South Africa: Buhari, Xi Jinping To Discuss Railway, Power Projects

President Muhammadu Buhari will be in South Africa , Thursday to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) taking place in Johannesburg, December 4-5, 2015. At this forum President Buhari will follow up his meeting with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in November in New York.
President Buhari had indicated to Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader at the bilateral meeting in New York that he wanted China to re-commence stalled rail projects under new terms that would see China providing nearly all the financing required.

PDP: We’re Battle-Ready For APC In Bayelsa.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is ready to combat any attempt of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa state.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the PDP, said members had been instructed to defend their votes and counter any attempt to rig the election by the ruling party.
He also alleged that the APC had concluded plans to rig the Bayelsa governorship election “just as it did in the November 21 Kogi governorship election”.

Fuel Scarcity Will Not Happen Again, Says FG.

Federal government has assured Nigerians that the current fuel scarcity in the country will be over in a matter of days, vowing that the situation will not happen again.

“We can confidently announce here today that the scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the end of the year has been approved by the national assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without approval,” Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, said in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Segun Adeyemi, special adviser to the minister, Mohammed explained that the N521bn that had been approved by the national assembly, as part of the passed supplementary budget of N574.4bn, would be enough to cover the fuel subsidy till the end of the year.

Oshiomhole After Me Because I Blocked His ‘Dubious N15bn Loan’ Bid — Okonjo-Iweala

A former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the federal government to call the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to order, saying Mr. Oshiomhole is seeking how to link her to the $2.1 billion arms probe. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she had “absolutely nothing” to do with the arms issue. The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged $ 2.1 billion arms contract. Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was arrested Tuesday. Mr. Oshiomhole was quoted Wednesday by Leadership newspaper as saying the immediate past finance minister, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, should also be prosecuted as they gave approval for funds to be released.

Dasuki Lists Ex-Governors, PDP Chiefs In $2b Deals

FORMER National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has made some “mind-boggling” revelations on the $2billion “phoney” arms contracts, a source said yesterday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a Federal Government committee are probing how huge sums of money meant for procurement of arms went down the drain during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Fayose Bans Tipper Owners

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has banned tipper owners from operating in the state, following their refusal to comply with the new N1,000 per trip tax imposed on them.
The governor also banned sand excavation in the state, following alleged reported cases of destruction of farmlands, farm produce and other valuables.

Enough Is Enough, IGP Tells MASSOB, IPOB

… Orders massive deployment of mobile police personnel to South-East states, others
INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, yesterday warned members of Movement for the Actu­alisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), not to provoke the will of the police and other security agencies with con­tinuous threat to public peace.
Arase said the warning became necessary follow­ing alleged increasing acts of brigandage by MASSOB and IPOB, which threatens national security and public peace in the South-East and conterminous states.

2016 Budget Will Address Nigerians Yearnings – Lai Mohammed

The 2016 budget by the federal government would address the yearnings of Nigerians just as the issue of fuel scarcity will soon be a thing of the past.
The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the declarations yesterday when he visited the headquarters of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers, Abuja.

I Will Discipline, Jail Corrupt Officers – Customs CG

Retired Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller -General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday warned that he would either discipline, dismiss or jail any officer found guilty of corrupt practices.
Ali gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the NCS in Calabar, capital of Cross River.
He said that there was the need for them to be of good conduct and show professionalism while carrying out their duties.

Minister: We Are Awaiting Buhari’s Decision On MTN $5.2bn Fine

The $5.2 billion fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) six weeks ago over regulatory infraction has not been waived, the Federal Government said yesterday.
There have been speculations that talks on waiving the fine for the MTN may be on the agenda in the meeting between presidents Muhammad Buhari and Jacobs Zuma of South Africa when the former visits the latter later during the week.

Reps Plagiarize Bills, Says Gbajabiamila

Some members of the House of Representatives usually copy bills that had been passed and gazetted by previous Assembly to re-table them for consideration on the floor of the lower chamber, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila revealed yesterday.
Gbajabiamila who came under matter of privilege at plenary said it was appalling that despite their level of education, some of his colleagues engage in serious plagiarism at the country’s highest lawmaking body, thereby bastardizing and mocking the legislative process.

Okonjo-Iweala: I Have No Hand In $2.1bn Arms Deal

Former coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance under Goodluck Jonathan administration, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said she has no hand in the arms purchase deals facilitated by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Nkwonjo-Iweala dismissed the allegations by the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole who accused her of participating in the deal, calling the Federal Government to call the governor to order.
The Federal Government is currently investigating the arms purchase deal and many prominent persons were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. President Muhammadu Buhari ordered for Dasuki’s arrest on November 17, after a military investigative panel report indicted him in the $2 billion arms scandal.

N200bn Education Fund Diverted In 2 Years –Senate

Orders probe of Jonathan’s govt
SENATE, yesterday, re­vealed that about N200 bil­lion education tax collected between 2012 and 2013 were diverted to unknown and unspecified uses not recognised in or permitted under the Act setting up the Education Trust Fund.
The funds were diverted during former presidnt Goodluck Jonathan’s ad­ministration. A probe was subsequently ordered.

Making the same Mistake ? FG Seeks US, Israel’s Aid To Crush Boko Haram

Is this not making the same mistake as the Previous administration seeking U.S help and Isreal. Why not go straight to Russia and China for help ? Read bellow.

DETERMINED to crush Boko Haram, the Federal Government yesterday made a passionate plea to the United States and Israel for urgent assistance.
The Minister of Interior, Lt- Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd), made the plea when he hosted the ambassadors of both countries in his office in Abuja. He spoke of government’s readiness to collaborate with the two countries to defeat Boko Haram.
According to the minister; “as you know, this is the hub of internal security arrangement in the country. With five strategic security institutions, there is no doubt that the ministry has a major challenge of dealing with internal security.

Dasuki: Buhari Seeking Vengeance With Corruption Fight –Fayose

EKITI State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has de­scribed the arrest yester­day, of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) by men of the De­partment of State Services (DSS), as continuation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of vengeance. He also said, “disobeying court order and later arresting and detaining the same person the court ordered to be allowed to travel abroad for medicare is the peak of dictatorship.”

Nigeria Has Become A Police State – Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on Wednesday, in a statement issued, raised an alarm over the safety of former Director General, State Security Services, Col Kayode Are whom he said was under attack from some gunmen suspected to be security operatives.
Are who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the acting National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Saraki Clarifies Claim On Senate Bill Proposing Two-Year Jail For Social Media Users.

The Senate has denied introducing any bill aimed at jailing social media users.It made the explanations in a a statement signed by Bamikole Omishore, SA New Media to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, entitled “Clarification on false claim that Senate passed a bill proposing to jail social media users for two years”.

Fayose Warns Buhari, INEC Against Repeating Kogi Debacle In Bayelsa

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against repeating what he described as a “show of shame” that was witnessed in Kogi State governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Fayose warned that “INEC must be mindful of the consequences of perpetrating the same electoral abracabra in Bayelsa State during the Saturday’s December 5 governorship poll.”

Bayelsa Guber: We Will Fight Riggers, Guns Don’t Intimidate Us – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday in Abuja called on its members in Bayelsa to remain vigilant, focused and fearless throughout the State’s governorship election on Dec. 5.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja.
Metuh said the National Working Committee of the PDP had rallied people of Bayelsa and its members to combat anybody or group planning to rig the election.
He advised all, especially INEC officials, both regular and ad hoc, not to allow themselves to be used for manipulation of the poll.

German Spies Say Saudis Shifting to More 'Impulsive' Interventionist Action

Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency warned that Saudi Arabia is becoming "impulsive" in its foreign policy.

In a memo published Wednesday, the agency said Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is second in line to the throne, and his father, King Salman, are trying to establish themselves as leaders of the Arab world, the Associated Press reported.

"The thus far cautious diplomatic stance of the elder leaders in the royal family is being replaced by an impulsive interventionist policy," the BND said.

Man Tortured Apprentice To Death Over Allegations Of Poor Sales (pictured)

Family petitions CP over son’s alleged murder


Family members and relatives of Master Tochukwu Nwagbala have called on police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of their son. The late Nwagbala, an apprentice in Benin, Edo State, was allegedly murdered by his master under whom he had served for several years.

The distraught family has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, alleging conspiracy among top officers of the state police command over Nwagbala’s death. The family asked Ezike to order investigation to unravel how the body of Ezike was dumped at the Benin by-pass.

President Buhari, Xi Jinping To Discuss Railway, Power Projects

President Muhammadu Buhari will be in South Africa , Thursday to take part in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) occurring in Johannesburg, December 4-5, 2015. At this forum President Buhari will follow up his meeting with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in November in New York.

President Buhari had shown to Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader at the bilateral meeting in New York that he needed China to re-initiate slowed down rail ventures under new terms that would see China giving almost all the financing required.

Exceptionally compelling is the coastal railroad task extending for 1402 kilometers connecting Lagos in the West with Calabar in the East; a venture that is relied upon to be financed with 12 billion U.S Dollars Chinese loan and which will create around 200,000 jobs.

Another rail project that will be up for renegotiation is the $8.3bn Lagos-Kano standard gage modernization undertaking, of which is only a segment, Kaduna-Abuja has come to completion stage.

President Buhari is additionally expected to examine methods for uprooting all deterrents in the way for the 3,050 MW Mambila Power Station, considered a key undertaking which was conceived in 1982 yet has not taken off.

The Chinese President had informed President Buhari of the eagerness of his nation to back the entire project through an extraordinary loan agreement.

The President, who will be joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of Transportation, Chubuike Amaechi; and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, will return to Abuja on Saturday, December 5.

#China, #Nigeria

No Enemy Needed: US Jammed Its Own Satellites 261 Times This Year Alone

A high-ranking US general confessed that the most dangerous adversary of the United States in the realm of electronic warfare these days just may be… the United States itself.

He also indicated he has no clue how many times American satellites were jammed by China or Russia.

“I really don’t know. My guess is zero,” General John Hyten, head of Air Force Space Command, at the Association of Old Crows electronic warfare conference, according to Breaking Defense.

These Are the Weapons the UK May Use to Bomb Syria

As British Prime Minister David Cameron pushes Parliament to approve Syrian airstrikes, here’s a look at the weapons that could be used if lawmakers vote to extend the bombing campaign beyond Iraq.

The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force currently uses two bases for manned bombing flights over Iraq and surveillance flights over Syria. One of these is Al Udeid air base in Qatar, while the other is RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The British military also launches drones out of Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, though these are controlled remotely from the UK and the United States.

Depots Sell Petrol To Marketers Above Official Price

Nigerians may face a bleak Yuletide as indications have emerged that the current scarcity of petrol across the country may spill into the New Year unless an urgent solution is found to the lingering problem.
Our correspondent gathered on Tuesday that petroleum product depots were selling Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise called petrol, to marketers above the ex-depot price of N77.66 per litre.
This is despite a recent warning by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that marketers whose retail outlets sell above the regulated pump price of N87 per litre would be sanctioned accordingly with their products given to consumers for free.

One of the marketers said, “Product loaded at the regulated N77.66 is later being traded at up to N110 to third parties who later sell at N120 in some filling stations in the South and N114 in the North.”
Findings by our correspondent showed that even the marketers who were getting PMS supply from the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company at the official ex-depot price were selling the product at exorbitant prices to truck owners and filling stations, who then sell above N100 per litre to consumers.
The situation prompted a visit by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to tank farms in Apapa, Lagos on Tuesday.