POOR WORKERS !! 2019 budget: NASS staff strike threatens Buhari’s presentation

President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to present the 2019 budget proposal to the Joint Session of the National Assembly on Wednesday may not be achieved.

This is because of a four-day warning strike to be embarked upon by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN)

In a letter of notification sent to the leadership of the National Assembly on Friday, the association stated that all its members would stay at home for four days beginning from Monday.

The letter signed by the association’s chairman, Musa Bature Muhammed, reads:

“Sequel to our earlier notice of strike action as contained in the Communique dated 29th November 2018, the Congress of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, unanimously resolved at its emergency Congress held on 14th December, 2018 to embark on a 4-day warning strike commencing from Monday, 17th to 20th December, 2018.

“By this notice, be kindly Informed that the entire Members of PASAN shall stay off their respectlve duties on the above mentioned dates”

In a letter to the National Assembly leadership, President Buhari had last Thursday hinted that he would be at the National Assembly on Wednesday to present the 2019 budget proposal before the two houses of the National Assembly.

Buhari’s letter had read: “May I crave the kind indulgence of the House of Representatives to grant me the slot of 11 hours on Wednesday, 19th December, 2018 to formally present the 2019 appropriation bill in a joint session and lay before the NASS the 2019 budget proposal.”

- DAILY POST

Group scores Osinbajo higher in Vice Presidential Debate than Obi, others

A political group in Nigeria says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo showed the gulf in class between him and other Vice Presidential candidates as he blew his compatriots away with his insight on constitutional, economic, security and social development issues.

The Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD) explained that Osinbajo who is seeking reelection in office alongside incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, riveted his class as the best Vice President in Nigeria’s history.

President of the group, Sunday James Akinloye said Osinbajo, a proficient orator and inarguably Nigeria’s favourite Vice President proved that he was no fluke as he displayed his dexterity, aura and finesse at the Vice Presidential debate which held at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on 14 December 2018.

The debate organized by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) had four other Vice Presidential candidates in attendance, Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ganiyu Galadima of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Khadija Abdullahi-Iya of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Umma Getso of Young Progressive Party (YPP).

“Stating categorically how the ruling government will take Nigerians to the next level when re-elected, Osinbajo noted that the government will continue to build on infrastructure and human capital development,” the group said in a statement.

ISD explained that Osinbajo used verifiable facts to buttress his points compared to other candidates. “What we intend to do is to build on what we are doing and that is why we are talking of the Next Level. We have moved 24 places up on the Ease of Doing Business,” the Vice President said at the debate.

“We need to improve power transmission, we need to improve our rail and road infrastructure to boost our economy, the Vice President explained.

The group stated that the VP also took on the topic of direct foreign investment. “Foreign Investment will come when we create an environment for local industries. We are also looking at the taxation regime and will continue to ensure that small and medium businesses continue to thrive,” Akinloye said quoting Osinbajo.

“The Vice President drew the biggest cheer of the debate when he replied Peter Obi, the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP insinuated that the ruling All Progressives Congress had left its shop and was chasing thieves.

In response, Prof Osinbajo said, “If you allow criminals to steal all the inventories in the shop, there will be no shop. That’s the problem and the World Bank said that corruption is the major impediment to Nigeria’s development.

Speaking on power, Osinbajo said, “I think the common denominator between the two countries you mentioned is the strong infrastructure,” the VP said referring to the mention of China and South Africa, adding that, while under President Buhari, power generation capacity has climbed to over 7,000 megawatts.

Akinloye said Prof Osinbajo explained that Nigeria in the past 16 years has suffered a major infrastructure deficit. “So, we don’t have rails, roads. When we came into power in 2015, power was 4,000MW in 16 years,” the incumbent Vice President said.

“So, you need strong infrastructure. No one can argue about it. The second thing is you cannot have a strong economy if you allow the type of grand corruption that has taken place in Nigeria in the last 16 years,” Osinbajo added.

Akinloye noted that the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP was observed by many, especially on social media, to have been economical with some of the data he churned out.

Citing instances, Akinloye said he had claimed that Nigeria had over 2 million cars, however checks from data released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that in the third quarter of 2017 alone, there were over 11.5 Million cars in the country.

Immediately, social media users took on this issue and have made posts calling out the Vice Presidential Candidate.

After the two hour, 30 minutes debate, the Vice Presidential candidates were awarded certificates of participation after which they took a group photograph.

- PM NEWS

PHOTO NEWS : Fela Kuti’s Grandson, Made Kuti Graduates from the University

Made Kuti, son of Afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti and grandson of Fela Kuti has graduated from the university. In a photo shared by Femi Kuti on his verified Instagram page, he revealed he was very happy. He was in company with his ex-wife, Funke Kuti and their son. He captioned the photo ; “Very happy!!!

The post Fela Kuti’s Grandson, Made Kuti Graduates from the University. appeared first on YabaLeftOnline.

PL : Spurs are in the title race - Poch

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is unhappy that the Premier League title race is perceived as only being between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool lead the way on 42 points, a point clear of Manchester City - but Spurs are just five points back, having made one of their best-ever starts to a Premier League campaign.

And, fresh from dramatically securing a place in the last-16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, Spurs will be looking for a 13th Premier League win of the season when Burnley visit on Saturday.

Asked if his side are in the title hunt, Pochettino said: "We are there, we are in a good position, but the perception is different.

"When you talk about the perception from the people or from the media, it is Manchester City and Liverpool - and not us.

"I am not happy with the perception, when they are not assessing it in the right way.

"I think when you assess different clubs, normally, it is Liverpool and Manchester City, Chelsea, [Manchester] United, Arsenal, who will be involved in the race for the title - but not Tottenham.

"But of course we are there, because we compete in a very good way, because our performances have been fantastic - and the perception is different."

Pochettino's sterling work is not going unnoticed, because the manager is regularly linked with a possible move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Asked if he was bored of talking about such rumours, Pochettino added: "This type of news - I prefer it to the newspapers talking about upset people, or how Tottenham is going to sack me, or that we are in a difficult situation.

"If I need to choose one situation, I choose this one. I am not bored, of course!"

- SKY SPORTS

I love management more than ever - Jose

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he loves management more than ever, because it is more difficult than ever.

Mourinho's United are 16 points behind Liverpool going into their Super Sunday clash, having finished second in the Premier League last season.

Pressure has been on Mourinho this season, with his critics insisting his style of management no longer works, but in an exclusive interview with Soccer AM's Tubes, Mourinho is adamant he still loves the job.

Asked if he still loves being a football manager, Mourinho told Tubes: "Yes, more than ever. Because it is more difficult than ever."

Commenting on United's start to the season, he added: "[It has not gone] as good as we thought. But I predicted in the summer that the season was going to be very difficult for us.

"I felt this from the summer, our second position last season was a fantastic achievement, and people thought that because we finished second, the next season you will be in a situation where you are going to try to do better, and to do better than second is to be champion.

"But I thought that the situation was not that, and I thought the second position was really a fantastic season by all of us, and that this season was going to be very, very difficult, because the teams that were behind us, potentially shouldn't be, and on top of that, they had a great improvement in their teams."

United are in danger of falling out of touch with the top four as they head to Anfield, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4pm on Super Sunday.

But Mourinho does not dread going to Liverpool, despite their unbeaten Premier League run this season, instead insisting he loves the atmosphere.

"I enjoy. I always say I enjoy these places. Liverpool is a place where I had difficult times, but also amazing times and amazing victories.

"I love to go there, and totally respect that warm support from the fans to their team, and I like the feeling of the big matches. I was always saying I prefer these matches."

Mourinho also added he would not label this Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp the best he has faced, after some famous battles with the Reds in the mid-2000s, particularly against their Champions League-winning side of 2005.

"I played against a Liverpool that was European champion. I don't know if it was better or not better; I know the other team was European champion and that this team won nothing. So I think I have to respect the ones that did it, and I have to respect the ambition of the ones that didn't.

"In the end it is about respect, but I would expect maybe Rafa [Benitez], [Jamie] Carragher, Steven Gerrard, would expect them not to be happy with me if I said this team is better than that team! That team was European champion."

Asked which other Premier League managers Mourinho has been impressed with the most, the United boss stopped short of naming Klopp and Pep Guardiola, instead focusing on those in mid-table exceeding expectations at their clubs.

"I think everybody is trying hard to do their jobs in relation to their objectives and potential of their teams. Normally people look to the top part of the table, I like to look at the medium and whole part of the table. You can be a champion without being champion."

- SKY SPORTS

VP debate has shown Osinbajo is ‘best vice-president’ in Nigeria’s history

The Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD), a socio-political group, says the performance of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Friday’s debate shows he is the best vice-president in the history of Nigeria.

The debate was organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ganiyu Galadima of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Khadija Abdullahi-Iya of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Umma Getso of Young Progressive Party (YPP) locked horns with Osinbajo.

The group, in a statement by Sunday Akinloye, its president, said “Osinbajo riveted his class as the best Vice President in Nigeria’s history.”

Quoting the replies Osinbajo gave to questions asked, ISD said “Osinbajo used verifiable facts to buttress his points compared to other candidates.”

“Stating categorically how the ruling government will take Nigerians to the next level when re-elected, Osinbajo noted that the government will continue to build on infrastructure and human capital development,” the statement read.

“The Vice President drew the biggest cheer of the debate when he replied Peter Obi, the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP insinuated that the ruling All Progressives Congress had left its shop and was chasing thieves.

“In response, Prof Osinbajo said, “If you allow criminals to steal all the inventories in the shop, there will be no shop. That’s the problem and the World Bank said that corruption is the major impediment to Nigeria’s development.”

- THECABLE

Police uncover fake drugs factory, arrest four in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four persons operating an illegal fake drug production factory in Lagos.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, told newsmen on Friday that the suspects operated the factory from a four-bedroom building located at No. 2 Okunnenye Street, Ikotun Egbe area of the state.

Parading the suspects at the factory premises, Moshood said the IRT operatives raided the secret factory on Thursday, following a tip off.

According to him, large quantities of suspected fake drugs were seized during the raid.

“Recovered from the scene were cartons of different fake drugs, large quantities of unprocessed chemical substances used in manufacturing drugs, several machines fabricated for processing, manufacturing and packaging of the fake drugs.

“Also recovered are forged pharmaceutical papers, plastic buckets of different types suspected to be fake.
The premises have also been sealed and remain sealed till the determination of the matter by a court.

“The IGP has advised members of the public to be weary of where they procure food, drugs and drinks as many of them are fake and may cause outright death or physical and mental disability,” NAN quoted him as saying.

The principal suspect later told journalists that he owned the factory, stressing that he learnt the trade from a friend who died four years ago.

“Although, I am not a pharmacist or a chemist, but the medications are not totally fake as I use quality chemicals to produce them.

“My market is at Onitsha Anambra State, I don’t supply in Lagos. I distribute only in Onitsha and they in turn know where they distribute to. I have not really made too much money but at least, I have made little money.

“I am the owner of the place. I do take the drug and give to my wife and children because it is not totally fake to treat malaria. I try to be genuine.

“Instead of 250mg, I make it 180mg. That is the only offence I have committed but really the medicine works,” the suspect said.

- DAILY POST

Obamacare is unconstitutional, Texas judge rules

Federal judge in the US state of Texas has ruled that a key part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, is unconstitutional.

Twenty states argued the whole law was invalidated by a change in tax rules last year which eliminated a penalty for not having health insurance.

President Donald Trump said the ruling was great news for America.

The law’s provisions will, however, remain in place until an appeal is heard at the US Supreme Court.

President Trump promised to dismantle Barack Obama’s landmark 2010 healthcare law, which was designed to make medical cover affordable for the many Americans who had been priced out of the market.

Has Trump killed off Affordable Care Act?
Obamacare v Republican plan compared
But despite his Republican Party having majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the ACA is still operating.

However, in 2017 Congress did repeal the requirement – the so-called individual mandate – that people buy health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

The ruling came a day before the deadline for Obamacare enrolment for the coming year.

Two Republicans – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his Wisconsin counterpart Brad Schimel led the legal challenge.

Sitting in Fort Worth, US District Judge Reed O’Connor noted that a $1.5tn tax bill passed by Congress in 2017 eliminated the tax penalties which anyone who failed to obtain health insurance had to pay.

He ruled that the individual mandate was now unconstitutional.

As the individual mandate was an “essential” element of the ACA, the whole of Obamacare was therefore unconstitutional, Judge O’Connor said.

He said his ruling was concerned with the intentions of the 2010 and 2017 Congresses.

“The former enacted the ACA. The latter sawed off the last leg it stood on.”

–BBC

PL : Jesus ends goal drought, hits brace for City

Gabriel Jesus scored twice to end his Premier League goal drought as Manchester City saw off Everton to return to the top of the table.

Pep Guardiola’s side will stay for at least another day, with Liverpool needing to beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday (16:00 GMT kick-off) to reclaim their place at the summit.

BBC reports that Raheem Sterling came off the bench to add the hosts’ third with his first touch, a week after suffering alleged racial abuse during City’s defeat at Chelsea.

This victory, City’s 10th league win in a row at home, was rarely in serious doubt once Jesus had fired his side ahead on a bitterly cold day at Etihad Stadium.

Yerry Mina’s misplaced pass allowed Ilkay Gundogan to find Leroy Sane in space, and he sent Jesus galloping into the area to score with a fine low finish.

It was the Brazilian’s first league goal since August – a run of 11 games and 487 minutes without finding the net – but he only had to wait another 28 minutes for his second of the game.

When it arrived just after half-time, Sane was the provider again – with Jesus meeting his precise cross to plant an unstoppable header past Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford.

City looked in complete control but Everton gave themselves hope just after the hour when Dominic Calvert Lewin met Lucas Digne’s cross to reduce the deficit.

The visitors were only briefly back in it, however, with substitute Sterling heading in Fernandinho’s cross four minutes later.

It was enough to ensure City, whose loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend was their first in the league this season, are back in a familiar position at the top.

Kevin de Bruyne, back from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since 1 November, also came off the bench before the end to give the home fans further reason to cheer.

- PM NEWS