Failed Robbery At Stadium Road In Port-Harcourt, Rivers

Failed Robbery At Stadium Road In Port-Harcourt, Rivers Report reaching us now, There was robbery attempt few minutes ago on stadium road port Harcourt Close to uyo street quick safe supermarket But luck was not on their side, about 7 of them were killed. Thank God oh! They were going after a bullion van.

Falana, Rewane, others react as Buhari fails to name looters

Some legal practitioners and economists have expressed support for the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to unveil the names of looters and the amount of looted assets so far recovered. The President, had, in an interview in London, while attending the anti-corruption summit organised by British Prime Minister, David Cameron, recently, promised to disclose the figure in his Democracy Day address to the nation. Buhari, however, on Sunday, dashed the hopes of millions of Nigerians who were waiting to be told how much his administration had so far recovered from individuals and firms accused of looting the nation’s treasury. In his nationwide address to mark his one year in office on Sunday, Buhari failed to disclose the figure as promised. Rather, the President promised Nigerians that the Ministry of Information and Culture would be publishing the details which he said would be updated periodically. He simply said “significant amount of assets” had been recovered. Buhari promised that when forfeiture formalities were completed, the money would be put in the nation’s treasury and be spent transparently to fund developmental projects. The President said, “The processes of recovery can be tedious and time-consuming, but today, I can confirm that thus far, significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. “Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically.” A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, and Lagos-based lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said on Sunday that Buhari’s directive to the Minister of Information to release details of the looted funds periodically, was in order. In separate telephone interviews with one of our correspondents, the human rights lawyers believed the President’s directive the ministry was the best approach. “That is the correct approach because it is an ongoing process,” Falana said. But the Executive Secretary of Anti-corruption Network, Ebenezer Oyetakin, said Buhari’s speech did not meet the expectations of most Nigerians, who expected him to name the corrupt elements as he promised. Oyetakin stated that the people also expected some shake-up in the structure of government, adding that disappointment occurred because people thought that Buhari would never say what he would not do. He added, “He must embrace immediately a single policy that is capable of disarming the moneybags, who uses their stolen wealth to sponsor destabilisation projects. He must as a matter of urgency and courage deflates such people immediately before they rocked his government.” Ogunye said he would not have expected the President “to be reeling out names of looters in his Democracy Day speech”. He said, “The President cannot be reeling out the names of looters in his speech because there is no way he will give details of the recovered loot without giving the names of the looters or from whom what amount was recovered. “It is the duty of the Minister of Information to speak for the government. The strategy adopted by the President is the best.” Falana however said the Buhari administration had yet to address “some inbuilt leakages” in government’s funds. He argued that the government needed to mobilise other anti-corruption agencies in the country in the fight against graft, contending that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was already overwhelmed by the huge number of cases it was contending with. He said, “The other anti-graft agencies ought to be reorganised. More importantly, the government should mobilise the Nigerian people to own and take over the fight against corruption.” Falana stated that the Buhari administration’s fire brigade approach would not solve the current economic crisis in the country. He said, “The economy cannot be fixed through the fire brigade approach of the government. Why should the Central Bank of Nigeria be wasting the country’s scarce foreign reserves on the importation of consumer goods for our pampered elite? “The goods produced by companies funded by the bank are not patronised because imported ones are cheaper. “Why has the CBN not increased duties on imported goods, which can be produced locally? In some of our neighbouring countries, public officers wear locally produced dresses. Can’t the government lead by example?” Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said, “He is not going to mention it (list of looters) in a broadcast. The President said ‘the government’; he didn’t say he would mention it himself. “So, the government will still mention it.” On the plan to keep the Naira exchange rate steady, Rewane stated, “It is a national wish. Every government strives for currency stability. But the markets are the ones that determine the value. So, I think the President is coming to terms with the fact that markets work in a modern-day economy, and what the government can do is to strive to make sure that it is stable within the parameters of market forces.” On his part, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella of the Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, said, “About the three or four days ago, the EFCC chairman was asked and he said they were still compiling the list and that some money was just coming in, which has not been properly recorded. So, that could be responsible for the delay.’’ Tella, who described the President’s speech as inspiring, said, “He knew that he has not done much, and he couldn’t have done much within the given time, considering the magnitude of what he met on the ground. “My only concern is that you put money into the economy and you find that all the things you are going to buy are imported. If they are leading to improvement in local production, I think it will be good for us.’’ Tella stressed the need for a national plan to drive the growth and development of the economy. Buhari again read the Riot Act to the Niger Delta Avengers, who have been vandalising pipelines in the Niger Delta, saying the perpetrators and their sponsors would be apprehended and brought to justice. He said his administration was committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and was advancing clean-up operations. “The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing the Niger Delta problems. “If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice,” the President vowed. Buhari described his one year in office as “a year of triumph, consolidation, pains and achievements.” He accused the previous government of not saving for a rainy day when there was oil boom and leaving critical infrastructure in decrepit state. The President said, “The past years have witnessed huge flows of oil revenues. From 2010, average oil prices were $100 per barrel. But economic and security conditions were deteriorating. “We campaigned and won the election on the platform of restoring security, tackling corruption and restructuring the economy. “On our arrival, the oil price had collapsed to as low as $30 per barrel and we found nothing had been kept for a rainy day. Oil prices have been declining since 2014 but due to the neglect of the past, the country was not equipped to halt the economy from declining.” The President said the measures to be taken might lead to hardships. Buhari added, “We resolve to keep the Naira steady, as in the past, devaluation had done dreadful harm to the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, I supported the monetary authorities’ decision to ensure alignment between monetary policy and fiscal policy. “We shall keep a close look at how the recent measures affect the Naira and the economy. But we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency is predicated on a strong economy. “And a strong economy pre-supposes an industrial productive base and a steady export market. The measures we must take, may lead to hardships.” The President stated that his administration identified 43,000 ‘ghost’ workers, therefore saving the government N4.2bn in salaries. Apart from making savings, Buhari said his administration had changed the way public money was spent. The President explained the rationale behind the recent increase in fuel price to N145 per litre, describing the decision as painful. Buhari added, “It is even more painful for me that a major producer of crude oil with four refineries that once exported refined products is today having to import all of its domestic needs. This is what corruption and mismanagement have done to us and that is why we must fight these ills.” He said the policy measures and actions taken so far by his administration should not be seen as some experiment in governance, stressing that he was fully aware that the vested interests, who had held Nigeria back for so long, would not give up without a fight. “They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria,” he said. The President said the economic misfortune the nation was experiencing in the shape of very low oil prices had provided his government with an opportunity to restructure the economy and diversify. He said his administration was in the process of promoting agriculture, livestock, exploiting solid mineral resources and expanding industrial and manufacturing base. Buhari expressed delight in the return of two of the abducted Chibok girls, saying he had been in agony over the fate of the over 200 girls kidnapped in their school in Borno State in 2014.

Shell begins campaign on energy efficiency in Nigeria

Global oil giant, Shell, has announced the launch of a public service campaign in Nigeria as part of an international effort to encourage debate on how a rapidly expanding world population can meet its energy needs. The company said in a statement on Monday that the 2016 campaign christened, #makethefuture, was aimed at promoting advocacy and partnership for bright energy ideas as part of Shell’s thought leadership on the future of energy. The oil major said traditional and social media advertising and other targeted activities would be used for the campaign, with “energy-engaged millennials (aged roughly between 18 and 34), who are expected to lead the debate on energy efficiency” being the primary target. The Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, was quoted as saying, “The campaign is an important contribution to the debate on the future of energy, especially in Nigeria. Like everyone else, we are keen to see how a growing population will provide for its energy needs. “Studies show that energy use has increased globally at the same time that we face the challenges of climate change and reduction of CO2 emissions. The campaign, therefore, seeks to challenge assumptions and spark imaginative thinking on how to make today’s energy go further and to find cleaner energy for the future.” According to Shell, a key feature of the campaign is the build-up from the kinetic football pitch built by the firm at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. The pitch, which was launched in November 2105, is powered by a combination of player activity and solar energy, and is the first of its type in Africa, and second only to Brazil globally. The company said as part of the campaign, there would be simultaneous football matches in Lagos, London and Brazil on the pitches on June 30, 2016, in a bid to further arouse public awareness on the bright energy ideas. It said the campaign, which will also holds in several other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China and Brazil, would end in August, adding it hoped that the resultant discussions and debates would lead to ideas that would contribute to sustainable solutions to the global energy challenge. In 2014, Shell commissioned a ‘Future of Energy Survey,’ which revealed that more than four out of five Nigerian respondents were interested in the topic of energy, with reliable electricity ranking alongside employment and job security as their most important issue of concern

My new movies will wow my fans - Nzube Onyia

Among movie-buffs, the face of delectable actress, Nzube Onyia seems to have been scarce on the Nollywood’s big screen. Discrediting such mind-feeling among her fans, the fair-skinned actress author­itatively stated that she is very much around and in the game, as she directed all to look out for her latest flicks at film stores. Stressing that she’s been on low-key polishing her style and mode of re-launch in the make-believe industry. “I’ve been on low-key do­ing some great jobs that will boost my fan-base. I’m sure that when these new films are out, my fans would ap­preciate my talent the more. I urge them to have patience, though it’s a wrap for me as my latest movies are about hitting them,” she said. Interestingly, Nzube made a comeback with her lat­est movie, Ojukwu The War Lord, co-starring talented Queen Nwokoye, Fred An­ene, Anita Joseph alongside others.

Accident On 3rd Mainland Bridge Yesterday

An accident occurred yesterday, 30th May, 2016 at the 3rd Mainland bridge in Lagos. The accident involved a danfo bus (a commercial bus used in Lagos) and the occupants sustained a high degree of injuries and some lost their live

BREAKING! FULL TEXT: PRESIDENT BUHARI'S DEMOCRACY SPEECH

BREAKING! FULL TEXT: PRESIDENT BUHARI'S DEMOCRACY SPEECH MY COMPATRIOTS, IT IS ONE YEAR TODAY SINCE OUR ADMINISTRATION CAME INTO OFFICE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF TRIUMPH, CONSOLIDATION, PAINS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. BY AGE, INSTINCT AND EXPERIENCE, MY PREFERENCE IS TO LOOK FORWARD, TO PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD AND REDEDICATE THE ADMINISTRATION TO THE TASK OF FIXING NIGERIA. BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN ALSO LEARN FROM THE OBSTACLES WE HAVE OVERCOME AND THE PROGRESS WE MADE THUS FAR, TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TO PUT NIGERIA BACK ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS. WE AFFIRM OUR BELIEF IN DEMOCRACY AS THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT BEST ASSURES THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND ACTUAL BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. DESPITE THE MANY YEARS OF HARDSHIP AND DISAPPOINTMENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION HAVE PROVED INHERENTLY GOOD, INDUSTRIOUS TOLERANT, PATIENT AND GENEROUS. READ MORE: http://www.apcnewsalert.tv/2016/05/29/breaking-full-text-president-buharis-democracy-speech/

N23bn Diezani Bribe: 11 INEC Officials Admit Receiving N120m

N23bn Diezani Bribe: 11 INEC Officials Admit Receiving N120m Eleven officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission who supervised the 2015 general elections in Gombe State have admitted to receiving N120m out of the N23bn ($115m) allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The revelation comes about a month after the EFCC arrested a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other top INEC officials in the South-South for allegedly receiving N675.1m from Diezani. The revelation comes about a month after the EFCC arrested a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other top INEC officials in the South-South for allegedly receiving N675.1m from Diezani. Sources at the EFCC told our correspondent on Friday that the 11 officials had been interrogated and had made confessional statements. A detective at the anti-graft agency told our correspondent that the electoral officers, who were in charge of the 11 local government areas of Gombe State, reported at the Gombe State zonal office of the commission on Thursday. The detective said, “They have made useful statements and most of them have confessed to receiving millions of naira for their respective local government. They explained that two out of the 11 officials negotiated and collected the bribe on their behalf. “The electoral officer for Akko Local Government Area, Ahmed Biu; and the one in charge of Gombe Local Government Area, Ahmed Ali Biu, and Mohammed Zannah, admitted to have collected the bribe from one Yunusa Biri, also a retired electoral officer who acted as Gombe State coordinator of bribes for electoral officers in the state. “Biri was known and addressed as the coordinator of NGO, a code name used to cover the activities of the two parties.” The detective told our correspondent that at the meeting where the money was disbursed, Biu and Zannah lodged at Corner Alheri Hotel, opposite NNPC mega station in Gombe, and the parties agreed to share the bribe per polling unit in each local government and part of the bribe should go to ad hoc employees deployed to each polling station across the state. The source, however, said there were some issues with the investigation as some electoral officers claimed to have been cheated of their own share of the booty. He said, “Investigations are ongoing but the challenge is that we will have to unravel the discrepancy in the amount collected and the actual money disbursed to the electoral officers. “Some claimed that the coordinator (Biri) short-changed them because he gave only N8m to the eleven local governments in the state.” The detective gave the names of some other detained officers as: Godwin Maiyaki, Gambo Balanga, Bukar Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril Muhammed, Billiri, Dunguma Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel. (C) Sahara REPORTERS | May 28th 2016

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Nigeria deregulates downstream oil sector, petrol to sell for about N145 a litre

The federal government has announced a full deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum industry, pushing the price of petrol to about N145 a litre. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, announced the policy change in Abuja on Wednesday afternoon, confirming PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report of Monday, May 9 on the matter. “In order to increase and stabilise the supply of the product, any Nigerian entity is now free to import the product, subject to existing quality specifications and other guidelines issued by Regulatory Agencies,” Mr. Kachikwu said. “All Oil Marketers will be allowed to import PMS on the basis of FOREX procured from secondary sources and accordingly PPPRA template will reflect this in the pricing of the product. “Pursuant to this, PPPRA has informed me that it will be announcing a new price band effective today, 11th May, 2016 and that the new price for PMS will not be above N145 per litre.” Read full statement below. PRESS STATEMENT ON CURRENT FUEL SITUATION We have just finished a meeting of various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The meeting had in attendance the Leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors Forum, and Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN). The meeting reviewed: 1. The current fuel scarcity and supply difficulties in the country. 2. The exorbitant prices being paid by Nigerians for the product. These prices range on the average from N150 to N250 per litre currently. 3. The meeting also noted that the main reason for the current problem is the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of foreign exchange earnings of the federal government. As a result, private marketers have been unable to meet their approximate 50% portion of total national supply of PMS. Following a detailed presentation by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, it has now become obvious that the only option and course of action now open to the government is to take the following decisions: 1. In order to increase and stabilise the supply of the product, any Nigerian entity is now free to import the product, subject to existing quality specifications and other guidelines issued by Regulatory Agencies. 2. All Oil Marketers will be allowed to import PMS on the basis of FOREX procured from secondary sources and accordingly PPPRA template will reflect this in the pricing of the product. Pursuant to this, PPPRA has informed me that it will be announcing a new price band effective today, 11th May, 2016 and that the new price for PMS will not be above N145 per litre. We expect that this new policy will lead to improved supply and competition and eventually drive down pump prices, as we have experienced with diesel. In addition, this will also lead to increased product availability and encourage investments in refineries and other parts of the downstream sector. It will also prevent diversion of petroleum products and set a stable environment for the downstream sector in Nigeria. We share the pains of Nigerians but, as we have constantly said, the inherited difficulties of the past and the challenges of the current times imply that we must take difficult decisions on these sorts of critical national issues. Along with this decision, the federal government has in the 2016 budget made an unprecedented social protection provision to cushion the current challenges. We believe in the long term, that improved supply and competition will drive down prices. The DPR and PPPRA have been mandated to ensure strict regulatory compliance including dealing decisively with anyone involved in hoarding petroleum products. Thank you. SIGNED