NNMA Laments 31% Slash in Capital Budget

The Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) has lamented a 31 per cent cut in its 2019 budget, insisting that such will only double its serially increasing debt burden from one year to another.

According to the NNMA, prior to the slash, the allocation from the federal government alone was grossly inadequate to meet its statutory demands, adding that with the shortfall, the agency will hardly survive 2019 without encountering financial hardship.

Chairman of the governing board, Prof Shekarau Yakubu Aku who stated this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 11th forum of the laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) themed, "The Imperative of Unity in Diversity".

He said the slash will further create untold hardship to the agency in fulfilling its mandate, and called on the federal government to give legal backing on the proposed NNMA policy group.

The group, he maintained, has the ability to assist government at all levels in policy implementation and programmes.

Aku said: "It is unfortunate also that the cut down of NNMA's capital budget for year 2019 by 31 per cent will further create untold hardship on achieving the core mandate of the NNMA.

"The allocation from the federal government alone is grossly inadequate to meet the needs of the NNMA, so the agency hardly survives in a year without facing pronounced financial hardship that frequently threatens its core mandate, which creates a serially correlated debt burden from one year to the next,” he said.
Meanwhile, after a rigorous screening exercise by the board, only one winner emerged as the 2018 recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM).

The awardee in all the categories namely humanities, science, medicine, engineering and technology, is Prof. Olufemi Obafemi, a creative writer, critic, dramatist as well as a theatre director.

Aku said due to the strictness employed, many were not configured and so did not apply, noting that nominations had not dropped but that  those who submitted themselves were below what was expected.
"The process of selection is very rigorous. The nominees must support with the evidence of their work that has been researched and this is quite an expensive exercise," he added.

Allied Peoples Movement, a Child of Necessity, Says Amosun

 

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Thursday said the defection of his close allies from the All Progressives Congress  (APC) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) was borne out of the denial of his loyalists.

Speaking at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, state capital, where he had consulted with  the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo, and other traditional rulers from Ogun Central over his senatorial ambition, Amosun declared that the injustice meted out to his loyalists forced them to take refuge in the APM.

According to him, "I am a member of the APC, but clearly like I have told you, our people (close allies) complained that they have not been fair to them. There is a form of injustice that was meted out to them which you are all aware of. For me, this is not what we have prayed for. If anybody has told me that this is how it was going to be, I wouldn’t have agreed.

"But clearly, as a human being, God will show us way at any time, but we will not tell people who have been hurt not to ventilate their anger. But in the final analysis, this is for the good of APC. And I can say this anywhere, because if we had not allowed them to go, they would have decided to vote for another person and we would not even be in control.

“But now we know that they are child of necessity. They are in APC and everybody knows that. I am happy they have adopted President Muhammadu Buhari and they have adopted me as well which is good news.”

Besides, the governor clarified the position of the APM candidates, saying they are still members of the APC.

"Clearly, we are in APC. And you know it is frustration that made them to dissolve into APM and we don’t want them to go and vote for another person who is against the interest of what APC stands for and what President Buhari stands for.

"It is a win-win scenario. Now, we would ensure that President Buhari still wins, and in Ogun State, APC will still win directly or indirectly.  And you should understand what I mean. So, clearly we still have APC.

"By God's grace, President Buhari will win the election for the second time and that is why as an Ogun State indigene and governor, I want the state to be part of that history," said Amosun.

Police Investigating Five Suspects over Badeh's Murder

The police on Thursday said investigation of five suspects arrested over the murder of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, is still ongoing, and that the parade of the suspects would take place once investigation is concluded.

Badeh was killed by gunmen on December 18, 2018, along Abuja-Keffi road while returning from his farm in Nasarawa State.

The police had earlier scheduled December 27, 2018, for the parade of two principal suspects along with three others but had to suspend the idea in order not to jeopardise investigation, adding that other suspects are still at large.

"On the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, the Joint Police Investigation Team (IG Intelligence Response Team and the Special Tactical Squad) mandated to within the shortest possible time arrest all those responsible for the killing of Badeh, two principal suspects who participated in the killing and three others are now in police custody undergoing investigation.

"The investigation into the killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff is being intensified to arrest other suspects still at large.

"The parade of the two principal suspects and the three other gang members now in Police custody will not come up today so as not to jeopardise the on-going investigation," a statement by the spokesman of the Force, DCP Jimoh Moshood, said.

The statement noted that the Nigeria Police would not relent nor leave any stone unturned in getting to the root of the killing and bring all perpetrators to justice.

Obi: We Need a New Nigeria

 

The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, on Thursday charged Nigerians to work together towards enthroning a new Nigeria that will in turn take care of all the needs of Nigerians.

Obi enumerated some of Nigerians' unmet needs which include provision of security through job creation to constant power supply.

The former governor of Anambra State stated this during an interactive session among PDP faithful at Ekwunife Centre in Awka.

He encouraged Nigerians to vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, saying from his rich pedigree of wealth creation, employer of labour as well as his political and administrative experience, he (Atiku) has the capacity of enthroning the new Nigeria that Nigerians yearn for.

In her speech, the convener of the event, Senator Uche Ekwunife, who described Obi as "our project," said all Nigerians interested in the progress of the country must join hands to deliver Atiku and Obi.

Corroborating Ekwunife’s statement, Professor ABC Nwosu said Obi's candidacy had gone beyond Igbo land, concluding that Obi, being a recognised international figure, should be the project of all Nigerians.

Allowing APC to Use Stadium for Presidential Campaign Not a Sign of Weakness

 

The decision by the Akwa Ibom State Government to allow the ‘Nest of Champions’ stadium to be used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in the state should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state.

The Director-General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation for PDP governorship candidate in the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Thursday said the decision was evidence of a sound and mature leadership exhibited by the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Such humane disposition of the governor, he said, was a clear indication that the leadership of the state has respect for constitutional offices especially the office of the president.

The one time military governor of the state observed that the way and manner the opposition interpreted the initial decision of the state government on the use of the stadium not minding the huge cost it would involve the state to repair the facility after the event, was an indication of desperation anchored on selfish agenda.

He said: “We wish to state unequivocally that the PDP and indeed the good people of Akwa Ibom State are united in a common determination not to mortgage the soul of state for pittance.

“It is also worthy to note that the decision is a clear indication of the huge sense of maturity and exemplary statesmanship by the governor. This action is more profane if you consider that some of the key protagonists of APC today while in power, had several times displayed a clear lack of tact and class.

“One incident that most Akwa Ibomites would not forget in a hurry is the deliberate denial of Obong Victor Attah the use of the facilities of the Ibom Hotels and Resort for events of his 70th birthday. Gratefully, history offered the state an opportunity to right the wrong when the current state government did not only approve the use of the facility for the former governor’s 80th birthday but also bank-rolled the events.

“At the national level, we are all living witnesses to the blatant refusal by the management of the Eagle Square in Abuja to former PDP presidential aspirant the use of the facility despite having made the requisite rental payments.

“On the contrast, it is on record that the Akwa Ibom State Government has at several instances granted APC the use of Uyo Township Stadium even when it wasn’t the most convenient thing to do.

“In September 2018, the state government approved for the APC the use of the Uyo Township Stadium less than 24 hours before and after events of the state 31^st anniversary which took place at the same venue.”

Nkanga, who managed the campaign organisation of the former state Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in 2007, 2011 and that of the incumbent governor in 2015, said the people of the state would ever remain grateful for having Emmanuel as their governor because of his humane disposition.

“Recently, the Ooni of Ife decorated Governor Emmanuel as the Overall Best Performing Governor in 2018 at a prestigious event in Lagos. All these are testimonials of the governance credentials of the PDP government in the state,” he stated.

Army Loses 24 More Soldiers After Metele Attack *Defence ministry debunks video of 'Zamfara massacre'

Despite confidence-boosting measures, including promotions, new  postings and redeployment, the Nigerian Army has lost 24 more soldiers since the attacks and killing of 23 soldiers of the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State last November by  terrorists.

Survivors of the  attacks have also continued to lament the freezing of their salary accounts and  lack of arms and ammunition with which to engage the terrorists. 

Some of the soldiers, who spoke to the media, complained of difficulties accessing funds for feeding and other basic provisions.

But unnerved by the setbacks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, who described terrorist groups, Boko Haram, as "a band of criminals" in his goodwill message  at Christmas, asked soldiers in the theatre of war to remain alert and vigilant while deploying tactics obtained from "superior training" maintaining that the army had "superior firepower."
This came on a day the Ministry of Defence debunked reports that protesting civilians were "massacred" by soldiers in Zamfara State.

In an attack a few weeks after Metele, 12 soldiers were killed when the insurgents attacked a military base near Gudumbali Local Government Area of Borno State while others were unaccounted for.

Gudumbali is an area where the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, is active.

The attack was unleashed by terrorists while soldiers distributed relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).

The latest attack took place on Christmas day when insurgents ambushed soldiers manning Damaturu-Maiduguri Road killing 12 soldiers and one policeman while many others were wounded.
An orderly to Yobe Governor's ADC was also killed in the attack in Kukarita town in Damaturu.
The attack, which was confirmed by the army left hundreds of passengers from different parts of the country stranded in Damaturu, Yobe State capital on their way to Maiduguri.
The road was in a lockdown for 13 hours following the attack.
Meanwhile, in his goodwill message to troops at Christmas, Buratai said the terrorists were a "band of criminals".
"It is pertinent for troops to understand that Boko Haram terrorists are nothing but a band of criminals.
"Therefore, you must all brace up to clear and flush out their remnants. We have superior training, fire power and experience. We have a history of successes on the battlefield both at home and abroad.
"This must be reflected in all our operations. I thank you all for the good job you have done in 2018 and look forward to us making greater progress in 2019", he said.
Also speaking to troops of Sector 3 of  Operation Lafiya Dole at a different event, Buratai, who spoke through the Sector Commander, Major General Olufemi Akinjobi, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of troops and urged them to be alert at all times as well as maintain good fighting spirit and momentum.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence on Wednesday dismissed reports of  a trending online video where soldiers allegedly "massacred" civilians protesting incessant attacks by bandits in Zamfara State.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the fact of the matter was that, yesterday Monday 24th December 2018, at about 6.35am, the troops deployed at Tsafe Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) received a report of protest action by the some suspected Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) mostly from Asola village in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA). They were allegedly protesting against the security situation in their areas and lack of care. 

"They were initially cautioned by the Emir of Tsafe on the protest action but they were adamant and continued with the protest. They were however joined by youths mostly identified as Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the area. The CJTF armed with Dane guns, clubs and other dangerous objects, attempted to attack the Divisional Police Station office, Tsafe, but were stopped by the police on duty. They later moved to the streets, blocking Tsafe-Gusau highway, burning tyres and setting Tsafe LGA Secretariat ablazed," it said in a statement.

It further noted that "in the course of the protest, some vehicles parked at the Secretariat were also burnt. They destroyed Administration offices, files, office equipment and other valuable items. It was in that process that the troops intervened. 

"It is imperative to also state that there was an attempt to also burnt down the residence of the Chairman Tsafe LGA by the protesters, due to timely intervention of our troops, they could not achieve their aim. The troops also arrested one of the protesters, an identified CJTF with a Dane Gun. The suspect and the exhibit have been handed over to the police for further interrogation. 

"Indeed, no life was lost and no recorded injuries, it is therefore preposterous for anyone to alleged shooting at the protesters by the troops of the Nigerian Army. Normalcy has since been restored in the affected areas. We enjoin the general public to disregard and ignore such unfounded allegation as it is not true".

NNPC Posts N9.9bn Trading Surplus in September

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Wednesday disclosed that it posted a trading surplus of N9.85 billion for the month of September 2018, in its business. 

It said the figure was higher than the previous month’s deficit of N3.90 billion. 

The statement from its Group General Manager Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu,  said details of the trading surplus was contained in the newly released September 2018 edition of its monthly financial and operations report. 

It indicated the improved performance was as a result of higher revenue by its upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). 

According to it, NPDC’s production has been on the rise as a result of success recorded in repairs of vandalised pipeline in the Niger Delta and the resumption of crude oil lifting activities at Forcados Terminal. 

It equally explained that total crude oil and gas export sale of $626.62 million was made in September, 2018 under the NNPC’s US dollar transactions which is 33.32 per cent higher than the previous month. 

It stated that crude oil export sales contributed $508.54 million which was 81.16 per cent of the dollar transactions compared with $337.62 million contribution in the previous month.
It also said that export gas sales amounted to $118.08million in the month, adding that the September 2017 to September 2018 crude oil and gas transactions indicated that crude oil and gas worth $5.45 billion was exported.
In the downstream sector, the report noted that during the period, NNPC continued to ensure increased petrol supply and effective distribution across the country, saying that 1.66 billion litres of petrol, translating to 55.50 million litres per day, were supplied by it.
In the month under review, NNPC said a total of 125 pipeline points were vandalised, out of which eight pipeline points failed to be welded and only one pipeline point was ruptured.
The figure, it noted translated to a significant increase from the 86 vandalised points recorded in previous month.
A further breakdown of the September, 2018 records indicated that Aba-Enugu and Mosimi-Ibadan accounted for 36 points and 33 points respectively or approximately 29 per cent or 26 per cent of the vandalised points respectively. While PHC-Aba and Zaria-Gusau accounted for 10 per cent each.
Atlas Cove-Mosimi and other locations accounted for 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the pipeline breaks respectively.
Regarding natural gas off-take, commercialisation and utilisation, the report indicated that out of the 238.91 billion cubic feet (bcf)  of gas supplied in September 2018, a total of 142.09bcf  of gas was commercialised, comprising  30.36bcf and 111.73bcf  for the domestic and export market respectively.
This, it noted, translated to a total supply of 1,011.96 million cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of gas to the domestic market and 3,724.26mmscf/d of gas supplied to the export market for the month.
This, NNPC noted, implied that 59.47 per cent of the average daily gas produced was commercialised while the balance of 40.53 per cent of gas was re-injected, that is, used as upstream fuel gas or flared.
The report gave gas flare rate for the month at 8.60 per cent or 684.69mmscfd compared with average gas flare rate of 10.17 per cent which is 800.59mmscfd for the period September 2017 to September 2018.
NNPC said the September 2018 report was the 38th edition, adding it is aimed at enhancing probity and transparency at the corporation. 

10 Political Parties Reject Endorsement of Ogun APM Governorship Candidate

A coalition of 10 political parties in Ogun  State on Wednesday debunked and rejected the reported endorsement of the state governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon Adekunle Akinlade, by the Intra-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

The parties under the aegis of ‘Political Parties Chairmen’ Ogun State forum which addressed journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, included All Blending Party (ABP), Peoples' Progressives Party (PPP), Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD), Democratic Peoples' Congress (DPC) and Progressives Peoples' Alliance (PPA).

Others are Better Nigerian Peoples' Party (NPP), Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), National Action Congress (NAC), National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP) and Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN).

Spokesperson of the forum, Chief Olusegun Olufemi, dismissed a media report which claimed that 60 political parties in the state had adopted Akinlade, the preferred governorship candidate of the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

According to him, the IPAC executives led by its Chairman, Abayomi Arabambi, was last Thursday reported to have led 60 political parties to endorse Akinlade during the APM flag-off ceremony held at the MKO international stadium in Abeokuta.

But the forum, which claimed not to be a parallel body to IPAC, said there was no time such action was collectively discussed by the members.

"We reject in its totality the adoption of any governorship candidate. We urge members of the public to disregard the purported adoption of any political party candidate.

"Calls have started going round about the adoption of the APM governorship candidate by IPAC.

"I want to state clearly that we did not adopt anyone since we also have our own governorship candidates. So, we have come here today to debunk such claim.

"Ogun is a state of the elite and such things should not come up. Arabambi-led executive members have turned themselves to a ‘butter and bread’ executives,” said Olufemi.

The forum, however, said it had petitioned the National Chairman of IPAC, Peter Ameh, against Arabambi-led executives.

The forum, in the petition dated December 24 and signed by all the 10 political parties, a copy of which was obtained by the media, accused the state chapter of IPAC of misconduct, abuse of office and actions inimical to the parties constituting IPAC in the state.

"We are of the view that IPAC executives in Ogun State have derailed  from their mandates judging from the recent reported endorsement and adoption of APM gubernatorial candidate in the state .

"It is curious and against the tenets of democracy for an executive of IPAC to unilaterally adopt a particular candidate  in  the coming general election without prior consent of the parties chairmen," the forum stated.

Owa Secondary School Alumni to Launch N25m ICT Project Dec 31

The Owa Secondary School Alumni Association has disclosed its readiness to launch a N25 million Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project to facilitate teaching and learning for students of the school as the world is now driven by technology.

The president of the Association, Mr. Nwokok Felix, stated this in a statement made available to Yellowstone Media on Christmas day.

Felix noted in the statement that the project is a timely intervention to the secondary school aimed at increasing the awareness of ICT as the world is clearly been driven by technology, adding that the disruptive tendencies of digital age, if  properly harness, will reduced unemployment among the youths.

The statement further revealed that the launching would hold in the school playground in Owa-Oyibu, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State on December 31, 2018, by 10a.m. with some eminent personalities expected to herald the occasion to raise fund for the project.

According to statement, “The Alumni Association of Owa Secondary School will launch aN25 million ICT project to support its Alma mater. The gesture is to enable all members of the association give back to the school through the project, and as the world is now driven by technology, if properly harness, will reduce unemployment in the country.

“The launching which will hold on the school playground by 10a.m., is expected to have important dignitaries, launchers and others at the event aimed at such a noble cause.”

Meanwhile, the acting Principal of the school, Mrs. Ajala, is using the medium to invite all former students of Owa Secondary School to grace the occasion as a commitment to take the school to a greater height.

Perfume is Divine, Encourages Bonding, Relationships, Says Expert

A nursing and midwifery officer with the Niger State Government, Ms. Lois Adamu, has revealed that the power behind fragrances is beyond just inhaling the scent and the primary usage which is to smell good.

She said it goes beyond the personality of the user as it is known to be divine, godly and with the power to build and foster relationships which is important in psycho-social health and well-being.

The health officer stated this in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesday when Totalprenure, a subsidiary of Total group of companies, and a non-governmental organisation, Aids for Women, Adolescents and Children International Organisation (AWACIO), empowered 44 youths after a six-week intensive training.

Adamu said: "Perfume is divine and has the power to form and bond relationships. You might walk into a room of strange faces but because you wear a good fragrance, people are bound to look towards your direction and ask questions about your perfume and from there, a relationship has started.

"Some perfumes have pheromones in them. These are extracted from male and female hormones and are blended with perfumes. The ones with male hormones work on the sensuality of females and vice versa, hence fostering relationships.

"Even in marriage and other relationships the use of perfumes cannot be over emphasised. Little wonder couples are always encouraged to spice up their bedroom life with several things in which the use of perfumes is one."

No Cabal Is Forcing Me To Do Anything, Buhari Replies Wife On Cabal Allegation

President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to the allegation of Aisha, his wife, that his government has been hijacked by a cabal.

On several occasions, the wife of the president has said a few people are calling the shot in this administration at the expense of Nigerians who brought it into power.

The first lady, while speaking at a leadership summit in Abuja earlier in the month, challenged Nigerians to fight the “two or three people who have dominated this government”.

“Our votes were 15.4 million in the last elections and after that only for us to be dominated by two people… this is totally unacceptable,” she had said.

“If 15.4 million people can bring in a government and only for the government to be dominated by two people or three people, where are the men of Nigeria? Where are the Nigerian men? What are you doing?

“Instead of them to come together and fight them, they keep visiting them one after the other licking their shoes (I’m sorry to use those words).”

But Buhari speaking recently in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA) said that the allegation was her business and that it shows that he is a real democrat.

He also challenged those making allegations that a cabal is in charge of his government to substantiate their claims.

“Have you heard of the word cabal? People have been alleging that there are some few people in charge of this administration, that you are not the one in charge. Even your wife said something about this recently, what do you have to say about this?” the journalist asked him.

Responding, Buhari said: “That’s her business. This shows I am a real democrat. What they are saying is different from what is happening. They should come out and say those things they feel was staged managed by the cabal. What the cabal force to me to do. They should mention just one thing.”

Two Killed 15 Others Kidnapped as Kidnappers Go on Rampage in Niger

 

It has been confirmed that two people have been killed and 15 others abducted as kidnappers go on rampage in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

Reports just reaching Minna, the state capital, said the two people killed were attempting to escape from the kidnappers resulting in the killings.

Five of those kidnapped, according to the report, were from Gwada town in the Shiroro Local Government Area and were said to be returning from Kaduna State while the remaining 10 were from Sarkin Paws in Munya Local Government Area.

According to the report, the incident occurred at Mangwaro, a border community between Niger and Kaduna States, on Christmas day evening.

The situation had created panic among the villagers in the local government area as they were said to be looking for every available means of protecting themselves against the kidnappers.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Danjuma Sallau, who just returned from the area, confirmed the story when briefing a group of journalists in Minna yesterday evening.

Sallau, however, said normalcy had been restored to the troubled area.

The commissioner said a combined team of security agents made up of the army, police, Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante had been drafted to the area to restore peace.

Sallau, however, said no contact had been made with the kidnappers, adding that they had also not given any condition for the release of those kidnapped.

He said he would meet with the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dibal Yakadi, on the issue tomorrow on the best way to facilitate the release of those abducted.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Muhammad Abubakar, when contacted, confirmed the incident and the deployment of officers and men of the command to the affected area.

The Munya Local Government Area had been under siege of kidnappers and herdsmen early in the year until the Senator representing Niger East senatorial district, David Umaru, prevailed on the Chief of Army Staff to station soldiers in the area.

The soldiers were said to have been withdrawn about four months ago after normalcy was reported to have returned to the area.

Today, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiriwa, was in Minna during which he inaugurated a special security outfit to tackle cattle rustling, kidnapping of herdsmen and armed robbery in some parts of the state.

CAN Cautions El-Rufai over Threat against Pastor Enenche ...Charges Gov to arrest killers in state

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday asked the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-rufai, to desist from any unwarranted threat against Christian pastors.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the organisation said any attempt to arrest or harass any pastor again will be considered as an attempt to silence the voice of the Church and reasoning in Nigeria.

CAN was reacting to an alleged threat issued by El-rufai to arrest the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, for his comment on the killings of Christians.

"Our attention has been drawn to a threat issued by El-rufai in some online news media over his determination to get the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Enenche, arraigned in Kaduna over ‘hate speech’ that he allegedly claimed escalated recent killings that rocked Kasuwan Magani on October 18, 2018, that was followed by the assassination of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima, on October 26, 2018," the religious group said.

In the statement, CAN said while it  abhors hate speech in whatever form, "it is becoming very difficult to determine what constitutes hate speech and who should be responsible for assessing what constitutes a hate speech.”

CAN said after a careful study of the statement made by the pastor as well as the circumstances behind it, the organisation said it was convinced that  Pastor Enenche made no offending speech.

The statement said while CAN condemns hate speech by religious leaders and other Nigerians, “it cannot stand and watch our respected leaders being set up for molestation, humiliation and prosecution for an unfounded hate speech.

"It has become much difficult to know whose speech is to be regarded as hate speech and which speech should not.

We have carefully read the threat by El-rufai and his claim to know who is responsible for the hate speech that promoted the crises in Kaduna State and his vow to get Pastor Enenche arrested and prosecuted in the state.

"We have also examined the video clip of the pastor, and are abreast of all the facts concerning the Kasuwan Magani killings among others. The main subject of Enenche’s clip which El-Rufai is alleging to be a hate speech to us is an outright condemnation of the fate that has befallen the Adara people and Christians in Southern Kaduna through the creation of new emirates namely: Lere, Kagarko and Kujuru. By the creation of these emirates, especially that of Kajuru, the Adara people have been subjugated.”

CAN said rather than threaten pastors and individuals who lament the killings in Kaduna, the governor should make efforts to arrest those responsible for the heinous crime.

The association said: "The questions in the minds of the church are: why is it very easy for the state government to identify those lamenting the unabated killings of Christians in Kaduna and other states in the middle belt for persecution? Why is it easy for the government to seek to apprehend and prosecute the crying victims but it’s almost an impossible task to bring the killers to justice?

"Why is it easier for the El-Rufai government to know and get “the agents of careless statement... but expensive and almost impossible for him to identify the Kaduna killing agents despite years of such continuous killings?  Have the killers of Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, been apprehended? How long will it take the El-Rufai to apprehend them?"

Lalong Proposes N148bn 2019 Budget to Plateau House of Assembly

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Monday proposed N148 billion 'Budget of Rescue and Infrastructural Growth’ for 2019 to the state House of Assembly.

Speaking at the occasion, Lalong said: "You will recall that on December 22, 2017, I presented to this honourable assembly a ‘Budget of Rescue and consolidation’. The underlining principle of the budget was to consolidate on the gains and achievements of this administration since the beginning of our ‘Rescue Mission’ in May 2015. The budget was also aimed at completing the ongoing projects as our first tenure is gradually coming to an end.

"During the period in question, which also marked the third year anniversary of our administration, I made a state-wide address with the theme: ‘Integrity, Accountability and Transparency in Leadership’. This arose from my desire to further entrench these values as a standard in responsive and people-oriented governance. This ideal cannot be different for 2019 budget presentation which is the last to this eighth assembly.

"For the 2018 fiscal year, a budget of N145, 488,066,352.00 was presented to this honourable assembly. The assembly deliberated and passed a budget of N146,406,074,921.00 which was signed by my humble self on the January 30, 2018.

Abuja Airport Records Low Passenger Traffic on Christmas Eve

Many domestic airlines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Monday experienced a drop in traffic of passengers and aircraft movement on the eve of Christmas.

Media check revealed a low turnout of passengers due to a hike in prices of air tickets. Booking and check-in counters of all the airlines were very scanty.

The Station Manager of Max Air in Abuja, Mr. Abdullahi Saroke, who spoke to journalists, stated that highest traffic was recorded in the last two days, adding that the eve of Christmas was not always busy especially if it was the beginning of the week.

According to him, "The traffic was heavy last Friday, Saturday and Sunday when most airlines recorded upsurge and had full flights.

He noted that Max Air has had full passengers since last Friday to all destinations but as at this morning (yesterday), "we only had full flights to Yola and Maiduguri, but in and out of Abuja and Lagos has been half load."

He added that many airlines were carrying half load on many routes as at yesterday morning, noting that Max Air had only two full flights to Maiduguri and Yola.

Media check also gathered that the price list of the various airlines revealed that they now charge between N36,000 and N70,000 on economy and N70,000 to N90,000 on business class depending on the time and destination.

Air fare on these routes charged by various airlines before now ranged from N19, 000 to N41,000 depending on the airline and time of booking.

Ex-Chief of Staff: Why I Quit Amosun’s Cabinet

The immediate past Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Government, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, has adduced his resignation from the cabinet of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to his refusal to be seen as a mole following his insistence to stay put within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Odebiyi, in an exclusive chat with select journalists at his Iboro country home in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state on Monday disclosed that he chose to pull out of the cabinet, "though a painful decision to go a separate way with Amosun, it has become a honest decision.

"I decided to quit the cabinet of Amosun because I don't want to be seen as a mole. I don’t have any personal grouse with him. I have respect for the office and I have learnt a lot from him while working in his government.The main reason for going separate ways with Amosun was when the issue of going to a new party came up. Because the preferred governorship candidate of Amosun was not recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, he decided to move to another party, but I refuse to move with him.”

According to the erstwhile Chief of Staff, who is Ogun West senatorial candidate in the 2019 general elections, he declined to leave the party when he was advised by his former principal to dissolve into the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to actualise his senatorial seat ambition but insisted to remain loyal to the APC.

"When Amosun mooted the idea of moving to APM to me, he asked me to think over it and get back to him. When I consulted my people at Ogun West over it and they were all averse to the idea. I reported back to Amosun the decision of my people, and it was not well received by him. But I told him I had to be mindful of my late father, late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi, legacy because he was a true democrat and progressive. As a result, the APC tenets take after the past progressive parties like Action Group (AG), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Congress (AC), so they are like family parties.

"Turning my back at the APC would amount to turning my back at my people in Ogun West.

"My loyalty to the party and my commitment to ensuring President Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected remain steadfast

"I don't like switching political parties because I respect party's supremacy. Also, my political pedigree has to be maintained. I stay put in a party and help to build it. My stay is critical to the development of the party. I feel it a sense of responsibility to my followers and members.

"So, I declined to leave the APC because I still maintain my loyalty to it,” Odebiyi said.

Zamfara Protests: Police Arrest 23 Suspects as Normalcy Returns

Zamfara State Police Command on Monday said 23 suspects have been arrested over the crises erupted in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman of the police command in the state, SP Muhammad Shehu, said in a statement made available to journalists in Gusau, refuted claims by some peace loving people of the state that IDPs in Tsafe held a protest with a view to demonstrating their displeasure on government inability to tackle attack by Bandits in the area. This rumor is mischievous/ misleading and should be ignored.

According to him , weapons recovered and will be paraded as soon as possible, no loss of life recorded.

The statement added that the Command deployed additional Units of  mobile policemen and counter terrorism units and Conventional police Personnel along with police special forces to Tsafe to compliment the efforts of the existing Security deployment in the area.  

 He said normalcy has been restored in Tsafe and its environs, and that police and other security Agencies are in total control of the situation with rigorous patrol, stop and search and continuous Raiding of identified criminal hideouts ongoing.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Command, Mr Usman A. Belel along with the Brigade Commander and other Heads of Security Agencies Visited Tsafe in the early hours of today to assess the security situation and ensure total regards to law and order. 

The security chiefs also visited the Emir's palace and assured the Emir of determination and total commitment of the police and other security Agencies to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

The Command appeals for continued support and cooperation from members of the public by giving the police and other security Agencies timely information on activities of disgruntled elements in the state for prompt action.

Police Investigate Killing of Corps Member in Nasarawa

The police in Nasarawa State have said they have commenced investigation into the killing of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member by some youths in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Samaila Usman, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday.

Samuel Makene, a 2018 Batch A corps member, whose place of primary assignment was Government Secondary School Ubbe in Akun Development Area, was reportedly stabbed to death on December 20 by some youths at the Akwanga residence of David Ombugadu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Usman described the incident as unfortunate, saying all efforts have been put in place to arrest the killers and bring them to justice.

According to him, “We received a report on the incident and we have commenced full investigation to arrest the killers.

“I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to bring those involved to face justice for what they did.

“I also want to assure you that we will be briefing you and the public on any new development concerning the case. I call on those close to the deceased not to take any action but allow us do our job.”

NNPC Spends N75bn as 'Under-recovery' Cost for Fuel Imports *Daily national consumption cost now N1.250bn

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it had imported three billion litres of fuel to avert the scarcity of the product during the Christmas festivities, and well into 2019, indicating that it may have incurred a total of about N75 billion as 'under-recovery' cost.

The Corporation now uses the terminology, 'under-recovery' to describe the  cost of subsidising petrol imports, to retain the pump price at N145 per litre.

The state oil company disclosed yesterday that under-recovery cost has  dropped from about N80 per litre which it was when crude oil price was high to N25 per litre currently.

Going by this revelation,  the imported three billion litres of petrol may have culminated in an under-recovery cost of N75 billion.

Further calculated on the basis of 60 days which the NNPC said the three billion litres would last Nigeria,  amounting to 50 million litres consumption per day,  the corporation may be recording an under-recovery of N1.250 billion daily to keep petrol pump price at government regulated price of N145 per litre.
NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that under-recovery cost had declined alongside the prices of crude oil at the international market.
Baru spoke after inspecting petrol stations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to guarantee the corporation’s efforts at checking scarcity of petrol during the Yuletide.

Baru, who stated that the NNPC had stockpiled its petrol reservoir to take Nigeria for about 60 days, explained that when oil prices were around $80 per barrel, the NNPC incurred as much as N80 under-recovery on every litre of petrol it brought into Nigeria.

He claimed that while the corporation made efforts to ensure Nigerians celebrated the Christmas and New Year without petrol scarcity, some people he didn’t disclose their identities attempted to disrupt the plans but the corporation was fast to checkmate them.

“We started out at Nyanya and then here. Unlike 24 of December last year, there was scarcity, today we started with our eyes clear, and no eye-bags.
“Today we are having much lower crude oil price and under-recovery has also gone down significantly,” Baru said, while indicating it was around N25 per litre.
According to him: “We don’t have much controls over under-recoveries, although, it feels good as producers of crude oil, that if prices of crude oil goes up, then we have more revenue come in in terms of crude oil sales, however, when you are importing, the product prices actually follow the crude prices almost immediately.
“When we had very high crude prices – over $80 per barrel, we were seeing under-recovery getting to N70 to N80 per litre, and as it dropped - it came to about $60 per barrel, the pricing has also gone down and under-recoveries. The only measure we can put in place is to ensure we are sufficiently prepared to keep bringing products.”
Asked what the NNPC did differently to ensure there was not a repeat of the December 2017 situation, Baru, said it stockpiled petrol and ensured no marketer could hoard or divert products as it allegedly was in 2017.
“There was a lot of work. This time last year, we were in a very bad situation in terms of supply, and we also experienced a lot of sharp practices – the oil marketing companies were very busy diverting products, hoarding products. Of course, we were aware of some of their collaborators that aided and abetted them to divert products.

“It got to a point that as much supply as we put in, they were taking and locking them up, but with the support and approval of Mr. President, we were able to bring in a lot more product than was required to make sure that despite their hoarding activities and diversion, there was much more product available on ground than their activities, to the point that we built up stock and in late January and early February we were bringing double of the daily requirement into the country,” he stated.

He added: “At the moment, we have 60-day supply in-tank, about three billion litres of PMS that will last us without bringing any drop of fuel in 60 days. We are seeing clear into the election period, so if they are planning for similar situation beyond the Yuletide into the election period, we are going to disappoint them. 
"There will be sufficient product, and if any has hoarded, they should better bring it out into the market.”

Queen Elizabeth's 2018 Christmas Message Calls For 'Respect' & 'Understanding'

In her annual Christmas message, Queen Elizabeth reflects on the year as it comes to an end, and looks ahead to the future. Since 1957, the speech has been broadcast on television.

The Queen's speech for 2018 urges listeners to "respect" one another, and to attempt to overcome even the "most deeply held differences."

During last year's speech, the Queen welcomed Meghan Markle into the family.

Every year, Queen Elizabeth addresses the world with her Christmas speech. The Queen delivered her very first Christmas broadcast on the radio on December 25, 1952, and now her speech is streamed live on the internet and broadcast on TV to people all over the world.

Revealed a day early via the @kensingtonroyal Instagram account, in 2018, the Queen urges listeners to overcome their differences and to understand one another. She says, "Through the many changes I have seen over the years-faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human-being is always a good first step towards greater understanding."

Her impassioned message goes out at a time when the world faces much uncertainty, especially considering the major changes the United Kingdom will presumably work through during Brexit in the coming months.

According to the BBC, Queen Elizabeth is wearing an "Angela Kelly ivory silk cocktail dress" to deliver her speech, accessorized with her gold Scarab brooch, which has ruby and diamond embellishments, and was a gift from her husband, Prince Philip, in 1966.

CULLED FROM YAHOO

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 46 Properties Linked to Olojeme

The Abuja division of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu has ordered the interim forfeiture of assets and properties traced to a former Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngozi Olejeme.

Justice Ojukwu gave the order on December 21, 2018, while ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking temporary forfeiture of the said assets pending the determination of a corruption allegation suit.

“An order is hereby made attaching/forfeiting in the interim, all assets and properties set out in the schedule attached to this application, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, pending the hearing and determination of the trial in Charge No. CR/365/17 pending at,” she said.

The order was made sequel to an ex-parte originating summons filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, on December 12, 2018, praying the court for the following orders.

“An order of interim attachment/forfeiture of the asset attachment of the properties set out in the schedule attached herein.

“An order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the properties/assets described in the schedule attached herein,” Alabi stated.

According to a statement by the EFCC, the schedule of properties referred to in the summons include parcels of lands, duplexes, a bank building and hotel buildings among others.

"Some of them are one storey semi-detached residential building located at house/flat 86, 11 Crescent, Kado Estate in Abuja; a fenced plot of land with C of O No. DTSR16326 located at plots 104 and 105, Block IV, Phase V, Core Area in Asaba, Delta State; six units of one bedroom apartment; one unit of five bedroom bungalow; a block of six units of office space, all located at 196 Melford Okilo road, Amarata-Epie in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State,” the statement noted.

Others, the statement noted, included one duplex and four house residential building with swimming pool, gate house, fully furnished with state-of-the-art facilities located at No. 25 Kainji Crescent off Maitama in Abuja. This same property is also known as plot No. 738 Cadastral zone AO5, Maitama, Abuja; a storey building; two bungalows; printing press with printing equipment; a fenced empty land measuring 1422.765 square metres located at kilometre 9 Asaba-Benin expressway, Asaba, Delta State.

"Another property is a twin duplex office building located at Plot R/151 (No. 30A) Kingsway Road, Old GRA in Enugu State registered at Enugu Land Registry," the statement added.

The commission, through the application, also sought the interim forfeiture of two duplexes with boys’ quarters, generator house, gym house and car park located at No. 3D Opolo Old Commissioners’ Quarters in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State; 10 plots of land located at plot 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 20, 23, and 24 phase IV, block 111, Core Area in Asaba, Delta State, with C of O No. DSTR1194; a two bedroom bungalow located at No. 3 Ogwa Godspower avenue, Oshimili South council area, Asaba in Delta State; a two bedroom bungalow located at No. 11 Chiweta Street off Ezenie Avenue in Asaba, Delta State, measuring 527.141 square meters; a two bedroom bungalow located at James Odittah Street, Oshimili council area in Asaba, Delta State, among many others