Majek Fashek at Vanguard; says he’ll reclaim his place in Nigerian music scene

The re-branded Majek was at Vanguard corporate Head office, in Apapa, Lagos, yesterday, where he declared his readiness to reclaim his pride of place in the Nigerian music scene. Decked in black jeans upon jacket, black boot and black T-shirt with a black cap to match, Majek was brimming with life again compared to when he was a shadow of his old self few years ago. He came to Vanguard in company of his manager, Mr Omeka Uzoma Dee.

Fondly referred to as the ‘Rainmaker’, the reggae legend has been living in the United Kingdom, since last year, recording his 10-track album. He said, he’s in the country to show appreciation to everyone that has been nice to him during his trial period. His words; “We’re here to help solve the Nigerian recession, and also, to openly appreciate everyone who has been nice to us, particularly Captain Busa Okubor. Everything he did for me was in secret, and he has done so much. So, we decided to come and appreciate him and also ask Nigerians to join us in thanking him for standing by me all through my difficult times. “I have a new album that I want to use to give Nigerians hope following the prevailing economic recession in the country. Nigeria is the richest country in Africa going by virtue of the resources we have, so why should we be in recession? It’s not a good business, the Nigerian government has to wake up from their program of stealing and focus on the welfare of the poor masses. Else in the nearest future, we’ll just have armed robbers, kidnappers and all sorts of social miscreants in the country,” Majek said. Speaking further, the reggae legend said, his upcoming album is a gift to Nigerians. “The 10-track album I am releasing is a gift to Nigerians. This is because for five years, I have not dropped an album but someone I used to work with pirated my work at Alaba International market. So this new album is like a gift to my countrymen. Later, I will do the album where I will feature emerging Nigerian artistes. The only person that was featured in my forthcoming album is Tuface. He is going to be on the album. And the album is a revelation album and it is titled, “Weep not children”. The children are weeping because our leaders are not doing what they are supposed to do.”

source: vanguard newspaper

No going back on sale of power assets – Fashola

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has foreclosed any possibility of reviewing the sale of power assets to private investors, saying that three years was enough to judge the capability of the new owners.

Nothing is wrong with going on vacation – Buhari

This is the second time the president would be seeking medical attention since he took office on May 29, 2015.

The first was in June last year when he left the country to treat an ear infection and returned after spending 13 days. A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the President is going “on a short leave which is part of his annual vacation. During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.” Vanguard observed that the President had since the week been performing the functions of his office mostly at his official residence located within the precinct of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, rarely spending dutiful hours in the office.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/nothing-is-wrong-with-going-on-vacation-buhari/

IDP camp bombing: NAF panel summons war commander, pilots

The Nigerian Air Force, on Thursday, inaugurated a six-man panel to investigate the Tuesday accidental air strike by the Nigerian Air Force at the Rann’s Internally Displaced Persons camp in the Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.


The panel has two weeks to submit its report.
The PUNCH learnt that as part of its investigation into the bombing, the panel had summoned, among others, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor; the pilots who launched the air strike, and some air officers at the Air Component base in Yola, Adamawa State.

A top source at the NAF, who confirmed the invitation of Irabor and some NAF officers, added that the pilots, who dropped the bombs, could not yet be sanctioned since the panel had not submitted any finding to indict them.

Members of the panel are the NAF Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice-Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribah (head), Air Vice-Marshal Charles Oghomwen, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Group Captain Essien Efanga, Wing Commander Solmon Irmiya and Wing Commander Mohammed Muazu.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in a statement on Thursday that the panel would submit its report on Thursday, February 2, 2017.

Famuyiwa stated that the NAF had listed 20 witnesses, who the panel would invite but free to invite more outside the list.

He said, “The NAF has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on January 17, 2017, at Rann, Borno State. Among its terms of reference, the board is to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the incident.

“This is with a view to forestalling future occurrence. In addition to a list of 20 witnesses given to it, the board is free to invite other persons to give evidence on oath. The Board is to submit its report not later than February 2, 2017.”

While the statement did not list the witnesses to be invited, the source told The PUNCH that Irabor, who coordinates the special operations against the Boko Haram’s terrorists in the North-East, and the pilots who launched the air strike, were among the 20 witnesses to be summoned by the NAF panel.

He said, “The NAF is not treating this incident with kid’ gloves, and it is not going to spare any indicted officer. The Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre commander is top among those to be summoned by the panel.

“Nothing yet has happened to the pilots because no report has indicted them. There are several procedures before you go to bomb a location; there are the Surveillance platforms and the Air Interdiction platforms.

“The panel will unravel whether surveillance was done at the location before the air strike. All these are necessary.

“Also, the panel will find out if the Rann location had been an IDPs’ camp known to the military or not.”

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Rann accidental bombing rose by two as additional casualties were recorded at hospitals in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Though initial reports had put the death toll at about 100, the latest casualties has brought the figure of 52, given by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) of 52, to 54.

The Borno State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, said hospitals in the state capital had discharged five injured survivors, confirming that two of the 80 severely-injured victims died.

He stated that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services and the NAF provided seven helicopters for the evacuation of the victims that ended on Thursday.

Mshelia said the State Specialist Hospital currently admitted 68 of the victims after those initially hospitalised at the military hospital at 7 Division of the Nigerian Army were all moved to the hospital on Thursday.

The commissioner added that 42 victims with minor injuries were still in Rann given the fact that medical teams from the MSF, the International Committee of Red Cross and the state government and other partners had enough medical supplies and health workers to address their health needs.

Bombing not deliberate –British High Commissioner

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has debunked a claim by one of the survivors of the Rann bombing that the attack on the camp was deliberate on the basis that the NAF jet launched three bombs on the IDP camp.

But Speaking on a radio programme in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, Arkwright said, “I’ve seen some suggestions that it was deliberate; I’m absolutely certain that it was not deliberate.

“I think what’s also necessary is a thorough investigation by the Nigerian Air Force or the Nigerian military to determine exactly what happened, because clearly, it was a mistake. Mistakes can recur, what’s really important is that the right actions are taken to avoid such mistakes happening again.”

CAN backs investigation, PDP says bombing provocative

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria described the accidental bombing as painful and regrettable.

The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Adebayo Oladeji, regretted that many innocent people in the IDPs camp became the victims instead of the targeted insurgents.

He said, “CAN commiserates with the victims, asks God to console and comfort all the bereaved and wishes those who are recuperating in various hospitals in the state a quick recovery.

“While we identify with the military in general and the Nigerian Air Force in particular and counsel them against being discouraged in the final phase of the war against the terrorists, CAN welcomes the setting up of a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the disaster.

“It is our expectation that the military authorities will implement whatever recommendations of the panel with a view to preventing a recurrence of such an avoidable disaster.”

But the Peoples Democratic Party has described Tuesday’s bombing as provocative.

It also said the bombing of the camp in error by NAF was shocking and unacceptable.

The National Caretaker Committee of the party said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Spokesperson for the caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye, who signed the statement, called for the investigation of the tragic error.

He said, “This is totally unacceptable and we demand a thorough and independent investigation into the matter to unravel the mystery behind the accident.

“The excuse by the Nigerian Military that the camp was mistaken to be a gathering of Boko Haram members is a show of unprofessionalism and lack of intelligence regarding operations of such magnitude.

“We are very worried that the military after several successes against the sect in recent times will display such provocative conduct capable of rubbishing its past achievements as a professional organisation.”

African forces suspend operation in Gambia for final talks

Long-ruling Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, who lost elections last month, has until midday Friday to hand over power and agree to leave the country or face military action, regional bloc ECOWAS has said.

West African troops entered The Gambia on Thursday to bolster its new President Adama Barrow but the military operation was suspended a few hours later, in favour of a final diplomatic effort to convince Jammeh — who has refused to quit — to exit the country.

“We have suspended operations and given him an ultimatum,” said Marcel Alain de Souza, head of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States.

source: The guardian newspaper

States IGR records N317.79b in half year 2016

The National Bureau of Statistics [NBS] yesterday released last year/s half year internally generated revenue [IGR] of the State covering the periods of January to June 2016, indicating that a total of N317.79billion was generated by twenty-nine (29) states that have reported their half year 2016 Internally Generated Revenue figure and their revenue which was generated across the following types – PAYE, Direct Assessment, Road Taxes, Revenue from Ministries, Departments & Agencies and other taxes.

In the report, Lagos State recorded the highest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) figure of N150.59billion followed by a wide margin of N28.15billion by Ogun State while Nasarrawa State generated the lowest revenue for the period under reference at N1.05bn.

The said seven states are yet to report their half year [H1 ] 2016 Internally Generated Revenue figures.The states are Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Oyo, Rivers and Sokoto.

Experts insist policy option, timing fail Nigeria’s economy

Professionals in the financial industry have insisted that policy choices and timing, particularly in the fiscal and monetary space, have failed the country.This was in response to the assertion by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria’s efforts to save the naira crumbled, resulting to aggravated economic issues.

The country was affirmed recessed in August 2016, two years after its major revenue earner- crude oil, lost value in the international commodity market. Thereafter, Nigeria has been flickering between monetary and fiscal policies that many believe have not helped economic activities.

The analysts, like the IMF, said government’s response-timing and decisions, were far from the solution, but rather worsened productive activities and general price of goods and services

Senator Ekweremadu yesterday spoke on the rumour as regards him leaving pdp for apc

            I’m not joining your party, Ekweremadu tells APC

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Nigeria's deputy Senate president has described reports about is purported defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to save his job as false and untrue.

In a statement made available to Naija.com, the special assistant to senator Ekweremdadu on political affairs, Hon. Okey Ozoani, described the reports as “a fantasy of those peddling it.”

He assured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful and Nigerians that “Ekweremadu is going no where.”

Man city finally signs Gabriel Jesus

       Man City complete Jesus transfer

Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesus has formally completed his move to Manchester City from Palmeiras, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesus has formally completed his move to Manchester City from Palmeiras, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

City agreed to sign Jesus on a five-year contract in August, but the 19-year-old was immediately loaned back to Palmeiras until the end of the Brazilian season in December.

With City having now completed his registration, he could make his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in Saturday’s home game with high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

source: the guardian newspaper

Buhari leaves for UK, to undergo medical check-up

           PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI LEAVES NIGERIA FOR UK, TO UNDERGO                                                  MEDICAL CHECK UP

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday left Nigeria for United Kingdom for what the Presidency described as “a short leave.”

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President would during the vacation undergo “routine medical check-ups.”

He said Buhari was expected to resume work on February 6. The statement read, “President Muhammad  Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation. He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.

“During the  vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.

“In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated.

“While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President.”

As of the time Buhari was leaving the country however, Osinbajo was leading the Federal Government’s delegation at the World Economic Forum holding in Davos, Switzerland.

The Vice-President is expected back in the country on Friday.

The last public event attended by Buhari was the grand finale of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the National Arcade, Abuja.

He had joined other top government officials to lay wreath in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes.

Buhari had during the week operated mostly from his official residence.

He appeared briefly in his office on Monday.

On Tuesday, he granted audience to the Cross Rivers State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, in his residence.

The President also cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday and remained in his residence throughout.

While Buhari’s convoy vehicles were lining up in his residence for his takeoff at about 12noon, his wife, Aisha, was granting audience to the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda, at the First Lady’s Wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This is the third time Buhari will be embarking on vacation in one year.

He had earlier embarked on a a six-day vacation between February 5 and 10, 2016 when he remained in London.

On June 6, 2016, he embarked on another 10-day vacation to attend to an ear infection.

Adesina had explained then that Buhari was battling with what he called “persistent ear infection.”

The presidential spokesman had said although Buhari had been examined and treated by his personal physician and a specialist in Abuja, both doctors advised him to go for further evaluation as a precaution.

He said the President would therefore use the 10-day break to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist in London.

Buhari returned to Nigeria on June 19, 2017 after spending 14 days in London.

In a short interaction at the airport, Buhari challenged one of the State House correspondents who asked him about his state of health to a wrestling contest.

“You know I am taller than you. Do you want to wrestle me?” the President asked in Hausa language.

He had earlier told the journalists that they could see him while he was inspecting the guard of honor, an indication that his health was in perfect condition.

“I am okay. You can see me inspecting the guard of honor. You have seen me, you saw me when I was going. You can do the assessment yourself,” he said.

source: the punch newspaper

Court rejects EFCC’s objection, grants bail to Dasuki’s ally

        col. dasuki (rtd)

A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has granted bail to a businessman, Mr. Edidiong Idiong, in the criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Idiong and two others were arraigned yesterday on an 11-count charge of alleged possession of funds meant to purchase arms by the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Sambo Dasuki.

The court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, dismissed the objection by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that it wasn't meritorious to grant Idiong bail.

The offence was said to be contrary to the Money Laundering Prohibition Act and punishable under the same Act.However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges along with Moor-town Global Investment and African Cable Television Limited, who are second and third defendants.

Source: the Guardian newspaper

senate More forex crisis as Senate okays N305 to $1 for budget The Senate yesterday retained the foreign exchange rate of N305 to the dollar for the 2017 budget. This was part of the key decisions by the upper legislative chamber while passing the

The Senate yesterday retained the foreign exchange rate of N305 to the dollar for the 2017 budget. 

This was part of the key decisions by the upper legislative chamber while passing the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

Adopting the recommendations of its Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning on the document, the Senate however, raised the proposed oil benchmark of $42.50 in 2017 budget to $44.5 per barrel.

The decision to retain a conservative exchange rate benchmark of N305 per dollar could further mount pressure on the Naira, especially as the CBN has failed to meet Forex demand in recent times. Industry experts had condemned the wide gap between official exchange rate and that of the parallel market, saying it was the reason for the weak naira.

source: guardian newspaper