Saturday 6 June 2015

We will declare our assets after they have been verified – Pres. Buhari

President Buhari says he and his vice, Osinbajo, will declare their assets publicly after the Code Of Conduct Bureau does its verification on the asset declaration form they submitted on May 28th.

The new President gave this assurance in a statement released today by his media aide, Shehu Garba. In the statement, President Buhari said he hopes that the verification will be conducted within their 100 days in office.

The post We will declare our assets after they have been verified – Pres. Buhari appeared first on Naijabams.



Timaya – “Eedris Abdulkareem Never Treated Me Well

You’d remember that a while back, Eedris Abdukareem stated that he was the one that Timaya who he is today.

Well, In a recent interview with Punch, Timaya has spoken on his relationship with Eedris Abdulkareem from way back.

Timaya said “When I was with Eedris Abdulkareem, did he give me due recognition? Eedris did not make me who I am today. I was the one that went to meet Eedris in his house. He never treated me well. I would stay at the front of his gate from morning till night and he would send somebody to tell me to come back after a week. When I returned the following week, he would not see me. I used my money to pay to attend his shows even though I was his band member. I was not celebrated.

“The only money Eedris paid me in his life was N1, 000 and it was after we had the Kuramo Beach show. That was nothing compared to the money I had been spending on transport. I was not bothered because I wanted a platform and I was learning.

“Like I always tell people, whatever you want in life, you just need to make sacrifice. Even if they feed you poop, you are not going to eat it forever. I gained a lot from that experience. It was through him that I met Sound Sultan and a lot of people. Eedris and I don’t do the same kind of music, so he does not influence me musically. I have never been in a studio where he was recording before and he never gave me that opportunity, so how did I learn anything from him,” he queried.

Timaya said Eedris is still his boss and he will always respect him.

“One major thing I learnt from him was his stage performance. He is a lion when he is on stage, he is a super performer and I give that to him. I learnt that from him. For me to have admitted that I was his back-up singer was my way of giving him due recognition because he did not see me in that light. I could have said I was never with him but because I respect him, I opened up. There is no way I am going to write my story without putting his name. He is still my boss. If I am in a show and I see him, I would prostrate for him.

“It was so bad that he did not even know my name then, he referred to me as Bayelsa boy. If he was going for a show outside Lagos, nobody would tell me. I would eventually know and use my money to transport myself there. I would call his boys and they would tell me the hotel they were lodging and I would take a bike to meet them. In his whole crew, who is better now? I was eager to make it,” he said.

The post Timaya – “Eedris Abdulkareem Never Treated Me Well appeared first on Naijabams.



The Next Finance Minister Will Face A Difficult Year – Okonjo-Iweala

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said her successor will face a “difficult” year because of plunging oil revenues. She therefore stressed that the economy needs expert management to come out fine.

“We have a serious situation with a cash crunch,” she told Bloomberg in an interview in Cape Town, South Africa at the World Economic Forum on Africa. “But fundamentally, the economy is strong. If we can get through the cash crunch, manage the way through, build on some of the assets we have, by next year, things will be better.”

Fall in global oil prices have put Nigeria in a bad financial position with authorities forced to cut spending and states relying solely on allocation from the federal government owing workers salaries for months. The government relies on oil for about 75 percent of its income.

Okonjo-Iweala said the next finance minister must focus on “a strong policy, the fiscal consolidation path that we have and looking toward diversification of revenue resources”.

Like several other Nigerians, the former minister says she is waiting for the new finance minister to be named.

Now out of a job after her tenure as minister ended, Okonjo-Iweala said she plans to take a break until August and will then consider her career options.

The post The Next Finance Minister Will Face A Difficult Year – Okonjo-Iweala appeared first on Naijabams.



Cross River Governor Orders Payment Of Salary Owed To Workers

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has ordered that the one month backlog of salary owed civil servants must be payed on or before Tuesday, June the 9th, 2015.

According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Ayade explained that the decision to clear the one month salary owed the state workers was in keeping with his policy of ensuring that workers are paid on the 25th of every month.

On assumption of office, Ayade had vowed to make prompt payment of workers’ salaries, saying that “a labourer deserves his wages”.

He also promised to create about a thousand jobs for unemployed youths in the state during his first 100 days in office as part of his short term achievements.

While he committed to paying workers on time, the governor also demanded that workers get early to work, warning that civil servants who do not report to work latest by ten minutes before 8am will be sanctioned

The post Cross River Governor Orders Payment Of Salary Owed To Workers appeared first on Naijabams.



Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar visited Jimeta market bomb blast site in Yola earlier today. His media representative also released a statement on the bomb blast:

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has expressed sympathy with the victims of Thursday’s bomb explosions in Jimeta-Yola, in Adamawa State, which damaged a greater portion of the popular Jimeta market and caused widespread destruction of lives and property.

The former Vice President also condoled with victims of the recent bomb blasts in Maiduguri.
Atiku in a press statement by his media office in Abuja on Friday, 5 June 2015, lamented that these renewed attacks have sowed seeds of fear, violence and destruction in many parts of the North east region of the country.

The former Vice President urged the people to unite and isolate the agents of the terrorists among them and to support the government in its effort to degrade activities of the insurgents.
Atiku Abubakar said further that the recent spate of bomb attacks is a wake-up call on the need for improved vigilance on the part of the people and intelligence on the part of the security agencies to forestall such heinous attacks.

He called on the people and the security forces to monitor carefully the displaced person’s camps to ensure that insurgents do not infiltrate the latter and where they have done so, to deny them the liberty to operate by neutralising them, isolating them and then having them fished out for prosecution.

The Turaki Adamawa said that the Boko Haram offensive against the Nigerian people would eventually fail, as the measures and alliances being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari administration would result in the defeat of the group where ever they are found.

The post appeared first on Naijabams.



President Buhari and VP Osinbajo’s Salaries Revealed

Officially, politicians do not earn much in salaries but the secret allowances they collect are too much.

According to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, will earn a monthly salary of N3,514,705.

The role of the RMAFC, empowered by Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, is to outline the salary earnings appropriate for individuals who hold political offices.

Buhari is also eligible for a regular hardship allowance, 50 percent of the basic salary, N1,757,350.5.

Altogether, President Buhari will take home N1,171,568.33 every month, and N14,058,820 yearly for salary.

The government also pays for the provision of car fuel, personal assistance, domestic staff, and utilities for President Buhari.

Upon request the new President has access to accommodation, Duty Tour allowances, medical allowances, as requested.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s monthly salary is N3,031,572.50. He will receive N1,010,524.17 monthly, and N12,126,290.00 annually.

These allowances are either paid periodically, monthly, etc. The Tour Allowance depends on the president’s travel arrangements.

Buhari promised during the campaign that the salaries of all members of his cabinet would not exceed what is outlined by the RMAFC.

The post President Buhari and VP Osinbajo’s Salaries Revealed appeared first on Naijabams.



Over 120 Escape Death As Aero Aircraft Develops Fault Mid-Air

Over 120 passengers, including the Director,Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Friday evening escaped death as an Aero Contractors Airline Flight 180 from Lagos to Kaduna developed technical fault mid-air.

The aircraft was said to have suddenly lost altitude, 20 minutes after it departed the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, forcing the aircraft to wobble in the air for over one hour before it was eventually diverted to Abuja.

Akintola, who broke the news to New Mail, said the flight took off from Lagos at exactly 6.30pm.

He said 20 minutes into the flight, the aircraft lost altitude and the passengers had to make use of the oxygen masks as the plane continued to wobble, while dropping steadily.

Akintola said, “The plane lost altitude 20 minutes after takeoff. We had to make use of the oxygen masks. We saw smoke outside the plane, probably coming from the engine compartment.

“At this time, the whole plane was thrown into commotion. Many passengers screamed and some fainted. Prayers upon prayers were offered. Some shouted Allah, others Jesus.”

Akintola said it was in the midst of the commotion that the crew, whom he commended for their professionalism and unusual calmness, announced that the plane would be diverted to Abuja.

He said, “While the pilot was making the announcement of the flight diversion, I noticed that his voice was trembling. He told us that Abuja was 120 miles away and that we would land in 25 minutes. But we were not sure we would make it.

“In fact, I quickly recited the Kalimah (the Quranic invocation of the oneness of Allah), believing that the end had come,” Akintola added in messages to New Mail.

He said that the plane finally touched down in Abuja at about 9.00pm and upon landing in Abuja, the officials of the airline told the devastated passengers that the fault would be hurriedly repaired and that the plane would proceed to take them to Kaduna, their original destination.

As of the time he spoke with New Mail at about 9.30pm, he said he was already in a taxi taking him from Abuja to Kaduna as he could not risk being “flown in the same aircraft that was divinely saved from crashing.”

Akintola said, “As I am talking to you, I am now in a taxi taking me to Kaduna. They said they wanted to repair the plane and that we should wait so it takes us to Kaduna. Allah forbids. They asked how many of us wanted to disembark and almost everybody came out.”

When Saturday PUNCH called Akintola at about 11pm, he confirmed the incident and said he was about entering Kaduna.

He said, “When the aircraft wanted to land in Abuja, the tyres failed to come out on time and that again caused more commotion among passengers. At last, we landed at about 7.35, about 50 minute of trauma mid-air.”

A statement by the airline read, “Aero confirms that there was depressurisation in the aircraft cabin leading to the dropping of oxygen mask. And since Aero has a maintenance facility in Abuja, the flight to Kaduna was diverted to Abuja this evening to fix the problem.”

The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, said he had yet to be briefed on the matter.

Source : PunchNg

The post Over 120 Escape Death As Aero Aircraft Develops Fault Mid-Air appeared first on Naijabams.



Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Gets Recommended For Nobel Peace Award

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has been recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize by a public policy organisation on African affairs, the Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL).

The organisation noted that the will of Alfred Nobel, the progenitor of Nobel Prize stated that Peace Prize be awarded to whoever “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”.

Accordingly the organisation held that the ‘peaceful way President Jonathan conceded to President-elect Buhari deserves the attention of Nobel Peace Prize committee. He may have not promoted “fraternity between nations” but he surely promotes fraternal peace among Nigerians by conceding power.’

The group maintained that the “concession speech by President Jonathan averted bloodshed, violence and imbroglio in the most populous country in Africa. This gesture by Jonathan [sic] buttressed to the whole world that Nigeria has joined the comity of civilized nations. Nigeria can be said to have shown great leadership in Africa and made Africans in general and Nigerians in particular to comprehend that transfer of power does not need to be violent but rather peaceful as heralded by the outgoing president of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.”

The post Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Gets Recommended For Nobel Peace Award appeared first on Naijabams.



Dangote opens 2.5 million mta cement plant in Ethiopia

With a prospect of about 7000 job opportunities in Ethiopia, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote yesterday opened his 2.5million mtpa cement plant with a charge on African leaders to make environment conducive for the growth of real sector as a sure way of creating jobs to reduce poverty in the continent.

Dangote, who was speaking shortly before the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn cut the tape to inaugurate the plant said that achieving a real economic integration in Africa would require that Africans work together to ensure economic and political stability on the continent.
Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote

Besides, he stated that conscious efforts must be made to break down the barriers and borders between countries so as to allow free flow of goods, services and people.

Dangote stressed the need for a genuine collaboration between the private sector and governments at all levels for the much needed real sector growth, noting that there must be deliberate efforts to encourage Africans, not just foreigners alone, to invest in Africa.

“Take for example, my company, the Dangote Cement is currently investing in 16 African countries, with plans to invest in many more over the next few years. There are a number of other successful pan-African brands today such as MTN, Shoprite and Ecobank. We need to encourage this trend to see more investments in Africa by Africans.

“Above all, there is the need to encourage the private sector to collaborate with governments across Africa, to address the issue of infrastructure deficit, which has plagued the continent for decades”, he advised.

Said he: “I believe that manufacturing, and not trading, is the best way to grow an economy. This event, which we are witnessing today, attests to the fact that we took the right decision when we decided to transit from trading in our home country, Nigeria, into manufacturing, in 1996.

“Dangote Cement is currently simultaneously setting up new cement plants and terminals across 16 African countries, including Ethiopia. This is in line with our long-term vision to become one of the world’s biggest cement producers. We envisage that by the time we complete all our ongoing African projects, we will be on track to achieving our target.”

He explained that the various developmental projects, including the construction of the continent’s largest hydro-power dam, makes Ethiopia a beautiful bride to investors.

While commending the government and appreciating the country’s remarkable economic achievement, Dangote said that the favourable investment climate together with abundant raw materials and sustainable peace attracted him to invest in Ethiopia.

According to him, in addition to supplying 2.5 million metric tonnes of cement per annum to the market, Dangote Cement Plant has also created direct employment for about 2,000 people in the main plant operation and 5,000 indirect job opportunities.

Inaugurating the Dangote Cement Plant established with over 600 million USD direct investment in Muger Town, Prime Minister Hailemariam said Ethiopia representing a lucrative market, is a destination of choice for investors with a population of well over 95 million people and a growing middle class.

According to the Premier, with the government’s focus on harnessing the competitive and comparative economic advantages of the country, Ethiopia is ready to host more and more quality investments that leave a positive mark on its non-stopping development journey.

He said his government has been taking all the necessary measures to make the country suitable for foreign investment and adequately conducive for local investors.

“I am hopeful that the continued interest and presence of self-made industrialists such as Alhaji Dangote in investment projects in Ethiopia’s diverse sectors and their successful experience can and should go a long way in encouraging local investment”, Hailemariam enthused.

Ethiopian Industry Minister, Ahmed Abetew said the importance of industry for sustainable development could not be over emphasized and that was why the government has accorded the sector a priority.

He expressed the hope that the involvement of Dangote in the cement industry in Ethiopia will play a significant role in cement production.

It would be recalled that the construction of the cement factory commenced in 2012. Lying on 134 hectares of land, the factory which has a capacity to produce 2.5 million tons of cement annually is constructed by Sinoma International Engineering, a giant Chinese construction firm.

The post Dangote opens 2.5 million mta cement plant in Ethiopia appeared first on Naijabams.



Dog meat, Ogogoro death toll rises to 32

Rivers State government has banned the consumption of local gin popularly called Ogogoro, following the death of about 32 persons, 15 from Bonny Island and Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, and the reported death of another 11 persons in Gokana Local Government Area, which included seven male and four females.
Dog meat

Dog meat

The ban by government was due to the increasing death toll from consumption of the alcoholic liquor and dog meat delicacy alleged to contain poisonous ethanol, which now stand at 32.

Five persons reportedly died in Woji area of Obio/ Akpor after consuming the local gin, although Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for Rivers State Police Command, Ahmad Mohammad, said only one death was recorded.

Rivers State government through the Department of Disease Control said the ban had become necessary to forestall further consumption of the toxic substance. Director of Disease Control in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Roland Obed Whyte, who disclosed this, however, expressed concern over difficulty in getting samples of the particular gin popularly called Ogogoro or Kai-kai for thorough clinical analysis.

Why he explained that irate youths of Woji had set ablaze the shop of Friday Dickson, (aka Etiaba) where the suspected toxic gin was bought and consumed, erasing any samples of the gin, while the latter was currently in police custody.

He, however, said health officials from the ministry have been dispatched to Woji for house-to-house enlightenment on the dangers in consumption of ‘highly toxic’ local gin.

He said preliminary findings revealed that some of symptoms found in the affected victims, includes vomiting and blindness.

In Bonny Island, a youth leader and spokesman for Bonny kingdom, Sunday Wilcox, confirmed on Thursday that the death of 17 persons after the consumption of the toxic local brew popularly kai-kai imported into the Island. “

“As I speak with you, 17 persons have been confirmed dead. We are going to the hospital to attend to those who are critically lying ill. We need the help of World Health Organisation, WHO, Federal and government agencies to assist people of Bonny kingdom,” he said.

The post Dog meat, Ogogoro death toll rises to 32 appeared first on Naijabams.



President Buhari Condoles With the People of Ghana Over Tragedies

Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government and people of Ghana over the dual tragedy of flooding and fire outbreak which claimed scores of lives in that country.

The president, in a condolence message on Friday, 5 June 2015 signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that Nigeria will stand by Ghana in its moment of grief and loss.

“In this moment of grief and loss, the government and people of Nigeria stand with the government and people of Ghana,” Shehu said.

According to President Buhari, the twin tragedies of flooding and fire outbreak that led to loss of several lives are painful and regrettable.

The President, however, noted that the flooding incident undoubtedly reminds leaders and governments in the West African sub-region of their responsibilities to the problem of global warming, among others.

He prayed that the souls of the deceased rest in eternal bliss and that their families and friends find fortitude to bear the losses.

The post President Buhari Condoles With the People of Ghana Over Tragedies appeared first on Naijabams.