FG redeploys 3 perm. secretaries

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the redeployment of three Federal Permanent Secretaries.

A statement by Haruna Imrana ,Director of Communications, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), said that the circular conveying the deployment was signed by the HCSF, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

Imrana said that the affected permanent secretaries, include Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, Federal Ministry of Education to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Dr Jamila Shu’ara, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was moved to Federal Ministry of Education.
Mr Christian Chineyekka Ohaa of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports was deployed to Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

According to the statement, the handing over of the affected permanent secretaries should be completed on or before Tuesday Jan.10. 

 

(NAN)
www.dailytrust.com.ng

Timi Dakolo introduced me to MMM, says Seyi Law

Seyi law, Nigerian stand-up comedian, says he was introduced to MMM Ponzi scheme by Timi Dakolo, a soul singer.

Seyi Law made this known on stage while performing during Ali Baba’s January 1 concert at Eko Hotel and suites.

“It was Timi Dakolo that introduced me to MMM, yes, it was him,” he said.

According to its Nigerian handlers, the scheme which froze accounts of participants in December 2016, will resume operations in January.

“It is obvious that the activity of MMM Nigeria members is growing. MMM is very proud of its members who are becoming kinder and more responsible. By our efforts, MMM Nigeria will overcome,” Seyi Law said.

The audience was thrown into a round of laughter as the comedian shot his friend with the heavy blows.

Joke or reality, it’s hard to tell when comedians mean what they say, however, there is nowhere Timi Dakolo has said that he invested in MMM.

Seyi Law, who recently welcomed his first child with wife after 5 years of marriage, is one of the Nigerians that look forward to the resumption of the ponzi scheme.

Governor Wike and the Unity of Nigeria

The ideal way to identify true nationalists and good politicians is through their utterances and actions both in public and in private. A true lover of Nigeria will always stand for the unity and oneness of Nigeria whenever he talks or acts. Good politicians will ‘spit’ fire and intimidate their opponents but will never compromise the unity of a nation.

Some people were surprised when the Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike said the interest of Nigerians and Africans will be better served with the country “remaining as one strong and united nation”.

Governor was quoted when he visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad while on a visit to Sokoto state on 31st December 2016 to felicitate with Governor Aminu Tambuwal on the occasion of his daughter’s wedding. Wike said “We cannot run away from this country. The unity of this country is very, very paramount. The unity of this country is non-negotiable. I am from the Niger Delta, from Rivers state to be specific so I cannot see us in a divided country. No way. We stand for the unity of this country.”

Wike further said his administration has put a lot of time, resources and energy to protect national assets especially the ones in Rivers state. He said: “In Rivers you hardly find pipeline vandalisation. We are working at all times to protect national assets in our state. In my state, I am governor for all the people living in the state. I am not a governor of a particular political party, but a governor for all the people of Rivers state”.

Some individuals, who don’t really understand how politics works, assume that since Gov Wike is having a running battle with some APC’s bigwigs from Rivers, he will behave in irrational ways. People who have this kind of mindset fail to realise that not all politicians in the opposition PDP take the opposition out of context.

Wike’s assertions are classical examples for many politicians to follow, especially elective office holders who take opposition to illogical levels with utterances and actions capable of putting the unity of Nigeria in jeopardy.

With that single utterance in Sokoto, Wike has won the heart of many Nigerians, while also sending a powerful message to groups and individuals who trade the unity of Nigeria for political and personal gains.

Being a sitting governor in the restive Niger Delta and the politically very important Rivers state, Gov Wike’s stance on some national issues is very critical for bringing the much needed peace and development to the Niger Delta and preserving the unity of Nigeria.

Governor Wike has indeed put to shame, some politicians holding positions of authority, who have turned themselves into agents of disunity by running their mouths without caution just to score political and personal points.

Governor Wike has found himself in some controversial political and non-political situations. The controversial October 8, 2016 mid-night show played out at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt when he rushed to the official residence of a Federal High Court (FHC) Judge, following information that the residence was under siege by Department of State Security (DSS), and the Governor allegedly got locked up in the process.

Wike later clarified while speaking to the leadership of Non-Indigenes without Borders, on October 18, 2016, at Rivers state Government House, that his action was not aimed at stopping the DSS from arresting the judge, but to ensure that the right process was followed.

Secondly, on Thursday December 29, 2016, an online news medium leaked an audio of a telephone conversation between Governor Wike and his counterpart in Ekiti State, Governor Ayodele Fayose, in which both men were alleged to have discussed the electoral violence alleged to have been sponsored by Wike during the December 10, 2016 rerun of legislative elections in Rivers State.

Politics and politicians cannot be free from controversies; however Governor Wike has proven to be above sentiments and lust for personal gains when it comes to the very important issue of unity and oneness of Nigeria.


Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980

Kaduna Security Council Relaxes Curfew In Jema’a, Zangon Kafaf LGAs …24 hour curfew continues in Kaura LGA

The Kaduna State Security Council has relaxed the 24-hour curfew in Jema’a and Zangon-Kataf local government areas with immediate effect. However, the 24-hour curfew remains in effect in Kaura local government.


The curfew in Jema’a and Zangon Kataf local government areas is now for twelve hours daily, from 6pm to 6am. Medical and health personnel carrying out essential services are exempted from the curfew which was imposed in December 2016.

A statement from the state security council said that improvements in the security situation in Jema’a and Zangon Kataf LGAs informed the decision to relax the curfew. The council noted that it was keeping the situation in a Kaura local government under review.

The decision to relax the curfew in the Jema’a and Zangon Kataf LGAs and its continuation in Kaura LGA was unanimously taken after deliberation and review of security situation in the three local government areas and the entire state.

The Kaduna State Security Council is chaired by Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. Its members include the Deputy Governor, Arc. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, Director DSS, Mohammed Tijjani Wakili, Brig. Gen. I.Isa, Garrison Commander, 1 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Rear Admiral TT Dakwat, Commandant Nigerian Navy School of Armament, Kachia and AVM Bello Garba, Base Commander, Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna.

Security agencies have also been empowered to arrest individuals and groups found violating the curfew. Furthermore, the Security Council urges security operatives to ensure enforcement using best practices.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan

Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity)

4th January, 2017

Army deploys troops in Southern Kaduna

The army has deployed troops in Southern Kaduna to halt the killings in that part of the country.
Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said yesterday that troops had been “fully deployed’’ in Southern Kaduna to address the security challenge in that area.

He said the army was working with sister security organisations, including the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) as well as civilians to address the problem, adding that a military formation would soon be established in the area.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has alleged that 808 people died in the crisis but Inspector General Police Ibrahim Idris disagreed.
The Army said it would this year consolidate on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

Brig.-Gen. Usman, gave the assurance in Abuja while reviewing exercises and operations conducted by the army in 2016.
President Muhammadu Buhari last month announced the fall of “Camp Ziro”, the last stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa forest to the army.
”We will continue to accord high priority to training, regimentation and welfare of the troops.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has directed that the next Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition (NASAC) 2017 be conducted in the Sambisa forest.

“Already, efforts are on by the Nigerian army engineers to open more routes and construct bridges into the once Boko Haram haven to facilitate access to the forest,’’ Usman said.
He said in 2016, the army promoted 17,000 soldiers to various ranks, including 9,000 soldiers deployed in operations to tackle the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.
Brig. Gen. Usman said during period, 184 Warrant Officers were elevated to Master Warrant Officers.
On the exercises and operations in the period under review, he listed them as exercises “Shirin Harbi, Harbin Kunama, Crocodile Smile and Python Dance ’’ and operations “Crack Down and Rescue Finale’’.

According to him, those terrorists holed up in Sambisa forest were further defeated during the operation rescue finale which penetrated deep into sambisa forest and dislodged the sect members from their headquarters in Parisu and Camp Zairo.
Usman explained that exercises Shirin Harbi and Harbin Kunama, apart from improving troops’ proficiency and testing of equipment, addressed security challenges in Bauchi and Zamfara axis.

He said that under the two exercises, 9,865 cattle rustled by bandits at Dansadau forest in Zamfara were rescued and handed over to their owners.
“Many armed bandits and livestock rustlers were also arrested during the operation.
“It is believed that the menace of criminal gangs and bandits in the North-Central and North-West zones of the country would be reduced to the barest minimum due to such field training exercises,’’ he said.

On exercises Crocodile Smile and Python Dance in the South-South and South-East, Usman said that they also helped in dealing with contemporary security challenges in those areas.
He added that the exercises also contributed to the hitch-free celebration recorded in those regions during the Yuletide.

Clinton to attend Trump’s inauguration

Hillary Clinton, candidate of the Democratic Party in US presidential election, will attend the inauguration of Donald Trump, her rival.

Quoting aides of the presidential candidate, CNN said Clinton will attend alongside her husband who is a former president.

Former President George W Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will also be at the occasion.

“President and Mrs. George W. Bush will attend the 58th presidential inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2017, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” read a statement.

“They are pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power — a hallmark of American democracy — and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence.”

Previously, Jimmy Carter was the only former commander-in-chief who had publicly said he would attend Trump’s inauguration.

Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, will not be attending due to his health.

Former presidents traditionally attend the ceremonial transfer of power at the US Capitol.

Despite being a fellow Republican, Bush did not vote for Trump, a decision Trump later deemed “sad.”

Bush’s father was said to have voted for Clinton.

During the primary, both Bushes supported their family member, Jeb Bush, a former Florida governor, who was a fierce challenger of Trump.

Just a week after the election, George W. Bush lamented the role that anger played in politics today.

“I understand anger, and some people may have been angry when I was president. But anger shouldn’t drive policy,” Bush said in Dallas in a rare public speech. “What needs to drive policy is what’s best for the people who are angry.”

thecable.ng

MRS, Oando, Sahara Energy, 37 others to buy, sell Nigerian crude in 2017

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, on Wednesday released the names of 39 bidders for the sale and purchase of Nigerian crude for 2017/2018.

Announcing the results on its Website, the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division NNPC, Mele Kyari, said the contract would run for one year effective from January1 for consecutive 12 circles of crude oil allocation.

The list comprises 39 winners with 18 Nigerian companies, 11 International Traders, five foreign refineries, three National Oil Companies (NOCs) and two NNPC trading arms.

It said all the contracts were for 32,000 barrels per day except Duke Oil Ltd, an oil trading arm of the NNPC, which shall be for 90,000 barrels per day.

It would be recall that during the bid opening on November 26, 2016, the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Maikanti Baru, assured the public that NNPC would ensure due process, transparency and fairness in the selection process.

Also, a total of 224 bids were submitted by companies seeking to purchase and lift Nigerian crude oil grades for the period 2017/2018.

The indigenous beneficiaries are Oando, Sahara Energy, MRS Oil and Gas, AA Rano, Bono, Masters Energy, Eterna Oil and Gas, Cassiva Energy, Hyde Energy and Brittania U.

Others are NorthWest Petroleum, Optima Energy, AMG Petroenergy, Arkiren Oil and Gas Limited, Shoreline Limited, Entourage Oil, Setana Energy and Prudent Energy.



The international beneficiaries are Trafigura, ENOC Trading, BP Trading, TOTAL Trading, UCL Petroenergy, Mocho, Tevier Petroleum, Heritage Oil, Levene Energy, Glencore and Latasco Supply and Trading.

The five foreign refineries are Hindustan Refinery, Varo Energy, Sonara Refinery, Bharat Petroleum and Cepsa while the NOCs are India Oil Company, China (Sinopec) and South Africa (Saccoil).

The NNPC trading arms are Duke Energy and the Carlson Hyson.

(NAN)

Zambia Women's Day Off for Menstruation Periods' Sparks Debate

Discussing female menstruation publicly is something of a taboo in Zambia.

This is no doubt why a provision in the country's labour law that allows female workers to take off one day a month is known as Mother's Day, even though it applies to all women, whether or not they have children.

The legal definition is not precise - women can take the day when they want and do not have to provide any medical justification, leading some to question the provision.

"I think it's a good law because women go through a lot when they are on their menses [periods]," says Ndekela Mazimba, who works in public relations.

Ms Mazimba is neither married nor does she have children but she takes her Mother's Day every month because of her gruelling period pains.

"You might find that on the first day of your menses, you'll have stomach cramps - really bad stomach cramps. You can take whatever painkillers but end up in bed the whole day.


And sometimes, you find that someone is irritable before her menses start, but as they progress, it gets better. So, in my case, it's just the first day to help when the symptoms are really bad."Women in Zambia do not need to make prior arrangements to be absent from work, but can simply call in on the day to say they are taking Mother's Day.



bbc.com

The Worst performing Currency of 2016 was not the Naira

Bitcoin, the increasingly popular cryptocurrency or digital currency, was the best performing currency in 2016.

If you were thinking the naira was the worst performing currency of that year, you are wrong on this one.

According to Bloomberg analysis, the worst performing currency for 2016 was the pound. Not the British pound, but the Egyptian pound, which depreciated by 58.84 percent.

The Nigerian naira, which fell by 36.68 percent, was the fourth worst performing currency of 2016 — just ahead of the Egyptian pound, Suriname dollar, and the Venezuelan Bolivar.

Bitcoin, according to the analysis, gained more than 100 percent as capital controls in places like China, and isolationist rumblings in the UK and US have fueled interest in alternate currencies.

At the opening of 2016, one bitcoin was less than $400, but at the end of 2016 a bitcoin was trading above $1000.

As regards currencies issued by governments and central banks, the Russian ruble was the performer of the year as oil prices rallied towards the end of the year, trailed by the Brazilian real.

Russian ruble appreciated by 21.31 percent, while the Brazilian currency gained 20.96 percent through the year.

The Zambian kwacha, the South African rand and Lesotho’s Loti were the best performers on the continent, appreciating by 11.96 percent, 11 percent and 11 percent respectively.

The currencies had played a major role in stock exchange of the countries, as the Brazilian stock had the best equity market in the world in 2016 while Nigeria’s came out the worst.



@thecableng

Dangote tomato factory to resume production February

The Dangote Tomato Processing Factor in Kadawa, Kura Local Government Area of Kano State is to resume production in February.

The Managing Director of the company, Abdulkadir Kaita, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Kano.

The company, which began production in February 2016, had to suspend operation due to lack of enough raw materials.

Mr. Kaita added that preparation for production to resume was at an advanced stage.

He said the company had to suspend production, when most of the tomato farms in about five states were affected by a pest, which destroyed all the tomato species.

“We expect that tomato farmers would have produced enough for the company to process, hence our decision to resume production in February,” he said.

According to him, many tomato farmers at the Kadawa, Kura, Garun-Malam and Hadeja-Jama’are irrigation sites are expected to produce enough for the company to process.

“We deliberately decided to resume production in February because we don’t want to create scarcity of the commodity.

“We want to make sure that there is enough to process so that its price will not go up,” Mr. Kaita said.

He said that the company which had the capacity to process 40 trucks or 1,200 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day, would soon begin recruitment of additional staff.

“All our trained staff are still with us and we are paying them salary but if there is need to recruit additional staff, we will do so to ensure effective service delivery,” he said.

NAN recalls that a pest popularly known as “Tuta Absoluta’’ destroyed tomato farms in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna states.

(NAN)

Vehicles Stuck as Import Ban Through Land Borders Takes Effect

As the federal government’s ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders came into effect on January 1, the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA) has cried out that several vehicles on their way into the country were stuck at the borders before the deadline elapsed.

This is just as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has promised to make sure that the borders are well manned to fish out smugglers and tuesday announced the redeployment of eight Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs) and 238 Deputy Comptrollers (DCs), including its former spokesman.

The agency, in a statement, said the redeployment was carried out to strengthen operations and reposition the service to meet the challenges of the new year.

In a phone chat with THISDAY tuesday, the Public Relation Officers of the nation’s busiest land borders, Seme and Idiroko, said the Customs Service, as an organ of the federal government, was duty bound to enforce any directive from the government.

The federal government last year had prohibited the importation of vehicles, new and old, through land borders effective January 1, restricting all vehicle imports to Nigeria seaports only.

Speaking on activities at the Seme border yesterday, Customs PRO, Seme Command, Taupyen Selchang, said movement along the border was normal, adding that the agency was well prepared ahead of the take off date.
According to him, nothing special happened yesterday as far as vehicle importation was concerned. “No vehicle was brought in, our enforcement teams are on patrol and well armed.

“Customs is an arm of the federal government we have been given the mandate to enforce the policy and I assure you that we will do so.

“Any vehicle brought in through the land borders will be seized and the importers will be prosecuted,” he added.
He said the command had set up anti-smuggling and enforcement units in preparation for the take off of the policy.
On his part, Customs PRO, Idiroko Command, Modees Usman, said stakeholders in the command were fully aware of the implication of violating the order by the federal government.

According to him, “The Area Comptroller, Idiroko Command, held a meeting with all stakeholders before Christmas to sensitise them. They are well informed.

“As we speak, our anti-smuggling architecture is fully in place to deal with smugglers. So far, since the first of January, we have not recorded any case of smuggling.”

In an interview with THISDAY recently, the Customs Area Comptroller of Seme Border, Victor Dimka, disclosed that there was massive push to import vehicles into Nigeria last month.

“Absolutely, there is so much activity in terms of vehicles coming into the country legally and being handed over by Benin Republic Customs and also individuals bringing their vehicles to pay duty.
“For instance, on December 20th, we received 130 vehicles which has never happened before and prior to that, we also received 99 that came in.

“If you go to the car park, the whole place is filled up and so we are saying without fear of contradiction that we are up and doing not only in Nigeria but Benin Republic which is aware to see that they get these vehicles here for duty payment before the deadline of January 1, 2017.”

However, ANLCA at the Seme border said yesterday that so many vehicles that had tried to beat the deadline were trapped at the border posts.

The chairman of ANLCA, Alhaji Bisiriyu Danu, said as of Friday, December 30, 2016, the Customs Service had asked the agents to stop payment of duties on vehicles by 5 p.m.

Danu said the association was not aware of any circular countering the ban.
He said that so many vehicles that were un-cleared by customs agents were still trapped yesterday morning at the ports of neighbouring countries.

The customs agent said that the association was engaging with some government representatives to get a three-month grace period, adding that the grace period would enable ships carrying vehicles to berth for clearance before implementation of the ban.

The customs agent said the ban would render many car dealers around Badagry and its environs idle and this could be a dangerous trend.

He further warned that the enforcement of the policy would increase smuggling across the borders.
Danu said that the policy would also increase unemployment among youths in the area.
“The Seme border is extremely porous and the situation has been managed properly by Customs officials, but this policy is going to increase smuggling.

“All the unapproved routes would be exploited by smugglers. So smuggling would be on the rise with this policy that the government has put in place.

“Also, it would increase the rate of unemployment of youths in this area, as many people rely on this as a means of livelihood.

“The government should consider all these factors and lift the ban on vehicles through the land borders,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
A major stakeholder in Seme, Chief Sam Maduike, also pleaded with the federal government to lift the ban.
“The policy is going to bring untold hardship on the masses, as the average Nigerian cannot afford to buy a brand new car.

“Also many people rely on buying used vehicles as their means of livelihood, but this policy is just going to worsen the situation in the country.

“The government should consider all these and lift the ban,” he said.
A resident, Mr Tunde Apata, pleaded with the government to lift the ban, adding, “I helped people to buy cars from Cotonou and I have been doing that for several years. So, basically, this has been my only source of income.
“With the ban, I do not know how I would cater for myself and family. I am doomed,” he said.

Apata said the Customs Service was complying with the directive of the federal government on the ban.
The President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, also told NAN that the federal government should inaugurate a committee to look critically at the implications of the ban on vehicle imports through the land borders.

He said that government should also look at the risk to the lives of Customs officers because there would be a rise in smuggling.

Amiwero said that the question that should bother the government is: “Are Nigerian ports friendly to accept vehicles?”

He urged government to address the high cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
“Our draft level should be increased to accommodate bigger ships carrying vehicles.
“The most important thing is for government to provide a way for ships to sail easily into Nigerian ports and reduce the costs of doing business at the ports,” Amiwero said.

The Customs agent said shipping costs, terminal operators’ handling costs and other costs make the importation of vehicles into Nigerian ports expensive and uncompetitive, compared to other ports in the sub-region.
He said port costs, the value of the vehicles and the procedures of clearance were very key to getting the policy right.

Amiwero recalled that in 1998 and 1999, he fought to bring back cargoes through the land borders because government was losing a lot of revenue to neighbouring ports.

“We have porous borders and we do not have the tools to check smuggling,” Amiwero said.
He said operators of car assembly plants should also be provided with a conducive environment to operate.
However, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) said it supported the ban.
The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Stanley Ezenga, told NAN that the association’s support was borne out of the economic benefits that the policy would bring to the nation.

Ezenga said: “This is in terms of revenue and improved capacity for local automobile manufacturing.
“We support the new policy to ban vehicles through the land borders in its entirety because of the obvious economic benefits to the nation.

“First, activities are at their lowest ebb at the various ports due to the diversion of cargoes to ports in neighbouring countries and we believe the policy will make our ports busy as vehicles will now have to come in through the ports.

“Also, there is the government’s Automotive Policy in place and designed to encourage local capacity in the manufacturing of vehicles.

“So, we believe the policy would prevent dumping and smuggling through better monitoring.”
On whether the policy took off effectively on January 1 as announced, Ezenga said he would need feedback from his men at the border posts to be sure.

“The National Assembly once called for the suspension of the policy but I do not know if the federal government is going ahead or backing off.

“It is still very early in January. Our men are in the field and we will know with time if the policy is going ahead or not,” he said.

Military Repels Boko Haram Attack in Madagal

The Nigerian troops have repelled an early morning attack by the Boko Haram terrorists on Dar village of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Reports from the affected areas indicated that at the early hours of yesterday, the terroristsin their hundreds lunched an attack but they were immediately repelled by the troops at the entrance of Dar village in Madagali few kilometers to Sambisa forest.

The reports claimed that the terrorists had regroup and put up a fight to recapture some of it enclaves in Sambisa forest following the recent fall of the forest to the troops.

However the report claimed that there were no casualties in the attacks
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said the terrorists were contained by the prompt action of security operatives in the areas.

He lauded the efforts of security agencies and vigilante in the area and called for the people’s support.
Also confirming the development, the Public Relation Officer of 28 Task-force Battalion, Mubi, Maj. Akintoye Badare, said the attack was successfully repelled with no casualty on the military side.

“All I can confirmed to you now is that there was attack on Dar village but we successfully repelled it; no casualty on our side,” Badare said.

He said things have normalized, adding that security agents were on top of the situation as soldiers are condoning off the areas presently.

www.thisdaylive.com

Oshiomhole, Buhari meet behind closed-door in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari and the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday met behind closed-doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This is the first time Oshiomhole would be visiting Aso Rock since he left office. Oshiomhole, Buhari meet behind closed-door in Aso Rock

They both met behind closed-doors inside the President's Office.

This was the first time the ex-governor would visit President Buhari since he left office on November 12, 2016.

When State House correspondents asked him what his mission was at the Villa amidst a media report that he might be given a federal appointment, Oshiomhole simply said he visited to exchange pleasantries with Buhari for the new year.

President Buhari had on November 7 last year when he visited Edo State said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would find an important national assignment for Oshiomhole when he left office.

“It will be a pity to waste his energy by him retiring. I hope there will be a higher assignment for him to do more for the nation. I congratulate the governor for his hard work; Oshiomhole is a hard working governor. We will need his services in Abuja.

 

MMM Nigeria prepares for comeback, asks users to hit social media

MMM Nigeria, the most popular Ponzi scheme in Nigeria, is preparing to resume operations after freezing the accounts of its participants in mid-December.

The scheme, via its website, asked participants, whose accounts were frozen, to perform “Promo Tasks: A New Tool for MMM Community Development”.

The tasks, which would be done both online and offline, is expected to promote the scheme and drive “traffic and participation” by the time the handlers lift the freeze on January 13, 2017.

In a statement on it website, the handlers said: “Being an MMM member implies not only opportunities, but also a responsibility for the state and development of the MMM Community. MMM is our home, and we are responsible to build and refine it.“A lot of participants genuinely want to promote MMM, spread its ideology amongst people, though not always knowing what exactly has to be done. Therefore we have created a new PromoTasks section in the PO, which is added with various tasks: online and offline, easy and complicated, individual and team-oriented.

 

www.thecable.ng

Why NNPC May Cancel Olokola LNG Project in Ogun, Ondo States

There are strong indications that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) may cancel the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project situated between the border town of Ondo and Ogun States,

It gathered at the weekend that despite last Thursday’s commitment by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru to carry on with the project, its economics does not favour the multi-billion dollar gas liquefaction plant.

A dependable source at the NNPC told THISDAY on condition of anonymity that Chevron, Shell and BG withdrew from the project without the conclusion of their exit formalities.

He said the non-conclusion of the exit formalities for these shareholders had hindered any search for new investors, thus imposing the financial burden of sustaining the project on the NNPC.

According to the source, the NNPC has actually started the process of winding down activities on the OKLNG project because the project has become a drain pipe, depleting the resources of the corporation.

“The statement by the GMD was a political statement because the project economics does not justify investment on the project. That was why Chevron, Shell and BG withdrew and abandoned the project for only the NNPC. NNPC alone does not have the financial capacity to embark on such multi-billion dollar project and no other multinational is willing to partner the NNPC. Similar project located right inside the heart of Niger Delta in Brass is yet to take off because of gas supply constraints. So, nobody can guarantee investment in gas that will be piped all the way from Niger Delta to Ogun to start OKLNG. Where are the gas and the pipelines to take the gas to the area? Even if the pipelines are in place, investors are not ready to stake their money because they are not sure of the security of the pipelines,” the source explained.

“Again, gas projects are mainly joint ventures between the NNPC and the international oil companies (IOCs). The position of the IOCs is that for them to invest in new gas development to feed new LNG plants, the NNPC must bring their own funding. NNPC doesn’t have the money. That is new LNG plants – Train 7 of Nigeria LNG, Brass and OKLNG have not seen the light of the day,” he added.

He said the case of OKLNG was even more complicated as the project was located far away from gas sources apparently for political reasons rather than pure business decision.

“The IOCs and other private investors are for business and will not stake their money on projects that have political undertones. NNPC alone cannot do it,” he said.

According to him, the NNPC has commenced the process of winding down activities on the OKLNG project.
“A memo has been issued to that effect. The OKLNG staff have been relocated to the Gas and Power Investment Company Limited (G &PIC) of NNPC in Abuja because since the exit of the other shareholders, it is only the NNPC that has been sustaining the project and this has depleted its lean resources. For now, NNPC is only maintaining the project on what is called preservation mode,” he added.

Baru had told the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) that the corporation was determined to implement the Brass LNG and OK LNG, and also confirmed THISDAY’s exclusive report that the shareholders of the Brass LNG would meet in London next month to decide the fate of the multi-billion project, according to a statement by the spokesman of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu.

www.thisdaylive.com

Crude Oil Prices Hit 18-month High as Markets Eye Production Cuts

Crude oil prices on Thursday, the first trading day of 2017, hit an 18-month high, buoyed by hopes that a deal between the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC ) and other exporters to cut production, which kicked in on Sunday, will drain a global supply glut.

An agreement between OPEC and some non-members to reduce their output by almost 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) kicked in on January 1. In November, OPEC reached its first production deal in eight years, vowing to lower output by 1.2 million barrels a day to boost prices.

www.thisdaylive.com

PRESS BRIEFING ON OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE TOMORROW WEDNESDAY 4TH JANUARY 2017

The Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Lucky Irabor will tomorrow Wednesday 4th January 2017 brief the press on Operation LAFIYA DOLE from 2.00-3.00pm. The briefing will be broadcast live by both Channels Television and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Kindly watch and inform others to watch too.

Thank you.

Brig Gen SK Usman,
Director Army Public Relations

Stock exchange begins 2017 on negative trend

Transactions on the Nigerian equity market resumed on Tuesday for 2017 on a bearish trend with major blue chips recording price depreciation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index dropped by 257.73 points or 0.96 per cent to close at 26,616.89.

This was against 26,874.62 achieved on Friday due to profit taking embarked upon by some investors.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N9.246 trillion shed N88 billion or 0.95 per cent to close at N9.158 trillion.

Nigerian Breweries recorded the highest price loss to lead the losers’ chart, dropping N5.99k to close at N145 per share. Beta Glass trailed with a loss of N1.32 to close at N29 and Guaranty Trust Bank dropped 70k to close at N24 per share.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated was down by 51k to close at N9.77, while Cadbury also shed 51k to close at N9.78 per share.

On the other hand, Stanbic IBTC led the gainers’ table growing by 74k to close at N15.69 per share.

UAC Property followed with a gain of 13k to close at N2.75 and UACN gained 9k to close at N16.90 per share.

United Capital increased by 8k to close at N2.81, while FBN Holdings appreciated by 5k to close at N3.40 per share.
The volume of shares traded closed higher as investors bought and sold 3.37 billion shares worth N3.76 billion achieved in 2,033 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 156.96 million shares valued at N1.59 billion traded in 1,714 deals on Friday.

Unity Kapital emerged the most active stock having accounted for 3.07 billion shares worth N2.37 billion.

Omoluabi Savings and Loans followed with 190 million shares valued at N159.60 million, while GT Bank accounted for 26.63 million shares worth N687.15 million.

FCMB Group transacted 17.98 million shares valued at N19.65 million and United Bank for Africa (UBA) sold 14.28 million shares worth N63.89 million

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Between Buhari, Babachir and Resignation

President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on corruption is indisputable; while his government has exhibited genuine and commendable efforts to restore the northeast to its pre-war peaceful status. However, it is facing a big test with recent revelations linking Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, a trusted inner circle member of President Buhari, to abuse of funds meant for the Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East. The Senate has called for Babachir to resign due to the allegations. This is an acid test of the President’s stance on corruption and his resolve to rebuild the northeast.

Should Babachir resign? – he’s being accused of abuse of office, inflation of contracts and also complicit in 21 bogus contracts awarded to families, friends, cronies and the members of Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).


Babachir’s resignation, if it happens, will be just a temporary solution. The best solution is the command given by President Buhari that the AGF commences investigation of any government official alleged to have been involved– if Babachir is found to be a party to any breach of laid down process and procedure, many people including Buhari will be disappointed in him. Besides, he is from the northeast and his local government area of Hong in Adamawa state is among the most affected areas by Boko Haram senseless war.

Anti corruption war is a major unique selling point for Buhari. So, any accusation of corruption against a member of the inner-circle of his government attracts public attention. However, we must bear in mind that for every corruption accusation against a Buhari lieutenant, two possibilities could be drawn: individuals currently facing corruption charges are working hard to paint every member of the government as also corrupt so as to rubbish the government’s fight against corruption. Secondly, those who are used to government patronage and are no more in the ‘loop’ are also working hard to see that those getting government contracts are being portrayed as benefiting from cronyisms.

President Buhari is a man who, when he trusts someone, he hardly distrusts such a person based on insubstantial reasons. So some people can easily take advantage of that to commit some shady acts behind the General. We must not also forget that public office in Nigeria comes with some privileges, authority and huge funds to spend, so if one does not apply measured restraint and discipline he/she can easily fall into the trap of corruption without even knowing.

Babachir has been working with Buhari for a long time, most people believe he knows who Buhari is more than many people in the present government and it will be highly surprising if he is involved in things that tarnish Buhari’s globally commended efforts in the North-East.

Babachir is a poor politician who only sticks to people from his clan and hardly stretches his handshake to other people; he also lacks efficient image managers. With his age, experience and trust bestowed on him by Buhari; it is hardly a possibility that he will condone arbitrary award of contracts to families, friends and cronies of his and other members of the committee. With the level of discipline being brought into public service, it is almost impossible that the members of such a sensitive committee will overlook raw abuse of due process. Though, we do not expect the present government to award contracts to it ‘enemies’. The accusation must be seen as untrue except proved otherwise. Nonetheless, Babachir must come out clean, because the accusation is heavy with stark similarities with Dasuki’s armsgate. Corruption has been the major factor that has helped in prolonging the insurgency in the northeast.


Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980