Troops kill 4 terrorists, rescue 61 abducted women, kids

By Kingsley Omonobi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFQmXAQJYa8

AS the military onslaught to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from the North East gains momentum, troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, backed by close air support by the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued 61 persons abducted and held captive by the insurgents along Bitta and Damboa axis.

The troops also in the process, cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Modupe 1, 2 and 3.

A statement by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said: “The rescued persons were mainly women and children and have since been evacuated” while four terrorists were killed in the operation.

“The fight against Boko Haram terrorists is continuing to maintain its momentum with the discovery and destruction of terrorists’ camps, weapons and equipment, while the terrorists have been fleeing, and abandoning their bases.

“In 25 Task Force Brigade’s area of responsibility, the troops were able to clear Boko Haram terrorist’s camps at Nwalemer, Mallemiri and Bale. Similarly in Gwoza axis, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade have also destroyed terrorist’s camps in Tripkwopta and Gidan Gachi yesterday.

“The troops, however, encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried along their route of advance near Balazalla Dure that partially affected one of the leading vehicles. The troops also encountered an abandoned truck loaded with IEDs at Uvole village, which was blown up by them. The troops also recovered two dane guns in the Bitta and Gwoza area after an encounter with the terrorists at Langaran Fulani and also killed four terrorists, arrested one.

Facebook to train Nigerian Senators on use of application

Abuja – Senators are to receive free Facebook training, says the Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate, Sen. Isa Galaudu on Thursday in Abuja.

Galaudu, in a letter sent to the senators inviting them for the event, said the training was in line with the promise of the leadership of the 8th Senate to utilise the social media.

“Senators and their aides receive training on use of facebook in line with the promise of the President of the Senate to ensure more representative legislature using e-parliamentary tools.

“This is a partnership between the Office of the Senate President and Facebook.

“Senators and aides who wish to participate in the programme should please email grsenatesocial@gmail.com with their full names.’’

The Facebook team, led by the African Head of Public Policy, will be in Nigeria at the weekend for the training slated for Monday.

According to the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Social Media, Bamikole Omishore, the training is at no cost to the senate as Facebook offered to conduct the training for free.

EFCC, Afromedia and Citizen Gobir

THE establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in 2004 marked a watershed in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. For the first time, Nigeria had all previous laws and enactments on different aspects of financial and economic crimes consolidated under one agency in order to achieve a seamless and co-ordinated detection, prevention and prosecution of financial crimes.

The EFCC is charged with enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes including the EFCC Act of 2004, Money Laundering Acts of 1995 and 2004 and Advanced Fee and Other Related Offences Act of 1995.

The others are the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act of 1994, the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act of 1991 and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the EFCC has enormous powers. It actually needs to be empowered properly for it to acquit itself creditably.

In the last few years, Nigerians have come to appreciate the EFCC’s work. However, while the officers and leadership of the anti-graft agency have shown great professionalism and dedication in the discharge of their duties, the junior officers appear to be on the loose. Even cases of financial disagreement between business partners or friends that can be sorted out by simple arbitration are referred to EFCC operatives. Instead of handling such low profile cases with circumspection to preserve the dignity of those involved, these operatives behave in a way that thoroughly embarrasses those unlucky to be in their net and expose them to public ridicule.

Nigeria dominates the world

November 9th, 2015 has gone down in history as a day Nigeria produced two world champions in the games of juvenile football and scrabble. The Golden Eaglets defeated their Malian junior national team counterparts by two goals to nil at the Sausalito Stadium, Chile, to retain the trophy they won two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Across the world in the Australian city of Perth, Nigeria also produced Africa’s first world champion in the game of scrabble when Mr Wellington Jighere trounced an Englishman, Lewis MacKay 4-0 in the English Language World Scrabble Championship.

The two resounding victories came as a pep factor to a country whose citizens have lately been reeling from several socio-political and economic downturns, including the Boko Haram terrorism, the renewed pro-Biafra protests in the East and dwindling economic fortunes of the nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who had the honour of receiving the maiden world cup won by the Golden Eaglets as a military leader in 1985, was in the forefront of cheering and motivating these worthy Nigerian ambassadors before, during and after their gallant endeavours.

The Eaglets not only lengthened their victory run to five wins in 20 years, our own Victor Osimhen set a new games record of ten goals, thus carting away the Adidas Golden Boot, while team captain, Kelechi Nwakali, also won the Most Valuable Player of the tournament along with the Adidas Golden Ball.

Jighere, on the other hand, beat an Englishman to a game in the latter’s own language, thus showing that Nigerians are now masters of a language considered as the most influential in the world.

Abuja mass rail transit gulps N162bn — COREN

By Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor

THE Federal Government has so far spent over $823 million (about N162 billion) on Abuja rail mass transit.

President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria, COREN, Engr. Kashim Ali, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a seminar organized by KPMG professionals, in partnership with IPFA International.

Abuja Rail Transit

Ali, who spoke on the theme “Unlocking Rapid Development of Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa,” said: “The Abuja mass rail transit is over 70 percent completion, the total cost is $823 million and it is out for all to see.”

The COREN president who described the railway network as the best and viable option for transportation in the country, called for speedy action on the demolition of structures on the railway right of way, ROW, by properly demarcating the assets before it. He said: “The truth be told, we don’t haveANY OPTION than to develop the railway system because it eases travelling and a lot of goods are carried from the port to the hinterland and the best way to transport these is through such means.

“Vehicles carrying cement all over the road and destroying our way, all this can be transferred to a rail system. We don’t have an option for the country of our size and the kind of economy that we have, we must have a railway system that is the best option for mass transportation.”

On water transportation, Ali argued that the country’s waterways network was currently not where it should be at the moment, adding that the channels, route must be drained and distilled from time to time since it was capital intensive in nature.

China executes man for murder of ‘one child’ officials: report

China has executed a man for murdering two birth control officials, state media said, in a case that highlighted tensions caused by the country’s recently abolished “one child” restrictions.

He Shenguo — sentenced to death for stabbing the officials to death in the southwestern province of Guangxi in 2013 — was executed on Thursday, the China News Service said.

Under regulations introduced in the late 1970s and suddenly abolished late last month, China limited most families to having one child.

Authorities used permits, fines, and in some cases forced sterilisations and late-term abortions to enforce the rules, sometimes brutally, especially in poorer provinces such as Guangxi.

He had “illegally fathered a fourth child”, and did not pay fines levied against him for fathering extra children, reports said at the time.

Officials responsible for enforcing birth restrictions denied his children essential documents allowing them to qualify for benefits, the reports added.

The angry father then staged the deadly attack in revenge, injuring four other people in the process, they said.

12 years of PDP cannot match what I did in 4 years — Audu

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC Prince Abubakar Audu has promised the people of Yagba West Local Government Area that he would end the alleged diversion of revenue meant for grassroots development.

He has also pledged to put an end to the alleged payment of only 25 percent of salaries to local government workers if elected. He accused the state government of diverting the revenue of the Local Government Councils into private pockets, Audu at a rally in Yagba West assured that an APC government will ensure that workers are promptly paid.

Audu said: “The PDP government has failed Kogi people. No good roads, no water, no healthcare, no salaries, yet, they are clamouring for re-election. Will you re-elect a failure? Will you re-elect the government that is stealing your salaries? Will you re-elect the government that has failed in giving you social amenities? Join hands with the APC to bring back the glory of our dear state.

“During my time as governor of the state, all of you saw what we did. What I did in four years could not be matched by the twelve years of PDP. They have destroyed all the legacies I created. They are only interested in embezzling the resources of the state. Vote them out on November 21 so that we can reinvent our state and bring development to our people”.

Also speaking at the rally, Audu’s running mate, Mr. James Faleke said Audu is key to the development of Kogi.

The rally was graced by party chieftains, state and federal legislators as well as party supporters.

Buhari to PermSecs: My govt won’t condone corruption, incompetence

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA — President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, issued a stern warning to the Permanent Secretaries and the entire civil service that his administration would not tolerate corruption, incompetence and excesses.

The president spoke while swearing in the 18 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Abuja.

He said: “I must, however, sound a note of warning. It is within public domain that ministers as chief executives of their ministries as well as other government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation often complain of the intolerable levels of incompetence, indifference or even suspected sabotage by some of the top echelon of the civil service.

“Even where Permanent Secretaries, in some instances, are exempted from these accusations, they are still responsible and liable for failing to provide the required leadership, control and direction.

“This administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form. Permanent Secretaries are, therefore, advised to note these words of caution and disseminate them to all civil servants accordingly.

“I am sure the Permanent Secretaries and all other civil servants appreciate the fact that I have always considered the civil service as an indispensable reservoir of experience, expertise and loyalty. I, therefore, consider the service as a dependable ally in my quest to change this country for the better.”

The President, who congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their appointments, also tasked them on the financial prudence. He reminded them that the expectations of Nigerians from the government were high, restating his resolve to create jobs and diversify the economy.”

Meanwhile, 16 of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries took oath of office. They are: Ayotunde Adesugba, Taiwo Abidogun, Dr. Bukar Hassan, Mrs. Wakama Belema Asifieka, Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Mr. Sabiu Zakar, Mrs. Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi, Mr. Aminu Nabegu.

Others are Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, Mr. Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu, Mrs. Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Mr. Bassey Akpanyung, Mr. Louis Edozien and Dr. Ugo Roy.

However, two other Permanent Secretaries, who were absent at the inauguration, were said to have travelled out of the country on official assignment. They are Mr. Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele and Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse.

Federal cabinet: Nigeria in good hands – Tinubu

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

LAGOS—Barely 24 hours after the Federal cabinet was inaugurated, All Progressives Congress, APC, national leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has assured Nigerians and the global community that the nation was being managed by credible personalities that will restore the glory of Nigeria.

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

This came even as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State launched the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road expansion and Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, operation with 434 buses for the pilot scheme.

The occasion was graced by prominent personalities led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and top government functionaries, traditional rulers,MARKET women, among others.

Tinubu told the large crowd at the launch of the bus scheme: “We will continue to develop this country to compete with the superpowers. When we started the urban renewal, they thought that we were lost and had no vision. But they do not know about the planning period that is required to modernize any decay in government.

“Today, it is applicable to President Muhammadu Buhari. The planning period that it is taking to re-engineer and re-design the governance of Nigeria was the same method they were blaming us for then.

“They called me ‘go slow’ and at that time, I was complaining about the paucity of funds.

“Oil was selling at about $11 per barrel and I said that we will be out of it soon and people said that I should go and do my plan and stop the lamentation.

“But my cabinet, including Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, were part of that dream and the vision for the mission to reclaim and redevelop Lagos State.”

Says Fashola ‘ll succeed

Tinubu said: “Leadership is about how many other leaders one is able to discover to do great things for the country. We deserve what we are getting in Lagos; success, continuity and good governance.

“For instance, Ambode did not lobby for the seat of Lagos, but we discovered him. I am now a great grandfather.

“You could see that when the announcement was made yesterday, Lagos State took the front seat in Fashola and we believe that he will succeed and many of them, too. Nigeria is now in good hands.”