Really ! 4yrs !! No single looter behind bar !!! Buhari: looters won’t return to power in 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged those who want to contest against him in 2019 to an integrity test.

Speaking at an interactive session with community leaders and stakeholders at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House to round off his two-day visit to the state, he said Nigerians would not let  treasury looters return to power.

He said: “Those who ruled Nigeria without vision and looted the nation’s treasury are the same people boasting that they will displace the APC government and return to office.

“We will wait and see, if they think Nigerians are ignorant. They have the guts of declaring their intention to reclaim office.”

The President cautioned the opposition to be ready to respond to questions from Nigerians on how they governed for 16 years without genuine development.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will be returning to power in 2019 because, in its view, the APC is not doing well.

Buhari said: “Public office holders involved in sharp malpractices would incur the wrath of God. “Those assigned into public positions of trust were mortals, they will transit and appear before their creator to answer for the misdeeds carried out while holding forth the position entrusted in their care by the populace.”

To the President, “it is infuriating that those tasked with the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria were detected to be engaged in criminal acts”. “Diplomatic passports, huge amount of foreign and local currencies were found in the possession of a judge; how does this sound?”

Buhari also alleged that “from 1999 to 2014, Nigeria exported over two million barrels of crude oil daily at the cost of 100 USD, the monies realised were squandered and looted. They failed to save for the future and this is where we are today.”

He lamented that “corruption and corrupt practices have assumed a frightening dimension” and explained that “the fight against corruption is the most difficult task of the present administration’s agenda since its inception over two year ago”.

All the property recovered from treasury looters will be sold off and the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government’s coffers for use to provide the good things of life for Nigerians, he said.

Selling off the properties would serve as deterrent to politicians who want to steal, the President added.

Giving reasons for his thinking, Buhari said it was to avoid the mistake he made as a military ruler when the stolen assets he confiscated were returned to the owners after he left office.

President Buhari thanked Kano people for their warm reception and promised to play a part in the state’s development.

Buhari said: “The mammoth crowd, including children, women and youths who thronged the streets to catch a glimpse of me, is a signal to those on the other side of the divide that I am still popular and relevant at home.”

Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi 11 raised the alarm on the “danger lurking ahead over the massive importation of cheap beverages into the country”. I urge the Federal Government to do something urgent to stop this ugly trend.”

He called for the review of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) charter, saying the liberalisation agreement of cross-border trade does not favour Nigeria as massive smuggling of sub-standard products, such as rice, textile materials and beverages have continued to kill the nation’s economy.

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state adopted the President as their candidate for the 2019 general elections.

They also expressed their commitment and support for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as their candidate for 2019.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President did not say he accepted and did not decline the endorsement even after the party leaders promised to procure the nomination forms for him and threatened to sue him if he declined.

President Buhari merely beamed with smiles and went on to underscore the need for unity in the party and among the diverse peoples of Nigeria.

The APC stakeholders meeting was attended by Governor Ganduje, his deputy Prof Hafizu Abubakar, the state Chairman and the members of the State Executive Committee and members of the National Executive Committee of the party from Kano State.

Also present were two of the state’s senators; members of the House of Representatives from the state, the Speaker and 34 of the 40 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the 44 party chairmen, their deputies and the Local Government Area secretaries of the APC.

It was witnessed by Jigawa State Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar.

The state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Inuwa Abbas hinged their endorsement of the President on his achievements in the last two years especially on security, the war against corruption and the restructuring of the economy.

Speaking on a humorous note, Ganduje said the party was prepared to drag the President to court to force his acceptance of the second term ticket.

Buhari said he understood the clamour by the ordinary people on the streets who raised four fingers on each arm, ”meaning four-plus-four”.

He, however, stressed the need to sanitise party politics by ridding it of vote buying and violence.

“What I saw in the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers, the use of money and those headless bodies really upset me. I don’t wish to see that anywhere. I would not have won if money and killing was the modus of operation. That is my view of politics,” the President said. - The Nation

Face of fraudster !!! Don’t Vote For Raymond Dokpesi As PDP Chairman, Former AIT Employee Says

Osarumwense Ogieva, a former employee of Daar Communications, operators of Raypower and Africa Independent Television (AIT), has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to not vote for Raymond Dokpesi as PDP chairman at the party’s convention on Saturday.

Mr. Dokpesi founded DAAR Communications and is running for PDP chairman. 

According to Mr. Ogieva, Mr. Dokpesi still owes his employees over a year’s worth of salaries.

“Please, PDP, don’t make another mistake because this man [Dokpesi] is not the right man for the chairmanship position. He can not do the job because he is owing his staff salaries over one year,”  Mr. Ogieva said

Mr. Ogieva also said that during the eight years he worked at AIT, the company deducted pension contributions from his salaries but failed to transfer these funds to his pension fund administrator.

Mr. Dokpesi has been facing trial over his alleged involvement in the N2.1 billion arms scandal. Despite his corruption trial, the businessman has insisted that he would emerge PDP chairman at Saturday’s convention. - Saharareporters

FIFA Ballon d'Or : Ronaldo moves level with archrival Messi with 5 awards

 

A decade of dominance as the world's two best soccer players has left Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi level with five Ballon d'Or awards each.

Despite once trailing 4-1 to his longtime rival, Ronaldo moved level after winning the award again on Thursday.

"With Messi the fight continues, in a good way," Ronaldo said after being presented the trophy awarded by France Football magazine at a ceremony held at the Eiffel Tower.

Messi was second in the voting and Neymar, who left Barcelona in the offseason to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record transfer fee of 222 million Euros ($262 million), was third.

Overall, Messi has a very slight edge.

The 30-year-old Messi has been runner-up to Ronaldo on each of his wins.

Ronaldo has been runner-up to Messi four times, with the exception being when midfielder Andres Iniesta — Messi's brilliant club teammate — finished second in 2010 after scoring the winner for Spain in the World Cup final. Ronaldo did not make the podium that year, with Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi taking third place.

He has bounced back to win the last two.

Ronaldo was shown on television receiving his latest award Thursday while making the sign of five with his left hand as held the trophy in his right.

"Of course, I feel happy, it's a big moment in my career," Ronaldo said. "It's something I hope to win every year."

The 32-year-old Portugal forward also took home the Ballon d'Or prize in 2013 and 2014, and in 2008 when playing for Manchester United.

Messi won it from 2009-12 — with Ronaldo runner-up three times during the period — and in 2015 ahead of Ronaldo and Neymar.

Ronaldo claimed it back last year after helping Portugal win the European Championship and starring for Madrid as it won the Champions League.

"Thanks to my Real Madrid teammates," Ronaldo said, adding. "I want to thank the rest of the people who helped me reach this level."

Last season he won the Champions League once again — scoring twice in a 4-1 rout of Juventus in the final — and played a key role as Madrid won the Spanish league title for the first time since 2012. His league tally of 25, however, was his lowest since joining the club in 2009.

Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Champions League with 115 goals.

"If he can score 10 times in training he will, that's what impresses me," Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "His ambition impresses me. I'm proud to be his coach."

He set another competition record on Wednesday, scoring in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to become the first player to find the net in all six group-stage matches.

It took his tally to nine so far, but in La Liga it has been a very different story during this campaign.

In August, he was banned for five games after shoving referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the back following his red card during a 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. He missed the return leg of the Spanish Super Cup in Madrid plus the first four matches of the Spanish league season.

Since then, he has managed only a meager two in 10 games and Madrid is fourth — already eight points behind leader Barcelona after 14 matches. Messi is already well clear with 13 league goals.

Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was fourth on France Football's list. The 39-year-old Italian helped Juventus reach the Champions League final and win the Italian title for the sixth straight season.

Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and Spain defender Sergio Ramos — both Ronaldo's teammates — were fifth and sixth respectively.

Teenage star Kylian Mbappe finished seventh after helping Monaco win the French title and reach the Champions League semifinals. He joined Neymar at PSG this season in a deal worth 180 million Euros ($216 million) — the second-most expensive ever.

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Tottenham striker Harry Kane completed the top 10.

PSG striker Edinson Cavani was surprisingly 11th despite scoring a career-high 49 goals in all competitions last term.

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 173 journalists worldwide.

It became known as the FIFA Ballon d'Or for six years in conjunction with world soccer's governing body. That association ended last year, when it became the sole award of the magazine once more.

The last player to win it before either Messi or Ronaldo was Brazil midfielder Kaka — who starred for AC Milan when it won the Champions League in 2007. - AP

Face of a murderer !!! Murder Of Six Apo Igbo Traders: Police Service Commission Plans Promotion Of Killer Police Officer Ibrahim Danjuma

The authorities of the Nigeria Police Force are on the verge of promoting Danjuma Mohammed Ibrahim, the Deputy Commissioner of Police said to have ordered the 2005 shooting of five Igbo traders and a young woman in the Apo area of Abuja. A Police wireless message issued on  December 5, 2017, and exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters showed that Mr. Ibrahim was one of 14 Deputy Commissioner of Polic officers e, who attended a promotion interview session on Wednesday.            

The wireless message directed the officers to report to the Conference Room of the chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro on the eighth floor of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja. Officers interviewed, according to the wireless message, included Mobolaji Olaniyi Fafowora, Omololu Shamsideen Bishi, Isaac Olutayo Akimoyede, Aminu Pai Saleh, Makama Hamisu Usman and Okon Etim Ene. Others were Abang B. John, Aminu Koji Kwabe, Felix Gochuk Gani, Ibrahim Sabo Umar, Joseph Gbobum Mukan, Wakili Mohammed and Awunah N. Donald. - Saharareporters

Restructuring : Jega calls for devolution of federal power before 2019

Attahiru Jega, ex-chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has proposed a reform of the Nigerian federal system before 2019.

In a statement by Robert Idowu, the former INEC boss said the rejig is needed to “devolve some powers and responsibilities, and commensurate resources, from the federal to state governments”.

Jega also proposed a four-dimensional reform package to tackle the historical challenge of poor governance and human insecurity in the country.

He made the recommendation while delivering a keynote address on ‘Governance Reforms and Human Security in Nigeria’ at the 10th annual forum of laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and 2017 Award Winners’ investiture in Abuja.

Jega proposed that the structural reforms should be in the short, medium and long terms.

According to him, reforms are required to cover the four fundamental aspects of governance- the structure, the institutions, the agents/actors and the attitudes/behaviors.

He explained that the short term, which is before 2019, should witness devolution of responsibilities and resources from the federal to state governments.

In the medium term, spanning 2019 to 2024, he proposed “revised vertical and horizontal formulae for revenue allocation and substantial increase in the derivation principle, with some elements of resource control”.

And in the long term, he recommended a fundamental review of the federal arrangement that would result in “a compact, if not small federal government and a revolutionized revenue generation and allocation system”.

He said: “If only Nigeria could begin the governance reform processes with the urgency, as well as the serious commitment that it deserves, we can in a reasonably short time de-escalate tension in the polity and begin to strengthen the foundation of good democratic governance for human security.”

He further proposed institutional changes, which he said would involve a reform of the police in particular and the broader national security architecture in general, to “pay more attention to national, i.e. people/citizen/communities’ security, more than to regime or government functionaries’ security”.

Jega also advocated the acceleration of electoral reforms to enhance electoral integrity, adding that the ongoing review of the electoral act should be finalised not later than six months before the 2019 elections, to boost its democratic content and efficacy. - The Cable

Shocking !!! Housewife forces hot iron into niece’s private part

A woman has been accused of forcing a hot iron into the private part of her five-year old niece in Ekiti State.

The woman, Mrs. Esther Abgundu, had earlier smeared the genital of her niece, little Aondoaver Sewuesi, with pepper.

The little girl’s offence was that she ate out of her aunt’s daughter’s meal.

The incident which occurred at Ijelu-Ekiti, Oye local government area of Ekiti State, has sparked outrage in the sleepy community.

 The victim was still receiving treatment at the Community Health Centre in the area.

The incident occurred on November 26 when the victim (Sewuesi) was babysitting for her aunt.

 “The victim was babysitting the baby of the respondent (Mrs. Abgundu) and was said to have taken a spoonful of the food she was feeding her aunt’s daughter with,” an eyewitness told our correspondent.

Both the victim and the suspect are from Gwer West local government area of Benue State with the victim’s mother living in their village.

Angered by the alleged brutality, the Justice and Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of Ekiti Catholic Diocese has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and demanded justice for the victim.

JPDI in a petition made available to The Nation on Thursday by its Director, Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, said its officials visited the community and its traditional ruler, the Elejelu, Oba Adetoyinbo Ajayi who confirmed the incident.

The monarch also contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ilupeju-Ekiti Divisional Headquarters who sent some policemen to arrest the suspect a day after the incident was reported at the palace.

The JDPI criticized the alleged release of Mrs. Abgundu from police custody, saying it could jeopardize investigation of the matter. - The Nation

30-year-old Woman docked for trying to sell 2-month-old twins for N350,000

Katsina State Police command on Wednesday arrested one Salima Lawal for allegedly attempting to sell her two month twin baby girls.

The suspect, hails from Marabar-Kankara, Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Besen Gwana, disclosed this to journalists in Katsina.

The police boss said the woman had approached a person (name withheld) in Faskari Local Government Area of the state and negotiated to sell the twins to him at the cost of N350,000.

“After negotiations to buy the twin at the price, the person went to bring the money.

“Instead of him to bring the money to her, he reported the case to the police.

“The next thing she saw were policemen who arrested her,”Gwana said.

The commissioner, however, urged people to continue to assist the police with information that would assist in curbing criminal acts in the state.

The suspect told newsmen that she committed the act without the consent of the father of the twins.

The police authority said the woman would be charged to court.