrespect they have towards the average Nigerian citizen even when such citizens are Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives, a treatment they will never mete out to an ordinary American citizen who is not even a member of the US Congress.

It is noteworthy that a member of our group made a formal complaint to the organisers of the programme about his being defrauded to the tune of about $100 at the Renaissance Hotel Dupont Circle Washington DC but neither the US State Department nor the US Embassy in Nigeria has deemed it fit to take any action or initiate any investigation in this regard. Members of the group also expressed their dissatisfaction, displeasure and disappointment with the organisers of the programme over their inability to organise a single meeting with any member of the US congress and constraining members to meet with only one State Representative and several County Representatives and officials contrary to the initial objectives of the programme. Perhaps there are other underlying reasons behind the lacklustre attitude of the US State Department and the US Embassy towards ensuring proper investigation of these allegations.

Your Excellency, this unfortunate and malicious situation has further been exacerbated by the fact that your Embassy by omission or commission has allowed your correspondence to the Speaker to fall into the hands of the print media in Lagos without fair hearing or upholding the rights of the concerned individuals; an employee of one of the national dailies intimated me about this and their desire to publish the story.

This story was indeed published in the New Telegraph of Thursday, 16th June, 2016 alleging that related Members of the House of Representatives were involved in a sex scandal.

You can imagine the incalculable damage to my reputation and image with the publication of these spurious allegations especially when I unequivocally know that I am completely innocent.

It is also unfortunate that at a meeting with your Deputy Chief of Mission in Abuja the attempt by members of the group to express their exception to and displeasure with these allegations, the lack of proper investigation and the tainting of the image of the entire group was considered to be a very negative reaction by your Chief of Mission and your good self.

I suppose the US Embassy expected renowned personalities in Nigeria like Members of the House of Representatives to accept complicity in such malicious and spurious allegations without proper investigation or evidence or any opportunity to defend themselves.

Considering the psychological trauma, irredeemable defamation of my character and reputation before my spouse, children, family, colleagues, leadership, constituents and the general Nigerian and global public and the incalculable damage to my political career, I intend to take the following actions:

1)   Institute legal action in the United States against the Marriot Hotel Brand, the Cleveland Council of World Affairs and the US State Department requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations to exonerate myself and a formal globally publicised apology.

2) Institute legal action in Nigeria against the US Embassy in Nigeria also requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations and a formal globally publicised apology.

3) Demand that the US Embassy and the US State Department (regardless of your revocation of my US visa) allow me to travel to Cleveland even at my own expense to confront my accuser and confirm my innocence. I otherwise have no desire to travel to a country that appears to pay only lip service to the ideals they claim to uphold.

4) Demand for the full video/cctv footage covering the period of our entire stay at the hotel; this should clearly show the movements and activities of every member of the group throughout the hotel.

It is unfortunate that I have to write to your good self under these circumstances but I believe you will use your good office to redress this very grave injustice and redeem the image of your country.


http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2016/06/benue-rep-member-mark-gbillah-respond.html

post removed

Guy cold dey catch me!

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Immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark has reacted to claims by online newspaper Premium Times that companies associated with him were operating offshore accounts in revelations made available by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) In what has become globally known as the Panama Leaks.



In a statement on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark dismissed the allegations as an attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

“Our attention has been drawn to spurious Media reports on the Panama papers in which former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark was alleged to have operated offshore companies.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in the released materials of the Panama Leaks, his name is not listed anywhere in the database of Mossack Fonseca Law Firm.

“We reiterate categorically, that he is not directly or indirectly connected to any of the companies registered, operated or managed by the Mossack Fonseca Law Firm. We challenge all those behind this propaganda and media outburst to prove or show that Senator Mark’s name was mentioned in the leaks. He is prepared to stand and defend himself against any accusation in relation to this matter.

“Senator Mark’s media team has carried out its own search of the Mossack Fonseca database and found no statement, item or any connection to Senator David Mark or his family. It follows that there is no record whatsoever of any impropriety or wrongdoing.

“We recall that in his quest for Senate Presidency in 2007, there was an attempt to bring a similar issue to the fore in order to stop him. So what are their fears now in 2016 for regurgitating the same issue?

“Once more, Senator Mark has distanced himself and any member of his family from the said Mossack Fonseca Firm and has no affiliation whatsoever with any company operated, registered or managed by Mossack Fonseca.

“Senator Mark has not contravened any laws of the land and he is treating this for what it is, an attempt to blackmail and tarnish his hard earned image by some political elements.

“As a public officer, Senator Mark has maintained a high level of decorum, respects and observes the laws of the land and believes in the sanctity of the rule of law. He will not be distracted by what is clearly a deliberate mischief and propaganda.

“Records of all his assets are available with the relevant government agencies and can be verified.

“He has consulted his legal team and will take this up accordingly.”


http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2016/04/panamapapers-my-hands-are-clean-you.html

This live blog is dedicated to results from the ongoing Benue South Senatorial Re-run elections.

Results published here are as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Polling Units.

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has lamented his inability to fulfill his late mother’s request to buy a mattress for her before she passed on.



He spoke at Azom, Kwenev, in Guma local government area when he visited her graveside during a reception organized by her kinsmen in his honor.

Governor Ortom described his mother, the late Mrs. Wajina Ortom, a petty trader and farmer, as the epitome of hard work and the mainstay of the entire family who labored to provide food for every member.

He said she requested that he buy a mattress for her in 1982 but he was not able to fulfill the wish until she had a miscarriage on the farm and died in 1983.

The Governor expressed appreciation to God that He prospered the seed she had sown by using him as a blessing to multitudes of people.

At the reception he pledged that the state government would empower the Vigilante Group to complement the security agencies in the task of curbing crime.

Governor Ortom stated however, that they would operate under the guidance and supervision of traditional rulers and other community leaders.

He promised to provide an earth dam and other critical infrastructure for the community as soon as the financial fortunes of the state improved.

President of Kwenev Community Development Association, Mr. Stephen Ikomon, commended the Governor for the appointment of several indigenes of the area into government positions and requested for more of such.

He listed lack of portable water, construction or rehabilitation of the Agasha road, compensation for land acquired by the Nigeria Airforce, and establishment of a police station as challenges of the community for which he solicited assistance.

By Tahav Agerzua
http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/12/benue-governor-laments-inability-to.html

Three persons lost their lives this morning along Makurdi-Lafia Road.


According to an eyewitness Vaatsav Stephen Steco the accident happened at TSE-ANCHA along Makurdi-Lafia Road. A Honda End of Discussion lost control and knock down three young men riding on a motorcycle.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/12/graphic-photo-christmas-day-tragedy-in.html

lizzydel:
Fellow otondos, just in case u wanna join the whatsapp group. Drop ur nos on the page and I'll add you up

Add me to the group here is my no xxxxxxxx no removed

olusegunadex:
Prospective Bayelsa corps members... *hehe* You people re veeeery much welcome.
Name is Segun, batch A corps member, serving in yenagoa @ d nysc secretariat...
I'm sure you've love Bayelsa as you probably might have learnt that 90% of Bayelsa is on water.
Drainage system is nth to write home about n the cost of living is kinda on d high side.
Cheapest moderate self-con in yenagoa is 120k.
If you get places like Brass or Southern Ijaw, where u might spend nth less than 2 hours on water with speed boat, there re nice corps lodges there buh network scarce small o...

Lemme gist u small about Kaiama camp... it's a temporary orientation camp, camp might be flooded already due to too much rain, cos my bro, my sis, Bayelsa is below d water table water does not really sink.
Please get ur rubber boots 4 reals.. u buy fancy boots, you're on a long tin.
Buy extra whites n socks cos what NYSC will give u, you'll be so shocked that at d end of week 1, u'll be using it as rag...
During our set, we had funny soldiers... come early if u want nice rooms.

State coordinator is a very nice man, I'm very sure you'll enjoy him... hope to see u guys @ d camp, PCMS.. otondos *hehe*

You guys shld create a whatsapp group 4 easy accessibility, u might wish to add me on d group - 07069446328...

Many thanks sir! Very useful information

Kingsley
Uni. Agric. Makurdi
Stream 1

Five corps members won various awards as a total of 2, 182 batch C members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Benue State passed out of the scheme after a colourful parade in Makurdi.



Mrs. Esther Atamewan, the coordinator of NYSC in the state, during the passing out parade at the IBB Square, charged the graduates to be good ambassadors as they proceed on the journey to actualise their visions in life.

She commended the five members who distinguished themselves within the period of their service in the state by going extra miles to execute life-touching community development projects in their host communities.

While regretting the loss of two coppers during the period, Atamewan urged the past members to remain resolute in their quest to attain lofty heights through positive means.

Similarly, the state governor, represented by Secretary to the State Governmnet (SSG), Targema Takema, expressed his gratitude to the graduating corps members for selflessly committing their intellectual capabilities and creative ingenuity towards improving the living standard of inhabitants in the state.

He added that their numerous contributions in the areas of agriculture, education and healthcare could not be easily quantified in monetary terms.


http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/10/5-nysc-members-win-awards-in-benue.html

Yes First Bank Savings account can receive. The naira equivalent will be credited to your FBN savings account.

Innocent Audu Ogbeh born 28th July, 1947 in Otukpo, Benue State attended St. Francis Primary School, Otukpo 1953-1960.



Audu Ogbeh also attended St. Michael’s Sec. School, Aliade, Benue State & King’s College, Lagos btw 1962 and 1968.

Ogbeh further attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Dakar, Senegal and University of Toulouse, France.

Audu Ogbeh also attended the Eisenhower Institute, Philadelphia U.S.A.

Audu Ogbeh worked as an Assistant Lecturer at ABU Zaria between 1972 to 1977.

Audu Ogbeh also worked at the Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology (later Benue Polytechnic) Ugbokolo.

Ogbeh was Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly 1979-1982 and later Minister of Communications 1982-1983.



Ogbeh was Minister for Steel Development under the Shagari Government in 1983 & moved into Agricultural Consultancy thereafter.

Audu Ogbeh was involved in the formation of PDP Nigeria in 1998 & was elected its Chairman in November 10th, 2001.

Audu Ogbeh subsequently resigned from the PDP Nigeria chairmanship position in January 2005.

Ogbeh in August 2005 was actively involved in the formation of Action Congress which finally became the APC Nigeria.

Audu Ogbeh runs Efugo Farms with a goal for its Outgrowers Programme to engage 20,000 Farmers in 18 States by July 2016.

Ogbeh’s Efugo Farms produces Castor Oil, Groundnut Oil, Hatching of Fishes and Chicken and Broiler Production.

Audu Innocent Ogbeh comes in as a Ministerial Nominee with enormous experience particularly in Agriculture.

This is a summary of Audu Ogbeh’s credentials and Curriculum Vitae

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/10/ministerial-nominee-audu-ogbes-cv.html

Governor Samuel Ortom today gave relief to 74 persons in Makurdi prison for their inability to pay for their various fines and also granted amnesty to 38 others ranging from death penalty which 16 were released, 14 had their sentences reduced while 8 others had their death sentences commuted to life sentenced.



The gesture is in line with section 212 of the Constitution of Nigeria and to mark the National day, Nigeria at 55.


The Governor who urged the inmates to desist from their old behaviour, called on them to use their prison experience and the skills acquired during their stay to develop themselves and their family members and should also serve as gents
of change.




Other beneficiaries of the amnesty were from Jos and Kaduna prisons. Government also provided transport stipends to enable those to be released get to their destinations.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/10/benue-governor-pardons-74-prisoners-in.html