Acquiring The Needed Knowledge And Experience Now That You Are Young

May I put it to you today that " anywhere experience or knowledge speaks, age bows or disappears."

Your age is never a determinant of your experience or knowledge. Most young people we see today has witnessed a lot even far more than some adults. In this same web, the level of your knowledge has nothing to do with your age.

Sometimes when you hear some adults talk, you get to wonder how such a low quality of word could proceed out of them but you need not to be surprised because their age doesn't guarantee sound knowledge.

The combination of knowledge and practical experience is a valuable asset to your life, these two important things are what comes together to make you a skilled person to enable you carry out tasks in an exceptionally successful way.

Both knowledge and experience are closely related to each other.

This is justified on the following grounds, without knowledge you may not gain practical experience and in the absence of practical experience, your knowledge and concepts cannot be strengthened or effective.

In this same web, experience must be considered as a part of knowledge that comes through experiments or doing things practically. It is therefore important to gain both knowledge and experience, so that you can live a good professional and successful life.

The major secret of those good leaders you see is simply knowledge and experience.

 

JAMB And Other Agencies Under the Ministry Of Education To Get New Board Members

A source from office of the Secretary to the Government has disclosed that the Federal Government will by January, 2016 begin board appointments in agencies under the Ministry of Education.

Apart from agencies and commissions like National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, National Commission for Nomadic Education, (NCNE), Abuja and National Commission for Adult Education Mass Literacy and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Abuja that have tenured appointments, immediate appointments are expected in others like Nigerian Educational Research Development Council (NERDC), Sheda, FCT, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Bwari, Abuja, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Lagos, National Examination Council (NECO), Minna, National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), National Institute for Educational Planning & Administration (NIEPA),Ondo, National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna and Nigerian Mathematical Centre (NMC), Sheda, FCT.

It may also include Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV)Badagry, Lagos, Nigerian Arabic Language Village (NALV) Ngala, Borno, National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) Aba, Abia, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Abuja, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Abuja, Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Abuja and Computer Professionals Registration Council of (CPN), Lagos.

It is expected that these appointments will help address issues in parastatals, agencies and commission under the ministry of education.

 

Inspirational: What You Should Know Before Choosing A Mentor And A Role Model

There has always been a misconception between these two words. People often take mentors for role models.

A mentor knows you and cares about you and tries to help you succeed. There is always a one on one relationship with a mentor.

A role model on the other hand is simply a person you look up to and try to emulate. It is very common for young people to choose role models they have never met and never will meet, simply because in some way they idealize that person's image.

You can never make some one you can't access and have a chat with as your mentor, he/she can only be your role model.

I don't know who your role models are, neither do I know who your mentors are, but they have great tendency of deciding your future.

Most destinies has been chattered by the mistakes of some so called mentors or role models while some has been built for the better in the same process.

Most people has so much believed in their mentors that even when their mentor falls they do the same. Being careful before you choose a mentor or role model is very important.

Of course there were hundreds of great role models out there and there are countless examples of successful thinkers, artists, athletes, singers, writers and more for us to aspire to.

For some reason though these people stood out among the crowd and were the ones that we really took notice of and tried to emulate. Perhaps we sensed a kindred spirit, or perhaps they reminded us of one of our parents.

Either way, once we choose a role model, they become a long – sometimes even lifelong fascination that we would take into adulthood.

Taking a person as a mentor is equivalent to handing over the steering of your life to him because you see him or her as more experienced and knowledgeable than you.
 

Four Federal Universities To Offer Welding Engineering In 2016

The president of the Nigeria Institute of Welding (NIW), Chief Solomon Edebiri has stated that four Federal universities in the country will begin offering Welding Engineering from next year.

The four federal universities are University of Benin, Edo State; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta state; Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger state; and Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State.

According to him, this development is a result of collaboration with the Petroleum Development Fund (PTDF).

He noted that the availability of competency in welding, inspection, fitting and machining and welding engineering will complete the quality loop needed in welding construction, fabrication and manufacturing.

'Radio Biafra transmitters installed on MTN masts'

Abuja - The Federal Government has revealed that the transmitters used in broadcasting messages from Radio Biafra, were installed on the masts of telecommunication firm, MTN in Enugu and Anambra States.

It further stated that the installation of the transmitters on the telecommunications company’s masts was done so as messages of Radio Biafra will enjoy a wider coverage.

This was contained in the case summary of fresh six count-charges the government instituted against the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and two others, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Diri, who signed the fresh charges, the case summary and other processes accompanying them on behalf of the government, alleged that Nwawuisi installed the transmitters on MTN masts “on request by an IPOB member, Chidibere Onwudiwe.”

 

Militants ask Buhari to prevail on EFCC to leave Tompolo alone

Delta -  The Transformed Niger Delta Ex-militants Forum has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to leave ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, alone.

The group said the anti-graft agency should follow the rule of law in dealing with the former militant leader while asserting that some persons, who were envious of Tompolo, wrote a petition against him to the EFCC.

In a communiqué signed by its national president, Meshach Bebenimibo, the group appealed to the President as a matter of urgency to instruct the EFCC to follow due process within 1999 Constitution as amended.

At the meeting held in Warri were Prince Bebenimibo, Bayelsa , Edo, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo coordinators of the group, Peter Ayeebide, Austin Peremobowei, Korebor Minama, Anthony Youbai, Oluwah Michael and Oloye Tamarayende.

 

Ban on ATM card abroad can't be reversed - CBN

Abuja - The Central Bank of Nigeria has said the decision of Deposit Money Banks to place a restriction on the use of Automated Teller Machine cards abroad by bank customers is due to scarcity of foreign exchange.

CBN said while it had no powers to reverse the restriction placed by the banks on the use of the ATMs abroad, the CBN was in support of the decision as it would assist in reducing the pressure on the naira.

The Director, Monetary Policy Department, CBN, Moses Tule, who said these in Abuja, explained that the restriction might continue until the country could increase its foreign exchange earnings.

He said if banks had not taken the decision to restrict the use of the ATM cards abroad, some of them would current be experiencing challenges meeting the overseas demand of their customers and this he said would have caused huge liabilities in the balance sheet of the banks, thus affecting their operations.

Tule said much as the CBN sympathised with Nigerians for the sufferings they were experiencing in carrying out transactions abroad, there was little it could do to reverse the decision of the banks.

 

Taraba Governor's swearing ceremony proposed for Abuja

Abuja -? A renowned academic has suggested the historic swearing-in ceremony of Taraba State governor-elect, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, be held in Abuja.

Prof Isa Odidi, a close acquaintance of Al-Hassan in her school days at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, said the suggestion was based on the significance of the event.

She is set to become the country's first female governor.

Odidi envisaged a large crowd at the ceremony.

"Specifically, because Governor Aisha Jummai-Alhassan has gained love from Nigerians and the world, it will be wise to reciprocate same to her followers in a more befitting setting," he said on his recommendation to hold the ceremony in Abuja.

He said this was bearing in mind adequate security and logistics, moreover, to increase the governor elect's momentum and followership.

Jummai-Alhassan was initially defeated in the election re-run held in April.

However, in November, a tribunal removed Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku, and declared Jummai-Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress winner of the original poll.

 

Buhari cracks down on big entourages, VIP travel

Abuja - After decades of lavish living and draining of public funds, the time has finally come for Nigerian politicians to curb their frivolous spending, 

In an announcement made by President Muhammadu Buhari, tough new measures have been introduced to slash the amount that officials are allowed to spend on private entourages and overseas travel.

Trips outside of the capital, Abuja, will now have to be granted through prior permission, while public servants may only travel business class when embarking on official government trips.

Buhari was also stern in announcing that private shopping trips overseas will not be footed through public funds.

Gone are the days of politicians living the lives of rock stars, as their entourages will now also have to be made smaller. 

Sometimes commuting with up to 30 people at a time, VIPs would traditionally employ a group of personal assistants who would act as an ostentatious convoy and "hype" the official up whenever need be.

According to a document from Nigeria's Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the number of personal assistants will now be limited, along with the use of motorcades to transport VIPs.

The number of police assigned to each politician will also be greatly reduced, with the surplus of police officials being redeployed back onto Nigerian streets.

Buhari is not one to lead by words and not example, having recently been spotted on an economy flight from London to Abuja. See the picture here

In addition, at a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta last month, a chef was deployed with the Nigerian delegation in order to discourage officials from spending public funds at fancy restaurants.

The Daily Trust said this is part of the measures aimed at reducing the cost of governance. .

The president now moves in a motorcade of about 12 vehicles.

The austerity measures come in response to a rapid decline in world oil prices, which has largely affected the Nigerian government and its ability to sustain the lavish lives of its elite citizens. 

Nevertheless, time will tell whether these stipulations will reflect positively on the pockets of average members of the Nigerian population.

 

Rap artist MI reveals his dating phobias.

Everybody has got their phobias. For some, it is fear of water and for others it may be fire or even the dark. The legendary Gaul tribe historically were renowned for their fearlessness but they had the mortal fear of the heavens falling down on them. For our top rap star, Mr Incredible aka (M.I) abaga, his fear has to do with the so-called light-skinned girls.

MI confessed to Potpourri in an interview that he lives in mortal fear of fair girls because he believes most of them are not natural. He said before he would take one for a wife he would need to see a picture of her as a vhild just to make sure she is naturally fair and not artificial. According to him, most girls have bleached their skins for so long that it almost looks natural.

“ Talking about the physical side of what I want in a woman, I want my children to be tall, so, she must be tall because I am not tall. Then I don’t care about complexion. If she is fair, that would be a problem because I would have to see  her childhood picture to confirm if she’s natural or artificial. Most ladies that claim to be fair or appear to be fair these days get unnatural means to achieve it. So, getting her childhood picture would tell me all I need to know concerning her true complexion”, he declares

He however conceded that he would take in any girl claiming to have got pregnant for him if he has the proof that they have had sexual relations before.

“Yes, if I have a proof that we have been together and done it because I believe that the best way for a child to be raised is for  both parents to be around. Look at somebody like 2Face he has shown love to all his kids and they are very close. Not only that, he has also maintained a good relationship with the mothers. When such situations arise, the best you can do is to make the most of it by staying true to yourself and be fair to all concerned” he quipped.

Meet the musician who fights ISIS with music on the streets of east Baghdad

A bustling market is in moments a mass grave.

To the inhabitants of east Baghdad, Iraq, this decor of charred vehicles and fallen structures after a bomb blast is an all-too-common sight.

It's a constant reminder by ISIS that death is imminent.

But then, a burst of an impassioned music wakes the residents from their dreary routine. Passersby who faced a bomb attack hours before turn their heads in confusion to see what is disrupting this mournful time.

Then at once, they're mystified by the sight of famed Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra conductor Karim Wasfi perched on scorched debris, trembling his mop of jet-black hair with Beethoven-like earnest as he drives his bow across his cello.

"These streets would still have the wreckage of the previous incident and maybe some horrific scenes, and even ... the smell of death," Wasfi says, describing his morbid stage.

He plays a vibrato, weeping tone -- a passage of "Baghdad Mourning Melancholy," a classical piece he composed.

A Man was electrocuted trying to steal electric cable.

An unidentified middle age man was electrocuted at the early hours of Sunday while trying to steal electric cable at a power supply installation in Kaduna. The incident happened at Accra Crescent by LEA Primary School, Unguwar Rimi. The traditional ruler of teh area, Dan Iyar Unguwar Rimi, Alhaji Muhammad Gidado, confirmed the incident.
Gidado said that the corpse of the vandal was evacuated from the scene by the police from Unguwar Rimi Division. According to him, the vandal was unknown to them in the area and urged law enforcement agencies to step-up patrol as the community has suffered from the activities of vandals lately.
Gidado explained that the deceased tried to steal the 150mm four core up-riser cable at the distribution sub-station along Accra Crescent when nemesis caught up with him. The Head, Corporate Communications of Kaduna Electric, the operator of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Abdulazeez Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident.
He appealed to customers of the company to be more vigilant and report suspicious movement around power supply installations to the police, especially in the night. Abdullahi lamented that the activities of these hoodlums was causing set back to the company’s effort at providing steady power supply to its customers.
He warned criminal elements to desist from damaging or removing power supply equipment as the consequence could be very tragic. Meanwhile, the police said it was investigating the incident with a view to arresting the collaborators of the act and preventing recurrence.

Iraq declares Ramadi "liberated" from ISIL, troops raise flag over key government complex

Iraqi forces claimed victory over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Ramadi as clearing operations were under way to flush out the armed group's remaining fighters in the key city.

"Yes, the city of Ramadi has been liberated," Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said in a televised statement on Monday, a day after the army took control of the key government compound in Ramadi's Al Huz neighbourhood.

"The Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have raised the Iraqi flag over the government complex in Anbar," Rasool added, saying the fighting will continue until the whole city is liberated. "This is a new chapter in the history of the country."

'Long war'

Ramadi, the capital of the Anbar province, fell to ISIL in May in an embarrassing setback for Iraqi forces.

Analysts say recapturing the provincial capital, which is just 100km west of Baghdad, could deprive ISIL of its biggest prize of 2015.

"By controlling the complex this means that we have defeated them in Ramadi," said Sabah al-Numani, a spokesman for government forces.

"The next step is to clear pockets that could exist here or there in the city."

Mark Kimmitt, a former US assistant secretary of political and military affairs, said recapturing Ramadi was just a small part of defeating ISIL

"The Iraqi army has improved but to take Ramadi is going to take thousands and thousands of soldiers, and one question is whether those soldiers are ready at this point,"..

Lagos Police reaffirm ban on street carnivals

Lagos - The Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, Adebowale Lawal, on Wednesday reaffirmed the ban on street carnivals and the use of fireworks during the Yuletide.

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, had banned such activities due to the high rate of robbery and insurgency in the country.
According to Lawal, the ban would also help to avoid unnecessary bloodshed during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

"Following instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, any form of street carnival and the use of fireworks still remain banned.

"The idea is to prevent undesirable elements from hiding under the guise of celebrating with fireworks to unleash mayhem on innocent members of the public.

"We don't want anyone to lose his or her life in the cause of celebrating this period.

"The rivalry fights between cult members often start from some of these street carnivals and we do not want such incidences to happen during this year's celebration," he said.

 

Sports Minister wants factional NFF to maintain peace

Lagos - The Minister for Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has appealed to the factional Nigeria Football Federation led by Chris Giwa to maintain peace.

Giwa has reportedly threatened his board will oust the Amaju Pinnick led NFF in January. As a result, there were release in circulation which said Dalung had ordered that the NFF leadership must respect all court orders pending his assumption of office as the Sports Minister.

According to the Special Adviser to the minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Dalung says he has not given any directive for any court order to be respected or flouted.

This followed a release in circulation which said Barrister Dalung had ordered that the NFF leadership must respect all court orders pending his assumption of office as the Sports Minister.

Also read: Sports minister says NO to transfer of Dream Team players

"Except there are two Ministers of Youth and Sports, I don't know where this statement is coming from but I can tell you that the two warring factions had presented their cases at different times and I'm taking my time to study the issue".

"I urge you to desist from anything that will truncate our preparations for the forthcoming Olympics and make a mockery of the victories recorded so far by the various national teams. The media should also restrain from sensational reportage of non- existing issues that will heighten the tension.

“The NFF leadership is still as we met it on board until this issue is resolved. We shall put all machinery in place to resolve this crisis permanently. I have not given any directive to the contrary until we find a permanent solution to the lingering crisis in the NFF," Dalung said.

 

Buhari says Nigeria has "technically" won against Boko Haram

Lagos - President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria has "technically" won the war against Boko Haram though suicide bombers remain a threat, in remarks issued days before his self-imposed deadline to defeat the jihadist group expires.

In the remarks, the leader of Africa's most populous country worked to reassure Nigerians that the jihadists now were unable to mount effective "conventional attacks" in the country's volatile north.

"Boko Haram has reverted to using improvised explosive devices (IEDs)," he said in an interview posted by the BBC on Thursday.

"But articulated conventional attacks on centres of communication and populations... they are no longer capable of doing that effectively," said Buhari.

"So I think technically we have won the war because people are going back into their neighbourhoods."

Buhari was voted into power earlier this year on a platform that included a promise to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency.

The former military ruler set a self-imposed deadline of the end of December to defeat the militants, vowing to invest in education to deter dissatisfied youth from becoming radical.

In contrast with his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari has been able to win back territory from Boko Haram and the country has seen a decrease in the number of deadly raids that decimated towns and villages.

But the jihadists in response have increasingly resorted to suicide bombers -- many of them young children -- to wage war for an independent Islamic state in the country.

Boko Haram recently has staged suicide bombings in neighbouring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting fears that the radical group is gaining traction outside Nigeria.

Since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009, the insurgents have razed towns and killed over 17,000 people.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, a report released by the New York-based Institute for Economics and Peace, it "has become the most deadly terrorist group in the world".

Boko Haram has destroyed swathes of what little infrastructure existed in the country's impoverished north at a time when Nigeria's coffers are empty as a result of the plunging price in oil.

The UN children's agency said this week that over one million Nigerian schoolchildren have been kept out of school because of the conflict, warning that the lack of education will fuel radicalisation in and around Nigeria.

 

Lagos lawyer’s secretary took off with N118,000

A Lagos lawyer’s secretary, Gbenga Akindele, who allegedly bolted with his employer’s N118, 000, was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The 21-year-old, who lives at Agege in Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused committed the offence on Dec. 17 at Tabon-Tabon in Agege.

He said Akindele, who was working as the secretary in the chambers of Mr Rotimi Akomolafe, was asked to pay some money into his employer’s account at First Bank but converted the money to personal use.

“Gbenga was sent to make payment of N79, 000 and N39, 000 into two different accounts at First Bank belonging to Akomolafe and Oluwakemi Adeniyi.

“He, however, converted the money to personal use,” Ayorinde said.

The offence violated Section 278 (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Magistrate, Mrs O.J. Awope, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned to Jan. 13, 2016.

Everton in discussions with a United States-led consortium about potential £200m takeover.

The group, led by former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team John Jay Moores and fellow entrepreneur Charles Noell, have been in talks with Toffees owner Bill Kenwright in recent months.

Moores and Noell have previously been interested in investing in Swansea.

The consortium is expected to perform due diligence on Everton's accounts over the next few weeks.

The Toffees have declined to comment on the latest interest - but there have been several parties pondering a deal to buy the Premier League club this year.

In October, City of London sources revealed to BBC Sport that American investors, some with links to Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City, were exploring the purchase of Everton.

The Times reports that the group led by Moores and Noell has been granted a period of exclusivity by Kenwright, which expires at the end of January, when they can examine Everton's finances.

Everton owner Kenwright has conducted a search for investment stretching back more than a decade but the latest moves are felt by those close to the club as representing the most positive and hopeful development since the theatre impresario indicated his willingness to sell.

Kenwright, who bought the club from Peter Johnson for £20m on 26 December, 1999, said as far back as November 2007: "If the right person stands in front of me and wants to take this club forward then I will sell."

And former Everton midfield man Peter Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday: "It's my club and Goodison Park - as much as I love it - I think Everton need a new football ground.

"We've got a great squad of players and a good manager but we need to get a new stadium to keep pace with the other clubs in this Premier League. You need the revenue that generates. If Bill Kenwright says it's OK - yes let's get it done."

It is understood that after years of inactivity regarding a sale, there has been a growing intensity and intent to do a deal in recent months, fuelled by growing, serious interest from a number of groups.

If the deal is completed it would mean both Merseyside Premier League clubs would be under American stewardship. Moores, who bought the San Diego Padres from current Liverpool chairman Tom Werner for $80m (£53.7m) in 1994, is believed to be worth around £500m../

Boko Haram militants kills five in Niger as regional attacks mount

Boko Haram militants killed two soldiers and three civilians in Niger's southern border town of Abadam in an overnight raid, two security sources told Reuters on Wednesday, in the third suspected attack by the group in less than 24 hours.

Four militants detonated suicide bombs on Lake Chad, also overnight, killing three of the attackers but no one else. Separately, militants attacked a convoy in northern Cameroon on Wednesday, although there were no reported deaths.

Funmi Sax, friends in Art of Worship..

Funmi Sax and friends are determined to make this Christmas season worthwhile for lovers of Gospel music.

The young lady saxophonist and her friends have chosen Sunday, December 27 as a day to give their fans free but memorable Christmas vibes. The praise concert is not holding for the first time. The saxxy Funmi started the event way back as a young girl in the music industry while preparing for further education.

“God just dropped it in my heart and I decided to walk in that vision. I started the first concert in a church hall in 2008 and it has been on since then,” she told our correspondent.

But it was not a straight run into 2015 Christmas season. Funmi took a break from 2009 to 2002 in pursuit of her studies at the Yaba College of Technology. She returned to the stage in 2013 and she says she has packaged this edition to be a big hit with the fans.

The event holding at Oregun, Lagos, will also feature Pat Uwaje-King of the Midnight Crew, Mayowa Adenrele, Efe Nathan, Kachy, Imoleayo and Kenny Blaq, in what has been tagged Art of Worship.

“These guys have been supportive, committed and selfless. They bought into the idea and we are in together for 2015,” Funmi sax said.

“I can say I have been able to reach the 70 per cent level and I believe God to achieve more. The idea is to bring Christians and unbelievers to worship God in truth and spirit. One of the best ways to adore and worship deep from our hearts is through music and that is what we want to achieve with a good concert like this.”

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Arsene Wenger: Arsenal belief strong after trashing Man City

Arsenal's victory over Manchester City has given them the belief they need in the Premier League title race, says manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners have not won the title since 2004, but goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud were enough against City despite Yaya Toure's late strike.

"It gives us confidence, strength and belief," said Wenger, 66.

"We have a bit more maturity in the side now, which you could see in the game when we were under pressure."

'Spirit, organisation and brilliance'

Arsenal are now four points clear of third-placed Manchester City, but remain two points adrift of leaders Leicester City.

With defending champions Chelsea 15th and seemingly out of contention, the north London side are now favourites to win the league.

They are unbeaten in their last six matches and five of Arsenal's last six top-flight title wins have seen them in second place at Christmas, including two of their three Premier League titles.

"Two or three years ago we were top for a long time but what is special is that this time we lost important players, had to go to Olympiakos, play at Villa and today, and we won those games," said Wenger.

"That is positive. I believe that we have shown our talents of spirit, organisation and brilliance all together and that gave us three points.

"When we did not have the legs any more we relied on the spirit and that got us through in the end."

Latest..Buhari arrives House of Assembly for budget presentation

N396bn is voted for education, being largest sectoral allocation. The Health sector gets N296bn while Defence received N294bn, saying the administration’s actions will speak for him.

He then solicited support of Nigerians for the Nation’s economy

10.20am: Buhari addressing the joint session.

Buhari presents N6.08trn budget. He has directed the PPRA to sell petrol at N87 per litre for now. He apologises to Nigerians on fuel scarcity , saying government is working very hard to cushion the effect.

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10.15am: Senate President, Bukola Saraki, just finished addressing the joint session at the House of Representatives Chamber

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10.00am: Muhammadu Buhari arrives the House of representatives in a joint session of the House and Senate to present the 2016 budget.

ON THE FIFA CORRUPTION CASE

Platini vows to ‘fight’ for FIFA presidency campaign after being banned for 8years

Michel Platini vowed in an interview with AFP on Tuesday to pursue his bid to become FIFA president despite being banned by the world football governing body for eight years.

The UEFA president said Monday’s ruling by FIFA’s ethics tribunal was “a kick in the teeth” but said he will “fight to clear my name.”

WHY...Buhari sacks NDDC board, appoints Semenitari as acting MD

President Muhammadu Buhari has dissolved the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission and relieved the Managing Director of the commission, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, of his position.

In his replacement, President Muhammadu Buhari has named the immediate past Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, as the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC.

A statement signed by Bekee Anyalewechi, indicated that Semenitari would be functioning in an acting capacity pending when a substantive managing director would be appointed.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has named Mrs. Ibim Semenitari the new Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. However, Semenitari is to function in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive MD.  

“Semenitari, an award-winning journalist and media manager, had served in the Communications Directorate of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2015 presidential election.”

Tragic...UNIPORT student allegedly killed by Police van driving one-way

Richard, whose birthday it was yesterday, was on his way back from Church and standing along Assemblies of God Church junction in Alakahia, PH, when he was allegedly hit by Police Van with registration number NPF 1791D driven by Inspector John Kanu with phone number.

"The police van after hitting the boy, tried to drive off but were stopped by onlookers at the junction and eyewitnesses who demanded that the victim be taken to the hospital.

The police agreed and took him to the University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), but on reaching there, they allegedly told the attending nurses that they just picked him while they were driving along NNPC Filling station at Rumuosi and they weren't aware of what had happened to him." a source close to the case told LIB exclusively

"It was one of the nurses in the hospital that took down the details of one of the policemen involved. When called by the family members of the boy, the policeman denied it in it's entirety. The police up till now are still denying the incident despite the several onlookers and eyewitnesses that were at the scene of the accident." he added

 Edah Oghenekevwe Richard (in hospital last night), who is supposed to serve next year in Batch A of the NYSC died last night at 7.30pm. May his Soul Rest in Peace. Amen!.

EFCC to question Bode George, PDP chiefs

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is concluding arrangements to invite some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party for questioning, a top source at the commission has said.

The plan is part of the ongoing investigations into the arms procurement scam and the party’s 2015 presidential campaign fund.

Our correspondent learnt that the commission had compiled a list of the PDP chieftains to be invited while the anti-graft agency was awaiting directives to summon them. The source added that the party’s chiefs might appear before the commission this week.

The top source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that it was the operational procedure of the EFCC to invite all those whose names were mentioned in the process of the investigation.

He explained that those whose names were mentioned, such as the former Board of Trustees Chairman of the party, Chief Tony Anenih; a former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, and others, who were alleged to have received part of the funds meant for arms procurement, would be questioned.

The source stated that inviting those mentioned did not necessarily mean an indictment but part of the process of investigation designed to unearth the truth.

He added, “You see, this is an investigation. In a situation like this, the commission has a thin chance of not inviting those whose names have been thrown up.

“They have to be invited to make clarifications; it does not necessarily mean that they have been indicted but it is only a standard procedure for them to appear to make clarifications where necessary.

“I think by now, Anenih, Bode George and all those who were mentioned during the investigation should have been invited but the commission has not been given the directive to pick them up.

“They know what they are doing. Anytime from now, possibly this week, they will be invited.”

The EFCC arraigned functionaries of the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, who had been mentioned as having a connection with the $2.2bn funds, said to have been meant to purchase arms to fight the Boko Haram terrorists during the past administration.

These include Dasuki, a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; and a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

Others arraigned are Bafarawa’s son, Sagir; and the founding chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Yuguda was on November 14 reported to have said he gave N600m to six chairmen of the contact and mobilisation committees of the PDP in the 2015 elections.

He was reported to have listed George (South-West); Yerima Abdulahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Senator Jim Nwobodo (South-East), and Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West) as beneficiaries of the fund disbursement.

Nwobodo, a former governor of the old Anambra State, has said he received an equivalent of N100m (in dollars) from ex-National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’azu, and not from Yuguda.

On his part, George, in a statement on December 14, denied collecting N100m from Yuguda.

He said the former minister gave the PDP Contact and Mobilisation committee $30,000.

Meanwhile, the EFCC is still detaining the Managing Director of Stallion Group, Harprrie Singh, over an alleged N1.75bn gift to Yuguda.

Investigations revealed that the commission was still holding the Stallion Group MD as of the close of work on Friday.

It was gathered that the commission would invite heads of more conglomerates this week in connection with the arms probe scam.

A top operative of the commission confided in our correspondent on Sunday that the commission had not released the Stallion MD because investigation into the controversial gift was still ongoing.

The source said, “The man has not been released. He was still with the commission during the close of work on Friday. It would be very unlikely for them to release him at the weekend, especially when the investigation has not been concluded.”

The EFCC on Thursday arrested Singh for a N1.3bn gift to Yuguda. The money was said to have been given to the former minister through Dasuki.

Our correspondent could not get the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, to comment on the planned invitation of the PDP chiefs as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect.

Amuneke not particular about Coach of The Year nomination

Lagos - Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke says he isn't particularly concerned whether he wins the African coach of the year award or not.

The former African player of the year has been nominated for the coach of the year in the 2015 CAF player of the year awards, after winning Nigeria's fifth FIFA Under-17 World Cup title in Chile.

Speaking on his nomination, the former Nigeria striker says he has won the important prize, which is the Under-17 World Cup trophy.

"It is good that I have been recognized because we did well," he said modestly.

"I'm not really particular about winning it because I am not that kind of a person. It is a welcome development if I win it, same if I don't.

"I believe I have already won what matters most, which is the Under-17 World Cup and I am happy for that," he stated.

His team were also nominated as team of the year, along with the Nigerian U23, who just won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Glo CAF Award ceremony will hold in Abuja in January 2016.

Buhari did not receive compensation for attack on his convoy

Abuja - The Presidency has dismissed an online report that President Muhammadu Buhari received 300,000 dollars and five armoured SUVs from the Office of the National Security Adviser over the attack on his convoy in Kaduna in 2014.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The statement said it was false and untrue to say Buhari received the said amount or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan Presidency or any of its officials, in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then.

"Our attention has been drawn to reports making the rounds, especially on internet-based media, that President Muhammadu Buhari received 300,000 dollars and up to five armoured SUVs from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year."

"We unequivocally deny that President Buhari received 300 000 dollars or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan Presidency or any of its officials, in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then."

"It is true that one armoured SUV and one 'untreated' SUV were sent to Buhari in the aftermath of the attack, the vehicles were in keeping with his entitlements as a former Head of State."

(This is in line with) the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999.

"Section 3, Sub Section 1 of that Decree provides that three vehicles will be provided for former heads of state and replaced every four years."

"There was, therefore, nothing untoward, illegal or tending to corruption in former Head of State Buhari and Presidential aspirant, as he then was, receiving vehicles, to which he was statutorily entitled, from the Federal Government of Nigeria."

According to the statement, Buhari had in keeping with his austere, spartan and frugal disposition, shunned most of his entitlements as a former Head of State.

It further stated that Buhari was, however, prevailed upon by his supporters to accept the two vehicles for his personal safety in the aftermath of the dastardly attempt to assassinate him.

"It is preposterous to think that Buhari will allow his acclaimed reputation of honesty and incorruptibility to be tarnished by accepting a questionable monetary compensation from a discredited regime," the statement concluded.

Kogi APC members reject Bello as governor-elect

Lokoja - The last has not been heard over the lingering political impasse in Kogi, as leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Kogi East senatorial district have rejected Yahaya Bello as the governor-elect, reports Tribune.

The party members reiterated their support for the Abubakar Audu/ James Faleke ticket.

The party leaders after a crucial meeting at Ayangba on Saturday rejected the decision of the national working committee of the party to nominate Bello as a replacement for the late Audu, saying that they would not shift ground on the issue.

The Zonal Chairman of the APC, Daniel Isah stated that the people of the Igala nation had resolved to pursue the issue to a logical conclusion.

He insisted that the Audu/Faleke ticket won the November 21 governorship election with or without the result of the supplementary election.

He chided the national leadership of the party for choosing to mishandle the issue of replacement for Audu, saying that they should have allowed the law to take its natural course instead of imposing a stranger.

 

Buhari administration risks ICC probe over Biafra protest

Lagos - A coalition has called for the prosecution of alleged perpetrators of the alleged killing of unarmed pro-Biafran protesters in Onitsha recently.

The grouping, under the auspices of the Igbo Ekunie Imitative (IEI), comprising of individuals in Nigeria and the Diaspora, said the alleged killings at the commercial, educational and religious centre in Anambra State were “shocking beyond belief.”

IEI, at a date it did not announce, said it would lodge a formal complaint against President Muhammadu Buhari, Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, and Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, in the first instance in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The alleged violations in Biafra, Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, IEI President, said, unequivocally constituted crimes against humanity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no excuse or circumstance can justify the cowardly, barbaric, morally obscene and criminally culpable indiscriminate massacre of women and young men,” said Ezeoke.

Such callous and criminal acts should be a shock to the conscience of the nation and a reminder that President (Muhammadu) Buhari and his security chiefs are gradually and surely dragging the nation back to the dark days of tyranny and despicable human rights violations that characterised erstwhile malevolent military regimes.”

Ezeoke said they were notifying the United Nations, European Union, Commonwealth, African Union, and rights organisations of ongoing human rights violations amid the protests.

The IEI leader said the alleged assault on peaceful protesters violated the African Charter on Human Rights, the United Nations Charter on People’s Rights and all international treaties and conventions to which Nigeria was signatory.

“We therefore accordingly call for the prosecution of all the officers and security personnel implicated in this heinous mass slaughter of innocent civilians,” said Ezeoke.

Protests demanding the independence of Biafra have turned violent in recent weeks.

 

OOU strike: ASUU challenges Amosun to public debate

 

The end may not have been heard on the ongoing crisis between the Academic Staff Union of University,ASUU, Olabisi Onabanjo University,OOU,Ago Iwoye and the Ogun State government as the Union has  told  the government to stop misinforming the public about the true situation of things at the institution.

The embittered striking lecturers have  even gone further to challenge the government to a debate on the claims that it has met all its obligations to OOU.

 The Union declared that it would not allow any government to intimidate or harass its members,  insisting that the institution should be “properly funded and not taken back to the dark ages.”

 It  also accused the present administration of abdicating its statutory responsibilities to the 33 years old state owned university.

Governor Amosun: ASUU of OOU says government not saying the truth

The state government had in a statement on Friday through the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, said it does not owe the academic staff salaries for 16 months.

 It also said the recent recognition of OOU by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the best state university in Nigeria punctured the notion that the state government had not done enough to revamp the institution.

 In its reaction on Saturday, the OOU – ASUU Chairman, Dr. Deji Agboola, dismissed the State Education Commissioner, Mrs Mujota’s position on the industrial action embarked upon by ASUU as one that reeks with “misinformation” and “falsehood.”

 He urged the visitor to the University, Senator Ibikunle Amosun or the Education Commissioner to tell the whole world how much was given to OOU in the last five years as salaries and allowances, either on a monthly basis or the totality of it.

 Agboola said, while ASUU is patiently waiting for the state government response to their posers, added that, “we want to make it abundantly clear that we can’t continue to pretend that all is well in OOU in the face of apparent and deliberate neglect by Amosun’s government.

 “We wish to make our position known on the Ogun State government press release about the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by our union at Olabisi Onabanjo University.

 “It is quite unfortunate that the State Government through its agent(s) could  misinform the members of the public that it has fulfilled all its expected obligations to the University, while denying the lack of discharge of its obligations.

“Not that the typical Nigerians political class is respected by the people for being adherents to the truth, but one would think that this falsehood would not be directed at the University system, and worse still, at ASUU-OOU.

 “For us, facts are sacred and as a body of intellectuals, we operate on proven assertions. In consequence, we shall be glad if the Ogun State government can sincerely respond to the following basic questions:

 “How much has Ogun State government under the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, CON; given the University in the last five years, as salaries and allowances, either on a monthly basis or the totality of it?;

 “How much has the Ogun State government under his administration given the University as running costs (subvention)?;

“Which one of the ongoing projects in any of the campuses of the University can the State government point to as either been initiated or contributed to by his administration?;

 “Which publication of NUC in 2015 is Olabisi Onabanjo University rated as No. 1 State University in Nigeria? This is because an available record at NUC website of Universities ranking in Nigeria for 2015 sharply contradicts the Ogun State government’s assertion and we challenge the State government to show evidence of this.

 “Even though, we know that our worth at OOU is far better than the NUC rating, which incidentally is still a sad reflection of underfunding, it would be good if the State government stop denying as usual, its complicity in starvation of funds for staff and students value added services through diversion of fees for payment of salaries.

 “On the positive turn around of the University, what roles has the State government played, either financially or infrastructurally in bringing about the touted positive turn by his administration?

 “We expect government’s response to all these questions and we also hope that government, through his representatives, shall be willing to confront the Union in a public debate on these issues,” the Union disclosed.

 The state government had yesterday said in the statement that, “The government had always met its contractual obligations to the staff of the institution but would not be railroaded into executing a contract it did not enter into with the academic union.

 “We state categorically that we do not owe the teachers as alleged. They should provide any evidence of the contractual obligation the state government has breached with regard to their salaries and allowances.

 “On payment of Earned Academic Allowances being demanded by the lecturers, the state government denied ever entering into any such agreement with the union. It tasked the academic body to provide any proof to the contrary.

 “Education remains the first cardinal programme of the Amosun administration. This is the reason why the sector has always received the lion’s share of the state’s annual budget.

 “Government is committed to its policy of regular payment of salary in spite of the current financial challenges across the country,” the Education Commissioner stated in the statement.