A bill to restrict the payment of rents to six months in the Federal Capital territory (FCT) was on Wednesday proposed in the Senate. The bill stipulates six months imprisonment or a fine of N50,000 or both for landlords that collect more than six months’ rent from a prospecting tenant.
The bill seeks to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants and rent control.
It also seeks to protect tenants from double agency payments by placing the burden of agency fees on the landlord.
It also stipulates that any rent agent, who collects additional agency fee from the tenant, commits an offence punishable under the bill.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi said rents charged by landlords in the FCT are so high that it is often far beyond the reach of average income earners.
Abuja, the nation’s capital is rated as one of the most expensive cities in the world due to the high price of accommodation.
A similar law already exists in Lagos, the nation’s economic capital.
Channels TV
http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/senate-to-restrict-rent-payment-in-fct-to-six-months-violators-face-6-months-in-jail/

Aero Contractor Airline Flights Grounded Nationwide-PM News, Lagos

All Aero Contractors flights were grounded on Wednesday and passengers were stranded nationwide, following an industrial action embarked upon by staff of the troubled airline.

Nigeria’s second biggest airline has been struggling for almost two years and was last year taken over by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, because of its heavy debts.

Exact demands of the staff were not known at press time, but a source told our correspondent that they bordered on unpaid salaries and poor conditions of service.

Aero Management apologised in a brief statement for “the inconvenience suffered by our highly esteemed customers due to an abrupt industrial action by our staff which has led to grounding of all our scheduled operations.” The airline said it is engaging with the unions to find a quick and amicable resolution.

“Further details will be given in due course,” the airline said.

At the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, passengers moved to board other airlines such as Dana Air and IRS.
Many passengers who had booked Aero flights online were yet to be attended to.

Aero Contractors has tried to cut costs for years and stopped giving passengers free snacks on board more than three years ago. It is the only airline in Nigeria that gives nothing to air travellers during flights.

With the price of Jet A1, as aviation fuel is known, now sky high, many Nigerian airlines have been struggling. While some have been grounded over the past year, others are simply gasping for breath.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/aero-contractor-airline-flights-grounded-nationwide-pm-news-lagos

ulius Agwu has confirmed an earlier report we published about a bus plunging into the Lagos Lagoon this afternoon.

The popular comedian and businessman, who wwas apparently driving on the bridge at the time of the incident, tweeted: “Something bad just happened on 3rd Mainland Bridge now. A car fell off the bridge… God save us all.”

He however added that: “Thank God no life was lost.”

DailyPost had receieved information that a bus carrying unspecified number of passengers, has reportedly plunged into the Lagos state Lagoon.

Among the unspecified number of commuters was a baby. Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred at the intersection of Oworonsoki and Yaba enroute Obalende.



National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) spokesperson, South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident and stated that rescue operation were ongoing.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/03/13/thank-god-no-life-was-lost-julius-agwu-confirms-vehicle-plunged-into-lagos-lagoon/

The Sheikh Mohammed Abdul’aziz group, a faction of the Boko Haram sect, which has claimed to be working towards ensuring dialogue with government, said on Wednesday that peace process is still on course and that the group will continue to talk with government because their people are suffering.

According to him, “Allah has also sanctioned dialogue in all human undertakings so we will pursue it to its logical conclusion, as such; if there are those who feel left out in the process, the doors are open let everybody come as the Borno state government has shown seriousness and commitment to the peace process.”

The group also said that they are not ghosts as alledged by President Goodluck Jonathan, when he visited Borno and Yobe states last week.

“We have sat with officials of Borno state government and a delegation of Northern Governors Forum on peace and reconciliation headed by Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Muhammed (Rtd)”.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdul’aziz in a statement made available to DailyPost on Wednesday in Maiduguri said: “The group is willing to sit with government at anytime to bring peace to the state and the country large. “I call on Governor Kashim Shettima to disregard all those propaganda aimed at disrupting the peace process as we are ready and willing to continue to dialogue with government.”

Speaking on the statement made by leader of the sect, Abubakar Shakau, sometime ago that they are not ready for dialogue; Sheihk Mohammed Abdul’aziz said that the person who appeared in YouTube, as leader of the sect was an imposter. According to him, the purported Sheihk Abubakar Shekau who went further to disclaim him (Sheihk Abdul’aziz) is not the real Sheihk Shekau.



Sheihk Abdul’aziz said, “the voice is not that of Sheihk Abubakar Shekau and Sheihk has never hidden his face, Sheikh’s voice is heavily Kanuri accented. The man is an impostor deliberately brought to the front line by those opposed to the peace process. We know them and we will disclose their identity at the appropriate time.

“Let me state categorically that Sheikh knows me and has confidence in my ability and is aware and he blessed the peace process. When I was being sworn in by the late leader of the group, Sheikh Muhammed Yusuf, he did so in the presence of Sheikh Mallam Ibrahim Mubi, Mallam Ibrahim Agaji, Mallam Sani Kontogora and Babagana Mulima. So, it is impossible for Sheikh to say he does not know me while it was he who promoted me to my present position.”

He therefore called on all members of the sect, to disregard the so called Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, who appeared on YouTube, as the Sheikh will certainly make a statement either in Rajab or Sha’aban.

He also called on all members to respect the peace process, lay down their arms and await further directives.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/03/13/boko-haram-replies-president-jonathan-we-are-not-ghosts/

One_Naira: I saw osundefender, I immediately had to check for another source. It is real story, she was hacked. Anyway, whoever did it is both a bad@ss and a bonafide 1diot. How stup1d are you to high jack Michelle Obama's account? How dumb are you? Her husband is the president of USA. He's the boss of both CIA and FBI plus more government agencies with multiple devices in their reach to track whoever did it down no matter where he or she stays. How f2king stupid can you get? I think whoever did it is begging to be arrested and locked up. He or she got balls I give him or her that, but that person is a huge m0ron.

if that is possible in the US, we look up to advanced country, then.... i am really baffled.

shuuuu! so dis can happen to american first lady too with all the cia, fbi and private security around her, and if it is nigeria....we all will be saying all sorts of unthinkable things.

This is serious oooooo, someone who should protect live and property and now on the run or taking cover.....i fear, we dont have any police...i better go hire vigilante with otumopor

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih has said that only the Federal government cannot handle the job of ensuring the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.

Speaking while on an appreciation visit to the PDP Governors who held their meeting Monday night in Abuja, Chief Anenih said that all hands must be on deck if the nation must survive the present security challenges that threaten it.

“The Federal Government alone cannot give all Nigerians security, everybody, every Nigerian must be involved. The market woman, the trader, the Governors, members of the National Assembly, the Councillors they must all be involved.

“Most of those who destroy houses and kill people, most of them leave with us and police cannot perform miracle without information. Getting information now is very expensive so I appeal to the Governors that this is the time you use your security votes to seek information. Nobody will blame you for that, that is my special appeal,” Anenih said.



The BoT chairman maintained that the PDP governors remain the best in Africa in terms of quality. He said all that was needed was unity, sincerity, commitment and loyalty.

Chief Anenih said that party loyalty must be total as such was the conditions that provide the room for change.

“It is my special appeal that we must develop the spirit of give and take; we must remain loyal to the establishment, to the party at all levels and we must be ready to reconcile ourselves and avoid those things that tend to divide us.

“Once we are able to achieve these issues and solve the challenging problems, then we will get there. If anybody says that PDP is not on ground, he must be telling lies. The problem PDP has is the inability to reconcile. I want to appeal to all of you here present and through you to others that are not here that Nigerians want a change; they want reconciliation, they want to see that it is well with us,” Chief Anenih said.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/03/13/the-federal-government-alone-cannot-give-all-nigerians-security-anenih/

The Senate has opposed the bill by the House of Representatives seeking immunity for members of the National Assembly.

The Senate said that the existing legislative powers and privileges act provide enough immunity for lawmakers, saying there is no need for further legal provisions for such.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said yesterday at a media briefing in Abuja that the legislative powers and privileges act provide enough immunity for every lawmaker within the precincts of the National Assembly.

Abaribe, however, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for sacking the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren.

It will be recalled that both the Senate and the House of Representatives had, in different resolutions, asked the President to sack Demuren for acts of gross incompetence.

Abaribe said: “Nobody in this country is indispensable. We can always find professionals everywhere in all facets of our national lives.”

He said that it was wrong for people to expect the Senate to be confrontational to the executive. The senator said such expectations, if met, would create crisis and work against effective governance of the country. Abaribe also commented on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which passed second reading in the Senate last week.

He denied the allegation that the bill split the Senate along North and South divide, saying contrary to such allegation, the bill united members of the upper chamber because they all agreed on the fact that it should be passed for the interest of the entire country



http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/senate-faults-immunity-bill-by-reps/

Of a truth and without mincing words, the insurgency in northern Nigeria today has adversely battered the economic, social, religious lives and international image of the country in no small means and in specific made the troubled North to be a shadow of itself. Yet in the face of the subsisting insurgency, various strategies, policies and approaches have been evolved by stakeholders to seek for a lasting solution and bring to an end the activities of these terrorists, still all seems not to be working or effective.

As a concerned and patriotic citizen and member of this great forum, what do you think in your opinions are the solutions to insurgency in the northern and Nigeria at large?

Anywhere in the world, oppositions are meant to check the excesses and serve as watchdog on incumbent administration.....opposition is good for development of any system if govt in democracy especially when it is participatory and constructive.

Quite applaudable....this goes along way that if the region put itself together to fight and put an end to the menace of boko haram, serious development and turnaround can be fast-tracked.

A former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, has advised former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to act like an elder statesman and not as an incumbent President.

DailyPost has learnt that Okunnu served as a commissioner during General Yakubu Gowon’s administration , and celebrated his 80th birthday penultimate Tuesday.

The former Commissioner advised Obasanjo to stop dictating or harassing President Goodluck Jonathan, either individually or through the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as he had served his terms as head of state, and equally made his marks. He said “the best for him is to retire from active politics and become an elder-statesman.”

According to him, the planned 100 years celebration of modern Nigeria, was ‘’pure nonsense for the government of the country to allow such celebration, which he said was ‘’100 years in bondage.’’

On Obasanjo, Okunnu said , “Let me plead with General Obasanjo. He is no longer the president of this country. He should stop harassing successive presidents. Leave them alone.

“You have served your terms. You served, first as military head of state between 1976 and1979; three years and you served eight years as civilian president. Leave Jonathan alone to govern.

“Stop harassing him. Leave him alone to govern and retire gracefully as an elder statesman.



“That is my birthday advice to General Obasanjo. He’s my friend and I am giving this friendly advice to him. Retire from active politics and be an elder statesman. You have opportunities to advise the president at the Council of State.”

“Stop harassing him on the pages of newspapers or in PDP. Retire from active politics and be an elder statesman. That is the role which befits a former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Speaking further on the centenary celebrations, he said, President Jonathan should have left the private sector that brought up the idea of the centenary celebration to handle it alone as, according to him, it is their own business and not the business of Nigerians as a people.

“Let me say that it is absolutely idiotic for anyone to want to celebrate 100 years of bondage or to celebrate the occasion when we were under colonialism. You do not celebrate slavery! Independence, yes; the day Britain established its rule over the country now called Nigeria, No.. Capital NO. It is absolute nonsense for anyone to celebrate the day Nigeria came under colonialism. You do not.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/03/08/stop-harassing-jonathan-okunnu-warns-obj/

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dikko Abdullahi, has dragged the publisher of Shipping World magazine, Elder Asu Beks to court over allegations of defamation.

In a N1 billion suit filed by the Plaintiff at the High Court holden in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the defendant, Asu Beks has been summoned to appear before the court on Thursday, March 7, 2013 to defend himself against the allegations.

The Counsel to the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Amobi Nzelu, alleged that the Elder Asu Beks had, on a breakfast show, Today on STV, broadcast on August 22, 2012, accused Dikko of financing the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

But in a swift reaction to the suit, Elder Asu Beks denied the allegations made by the defendant at another edition of the programme that was aired on Friday, February 15, 2013.

The Plaintiff claimed that the dispute arose after Abdullahi openly and vehemently reprimanded him (Asu Beks) for condemning the activities of Boko Haram in a communiqué issued at the end of an Ijaw Nation Forum meeting on January 7, 2012.

In the communiqué published as an advertorial on page 9 of the January 15, 2012 edition of The Sun Newspaper, the Ijaw Nation Forum, to which Asu Beks belongs, out rightly condemned the dreaded Boko Haram sect and called on the group to desist from further attacks on southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria.

This must have angered the Customs boss who reacted angrily towards Asu Beks when the latter paid him a visit on January 25, 2012 at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Asu Beks, he was surprised when Dikko, who had always received him with open arms said, “You, Asu Beks, I thought you were my friend I never knew you are anti-north. How can you come out so openly to condemn Boko Haram on the pages of a newspaper? Well, the Sultan of Sokoto has seen this too, and has directed that I should not have anything to do with you…”

In addition to the N1 billion damages demanded by Dikko, in which Silverbird Communications Limited, operators of Silverbird Television are joined in, the defendant also states claims for the following:

1. A declaration that the statements/words authored and spoken by the 1st defendant (Asu Beks) concerning the Plaintiff (Dikko) financing and funding Boko Haram sect and aired by the 2nd defendant (Silverbird Communications Ltd.) on the 22nd of August, 2012 are false, malicious and without foundation.

2. A declaration that the plaintiff is neither financing nor funding Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

3. A declaration that the airing of the programme wherein the 1st defendant authored and spoke about the plaintiff by the 2nd defendant is mischievous, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the hard earned

image and reputation of the plaintiff.

4. An apology to be aired by the 2nd defendant during their prime time for one week retracting the content of the said programme.

5. An apology by the 1st defendant to the plaintiff to be published in the front page of seven national dailies to wit: Punch, Sun, Thisday, Leadership, Daily Trust, Tribune and Guardian Newspapers retracting the said libellous and defamatory programme wherein he spoke concerning the plaintiff.

6. A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant whether by himself, assigns, agents, privies or whosoever purporting to act on his behalf from authoring, speaking or further authoring or speaking words in any programme or interview that is defamatory, libellous and malicious against the person of the plaintiff.

http://247ureports.com/alleged-sponsorship-of-boko-haram-dikko-customs-boss-drags-asu-beks-to-court/

This i know for sure will be greeted by negative reactions from the public as a result of untold hardship and financial burden that it will generate.

It keeps me wondering if truly a spell has been cast on the Nigeria Police Force or there is an inherent deficiency in the establishment because is there no IGP that can sanitize the force and purge it of this malady. Haba, there is need for systemic overhauling of the our police, even the good ones entering the police are being co-opted to it endemic system deficiency. I charge the Federal government to do something urgently before the situation degenerates further..... a situation where the one who is to be policing are now being policed.

In as much we all re entitled to certain fundamental human rights, there are exceptions to such rights when you run foul d rule of law. Without any element of prejudice, security agencies would not ve just hand picked anybody for such grave state crimes without being an accomplice whether directly or by extension. However, since the veracity of the letters and its content are verifiable.... I dere d various characters mention in letter to come an clear d air with substantiable facts.

NPF should stop bringing shame to security agencies in the country and try to justify that they are capable of discharging their assigned responsibility... enough of this nonsensical attitude of the nigeria police force...what this portrays is attitude of lacklustre and lethargy...Govt should let head roll...we can no longer accept this as a country.

Northern Leaders ed by Adamu Ciroma of the Northern Elder's Political Leaders Forum fame have rejected the call for a Soveriegn National Conference championed by their Southern colleagues. 'They told 'The Patriots', a group of eminent persons from southern Nigeria led by Professor Ben Nwabueze that rather than an SNC, what Nigeria needs is a change of leadership to a more patriotic and diciplined one stating that Nigeria's problem was a failure of leadership.

Try as they could, their Southern colleagues were unable to convince them that the reason for the leadership deficit is because of the structure of Nigeria's polity which places more emphasis on ethnicity and religion over merit.

The meeting held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja yesterday. Apart from Professor Nwabueze, others in attendance included Senator Felix Ibru and Ben Obi. Also in attendnce were Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Professor Jibril Aminu, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Mallam Abba Kyari, Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi , Prof. Kimse Okoko, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, and Wale Okunniyi.

An interesting development from the meeting was that Adamu Ciroma, who championed the cause of the 'Northern Presidency' was curiously giving the task of going round the country and interface with other Nigerians on the way forward. How Ciroma would interface with people who he alienated by his Northern Presidency project remains to be seen. Senator Ben Obi is to act as a deputy in this sub commitee.
http://www.naijapundit.com/news/ciroma-to-southern-elders-leadership-change-is-what-nigeria-needs-not-sovereign-national-conference

Baba obj action den didnt eradicate militancy in the region just as GEJ rightly pointed out. Change is constant and invetible, also society changes evolve from time to time, hence for a true democrat applying full force or total shoot at sight technique to solving intra country terrorist attacks will be disastrous and counter productive.....even the deployment of JTF to curtail terrorists attacks in the crises ridden states ve been greeted with various criticisms from the populace that they were attacking innocent civilians. of a truth, i think GEJ is a listening President and has got good plans for this great country....all unrepentant critics of his administration are in no way better leaders.....obj that could not even overlook the song by eedris abdulkarim ...nigeria jagajaga (which was the reality at that point in time) is now attacking GEJ. How many so called unfriendly names have we labelled this man because he is our president, yet he takes all in good faith focusing on his transformation agenda,let's look at the number of issues that ve taken the rightful shape since his address during the presidential media chat (manitoba contract, fuel queue in abuja, power etc). sincerely some of us that cannot even manage our small family very well.....still ve guts to condemn the president. I think we need to support GEJ by pointing out areas in our economic, political and social lives that are begging for attention to reveamp our Nation and let him engage the citizens on air as to addressing Govt efforts in addressing these problems.

Murphy T: It is disheartening that an agency established by Law to guarantee law and order now collaborates with Boko Haram group to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians. The Nigerian Police Force which ordinarily should be the hope of the people has failed again. Yesterday, Sani Mohammed, a Boko Haram commander who was arrested with the notorious Kabiru Sokoto in January 2012 escaped from the cell where he was kept with other terrorists.
Recall that early this year, the same Police allowed Kabiru Sokoto—the mastermind of the Christmas bombing of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla—to escape from custody in a manner that suggests compromise. Although Sokoto was later rearrested by the SSS, the continuing escape of terrorists from Police custody if not addressed, may worsen our security problems.
The Chief of Defence Staff recently announced that over 3,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to these terrorists. Now that Sani has escaped, only God knows how many more that would be killed again.
Nigerians must not keep quiet.
The Nigerian Police is not an arm of Boko Haram.
The NPF must produce Sani Mohammed.


Enough is enough!

http://www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-commander-escapes-from-custody/

Government must take drastic steps concerning the national embarrassment the Nigeria Police is causing the Nation, because this prevailing action of NPF portends grave danger for the country's national interest and security.

Some of the lands the former Minister of Abuja, Nasir El-Rufai, allocated to his family members including, two of his wives, Hadiza and Hasiya, were originally meant for developmental projects within Abuja, a witness in the ongoing trial of the former minister has said.

Michael Okoye, the witness and a retired Assistant Manager at Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, said the contentious Plot 1201 in the Asokoro District of the nation’s capital was originally allocated by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, to the PHCN for the construction of a sub-station.

He said the land was for the construction of a 132/33 KVA transmitting/injection sub-station.

Mr. El-Rufai; a former Director-General of the Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS, Altine Jibrin; and former General Manager of AGIS, Ismail Iro, are standing trial for abuse of office.

The EFCC is prosecuting the trio for allegedly converting the land to personal use.

Mr. El-Rufai is also being accused of allocating ten plots of land in Asokoro District to members of his family. The EFCC claimed that the accused committed the offence between 2003 and 2007.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Wahab Ibiwole, Mr. Okoye, who was also in charge of the project department of PHCN, said that the land was allocated to the power company in 2003.

He told the court that Plot 1201 was meant for a power sub-station. He said that when he noticed that Plot 1201 was being tampered with, he constructed block-work fence to secure the place, but the fence was later pulled down.

The witness claimed that he does not know who encroached on the plot and denied that PHCN showed intention to surrender or reduce the size of the plot before he disengaged from service in June 2008.

Mr. Okoye said the encroachment reduced the plot size from 2.5 hectares to 1.5 hectares. PHCN, Okoye testified, reacted to the encroachment by writing a letter to the minister of power, complaining that they never indicated disinterest in the plot.

“When PHCN realised the encroachment, we wrote to the then Minister of Power informing him that Plot 1201 had been encroached upon by unknown people.

“The PHCN also told the minister that it still needed the land for the construction of the station which will improve power supply to residents of the city,” he said.

A confused witness

During cross- examination by Kanu Agabi, Mr. Iro’s counsel, the prosecution witness said he saw an FCDA letter dated July 2003 allocating Plot 1201 Asokoro to the PHCN.

He admitted that an exhibit presented by Mr. Agabi was the letter he saw. But when he was asked to read the comments inscribed on it, he denied ever seeing that copy.

The remark on the exhibit is that the FCDA has no power to allocate land, and that there was no FCT minister at the time the letter was written.

Counsel to the prosecution admitted that they tendered the document, but without the remarks, and that they would be clarifying the matter later.

A former executive secretary of the FCDA, Mohammed Alhassan, who appeared as a prosecution witness had testified in December 2011 that he conveyed the allocation of the plot to the PHCN, via a letter in July 2003, which did not have a specific date. He attributed the non-inclusion of a specific day on the letter to oversight.

Mr. El-Rufai’s counsel had told the court that the period when the allocation was allegedly made was when Abuja had no minister. The previous FCT minister left office on May 29, 2003, while Mr. El-Rufai resumed on July 16; and so there was no minister to have allocated the land to the PHCN.

Though Mr. Alhassan admitted that he did not have the power to allocate land, he was unable to show any approval by any minister allocating the plot to PHCN.

Abuja land laws vests powers of land allocation in the hands of any serving minister of the Nigerian capital.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/106306-el-rufai-converted-phcn-land-for-personal-use-former-phcn-boss-tells-court.html

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described Dino Melaye as a "disreputable former member of the House of Representatives". She also accused Melaye of lacking honour and common decency as well as being sponsored by oil marketers indicted in the subsidy probe.

She was responding to the demonstration led by Dino Melaye, a controversial former member of the House of Representatives best known for fighting in the House during the Bankole days an action which earned him a suspension from the House. Melaye, who is also embroiled in a pregnancy scandal with popular Yoruba actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe, had led a demonstration to the Ministry of Finance yesterday calling for the resignation of the CME, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

But in a swift reaction Dino Melaye has said he would sue the minister for Libel. Melaye, who took to Twitter to respond to the CME said in one of his tweets “We asked why will (minister of) finance pay oil thieves without due diligence and scrutiny, so how does this relate to sponsorship from oil thieves?”

Below is the full statement from the CME and Minister of Finance;

Earlier today (7th November, 2012), a disreputable former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Dino Melaye brought a handful of demonstrators to the Federal Ministry of Finance who conducted themselves in an unruly manner.

We have it on good authority that Mr Melaye’s group was sponsored by some of the indicted oil barons who are currently being investigated and prosecuted for subsidy fraud. Their allegation to wrong subsidy payments made by the Ministry is a mere ruse to conceal their true motives.

It is important to note that the Federal Ministry of Finance does not pay any contractors directly. The relevant ministries do. So this allegation by Mr Melaye and his group is completely wrong and without foundation.

Also, whenever its statutory mandate requires that it makes any payments, the Ministry follows strict payment procedures and only pays when there is appropriate documentation from relevant agencies.

The Melaye demonstration was ostensibly to call for the resignation of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance who is well known for fighting the fraudulent oil barons whose names were published by the Federal Ministry of Finance for various breaches of the subsidy regime.

Nigerians are, of course, not deceived by the antics of Mr Melaye who has no known pedigree as a civil society activist or even a reputation for honour or common decency.

When asked by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Danladi Kifasi to submit a written statement, Mr Melaye said that they did not come with any. This gives an indication of the level of seriousness of the effort.

Curiously, Mr Melaye and his cohorts, in making their frivolous allegations, did not mention the fact that the Federal Ministry of Finance under the leadership of Dr Okonjo-Iweala took the unprecedented step of publishing the names of 25 companies which were investigated by the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee for various breaches of the subsidy regime.

They also neglected to say that many of the indicted marketers are currently undergoing interrogation and prosecution. As a direct result of the Ministry’s efforts against corruption in the subsidy regime and tighter procedures, the nation has saved billions of Naira that would otherwise have gone to corrupt marketers.

The Federal Ministry of Finance stands steadfast in its resolve to fight against corruption and manage the finances of the country in the best interest of the Nigerian people.

Paul C Nwabuikwu Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance
http://www.naijapundit.com/news/dino-melaye-is-sponsored-by-indicted-subsidy-thieves-and-lacks-honour-okonjo-iweala

So much has been said about the Ex-Kogi Lawmaker, Hon. Dino Melaye and his controversial relationship with top Yoruba movie actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe. There have been allegations and counter allegations on the paternity of the unborn baby but there is definitely more to these than meet the eyes.

The actress, Ibidapo-Obe who is in the centre of the whole controversy Rhythm and Sounds has relocated to Ghana to cool off. Aside the fact that the Melaye Melaye denied the pregnancy, Bisi’s Friend, Lola Alao who is equally a top actress and who introduced Ibidapo-Obe to Melaye has taken side with Melaye. Melaye’s wife also supported Melaye but in a dramatic twist, Melaye’s brother-in-law took side with the actress claiming his brother cannot be trusted.

Having allegedly parted ways with her ex-lover who is also a big spender when Melaye came into the scene, sources told Rhythm and Sounds that the actress ex-lover has retrieved back the Range Rover Sport given to the actress since the beginning of this whole drama when the actress said the pregnancy belongs to Melaye. Ibidapo-Obe has however challenged the ex lawmaker to a DNA test to prove her case.

Observers are however of the opinion that Melaye should own up to his responsibilities and stop describing the affair that he allegedly once savour as ‘Africa Magic’ stories. For Melaye to regain his popularity and rebuild his already dented image, observers are of the opinion that he will have to bow to the DNA test to ascertain the paternity of the baby. But the big question is, ‘will Melaye accept to be part of the DNA test?
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/pregnancy-mess-will-dino-melaye-undergo-dna-test-/129405/

In less than 7 hours after the Boko Haram militants gave another condition for dialogue in a tele- conference with newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order have said that, information available to them indicates that the sect are plotting to attack Government officials, civil servants, politicians and other law abiding citizens in the state.

Lt. Col. Sagir Musa in a released made available to Daily Post on Thursday said that the JTF wishes to alert members of the public on the latest plot and advise these categories of Nigerians to be aware of people within their environment and restrict movements particularly during the hours of night.

The JTF also called on members of the public to report any suspicious movement, persons or groups to the Task Force through the following JTF Hot Lines for further action: 0806 4174066, 0708 5464012 and 0815 4429346.

In another development, Daily Post gathered that, over 50 people have been arrested by the JTF in a search operation at Zannari ward and Budun area of the metropolis.

A resident who does not want his name in print told Daily Post that, he had to return back to the office to pass the night as he cannot get to his house because the search operation was ongoing.

“Shortly after alighting from a taxi at about five O’clock this evening, I met somebody I know who ask me not to go home. ‘According to him, soldiers have taken over our street and ward as they were searching from house to house arresting people.’ So, I have no choice than to go back to the office to pass the night.

“My joy is that, I was told that my son also heard of it and he is taking refuge in my sister’s house. I also asked him not to return home until everything is over because both the guilty and the innocent are usually arrested and they all suffered before they are released and that is if they were released as many innocent people were killed in such operations.” He told Daily Post
http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/11/02/boko-haram-jtf-foils-plans-attack-soft-targets-borno-state/

At least this is a sigh of relief.......congrats madam patience Jonathan and welcome back home.......all rumor mongers....madam is back, hale and hearty and alive

Foremost Nollywood film maker, Chico Ejiro, has revealed that he is not a big fan of travelling by air. The father of four, also admitted that his fear is so much that he writes his will and drowns himself in alcohol, before he leaves for the airport.

“I have phobia for flying, If I am to fly tomorrow,” the Isoko-born producer said. “I will lose some weight today. Before I even fly, I will drink a bottle of Red Label or Hennessey. To be candid with you, I write my will before I fly.

“Even to fly from Lagos to Abuja, I am dead on the plane. Most times, I enter bus to Ghana, Cameroun etc because of the fear I have for flight. I have been to America twice and I have got visa 10 times but the fear of travelling debars me from honouring the rest.”

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/17/i-write-will-drink-bottle-hennessey-i-take-flight-nollywood-producer-chico-ejiro/

The Lagos State Local Government Election Tribunal sitting in Ikeja has declared Babajide Obanikoro, son of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, as the winner of the Ikoyi Obalende Local Council Development Area election conducted in October last year.

Babajide Obanikoro had challenged the result of the council polls declared in favour of Adewala Adeniji of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) by LASIEC, claiming that the result was manipulated against him.

In its judgment today, the five-man Tribunal headed by retired Justice Dolapo Akinsanya, held that from evidence before it, Babajide Obanikoro of the Peoples’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the election by 6,780 votes as against 6,248 polled by ACN.

Although the tribunal voided some results of some polling units and wards due to irregularities, it computed the result of other units and ward and declared PDP as winner of the election.

The tribunal consequently ordered that Babajide Obanikoro be declared as winner and sworn in as the council chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA.

Some ACN supporters who were in court this afternoon when the judgment was delivered were visibly shocked.

Babajide Obanikoro was not in court when the judgment was delivered but hundreds of his supporters jubilated after the verdict was delivered.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/tribunal-declares-obanikoro%E2%80%99s-son-local-government-election-winner-lagos-pm-news-lagos

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Wednesday faulted the proposal by the House of Representatives to raise the crude oil benchmark in the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

This is just as the executive arm of government is considering a new date for the presentation of the 2013 Appropriation Bill by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives had turned down the proposed October 4 date last week on the grounds that it needed more time to consider and pass the MTEF.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that a new date was being considered for the presentation of the Appropriation Bill but did not give details.

In the MTEF presented to the National Assembly by the president, the Federal Government had proposed to retain the 2012 benchmark of $75 per barrel in the 2013 budget.

But the Joint Committee of the House on Finance and Legislative Budget and Research as well as Aids and Loans on Tuesday recommended an upward review by $7 to the oil benchmark.

The joint committee’s proposal was hinged on the fact that increasing the benchmark would attract more revenue to the federation and assist government in reducing its deficit and borrowing.

Sanusi, who appeared before the joint committee Wednesday on the MTEF, described the position of the lawmakers as erroneous.

He argued that raising the oil benchmark does not in any way translate to more revenue for the government because benchmarks are mere projections that could either be realised or not depending on the volatility of the price of oil.

He further explained that Nigeria's current benchmark of $75 per barrel was one of the highest among member states of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

According to him, a number of oil-producing countries like Venezuela have a benchmark as low as $30 as a way of ensuring that they do not fall victim of over ambitious projections that may turn out to be unrealistic.

“The benchmark does not necessarily give you more revenue. You can increase it to $100 if you like, but does that bring money?

“What is important is to increase crude oil production and sales. The $75 is even on the high side relative to other countries,” Sanusi said.

He observed that Nigeria has always been concerned about oil benchmarks during every budget year because of over-dependence on the oil sector for revenue and the fact that the economy as a whole is highly dependent on importation.

Sanusi urged the committee to place less emphasis on oil benchmarks and concentrate on how to assist government to plug the leakages in the revenue chain.

“You are talking about oil price and production benchmarks, how do we even know the figures are correct? Does NNPC have a metering system? How do they know how much we produce?

"What access does the Minister of Finance have to validate the figures emanating from the primary source of revenue?

“Until we have metering system, we cannot be too sure about these figures. But we have NEITTI and we need to strengthen it because all these arguments on benchmarks will disappear if we know exactly how much we earn and we are sure that all revenues will go into government's pockets,” he said.

Sanusi said that the solution to budget deficits was not the benchmark but diversification of the economy to enhance the development of the non-oil sector.

He said a major leak in government revenue could be traced to pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

The Federal Government, he said, could overcome this challenge by tightening security around its network of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.

He, however, drew a nexus between the insecurity in the country and the state of the economy. According to him, the crisis that has hit Kaduna and Jos in recent years has its origins in the collapse of the textile firms and the closure of the mines that used to provide thousands of jobs for the inhabitants of these two cities.

On the complaint of lopsidedness of the budget in favour of recurrent spending, Sanusi explained that 80 per cent of the recurrent budget goes to salaries and wages of government personnel.

The only way out, he said, was for government to shed weight through retrenchment, an action, he added, might not be politically expedient.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/sanusi-faults-house-on-oil-benchmark-hike/126808/

The Federal Government has promised to introduce a new industrial policy that will enhance economic growth in the country. This initiative was confirmed by the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce and Industry.
 
The Committee stressed the need for economic diversification and a prompt and sustainable growth plan for the industrial sector will be a start.
 
 
The Chairman of the Committee, Mohammed Onawo made this known during a tour of WEMPCO Group in Ikeja, reiterated the need for the development and promotion of home made goods.
 
He expressed hope for the Nigerian industrial development, I see a bright future for this sector because we are doing our best here and we have plans for an industrial revolution, he said.
 
Onawo maintained that the bill is expected to bring about an industrial revolution in the country, starting with promoting and adding value to our local industries as well as build investors confidence.
 
The Federal Government early this year set up a committee to work on the bill, which comprises, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) as well as industry leaders in various sector of the economy.
 
“In the past, inferior products were said to originate from Taiwan and recently from China, but surprisingly the Chinese are here making quality products which can favourably compete globally.”
 
“The Federal Government will be prompted to do more, through its industrialisation policy by the achievement of this company. It is a foolish thing to depend on one source of income (crude oil), especially with experts predicting that our oil will dry up in the next 40 years,” he said.
 
The committee would help the company in conquering some of its challenges, he said.
 
The committee further called on industrialists as well as investors within and outside the country to be part of the process by bringing forward private bills that would assist in the transformation process of the industrial sector of the economy.
 
“A private member Bill can be sent to us by any industrialist and investor which will be sponsored by members of this committee in the House. We will continue to promote bills that will give our partners confidence and secure their investments,” he said.
 
“This is an individual company generating 54 megawatts of electricity on its own, and being here for the past 40 years, it is obvious that they know more about Nigeria than China, so they can better tell the true story of Nigeria as a country of opportunities for those who are seeking success,” he said.
 
The Chairman of the Group, Alhaji Tokunbo Ali, reacted by saying, they began with manufacturing of enamelware before going into, plywood, steel, hospitality business among others. 
He said, today the company owns the largest plantation in Nigeria, 15 factories in Nigeria and over 15,000 staff under their umbrella. 
 
“We are still marching on with our expansion vision because we are not a ‘briefcase Group’ and we assure SON that we will abide by their quality standards,” he said.

http://businessnews.com.ng/2012/10/04/fg-to-introduce-new-industrial-policy-as-a-catalyst-for-economic-growth/

President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to look at the option of appealing the judgement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Bakassi peninsula.


The decision was reached at a meeting between the President, the leadership of the National Assembly and other stakeholders at the State House in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting which started late Wednesday night ended in the early hours of Thursday.

Cross River’s governor, Liyel Imoke, told State House correspondents after the meeting that the committee would also consider how to take care of the displaced people of Bakassi.

Mr. Imoke, who did not disclose the composition of the committee, said it would work within a specified time.

NAN reports that Nigeria has an Oct. 9 deadline to appeal the ICJ ruling which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to neighbouring Cameroon was delivered on Oct. 10, 2002.

Mr. Imoke said Jonathan had shown great leadership quality by convening the meeting and standing firm on some of the decisions taken.

Also speaking , the Senate President, Senator David Mark, said the executive arm of government and the lawmakers were now on the same page on the Bakassi issue.

He said they would work together to achieve results.

A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bola Ajibola, who was at the meeting, said the federal government had shown candid concern on the Bakassi issue.

He commended the move by government to follow dialogue, the rule of law and diplomacy in ensuring that Nigeria gets justice and the people were not wrongly dealt with.

Mr. Ajibola expressed optimism that the committee set up would handle the matter accordingly and in good time.

NAN reports that the meeting was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and some other principal officers of the National Assembly.

Also in attendance were Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, and the Minister of Justice and AGF, Mohammed Adoke.

Some leaders and representatives of selected groups from Bakassi, as well as presidential aides, were also in attendance.

NAN recalls that the Senat had last week unanimously passed a resolution mandating the federal government to appeal the ICJ judgement on Bakassi because of the new facts which had emerged over the matter.

The motion which gave rise to the resolution was sponsored by Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi Central).

He had argued that it would be wrong for Nigeria not to appeal the judgment because there was still opportunity to do so before the statutory expiration time.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/102403-jonathan-sets-up-committee-to-review-icj-judgement-on-bakassi.html

Finally, this a sigh of relief and i wish madam patience Jonathan good health...... with the various controversial reports from media...at least for once, we can now she has been discharged from the hospital.