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     July 31, 2018 Press Statement The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcomes the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, the Kwara State Governor, Megida Ahmed Abdulfatah and the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, to its fold. The party says the coming of Senator Saraki, Governor Ahmed and Alhaji Ibeto could not have been at a better time than this when our nation requires the input of genuine patriots that will save her from an impending decline. The PDP notes the harassment and intimidation that the duo of Senator Saraki and Governor Ahmed had suffered from the lords in the disintegrating All Progressives Congress (APC) which they helped to build and nurtured to win elections. Senator Saraki, in particular, has conducted the affairs of the Senate in reflection of the wishes of the silent majority of Nigerians and had emerged a hero of democracy. The party has no doubts that Senator Saraki, Governor Ahmed and Alhaji Ibeto will contribut

        President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday emerged the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States. His Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this in a message posted on his Twitter page. He wrote, “President Muhammadu Buhari has been elected the new Chairman of Economic Community of West African States {ECOWAS} at the just concluded ECOWAS Summit in Lome Togo.The announcement was made shortly after a closed session of Heads of State of the Commission''.One more photo below.

       Today, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received progress report from the Family Home Task Team at the State House, Abuja. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT PRESS RELEASE HOW PATIENT’S BILL OF RIGHTS WILL TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA – VP OSINBAJO...    “In terms of policy and funding, we, as a government, are acutely aware of the challenges of Nigeria’s health sector. And that is why we are single-mindedly pursuing the attainment of Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians. For the first time ever, our 2018 budget allocates 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund towards the funding of key health initiatives, in compliance with the National Health Act. The Patients’ Bill of Rights is a very timely complement to these policy and funding interventions. It will ensure that the increasing funding that is coming into healthcare in Nigeria translates into a direct improvement in the quality of the final output at what one might call the ‘last mile’ phase of healthc

      The United Arab Emirate is fully committed to supporting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the discharge of its mandate of fighting corruption in Nigeria. Fahad Al Taffat, the Emirates new envoy in Nigeria made this pledge today during a familiarization visit to the head quarters of the EFCC Abuja. The envoy who was received by EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said he was at the EFCC to acquaint himself with the work of the agency.  He noted that he had been fully apprised of the tremendous work of the Mohammadu Buhari administration in fighting corruption and violent extremism before he arrive the country. Ambassador Al Taffat promised to everything possible to assist the EFCC. “Whatever you need, just put it in writing, I will press for it. The UAE can assist you in the areas of capacity building, technical support and intelligence sharing”, he said. He assured that his country already has a robust anti- money laundering framework, with an anti- money la

      Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, in his bid to stop his trial over an alleged N3.2bn fraud.   Kalu alongside his former Commissioner for Finance and Account, Jones Udeogu, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limit ed, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended 39-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.2bn.The EFCC, through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had, on Friday, May 11, 2018, closed its case against the defendants, after the conclusion of evidence given by a prosecution witness, Chidi Chukwuka , Deputy Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC.During the May 11, 2018 proceedings, the prosecution counsel had also moved an oral application to amend the charge against the defendants in view of the evidence given so far.However, the defence led by

     Senate President made this announcement few minutes ago on social media.He wrote '' I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).''. He further updated later that '' This is not a decision that I have made lightly. If anything at all, I have tarried for so long and did all that was humanly possible, even in the face of great provocation, ridicule and flagrant persecution, to give opportunity for peace, reconciliation and harmonious existence. Perhaps, more significantly, I am mindful of the fact that I carry on my shoulder a great responsibility for thousands of my supporters, political associates and friends, who have trusted in my leadership and have attached their political fortunes to mine. However, it is after an extensive consultation with all the important stakeholders that we have come to this difficult but inevitable decision to pitch our political tent e

      For over three hours, fire disrupted banking services at the head office of Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. on Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos, on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who visited the scene of the fire incident reported  that the fire started at 8.30am. A witness, Mr Malachy Okoli told NAN, that the fire started when a tanker was discharging diesel into the bank’s fuel dump. Okoli told NAN that staffers of some commercial banks around EcoBank used their fire extinguishers to contain the fire before the arrival of officials the Federal Fire Service. NAN reports that some youths were seeing around the place scooping diesel from the gutter not minding the risk  and a lot of kiosks around the bank were destroyed by the inferno. Ganiyu Olayiwola, Deputy Commanding Officer, Lagos Command, Federal Fire Service, said the bank alerted the command  at about 8.55am. “We quickly alerted our people and we were able to contain the fire, the first thing

      Justice Bello Abbas of the Sokoto State High Court today July 31st, 2018 discharged and acquitted the former governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa alongside four others on a 22 count charge of Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Theft and receiving of stolen funds. The accused now acquitted persons were arraigned on the 16th day of December, 2009 before the Sokoto State High Court. They include: Beedash Nigeria Limited, Nasdabap Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gumm Upon arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the 47 count preferred against them by the commission. Soon after their arraignment, the accused persons filed a motion asking the court to quash the charges against them. The said motion was dismissed by both trial court and the court of appeal. On the 29th of September, 2011, the prosecution filed an amended 144 count charge against the accused persons. However, while the case was on going

     Governor Willie Obiano today visited and commiserated with the Achebe family of Umuezechi kindred of Umuria Village, Anaku in Ayamelum Council Area who lost a pregnant woman and her daughter to a flooding challenge recently.   The pregnant woman and her daughter were said to drowned in a canal at Coscharis Rice Farm Anaku during a torrential rainfall. Governor Obiano who insisted on visiting the compound, also presented the sum of N500,000 to the family to help assuage them over their loss.More photos below.

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently at the 53rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS holding today in Lomé, Togo.More updates later and more photos below.

      The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to partner with the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in the training of NAF personnel in effective public relations and information management. This was disclosed yesterday, 30 July 2018, during a courtesy visit by the President of APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sad ique Abubakar, in his office at the Headquarters NAF, Abuja. While speaking during the visit, the APRA President stated that the Association was established to foster unity through interaction and exchange of ideas amongst public relations (PR) practitioners in Africa as a whole. He said APRA was strongly committed to selling ‘Positive Africa’ through the instrumentality of the PR profession. Speaking further, Mr Badejo-Okusanya said APRA was glad that the current NAF leadership had not only made giant strides in the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorists and other security threats but had also professionally deployed

     The Lagos State Government  on Tuesday  debunked viral report on the social media suggesting that it was planning to commence paying salary to religious leaders in the State, saying the claim was totally untrue and misleading.  Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Abdulateef Abdulhakeem who made the clarification while speaking on a television programme monitored in Lagos, said there was no iota of truth in the said report, and urged members of the public to disregard it in its entirety.   He said: “The clear position is that the Lagos State Government is not intending to employ Imams and Pastors. There is no such plan and there is no willingness on our part to delve into a private realm. “What exists in Lagos State is that there is a symbiotic relationship between the Lagos State Government and faith-based organizations and it is a mutually beneficial relationship which has contributed to the growth and development of the State,” Abdulhakeem said. In the said report,

     This 83 year old, Imam-Abdullahi-Abubakar reportedly saved around 300 people reported to be Christians on June 24, 2028 when suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded 15 communities in Barkin Ladi LGA, killing scores. The victims were said to be running for safety from a neighbouring village in the Barkin Ladi LGA when the Imam hid them in his house and mosque. “I hid the women in my personal house and after that, I took the men into the mosque and hid them there,” Imam Abubakar had stated. However, the assailants reportedly caught up with the Imam, and ordered him to hand them over to them . But the cleric reportedly refused, and the attackers left.I heard he will be honoured by President Buhari,for his bravery.

      His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura Governor of Nasarawa state has approved the appointment of Yakubu Lamai as the Director General Strategic Communications and Press Affairs to the Executive Governor which effect from Thursday, 26th July,2018. Yakubu functions is to interact with the citizens, organization and communities on behalf of the Governor and speak on public policy issues which emanate from the Governor and also conduct appropriate liaison with Media Organization and related associations in providing a comprehensive media and corporate management strategy for the government. Before Now, Lamai a season broadcaster, filmmaker and a writer. Yakubu holds an MFA in Film from Ohio University and a Master degree in international Affairs and strategic studies from the Nigeria Defence Academy among an array of academic qualifications.Yakubu promised to put all his wealth of experience to deliver his duty for the good will of the people of Nasarawa state.

     The Lagos State Government has warned members of the public to be wary of the activities of unauthorised officers defrauding people, particularly under the guise of environmental law enforcement. Sounding this note of warning in Alausa recently, the State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, expressed government’s concern about the activities of some bad eggs among public servants, who sometimes abuse the enforcement process to defraud Lagosians. He said that nemesis caught up with six officers who were in the process of fleecing JCB Hotel, Omole and Roneks Hotels in Akowonjo area of the State. His words: “The Managers of the JCB Hotel, Omole and Roneks Hotel, Akowonjo reported the dubious activities of six officers who abused the enforcement procedure with the intent to personally enrich themselves. The names of the officers were given as Alaba Alegbe, a Principal Scientific Officer, Famuyiwa Olawale, on Grade level 10; Olodun Lateef, Grade

      Peace and Security will be at the top of our Agenda at the ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit Yesterday in Lome, Togo. We will discuss ways of forging a decisive and lasting response to our common security challenges. Regarding security, a regional approach is just as important as a domestic one. I have authorized the deployment of a 1,000-strong Military Force to tackle the troubling security challenges in Zamfara. We have another Special Military Force, of about the same size, in Benue, cover ing Nasarawa and Taraba as well. In Plateau we have Operation Safe Haven. In the face of the evolving security threats, in the North Central and North West, we remain determined to neutralize every form of banditry and criminality. What we will never do is abandon any part of Nigeria to terrorists and criminals. We are seeing improved cooperation between the Military, Police, DSS and Civil Defence Corps, and also prioritizing intelligence gathering; as well as increasing the use of air assets a

      HALF YEAR REPORT OF TINCAN ISLAND PORT COMMAND FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 2018 The Tincan Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service generated a total of One Hundred and Sixty-Two Billion, Seven Hundred and One Million, Seven Hundred and One Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-Six Naira and Eighty-Three Kobo (N162,701,701,136.83). This is against the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Billion, Six Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira and Thir ty-Six Kobo (N130,006,136, 996.36) generated in the corresponding period of 2017. This represents a difference of Thirty-Two Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Naira and Forty-Seven Kobo (N32,695,564,140.47).