Nigerians Must Support Anti-Corruption War –Kashamu

SENATOR Buruji Kashamu is a household name in Nigeria. Cur­rently, he is the lawmaker rep­resenting Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assem­bly and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration. At an interactive session with some journalists, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including the ongoing anti-corruption cam­paign of the Federal Govern­ment, among others. Excerpts:
What are your views on the na­tion’s state of affairs?

Pipeline Bombings: Nigerian Military Declare War On Militants, Comb Creeks

Tompolo writes Buhari, accuses APC chieftain of masterminding attacks

COMMANDER of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Ma­jor General Okunola, who led his troop to inspect one of the blown up pipelines at Egwa II community in Warri South West, has said the Army will hold commu­nity leaders in whose domain such bombing took place re­sponsible for any act of sabo­tage in their area.  He said that the Federal Government would do all it can to bring the saboteurs of national assets to book as they were already closing in on the criminals. Okunola said henceforth, security agencies would en­force extant law banning the use of outboard engines with 200 HP and above.

At $29 Per Barrel: Oil Markets Tumble As Iran Begins Production

Global oil prices are in for a tumble this week after Iran said it was ready to add half a million barrels a day to crude exports after international sanctions were lifted this weekend.
The prospect of Iran flooding the market with more crude had already dented prices last week, pushing Brent crude below $30 a barrel, to $29.20 by yesterday.
Iran’s return to the international oil market may worsen the global oil glut as the country looks to ramp up its crude oil exports with estimated 500,000 barrels per day.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, hailed a “glorious victory” as his country relished reconnecting to the global economy following the formal announcement, late on Saturday, that sanctions were ending thanks to moves by Tehran to scale back its nuclear programme.

PDP Concocting My Interviews To Discourage Frequent Defection – Tinubu

Former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of concocting interviews supposedly granted by him to discourage frequent defection of its members and chieftains.
Tinubu, who stated this in a statement made available to journalists by his media office yesterday, insisted that he never granted any interview where he said he is afraid that the PDP will stop Buhari in 2019.

Falana To Buhari: Grant Presidential Pardon To Convicted Soldiers

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has written an open letter to Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari asking for presidential pardon for all convicted members of the armed forces.
Falana who defended the soldiers accused of mutiny in court, explained to Buhari that at the trials the only “offence” proved against the accused soldiers was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the well armed terrorists. But the soldiers whose cases were handled by us anchored their defence on Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which permits “a soldier, rating or aircraftman to make a complaint to his commanding officer and that he shall not be penalised for having made a complaint”.

If Chief Obafemi Awolowo Reincarnates Today, He Will Join The APC – Alaafin

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has attributed his close to six-year cordial relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to the monarch’s altruism, understanding and sense of balancing in all matters since he became governor. The governor made the revelation during a celebratory session between the Alaafin and Oyo Metro community as part of activities marking the monarch’s 45th coronation anniversary, in Oyo, on Saturday. Describing the monarch in glowing terms, the governor said that their intimacy had continued to surprise many people; especially those he said had predicted that the monarch’s support for him would not last beyond one year. He urged Yoruba sons and daughters to accord more respect to the stool of Alaafin, whom he described as a repertoire of Yoruba history and culture, savvy and intellectually deep.

Burkina Faso: 126 Hostages Freed, 3 Militants Killed as Hotel Siege Ends

News emerged of gunmen taking over a hotel close to the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino restaurant in the capital of Burkina Faso where a security rescue operation recently ended after an unknown number of gumen linked to al-Qaeda took hostages, according to AFP with reference to the Security and Internal Affairs minister.


LAGOS – A security operation at a hotel and restaurant in the capital of Burkina Faso has finished with 126 hostages freed and four militants killed, the Security and Internal Affairs minister said.
Up to 33 people have been wounded in the hours-long siege at the Splendid hotel and Cappuccino cafe in Ougadougou claimed by al-Qaeda in Maghreb, France Info news radio cited Burkinabe Interior Minister Simon Compaore as saying.

EFCC Slams 7-Count Charge Of Corruption On PDP Spokesman, Metuh

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a seven-count charge of corruption against the spokesperson of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh.
The EFCC also listed a former Board of Trustees chairman of the PDP, Tony Anenih, as one of the recipients of payments from N400 million it says Mr. Metuh received from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The first four counts, filed Thursday, accuse Mr. Metuh of receiving N400 million from Mr. Dasuki.
Here are the details of the charge:

Boko Haram Terrorists Now Disguise As Fruit And Vegetable Sellers – Nigerian military

The Nigerian military has warned the public of a new tactic in use by the extremist Boko Haram sect to move Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) around in order to unleash deadly attacks on the public.
A statement by the acting director, defence information, Rabe Abubakar, said the military found that members of the terrorist group now disguise as legitimate fruit and vegetable sellers to smuggle IEDs within groceries to crowded areas.
Mr Abubakar advised the public to be on the alert of this tactics by the terrorists and not to hesitate in reporting any suspicious persons to security agencies.

2.5 million unwanted pregnancies prevented in Nigeria – Report

The Society for Family Health has said that no fewer than 2.5 million unwanted pregnancies were prevented in Nigeria between 2009 and 2014 through an initiative, Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS.

The initiative also facilitated the distribution of 1.2 billion male and four million female condoms, as well as an increase in access to condoms in rural areas from 50 per cent in 2007 to 90 per cent in 2014.

The SFH Managing Director, Mr. Bright Ekweremadu, made this known at an ENR programme in Abuja.

Transport Minister, Amaechi Emerges Ohanaeze Igbo Man Of The Year

National Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing on Thursday, said “the former Governor of Rivers State from the Ikwerre sub Igbo clan won the award after a stiff poll organised by the OYC.”
While disclosing that the award will officially be conferred on Hon Amaechi on Saturday, 30th January, 2015 at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, he stated that the Deputy Senate President, Chief Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged as the outstanding Igbo politician of the year.

Metuh Transferred N21m To Anenih, EFCC Alleges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that a former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Anenih, benefited from the N400million allegedly received by the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh.


EFCC accused Metuh of receiving the N400m from “an unlawful activity” of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

January 15 1966 Coup: It Was The Quarrel Between Mrs. Awolowo And Mrs. Akintola — Yakassai

D r. Tanko Yakassai was an active political player in the First Republic having held several national positions in the defunct Northern Elements Peoples Union, NEPU among which were National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader, National Organising Secretary and subsequently National Secretary of the Aminu Kano led party. In the Second Republic he shifted to the National Party of Nigeria, NPN and was the Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly. He currently chairs the Northern Elders’ Council. He speaks on the factors that led to the January 15, 1966 coup and the consequences thereafter.

Buhari Copied Jonathan’s Budget – Soludo

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo has stated that the 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was almost the same as the one presented by his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. According to Soludo, the present budget was a carbon copy of the one by Jonathan’s government, adding that defeating old bad ideas could be better that initiating new ones.

Court Remands Metuh In Kuje Prison.

A federal high court in Abuja has remanded Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kuje prison. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had earlier arrested Metuh, arraigned him on a seven-count charge but Metuh pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Ifedayo Adedipe, Metuh’s counsel, filed an oral application for bail but the prosecuting counsel opposed the application. In his ruling, Okon Abang, the presiding judge, ordered that the application be properly filed so that the EFCC could respond before it would be entertained. Obong directed that the PDP spokesman be transferred to the prison from EFCC custody. More to follow...

Iranian Navy Commander: Coast-to-Sea Missiles Readied to Fire at US Warship

After Iran arrested ten US sailors on Tuesday, the Iranian Navy locked its missiles on an American aircraft carrier deployed in the region, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said. Iran seized and detained two US Navy boats on Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. Tehran claims the personnel were in Iranian territorial waters illegally when they were captured.

The Americans have since been released. Following the capture, two US and French aircraft carriers, along with their accompanying fleets and military aircraft, began operations near Iranian waters. "The USS Truman Aircraft carrier showed unprofessional moves for 40 minutes after the detention of the trespassers, while we were highly prepared with our coast-to-sea missiles, missile-launching speedboats and our numerous capabilities," Fadavi said, according to Fars News Agency.

FG approves $200 million loan for Lagos

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, today approved a $200 million loan for Lagos state government. Announcing this to state house correspondents after the FEC meeting, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Works, road and Power Babatunde Fashola, said the loan was part of a $600 million loan granted by World Bank to finance the construction of roads and other infrastructural development projects in the state.

Buhari May Spend One Term In Office, ‘president Already Has A Successor In Mind’

Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC National leader has hinted at the possibility of President Buhari spending a single tenure in office. He discussed this while expressing concerns over the wave of defections by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tinubu who spoke to newsmen betrayed his political body language and showed concerns about the defections from the opposition party to the ruling party.

Iran Has US Navy GPS Equipment, Will Prove 'American Ships Were Snooping

Iran's semiofficial Fars new agency reported the two US Navy boats detained in the Persian Gulf had illegally traveled more than a mile into Iran's territorial waters, and that GPS equipment confiscated by Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy forces would "prove that the American ships were 'snooping' around in Iranian waters."


The Pentagon reported earlier Tuesday that it briefly lost contact with two small US Navy boats operating in the Persian Gulf. The vessels were picked up by Iran, which has assured Washington that both ships and all crew members would be returned to the US "promptly."

Vladimir Putin’s interview with the German newspaper Bild

Question: Mr President,

We have just marked the 25th anniversary of the end of the Cold War. Last year, we witnessed a great number of wars and crises across the world, something that had not happened for many years. What did we do wrong?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: You have started just with the key question. We did everything wrong from the outset. We did not overcome Europe’s division: 25 years ago the Berlin Wall fell, but Europe’s division was not overcome, invisible walls simply moved to the East. This created the foundation for mutual reproaches, misunderstanding, and crises in the future. Many people, including in the Federal Republic [of Germany], criticise me for my well-known speech at the Munich Conference on Security. But what was so unusual that I said?

Ban On US Exports: Obama Retaliates, Suspends South Africa From Trade Benefits

U.S. President, Barack Obama, on Tuesday, said America would suspend duty-free benefits for South Africa on March 15, a move that could cost South Africa up to seven million dollars.
He said this in Washington, adding that the suspension was because South Africa failed to meet the requirements of a trade deal.
He noted that “I have determined that South Africa is not meeting the requirements and that suspending the application of duty-free treatment to certain goods will be more effective in promoting compliance.”

Buhari Hates Free And Fair Election – PDP

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being against a free and fair election.PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said this in a statement on Monday.
He noted that the victory it recorded in the election in Bayelsa was a product of the resilience of the people of the state whom he said rejected the APC by voting enmass for the PDP.
“In fact, the steadfastness and resilience shown by the people, particularly in Southern Ijaw will go down in history as one of the many sacrifices made to defend democracy in the land.

PDP Reps Issue 48hr Ultimatum To EFCC To Release Metuh

PDP Members of the House of Representatives yesterday issued a 48 hour ultimatum to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release party spokesman Olisa Metuh who has been in its custody. The EFCC has accused Metuh of receiving N400 million from the embattled former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki. Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said the spokesman had not been released owing to his refusal to refund the money traced to his company.
Speaking at a press briefing, PDP caucus leader Leo Ogor said it was illegal to detain Metuh beyond the allowed 48 hours.

We Have Decimated Boko Haram – Chief Of Defense Staff

The Nigerian Military yesterday insisted that troops operating in the North East have decimated Boko Haram terrorists to the point that it can no longer launch attacks and claim territories.
Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, said in a statement that: “Boko Haram has been degraded and they are not fit any longer to carry out coordinated attacks; but of course suicide bombings are an issue we are still battling with.”

$2.1 Billion Arms Scandal: Angry Olisa Metuh Tears Statement He Made To EFCC

The embattled spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday tore a statement he voluntarily made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding his alleged involvement in the $2.1billion arms fraud being investigated by the anti-graft agency.
Those familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Metuh tore the statement after it was presented to him by the investigating officer for endorsement, as part of preparations for his prosecution.