EXCLUSIVE: ‘New PIB’ Strips President Of Discretionary Power To Allocate Oil Blocks.

The new draft of the controversial petroleum industry bill (PIB) strips the president of the discretionary powers to allocate oil blocks, TheCable understands.
The bill now confers the power to allocate petroleum exploration and production leases and licences to the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPRC) which shall be established under the act.
The final draft of the new bill, “Petroleum industry governance and institutional framework bill 2015”, available to TheCable, which was concluded on December 2, 2015, limits the power of the president to appoint members of the board of the regulatory commission.

Nigeria Has No Control Over Its Oil —Akinjide

NIGERIA’S foremost legal luminary and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide, CON, SAN, has disclosed that Nigeria has no oil because its has no control over the resources.
Chief Akinjide made this statement on Tuesday, while delivering a lecture on the topic “Nigeria beyond oil” in continuation of 2015 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, held at the Dapo Aderogba hall, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The former Minister of Justice and Attorney General said “Nigeria knows little or nothing about oil and gas. By now, all our universities should have departments in oil and gas. If you have oil and gas and you do not control it, your economy is not in your hand. Nigeria’s economy is in the hands of foreigners.

Fuel Scarcity: Federal Government Approves ₦407bn For Subsidy

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has confirmed the installment of N407.07 billion for subsidy claims to oil marketers to end the waiting fuel circumstance in the nation. Mrs Adeosun said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that installments made instantly with a specific end goal to convey to a quick end to the waiting fuel crisis which has brought about incredible enduring to Nigerian families and organizations. She likewise said that in spite of dwindling revenues, the Federal government is focused on guaranteeing nonstop availability of fuel to Nigerians.

The installments incorporate unfulfilled obligations from the 2014 money current year and in addition installments for the present year. It is normal that the beneficiaries would guarantee sufficient supply of fuel to end the diligent fuel deficiency in the country. The Minister entreated the real oil marketers to respond the activity by doing everything they can to convey the fuel scarcity to an end and guaranteed to distribute the approved installments under the subsidy plan in the national dailies.

#FuelScarcity, #NewsNigeria

My Life In Danger – Anyim

• Petitions Buhari over online publication’s story
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, has raised the alarm over a perceived threat to his life and property. He has asked President Muhammadu Buhari for extra security.
In a petition over a publication by Sahara Reporters, in which the online medium on December 2, stated that Anyim was under investigation over allegations that he is funding pro-Biafra protests, the former SGF linked it to a sustained media attack on his person.

Nigeria Wouldn’t Have Survived If Jonathan Had Won – Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he does not regret supporting President Muhammadu Buhari during the electioneering, adding that Nigeria would not have survived four more years of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rule.
Soyinka added that the revelation of stolen loot such as the arms purchase fraud justified his position that Nigeria was being run aground by the last administration.

Malpractices In Kogi, Bayelsa Elections Unfortunate, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday lamented that despite government’s efforts aimed at ensuring the conduct of credible elections, some malpractices were witnessed in the recent governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
He called on Nigerians to support all necessary measures aimed at ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country, including the use of card readers and permanent voter cards.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the President as saying this while receiving the new members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council Executive Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Dissolves VIO, Sacks All Officers

The Kaduna State Government on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the state’s Vehicle Inspection Office.
A statement by Samuel Aruwan, the spokesman to the governor, disclosed that the closure of the VIO was due to the corruption and indiscipline of the personnel, and their lack of respect for the public.
The statement also said an Executive Order giving immediate effect to this decision had been signed by the Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

There Is A Link Between Boko Haram, Cattle Rustlers – Katsina Gov

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has said that there is a strong linkage between Boko Haram and cattle rustlers that are terrorising the northern parts of the country.
Masari stated this during the opening ceremony of Two-day Cattle Breeders/Dealers Stakeholders Meeting in Katsina on Tuesday.
He said it was because of the linkage that President Muhammadu Buhari directed all security chiefs to join hands with the governors of eight states in the north-west zone to tackle the menace of rustling.
The governor said Boko Haram insurgents and the cattle rustlers have similar modes of operation by killing people and destroying their property.

Online Publishers Kick Against ‘Anti-Social Media Bill’, Say Senators Are Idle.

The Online Publishers Association (OPA) says the bill for an “Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other matters connected therewith” is evidence that the senate is idle.
The association condemned the motivation, process and purpose of the bill, which passed its second reading at the senate in a record eight days and is now set for a public hearing.
In statement signed by Olufemi Awoyemi, its president, OPA restated its stance with the Nigerian people against the will of the senate.

Fresh Trouble For Dokpesi As EFCC Traces More Funds Nearing N10bn Paid To Him.

The dilemma of the former Chairman and founder of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi seems to have widened with more discoveries by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), There were hints last night that the EFCC had discovered that Dokpesi will have to account for about N10 billion votes for publicity. A source said: ”We have been trying to reconcile records with Dokpesi and he has about N10 billion to account for.”

Fashola Plans ‘Little’ Toll On Federal Highways.

Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, has revealed plans of the federal government to reintroduce highway tolling to raise additional funds to finance road infrastructure and ensure efficient road maintenance.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during his first news conference tagged ‘Setting the Agenda for Delivering Change’, Fashola said that adequate funding of the nation’s road infrastructure would generate job opportunities and reduce unemployment in the country.
“Maintenance would be our watchword. We are setting up a robust maintenance regime to keep our highways in good shape,” he said.

AngloZionist Empire's Puppet, Pirated Radio Biafra’s Nnamdi Kanu Begs Court For Bail.

Nnamdi Kanu, director of Radio Biafra, has asked Adeniyi Ademola, justice of the federal high court, Abuja, to set aside an ex parte order procured by the Department of State Services (DSS) to keep him in detention, and also grant him bail.

Making his brief, Vincent Obetta, Kanu’s counsel, urged the court to grant him three reliefs.

One of the reliefs was that the court admit his client to bail, and that it should strike out the charge of terrorism against him.

PDP To Buhari: You’re Inflicting Hardship On Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that his policies and apparent lack of viable economic initiatives are currently inflicting hardship on Nigerians.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday said it is disheartening that the Buhari administration had remained insensitive and unresponsive to the groaning of Nigerians occasioned by the apparent lack of competent hands in the management of the economy.

Muslim Americans Beg Donald Trump To Stop Accusations

Muslim Americans are pleading with Donald Trump to stop encouraging violence in demanding a “complete” halt to Muslim immigration after a New York shopkeeper was beaten in a possible hate crime.
Republican presidential frontrunner Trump’s inflammatory call is part of what activists have described as an unprecedented anti-Muslim backlash following the Paris attacks and the shooting in California by a couple believed to have turned extremist.

Fuel Subsidy Removal: Now Is Best Time To Act, World Bank Tells Buhari

The World Bank has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to act now if he is seriously considering the removal of fuel subsidy. The World Bank’s Lead Economist, John Litwack, said Tuesday the best time to take such decision is now.

Anti-Social Media Bill: Protesters Take Grievance To National Assembly

 The anti social media protest was Tuesday morning taken to the National Assembly by protesters against the ongoing law to gag the online platform by the nation’s lawmakers.
Protesters with placards reading, “Social Media Bill is anti-people” were chorusing “we no go gree o” in obvious angst, asking the lawmakers to stop further actions on the bill. They were however stopped at the first gate by heavily armed Policemen who insisted they would not be allowed to enter the National Assembly.

Yoruba People Are Honest And Have Integrity – Osinbajo

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has identified honesty, integrity, and hard work as integral attribute that are inherent in among Yoruba people.
He made this assertion in Ile-Ife on Monday during the coronation of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, as the 51st traditional ruler of the ancient town.
Describing events such as the coronation as rare and very historic in all ramifications, particularly to the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race, the Vice President brought to the attention of the new Ooni the great responsibilities lying ahead of him.

Dasuki Begs Court To Stop Moves To Revoke His Bail

ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has deferred the trial of the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, till January 20, 2016.
The matter which was originally scheduled for hearing Tuesday, was stalled by a preliminary objection Dasuki raised through his team of lawyers led by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN.

No Boko Haram Sponsor ’ll Go Unpunished — FG

ABUJA— President Muhammadu Buhari administration will not spare Boko Haram sponsors, in the fight to rid the nation of terrorists and their backers, the Minister of Informational and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.
Addressing a press conference on the successes recorded by the Nigerian military and other security agencies in the anti-Boko Haram war, in Abuja, yesterday, he said due process would be followed in bringing those behind the terrorists to book.

Yoruba Leaders Task Buhari On Constitutional Reforms

LEADERS under the auspices of Yoruba Summit met in Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday and asked the Federal Government to look critically into causes of separatist feelings and initiate constitutional reforms to give sense of belonging to all constituent units of the country.
Conveners of the sum- mit include Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chairman of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, Chairman of Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Agbekoya.

Resign As Petroleum Minister Now, Ezeife Tells Buhari

Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as petroleum minister now against the backdrop of the lingering fuel scarcity across the country.
The works of a petroleum minister, Ezeife said are many and, “too challenging to be combined with the numerous and complex jobs of President and Commander-in-Chief at a critical time like this.”
Ezeife said the results of such multiple jobs would be lack of focus and inefficiency and pointed out that these have already been bringing untold hardship on the citizenry.

Biafra: IPOB, MASSOB Declare Ceasefire On Protests

•Kanu asks court to quash detention order
Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), have announced a ceasefire on protest in the South-East and some parts of the South-South.
The groups were masterminds of series of protests, which rocked the South-East recently.
In a joint statement made available to newsmen in Enugu yesterday, the groups announced resolve to halt demonstrations and protests to pave way for what they called the much-published dialogue on Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Dasuki, Dokpesi, Others Charged With Money Maundering

ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, slammed 43-count charge on former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd); former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir.
Others charged with them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on behalf of the Federal Government are: High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc and Daar Investment and Holdings Limited; former Finance Director in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and Aminu Baba Kusa.

Benin Republic To Send 800 Soldiers To Nigeria

Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Boni Yayi, has pledged to send 800 soldiers to fight alongside Nigerian troops.
Yayi’s disclosure came on a day President Buhari also charged him to ensure that he conducted a credible election that would herald his exit from office next year.
The visiting President. who addressed State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with his host at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, stated that the soldiers were battle ready.
According to him, Benin Republic would always stand by the government of President Buhari to ensure he succeeds in office.

Your Anti-Corruption War Cannot Solve All Our Problems – Mimiko, Yoruba Leaders Tell Buhari

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko and some leaders of Yoruba, today said President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war would do little in solving Nigeria’s challenges, unless the federation is restructured.

Mimiko and the leaders spoke at the second edition of Yoruba Summit held in Akure, the Ondo State Capital with the theme, “Economic Downturn and Unemployment in Yorubaland.”
Yoruba leaders in attendance included Afenifere leader, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), Ambassador Yemi Farohunbi, Otunba Gani Adams, and Sehinde Arogbofa.