Looters must be punished, don’t fall for their crocodile tears – MURIC warns US, others

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has stated that allegations of vendetta and bias in the ongoing war against corruption were an attempt to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement on Sunday by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the current probe was about sanitizing the military as an institution and compelling politicians to adopt transparency.

It reads: “We of the Muslim Rights Concern dismiss these allegations as attempts to blackmail the President. The aim is to force him to soft-pedal or halt the ongoing trials of powerful politicians thereby giving corruption undeserved victory. We insist that the trials must continue to a logical conclusion. The law must be allowed to take its due course. Any goat that desires freedom or peace must keep the people’s yam at arm’s length.

“Alleging vendetta or lopsidedness is just like ignoring the tangential to address the phenomenal. The question Nigerians should be asking is: were the offences committed? The offender’s political party, his religion or tribe should be ignored once this has been established. What we need to face is the substance in the allegation and not shadows or primordial sentiments.

“There is an urgent need to learn from other countries. How were they able to stem the tide of corruption? Did they revert to claims of vendetta, partisanship, ethnicity or religion? Did they defend the thief because he comes from their city or state? Did they defend the indefensible? Let us look at a few examples.

“In the United States, Robert McDonnell, former Governor of Virginia, was indicted on charges of accepting illegal gifts and convicted in 2014. John Rowland, former governor of Connecticut, spent ten months in jail in 2004 for diverting public funds to pay for his vacations and other extravagances. Alabama governor, Don Siegleman, bagged an 88-month jail term for mail fraud and obstruction of justice in 2006. Ex-Congressman Frank Balance was sentenced to four years in prison on October 12, 2005 for conspiring to defraud taxpayers.

“In Britain, David Chaitor, former member of the British parliament, got 18 months in 2011 for false accounting. In Greece, former defence minister, Akis Tsochatzopoulos was jailed for 20 years in 2001for receiving bribe. The court also jailed his wife, Vicky, and daughter, Areti, for 12 years each. His former wife, Gudrun, was sent to prison for six years. In Ukraine, former president Yulia Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2011. In China, former security chief Zhou Yongkang, was recently sentenced to life in prison for bribery and abuse of power.

“In all the above examples from the United States, Britain, Greece, Ukraine and China, nobody raised the issue of vendetta, vindictiveness, ethnicity or religion. The concern of all was whether or not the crime was committed. The focus was to safeguard the national treasury. The offenders were punished. Other public office holders and the rest of the citizens learnt the rules of probity and accountability and the countries moved on to greatness.

“But in Nigeria political parties allege vendetta and lopsidedness. Agents of corrupt politicians, members of their families, people from their states and those who benefit from stolen funds are allowed to have a field day. A socio-economic scenario whereby 1% of the Nigerian population has arrogated 85% of the resources to themselves leaving a paltry 15% to the remaining 99% of the population is unacceptable. It has caused acute poverty. Corrupt politicians have siphoned away all the milk and honey in the land. We must stop defending them.

“How can a single military officer store billions of naira in a water tank in his private house? How do we explain a single woman using stolen public funds to purchase a whole ship (an oil tanker for that matter)? Where is the conscience of a state governor who siphoned about N1.6 billion within six months of getting into office and uses this fund to amass personal properties via fronts.

“How can any civilized citizenry overlook the crime of army generals who allowed the massacre of thousands by Boko Haram by pocketing billions of naira meant for fighting the insurgency? So what is there to defend in the face of indubitable evidence and admissions of guilt in many cases?

“As we round up, we charge the international community to ignore the false alarm being raised by the opposition party in Nigeria. The claim of vendetta and lopsidedness in the war against corruption in Nigeria is baseless. It is a war against ‘fantastically’ corrupt leaders.

“We call on Nigerians to learn from other countries and to eschew partisanship, ethnicity and religion in the war against corruption. This is the time to renew support for the war against corruption. There lies the survival of future generations of Nigerians. This country is doomed if we allow corruption to defeat transparency.

“Finally, we appeal to the press, columnists, civil society and opinion leaders to remain focused and avoid the company of corrupt politicians. Looters are influential people and they are capable of exploiting the widespread poverty (caused by them ab initio) to buy publications, sponsor articles and influence opinions. The masses are watching and the integrity of the press is at stake here. For the sake of Nigeria, therefore, let us resist the ephemeral temptations offered by these heartless plunderers. Let us unite against the monster called corruption and speak with one voice. A people united can never be defeated.”
SOURCE: Dailypostng

No president has developed Niger Delta like Buhari – Minister

Usani Uguru, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says the region is benefiting more from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari than any other administration.

Uguru said while the previous administrations failed to act on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, the Buhari-led government gave attention to it within its first year in office.

However, he expressed regret that rather than support Buhari, some people in the region were busy compiling the woes of the Niger Delta.

He said the continued destruction of oil pipelines by militants was counterproductive and harmful to the environment.

“I can say that the Niger Delta region is benefiting more under the APC regime led by President Buhari than it benefited from any other regime,” he told journalists at his Abuja residence on Thursday.

He added that “Rather than support President Muhammadu Buhari to do more, we are adding to the destruction of the environment, our ecosystem, fresh water and aquatic lives.

“I must say that the environment is ours and destroying it will not do us any good. Imagine the Ogoni reclamation is going to take 30 years, yet we have not learnt.”

Usani, who said he preferred to work quietly, added that the ministry had swung into action after the signing of the budget.

“I work for all Nigerians. So, honest and people with good intentions can be sure that my doors, both in the office and at home, are open to those with useful contributions to move the affairs of the Niger Delta forward.

“Well, I don’t work to be heard but to achieve results.

“Unfortunately, we assumed office to meet the budgeting process and the budget has just been passed, so you should expect more action now”, he said.

SOURCE: dailypostng

“We are happy our daddy is back hale, hearty”

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday returned to Abuja, saying he was completely healed, stronger, more energetic and now fit to resume presidential duties. Recall that the president penultimate week proceeded on a 10 day leave and later jetted out to London, United Kingdom where he had gone to treat a persistent ear infection. He was due to come back to the country on Thursday but failed to do so.

The Vice President as the Acting President then told Journalists that the president would be returning to the country on Sunday (Yesterday) as he needed to rest after the medicals. The president whose aircraft touched down at exactly 5:35 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday said he was now fit. In a sure-footed manner, the president spoke to the State House Correspondents after inspecting a guard of honour by the Nigeria Armed Forces. 

“You have seen me. You saw me when I was going. You can do the assessment yourself. “I am okay. You can see me inspecting the guard of honour. You can see I am taller than you. Do you want to wrestle with me, you can do so”, he said. 

Also, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said he would resume duty today. “Mr President is fit and will resume work on Monday”, he said. 

On his part, the Chairman of Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari expressed gratitude to God for bringing the president home safely. “We thank God for bringing him (Buhari) back to his country. 

It is a good thing he went on break and returned to his people hale and hearty.” “Our daddy is back. He has gone to take a rest we are happy that he is back”, he said.

 Meanwhile, among government officials who were on hand to welcome the President were members of the cabinet including the Minister of the Environment Amina Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of the Niger Delta affairs, Usani Usani. Others included Minister of Water Resources, Minister of State for Education, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Minister of Budget and National planning, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Interior, Gen. Dambazzua; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

 Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Chief of Army Staff, Bruntia were also on hand.
SOURCE: Vanguardngr

IMF welcomes Nigeria's decision to end currency peg

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday it welcomed the decision by Nigeria's central bank to abandon its currency peg and adopt a flexible exchange rate policy, saying this was important to reduce fiscal and external imbalances.

IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told a weekly news briefing the Fund wanted to see how effectively the naira exchange market functions once the new float system is put into effect next Monday.

Nigeria's central bank governor said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari the bank expects the naira to settle at around 250 to the dollar after it abandons the peg of 197 to the dollar it has supported for 16 months.

"I think the announcement yesterday to revise the guidelines for the operation of the Nigerian interbank foreign exchange market is an important and welcome step," Rice told reporters. "It will provide greater flexibility in that market, the foreign exchange market."

Senior IMF officials, including Managing Director Christine Lagarde, have urged Nigerian officials to allow the naira to fall to absorb some of the shock to the economy from a plunge in oil prices and revenues. OPEC member Nigeria is a major oil producer. IMF officials have said that Nigeria has not requested IMF financial assistance, but has been in consultation with the Fund on dealing with budget shortfalls.

"As we have said before, a significant macroeconomic adjustment that Nigeria urgently needs to eliminate existing imbalances and support the competitiveness of the economy is best achieved through a credible package of policies involving fiscal discipline, monetary tightening, a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reform," Rice said. "Allowing the exchange rate to better reflect market forces is an integral part of that."

Nigeria, 33 Others Depend On Family, Paid Donors for Blood Supply

As part of activities to mark the World Blood Donor Day today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is encouraging all countries to establish blood services based on full voluntary non-remunerated blood donations.

It decried a situation whereby 34 countries including Nigeria, are still dependent on family donors and even paid donors for more than 75 per cent of their blood supply.

The WHO's goal is for all countries to obtain all their blood supplies from voluntary, unpaid donors by 2020.

The United Nations apex health body, in a statement, yesterday, said: "Today, only 62 countries get close to 100 per cent of their national blood supplies from voluntary unpaid blood donations, with 34 countries still dependent on family donors and even paid donors for more than 75 per cent of their blood supply."

The Guardian's investigation reveals that most hospitals in Nigeria still insist on family donors and encourage paid donors.

It was found that there are known, paid blood donors parading the corridors of most teaching and general hospitals. Relatives are asked to donate blood for patients before they are transfused and when they cannot, they are referred to patronise paid donors.

The WHO said voluntary unpaid blood donations must be increased rapidly in more than half the world's countries in order to ensure a reliable supply of safe blood for patients whose lives depend on it.

This year, the theme of World Blood Donor Day is "Blood connects us all", highlighting the common bond that all people share in their blood. The slogan, "Share life, give blood", draws attention to the role that voluntary donation systems play in encouraging people to care for one another and promoting community cohesion.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, said: "Although we have many external differences, the same vital blood pumps through all our veins. Voluntary, unpaid blood donation is the act of giving life - the greatest gift any person can give or receive."

SOURCE: GuardianNg

Nigeria Loses 100kg Of Gold Daily To Illegal Miners – Kayode Fayemi

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi, has challenged security agencies in the country to come up with technology that could be deployed to track the use of explosives for which permits were given in the country.

The minister who disclosed that part of his tasks as minister in charge of solid minerals development is to sign explosives permits for use in quarries and mining sites, said it is important to also track their use as part of efforts to curtail activities of insurgent groups and violent crimes in the country.

Mr. Fayemi who spoke as a guest lecturer at the National Defence College, Abuja on Friday, said there should be a technological approach to tracking the use of explosives by those who sought and obtained permit for its use so that it does not end up in the hands of those who would use it for criminal purposes.

The Minister also assured the gathering that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to ensuring that the Ajaokuta Steel company works, in order to boost the country’s technological development.

“This will also help us in the areas of arms and ammunitions. And the defence industry will also benefit from this when we get it right”, he added.

The Minister who spoke on “Solid Minerals and National Development in Nigeria”, lamented that the country was losing a lot to illegal mining activities, being carried out by some citizens aided by some foreigners.

He said the ministry was collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure that the ugly trend is stopped.

Specifically, he pointed out that about 100 kilogramme of gold leaves the country everyday without any record, adding that there is need to deploy technology, build capacity of staff of the ministry and get the required assistance from the security agencies to check the situation.

He disclosed that part of the efforts of the ministry is to also educate security agents on how to identify these minerals.

“Many of them do not recognise these minerals. So, in most cases they do not know the value of what the person is taking out illegally.

“so we are partnering with security agencies, the customs, immigration, police, civil defence, to assist us.

“Once we get the regulatory frame work right and create a conducive environment for investment to thrive, we shall witness huge investment in the sector, create wealth and employment opportunities,” he added.

SOURCE: Nigerianmonito

Abraham Attah Reportedly Moving to USA & Will Attend School Under a Netflix Scholarship

"Beasts of No Nation" star Abraham Attah is apparently moving to the USA (from Ghana), where, according to Nigeria's EbonyLife TV network, he'll attend school thanks to a scholarship from Netflix - the company released "Beasts of No Nation" as you'll recall, hence the connection.

Attah received much deserved acclaim for his performance in the film, including the Best Actor trophy at the 2016 Spirit Awards just a couple of weeks ago. 

I assume his move to the USA will also mean more potential acting work for the young thespian. As of today, he isn't attached to any other film or TV series; last year, he filmed a short film titled "Out of the Village," which was directed by Jonathan Stein, and counts "X-Men" director Bryan Singer as one of its producers. The 16-minute film that follows a brother and his sister during the Ebola outbreak (set in an "unnamed West African village" of course), is currently touring the international film festival circuit. 

The film, which was shot in Ghana raised over $20,000 via a Kickstarter campaign last year. I'm sure Attah's newfound fame will help draw attention to it wherever it screens.

Boko Haram Militants Attacked the Northern Nigerian Town of Buni Yadi in Yobe state

By Joe Hemba DAMATURU, Nigeria (Reuters).
Boko Haram militants attacked the northern Nigerian town of Buni Yadi in Yobe state late on Thursday and it was unclear how the fighting had ended, military sources said.

There was no information on any casualties after the attack that started  at around 9 p.m. (4.00 p.m. EDT), the sources said on Friday.

A Reuters correspondent saw a detachment of troops with armoured personnel carriers and a fighter jet heading towards Buni Yadi on Friday morning.

"Those boys (Boko Haram) came to Buni Yadi yesterday and attacked our people. They came in about nine Hilux (pick-up trucks) and opened fire... Our people have mobilized for reinforcement,"one the sources said.

Buni Yadi was one of the towns that was captured by the insurgent group in 2014 and then reclaimed in March this year by Nigeria army. Boko Haram has been trying to carve out a state adhering to strict sharia law in the country's northeast since 2009.

The group took over large swathes of territory last year but were pushed back into their last stronghold in the Sambisa forest reserve with the combined efforts of Nigerian and regional forces.

The militants have since dispersed and reverted to guerrilla tactics and including hitting towns well outside its Borno state heartland such as in Kaduna and Plateau states over the last two weeks.

President Muhammadu Buhari has made quashing the insurgency his number one priority and is building up a base in Chad's capital N'Djamena out of which regional forces can deploy and attack the militants.