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Welcome to Nollywood Times

April 21, 2019

Welcome to Nollywood Times

Aisha Buhari plans university to be named after husband

Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:32 AM PDT

Aisha Buhari 
Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, yesterday announced her plan to establish a private university to be known as  Muhammadu Buhari University.

Mrs. Buhari, speaking at a town hall meeting in Yola organized by her in collaboration with some natives of Adamawa State said the planned institution would be established in collaboration with partners from Sudan and Qatar.

But she did not reveal when or where it would be sited.

Aisha who lamented the challenges facing education and various sectors in the state, called for active support of the state indigenes in complementing government efforts.



She called for the establishment of Adamawa Development Trust Fund through which prioritized developmental projects can be financed and implemented.

Also speaking, Ambassador Fati Ballah stressed the need for reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of the state and the setting up of a committee to come up with a blueprint for the development of the state.

Alhaji Sadiq Daware, who spoke on agriculture at the meeting, noted that 80 per cent of the state land was arable and suitable for farming.

He added that with River Benue which passes through the state, the state has the potential for massive irrigation and all year round farming programmes.

Other speakers at the meeting included Prof. Shehu Iya of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, who spoke on education; Prof. Auwal Abubakar of Federal Medical Centre, Yola, who spoke on health; and Mrs Helen Mathias who spoke on women and youths.

Others were Mallam Umar Abubakar who spoke on security; Gen. Buba Marwa on drugs; Sen. Silas Zwingina on Good Governance, and Dr Umar Bindir who spoke on Poverty.

The meeting was also attended by politicians, particularly APC, PDP and ADC members in the state.

In This Story:#MallamUmarAbubakar #BubaMarwa #UmarBindir #AishaBuhari #MuhammaduBuhariUniversity

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Media Personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu And Wife Welcome Their Second Child

Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:30 AM PDT

Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu revealed he is figuring it out, weeks after his wife gave birth to their second child. He opened up about the trickier parts of raising a second child, using Michelle Obama's quote.

This however brought to our notice that the media personality is a second-time dad already, but on a lowkey!

He took to his twitter handle to confirm the good news.




In This Story: #Media #Personality #EbukaObiUchendu #Wife #Second #Child

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EFCC probes N8.7billion fraud in JAMB

Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:27 AM PDT

Ishaq Oloyede
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched into a probe of the cash inflow and outflow of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) between 2010 and 2016.

The anti-graft agency wants to get to the root of an alleged N8.7billion fraud in the board.

Fifteen suspects have already been shortlisted for trial.

Among them are some zonal heads and state coordinators. One of the suspects facing trial is a female accountant, Philomena Chise, whose sensational claim that  a snake swallowed N36million raked in from the sales of e-facility cards rocked the nation.



Chise later told EFCC operatives that the said N36milion was disbursed as an I-Owe-You advance to cash-strapped staff.

The N8.7billion alleged fraud is said to have predated the present JAMB management, led by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

A document detailing the alleged fraud and sighted by The Nation says the large sum was revenue from sales of e-facility cards and change of course cards which ended in private pockets.

"The remittance of over N8billion by Oloyede to the Federal Government as revenue led to the Forensic Investigation of Financial Activities of JAMB between 2010 and 2016 by Faithpro Consulting Auditing Associate (Financial and Management Consultants)," it says.

"The forensic investigators came up with N8.7billion shortfall within the same period which the EFCC has been investigating. There are about 15 suspects who may face trial in the first batch."

Some of the states where the fraud was detected include Benue, Nasarawa, Kano, Kogi, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe and Edo.

Some of the  suspects under investigation, who may face trial   include Chise and Sale Umar (Benue); Labaran Tanko (Nasarawa);  Daniel Agbo (Kogi), Yakubu Jekada (Plateau),  Patricia Ogunsola and  Cyril Izireim Imoukhuede (Edo); Murtala Abdul (Gombe); Aliyu Yakubu (Kano) among others.

The report adds: "In Benue,  out of the expected revenue of N124, 180,00 from e-facility cards,  only N88,700,000  was remitted leaving a balance of N35.48million.

"The JAMB office in the state also received 10,210 change of course cards and instead of remitting N8, 025,000, about N7million was paid into the designated account. About N1,025,000 is missing till date.



"Although JAMB's preliminary findings claimed that Chise confessed that a snake swallowed the N36m unremitted cash, she told the EFCC detectives that the shortfall was an I-Owe-You advance to cash-strapped staff that are yet to refund same."

Employees in Yobe State claimed to have  "lost sales records because of attacks on Damaturu by Boko Haram."

The story is similar in Edo State "where N26,400,000 is missing. Out of the expected revenue from e-facility cards of about N123, 933,000, only N97,533,000 was paid into the relevant account."

In Gombe, about N40, 004,000 sales revenue was realized but only N29, 073,000 was remitted leaving a balance of N10,269,000."

"An officer in Kano, in his efforts to cover up for 20,000 unaccounted cards worth N20million, cut carbon papers in the form of e-facility cards and returned these cards as unused."

The document revealed findings on Nasarawa State where an officer claimed to have lost over N24,037,000 cards in a road crash.

The document added: "Investigation revealed that Mr. Labaran Tanko was the JAMB State Coordinator of Lafia Office, Nasarawa State between 2011 and 2016.

"Investigation revealed that within the period of his tenure, Nasarawa State Office revealed a total of 24,882 e-facility cards out of which 24,037 were unsold while 845 were sold at the rate of N1,000 each. The expected revenue was N845,000 realized  and remitted to JAMB.

"However he claimed that the remaining 23,147 cards got burnt in an accident he had along Lafia-Akwanga Expressway while 890 cards were missing.

"Meanwhile, contrary to his submission, forensic evidence obtained from the IT Unit of JAMB showed that the cards were sold and utilized by candidates within Nasarawa State and its environs.

"This forensic evidence showed the name, phone number and purpose for which the cards were used. The expected revenue from  the claimed burnt/missing cards was N24,037,000. The revenue from the cards, which were actually sold and utilized based on forensic evidence, was never remitted to JAMB.

"Also investigation revealed that 2,000 CBT cards were supplied to Nasarawa State Office which were never sold. Rather,  the State Coordinator claimed that  the said 2,000 CBT cards were among the cards that got burnt in  road accident along Lafia-Akwanga Expressway.

Contrary to the claim, investigation recovered forensic evidence which showed that the cards were actually not burnt but utilized by candidates within Nasarawa State and its environs. This forensic evidence further revealed the details of candidates hat used the cards, such as name, phone number and purpose for which the cards were used.

"Further investigation revealed that 4, 589 change of course cards were supplied to Nasarawa State Office of which they sold 1,426 at the rate of N2,500 each while 3, 163 cards were unused and same was remitted to JAMB.  However, the State Coordinator claimed that the remaining 3,163 cards got burnt in the same road accident.  Forensic evidence, however, proved otherwise."

In This Story:#EFCC #LabaranTanko #JAMB #PhilomenaChise #NasarawaState #IshaqOloyede

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I have always defeated Atiku, Buhari tells tribunal

Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:22 AM PDT

Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has faulted claims by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that they won February 23 presidential election.

Buhari describes the claims as laughable because Atiku has never won any political contest with him (Buhari) and because he is more popular and acceptable among the electorate than the ex-Vice President.

Buhari, in his response to the petition filed before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja by Atiku and the PDP, challenging the outcome of the February 23, 2019 presidential election, noted that he even defeated Atiku in his (Atiku's) polling unit in his home state of Adamawa.

He wondered why Atiku thought he could secure victory on the platform of a political party (the PDP) he (Atiku) had previously derided and described as a dead party, and one which was beyond redemption.
The President, who is listed as the 2nd respondent   in the petition  marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019, said in his response filed on April 16, 2019 by his team of lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN)  said: "At every previous instance, whether at intra-party or inter-party contests, where he and the 1st petitioner (Atiku) had vied, he has always been the preference of the electorate and/or delegates.

"In particular, at the primary election conducted by the 3rd respondent (APC) in 2014, to pick its presidential candidate for the 2015 election, the 1st petitioner and the respondent (Buhari), amongst others, were the candidates; and while the respondent polled 3,430 votes, the 1st petitioner came a distant third with 954 votes.

"The 1st petitioner was at all material times prior to his decamping to the 2nd petitioner (PDP), shortly before the presidential election, a member of the 3rd respondent (APC).

"The 1st petitioner contested the presidential primary election of the 3rd respondent with the respondent in 2014 and after the respondent (Buhari) defeated him to a distant third place, the 1st petitioner joined the campaign train of the respondent immediately after the primary election, traversing all over the country and rightly declaring to all and sundry that respondent was the best choice available to the country for the position of President.

"On joining the 3rd respondent, the 1st petitioner consigned the 2nd petitioner to the grave, describing it as a dead party that is beyond redemption.

"The 1st petitioner could not have won the presidential election under the platform of a political, which he abandoned and described as having gone beyond redemption.

"The respondent enjoys a wide acceptability across the federation and is more popular and acceptable to the electorate than the 1st petitioner, leading to the respondent securing more votes than the 1st petitioner, even at the latter's polling unit in Adamawa State.

"In the polling unit where the 1st petitioner registered for the election, while the 1st petitioner polled 167 votes, the respondent scored 186 votes."

In This Story:#AtikuAbubakar #MuhammaduBuhari #PresidentialElection2019

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Meet MrWoodBery, Another Nigerian Big Boy That’s Living Large In UAE!

Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:00 AM PDT


There are those who have fame and money, but there are other who have the money, but on a low key lifestyle, one of them is our new discovery, Mrwoodberry on Instagram.

The young Nigerian man who is based in UAE is one of the dudes controlling fortune in the area and just generally getting special treatment.

Just this year, he has boasted of acquiring luxurious fleet of cars which includes the 2019 Lamborghini Urus at over $200,000 and the 2019 Rolls Royce black badge dawn.


Infact, he recently acquired a Mercedes Brabus G-wagon that has gotten the internet in serious traffic.

Just this March and hen he announce his twin collection, the 2019 Lamborghini Urus at over $200,000 and the 2019 Rolls Royce black badge dawn, Davido was left with no choice but to applaud his taste of automobile, and obviously the thousands of dollars spent on the cars.

He commented, "Vex!!!" , and the exclamation mark spoke louder than his comment.



In This Story: #MrWoodBery #NigerianBigBoy #Large #UAE

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Singer, Oritsefemi and his wife celebrate second wedding anniversary

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 11:30 PM PDT

Singer, Oritsefemi and his wife celebrate second wedding anniversary
Singer Oritsefemi and his wife Nabila Fash are celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary.

Today, singer Oritsefemi and his wife Nabila Fash are celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary.

'It's our second wedding anniversary. Not an easy ride but God is real. Thank you for loving me the way you do Let's keep making God the foundation of our home' his wife, Nabila wrote.

Oritsefemi also wrote,

'wow, two years no be beans o, been putting our things on a low but e no get as e go be, I say make I do my people small totori, make una wish us happy two years wedding anniversary I beg e no easy for hard guys like this to fall and stay in love'.




In This Story: #Singer #Oritsefemi #wife #celebrate #second #wedding #anniversary


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First Lady, Aisha Buhari, set to establish a Private University

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 11:00 PM PDT

First Lady, Aisha Buhari
Mrs Aisha Buhari, has expressed her plan to establish a private university to be known as "Muhammadu Buhari University".

She disclosed this on Saturday during a town-hall meeting in Yola organized by her in collaboration with concern indigenes of Adamawa. .

Although she, did not reveal when or where the university would be sited, explained that the university would be established in collaboration with partners from Sudan and Qatar.

The First Lady, lamented the challenges facing education and various sectors in the state, called for active support of the state indigenes in complementing government efforts. "I cannot conclude without suggesting how we can complement the efforts of government in achieving some of its developmental goals. .

"On this note, I would like to advocate for the establishment of Adamawa Development Trust Fund through which prioritized developmental projects can be financed and implemented," she said.




In This Story: #FirstLady #AishaBuhari #set #establish#Private #University

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Sultry Actress, Omoni Oboli reveals Why celebrities refuse to speak on burning issues

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:30 PM PDT

Omoni Oboli
Sultry actress, Omoni Oboli probably never realized what it means to be a celebrity until her industry colleague, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, came under attack for blaming President Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, for the country's deplorable state.

According to the actress who is yet to come to terms with critics who attack celebrities for speaking against bad governance, Nigerians make it difficult for celebrities to speak up on issues concerning the well-being of Nigeria and the masses.

"This is something that really bothers me, let's discuss it. I don't blame celebs and public figures when they keep quiet about the issues that affect us all, because the backlash is always so much. It makes no sense at all. Let's be honest, most of these issues affect the common man the most, but they are the ones that will insult your family if you dare speak up", she said.

"So because someone bought a car or a house, they have no right to talk about the suffering of the masses? Listen, no matter how much money you have in Nigeria today, you are poorer because you are spending more than you should, because the cost of living is higher and the standard of living is very poor! Nigerians, who did this to us", the actress added.

SOURCE: VANGUARD



In This Story: #Sultry #Actress #OmoniOboli #Celebrities #refuse #Speak #Burning #issues

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Beyoncé Vs Micheal Jackson: Twitter NG serious debate

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:00 PM PDT

Beyoncé Vs Micheal Jackson: Twitter NG hasn serious debate
Beyoncé and Micheal Jackson have become the topic on everyone's feed as Nigerians on Twitter engage in heated debate discussing the better performer between the two stars.

Many are of the opinion that even in his death, Michael Jackson remains the greatest musician of all time while others believe that Beyonce has taken over, especially following the quality of her work as showcased in the newly-released Netflix documentary, Homecoming.

See their opinions:







In This Story: #Beyoncé  #MichealJackson #Twitter #NG #serious #debate

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Venezuela’s Guaido calls for ‘biggest demo in history’

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 11:00 AM PDT


Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido called Friday for the "biggest demonstration in history" to put pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down.

The National Assembly head launched a challenge to Maduro's authority in January, declaring himself acting president.

Despite the support of more than 50 countries, including the United States, Guaido has been unable to dislodge Maduro, who retains the backing of the country's powerful military.

"We call on all the people of Venezuela to take part in the biggest demonstration in this country's history on May 1 to demand the usurpation ends definitively," said Guaido, addressing several hundred supporters at a rally in Caracas.

Guaido, 35, and the National Assembly have branded Maduro a "usurper" over his controversial re-election last year in polls widely viewed as rigged.

"Miraflores! Miraflores!" chanted supporters in reference to the presidential palace where Maduro lives.

The march will take place on Labor Day when the socialist government holds its own major street event to commemorate the reign of Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez.

Guaido has regularly called on his supporters to rally against Maduro, motivating tens of thousands to take to the streets.

But he failed in a bid to force into the country humanitarian aid stockpiled over the border in Colombia after the military blockaded a bridge crossing.

The issue of humanitarian aid has formed a key battleground in the power struggle between Guaido and Maduro, with the president so far holding firm and preventing his rival from landing a strategic blow by undermining the socialist leader's authority.

Maduro, 56, refused to allow in the aid claiming it was a smokescreen for a US-led invasion.

However, earlier this week he let the Red Cross bring in medical supplies to distribute to hospitals and outpatient clinics.

Venezuela has suffered more than four years of recession marked by shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine.

The United Nations says a quarter of its 30 million population is in urgent need of aid.

In This Story: #Maduro #Venezuela #Guaido
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Easter: Gov. Ambode preaches love, sacrifice, tolerance

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:53 AM PDT


Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has assured residents that his administration would continue to work for the greater good of the state until his exit from office.

Ambode gave the assurance in his Easter message in Lagos on Saturday.

He commended Lagosians for the sustained peaceful co-existence that the state had experienced since the commencement of his administration, despite being home to multi-ethnic, cultural and religious diversities.

The governor said as Christians celebrate Easter, Nigerians in general should to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and sacrifice for one another.

He said the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, which the season represents, should be a constant reminder for everyone to extend the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance.

Ambode urged Christians to use the season as a period to reflect on their individual and collective roles toward promoting and sustaining the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the nation.

"We must therefore see this period as a time that presents us the viable opportunity to think about how we can help to steer our nation back on the road to peace, stability and prosperity by working in the spirit of togetherness, because no nation can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere riddled with pockets of violence and killings," he said.

The governor said with the elections over, it was time for every Nigerian to unite and eschew bitterness along ethnic and religious lines for the sake of a more prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, no challenge is insurmountable where unity of purpose thrives.

"The elections have come and gone, we must not allow our political leanings determine our actions.

"The Nigeria we desire will only be a reality if all hands are on deck toward achieving a peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country.

"This is the time for us to avoid all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another, as Jesus Christ enjoined us to," he said.


In This Story: #Ambode #Nigerian #Easter #Jesus Christ
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Easter: Intensify prayers for peace, security — Nasarawa Speaker

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:48 AM PDT


As Christians celebrate this year's Easter, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, has called for intensified prayers for peace and security to return to all parts of the country, in the interest of development.

Balarabe-Abdullahi, in a press statement signed by his Press Secretary, Jibrin Gwamna, made available to News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Saturday in Keffi, charged Nigerians to reinforce the bond of brotherhood and good neighbourliness, while hoping for a brighter and better country.

"The essence of Easter celebration is mainly to remember the agony, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died on the cross to give salvation to mankind, " he said.

The speaker felicitated with the Christian communities on the Easter celebration, while enjoining them to imbibe the virtues of the unique occasion which centered on sacrifice that will engender peace and unity of all Nigerians.

"Other virtues for the Christian faithful to emulate include love, tolerance, forgiveness, courage and humility for the overall progress of the society," he said.

Balarabe-Abdullahi wished Christians and other Nigerians a happy Easter celebration and urged all well-meaning Nigerians to assist the less privileged in order to better their standards of living.

The speaker also called on religious, traditional and political leaders to preach peace among their subjects, just as he emphasised the need for everyone to be security conscious before, during and after the Easter celebrations.

He also called on Nigerians to support government and the security agents in their quest to safeguard the country.

The speaker called on Nigerians to remain peaceful, law abiding, respect constituted authorities and to be their brother's keepers in the interest of development.

"Let us continue to be our brother's keepers and co-exist peacefully as no religion preaches violence and hatred, but all religions preach peace and unity," he said

In This Story: #Nigerians #Ibrahim Abdullahi #Christian
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Rivers PDP suspends 15 LG party chairmen

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:39 AM PDT


The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday announced the indefinite suspension of 15 local government chapter chairmen.

A statement issued by the party's State Secretary, Samuel Okpoko, indicated that the State Executive of the PDP had approved the suspension after an emergency meeting on Thursday. According to the statement released on Friday, "Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has placed 15 of its local government chapter chairmen on indefinite suspension.

"A statement signed by the State Secretary of the Party, Hon. Samuel Okpoko said the State Executive of the party in an emergency meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the State Secretariat, approved the indefinite suspension of the 15 chairmen.

"The affected local government chairmen include:  Abua-Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Bonny, Degema, Eleme and Emohua.

"Others are Khana, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Okrika, Omuma, Opobo/Nkoro and Oyigbo.\

In This Story: #PDP #Samuel #State
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Severance allowance: Okorocha, Ambode, others to earn N2.06bn

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:34 AM PDT


Fourteen governors, their deputies and 434 state lawmakers who will not be returning to government will be going home with N2.06bn, investigation has shown.

Prominent among the governors are Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who are concluding their second terms in office.

Akinwunmi Ambode who lost the nomination of his party prior to the governorship election on March 8; and Adamawa State Governor, Bindo Jibrila, and his counterpart in Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar, who did not win their re-election bids are also among the governors to collect severance allowance.

Going by a template obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, each of the governors will get a total of N6.67m as severance allowance. Each of their deputies will receive a total of N6.34m as severance allowance at the end of their tenures on May 29.

This means that the 14 governors and their deputies will be going home with a total of N182.11m at the expiration of their tenures on May 29.

The severance allowance is, however, separate from other packages which many states have put in place as retirement benefits or pension packages for their governors and deputy governors.

Some of such packages include unlimited health care benefits as well as houses in any place of their choice in the state. Some also offer another house in the Federal Capital Territory. Some former governors have been known to implement some of the packages for themselves towards the end of their tenures.

Investigation also showed that 434 state lawmakers spread across 27 states will be going home with a total of N1.88bn. Each state lawmaker is entitled to 300 per cent of their annual basic salary as severance allowance. This comes to N4.34m.

In Oyo State where 30 lawmakers will not be returning to the state House of Assembly, the lawmakers are to receive a total of N130.14m.

In Niger State, 27 non-returning lawmakers will receive a total of N117.12m; while in Benue, 24 non-returning lawmakers will get a severance package of N104.16m. Ekiti State also has 24 non-returning lawmakers that will go home with N104.16m.

Twenty three non-returning lawmakers in Kwara State will be receiving a total of N99.82m. The same amount will be going to 23 non-returning lawmakers in Osun State.

Ogun State has 22 non-returning lawmakers who will receive a total of N95.48m. The same amount will also be paid to 22 lawmakers who will not be returning to the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

In Imo State, 21 non-returning state lawmakers will go home with a total of N91.14m while 19 lawmakers in Gombe State will be going home with N82.46m. Ondo State has 18 non-returning lawmakers that will return home with N78.12m.

Anambra State has 17 non-returning lawmakers that will go home with N73.78m. The same applies to Plateau State while Kogi and Zamfara states have 16 non-returning lawmakers respectively that will go home with N69.44m.

Edo State has 15 non-returning lawmakers that will go home with N65.1m. Adamawa and Akwa Ibom states have 14 non-returning lawmakers (each), who will go home with N60.76m.

Katsina State's 13 non-returning lawmakers will go home with N56.42m; Bayelsa State's 12 lawmakers will go home with N52.08m while Abia State's 11 non-returning lawmakers will get a total of N47.74m. Taraba State's 10 non-returning lawmakers will receive a total of N43.4m.

Ebonyi and Borno states tied at nine lawmakers that will go home with a total of N39.06m per state. Cross River State has only four non-returning lawmakers who will go home with N17.36m while Rivers State produced only three non-returning state lawmakers who will get N13.02m.

Incidentally, Lagos State whose governor could not get the party's ticket produced the least number of only one non-returning lawmaker that will get N4.34m.

Severance allowance is paid to political office holders at the end of their tenure. There are other allowances which they receive while in service. These include motor fuelling allowance, furniture allowance, newspaper allowance, hardship allowance and a host of others.

In This Story: #Ambode #Okorocha
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Rising insecurity reignites political debates on need for state police

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:30 AM PDT


The rising tide of insecurity across the country has reignited political debates on the need for state police, ALEXANDER OKERE writes

The atmosphere of insecurity currently pervading most parts of the country has, again, brought to the fore the need for state and community police.

Previously, the topic appeared to have been drowned in the ocean of political brickbats of the recently concluded general elections.

However, the harrowing tales of destruction of lives and property almost on daily basis have brought the security of citizens to come to the front burner, according to analysts.

It has occupied discussions among elected officials, political parties and politicians.

Last Thursday, the Senate chided the executive arm for allegedly failing to address the recent killings in the country.

Hundreds of Nigerians have been killed by blood-thirsty armed groups taking various forms, like the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, bandits and suspected herdsmen in the North-West and North-Central as well as armed robbers and kidnappers in the South-West, South-South and the South-East, among others.

The Senate therefore described the decentralisation of the police as the way forward in tackling the senseless killings currently threatening the stability of the country.

But last week was not the first time the call for state or community police would resonate in the National Assembly.

Lawmakers across political divides have made various arguments.

At present, the constitution amendment bill sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and 75 other senators to pave the way for the creation of state and community police has yet to be passed into law.

The arguments for and against the proposal may not be unconnected to its seeming motionlessness.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had during a lecture titled, "Restructuring and the Nigerian federation," which he delivered as part of the activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Association of Friends in November, 2018, agreed with proponents of state police when he said that many states had shown the financial capacity to manage security at the grass roots.

Osinbajo had stated, "On the security question, we must establish state police; there's no question, at all, about that. Today, the challenges that we are facing are enormous. Today, many of the state governments pay the police.

"That just shows you that whether we like it or not, it is the same governors that are even paying anyway. We cannot say that a governor is the chief security officer of a state when he has no control over security in his state. So, there is a strong case to be made."

But the VP appeared not to be on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari, who later said that such police architecture could be problematic in the long run due to the inability of most states to pay the salaries of their workers. The President had during an interview with Arise TV in January, said, "How many states are there that can pay salaries and you now ask them to go and form state police? And, do you know what can happen if you can't feed the police?

"Do you just give him (policeman) uniform and a gun but can't pay him salaries for six months? It's going to be a problem and I don't want to be a part of it."

Even in the National Assembly, a former Chairman of Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, was reported to have expressed doubt about the possibility of the bill to be passed in the upper chamber.

Ibrahim had in July, 2018, explained that the fear of indiscriminate arrest and detention by state governors might stonewall the passage of the bill.

Ibrahim said, "My fear is the required numbers. The disagreement between the National Assembly members and governors may kill it. This is because I know many senators and House of Representatives members think that if the state governors get state police, they could trample on them, arrest and detain them.

"I do not want to mention names but there are states that there is no way they will vote for its passage. From the way I see it, nine states out of 36 will not vote for it. But let us see how it goes."

However, security experts have argued that from the dynamics of contemporary security challenges in the country, a central recruitment, training, funding and deployment of personnel to terrains relatively unknown to the officers will do little to address the problems faced by the locals.

A legal practitioner, Malachy Ugwummadu, said that poor political will, lack of sincerity of purpose and the politicisation of otherwise life-saving policies and legislations in the country, accounted for the very threatening and dangerous circumstance that Nigerians found themselves in at the moment.

"I make this point recognising that the issue of insecurity in the country is not a new phenomenon; it is one that was with us even in the last dispensation. As long as we scratch and beg the question and do nothing, other than debating it, lives will continue to be wantonly, continuously and avoidably lost.

"We, therefore, need to energise the 'citizens' office.' We need to take ownership of that battle in a way that clearly isolates state actors as persons, institutions and bodies that are deeply opposed to an emphatic end to this whole phenomenon," Ugwummadu added.

Beyond that, the lawyer argued that the Federal Government had yet to get the concept of policing right as it could not afford to have its police operate in a unitary manner under a federal system.

"I contend that state policing and community policing cannot be discountenanced. From the socio-political perspective, state policing, as a concept of contemporary policing, cannot be alienated when discussing true federalism; you can only toil with it as we are doing in Nigeria.

"Section 214(1) (of the 1999 Constitution centralises) and refuses to decentralise and does nothing to the juxtapositioning of state powers that I talked about; these include the security and cohesive powers of the state. So, from that perspective, we are still getting it wrong," he said.

But a former Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, expressed worry that state police could be abused by state actors who could use them to harass their perceived enemies.

In a telephone chat with Saturday PUNCH, Tsav said, "If the states take up (the control of) the police, we will have a multiplicity of crises in our hands. Honestly, state police is very ideal.

"But with the situation in this country, if we introduce such, there will be anarchy. People can use state police to arrest anybody who is against them; that is the fear we have."

He also noted that the attitude of some police officers had increased criminal activities in the country, alleging that some security personnel aided crime.

"In the meantime, the Inspector-General of Police should create a special unit; that unit should supervise the attitude and behaviour of the police nationwide. The creation of the IG monitoring team is bunkum; it is not working," the former police commissioner stated.

He added, "We see policemen taking bribe; I have seen that happen several times. In fact, there was a time an inspector threatened to shoot me.

"So, the situation is very bad. The government should think seriously about it and get a different unit to check corruption in the police. When we were in the police, if you do one thing that shows that you are living above your earning, you would be brought to order; but now, it is not like that.

"There was a time I read in the newspapers that some of the kidnappers use the police to negotiate ransom. If they use the police to negotiate, it means that the police know who the kidnappers are and if they know who the kidnappers are, why not arrest them and bring them to justice?"

A fellow of the Institute of Security, Nigeria, Chigozie Ubani, agreed with Tsav when he held that while state police was doable, it was not the panacea for the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

Ubani explained, "I am one of those who subscribe to the establishment of state police. But the challenge we have with our police has to do with the institution itself. The police need to outsource to professional consultants. There has to be a background check of every officer that is being recruited.

"There have to be periodic psychological and psychiatric evaluation and re-evaluation either by consultants or institutional psychiatrists. Once the Inspector-General of Police submits himself to a psychiatric evaluation, every officer will fall in line.

"There should be courses on anger management, stress management and financial management. Many police officers live above their means and once you live above your means, you become agitated and irritated, could do anything to survive and become a problem for the institution."

Also important in the formation of a police officer, he said, was adequate training on non-violent communication.

"A police officer standing on the road is there to protect lives and property; so, any other person or citizen can provoke you. So, you must be trained to understand why you should talk and why you shouldn't," Ubani added.

In his view, a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Idada Ikponmwen (retd.), advised the Federal Government to take a cue from developed nations which had community police in operation.

To Ikponmwen, the fear that the local police could be hijacked by the government at the state level was untenable.

The military veteran stated, "Are federal authorities not using the police wrongfully? So, why would you prefer the federal to abuse and be afraid that the state authorities will abuse? The answer for abuse is to move against the one who abuses, not to deny an obvious requirement for society to grow.

"There can be no security without the police being decentralised with the local and state governments having their own (police). We must start with, at least, the state."

However, it appears that Nigerians can only wait to see the actions that the Federal Government will take to nip the reign of crime in the bud.

In This Story: #Osinbajo #Buhari #Ikponmwen
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APC NWC suspends Akeredolu for anti-party activities

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:17 AM PDT


The National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress has suspended the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, for anti-party activities, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

The party's NWC had on March 1 resolved to issue a query to the governor over what it described as glaring anti-party activities.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, after a meeting presided over by the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the party had said the governor's anti-party activities "greatly affected the fortunes of its candidates in the recently conducted presidential and National Assembly elections in the state."

Isa-Onilu had, in a recent interview with The PUNCH, confirmed that the query had been sent to Akeredolu based on the directive of the NWC.

A member of the NWC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, however, confirmed to our correspondent on Friday that the governor had been suspended.

The source said the decision to suspend Akeredolu was hinged on the fact that his case was similar to the allegations levelled against his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, and that of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for which the two governors have been suspended.

He added that the NWC was also aware of the governor's claim that he had not received any query from the party and therefore mandated its National Vice Chairman for the South-West to make it available to him.

He said, "Yes, the governor has been suspended by the NWC. He claimed that he has not seen the paper (query) and we asked the National Vice Chairman from the South-West to make a copy available to him.

"After the election, we want to build and not to destroy the house. But we want to do the needful. Since we suspended the Imo and Ogun states governors, we want to treat them the same way.

"We have suspended them but they need to defend themselves, It is like a query and a suspension. They have to advance reasons why they did what they did.

"Some people grumbled that why will three people commit similar infraction and we will suspend only two. That was what brought about the suspension of the Ondo State governor."

When contacted on Friday, the party's spokesman simply said "no comment."

The party had earlier suspended Amosun, Okorocha, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru, and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, for alleged anti-party activities.

It accused the suspended members of campaigning openly for other political parties and candidates that were unknown to the APC, therefore constituting themselves as opposition to the APC candidates in their respective states.


Ahead of the general elections, Amosun threw his weight behind the state governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Adekunle Akinlade, after the member of the House of Representatives failed to clinch the ticket of the APC.

Also in Imo State, Okorocha openly supported his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, of the Action Alliance, against the APC's governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emeka Ihedioha, won the governorship election in the state.

The APC's NWC had also accused Amosun of instigating thugs to unleash attacks on party chieftains at the presidential campaign rally held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, ahead of the presidential election.

When contacted, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, said, "The matter is an internal affair of the APC, and whatever issues have arisen would also be addressed at the level of the party.

"But, contrary to claims that he was suspended for not responding to the query him, it is not true. The governor never got a query from the party. We only read of it in the papers and you cannot respond to such."

In This Story: #Okorocha #Emeka #APC #NWC #Akeredolu
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Momoh warns APC against imposition of leaders on National Assembly

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:17 AM PDT


A former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, has  faulted  the  imposition of leaders by the All Progressives Congress on  the  National Assembly.

Momoh spoke with reporters  on Friday in Abuja  as part of  the event to mark his 80th birthday.

The  veteran journalist,  who is an APC leader,  said the claims of party supremacy could only be effective in a parliamentary system of government because the party with the majority would always form the government.

He said  efforts by  parties to impose their candidates on the parliament since 1999 had  always been resisted by the lawmakers.

Momoh said, "The National Assembly has its own personality that it protects despite party differences. It has always been so since 1999. There has been no effective party supremacy.

"Party supremacy cannot be effective in the presidential system because it stands alone. It can only succeed if there is cooperation,  not by imposition.

"In 1999  Evan Enwerem was not the choice of the senators. They wanted Chuba Okadigbo. So,  Enwerem did not last when he emerged. Also in 2015, the party wanted Femi Gbajabiamila but Yakubu Dogara got it.

"Since 1999  there have always been problems between the legislators and the party candidates. The legislators come together to pursue common interests and party supremacy is obviously not one of them.

"In the parliamentary system the party with the majority will dominate leadership positions in the legislature. The prime minister is also a member of the parliament."

The lawyer also advocated political restructuring as a way of ensuring good governance in the country.

He said, "Nigeria is too top-heavy in administering governance and we need to decongest the political space. The National Assembly makes law in 93 areas comprising the exclusive and concurrent lists.

"In federations worldwide, we don't need more than 18. The rest should go to regions; they know what to do with  them.

"The Senate will become the only lawmaking arm of the federation while the House of Representatives should go to the regions and be making laws for their people. When this happens, economic deregulation is automatic because everybody will contribute to run the centre.

"We have experienced the parliamentary system and we are experiencing  a presidential system of government."

According to Momoh,  the survival of the APC depends on the type of people that will  win elections after President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Momoh  expressed his  fear that the minimum wage of N30, 000 signed into law by  Buhari on Thursday would lead to chaos.

He said, "My prediction is that the N30, 000 minimum wage will cause chaos because many state governments that were paying N7, 500 before N18, 000 was introduced could not pay their workers.

"A lot of them are currently finding it difficult to pay N18, 000 now. They are already saying they can't pay and this would lead to strikes. When that happens, the nation is in trouble.

"The N30, 000 minimum wage is not a living wage. What is the percentage of the workers in Nigeria that are entitled to the N30, 000 minimum wage? What is the percentage of the public servants compared to the percentage of the entire working population in Nigeria?"

He  backed the Code Conduct Tribunal's  decision on Walter Onnoghen.

He said, "Walter Onnoghen  was  a public servant before he became the CJN. His case was directed to the Code of Conduct Bureau, which transferred it to the CCT. The argument of some lawyers that he shouldn't have been taken there is not tenable."


In This Story: #Buhari #CJN #CCT #Onnoghen  #Enwerem #Momoh
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APC’s endorsement of Gbajabiamila as Speaker splits North-Central govs, lawmakers

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:07 AM PDT


The decision of the  All Progressives Congress to back the Majority Leader of the  House of  Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for the 9th National Assembly speakership has been met with mixed reactions by governors, lawmakers and APC state chairmen in the North-Central, Saturday PUNCH reports.

While the governors and state APC chairmen in the zone on Friday declared their support for Gbajabiamila,  some of the lawmakers eyeing the position have condemned the development.

North-Central leaders are also backing  Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate presidency.

But  Idris Wase (Plateau State), Mohammed Bago (Niger State) and John Dyegh (Benue) are said to be among the  APC lawmakers in the House of Representatives from the North-Central said to be opposed to the party's adoption of Gbajabiamila.

At a closed-door meeting between APC governors and state chairmen of the party from the North-Central on Thursday night at the Plateau State Governor's Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, Gbajabiamila's adoption by the party received a boost.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said, "A meeting of governors and the party chairmen from North-Central today resolved to go along with the party's endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and  Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 9th National Assembly.

"Since it is a party affair, our decision is  in line with the wish of the party and that is why we the governors and state chairmen of our party from the zone are in support of the decision of the party."

On the benefits the zone would derive from APC's sharing formula,  he said, "We are still deliberating. We have not exhausted the positions regarding zoning. Our decision and position are only on two issues, while the rest deliberations are ongoing." Also at the meeting, according to a statement on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to Plateau State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Mark Longyen,  were governors Abubakar Bello (Niger), Umaru al-Makura (Nasarawa) and the APC's candidate for the March 9  Benue State governorship election, Emmanuel Jime.

The state APC chairmen in attendance were  Jibrin Imam  (Niger), Abdullahi Bello (Kogi), Philips Shekwo (Nasarawa), Letep Dabang (Plateau), Abba Yaro (Benue) and Abdullahi Usman (the FCT).

Dyegh on Wednesday declared his ambition,  after the party announced Gbajabiamila as its candidate on Tuesday when President Muhammadu Buhari hosted members-elect to a dinner at the Presidential Villa.

He urged the national leadership of the APC to review the zoning formula, while faulting the adoption of Gbajabiamila.

Bago also on Wednesday said he would not step down for Gbajabiamila in a statement by spokesman for the Mohammed Bago Campaign Organisation, Mr Victor Ogene.

The statement said, "Following the purported zoning and micro-zoning of the office of the  Speaker of the incoming 9th House of Representatives by the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, there has been varied reactions by a cross-section of Nigerians, including members-elect, party stalwarts, political commentators and journalists.

"For us in the Mohammed Umaru Bago Campaign Organisation, we view the development as a poorly choreographed political orchestra aimed at using the hallowed precincts of the Presidential Villa to anoint a candidate from the South-West.

"For us, therefore, there is no retreat no surrender in our demand."

Meanwhile, another speakership aspirant from  Adamawa State in the North-East, Mr Abdulrazak Namdas, has said he remains in the race despite the party's endorsement of  Gbajabiamila for the office.

Namdas, who reacted to Gbajabiamila's adoption in an interview with our correspondent, said the decision by the party would not stop him from contesting the post.

The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated that if the South-West could have the positions of the Vice-President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the North-East could also have the Senate presidency and speakership as well.

He said, "We have been expecting that because we have heard about it from a very long time that Gbajabiamila would be adopted and it has come to past. For me, we feel that it is not very fair because the zone has already produced the Vice-President (Yemi Osinbajo); now they want to produce the  Speaker. It means that the number two and number four will be coming from one zone. It will not be out of place for me to also contest because I will be number four. The other person from my zone will be the Senate President –number three. So, the North-East can also have numbers three and  four."

Namdas said he had been loyal to the APC, recalling that he was a deputy governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, one of the parties that merged with others to form the ruling party.

He said, "My principal, who was the governorship candidate, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party and I refused to follow him. I stood my ground to remain in the APC."

APC yet to zone remaining offices –Investigation

The national leadership of the ruling APC has yet to take a decision on the remaining leadership positions in the 9th National Assembly, Saturday  PUNCH has learnt.

The party has so far zoned the Senate presidency to the North-East,  endorsing  Lawan for the job.

The party has also endorsed Gbajabiamila, from the South-West for the position of the Speaker  of  the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

The APC  zoned  the position of the Deputy Speaker to the North-Central.

Our correspondent learnt on Friday that the party  had yet to agree  on the zoning formula for the remaining positions.

It was however learnt that while the South-East and  South-South were jostling for the position of the Deputy President of the Senate, the party might  have resolved to zone the position to the South-South.

The party, it was learnt, had yet to reach a decision on the zone to produce the majority leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The  National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu,  told our correspondent on Friday that  they had  not set  the  timeline  for  the zoning arrangement.

Issa-Onilu said the party's National Working Committee was at liberty to meet at any time to take the decision.

He, however, said leaders of the party had been working behind the scenes on the matter.

He said, "Like the NWC meeting that we had on Tuesday, we decided within 48 hours that we needed to clear some issues. So, it is not something that is programmed."

In This Story: #Gbajabiamila #Lawan #APC #Namdas
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Buhari spends one year, 39 days abroad in three years, 10 months

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:01 AM PDT


With few weeks to the end of his first term in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has spent a total of 404 days (a year and 39 days) travelling to 33 countries on four continents in about four years of his first term in office.

The country he visited the most was the United Kingdom where he spent 217 days mostly on health grounds and meetings of Commonwealth Heads of State and Government.

His second most visited country was the United States where he spent a combined 41 non-consecutive days.

He met ex-President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump at different times and also attended the 70th, 71st, 72nd and 73rd sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

France was the third most visited country with Buhari spending 14 non-consecutive days there. China came fourth with 13 days and Jordan occupied the fifth position with eight days.

Other countries the President visited during the over 46-month period under review included the United Arab Emirates (seven); Morocco (seven); Germany (seven); South Africa (seven); Saudi Arabia (six); India (five); Chad (five); Kenya (five); Turkey (five); Poland (five); and Malta (five).

Others were Senegal (four); Ethiopia (four); Mauritania (four); Netherlands (four); Togo (four); Republic of Benin (four); Côte d'Ivoire (three); Iran (three); Equatorial Guinea (three); Cameroon (two); Ghana (two); Niger (two); Gambia (two); Egypt (two); Qatar (two); Mali (one); and Sudan (one).

Incidentally, the President did not visit any country in South America.

Apart from medical reasons, the President was out of the country to seek security assistance, improve on the nation's economy and trade, and seek support for his fight against corruption.

Findings showed that while the President was able to build an alliance with neighbouring countries to curb the activities of Boko Haram, his travels did not translate much to Foreign Direct Investment except in 2016.

Nigeria attracted $3.4bn in FDI in 2015 and saw a huge boost in 2016 with the nation getting $5.1bn.

However, in 2017, the nation's FDI took a sharp decline, dropping to $3.5bn, and to $2.2bn in 2018. Ghana surpassed Nigeria in 2018 as it drew $3.3bn.

Breakdown of Buhari's travels in 2015

Shortly after his inauguration, Buhari on June 3 and 4, 2015 travelled to the Republic of Niger and Chad Republic for consultations on how to tackle terrorism in the country and the region.

On June 7, 2015, he travelled to Germany to attend the G-7 summit and returned on June 9. He proceeded to South Africa on June 13, 2015 for the African Union Summit in continuation of talks on anti-terrorism fight and returned on June 16.

On July 19, 2015, the President embarked on a four-day official visit to the United States and after he returned on July 23, he proceeded to Cameroon for a two-day visit on July 29 and returned on July 30.

He went for the Republic of Benin's Independence Day celebration from August 2 to August 3, 2015.

In September 2015, Buhari embarked on a one-day visit to Ghana on the 7th and a three-day official visit to France on the 14th, returning on the 16th of September.

The President travelled to New York for the 70th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2015 and returned on September 29.

From October 26 to 30, 2015, he travelled to New Delhi in India for the Indian-African Forum and on his way back, he made a technical stopover at Khartoum, Sudan.

From November 22 to 24, 2015, the President travelled to Tehran, Iran for the third Gas Exporting Countries' Forum.

From November 26 to 30, 2015, the President was in Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

From Malta, he travelled to France on November 30, 2015 for the UN Climate Change Summit and returned on December 1.

On December 3, 2015, he departed for South Africa to attend the China/Africa Summit. He returned on December 5.

On December 10, 2015, Buhari attended the last rites for the late former President Mathieu Kerekou of the Republic of Benin.

Travels in 2016

Buhari's first foreign trip in 2016 was to Benin Republic on January 8 where he attended the 11th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin Authority.

From January 17 to 20, 2016, he attended the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

From January 27 to 29, 2016, the President was in Kenya on an official visit. From Kenya, he headed to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for an African Union meeting and returned to Nigeria on January 30.

From February 2 to 4, 2016, the President visited France to attend the Special Session of the European Union Parliament.

From February 5 to 10, 2016, barely eight months into his tenure, he travelled to the UK for his first vacation.

On February 18, 2016, he departed for Egypt to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh 'Africa 2016' Business Forum and returned to Abuja the following day.

From February 22 to 29, 2016, the President visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He met with government officials and also visited Medina and Grand Mosque in Mecca, where he performed prayers for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

On March 14, 2016, Buhari visited Equatorial Guinea for two days and had discussions on agreement on Joint Maritime Policing.

From March 29 to April 3, 2016, he was in Washington DC attending a Nuclear Security Summit. He returned to Abuja on April 4.

He was in China from April 10 to 14, 2016 on a state visit.

On May 10, the President departed for the Anti-Corruption Summit in the UK. He returned to Abuja on May 14 but left for the UK on June 6 for his first medical vacation, following reports that he had an ear infection. He returned on June 19.

On August 8, 2016, Buhari travelled to Chad for the inauguration of President Idris Deby and from August 27 to 28, 2016, he visited Kenya to attend the Tokyo Conference on Africa.

On September 18, 2016, the President travelled to New York, US where he spent five days to attend the 71st UN General Assembly.

The President visited Germany on October 13, 2016 and departed on October 16.

He spent five days from November 14 to 18, 2016 in Morocco where he attended the UN Climate Change Conference.

On November 23, 2016, he travelled to Equatorial Guinea for the 4th Africa/Arab summit.

From December 5 to 7, 2016, Buhari was in Senegal where he attended the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa.

On December 13, 2016, he attended the ECOWAS summit in The Gambia.

Trips in 2017

The President's first foreign trip in 2017 was to Ghana where he attended the inauguration of President Nana Akufo-Addo on January 7.

On January 13, he travelled to The Gambia to attend a high-level ECOWAS meeting. He was in Mali the following day for the 27th African France Summit.

On January 19, 2017, the President travelled to the UK on medical leave and returned on March 10 after spending 51 days in the UK.

Barely 40 days after, Buhari travelled again to the UK for medical attention on May 8, 2017 and remained there till August 19, 2017, spending 104 days, a record which surpassed that of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua.

On September 17, 2017, he left for the US to attend the 72nd UN General Assembly where he stayed till September 21.

He travelled from the US to the UK for medical purposes and returned to Abuja on September 25, 2017.

On October 18, 2017, he travelled along with members of his family to Turkey on a working visit and returned on October 22.

From November 28 to 30, 2017, the President was in Côte d'Ivoire where he attended the EU-AU Summit. And from December 1 to 4, 2017, he was in Jordan where he attended a counter-terrorism summit.

Journeys in 2018

His first foreign trip in 2018 was to Ethiopia from January 28 to 30 for the African Union summit.

Buhari was in the UK for 13 days from April 9 to 21, 2018 for his annual leave.

From April 28 to May 4, 2018, Buhari journeyed to the US where he met with President Donald Trump at the White House where they discussed security and trade.

Buhari spent seven days away from home and went to the UK for a few hours for what his handlers termed a "technical stopover."

Four days after returning to Nigeria, however, Buhari returned to the UK for medical reasons on May 8, 2018, and he returned on May 11.

From June 10 to 11, 2018, the President was in Morocco where three agreements between Nigeria and the Moroccan government were signed.

From June 30 to July 3, 2018, Buhari visited Mauritania for the ordinary session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

On July 15, Buhari travelled to The Netherlands for the 20th anniversary of the International Criminal Court. He returned on July 18.

President Buhari travelled to Togo on July 29, 2018 where he participated in the Joint ECOWAS-ECCAS Heads of State and Government Summit on Peace, Security, Stability and Fight against Terrorism and Violent Extremism.

The President again travelled to London on a working leave on August 3, 2018 and returned on the 18th, spending a total of 16 days.

The President handlers  said during interviews that "he may just see his doctors briefly during the visit."

On August 31, 2018, the President travelled to China to attend a summit on China-Africa Cooperation and returned after eight days on September 7, 2018.

From September 23 to 29, 2018, he was out of the country, this time to the United States to attend the UN General Assembly.

He travelled to France for a peace forum on November 10 where he spent six days. From November 29 to December 1, 2018, Buhari attended a regional summit in Chad.

The President travelled to Poland on a working visit on December 1, 2018 and returned on December 5.

On Christmas Day, he visited Niger Republic to attend the country's 60th proclamation anniversary.

Break from foreign trips for elections

The President took a break from foreign trips for three months as he toured the 36 states for the 2019 General Elections.

But after the elections had come and gone, he travelled on April 2, 2019 where he attended the inauguration of Senegalese President, Macky Sall.

From April 4 to 7, 2019, he attended the World Economic Forum in Jordan after which he visited the United Arab Emirates from April 7 to 10 for an investment meeting. Again, he travelled to Chad on April 13, 2019 for a one-day official visit.

Write more editorials –Presidency

When asked to react to the report on the President's foreign trips, the Presidency asked Punch editors to write more editorials on Buhari's foreign trips.

"Go and tell your editors to write editorials on it (foreign trips). Your editors should write editorials; let them write", Presidential spokesperson, Mr Garba Shehu, stated in response to an enquiry by Saturday PUNCH.

Buhari's trips, waste of taxpayers' money –PDP, CUPP

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Coalition of United Political Parties have described Buhari's foreign travels as waste of taxpayers' money.

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Diran Odeyemi, and the coalition's national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, said this in separate interviews with our correspondents on Friday.

Ugochinyere asked the President to stay back in the country and tackle Nigeria's challenges, especially the spate of insecurity across the country.

He said, "The President has spent over one year out of the period he was elected to govern the country outside Nigeria.

"After the travels to different parts of the world, poverty level is still rising and killings have now become more rampant in Nigeria."

Odeyemi, in his remarks, said, "A review of several foreign trips of President Buhari indicated a complete waste of the country's resources as against his promise to block unwarranted foreign expenditures.

"He broke his promise to equip hospitals in Nigeria towards putting a stop to foreign trips for medical reasons by spending hundreds of days in London hospital, receiving treatment. Has our hospital been equipped up till now? NO."

We're proud to see him travel, attract investments, says APC

But the ruling All Progressives Congress said on Friday that the President's foreign trips had been beneficial to the country.

The party's National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the party was proud to see Buhari go out to attract investments.

He said, "Absolutely, the President's travels have been beneficial. Beyond the issue that was beyond him which was the issue of health and we thank God he has overcome that, we believe that more than any President before him, all his trips have been targeted at things that are crucial to the development of this country.

"We do not think it is about the number of days he had travelled but about the purpose of his travels and the benefits the country is deriving from the trips. I think the President should be commended for not embarking on frivolous trips."

Buhari should prioritise fixing economy, constituting cabinet –SERAP, CACOL

Two civil society organisations, the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership on Friday asked Buhari to focus early on fixing the economy for the betterment of Nigerians.

The SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, "Setting the agenda for the President, I want to remind him that the welfare and happiness of the majority of Nigerians is the primary responsibility of the government. The economy is key and the government must do all within its powers to give this a top priority."

Also, the CACOL Director, Mr Debo Adeniran, noted that President Buhari must hit the ground running, as there were no excuses for any lapses in his second tenure.

He said, "Despite the medical trips, what should not be lacking in the President is the art of governance. The government has to run efficiently even when the President is not in the country, if he has set principles and systems on the ground."

Buhari's trips have not benefitted Nigeria –SMBLF

Meanwhile, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has flayed the President's frequent foreign trips, stating that the nation is yet to  benefit from them.

The SMBLF spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, advised the President to stay at home and address the challenges facing the country, adding that Nigeria had declined in all indices of development and growth.

Odumakin cited the growing insecurity, noting that bandits were having free rein in various parts of the country, including in Katsina, the President's home state.

He stated, "Buhari's foreign trips have mostly been jamborees. Look at the indices: Between 2014 and now, Nigeria has become worse off. We have declined in foreign direct investment.

"From the report by Bloomberg, we were five in 2014, now we have dropped to two. Unemployment rate was six per cent in 2014, today it is 23 per cent; Inflation rate was eight in 2014, today it is 11.

"Debt to the GDP was 12 in 2014, today, it is 25; Our debt portfolio was 12 per cent, but today, it is 24.6 per cent. So what benefits have these trips accrued to us? We do not know."

President's long stay abroad unhealthy –Junaid Mohammed

A Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Juniad Mohammed, has said it is unhealthy for a President to stay away from his country for the equivalent of 25 per cent of his term.

He said, "The President staying more than 300 days out of the country cannot be good news for any nation in dire need of development; there are sufficient issues in the country to keep the president on his seat.''

On his part, elder statesman and Presidential Liaison Officer during the Second Republic, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said he had no quarrel with the President travelling to attend to his health because it was a necessity.

He, however, said,  "If somebody can rule a country for almost four years promising change and the only change is for the worse, I wonder what will follow. We still don't have a budget for 2019 and the first quarter is almost gone. Now, they are promising Next Level, I wonder what can be achieved within the next three years since the final year is an election year."

In This Story: #Junaid Mohammed #Buhari#SMBLF
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Young man crashes his new car into a building just days after buying the car while flaunting huge cash online

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 07:30 AM PDT

It has been reported that a young man who goes by the name Andy Cash on Facebook, crashed his new car into a building in Delta state.

The accident which happened in Amukpe, Sapele area of the state, saw the vehicle crash into residents' stores.


The young man involved in the crash has been identified by his nickname as 'Andy Pounds' who paid for the car in cash on Monday.

It was gathered that 'Andy Pounds' flaunted huge wads of cash on social media just before he bought the car as can be seen in the pictures.

After the new acquisition, the excited young man drove the car round the town without caution – only to crash the car into a building on Wednesday. The car which had no plate number, was badly damaged.

See more photos of the crashed car below:



In This Story: #AccidentInSapele

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Denrele Edun narrates humiliating rejection he suffered in his first modeling shoot

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 07:00 AM PDT

Denrele Edun who took a walk back to the memory lane, recounted the humiliating rejection he suffered in his first professional modeling shoot.


The red carpet host who recounted how he begged designers for chance to become their model, said he wanted for 12 hours at a designer's office when he got his first chance and wasn't even paid for it.

According to him, he had to trek "from V/I to Yaba where vigilantes made him frog jump on the express."

Denrele who eventually succeeded amidst the humiliating rejection he suffered in his first modeling shoot, wrote;


1999.

Shola Creative Studios, SuruLere.
An (Androgynous) Male Model has to be psychologically strong; there's a lot of rejection!
In the spirit of FashionWeek, allow me dig out my dusty portfolios and throwback my first ever professional modeling shot! ?

Despite d disgusted looks from passers by, I walked with my defiant confidence to d local bus-stop to board a Molue that'll take me to another Designer's showroom. I had developed a knack for appearing at Fashion Designer showrooms and their houses to present my pictures & my overwhelming personality. All in a bid to convince them to walk in their shows. Mind you; I was the shortest, skinniest Male Model at that time, but that didn't deter me. The Hustle was real!I got to a designer's house and saw a cluster of top models. They all burst into laughter when I walked past but then, who cared? Sighting a familiar face, I ran up to her and was told fittings had begun. In my usual bravado, i saw the designer & walked up to him.

Moment i introduced myself & my intentions, he stared me down and asked,
"Are you a Refugee?".
"No Sir, but I'm the model with a unique look who'll love to walk for u," I threw back confidently.
He looked me up and down and said, "U can never walk on my runway. U look like a malnourished Somalian refugee", and with that he faced his tailors & continued giving directives. "I'll wait in d Showroom Sir, till u'r ready to fit me", I answered bk & walked in to the reception.

This designer actually hissed & went in. Came out, dismissed all d other models without me noticing and left the building. Wit all d bravado I could muster, I waited for an agonizing 12 hours. I was scared to go get something to eat cos i didn't want to miss his entrance. At bout 11pm, he strolled in wit some other models. They obviously had finished a shoot & he seemed to be in a light mood. Seein my chance, I walked up to him. This time, he lost his cool.
But that didnt stop me from walking his show weeks after.

He refused to pay me & not only was I stranded but had to walk from V/I to Yaba wher Vigilantes made me frog jump on the express! ?
The Designer? We're friends till date!
Why? Denrele get clean mind!





In This Story: #DenreleEdun #humiliating #rejection #suffered #first #modeling #shoot

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Bisi Alimi Followers to Bisi "Jesus Loves You" see his reaction

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 06:30 AM PDT

Popular Nigerian gay rights activist Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi had quite a response as he reacted to a comment from a follower, who told him that Jesus loves him and he is not gone past getting saved over his sexuality.

Bisi Alimi who insinuated that Jesus had sex with his 12 disciples as he reacted to the 'Jesus loves you' comment, added that Jesus should be the one talking to him if he is man enough.


Sharing a screenshot of the exchange, the gay rights activist wrote;


Jesus should stop sending people to me begging me to come back to him, if he is man enough, he should ask for forgiveness and we can kiss and make up, and sis @neloiyke, go get a job.

See the exchange below:







In This Story: #BisiAlimi #Followers #Bisi #JesusLovesYou #reaction

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South African Charlize Theron discloses why raises & dresses her son as a girl

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 06:00 AM PDT

South African and American actress Charlize Theron who addressed rumours of raising his 7-year-old son, Jackson as a girl, has finally given her reason for it.

Charlize Theron, who faced criticism when photographs showed the child wearing skirts and dresses and with long, braided hair confirmed in an interview with Daily Mail that she is raising him as a girl.



'Yes, I thought she was a boy, too,' Charlize agrees, briskly. 'Until she looked at me when she was three years old and said: 'I am not a boy!

So there you go! I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive. They were born who they are and exactly where in the world both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be, is not for me to decide.

'My job as a parent is to celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be. And I will do everything in my power for my kids to have that right and to be protected within that.'




In This Story: #SouthAfrican #CharlizeTheron #Raises #Dresses #Son #Girl


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Etinosa shares video of her having her bath, Nigerians react

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 05:30 AM PDT

Nigerian actress, Etinosa Idemudia who became a topic of social media discussion after a video of her going fully naked on MC Galaxy's Instagram live feed filtered into the internet id in the news again.

Etinosa this morning, teased her fans with a video of her having her bath and also singing. Etinosa who shared a video of her having her bath, described it as a 'rare video of her performing at Shower State University'.



She wrote as she shared her video;

A rare footage of me performing for my fans at Shower State University. Can you hear my fans screaming?!!! Chai 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #Lmao #PerformingArtist#MoreGraceMusic😂😂 Please don't tag the real owner of this song



In This Story: #Etinosa #video #bath #Nigerians #react


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“Cheat if you must” – Toke Makinwa says as she flaunts her curvy backside

Posted: 20 Apr 2019 05:00 AM PDT

Media Personality, Toke Makinwa has got men flooding her page on Good Friday with a post she made yesterday where she flaunted her perfect curvy derriere with a very interesting caption.

Toke who is single (or maybe not) shared the photos with these words ;

Cheat if you must but don't forget to put in the work ✌️🍑🥊🏋️‍♀️💪

Her caption has left others puzzled as they try to decipher the message behind the words – whether she is referring to cheating when it comes to working out, or cheating when it comes to relationships – either way, the photos are amazing.

Photos below:




In This Story: #CheatIfYouMust #TokeMakinwa #Flaunts#curvy #backside

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