Nigeria will establish a $25 billion Infrastructure Development Fund to finance projects in the country, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma, has said.

Nigeria will establish a $25 billion Infrastructure Development Fund to finance projects in the country, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma, has said.
Mr. Udo-Udoma said this while receiving the Report of the three-day Pre-Summit Workshop from the Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Summit Group on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the development fund would provide a pool of fiscal resources for long term financing of priority projects.
He said the ministry had developed the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) for accelerated infrastructure development in the country for the next 30 year.
“The fund seeks to raise the stock of infrastructure from the current level of 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the GDP to at least 70 per cent by 2043.
“A total investment outlay of 3.05 trillion dollars will be required for the implementation of NIIMP.
“The investment will be geared towards meetings infrastructure requirements of the major sectors of the economy.
“The NIIMP captured Energy, Transport, Information Communication Technology, Agriculture, Water, Mining, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Security and Vital Registration sectors,” Udo-Udoma said.

He pointed out that the implementation of the NIIMP required collaboration of stakeholders – Federal and State Governments and the private sector – to provide required investments.
“The NIIMP, apart from being a robust framework for infrastructure development, will also serve as investors’ guide, enhance economic growth, and create job opportunities among other benefits,” he said.
Earlier, Abubakar Mahmoud, Chairman, Infrastructure PPP Summit Group, said the group was formed to address deficit in infrastructure and that government alone could not drive the provision of infrastructure.
Mr. Mahmoud said that the concept of forming the group was for private sector to pull resources and expertise together to create framework for PPP dialogue and engagement.
“We have received a lot of support from government agencies, including the ministry,” he said.
Also Speaking, Daniel Gori, a member of the team who presented an outcome of the summit, said that infrastructure was key to reclaiming Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa.
Gori recalled that Nigeria had lost its first position as the largest economy in the continent to South Africa.
“We know that infrastructure is critical to this; infrastructure deficit is putting a break on Nigeria potential.
“The report focuses on Power, Transport, Agriculture and Health and we have analysed all sectors and ways they can be developed,” he said. (NAN)

buhari change -Akamukale who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) Board of Trustee member, said President Muhammadu Buhari made some fundamental mistakes in his appointments.

Akamukale who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) Board of Trustee member, said President Muhammadu Buhari made some fundamental mistakes in his appointments. He further alleged that the president appointed three saboteurs who never believed in his presidency as ministers. READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tension in PDP as Fayose is placed under house arrest in Port Harcourt (photos) Akamukale who made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists at the APC headquarters, said Buhari needs to, immediately, roll out practical solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the country, warning that many Nigerians were becoming impatient. “I agree that it is painful to see certain persons appointed. I know three current serving ministers who told me that Buhari will never be the President of this country. “Today, they are benefiting from Buhari government, but they should be ashamed because it is only a dog that goes back to its vomit. I have nothing against them because people will tell you that after party, it is government, but they are political jobbers. They claim that the president went for technocrats, but the big question is, who is not a technocrat. “The truth is that most of them are interlopers because it takes those within the party to understand where the party is headed. I agree that Mr President, perhaps, because of what he met on ground and style of leadership, has not been forthcoming with the distribution of leadership. READ ALSO: Tension in Niger Delta: What Navy has unveiled will send militants running (photos) “There are lots of our members waiting to be compensated. It is natural all over the world. However, I am sure these things will soon be sorted out because we are getting there. I know we have to be patient but I know that some people are running out of patience,” he said. He added: “If by 2019, the dream is cut short by Nigerians, many people you see today, some who are ministers and others, will go back, but some of us will still remain. Many people will go back and look for a new government to take position. They will tell you that they are technocrats because they have nothing to lose. “If you really ask me, I think Nigerians are becoming impatient with us because it is now about two years into this government. So, it is for Nigerians and not about me or about APC members. It is for Nigerians to know what this government will do to benefit them.” On what Mr President should do, he said: “I think the president should bring on board those who believe in the change mantra, those who yearned for change, those who could assist Mr. President in delivering the dividends of democracy to the masses of this country, because, at the end of the day, people that lose or gain are Nigerians. Nigerians voted for us and there are things they are expecting from us.” READ ALSO: Fast all in one — UC Browser Meanwhile, Ogbonnaya Onu, the minister of science and technology has rejected the Toyota SUV given to him by the Ebonyi state government. The minister, in a letter to the state governor, Dave Umahi, said he rejected the gift because the laws of the state excluded him from persons eligible to collect such gifts. The letter which was obtained by Premium Times quoted Onu calling the governor’s attention to the relevant sections of the constitution and how the state House of Assembly abused its powers to technically edge him out of his deserved pension, being a former governor of Abia state. Onu said it was clear from the foregoing that he was the target of the change “in an apparent design to deny me of my due pension entitlement.”
Read more: https://www.naij.com/932855-shocking-buhari-appointed-3-saboteurs-ministers-apc-chieftain-spills-secrets.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday, declared open the Annual Meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday, declared open the Annual Meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) in Abuja. This was made available in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Mr. Femi Adesina. According to the statement, the theme of the event read thus: Unwinding unconventional monetary policies: Implications for monetary policy and financial stability in Africa. President Buhari with R-L: Vice Chairman of AACB and Governor Central Bank of Nigeria Mr Godwin Emefiele, Chairman, Association of African Central Banks (AACB) Mr Lucas Abaga Nchama, Chairman, Senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Kebbi State Governor H.E. Atiku Bagudu and other participants.
Atiku Bagudu and other participants The event which brought together major stakeholders in the financial sector, had in discussions several ways of making Africa financially stable. Participants at the event which was headed by Mr. President himself were the Chairman, Association of African Central Banks (AACB) Mr Lucas Abaga Nchama, Vice Chairman of AACB and Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele and Chairman, Senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim in Abuja. Others were Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Kebbi State Governor, H.E. Atiku Bagudu.

A former Nigerian military leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), is in talks with President Muhammadu Buhari. - Buhari Change in Nigeria

A former Nigerian military leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), is in talks with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Abubakar was seen at the Presidential Villa on Thursday few minutes after noon.
What both parties are discussing is not known yet, but the former Nigerian leader had in June said he believed that lasting peace could return to Nigeria.
He called for dialogue between government and various insurgency groups including the Niger Delta Avengers militant group.
General Abubakar also lamented that Nigerians were suffering unduly because of the actions of various insurgents including the Boko Haram, Avengers and Biafra agitators.
The meeting between President Buhari and the former leader is coming days after the Boko Haram sect released a new video of some girls it abducted from Chibok community two years ago.
The group had in the video requested for prisoners swap with the girls.
General Abubakar played a major role in the transition of Nigerian government from military to a civilian government in 1999 and in ensuring a smooth transition from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Party.

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday said it would not enter into any dialogue with the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari in the absence of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.- Buhari Change in Nigeria

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday said it would not enter into any dialogue with the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari in the absence of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

 It stated that nothing short of unconditional release of its leader would be acceptable.

The group described the continued detention of Kanu as an impunity and disrespect for the constitution of the country.

It said, “For Buhari to continue to keep Kanu in custody after a court of competent jurisdiction had granted him (Kanu) bail is enough corruption.”

The group said it was a waste of time for the Federal Government to think that they would enter into dialogue with IPOB without first releasing Kanu.

It maintained that no pressure would make Kanu betray his supporters and the Biafra cause.

“They don’t know this man called Nnamdi Kanu. They can’t intimidate Kanu by dumping him in prison. He can’t beg anybody for his freedom.”

A release by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, made available to newsmen in Awka, Anambra State, read in part, “Instead of our leader to renounce Biafra, he would renounce Nigeria publicly, mark our words.

“We are not after securing bail for our leader; we are after his freedom and freedom for the people of Biafra.

“Even a child born today knows that any attempt to tamper with Nnamdi Kanu’s life will bring about catastrophic consequences.”

“Should anything happen to Kanu, Somalia will be a paradise, compared to what will happen in Nigeria.

“We are not asking for anything short of his immediate and unconditional release, as ordered by an Abuja Federal High Court.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he has not been receiving military pensions - Buhari Change in Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he has not been receiving military pensions and salaries as former head of state since he assumed office in May 2015. Mr. Buhari said, in fact, he did not receive pensions due to him as a retired military officers, unlike many of his contemporaries. President Buhari interacts with troops of HQ 1 BDE in Dansadau Zamfara State as part of the 2016 Nigerian Army Day celebration on 13th July President Buhari interacts with troops of HQ 1 BDE in Dansadau Zamfara State as part of the 2016 Nigerian Army Day celebration on 13th July Mr. Buhari was reacting to a narrative circulating on social media which said he has been receiving double payments from the federal coffers. Garba Shehu the Official Spokesperson to the President in a statement released, on Twitter, said all financial gratuities, vehicles and even souvenirs due him were not paid to him by the Army. “The President has never received pension from the army or car as had gone to former Commanders-in-Chief,” Mr. Shehu said. “After his overthrow, they didn’t remember him even in the annual distribution of diaries or calendars.” “Buhari stopped collecting allowances paid to former Heads of State the moment he took office as elected President last year. “Since his overthrow as military ruler, the army never instituted a pension for him. The army is known to supply cars to former heads of the army. President Buhari never got any of that,” Mr. Shehu said. Mr. Shehu said before Mr. Buhari was elected president, he did not benefit from vehicle supplies to former Nigerian leaders, a claim he said could be verified at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “Before this time, the presidency did not supply cars to him as they did the former Heads of State,” Mr. Shehu said. “This is verifiable from the SGF’s office.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/buhari-never-received-pension-gratuities-army-presidency/

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-kayode has joined other Nigerians, who are sympathetic with plight of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to disagree with Doyin Okupe over the role of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari in the opposition party’s crisis.

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-kayode has joined other Nigerians, who are sympathetic with plight of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to disagree with Doyin Okupe over the role of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari in the opposition party’s crisis. Okupe had posted a statement on his Facebook page saying that the failed PDP convention should not be blamed on APC or Buhari but the internal conflicts with the PDP. READ ALSO: Top 5 reasons PDP national convention failed in Port Harcourt “The failed PDP convention cannot and should not be blamed on our political adversaries. Rather the blame should rest squarely on the failure of internal conflict resolution machinery of the PDP, the surprising naivety and desperation of many to seize power and control the party, and the gullibility of majority of the followership, who have become entrenched in the cesspool of pervasive impunity of our leadership over the years,” he said. But Fani-Kayode disagreed. According to him, the APC and Buhari played a massive role in ensuring that the PDP’s crisis was blown up. “Egbon mi (my brother), I beg to differ. There can never be any compromise with Sheriff. You cannot compromise and negotiate with the devil or a man that wants your head on a silver platter. Sheriff is working for Buhari to destroy the PDP and he has almost succeeded. The only answer is to continue to fight him in the courts and elsewhere and, if push comes to shove, form another party, get our members and supporters to join that party and leave the bastard with the carcass of the PDP. Very few people will stay with him because he is a plague,” Fani-Kayode spat much to the admiration of many of Okupe’s followers. “I can’t believe this is coming from you sir. You typed “long live PDP” to tell us you are still a PDP member whereas your write-up clearly depicts the opposite. Buhari should not be blamed for disrupting the the national convention with security personnel which should have been ongoing by now. They are just manipulating the judiciary over there. The days of Justice Abang are numbered I believe,” a follower, Kevin Onuja wrote to Okupe. READ ALSO: Fast all in one — UC Browser Another, Ndukwe Mark, said, “Mr. Olufemi Olu-Kayode, believe me or not Mr. Doyin okupe is no more in PDP he decamped the very day he went to beg OBJ. HE is currently working for Buhari, an APC led administration. So take note sir.” But Okupe had supporters too. One follower named Adedoyin Banjo-Adeniyi saluted Okupe saying, “Why is it difficult to do the right thing? Technically, Makarfi Committee stands dissolved Abang will nullify what was done today. Egbon Doyin Okupe you better go and team up with him if you still want to be in opposition or gently join APC.” Fani-Kayode followed this with a long statement detailing how Sheriff was planted within the PDP and was used by the APC to cause an implosion with the opposition. “Egbon mi, I beg to differ. If you remember I warned the governors about Shetiff when they imposed him on us. “The PDP Ministers Forum rejected him as did the PDP Board of Trustees but the governors would not listen. Now we have been vindicated because everything that we said would happen has come to pass. “The imposition of Sheriff by the Governors Forum was the biggest mistake that we have made since conceeding the election to Buhari and frankly, as I wrote at the time, I believe that he bewitched the governors that brought him and indeed those in the party that accepted him and agreed to work with him. “Now the power of the spell has worne off and their eyes have opened. Sadly, though things will get worse because Sheriff is under orders: he is working a script and that script was crafted by those who commissioned him to divide, weaken and kill our party. “When you open your doors for a snake what do you expect? I am not surprised by all he is doing because he is acting true to type: he is a green snake who has dipped his fangs deeply into our flesh and whose poison is kiling us slowly. “Truth is that there can never be any compromise with Sheriff. You cannot compromise with the devil or a snake. “You cannot wine and dine or attempt to cohabit with a creature that the great writer and teacher, Mr. David Icke, describes as a “shape-shifting sociopath and reptilian”. “There can be no fellowship between light and darkness even in politics. You cannot negotiate with a narcistic megalomaniac who wants your head to be cut off and served to him on a silver platter. “Sheriff is working for Buhari to destroy the PDP and he has almost succeeded in his mission. “The only answer is for us to continue to fight him in the courts and elsewhere and, if push comes to shove, form another party, get our members and supporters to join that party and leave the bastard with the carcass of the old PDP. “Very few people will stay with him because carcasses tend to stink and because he is the quintessential plague. After some time even his most diehard supporters will get sick of him and abandon him.” Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode has predicted hard times for the PDP after the failed convention. According to him, there are dark days ahead but not for only the PDP but also the entire country. “That is “mai chanji” for you! The sooner the leaders of the PDP wake up, smell the coffee and appreciate the kind of monster they are dealing with and the sooner they elect and select leaders that are prepared to risk their lives and liberty to confront this government the better. If you want democracy and freedom you must be prepared to confront the dictator and fight for it. “Where there is no justice there can be no peace,” Fani-Kayode concluded.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/932308-fani-kayode-nigerians-attack-okupe-backing-buhari.html

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that anyone who claims that the President received pensions from the army should face “criminal investigation.”

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that anyone who claims that the President received pensions from the army should face “criminal investigation.”
Garba said this on Wednesday, claiming that the President did not receive pension or cars from the army, as did former commanders-in-chief.
“After his overthrow, they didn’t remember him, even in the annual distribution of diaries or calendars. Since his overthrow as military ruler, the army did not institute a pension for him,” Garba said.
He added that the President stopped collecting “allowances that are usually paid to former heads of state” the moment he took office as elected President last year.
“This is verifiable from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” he said; adding that, “If anyone is laying his/her hand on any such payment, they should face criminal investigation.”
He said though the army was known to supply cars to former heads of the army, Buhari did not get any.
“On the other hand, there is a directorate in the SGF’s office paying allowances to all ex-heads of state. This is not pension. And President Buhari stopped collecting this from last year.
“The cars he got came from the former President through the ONSA. This was after the bomb attack on his convoy in Kaduna.
“Before this time, the Presidency did not supply cars to him as they did to the former heads of state,” Garba said.

The Police in Ogun State, on tuesday 16th august 2016 , released unconditionally, the 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, who was arrested last Saturday for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari’

The Police in Ogun State, on tuesday 16th august 2016 , released unconditionally, the 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, who was arrested last Saturday for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari’. The embattled trader, Chinakwe. The embattled trader, Chinakwe. The embattled trader, who was visibly angry after his three-day incarceration in police cell, was let off the hook around 5pm on Tuesday after the intervention of both the Serkin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state. It was learned that the prompt intervention of the elders made the complainant to withdraw the case he reported against the trader at Sango-Ota division which was later transferred to Police headquarters at Eleweran. However, police sources said both the complainant and suspect were made to sign an undertaking not to cause any breach of peace again. Speaking to Vanguard after this release, the trader, a father of two from the Niger Delta, who trades on second hand clothing lamented that he was made to suffer for no just cause. Complainant from Niger Republic Narrating his ordeal, Chinakwe said “It is annoying because the complainant is from Niger Republic and I am sure he is one of those illegal aliens in this country. He connived with one Police Sergeant from the Northern part of Nigeria called Musa, who works at Sango Police division to humiliate me. Worse still, the Divisional Police Officer there, did not help matters as he refused to entertain any plea from me after I was arrested that Saturday night. He simply ordered his men to throw me into the cell.” Why dog was named Buhari Continuing, he said “I did not commit any offence. I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero. My admiration for Buhari started far back when he was a military Head of State. It continued till date that he is a civilian President. After reading his dogged fight against corruption, which is like a canker worm eating into the very existence of this country, I solely decided to rename my beloved dog which I called Buhari, after him. I did not know that I was committing an offence for admiring Buhari. Ordeal with Police “I was intimidated and thrown inside the cell with hardened criminals for about three days. While I was there, the complainant from Niger Republic and Sergeant Musa from the North kept on taunting me saying people from my part of the country are trouble makers and that after detaining me, they will throw me into prison where I will die unsung. ”Even when my wife came with our baby on her back, they stopped her from giving me food. One of my friends that came to see me was also maltreated. “While taking me to Eleweran the next day, they handcuffed and chained me together with that my friend. Fortunately, when we got to police headquarters, both the Commissioner of Police and other officers were angry with their colleagues at Sango-Ota. ”They were wondering loudly why I was brought to the headquarters over such a minor case. It’s very unfortunate that I have to be so humiliated in my own country because of the antics of a foreigner in connivance with my brother from the North.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/named-dog-buhari-trader/

The Police have deployed mobile policemen to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, venue of the planned protest by former bodyguards to President Muhammadu Buhari who participated during the 2015 presidential campaigns.

The Police have deployed mobile policemen to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, venue of the planned protest by former bodyguards to President Muhammadu Buhari who participated during the 2015 presidential campaigns.

The Spokesperson of the group, Badiru Olabiyi Balogun, told  THE PUNCH on Thursday, that his group will go ahead with the protest.

He said, “Two truck loads of mobile policemen have been deployed to our campaign office. They said the instruction was that they should not allow us access to the office and that people inside should not be allowed to go out. So, we are meeting there by 9:00am this morning.”

THE PUNCH had last week, reported that the same group had protested against their “exclusion” by those they described ” as cabals in the government.”

They alleged that apart from the N20,000 they got on two occasions in January and February 2015, “we had never and were never given anything.”

While some of them wept profusely because “some cabals have hijacked the President”, they said many of the key actors in Buhari’s government, who did not work for him “are now reaping where they did not sow” and have denied them access to him.

Details later.

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday, August 17, said he was placed under 'house arrest' in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was meant to attend the controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention.

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday, August 17, said he was placed under 'house arrest' in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was meant to attend the controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention.

He said security operatives,  with an armoured personnel career, blocked the old Presidential lodge in Rivers state Government House where he lodged, preventing him from going out.

In a statement titled "I was under ‘house arrest’ in PH - Fayose", and issued by his media aide, Mr Lere Olayinka, the Governor said several appeals to the security team at the gate to allow him attend the convention were shunned.

The statement said: "Fayose Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has lamented that he was not at the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he was placed under ‘house arrest’ at the Old Presidential Lodge, Rivers State Government House where he lodged.

"All entreaties to allow Fayose to step out to attend the convention were rebuffed by the security personnel on ground.”

ALSO READ: Sheriff rejects outcome of PDP convention in Port Harcourt, says its illegal

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Odesanya, however, dismissed Fayose's claims, saying it cannot be true.

He said other Governors got out of their lodge to attend the PDP meeting, wondering how Fayose's case was different.

Nigerians are intensely political people, full of fire and outrage in their support or ability to undermine any figure of authority.

Nigerians are intensely political people, full of fire and outrage in their support or ability to undermine any figure of authority. Ours should have been the greatest of democracies, given our profound interest in public affairs. Unlike many Western countries where belief in any ideology is waning and voter turn-out is lacklustre, Nigeria is a country where fortunately and unfortunately dogma endures: we believe in many things (many unsubstantiated, antiquated convictions with destructive powers) but we differ from our Western counterparts in our unwillingness to critically assess and scrutinise said beliefs, hiding behind ethnicity and religion to justify those mysteries which enrich a few at the expense of the many. Our rigid support system, based on how we worship, or what part of the country we come from, shows our mistaken understanding of political participation which is more a conspiracy to commit, support and justify theft than anything else. Politics rarely goes beyond, in the immortal words of Patience Jonathan: “na we time” (to do what? I’ll leave that to the readers’ imagination).Now a crucial question poses itself: in the battle between the old, corrupt ways and the new, can the President rid himself of those undesired elements, even if they may be his nearest and dearest, who could ultimately cost him his re-election? MUHAMMADU BUHARI MUHAMMADU BUHARI Our society is not educated (or mature) enough to turn partisan debates into civic engagement: country first, rather than party first, is a concept which continuously eludes us. However, APC must be wary of Nigerian disillusionment. Nigerians have slowly begun to realise their power: if they no longer believe in the APC because its narrative is unconvincing (a far cry from its fervent pre-election sense of national urgency), because, it seems, many in APC look all too comfortable with the old ways they campaigned against, then this would spell the end for the party. Nigerians won’t accept to be fed the romanticised notions of ethnic or primordial loyalty which dictate support based on everything other than rational considerations of performance: it’s already happening. A party that consistently gets votes in the modern world isn’t one that puts food on the table by sporadically donating relief items, it is, instead, one that empowers and prepares people for self-reliance. What Nigerians really need, right now, is for the real Muhammadu Buhari to please stand up. I’m following the aftermath of the political conventions in America. There are so many lessons to be learned about what involvement in politics truly means, about the part every individual citizen has to play in mending a country and telling a new story. Ours (both our tragic story and heart-breaking country) needs Buhari, if he can let go of some of his friends before it is too late. Perhaps his experience of being removed from power by striking at the heart of the cabal which enjoys and profits from Nigeria’s dysfunction, made him more of a realist. Perhaps it turned the soldier into a politician who is more ready to compromise by keeping some of those undesirable elements close, despite the scandals and unanswered questions, because of the greater damage they could do behind his back. Perhaps the strategist in Buhari can still surprise us. But we need the man who doesn’t pander to the interests or fear-mongering of corrupt individuals who either use militants or separatism as blackmail. He doesn’t have to have all the answers (those who voted for Buhari were no fools, no one mistook him for a policy wonk) but he must surround himself with more qualified, talented people who can provide said answers. Enough of the recommendations and placements based on rumoured or alleged familial connections, etc. His communications team never tapped into his strengths and never sold a post-election plan or vision. The cynics might say there wasn’t one. But Buhari’s personal narrative, his knowledge of the civil war and all it wrought upon us in ethnic politics, could serve to unify this country, if he had the right people to articulate and sell his personal thoughts and memories to the masses. Obama once said: “There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America — there’s the United States of America.” I doubt many around our President fully understand the power of words. Many of the criticisms currently directed at the President, including the perceived lack of economic direction, would be far less if only there was someone regularly speaking to Nigerians, explaining the reasons for the hardships and detailing a way out, as opposed to ignoring the problems in the “Jonathanesque” way previously criticised. The President does occasionally mention our values but not enough in connection to economic realities. Everything about the collapse of our economy, our reliance on FX dependent imported goods, etc, is a direct consequence of our shallow mind-set, never mind the elite schools many in our society will tell you they attended. We think and behave like paupers, semi-illiterates, awed by meaningless things. We’re paying the price for it now. A communications team should have used the President’s personal story, his humble beginnings, to inspire us to think differently about money and its uses. Very few people remember policy in detail but they remember the stories told about said policies: the intellectual passion, the storytelling prowess shown in the US when discussing the American idea is totally absent in Nigeria. Those few would-be intellectuals Nigerian Presidents have around them are often relics of an unfortunate past. Few are creative enough to craft the new policies we need to catapult ourselves into modernity and by extension, prosperity. The Muhammadu Buhari we need at this point must find a way to synthesize the old and the new. Not by providing jobs and opportunities for his friends’ children as is often the case in Nigeria but by allowing real talent to thrive. If the best man can get the job in Nigeria, half of our problems would be solved. Dogara In Nigeria, offensiveness seems to be a legitimate form of engagement or even defence. The idea that padding the budget isn’t illegal isn’t just a dangerous one, it’s a testimony to the mind-set of politicians who think Nigeria is a country to be ruled rather than governed. Is decriminalising an accusation not a form of self-indictment? It amounts to saying “even if I did do it, it isn’t a crime”. Either way, one now sees the legislature has little grasp of its true functions. Only the executive is allowed to re-write the budget and replace projects, etc. Lawmakers are only empowered to trim sums, not allocate money themselves! Then of course there’s:”You mean I can’t come and see my President? Do I need any reason to come and see my President? It was a private visit.” Therein lies the problem. Without a doubt, Obama receives private visits—many in private locations. The White House or in this case, State House, belongs to every citizen and it is their right to scrutinise what goes on within it. But to a Nigerian politician, the state is often a private rather than a public affair. How this all ends will undoubtedly reveal who the real Buhari is and either bode ill or well for APC’s future. CBN Either not everyone in government is on the same page or the “real” Buhari is someone else entirely. After being told that subsidised rates would be reserved for more essential and productive functions of the economy, and that parents who send their children abroad can “afford” to source for FX in the parallel market, subsidised rates are given to pilgrims (both Muslims and Christians). Prayers can’t on their own boost Nigeria’s revenue, never mind what some fanatics, hiding under the cover of religion to help themselves to Nigeria’s resources, will tell you. Prayers are immaterial in a country of hypocrisy and generalised stealing. Sai Baba who so hated waste, where are you?

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/will-the-real-muhammadu-buhari-please-stand-up/

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been vindicated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers’ allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a grand patron of new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been vindicated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers’ allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a grand patron of new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

MEND claimed in a statement on Tuesday that Jonathan was sponsoring the NDA to destabilise the government of his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement signed by one Jomo Gbomo was MEND’s response to Jonathan’s denial of the allegation by the RNDA, linking the ex-President with the new militant group.

The full text of the statement was made available to online news platform, SaharaReporters by MEND.

MEND said it was highly infuriated by Jonathan’s rebuttal of the RNDA earlier claim, particularly his declaration that Henry Okah was after his life rather than clear the air on the allegation.

The statement said, “MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA, which pointedly accused Mr. Jonathan of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis and patronising the NDA, apparently for political reasons.

“We are, however, quick to point out the fact that the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND’s belief and conviction that the former President and his cronies, who lost the 2015 presidential election, were using the illegal and treasonable NDA platform to destabilise President Buhari’s government.”

The group accused Jonathan of wasting the opportunity of the South-South to rule the country, accusing him of failing to develop the region when he was in the saddle as President.

The statement added, “Indeed, the problem in the Niger Delta today has nothing to do with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Far from it! The problem is simply the failure of Mr. Jonathan to address the root issues confronting the region when he was at the helms of affairs.

”Even though he was from the impoverished region and had, by his own admission in numerous electioneering campaigns, experienced the utter poverty and abject neglect of the region foisted by successive Nigerian governments and the international oil companies since the discovery of oil in 1958 at Oloibiri (a few metres away from his native Otuoke) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Jonathan disappointingly frittered away the opportunity to rescue his people when the Nigerian Presidency fortuitously landed on his laps, virtually on a platter of gold.

“For six whole years, Mr. Jonathan was busy drinking, making merry and generally chasing shadows at the State House. Such a fellow deserves to be ostracised from the assembly of reasonable men; because the Nigerian Presidency might never come back to the Niger Delta region as cheap as it came to Mr. Jonathan; perhaps, in the next 100 years.

“Lest we forget, MEND was at the forefront of the armed struggle back in 2006/2007 which forced the then Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo to consider the option of drafting an Ijaw into the mainstream of Nigerian politics. That was how the perpetually timid and naïve Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became Vice-President and later, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When he assumed the reins as President, he did the unthinkable; he tracked down perceived MEND leaders and promptly got them imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of attempt to assassinate him.

“Up until today, Mr. Jonathan is still suffering from an assassination paranoia complex.

The group added that a substantial portion of Jonathan’s statement, “unfortunately, dwelt on judicial matters which are pending in various courts in Nigeria and South Africa.”

KANO— THE factional chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, yesterdaty came down hard on President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a total failure.

KANO— THE factional chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, yesterdaty came down hard on President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a total failure. President Buhari commissions Road Projects in Wanke Zamfara State President Buhari commissions Road Projects in Wanke Zamfara State Mairiga, who spoke with journalists in Kano, said “from the looks of things, President Buhari has betrayed the confidence of the Nigerian masses who voted for him massively into power.” The factional chairman said it was not an exaggeration that members of many families in the country go to bed without at least one square meal, while others had fled their homes because they could no longer provide the basic needs of life for their loved ones. Mairiga, who is known for his bluntness, expressed worry that after one year of the Buhari administration in power, there was nothing to show while poverty in the country had reached an unprecedented level. He lamented that while a bag of rice now sold for N16, 000, prices of other essentials commodities had tripled. Mairiga noted with dismay that prices of goods were rising at a time the ordinary man did not have money to make a living. Another disturbing scenario, according to the factional APC chairman, was that those around the president, including his ministers, had refused to tell him the truth and advice on the reality on ground. He reminded Buhari of his campaign promises, stating that he did not like the way the masses were allowed to wallow in destitution and penury. He said Nigerians were in the worst condition that needed urgent attention. The APC chairman advised the President to stop deceiving Nigerians that the nation had no money whereas on monthly basis, the federal and states governments continued to enjoy a boost in their allocations.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/youre-total-failure-kano-apc-chieftain-tells-buhari/

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, on Monday, relaunched the War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade, in Abuja, saying in this era of insecurity, violence, kidnapping, and other forms of social vices, the role of the Brigade in civil intelligence gathering cannot be over emphasized

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, on Monday, relaunched the War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade, in Abuja, saying in this era of insecurity, violence, kidnapping, and other forms of social vices, the role of the Brigade in civil intelligence gathering cannot be over emphasized. President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari Announcing the development on the occasion of the National and State Commanders meeting of the Community Support Brigade, CSB, also known as WAI, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari said the President Buhari administration has declared the intention to relaunch the Brigade for better performance, as well as to bring its activities to the fore. Speaking at the meeting, Abari said: “It’s great pleasure that I have the opportunity to meet with the leadership of WAI, for the first time since my assumption of office about two months ago. This meeting is meant to discuss the repositioning of the WAI Brigade in the current dispensation of change. “I’m not only delighted with this gathering, but excited with you all for keeping faith and working tirelessly to contribute your quota to nation building as volunteers who are not being paid for over 3 decades. So, I salute your patriotic efforts, indeed, Nigeria salutes your patriotism.” The NOA DG, stated that, “in this era of insecurity, violence, kidnapping and other forms of social vices, the role of the WAI Brigade in civil intelligence gathering cannot be over emphasized. It is in this regard that I call on you to encourage your members across the country to redouble their vigilance in the local governments, wards and their various villages, so that we can contribute our quota towards building a secure society.” Abari recalled that the WAI Brigade was a brain-child of President Buhari, who as Military Head of State in 1983 established the Brigade, to instill discipline among Nigerians, as well as fight endemic corruption. “The ills and woes that bedeviled the nation at that time are still very much with us today. That is why, when the National Orientation Agency, NOA, was established in 1983, the War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade was automatically drafted to be part and parcel of the Agency to fight against indiscipline, disorderly behaviour in public and private places, disobedience to traffic rules and regulations, disrespect for constituted authorities, filthy environment, bribery, corruption and other social vices,” he said. The NOA boss disclosed that “The present administration has declared its intention to re-launch the Brigade for better performance and bring its activities to the fore. You as ambassadors of the Agency, must, in your respective communities, local government areas, and states contribute your quota to make the change mantra of this administration a reality. Whenever and whereever you see something, you must say something to save our nation from decline.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/buhari-relaunches-war-indicipline-brigade/