NLC Calls For Legislation To Protect Whistle- Blowers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday in Abuja called on members of the National Assembly to work out a policy to protect whistle blowers.
President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the call while briefing newsmen on “Why the anti-corruption war is succeeding in the country.’’
Wabba said the National Assembly should rise to the challenge immediately, while the courts should ensure speedy disposal of corruption cases.
He said the on-going revelation on the $2.1 billion arms purchase deal has justified unqualified support for the fight against corruption.

Why We Must Cut Minimum Wage Or Sack Workers — Nigerian Governors

Nigerian governors will eventually reduce the federal minimum wage of N18,000 or downsize because of the current economic crunch, the chairman of the body of governors has said.
The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said on Thursday that irrespective of public condemnations of the plan, it would not be economically feasible to retain the same workforce and pay same amount of money.

SERAP Drags Nigerian Senate To UN Over Repressive Media Bill

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, requesting him to “you use your good offices and position to urgently request the National Assembly of Nigeria, specifically the Senate, to withdraw a bill which if passed into law would undermine the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom on the internet in the country”.

$2.1 bn Arms Deal: I Didn’t Receive A Dime From Dasuki, Says Ex-Gov. Bafarawa

ABUJA -The ongoing investigation into the $2.1 billion arms deal involving a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki and some of his associates took another twist Thursday, with the former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa exonerating himself of any wrongdoing.
There has been a chain of revelations as to how the money was dispensed, with the ex-governor’s name featuring prominently as collecting about N4.6 billion for “spiritual purposes”.

I Will Not Reduce Minimum Wage, Other Governors Must Pay – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state government will not be a party to the reduction of the minimum wage for workers.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday when he granted audience to the National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, Wike said that his overnment will continue to pay salaries of workers regularly because the multiple effect was critical to social stability.
He said: “Rivers State will not be a party to the reduction of the minimum wage. Rivers State will not reduce the minimum wage.
Continue..

PDP Begs Nigerians To Join Party, Holds National Convention March 2016

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that it would hold its national convention on March 19, 2016. According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, zonal congresses of the party were billed to hold on March 16, while state congresses would be conducted on March 12.

Jega To Receive Wole Soyinka’s ‘Anti-Corruption Defender’ Award.

Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and veteran broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede, will be honoured at the 10th Wole Soyinka award for investigative reporting. Jega and Oloyede will receive the anti-corruption defender award and the lifetime award for journalistic excellence, respectively.

The decade anniversary of the Wole Soyinka award for investigative reporting is scheduled for Wednesday 9 December, 2015, by 5pm at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
In his acceptance note to Motunrayo Alaka, coordinator of the Wole Soyinka centre for investigative journalism, Jega appreciated the organisation for finding him worthy of the award.
“Such an honour from a centre named after the great and revered Wole Soyinka is of considerable significance,” he said.

Biafra Separatists: Northern Traders Flee South-East

As the protest by pro-Biafra separatists continue unabated, Nigerians from the northern part of the country are fleeing from the South-East in droves for fear of being caught in the centre of the crisis.
Most of them residing in Onitsha, Nnewi and other South-Eastern cities doing business have hurriedly relocated to Asaba, Delta State capital seeking refuge.
Pro-Biafra protesters led by member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had last Monday intensified the protest in demand for the release of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu by locking down the South-East.

'Allah Decided to Punish Turkey Leaders By Making Them Lose Their Minds' - Putin

Russia's President said that Allah, apparently, decided to punish Turkey's leadership by making them lose their minds.

Russia's president said: "We were ready to cooperate with Turkey on any sensitive issue and were ready to go much further than [Turkey's other] allies were willing to. "

Earlier, on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had received additional evidence that oil from fields controlled by Daesh, which is prohibited in Russia, were being transported to Turkey on an industrial scale.

Strange Bedfellows: Does US' Coalition Intentionally Feed Daesh in Syria?

Russia's increased activity along the Syrian-Turkish border indicates clearly that the Syrian conflict has entered its final phase, geopolitical researcher Tony Cartalucci stresses, adding that the true sponsors behind this conflict are now stepping in overtly.

It should be clear now to those, who criticized Russia's air campaign as ineffective, that their prognosis has proved wrong, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer Tony Cartalucci underscores.

Three Mistakes Turkey Made That Dragged It Into Conflict With Russia

Turkey seems to have fallen into its own trap: its covert support of Daesh has led to indirect confrontation with Russia, but the shootdown of a Russian bomber and a further escalation of relations with Moscow have led to direct confrontation between the two, greatly annoying Ankara’s western partners, according to an article in Le Huffington Post.

Turkey has made a number of “very bad decisions”: by taking up an ambiguous position in Syria, it has started a brawl with Russia and in so doing annoying its western partners, journalist Romain Herreros wrote in his article for the newspaper.

Western Media Calls Russia 'Hostile' for Outing Turkey's Dirty Oil Secret

On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry held a briefing detailing the Turkish government's involvement in the trade of Daesh (ISIL) oil. However, instead of starting their own investigations, many Western media outlets have instead attacked Russia for presenting the evidence, suggesting the revelations were 'hostile' and 'confrontational'.

At Wednesday's Defense Ministry briefing in Moscow, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov presented Russian intelligence materials, including photographs, satellite imagery, and detailed maps outlining exactly how "industrial quantities" of oil from Daesh-controlled territories in Syria and Iraq find their way into Turkey, and then on to third countries.

57 year old man dies onboard an Arik Air flight

According to multiple reports, a 57 year old man identified as Albert Nnadi died on-board an Arik Air Flight that was heading to Lagos from Owerri yesterday December 2nd. The man was on his way to Lagos for medical attention when he was found dead as the passengers were disembarking from the plane after landing in Lagos. Arik Air confirmed the incident happened and said the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mortuary.

Photos: 6 Dangote trucks burnt during Pro-Biafran protest in Onitsha yesterday

Between 4 to 6 trucks belonging to Dangote group were burnt during the Biafra protest that took place in Onitsha, Anambra state yesterday December 2nd. The Central Mosque in Onitsha was also torched. Continue to see more photos...

DAAR communication releases statement on Dokpesi's arrest

DAAR Communication owners of AIT and Raypower have released a statement over the arrest of their Chairman, Raymond Dokpesi. Find the statement below

On Monday Nov 30, 2015 whilst attending the 70th birthday celebration of former Minister and PDP stalwart, Professor Jerry Gana, the Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc. received a telephone call from the Ag. Chairman of EFCC Ibrahim Magu inviting him to the visit the EFCC Headquarters to provide some clarifications and documentation regarding some transactions involving the Office of the erstwhile NSA during the 2015 Presidential election campaigns.

Dasuki lists ex-governors, PDP chiefs, in $2.1bn deals

According to a report by The Nation, former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki has started opening up about the controversial $2.1 billion arms deal. A source at EFCC who spoke with the newspaper stated that Dasuki decided to open up after a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shaibu Salisu who was recently arrested in connection with the probe, made some statements implicating him, Dasuki, in the deal.

Cameroon Frees 900 Boko Haram Hostages In Military Operation.

Cameroon's army, with backing from a regional anti-Boko Haram task force, have killed at least 100 militants from the militant group and freed 900 people it had held hostage, the army and defence ministry said on Wednesday.
"In the course of this operation, at least 100 members of Boko Haram were killed. Nine hundred hostages detained by Boko Haram were freed," said army spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck.
The defence ministry also cited the same figures in a brief statement on state television.

War Against Insurgency On Course – COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has assured that the war against insurgency is on course in spite of recent attacks by insurgents on remote communities in Adamawa and Borno.
Buratai gave the assurance on Wednesday when he visited a military location at Gajigana in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno, which was recently attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
He said the recent attacks would not have much effects on the operation geared toward destroying all terrorists’ enclaves on Nigerian territory, describing them as a minor setback that was being addressed.

Transparency International Rates South Africa As Africa’s Most Corrupt.

In a report released by Transparency International (TI), a watchdog group, on Tuesday, South Africa came first among countries where corruption is on the increase.
Citizens of Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana were also said to have witnessed the highest levels of corruption.

SSS Disobeys Court Order, Ejects Ex-DG, Kayode Are, From Lagos Home

Operatives of the State Security Service on Wednesday stormed the Lagos residence of one of its former Director Generals, Kayode Are, ejecting his family and throwing out his properties.
“They are right here in my house,” a distraught Mr. Are told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone. “They have pulled down the doors, chased my family away and are throwing out our properties. They are not even giving us time to remove our things.”
The secret police took the action despite a court injunction served on it Tuesday barring it from ejecting Mr. Are from his Ikoyi home.

Kachikwu Replaces Diezani As OPEC President.

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, has replaced Diezani Alison-Madueke as conference president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Speculations were that Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources, President Muhammadu Buhari, would take the top seat at OPEC, but the body in a recent update named Kachikwu as the head of the OPEC conference.

We Can Confidently Announce That Fuel Scarcity Will End In A Few Days – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured that the current fuel scarcity in the country will be over in a matter of days, following the approval of the subsidy payment by the National Assembly.
”We can confidently announce here today that the scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the end of the year has been approved by the National Assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without approval,” the Minister said during a visit to the headquarters of the Daily Trust newspaper in Abuja on Wednesday.Lai-Mohammed

U.S Ready To Help Nigeria Overcome Electricity Shortfall

The United States, U.S, Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle has advised the Federal Government to create an enabling environment that will make big private companies invest in the nation’s power sector, insisting that such remained the solution to the challenges crippling the nation’s energy industry.
The envoy stressed that his country identified the private power players as the solution to the several challenges facing the country as regards electricity.

Okonjo-Iweala Tells Buhari To Call Oshiomhole To Order

Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has requested the Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms issue.

The Minister stressed that she had absolutely nothing to do with the issue.
She stated that it was an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole, whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan, to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.

Biafra: MASSOB,IPOB Deny Setting Onitsha Central Mosque Ablaze

ENUGU – Following ground swell protests at Ontisha,Anambra State and other states of the south-east geopolitical zone staged by members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Indigenous People of Biafra,IBOP,last Tuesday,calling on the Federal Government to release their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the two pro-Biafra groups, Wednesday, disassociated selves from acts of arson and violence that culminated in the razing down of Onitsha Central Mosque and burning of some vehicles.

South Africa: Buhari, Xi Jinping To Discuss Railway, Power Projects

President Muhammadu Buhari will be in South Africa , Thursday to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) taking place in Johannesburg, December 4-5, 2015. At this forum President Buhari will follow up his meeting with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in November in New York.
President Buhari had indicated to Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader at the bilateral meeting in New York that he wanted China to re-commence stalled rail projects under new terms that would see China providing nearly all the financing required.

PDP: We’re Battle-Ready For APC In Bayelsa.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is ready to combat any attempt of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa state.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the PDP, said members had been instructed to defend their votes and counter any attempt to rig the election by the ruling party.
He also alleged that the APC had concluded plans to rig the Bayelsa governorship election “just as it did in the November 21 Kogi governorship election”.

Fuel Scarcity Will Not Happen Again, Says FG.

Federal government has assured Nigerians that the current fuel scarcity in the country will be over in a matter of days, vowing that the situation will not happen again.

“We can confidently announce here today that the scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the end of the year has been approved by the national assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without approval,” Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, said in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Segun Adeyemi, special adviser to the minister, Mohammed explained that the N521bn that had been approved by the national assembly, as part of the passed supplementary budget of N574.4bn, would be enough to cover the fuel subsidy till the end of the year.

Oshiomhole After Me Because I Blocked His ‘Dubious N15bn Loan’ Bid — Okonjo-Iweala

A former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the federal government to call the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to order, saying Mr. Oshiomhole is seeking how to link her to the $2.1 billion arms probe. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she had “absolutely nothing” to do with the arms issue. The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged $ 2.1 billion arms contract. Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was arrested Tuesday. Mr. Oshiomhole was quoted Wednesday by Leadership newspaper as saying the immediate past finance minister, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, should also be prosecuted as they gave approval for funds to be released.

Dasuki Lists Ex-Governors, PDP Chiefs In $2b Deals

FORMER National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has made some “mind-boggling” revelations on the $2billion “phoney” arms contracts, a source said yesterday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a Federal Government committee are probing how huge sums of money meant for procurement of arms went down the drain during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Fayose Bans Tipper Owners

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has banned tipper owners from operating in the state, following their refusal to comply with the new N1,000 per trip tax imposed on them.
The governor also banned sand excavation in the state, following alleged reported cases of destruction of farmlands, farm produce and other valuables.

Enough Is Enough, IGP Tells MASSOB, IPOB

… Orders massive deployment of mobile police personnel to South-East states, others
INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, yesterday warned members of Movement for the Actu­alisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), not to provoke the will of the police and other security agencies with con­tinuous threat to public peace.
Arase said the warning became necessary follow­ing alleged increasing acts of brigandage by MASSOB and IPOB, which threatens national security and public peace in the South-East and conterminous states.

2016 Budget Will Address Nigerians Yearnings – Lai Mohammed

The 2016 budget by the federal government would address the yearnings of Nigerians just as the issue of fuel scarcity will soon be a thing of the past.
The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the declarations yesterday when he visited the headquarters of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers, Abuja.

I Will Discipline, Jail Corrupt Officers – Customs CG

Retired Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller -General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday warned that he would either discipline, dismiss or jail any officer found guilty of corrupt practices.
Ali gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the NCS in Calabar, capital of Cross River.
He said that there was the need for them to be of good conduct and show professionalism while carrying out their duties.

Minister: We Are Awaiting Buhari’s Decision On MTN $5.2bn Fine

The $5.2 billion fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) six weeks ago over regulatory infraction has not been waived, the Federal Government said yesterday.
There have been speculations that talks on waiving the fine for the MTN may be on the agenda in the meeting between presidents Muhammad Buhari and Jacobs Zuma of South Africa when the former visits the latter later during the week.

Reps Plagiarize Bills, Says Gbajabiamila

Some members of the House of Representatives usually copy bills that had been passed and gazetted by previous Assembly to re-table them for consideration on the floor of the lower chamber, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila revealed yesterday.
Gbajabiamila who came under matter of privilege at plenary said it was appalling that despite their level of education, some of his colleagues engage in serious plagiarism at the country’s highest lawmaking body, thereby bastardizing and mocking the legislative process.

Okonjo-Iweala: I Have No Hand In $2.1bn Arms Deal

Former coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance under Goodluck Jonathan administration, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said she has no hand in the arms purchase deals facilitated by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Nkwonjo-Iweala dismissed the allegations by the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole who accused her of participating in the deal, calling the Federal Government to call the governor to order.
The Federal Government is currently investigating the arms purchase deal and many prominent persons were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. President Muhammadu Buhari ordered for Dasuki’s arrest on November 17, after a military investigative panel report indicted him in the $2 billion arms scandal.

N200bn Education Fund Diverted In 2 Years –Senate

Orders probe of Jonathan’s govt
SENATE, yesterday, re­vealed that about N200 bil­lion education tax collected between 2012 and 2013 were diverted to unknown and unspecified uses not recognised in or permitted under the Act setting up the Education Trust Fund.
The funds were diverted during former presidnt Goodluck Jonathan’s ad­ministration. A probe was subsequently ordered.

Making the same Mistake ? FG Seeks US, Israel’s Aid To Crush Boko Haram

Is this not making the same mistake as the Previous administration seeking U.S help and Isreal. Why not go straight to Russia and China for help ? Read bellow.

DETERMINED to crush Boko Haram, the Federal Government yesterday made a passionate plea to the United States and Israel for urgent assistance.
The Minister of Interior, Lt- Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd), made the plea when he hosted the ambassadors of both countries in his office in Abuja. He spoke of government’s readiness to collaborate with the two countries to defeat Boko Haram.
According to the minister; “as you know, this is the hub of internal security arrangement in the country. With five strategic security institutions, there is no doubt that the ministry has a major challenge of dealing with internal security.

Dasuki: Buhari Seeking Vengeance With Corruption Fight –Fayose

EKITI State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has de­scribed the arrest yester­day, of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) by men of the De­partment of State Services (DSS), as continuation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of vengeance. He also said, “disobeying court order and later arresting and detaining the same person the court ordered to be allowed to travel abroad for medicare is the peak of dictatorship.”

Nigeria Has Become A Police State – Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on Wednesday, in a statement issued, raised an alarm over the safety of former Director General, State Security Services, Col Kayode Are whom he said was under attack from some gunmen suspected to be security operatives.
Are who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the acting National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Saraki Clarifies Claim On Senate Bill Proposing Two-Year Jail For Social Media Users.

The Senate has denied introducing any bill aimed at jailing social media users.It made the explanations in a a statement signed by Bamikole Omishore, SA New Media to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, entitled “Clarification on false claim that Senate passed a bill proposing to jail social media users for two years”.

Fayose Warns Buhari, INEC Against Repeating Kogi Debacle In Bayelsa

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against repeating what he described as a “show of shame” that was witnessed in Kogi State governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Fayose warned that “INEC must be mindful of the consequences of perpetrating the same electoral abracabra in Bayelsa State during the Saturday’s December 5 governorship poll.”

Bayelsa Guber: We Will Fight Riggers, Guns Don’t Intimidate Us – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday in Abuja called on its members in Bayelsa to remain vigilant, focused and fearless throughout the State’s governorship election on Dec. 5.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja.
Metuh said the National Working Committee of the PDP had rallied people of Bayelsa and its members to combat anybody or group planning to rig the election.
He advised all, especially INEC officials, both regular and ad hoc, not to allow themselves to be used for manipulation of the poll.