INTERVIEW: Oil Workers Will Resist Fuel Subsidy Removal – PENGASSAN President

The national president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, tells PREMIUM TIMES how workers view the proposed deregulation of the petroleum sector by the federal government.
PT: Deregulation of the petroleum industry means different things to different people – government, investors, marketers, etc. What does it mean to oil workers?
Johnson: Deregulation is a universal economic concept that promotes free market enterprise. When the regulator relaxes regulation and permits market forces to determine the means of production and distribution of an economic product, deregulation is achieved.

President Muhammadu Buhari To Block all leakages in revenue

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that by blocking all leakages in revenue generation and eliminating waste, the country will generate enough revenue from internal sources to finance the N6 trillion budget he submitted to the National Assembly last week.
President Muhammadu Buhari.

S’South Not Part Of Biafra, Kokori Tells MASSOB

Human rights activist and former labour union leader, Chief Frank Kokori, has berated the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra for saying that the South-South is part of the struggle for the creation of a Biafra Republic.

MASSOB had said in a statement on Sunday that “anybody who says that Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River states are not part of Biafra is deceiving himself.”
It said the listed states were Biafran territories and that Biafra comprises all the states of the former eastern region, including the Anioma community in Delta State.
“It has been part of the Federal Government’s policy of divide and rule to tell the world that only the Ndigbo want Biafra; but this is false,” MASSOB said in the statement.

Boko Haram Attacks Maiduguri With Female Suicide Bombers

The terrorist sect, Boko Haram has left people in troubled Maiduguri anxious and frightened after unleashing female suicide bombers on the Borno State capital. Over 60 persons have been killed in attacks by the insurgents in the last 24 hours on the town. Many of the attacks were from female suicide bombers smuggled by the insurgents into the town after confrontations with the military believed to be a decoy.

I Didn’t Plan To Lose Boko Haram War –Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he did not plan to lose the Boko Haram war as is being suggested by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan spoke on Sunday in reaction to an interview Buhari granted the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation.  In the interview, Buhari accused the Jonathan administration of deliberately provoking Nigerian soldiers into mutiny by its actions and turning round to arrest and prosecute the soldiers.

He said the past administration, while fighting terrorists, sent soldiers to the battlefield without arms and ammunition.

Obasanjo Advises Rich Nigerians On Job Creation

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to give back to the communities where they hail from, in order to stem the tide of rural-urban migration and unemployment among youths.
He also said this would engender rural development in the country.
Obasanjo made the call while delivering his goodwill message at the 2015 edition of the Ibogun-Olaogun Day held on Saturday at Ibogun- Olaogun Village, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Top 10 Most Vibrant Senators of 2015

The year 2015 has come and almost gone, yet the 8th Senate has recorded significant progress, as well as faced a number of challenges.

The distinguished Senators of the 8th National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Bukola Saraki have all in one way or the other contributed immensely to the successes and achievements of the 8th Senate thus far and most importantly to the growth and development of Nigeria as a whole.

US Plot to Evacuate its Top tier 2 ISIS Jihadis From Ramadi Uncovered

A US plot to evacuate Daesh leaders from the strategic city of Ramadi in central Iraq has reportedly been disclosed by a volunteer forces commander.


An Iraqi volunteer forces commander has revealed US plans to evacuate Daesh (ISIL/ISIS) leaders from the central Iraqi city of Ramadi, according to the Iranian news agency FARS.
The disclosure comes as the Iraqi army and popular troops are attempting to secure victory over the jihadist group in Ramadi.

Week Twelve of the Russian Intervention in Syria: Zag!

This colums was originally written for the Unz Review: http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-twelve-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-zag/

In last week’s review of the Russian military intervention in Syria I wrote that Kerry had lost every single negotiation he ever had with the Russians and that he had a record of agreeing to A only to come back to the US and then declare non-A. This time again, the Americans did not change their modus operandi, except that it was Obama himself who declared, yet again, that Assad must go, resulting in some commentators speaking of a “White House Schizophrenia”. Others, however, notedthat this could be simply a case of face saving denials. Personally, I think that both of these explanations are correct.

ISIS Defeated In Ramadi

The Iraqi forces have effectively liberated the last ISIS stronghold in the city. The Iraqi forceshave taken control of the last stronghold of ISIS in the town of Ramadi. As per the representative of the forces Sabah al-Numani, the following step is to guarantee that there are no fighters left in the town.

NEMESIS! Man Electrocuted Trying To Steal Electric Cable In Kaduna

An unidentified middle age man was electrocuted at the early hours of Sunday while trying to steal electric cable at a power supply installation in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident happened at Accra Crescent by LEA Primary School, Unguwar Rimi.

The traditional ruler of teh area, Dan Iyar Unguwar Rimi, Alhaji Muhammad Gidado, confirmed the incident.

Gidado said that the corpse of the vandal was evacuated from the scene by the police from Unguwar Rimi Division.
According to him, the vandal was unknown to them in the area and urged law enforcement agencies to step-up patrol as the community has suffered from the activities of vandals lately.

Jesus Was Not Born On December 25 - Femi Aribisala

Jesus was born on the Feast of Tabernacles. He was not born on “Christmas Day.”

Jesus was not born on December 25. That is the date of a pagan festival of the sun god Tammuz merged with Christianity under Constantine. However, the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles.
Coming of Elijah

Appeal about the fate of Ana Belen Montes

To  all our American progressive friends:

We are writing this note to you from Cuba with a heartfelt desire to let you know about the formation of the Cuba Committee, which presently  manages the campaign for a better treatment and a possible pardon for Ana Belen Montes

Top Syrian Terrorist Leader Zahran Alloush Killed in Syria

Zahran Alloush, head of the Jaysh al-Islam terrorist group which ,operates in the suburbs of Damascus, was reportedly killed in an airstrike on Dec.25.


The airstrike targeted the headquarters of Jaysh al-Islam in the Damascus area.  Jaysh al-Islam is a coalition of different terrorist groups mainly headquartered in the Damascus neighborhoods’ of Eastern Ghouta and Doum. The coalition includes such groups as Al Nusra.

Bail: Dasuki, Others To Spend Christmas In Kuje Prisons

A former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who is being prosecuted for two sets of charges before two judges of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has yet to meet the conditions of the bail granted him last Friday and on Monday.
A source close to the ex-NSA confirmed to our correspondent at about 10pm on Wednesday that Dasuki and some of the accused persons had yet to meet the bail conditions, particularly the ones granted them last Friday.

Buhari Should Extend Anti-Graft War To APC – Tsav

Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, says all those found guilty in the arms deal scandal should be executed. He also speaks on the insurgency in the North-East and 2019 presidency
What is your take on the revelations by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and others on diversion of funds meant for purchase of arms during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan administration?

APC Denies Owing Staff December Salaries

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has debunked a report that December salaries of its staff were yet to be paid.
In a release titled “Re: Payment of APC staff salaries”, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, noted that: “The attention of the APC has been drawn to a false report published in some national Newspapers on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, alleging that employees of the party have not been paid salaries for December.

PDP Urges Nigerians Not To Insult Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party has urged Nigerians to use this year’s Eid-El-Maulud and Christmas to offer special prayers for the unity and stability of the nation as well as recommit their individual and collective security and economic welfare into the hands of God.

IMF Predicts Oil Could Slump To $20 In 2016.

The days ahead may just be harder than envisaged as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says crude oil prices may slump to as low as $20 per barrel in 2016.

Following the release of the “IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation with Iran” report, the body highlighted that the price of crude oil could drop between $5 and $15 in 2016.
According to IMF, the dwindling oil prices would not have overtly negative effect on Iran, whose gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise four to 5.5 percent by 2017.

Bayelsa Communities Drag Chevron To US Court Over 2012 Oil Rig Explosion

Coastal communities in Bayelsa State impacted by the January 16, 2012 KS Endeavour Rig Explosion in Chevron’s oil field have dragged the oil firm to a San Francisco court in the United States of America.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that representatives of victims visited Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, on Thursday, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Alagoa Morris, Coordinator of the Lead Plaintiffs, said that the team’s advocacy visit to the commissioner was to solicit the support of the state government in the legal action.

Buhari To Nigerians: 'We Will Keep Our Promise'

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his party's 'Change' slogan is no gimmick as he is determined to fulfill the promises he made to Nigerians.
In his Christmas message to Nigerians made available to the media in Abuja, on Thursday, he also reaffirmed that his administration would recover stolen funds and block leakages.
The president urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the current state of the economy and security, saying that never again would the nation be held to ransom by any group.

US Blocks UK Muslim Family From Boarding Plane To Disneyland.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said Wednesday he will look into a lawmaker’s claim that United States officials prevented a British Muslim family of 11 from flying to Disneyland for a planned holiday, The Associated Press reported.  Stella Creasy, a member of the opposition Labour Party, says U.S. officials gave no explanation for refusing to allow her constituents to board a flight from Gatwick Airport on Dec. 15.

A top Muslim group said cases like it appear to be related to religion and are worrying for British Muslims, and that a lack of information from U.S. officials is distressing.

We Will Wait For Outcome Of MTN's Suit Before Enforcing $3.9bn Fine, Says FG

Nigeria will await the outcome of a court case filed by mobile phone operator, MTN, before any enforcement of a $3.9 billion fine against the South African firm, a spokesman for the telecommunications ministry said, on Wednesday.  "The Federal Government, NCC (regulator) or any government agent will not do anything at the expiration of the December 31 deadline that MTN had to pay the fine," the spokesman said. "Now that they (MTN) have gone to court, we will await the outcome of the case," he added.
Tribune.

2016 Budget, Nigeria’s Best Ever – Opadokun

A renowned legal practitioner and rights activist, Chief Ayo Opadokun, has described the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari as the best ever in the nation’s history.  Speaking with journalists during the 13th edition of Ayo Opadokun’s Christmas Carol in Offa, Kwara State, the former General Secretary of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), said the budget is practically pro-masses.

Ghana Minister Resigns Over Bus Branding

Ghana’s transport minister has resigned after reports that her ministry overspent 3.6 million cedis ($947,000) to paint more than 100 buses in national colours and with portraits of Ghana’s recent leaders.

The branding, by a private firm, involved respraying the imported passenger coaches and adding pictures of the country’s last four leaders, including current President John Mahama, Reuters reported.  Opposition groups and anti-corruption bodies have raised concern over the money spent, which they said was far too much, forcing the presidency to set up an investigation.