Buhari Lobbies N’assembly On Passage Of 2016 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari has intensified efforts to get the 2016 budget passed into law without further hitches and delay by the National Assembly.

THISDAY checks monday revealed that Buhari, in a bid to ensure that all impediments surrounding the passage of the budget were laid to rest, met last Wednesday with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, seeking their cooperation on the smooth passage of the Appropriation Bill.

See List Of Sons, Daughters, Relatives Of Buhari, Atiku, IGP Arase, GMD Of NNPC, Ministers Illegally Employed By CBN -

A list has been obtained of at least 91 people tied to influential or highly placed Nigerians who were recently offered juicy appointments by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a hiring process that was highly secretive.

The list of beneficiaries of the CBN’s job largesse include a daughter of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, a son of Mamman Daura, a nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari and one of the closest members of the president’s inner circle, a son of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, a daughter of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’aba,  also daughter of of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, a since of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdurahman Danbazzau and at least 86 others.

Photo: Mourners, police fight over corpse of NURTW member -

There was tension in the Bolade, Oshodi area of Lagos State on Monday as mourners and family members fought off efforts by policemen from the Akinpelu division to take away the corpse of a slain member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Akeem Lawanson, 38.

His younger brother took the keys to the room where his remains were kept and left house 17, Ariibi Oke Street, where the incident happened, leaving the police bewildered.

The policemen, who attempted to break into the room where the corpse was laid, later gave up and went back to their station.

Our correspondent, who witnessed the drama, gathered that Akeem was attacked by a gang around 4am on Monday while he went out to urinate.

N36.4bn meant for construction of dams released to NSA's office in 2014- Auditor-General of the Federation says

The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation yesterday presented its 2014 annual report to the National Assembly detailing what it described as ‘massive fraud and financial irregularities in the NNPC and other government agencies’.‎

The Auditor-General, Samuel Ukara‎ said N36.4 billion which was meant for the construction of dams was released to the office of the National Security Adviser in 2014 as special funds.

Fundamentalism on the rise: a Sunni-Jewish Convergence

by Ghassan Kadi

In an article published in the Lebanese daily Assafir on 12th of March 2016 under the title of “Saudi Arabia paves the way for an Israelis war on Lebanon”, (1) the political editor sarcastically and mockingly made a comment to the effect that after the Arab League declared Hezbollah a terrorist organisation, it may formally ask Israel to engage in a war against it.

As a matter of fact, this is not a far-fetched possibility and more so, is increasingly becoming a geo-political “necessity”.

Europeans Staring at Total Failure in Ukraine

by Alexander Mercouris for Russia Insider

Increasingly frantic diplomatic efforts by European leaders show growing desperation to settle Ukrainian crisis before failure of sanctions policy becomes obvious.

As the political situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate – with the government paralysed as a result of the power struggle between Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk – the Europeans are becoming increasingly desperate.

They are also becoming increasingly frustrated with the Ukrainians whose intransigence is prolonging the crisis.

However the Europeans have no exit strategy and are staring at total failure.

Osinbajo’s Trip To India Not Cancelled - Presidency

ABUJA – The Presidency has refuted some media reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s trip to India tomorrow had been cancelled following the journey of President Mohammadu Buhari’s to Equatorial Guinea.

The Vice President is billed for Indian/African summit.

Some online media had reported that the Vice President cancelled his trip to avoid the Senate President, Bukola Saraki from taking the mantle of leadership as Acting President in the absence of the president and his vice.

The report added that the protocol officers made a blunder by scheduling the two trips to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for the President and India for India at the same time.

Nigeria Is Sliding Into Economic Recession Under Buhari’s Watch – Olisa Agbakoba

Barely 10 months into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (2006–2008), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, takes a critical look at the state of the nation.

Agbakoba, who argues that Nigeria was already sliding into recession, given its equal negative growths in two quarters, however, advises Buhari on how to save the nation.

Excerpts:
10 months into the administration of President Buhari, there is this argument that the administration doesn’t have an economic team or policy, thus the slide into current economic crisis. What’s your take?

Mob Attacks Fraudsters In Sango, Ibadan , Destroys Their Operational Car (pic)

The month of February did not end well for the trio of Ayobami Akintunde (50), Niniola Abiola (48) and Monsurat Kareem (40), as they were almost lynched by an irate mob at Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State, over suspected kidnapping. They were, however, saved by policemen from Sango Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, one SP Joyce, who was joined by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Oyo State Police Command.

Saturday Tribune’s findings, which were confirmed by the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, during a press briefing on Monday, March 7, however revealed that the suspects were conmen who belonged to a syndicate popularly called Gbajue or 419, who fraudulently obtained money from unsuspecting victims by playing on their psychology.

$2.1bn Arms Deals: N1.5bn Traced To Ex-minister’s Son-the Nation

Dasuki’s ex-aide loses embassy job

A bureau de change operator has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that N1.5billion was paid into his account for the son of a former Minister of Finance.

Salisu Umaru said he did not know what the minister’s son used the cash for. The former minister and his son were not named “so as not to jeopardise the investigation”. The cash is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion “phoney” arms deals funds.

Also at the weekend, it was learnt that the army has replaced one of its officers under probe for the phoney arms deals, Col. Nicholas Ashinze, with Col. M.A. Abdullahi as the nation’s military attaché to Germany.

APC Sweeps Sokoto Local Government Polls

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seat in the Local Government elections conducted on Saturday in Sokoto State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the results were declared in Sokoto on Sunday by Usman Abubakar, the Chairman, State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC.
Mr. Abubakar, who announced that APC won all the 22 Chairmanship seat and 234 Councillorship seat, described the poll as `free, fair and credible.’

8-Year-Old Children Among Bauchi "Teachers" On Payroll Of Govt. - Committee

A committee setup by Bauchi State Government to fish out ghost workers said that it had discovered names of eight-year old children as “teachers” on the payroll of the government.
Alhaji Abubakar Gabi, State Accountant-General and also a member of the committee, made this known on Monday in Bauchi in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“We have discovered that names of children between eight and ten years of age appeared as ‘teachers’ on the payroll of the state.

APC National Working Committee In Rivers State Ahead Of Rerun Election. PICS

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee led by its Acting National Chairman, former governor of Ekiti State, Olusegun Oni, has arrived Rivers State on a working visit. The visit comes ahead of the March 19 state and National Assembly rerun election.. The party leaders were pictured on arrival at the Port-Harcourt airport....

Syria's Downed MiG-21: How Russian Aircraft Will Defend Themselves

A Syrian Air Force MiG-21US went down near an airfield in Hama province on Saturday. Conflicting reports have emerged over whether the aircraft crashed due to a technical failure, or was downed by jihadist militants; Russian analysts are questioning whether the terrorists now possess anti-aircraft missiles, and whether Russian planes are safe.

US and Russia Begin Race for Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet

As Russia and the United States develop concepts for sixth-generation fighter jets, we look at the main demands made by the countries' militaries and the issues the projects would have to overcome.

As both the US' F-35 and Russia's T-50 programs are nearing completion, the militaries and defense industries of both countries are beginning to look into what could be the next generation of jet fighters.

While the F-35 had issues as a result of both computer problems and cost overruns, and the T-50 ran into delays as a result of engine issues, both countries are now looking at what the next generation of fighter jets could look like. Currently, Russia's Sukhoi plans to present a prototype in the 2020s, while the US' Boeing is planning a 2030 release date.

At Least 27 People Killed After Major Explosion in Ankara

An explosion that hit the center of Ankara on Sunday killed at least 27 people, 75 injured.

An explosion at a bus stop in Ankara caused at least 27 people killed and multiple wounded, according to reports.

Some 27 people were killed and 75 injured in an explosion that struck the Turkish capital on Sunday evening, the office of the mayor of Ankara confirmed.

VIDEO: Alleged footage of the moment of the blast in #Ankara #Turkey - @AEJKhalilpic.twitter.com/0xgtNR4z6A

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) 13 марта 2016 г.
According to reports, a bus laden with explosives blew up near a bus stop, leaving dozens of cars ablaze.

Hellfire Missiles Heading to US Found in Passenger Aircraft in Serbia

Serbian authorities have started an investigation into reports that two air-to-surface missiles, presumably destined for the US, were found in a passenger aircraft.

According to Serbian news agency Tanjug, Air Serbia, the largest air Serbian carrier, has confirmed that an undisclosed "package" was discovered by a sniffer dog aboard a passenger aircraft, "thanks to the strict measures of security control".

North Korea Threatens to Vaporize Manhattan in Response to Joint Exercises

North Korea claims to be in possession of a hydrogen bomb that could vaporize Manhattan, should it be launched on an intercontinental ballistic missile.

According to North Korean news agency DPRK Today, North Korea claims to possess all the technology needed to commit a successful launch in case of offensive actions taken by South Korea and the US, currently conducting joint military exercises on South Korean territory.
"Our hydrogen bomb is much bigger than the one developed by the Soviet Union… If this H-bomb were to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile and fall on Manhattan in New York City, all the people there would be killed immediately, and the city would burn down to ashes," DPRK Today reported.

Nigerians Will Be Shocked If I Reveal How Much Wike Has Stolen —Amaechi

•He is monstrously corrupt, needs psychiatric test —Wike
The war of attrition between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his predecessor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, continued on Saturday.
The duo, among several others, accused each other of massive corruption and also implicated themselves in an alleged plan to cause violent crisis in the legislative rerun election scheduled to take place in the state next Saturday.
Throwing the first salvo, former Governor Amaechi, while speaking on a radio programme, monitored in Port Harcourt, alleged that Wike had so far received above N50 billion but his administration had nothing to show for it.

DSS Wants To Get Me Impeached At All Costs, Says Fayose

Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has lambasted the Department of State Services (DSS) over what he described as the illegal arrest of some public officials of the state to destabilise his government.
Governor Fayose alleged while speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti that the intention of the arrests was to get him impeached, saying that they had engaged a wrong customer.

Fayose said he would be a hard nut to crack for President Muhammadu Buhari, and lamented how the DSS had allegedly usurped the statutory roles of the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), “just because of desperation and attempt to get at me at all costs.”
Fayose said this in his official reaction to the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo in Ado Ekiti on Friday, ordering the DSS to release a detained lawmaker, Honourable Afolabi Akanni, with immediate effect.

The Real Change: DOLLAR SCARCITY:manufacturers turn to local raw materials.

The scarcity of foreign exchange has forced some manufacturers to look inwards for raw materials, investigation has shown.

Manufacturers who spoke to our correspondent said they had embarked on urgent search for raw materials and substitutes that could be sourced locally because access to forex through the official route was near impossible while getting it through the black market was very expensive.

The fall in global oil prices has weakened the naira against the dollar while the Central Bank of Nigeria maintains an official exchange rate of N197 to a dollar.

The CBN later announced the closure of its official forex window, the Retail Dutch Auction System and Wholesale Dutch Auction System and followed the action by banning importers of 41 items from accessing forex at the official market, an action, which further caused the naira to plummet.

The bank had also in August 2015 barred banks from accepting cash deposits into domiciliary accounts as a measure aimed at preventing fraud and round tripping.

Graphic Video: Dead pregnant woman's niece cuts her belly open to save her twin babies

Mrs Koumate Monique was a Cameroonian woman pregnant of twins. On the day of delivery she went to the hospital, but was reportedly denied medical attention, since she had no money.

She died at the gates of one of the main public hospitals of the city Douala (Hopital la Quintinie). However the babies in her womb were still alive. The niece of the deceased demanded that at least the lives of the babies be saved by immediate medical intervention, and she would pay for the intervention later on, but all to no avail.

Kidnappers Demand N50m For Abducted Redeemed Zonal Pastor’s Son, Omeiza Jonathan Sulieman

Kidnappers of a 5-year-old boy, Jonathan Sulieman , the son of a Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Okene, Kogi State are demanding N50million before the boy,a nursery 2 pupil will be released. Saturday Mirror gathered that suspected gunmen numbering about four kidnapped the toddler on Monday about 7:45am when he was being driven to school in Okene. According to the father of the boy, the gunmen had perfected plans to have his son kidnapped and they succeeded in their plans.

How Sambo Dasuki Blew N2.2 Billion On Boko Haram Prayers

Besides the fortune sunk into phoney arms deals, no less than N2.2billion was spent on prayers against Boko Haram, it was learnt yesterday.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration blew the cash on special prayers in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to win the war.

The cash was disbursed through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), following a proposal by a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

Photos: 3-year-old Girl Rescued By Soldiers From Boko Haram Captivity.

Gallant troops of 118 Task Force Battalion of 7 Brigade, encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Ma'ala Village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. During the encounter, the soldiers killed one Boko Haram terrorist and captured another alive. They also rescued a 3 year old girl from the terrorists. The soldiers also recovered quite a number of items from the terrorists which include 1 AK-47 rifle, 3 rifle magazines, 1 Hewlett Packard laptop, 2 External hard drives, a pair military and Nigeria Police camouflage uniform, a camel bag, 3 mini solar panels, assorted charms, fishing nets and soldering iron, amongst others.