Flash Back; Okonjo's Excuse For Borrowing To Pay Salaries with Oil at $54/barrel

Nigerian govt borrowing billions to pay salaries – Okonjo-Iweala (Premium Times)

In the face of dwindling oil revenues, Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the Federal Government has borrowed about N473billion to pay salaries and fund the 2015 budget.

The Minister, who was speaking in Abuja on the details of the N4.493trillion appropriation already passed by the National Assembly, said the federal government had to raise its borrowing level from N570 billion to N882 billion to enable it meet its financial obligations to workers and contractors.

Fuel Scarcity: Senate Summons Kachikwu

Abuja – The Senate on Monday summoned the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, to appear before its Committee on Petroleum Downstream on Tuesday, over lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Sen. Jibrin Barau, told newsmen shortly after an on-the-spot assessment of filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the summons became necessary following the hardship on Nigerians.

Rays Of Hope For Economy As FG Fights Back With N3trn TSA Fund

With the 2016 budget now passed by the National Assembly and a N3trillion war chest, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari says it is set to take on the struggling Nigerian economy and is promising it will win.

Analysts said last night that the package and the stimulus budget would aid the growth in GDP that has been experiencing slow growth.

Institutions With The Best Students' Union Government (SUG)

Guys the purpose of this thread is for tertiary and prospective tertiary institution students to know the best, most functioning, the most efficient and the most effective student's union government (SUG) across all the tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education etc).in Nigeria.. I can vouch for the SUGs of olabisi onabanjo university ogun state and federal poly, bida, niger state... so people, let's see your views...

Brace Up For Hot Days, Heat Waves-NIMET Warns Nigerians

With the global average air temperature of the earth hitting 1°C hotter than it was at the start of the twentieth century, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned Nigerians to brace up for more hot days, warm nights and heat waves.

In a statement signed by the Head of its Public Relations Unit, Eva Azinge, NIMET noted that with the long residence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the current warming would continue beyond 2100, even when the emission of greenhouse gases is reduced.

Thief Suspected Of Stealing Man's Manhood Beaten Mercilessly In Niger State

A man suspected to have “stolen” another man’s manhood was thoroughly beaten at Madalla market, on Thursday. He was beaten to stupor by the mob before he was rescued by members of the vigilante group in the market. A witness, Shehu Yakubu, said the incident happened about 2:14p.m., and that the suspect confessed and returned the stolen manhood. . He said: “The man pretended as if he had fallen down and in the process brushed the victim with his shoulder. The young man raised an alarm about the disappearance of his manhood few minutes later. Some people then chased the suspect and stopped him from leaving the market.".... ....

Woman Found Dead In Deep Well In Lagos After Missing For Four Days

A 41-year-old woman, Antinlola Adeyemi, declared missing for about four days by family members, has been found dead in a deep well on Monday in Lagos. The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Fadipe Rasaq, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Rasaq said that the family had been looking for her for about four days before she was discovered on Monday. “The family had been looking for her. She was discovered in the well and we were informed at about 9.30 a.m.; when we got there, she was already swollen. “It was only her back we were seeing. It was difficult to bring her out. At the time we brought her out, the corpse was handed over to Isheri Police Division police officers. “The well is situated in front of the houses along the power lines where illegal buildings and other structures were demolished in Ikotun area not too long ago,” Rasaq said

Randy Man Brutally Rapes 14yrs Old Girl, Mercilessly Beats Girls Father For Complaining

Chinego Wasiu, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl, Favour (not real name) in the Boundary, Ajegunle area of the state.

The randy man then allegedly led a gang of thugs to Favour’s house to beat up the father. He threatened to inflict injuries on the victim’s family if they made a noise about the rape.

According to Punch, trouble started around 9.30pm last Monday when Favour was sent on an errand to buy noodles and a candle from a shop. It was learnt that Wasiu had accosted the teenager and raped her, warning her not to disclose the incident to anyone.

Horror In Delta As Man Butchers Middle-Aged Lady

Tragedy struck at the weekend when a middle-aged woman was allegedly butchered at Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State by a man identified as Sunny who is now cooling his heels in police custody.

Community source told our correspondent that the assailant laid ambush for the victim for about two days at the particular spot along Agbor-Sakponba Road where he dragged her out of her ash color Toyota saloon car and descended on her.

According to the source, the victim was going to attend a burial ceremony at Oki on the fateful day before the attacker bounced to snuff breath out of her nostrils, adding that the charred remains of the victim were deposited at the mortuary.

Century of War

by Auslander

Saker, what you wrote is not a rant, I would liken it more to an almost primal scream of frustration and rage brought on by what you and I both understand is happening and has already happened with irreversible consequences.

I am Auslander. Most of you know what that word means and I use that pen name because that is what I am when I go ‘home’ to USA where I was born which, by the way, has as much chance of happening again as the Dark Lord driving a Kenworth with a Myers snow blade on it in his kingdom. I also use that name because when I go ‘home’ to my ethnic roots I no longer feel what I am, 100% ethnic German.

Syrian-Turkish Border Security: Check Point Taurus

by Ghassan Kadi

My previous article titled “Kurdish Autonomy; Partition Or Master Plan” was met with some controversy. Some readers seemed to have missed a very basic point it raised. Others misunderstood the main issue and tried to put words into my mouth saying that the article condoned partition and argued that Syrian Kurds should not be given independence and a separate state, even though the article clearly indicated that such was not its objective. This article herein is intended to shed more light on the subject and emphasize an issue that is paramount for long-term Syrian security.

Buhari's Panel Reveals When Jonathan Can Be Probed

– The spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party ministers’ forum claimed that nobody has traced any money to Jonathan’s accounts

– Buhari’s anti-corruption committee reveals in what circumstances ex-president could be investigated

– Prominent lawyer supposed that former president can be charged at least with conspiracy as all deals were done under his nose


Professor Itse Sagay, the chairman of presidential committee against corruption, has explained when ex-president Goodluck Jonathan could be probed.

He has blamed ex-minister of national planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, concerning the blameworthiness of Jonathan in the ongoing anti-corruption cases.

Recovered Loot: Why Buhari Won’t Disclose Amount – Garba Shehu

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said Federal Government will not be able to dis­close the exact amount retrieved so far from certain persons that looted the treasury, saying it would be used as evidence in the court trials of the indicted persons. But he assured that the recovered funds were safe in a dedicated account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Special Assistant to the President on Media, Shehu Garba, who made the disclo­sure in a chat with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, said possibility of using the recovered funds as exhibit in the trial of the culprits posed a challenge.

Victor Ezenwoko Of Diamond Bank Is Dead (Lagos ED)

Mr Victor Ezenwoko, the Executive Director, Regional Businesses, of Diamond Bank, is dead.

A source said Ezenwoko died in his sleep, on Saturday morning, while another said he slumped and died immediately at his Lagos home, on Friday night.

However, the cause of the death is still unknown, but he was said to be looking healthy and cheerful without showing any signs of illness before his death.

PDP Battles Ghost Workers, Pays Staff In Cash

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has detected ghost workers on its payroll after ordering the workers to line up and collect their salaries in cash.

Investigations by our correspondent showed that the precarious financial situation of the party forced its leadership to take the action.

It was gathered that the National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, was worried about the huge salary bill of the workers and decided to take action aiming at ascertaining the actual number of workers at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Fuel Scarcity: Don’t Blame Kachikwu For Your Party’s Woes, Okorie Tells Tinubu

**Insists APC must fulfill its "3000 promises"

The member representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal Constituency of Ebonyi state in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie, has faulted the recent scathing attack by the leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu, on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu on the lingering fuel scarcity.

Okorie in a statement on Sunday said that Tinubu derailed along the line by using the attack as a platform to blame the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and shore up his party image, than genuine concern for the people.

Alleged Invasion: DSS Only Succeeded In Tarnishing Own Image – Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose yesterday said that the Department of State Services (DSS) only succeeded in tarnishing its own image by attempting to allegedly coerce members of the State’s House of Assembly to act the script of his detractors, which was to impeach him.
Governor Fayose who rewarded Honourable Afolabi Akanni who was detained for 18 days by the DSS, with a car gift, stated this while hosting the lawmakers in his office.

Katherine Anne Rejouis Arrested For Prostitution In US

Two days ago, Daily Mail published the report of a prostitution ring busted in Houston, Texas, and more than 6 women charged for prostitution. One of the women arrested includes Anne Rejouis who allegedly had a brief affair with Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna in 2013.

Anne Rejouis. Credit: Daily Mail

Female soldier allegedly captured and beheaded by Boko Haram in Borno state (photos)

According to Facebook user, Saleh Abas, this young female soldier Oluwaytoyin Ogunleye was captured by terror group Boko Haram and later beheaded in Baga, Borno state.
We have no way to independently verify, but RIP to her if it is true. See more photos of Toyin after the jump break
 

NSCDC Arrests 13 Vandals Arrested In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday said it arrested 13 suspected vandals last Friday.

The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that the suspects would be charged to court immediately the ongoing investigation was completed on the matter.

“On Friday, 13 vandals were arrested and brought to this command and we are investigating. As soon as investigations are completed by Tuesday they will be charged to court,” Ojeniyi said.

Fuel Scarcity: APC Asks Kachikwu To Resign, Silent On Buhari The Oil Minister

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, to honourably resign his position from President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government if he is not capable of doing his part by efficiently running the Ministry assigned to him and providing workable solution to the current fuel scarcity in the country.

Meanwhile, the party is silent on what it expects of President Muhammadu Buhari who himself is the Minister of Petroleum.

Immigration Boss Carpets Ex-minister, Moro

The Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Martin Abeshi has denounced claims by former Minister of Interior Abba Moro that the service lacks the capacity to produce international passport booklets and the Combined
Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card.

Abeshi said the service has the capacity to produce the two security documents if
adequately funded.

Presidency To Begin Town Hall Meetings Across Nigeria – Aide

The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu, said on Sunday that the presidency will soon begin to hold town hall meetings with Nigerians.
Mr. Shehu made this known while answering reporters’ questions in Abuja.
According to him, government decided to embark on such meetings because it has realised the importance of information communication to the people at the grassroots.
“I know that there is a plan that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would start town hall meetings in zones.
“It would then be broken down to the states and so on.
“Government realises that there is a need to take information to the people and there are steps that are being taken in order to ensure that is done,” he said.
Mr. Shehu criticised the National Orientation Agency, NOA, for being indifferent to the Federal Government’s change mantra.

How Okada Rider Was Killed In Gwagwalada In Groups’ Clash Over Girl (pic)

The residents of Unguwar Gbaure, behind the abattoir in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, were last Thursday evening thrown into pandemonium after a 28-year-old man, identified as Nura, was stabbed to death in a rival groups’ clash over a lady in the area.

Sunday Trust on Sunday learnt that three provision shops were also set ablaze in a reprisal attack by one of the groups in the abduction saga.

A resident of the area, Malam Musa Shehu, while narrating what he witnessed to our reporter when he visited the area yesterday, said the clash occurred close to his house. Shehu said it started on Thursday at about 8:12pm and dragged on till around 4:00am on Friday.

Army Colonel Abducted In Kaduna

A Senior Army Officer, Col. Samaila Inusa was on Saturday reportedly kidnapped around the Kamazo area in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
The Army Colonel, who was said to be serving with the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, near Kaduna State, was in the company of his wife when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that the kidnappers dropped off the wife and left with the senior military officer, headed towards Abuja.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the senior military officer as of the time of filing this report.