Executive boko haram !!! Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu in another salary scandal, sacks aide over 28 months’ arrears

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu is no doubt in another salary scandal over the non-payment of 28-months salary arrears allegedly owed his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.

DAILY POST gathered on Thursday that Oluwadamilare, a former Chairman of Oyo state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who has worked along with other assistants with the Saki born legal luminary for 28 months, has, however been disengaged by Shittu after the former (Oluwadamilare) demanded for the 28-months arrears from Shittu through a letter personally written by Shittu dated Wednesday, 14th March, 2018.

Shittu in the letter of disengagement sent to Oluwadamilare, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST, said that Oluwadamilare from April 1st, 2018, had ceased to be his Special Assistant on Media.

The Minister in the ‘notice of disengagement,’ personally signed by him, however, informed Oluwadamilare that he had issued a draft of N1,300,000 in respect of his outstanding emoluments as at 31st March, 2018.

DAILY POST recalls that as at October 2017, no fewer than six aides to the minister had resigned. Shittu was inaugurated as Minister in 2015. Those who had left him since 2015 parted ways with him due to issues ranging from non-payment of salaries, non-payment of entitlements and other welfare related issues.

Among those who had resigned or left the Minister are Alhaji Rasak Olubodun who until his resignation in October 2017 was a Personal Assistant to the Minister. Olubodun who once served as Special Adviser on Parastatal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, resigned his appointment after spending 23 months with the Minister without salary.

Olubodun who also hails from Saki, the hometown of the ex-Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Oyo State was said to have written the minister through his lawyer, demanding the payment of the 23-month salary arrears and other entitlements running to over N10m. Rasaq Olubodun.

DAILY POST also gathered that apart from Olubodun whose resignation generated a lot of controversy last year, five other aides of the Minister had also resigned.

They include Hon. Ipoola Binuyo, Mr. Abiodun Oyaremi and lately, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.

The duo of Binuyo and Oyaremi who until their resignations were Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Special Duties respectively resigned over a year ago due to the same fate they suffered while working with the Minister.

Though, only the trio of Binuyo, Oyaremi and Olubodun’s resignation was made public, sources, however, informed that no fewer than seven aides of the minister have so far resigned their appointments in the last two years.

Investigations by DAILY POST also revealed that almost all those who were initially appointed and those reappointed by Shittu in the last two years had either left or asked for redeployment. 

It was learnt that the latest salary scandal involving Shittu and his aides started when Oluwadamilare met Shittu and demanded his salary in his office in Abuja last week.

A source close to the Minister revealed that the argument degenerated to a level that staff of the ministry had to wade in on the corridor of the ministry, when he wouldn’t allow the minister leave without his salary.

He said that this made the Minister to quickly disengage the former Oyo NUJ Chairman.

He added that the timely intervention of a former commissioner in the state who is also eyeing the governorship seat saved the day for both of them.

But, Shittu while responding to the allegations said he disengaged Oluwadamilare because he was working with his political enemies to defame him.

The Minister in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST Thursday afternoon described Oluwadamilare as someone who is not fit to be appointed as an aide, adding that since he was appointed, he has never contributed anything tangible to his progress politically.

Shittu said, “I disengaged him because he was conniving with my political enemies to defame me. He has been saying a lot of things. I have been tolerating him but when I discovered that he is not fit, I had to disengage him.

“I have paid him his money. I have paid him over 2 million Naira.

“He is a useless man, how can I pay an aide Five Hundred Thousand Naira when I don’t collect such? I told him his salary is One Hundred Thousand Naira. He is not productive, no human relations. He has not contributed anything for my campaign. He has gone abroad twice and collected estacode. Could he have gone without working with me? - Daily Post

Execution process of Buhari’s economic plan doesn’t reflect needs of Nigerians - Bill Gates

Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, says the execution process of the economic and recovery growth plan (ERGP) does not reflect the needs of Nigerians.

The ERGP is a medium-term document launched by President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2017 to restore the nation’s economic status after it was hit by its worst recession in 29 years.
Gates, who is now the second richest man in the world, made this statement while speaking at the expanded national economic council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.
“Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished,” he said.

“The Nigerian government’s economic recovery and growth plan identify investing in our people as one of three strategic objectives. But the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital.
“To anchor the economy over the long term, investments in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people.
“People without roads, ports, and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”

He said the biggest African office of his foundation is in Nigeria adding that the organisation has committed over $1.6 billion with intentions of increasing the commitment.
Gates said addressing the issue of stunted growth will add $30 billion to the GDP annually.
“The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive,” he continued.

“If you invest in their health, education and opportunities, the human capital we are talking about today then; that will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity.
“If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

He said he would partner with the federal government on taxes to generate revenue for health and education.
In 2016, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation committed $100 million to fight malnutrition. - Cable Nigeria

Shocking !!! Mother uses four-year-old daughter as collateral for N100 debt in Ebonyi

A woman, identified as Mrs. Veronica Igwe, 38, has allegedly offered her four-year-old daughter, Uloma Igwe, to her creditor as collateral for her N100 debt in Ebonyi State.

The Desk Officer in charge of Child Abuse/Maltreatment Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Cecilia Elom told newsmen that the ministry received an emergency call on Tuesday, informing them that Veronica had exchanged her four-year-old daughter because of her inability to settle N100 debt.

Elom said immediately her office received the report, officials of the ministry rushed to the CAS campus of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, where the alleged creditor, Mrs. Josephine Nwali, resides.

“On reaching the residence, we saw little Uloma Igwe with another seven-year-old boy hawking. On interrogation, they confessed to have been lured into hawking by Mrs. Josephine Nwali who they were living with.

“Uloma’s mother, Veronica, informed our officials that she did not even know the woman she gave her child to,” she said.

Veronica said she had “business transaction” with one Mrs. Josephine Nwali at the Rice Mill Abakaliki in August 2017, where she bought some items from her, after which she owed her N100.

Veronica was quoted as saying that she then suggested to her debtor that she could bring one of her children in exchange for the debt.

Elom said the Igwes hail from Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North Local Government Council of Ebonyi State, while Mrs. Josephine Nwali hails from Okoffia in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

“Officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs invited Mrs. Josephine Nwali to the Office, from where she was handed over to the Ebonyi State Police Command for interrogation,” Elom said. - Daily Post

FG : States to get refund on roads

STATES are to get the cash they spent on federal roads, it was learnt yesterday.

President Muhammadu Buhari dropped the hint during his visit to Zamfara State after Governor AbdulAziz Yari’s request for the refund of the N56 billion being owed the state on federal road projects it executed.

The President said he had directed Power, Works & Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola to compile all outstanding payments of refunds to the states that implemented federal projects to specifications.

He expressed the hope that the refund would go a long way in addressing the security problems facing Zamfara state.

Yari, who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), called for additional deployment of security personnel to the state to check incessant cases of armed banditry across 13 out of the 14 local government areas of the state.

In a presentation, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Prof. Abdullahi Mohammed, gave an overview of the security challenges in the state in the last eight years, resulting in loss of lives and property.

According to him, the state has been witnessing three types of security crisis, namely cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and reprisals attacks.

The SSG explained that Zamfara State had identified eight major flashpoints and made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to deploy more security in the state.

House of Assembly speaker Sanusi Garba said a fact-finding committee inaugurated last year had enumerated the number of causalities recorded as a result of the activities of bandits in the state.

Zamfara has witnessed cases of attacks by armed bandits with hundreds of innocent people killed and property worth billions of naira carted away or destroyed.

The recent attack by bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government area of the state left over 50 people dead.

President directed security agencies to improve their strategies of intelligence gathering, surveillance and accuracy in deployments, and ensure that criminal activities were brought to an end across the country.

Speaking during an interactive meeting with political leaders, traditional rulers, elders and victims of criminal attacks in Zamfara State, President Buhari assured all security agencies of improved conditions that will facilitate apprehending criminals that steal, maim and kill innocent Nigerians.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, our security agencies have recorded some successes, but they need to do much more.

“They are not to oppress anyone, but they have to gather and send intelligence and warnings when something is about to happen.’’

The President commended the security agencies for eliminating a dreadful criminal, “Buhari general”, who had for many years initiated killings and destruction of properties.

Before “Buharin-daji”, who calls himself a general, there was a criminal who killed many people and he was killed; “Buharin–daji’’ has followed him and others like them should also follow,’’ he added.

The President said the threats to lives and properties will be significantly reduced with improved relations among community leaders, citizens and the security agencies.

He said: “I have come here to commiserate with you over loss of lives and properties. We will continue to do our best to improve the security situation. However, those committing atrocities live with you.

“Some of these people are not reported because you don’t trust the security outfits, instead you report back to the criminals. We should give priority to security,’’ he said.

The President warned that the ongoing war against corruption would be reinvigorated and sustained until public officers, who abused their positions, faced the wrath of the law.

He told the elders and traditional rulers that properties that had been confiscated by security outfits from some suspected corrupt public officials will be sold out, after the completion of court procedures.

Buhari urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector, pointing that the era of depending on petrol will one day come to an end.

On herdsmen attacks, the President said there was a need to revisit and review the old grazing area arrangements that guaranteed harmonious relationship between farmers and herdsmen, where differences were amicably resolved through the law without violence.

Governor Yari said the state government had deployed resources that were initially designated for development into fighting criminal activities.

The governor, who commended the security outfits for working hard to protect the state, pleaded with the Federal Government to improve the funding of operations, increase the number of security men working in the state and reimburse the state for monies spent on some Federal Government projects like roads, which he said was a major priority in fighting  criminals.

Listing the eight major flashpoints, the SSG that 1,321 lives had been lost since 2011, while 1,881 people sustained various injuries from attacks, with about N14 billion spent on fighting the menace.

The traditional rulers, elders and leaders of the affected communities also pleaded with the government to ensure immediate security intervention in order to save lives.

The President in company of his aides, landed at the Gusau helipad at about 10.40a.m after taking off from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua international airport in Katsina.

Governors Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) some ministers, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials were among those that received the president.

President Buhari reviewed a parade mounted by the Army and Air Force. - The Nation

Terrorism : Scores injured as Fulani herdsmen attack Benue community

Several persons have been injured with about two killed after suspected herdsmen attacked Branch Umenger in Guma local government area of Benue State.

DAILY POST gathered that the armed herdsmen inflicted injuries on children and some village elders when they attacked on Thursday morning.

Those killed in the latest attack, sources told this reporter, were one James Apav and Ataki Mageri.

The attackers were also said to have razed Tse Sameka village. - Daily Post

MLS : Pogba and Mkhitaryan say Ibrahimovic goodbyes

Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have led the goodbyes to former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his release from the club.

United terminated Ibrahimovic's contract on Thursday, with the Sweden icon expected to agree a deal with MLS side LA Galaxy to prolong his distinguished career.

Ibrahimovic helped United to the EFL Cup and Europa League titles last season but has struggled with knee injuries this term, the Old Trafford club allowing him to move on three months before the end of his contract.

Pogba was particularly close to Ibrahimovic during the 36-year-old's time at the club and he led the tributes to the striker after his departure was confirmed.

"You'll be missed Lion, wish you all the best," Pogba wrote on Twitter, including a clip of Ibrahimovic comparing himself to the animals.

Galaxy and Ibrahimovic are yet to announce the striker's arrival in MLS but former team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who joined Arsenal in January, hinted at the forward's next move.

"Show must go on in Hollywood," Mkhitaryan said. "It has been an honour to know you, Genius! All the best in USA @Ibra_official."

United's Ashley Young also left a tribute to Ibrahimovic on social media, writing: "What A Guy, What A Character but What A Great Person. Good luck with your next adventure mate."

The Galaxy have earned a win and a loss to open their MLS campaign, with the club looking to rebound from a down year in 2017.  - Goal

Transfer news : Arsenal and Tottenham target learning English ahead of potential summer move

 

Arsenal’s pursuit of Bordeaux winger Malcom has been well documented over the course of the last six months and it seems the Brazilian is preparing for life away from the Ligue 1 outfit.

Malcom, as quoted by the Mirror, openly admitted that he is attending regular English lessons ahead of a summer move away from Bordeaux, amid links with both Arsenal and Tottenham in recent times.

“First I want to finish the season with the best possible result and then I am going to sit down with my agent and family. Together we will make a decision.”

“I am learning English, because it is the most important language in the world. Wherever you are, with English you can get along. So that is very important for me.”

 The Gunners are claimed to have made a significant offer for Malcom in the January transfer window but saw their attempts rebuffed. Bordeaux boss Gus Poyet was intent on retaining Malcom’s services until the end of the season at least, but a move this summer is seemingly on the agenda.

Malcom was understood to have been keen on a move to Bayern Munich this summer. However, the Bundesliga giants don’t appear to be keen on the tricky winger, with Jupp Heynckes recently confessing that he hasn’t seen Malcom play before.

“I want to play for an elite club in Europe, win the Champions League and play for the Selecao [Brazil’s national team]. When I play for a big club, my chances improve.”

Although the Brazilian insisted that learning English was something he had planned irrespective of any summer deal, the quotes from the youngster will surely come as a boost for Arsenal and Tottenham.

Jungle republic : NSCDC officials shoots bus

About  eight passengers  died yesterday when an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) shot at a commercial bus.

The driver was trying to escape the officials who stopped him.

Policemen, led by the commissioner, Danmallam Mohammed, prevented a breakdown of law and order.

The bus caught fire as it allegedly fell into a ditch at the Miliken Hills valley with NSCDC officials in pursuit.

A passenger escaped with injuries and is recuperating in hospital. The dead were deposited at the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre Morgue.

The driver had allegedly stopped to pick up a passenger from an unlawful spot.

NSCDC officials confronted him but he sped off. They pursued him in a tricycle.

Angered by the development, residents attempted to march to the office of the NSCDC officials.

They blocked the entrance to Miliken Hills and Ngwo old road, chanting war songs.

Mohammed described the incident as unfortunate, saying they would not allow anyone jeopardise the peace in the state.

He said: “What happened is very unfortunate, especially with the peace we are enjoying.  This kind of thing should not be allowed. That’s the reason why I am here. I have appealed to them, they should leave everything to us.

“Investigation has started and have asked eyewitnesses to give us discreet information which will help in our investigation. We assure them that whoever is involved will be brought to book.”

NSCDC spokesman Denny Manuel Iwuchukwu said the bus was not shot at.

“We have a directive from the government that nobody should pick passengers on that road. So, when the driver stopped to pick a passenger, our operative told him that it was wrong for him to do that.

“As our man entered the bus, he zoomed off with him. So, other officers on ground chased him. In the process, the bus fell into the ditch. We chased after the vehicle because he drove off with our man. However, no shot was fired,” he said. - The Nation

Update : Evans to face two fresh kidnap charges

A LAGOS High Court in Igbosere yesterday adjourned till May 7 for the arraignment of suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, on two fresh charges.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye set the date after dismissing Evans’ two applications challenging the validity of the proposed charges filed by the Lagos State Government.

Evans argued through his counsel Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje that both charges were “defective and an abuse of court processes”.

But Justice Akintoye upheld the contention of Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, that the charges are competent.

In the first of both charges seen by The Nation, Evans and three others will face a five-count charge of kidnapping and attempted murder.

The other defendants are Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

In the second charge, Evans will be arraigned on similar offences alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the judge noted that the issue for determination was whether a prima facie case has been established against the defendants.

Justice Akintoye said: “Looking closely at the proof of evidence attached to the information in this case, a prima facie case has clearly been disclosed against the defendant/applicant.”

The judge said the victim in the instant case, Uche Okereafor’s wife was the person who paid the ransom, adding that the statement of the first defendant (Evans) itself alleged that the first defendant was the mastermind and gang leader of the group.

“Other defendants participated in several kidnappings and shared the ransom collected from their victims.

“The third defendant ( Ugochukwu Nwachukwu)  in his own statement and proof of evidence showed that he is a member of the gang and shared in the ransom collected from victims.

“I hold therefore that the proof of evidence disclosed a prima facie case against the first and third defendant,” she said.

Justice Akintoye also said the charge filed against the defendants were not defective based on the provisions of Section 152 and 153 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State,2015.

Justice Akintoye added that the court does not have the power and the jurisdiction to quash the charge before the close of the prosecution’s case.

“I don’t believe that the court has the power to quash the charge before the close of the prosecution’s case as in the clear wordings of Section 262 of ACJL, such application is premature and cannot be sustained.

“The defendant must wait until the close of the prosecution’s case before applying for any charge to be quashed.

She said the same fate is applicable to the second defendant (Joseph Emeka) who urged the court to expunge his name from the charge stating that no prima facie case was made against him.

Evans, who was arrested by the police last June 10, was arraigned last August before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court for alleged kidnapping.

Last October 23, he was also arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of Igbosere High Court, Lagos on two separate charges.

Five charges have been preferred against Evans  by the Lagos State Government. - The Nation

African migrants worse than terrorists – Israel

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that the flood of illegal migrants from Africa was worse than terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula.

The Israeli government had two months ago issued a 90-day notice for thousands of African migrants to leave the country or face imprisonment.

Reacting to the quit notice, the African migrants had stated that they prefer going to prison in the European country than return to Africa. 

But speaking yesterday at an event to celebrate the Negev Region held in Dimona, the Israeli PM said that he has recently completed a fence along “more than 200 kilometers of the border with Sinai.”

According to Netanyahu, the border fence constructed along Israel’s border with Egypt is holding back a potential “flood” of illegal migrants from Africa.

Without the fence, “we would be faced with … severe attacks by Sinai terrorists, and something much worse, a flood of illegal migrants from Africa,” Netanyahu said.

The country’s interior ministry had earlier claimed that there are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel.

The migrants, according to the Minister, are mainly from Sudan and Eritrea. - Daily Post

Nigeria absent as 44 African countries sign free trade agreement

Leaders from 44 African countries on Wednesday signed an agreement to form a $2.5 trillion continental free-trade zone, but Nigeria was absent.

The free-trade zone is the largest in the world since the creation of the World Trade Organisation in 1995.

Deliberations on the free-trade zone begun in 2015 and was originally projected to capture 55 countries.

At the African Union summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Paul Kagame, host president, declared the meeting a success after initial negotiations were concluded.

President Muhammadu Buhari had been initially scheduled to attend the summit and sign the agreement after the federal executive council gave its approval at its March 14 meeting.

The trip was cancelled on Sunday, March 18 and the presidency did not give a reason for the development. - Cable Nigeria

Couple arrested over alleged attempt to sell 1-year-old baby for N150,000

A 20-year-old woman, Blessing Precious and her 35-year-old husband, Precious Akowei have been arrested by the police in Ugborikoko for allegedly attempting to sell their one year old baby for the sum of N150, 000 (one hundred and fifty thousand naira.)

DAILY POST can reports that also arrested is one Mercy Ogunyemi, an alleged buyer of the baby.

The trio were, however, transferred by the Enerhen Divisional Police Officer, CSP Yakubu to Ugborikoko Division.

The Divisional Police Officer in Ugborikoko, CSP Emeka referred our Correspondent to the State Police image maker when he sought his comments on the matter.

Contacted, the Delta State Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the report saying,”the Police is still investigating the matter.”

Aniamaka stated that the couple,”were originally apprehended by the police in Enerhen for attempting to sell their baby.

“The police also arrested Other persons implicated in the transaction. One Ogunyemi, the alleged buyer, alongside other accomplices were apprehended. Some are on the run anyway but we will do everything possible to get to the root of the matter.”