Nigeria Governors' Forum : Thirty Six Jackals And Bogus Security Vote

We live in a craze country where accountability and transparency are detested. How do we describe this bastardized system where the thirty-six governors are given a monthly security vote ranging between N300 million to N800 million depending on the state without detailed constitutional note on how to spend it since 1999.

This is stealing and looting of public funds !

Ninety five percent of the ruling elite members of this country are not honest and straight ford. Same goes to average Nigerian politician.

The level of financial recklessness by the Nigeria ruling class is disturbing and retarding to the growth of the economy. They have all sort of names attached to this financial abuse like furniture allowance, newspapers allowance, traveling allowance and so on. In the first place they don't merit 10% of the salary and allowances going by the level of their achievements. All these are outside their outrageous pensions and entitlements. 

Nigeria is not a country but a jungle. How can we match ruling class's exposure and education to the current and unwarranted financial system we are practicing in government considering the level of poverty and infrastructure decay of the country.
Their education and exposure are waste when they can not prudently manage scarce resources on behalf of the tax payers.

Nigeria is a finished business because the security vote is nothing but governor's pocket money. There is little or no hope for the masses if we continue on this trend. 

An average of N500 million security vote for a governor will amount to N6 billion annually, successfully this will pay for 2/4 of some states' work force. This is an abuse of public funds and waste of tax payers money.

From 1999, since we started this crazy-demo the elected/selected governors have being taking undue advantage of this security vote for their personal use and enrichment. This is money that is not accounted and audited for. 

Why will Nigeria not be a first class failed state with this financial criminality ? 

This is one of the biggest corruption killing the country that subsequent federal governments refused to do something about. Probably because undisclosed amount of security vote is also set aside for the president to pocket for four good years according to some sources. So this is a big treat to our democracy where majority of the masses are suffering and living below poverty line. 

There is too secrecy in country's governance system and process, no doubt Nigeria will remain a third world country for many decades because of this. The country is so terrible to the extent that an average ruling elite is nothing but crook and criminal. Nobody among them has leave above the board including BUHARI, Mr integrity. 

Across the country, none of governors has ever deem it fit to disclose the amount of security vote and how it was spent. In fact, they have always dodged questions regarding it from the press and public. 

An average Nigeria elected person is wicked and heartless, at all levels of government they run a 'secret society' of government especially when it comes to personal budgets and expenses. There is no openness and transparency. According to some lawyers, this security vote has no constitution backing.

From all available information, the first thing they do with the monthly allocation from federal government is to move the security vote for their own personal use without consideration for workers' salaries and pensioners. Majority of Nigeria states are still owing many month salaries. Even with this problem they are not ready to let go of 1kobo from all their crazy and secretive financial inducement and unmerited allowances.

Ours is a secret society democratic system of government ! 

Let's agree that we have bunched of looters and insincere people as governors across all states, what of Buhari that has proclaimed himself as Mr integrity. Is it not morally right for him to seize the opportunity and clean some of these financial mess that are keeping Nigeria masses in poverty?

Everybody knows that PDP government has failed in this aspect, moreover, unappropriated and unaccounted spending are their trademark. 

On this issue of security vote the Nigeria ruling class has failed the hard-working tax payers, now is time for tax payers and masses to demand for its total stoppage especially that the current bulk of security of the country lies with the federal government. - Irunmole-nla

One killing too many !! Police confirm three persons killed by suspected herdsmen in Plateau community

The Plateau State Police Command on Saturday, confirmed the killing of three persons in Zawra village of Jebbu Miango in Bassa LGA of the state.

The confirmation was made by the command’s Spokesman, DSP Mathias Terna Tyopev.

Tyopev said, “Today, being 04/07/2018 at about 07:45 hours, the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau State Command, Jos received an information that on 03/07/2018 at about 18:30 hours, unknown armed men suspected to be Fulani Herdsman attacked Zawra area of Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA.

“As a result of the attack, three persons were shot dead.”

The Spokesman gave the names of the deceased persons as Emmanuel Gado 22 years, Ladi Monday, 30 years and Mary Monday, 5 years old.

According to him, Police detectives led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Bassa Police Division have mobilised to the scene of crime.

He added that, “One expended shell of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered, photographs of the corpses were also taken.

He further said the corpses of the victims had since been buried by their relations.

Tyopev assured that investigation was in progress to track and arrest the perpetrators to face Justice.

“We also appeal to members of the public to help with the needed information to unravel the mystery behind the attack,” he added. - Daily Post

Nigeria to become third world largest exporter of gas

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd, says its ongoing plans to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Train-7 project by December will make Nigeria the third World largest gas exporter.

The NLNG General Manager Production, Mr Tayo Ogini, said this yesterday while making a presentation on the facility located at Bonny Island.

The presentation was to acquaint the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu who visited the plant to see the progress made on the project so far.

According to the presentation, Nigeria is presently the fourth exporter of gas in the world.

The NLNG has six operational trains (gas plants).

The first train was built in 1989 but by 2007 till date, plans to build Trains 7 and 8 were shelved.

The six trains have a combined capacity to produce 22 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

However, plans to invest seven billion dollars on the Train-7 project would expand its production capacity to 30 mtpa making Nigeria the 3rd largest exporter of gas in the World after Qatar and Australia.

Ogini said the gas produced in Nigeria was world-class, adding that the NLNG had built a reputation of reliability in its gas supplies around the world.

According to him, the hub of crude oil exporters on the island namely: Shell SPDC, ExxonMobil and the NLNG can easily produce two million barrels of oil per day.

Ogini said the country had 23 NLNG carriers which had sailed more than 4,000 cargoes making it the largest in Africa.

He, however, said the companies were being faced by inadequate infrastructure, adding that with the three-year Bonny-Boro road project which the company had embarked on, part of the problem would soon be addressed.

Responding, Kachikwu commended the NLNG management for its efficiency, saying the company was a testament to the fact that things could be properly done in Nigeria..

He recalled that during the cash crunch of 2016, NLNG saved the day and helped to avert a shutdown of the nation’s economy.

According to the minister of state, the Train-7 project is fantastic but Nigeria is not yet where it should be.

He challenged the NLNG to begin to think of exporting 40 mtpa over the next 30 years, as well as tackle the issue of gas pricing as most importers of domestic gas prefer to bring in shipments than to patronise the NLNG.

Kachikwu, who also inspected the facility, said Nigeria’s 2019 elections would not interfere with the company’s expansion plan.

He said that whatever happened at the polls, FID on Train-7 as well as its construction would go ahead.

On NLNG assisting Brass and Olokola LNG projects, he scored the companies 100 per cent in terms of performance.

“We have opportunities that are stranded everywhere – Brass LNG in terms of shareholding and financing; OKLNG in terms of even taking off the ground.

“I am saying as the grandfather of this business – they built six trains, looking at seven, hopefully potentially more. Let’s begin to look at minimal investments, through structures and designs and reconfiguration and expert advice.

“You can actually hand-hold some of those trains that are beginning to lag behind so that the whole founding father concept of ‘take this all over the place’ can happen.

“We are going to be reaching out to them, not from an imposition point of view but from a collaborative point of view to see what we can do and learn from what they have done well.”

Also speaking,  the Executive Secretary,  Nigerian Content Management Development Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote said his agency had moved to ensure the Train-7 project would be built with consideration to Nigeria’s local content law in the industry.

“We worked with them conscientiously to ensure that the FEED contract was signed within record time and we have a clear service level agreement between ourselves and NLNG to ensure that we fast-track the contracting cycle.

“This is also very important to ensure that we take FID at the end of the year as soon as we finish FEED work.

“We are going to focus more with them to ensure that the letters of the law are properly interpreted in terms of construction phase of the plant as well as its management phase,’’ Wabote said.

According to NLNG’s shareholding structure, the Nigerian government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) owns 49 per cent of its shares.

Other shareholders are Shell Gas B.V. 25.6 per cent, Total Gaz Electricity Holdings France 15 per cent, and Eni International – 10.4 per cent.

The company also recently signed agreements with consortia to embark on FEED for the Train-7 ahead of the FID in December. - The Nation

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has lost accreditation for four of the courses offered in the institution.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has reportedly suspended the university’s law, dentistry, medical rehabilitation, and botany programmes.

Prospective students who selected any of the four courses in the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have been asked to change their course or institution.

A message was sent to the candidates by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to inform them of the changes.

“Your first choice course did not receive accreditation. Login to your profile and change course/institutions,” the message read.

This is not the first time OAU has fallen into such troubles as the accreditation of the law faculty was previously withdrawn in 2006.

There are also reports that botany never got full accreditation since its inception as a course of study at the university.

TheCable Lifestyle reached out to Abiodun Olarenwaju, OAU’s public relations officer, and he confirmed the development.

Olarenwaju said the withdrawal of accreditation will be sorted out by September.

“We are going to sort it out, latest by September, and everything will come back to shape,” he told TheCable Lifestyle. - Thecablestyle

PL news : Lucas Perez keen to stay and fight for his place

According to a report in the Independent, Arsenal forward Perez is keen to stay with the Gunners and fight for his place under new boss Unai Emery.

Perez has been linked with an exit over the course of the summer with interest from both Lazio and Sporting Lisbon, with Arsenal being ready to make a loss on the Spanish forward.

The forward was signed for around £17m by former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger back in 2016 from Deportivo La Coruna. Perez then made his debut for the Gunners in a 2-1 home win against Southampton in the September of the 16/17 season.

In his debut season, Perez made a total of 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven times. However, he was limited to 11 Premier League appearances and scored one goal.

Reports in Portugal this weekend claimed that Arsenal were ready to accept a significant loss on the player, with a cut-price £4.4m deal with Sporting Lisbon said to be nearing completion.

But as reported in the Independent, Perez is keen to stay and force his way into Unai Emery’s plans.

Arsenal have cleared some of their, so-called, fringe players this season with Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshire both leaving the club. And with a current wealth of attacking talent in Aubameyang, Lacazette, Welbeck, Perez could still well be surplus to requirements at the Emirates.

Emery has said that more fringe players are likely to head out the exit door ahead of Arsenal’s opening match against last season’s champions Manchester City next weekend.

“My focus is on the first match and preparing, and not for the window and the possibility to sign another player.”

“Maybe we need some players to leave because we have lots in the squad, but at the moment, my one focus is on our work.”

Whether Perez will leave Arsenal, or stay and fight for his place for the new season remains to be seen but with the Premier League summer transfer window closing on Thursday at 5pm we won’t have to wait long to find out. - Read Sport

Transfer news : Everton willing to move for Lindelof or Smalling

Everton have told Manchester United that they would be willing to sign Chris Smalling or Victor Lindelof.According to TeamTalk, Everton are prepared to move for one of the pair if they are unable to seal a deal for Marcos Rojo.The report claims that Everton are looking at other options in the event that Rojo rejects a move to Goodison Park.Reports last month claimed that Everton had agreed a deal for Rojo, although his wages demands were above what the club were willing to pay.

Manchester United are eager to offload a central defender before the end of the transfer window, with Jose Mourinho on the brink of securing the signing of Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham for £60m.

Lindelof, Smalling and Rojo are all in the firing line, as club’s circle around the trio.

TeamTalk claim that Lindelof would be available as a loan option, whilst Smalling could join on a permanent basis. - Read Sport