Soldiers Confiscate Biafra Newspapers In Aba

Newspaper vendors in Aba, Abia State, are counting their losses following the confiscation of their wares by soldiers yesterday.

The Nation gathered that the confiscated papers were both unsold and new editions of New Republic, Vesym, Freedom Journal and Authority.

Sources said the soldiers, believed to have come from 144 Battalion, which is under Ohafia 14 Brigade, stormed St. Michael’s Road at about 7am, in two Hilux vans and seized the papers bearing Biafra reports.

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.

Fulani Herdsmen Attack Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti

Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, on Friday raised concerns over alleged invasion and subsequent destruction of the institution’s farmlands by suspected herdsmen. The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Taiwo Akande, said at a pre- convocation news conference in Ado-Ekiti that the institution had lost several millions in monetary terms to the menace.


She called on the Federal Government to intervene in the crisis.  She added that the police and eminent Nigerians like Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) whose university is located directly opposite the polytechnic had intervened to stop further damage but to no avail.

JAMB 2016 Should Not Be Scrapped Or Remarked - See Why

JAMB 2016 SHOULD NOT BE SCRAPPED/REMARKED...


I Have Been Reading Online Posts On Nairaland, MySchool & Some Other Blogs, And I Kept Seeing Lazy Users Screaming, Calling For The Scrapping Of Jamb 2016.
I Simply Read & Laugh At These Posts.

After This Post, Richiez , olawalebabs , Fynestboi & Lalasticlala Should Stop Paying Attention To Those UnPrepared/ Dull Candidates Calling For The Scrapping Of JAMB 2016. Because, As Far As You Are Intelligent, You Must Definitely beat The Mere 180+ Cutoff Mark, Even If Your Result Was Poorly Marked.

NDLEA Arrests 60-year-old Monarch With 12kg Of Cannabis In Nasarawa (photo)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nasarawa State on Friday apprehended the 60-year-old village head of Koje community in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Samuel Agu, for allegedly cultivating and harvesting 12kg Indian hemp otherwise called cannabis sativa in his farm land.

Parading the suspect at the command office in Lafia, the state capital, the NDLEA commander in the state, Mr.Sumaila Ethan, said, “On March 4, 2016, we arrested Mr. Samuel Agu, the village head with bags of cannabis sativa weighing about12 kg.

Vigilante Brutally Murdered In Lagos (Graphic Photo)

According to a facebook user the watchman was murdered 3days ago in an undisclosed area in Lagos state Read the post below: People are so wicked and callous. this vigilante was murdered in my area three days ago. I pray dis will never befall us. We shall live to celebrate dis Easter and beyond in Jesus name. seems his eyes where plucked out..

Women Lawyers Tackle Ndume Over Call On Saraki, Men To Marry More Wives

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is outraged by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume’s call on Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others to marry second wives describing the call as ‘disparaging and meant to demean Nigerian women’.

In a statement issued yesterday by FIDA Country Vice President/National President, Mrs. Inime Aguma, the lawyers said they were outraged by Ndume’s utterances on the floor of the hallowed chambers of the Senate.

According to them, the remarks portrayed women as ‘sex objects’, whose clamour for gender equality could be realised by being married off by men.

Human Rights Group Calls For Commutal Of Rev King’s Sentence

Following the death penalty judgement to be executed on the General Overseer of Christian Praying Assembly, Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a Rev. King, a human rights group, Integrated Coalition for Human Rights, weekend called for commuting of the sentence.

The group, while reacting to the death sentence, said it was a travesty of justice and not in tune with modern day trials.

The Coalition in a statement signed by Dr. Raphel Umore n said the trial, prosecution and the eventual conviction by the Supreme Court of Nigerian fell short of all known legal procedure which warrant death sentence and called on the powers that be to commute the sentence without delay.

NNPC Appoints New Unit Heads

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced new appointments, redeployment and secondments into key positions of the organisation.

In a press statement by the management of the Corporation, these appointments take effect immediately. The new unit heads are expected to resume fully by April 1 2016”.

The appointments are part of the recent reorganization by the management of the corporation.

They are as follows:

North Africa Observer– MAR. 1-7, 2016

Written by Marko Milicevic exclusively for SouthFront; Edited by Viktor Stoilov

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal has received the Angolan Foreign Minister Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti on Thursday, in Algiers.1 The main topic of their talks was improvement of the bilateral economic cooperation. African countries can improve the living standard and level of security of their citizens only if they strengthen mutual economic and political ties.

Ex-NNPC Chief: Jonathan’s Govt Blew N2.2b On 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.

Senate, House Disagree On NNPC Restructuring

The two chambers of the National Assembly have disagreed with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, over the restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
While the Senate has backed the reforms, saying the minister’s action did not contravene any known law, the House of Representatives insists that the restructuring of the national oil firm is illegal.
Kachikwu appeared before the Senate Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream and Gas) in Abuja on Thursday to explain the reasons for the restructuring.

NNPC Restructuring Is Illegal – Falana

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has described the reorganisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, as illegal.
According to him, having realised the illegality of the reforms, the minister, who is also the group managing director of the NNPC, has said that he has not unbundled the corporation but is merely reorganising it.
Falana said in a statement on Thursday, “It is pertinent to point out that the reforms being carried out by the NNPC GMD are illegal in every material particular. Section 2 of the Nigerian National Petroleum Act stipulates that the affairs of the corporation shall be conducted by the Board of Directors of the body. To that extent, it is the board of the corporation that is saddled with the responsibility to carry out the reorganisation of the body.

Buhari Has Put Nigeria On The Right Track, Says Commonwealth.

The Royal Commonwealth Society has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for “putting Nigeria in the right shape and uniting African leaders”.
Abdullahi Faruk, vice-president of the association, said this on Thursday at the 2016 Commonwealth Day Celebration in Abuja.
Faruk said the Commonwealth appreciates Buhari for his dogged determination to put Nigeria on the right track, for his leadership role in the continent and ensure better relation with leaders.
“The Royal Commonwealth Society would like to appreciate him for his dogged determination to put Nigeria in the right shape,” he said.
“We also commend him for uniting the African countries and making the continent a better place to live.

MTN’s N50bn Payment Inadequate, Must Pay All N1.04trn Fine – Reps

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday said the down payment of N50 billion by MTN as a step towards out-of-court settlement of its N1.04 trillion fine was inadequate and must be forced to pay the total amount to the Nigerian government.
This is coming as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta told the lawmakers that the commission was not in custody of the N50 billion payment and was unaware of the account the money was paid into by the MTN.

Investigate, Prosecute Those Behind Forex Crisis, AGF Tells EFCC

IN a bid to stabilise the exchange rate of the naira against major foreign currencies in the foreign exchange market, the Federal Government has mandated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to investigate and identify and prosecute those behind the crisis experienced in the foreign exchange operations.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday, blamed the current state of the naira on the activities of unscrupulous elements, whom he said were hiding under the cloak of “market forces” to deliberately undermine the national currency.

Fulani Influx Too Much For Benue —Gov Ortom

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has raised the alarm over the massive influx of Fulani herdsmen into Benue State who, he said, the state cannot accommodate.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the security situation in his state, he said ranches must be developed for the herdsmen to turn them away from farmlands.
He expressed delight that following the recent attack in Agatu communities in the state, leading to hundred of casualties, the Federal Government had mobilised more security personnel to restore normality to the area.

Ethnicity, Corruption Lead To National Instability – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday described ethnicity and corruption as a lethal combination that is inimical to national development.
He said any nation where the two are prevalent would continue to witness instability.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke while receiving South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Ethnicity and corruption are a lethal combination. You have to deal with them otherwise instability will continue,” Buhari warned after receiving a briefing from Machar on the current state of affairs in South Sudan.

Arms Scandal: Jonathan Should Be Tried If Involved –Senate Leader

Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to authorise the prosecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan if he (Jonathan) covertly instigated the sharing for other purposes the $2.1bn given to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to buy arms.
Ndume, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also said the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state.

Women Representation Under Buhari Poorer Than Past Administrations – UN

United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria has said women have a poorer representation in President Muhammadu Buhari-led government than in past administrations. UNIC Lagos Director, Mr. Ronald Kayanja said this yesterday at the United Nations International Women’s Day celebration, organised by a coalition of non-governmental organisations in Lagos. He attributed the situation to huge funding required for election campaign and traditional perception of women, saying economic and gender-based violence also increased the risk of young women contracting Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Reserves Rising Again As Nigerian Crude Hits $39.

Nigeria’s foreign reserves are on the rise again, as the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed on Thursday that the Nigerian crude, bonny light, is trading at $39.07 per barrel.
The current selling price, which is above the 2016 budget benchmark of $38 per barrel of crude by $1, is also the highest point for Bonny Light in 2016.

According to the latest figures from the central bank, the reserves rose to $27.88 billion following a nine-day rising streak from $27.82 billion at the beginning of the month.
The reserves had a four-day rise in February, the very first of such, since President Muhammadu Buhari took office in May 2015.

30 Senators Flood CCT To Support Saraki.

Senate President Bukola Saraki is at present at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) where his trial for alleged false declaration of assets continues.
He arrived at 9:56am in company of at least 30 senators.
He wore a flowing milk-coloured agbada and sat gently in the second row of benches reserved for senators.

Saraki: I Wasn’t Allowed To Explain Myself.

Senate President Bukola Saraki has insisted that his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is “political”, saying he was not given the opportunity to explain what could have led to perceived inaccuracy.
Saraki is currently at the tribunal after the supreme court failed to grant his wish to halt the trial.
He is facing a 13-count charge of alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.
In a statement signed by Gbenga Makanjuola, his deputy chief of staff, the senate president said the act which established the tribunal accord anyone whom allegation is laid against the right to deny or admit the claim.

Fayose: I Drove Trucks Before I Became Governor

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, on Thursday revealed that he drove trucks before he was elected number one citizen of the state. Fayose was first elected in 2003 but he was impeached three years later. However, he returned in 2014 after defeating Kayode Fayemi, then the incumbent governor, in the year’s governorship election, and has spent two years in his new term. In a message posted on Twitter, Fayose charged people to be proud of their professions. “We must be proud of our profession. I sell trucks, I did haulage, I can drive this truck to Lagos. I did this before I became governor,” he wrote. Last year, he told members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in his state that he was once a commercial driver. “I was once a driver like you. I used the money I got from driving to sponsor myself for HND at Ibadan Polytechnic. Being a driver, you can make it in life. You will become what you want to become in life through hard work,” he had said. “Don’t join evil gang for you to get rich overnight. Though I am part of you, if you breach the law, I won’t spare you. I don’t want to be the enemies of drivers, I want to be your friend.

Babatope: PDP Will Sack Buhari From Aso Rock In 2019

Ebenezer Babatope, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says his party will “dislodge” President Muhammadu Buhari from Aso Rock in 2019.
Speaking when he visited Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, Babatope accused the current administration of using security agencies to harass and intimidate its opponents.
Babatope said his party was regaining its strength, as the PDP has had good outings in recent times.
“We have been preparing for him (Buhari) such that come 2019, we will become stronger in PDP and dislodge him from Aso Rock,” he said.

Buhari Sweeps Off 184 Top Officials Over Budget Padding

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday, made good his threat to deal ruthlessly with top civil servants who altered figures in the 2016 budget thereby making nonsense of his zero budget plan. No fewer than 184 top budget officials were flushed out of budget duties and sent to establishments that have little or nothing to do with budget, as a punishment for their roles in padding this year’s fiscal document, now before the National Assembly. A top official in the Budget office confirmed that 22 top officers from the Budget Office of the Federation were affected in the mass deployment.