None of my ministers is corrupt – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, made a robust defence of the integrity of all 36 ministers in his cabinet challenging anyone with a contrary view to present evidence against such a minister.
Speaking in his first media chat, the president said the first gains of the war against corruption would become evident by the end of March, next year, even as he accused erstwhile National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) of having allegedly committed atrocities against Nigeria through reckless disbursement of billions of government funds.
The president made his first dismissal of the agitation for Biafra stating that Igbo were in strategic position in the cabinet including holding the petroleum and labour portfolios besides the stewardship of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Media Chat 4: L-R SA Media to President Buhari Mr Femi Adesina, Premium Times Editor Mr. Ibanga Isine, Anchor/Media Practitioner Mr Kayode Akintemi, President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr Ngozi Ayaegbunam, Daily Trust Editor Mannir Dan-Ali and SSAP Mallam Garba Shehu shortly after the Presidential media chat at the State House in Abuja on 30th Dec 2015
 President Muhammadu Buhari,  and the panel of journalists during the President maiden presidential media chat at the State House in Abuja yesterday.
President Buhari also assured of the administration’s readiness to implement the N5,000 monthly transfer to vulnerable Nigerians even as he said the campaign promise did not emanate from him but from his then running mate, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. He also frowned at the allocation of N47.7 billion for the purchase of vehicles by the National Assembly even after the lawmakers had collected car loans from the government.
The president, who expressed his readiness to negotiate with any credible leadership of the Boko Haram sect for the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls also disclosed his readiness to consider a ban on the use of hijab should the trend of bombing through young veiled girls continue.
Noting the dire economic conditions facing the country, President Buhari was, nevertheless, against the immediate devaluation of the naira even as he revealed that N1.5 trillion had been recovered into the federation account through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.
The president also spoke on the fate of the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, saying that he had allowed the Kaduna State government and the military authorities to take the lead in the investigations. He affirmed that the cleric had over time overstepped his bounds to the distress of the communities he lived.
On the panel that interviewed the president yesterday were Kayode Akintemi, Channels TV; Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbulam, Media World International; Munir Dan Ali, Daily Trust and Ibanga Isine, Premium Times.
On the ministers
“I don’t think I tolerate corruption, I don’t think I picked anybody that I know will embarrass my government. But if you have any evidence about any of my ministers, I accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have.
“I don’t think I took anybody among the ministers who has got a case in court. Tell me one out of the 36. I don’t think I will deliberately make that mistake.”
Asked if he would sack any of the ministers if he or she is charged to court for corruption, he said:
“No, I will insist that the case go through the courts.”
On the location and condition of the Chibok girls, he said he would be prepared to negotiate with credible elements in the Boko Haram leadership if there is precise intelligence that could help return the girls to their parents. He, however, affirmed that presently he did not superior intelligence on the fate of the girls.
“We are still keeping our options open. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram can be established and they tell us where those girls are, we are prepared to negotiate with them without any pre-condition. This we have made absolutely clear. But while they are keeping the Chibok girls, they must not get away with the idea that we will not attempt to secure the rest of Nigeria.
“We have no firm intelligence on where they are physically and what condition they are in. But what we believe from our intelligence, they keep taking the girls around, they are not keeping all the girls in one place, we don’t know how many divisions they made of them and where they are.
On the crisis in Kaduna involving followers of the Shite leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky, he said:
“I expect the Kaduna State Government to set up a judicial inquiry because it happened in Kaduna, in one of the cities and it has been there for the last twenty years from what I have been reading from papers. They will occupy a federal highway, sometimes from Kano to Kaduna. This is what I heard.
“We have a system of investigation, the military that was involved too have a tradition of investigation and I am the head of the federal government, I have to wait for the official report before I can come out as head of the federal government and make a statement. So I am allowing the Army and the Kaduna State government to submit their report of inquiry. Meanwhile it does not mean that the police, the SSS and other directorate involved are not doing their own part of constitutional role.
Frowning at the activities of the group, he said:
“Unfortunately it is very serious. How can any group proclaim statehood in a state? I don’t want to speak about it in details now, I better leave it still after the report of the inquiry but there are a number of clips I saw, where some excited teenagers were visually hitting the chest of a general, mounting road blocks and threatening them with missiles.
On the contentious issue of subsidy, the president said that by the end of the next quarter that there would be no more talk about subsidy in the price of petroleum.
Money recovered
“Money has been recovered but whatever we recover, has to end up in court because I feel personally that Nigerians are entitled to know the truth and the truth will be what the court has discovered by the submission made to them in terms of documentation and the documentation includes the bank statement of where our money was lodged, when it was lodged and how much. Whether it is petrol from NNPC or Customs and Excise or money directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Told that he was limited in his disclosure of his assets, the president said that he had declared his assets at least four times in the past.
 The president expressed reservation on proposals by the National Assembly to commit N47.7 billion to purchase new vehicles after members had collected car loans from the government.
N5,000 monthly stipend for the less privileged
“When my VP was quoted, how can I come here and disown it? First, I believe in getting facts, how many are involved? How are we going to do it? Is it state by state or geo-political zone by geo-political zone? In trying to get the bottom of the problem, a lot of work has to be done and if it is undertaken, we have to look at it very well.”
On Dasuki, Kanu and others
Asked on the alleged flouting of court orders by the state on the issue of Dasuki and detained Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, he said:
“Technically, if you see the kind of atrocities those people committed, if they jump bail? I am sorry to say this publicly…the former president just wrote to the governor of the CBN and said give N40 billion to someone while you have two million Internally Displaced Persons, what kind of country do you want to run?
“The one you called Kanu, do you know he has two passports? One Nigerian, one British and he came to this country without using any passport? Do you know that he brought sophisticated equipment into this country and started broadcasting for Radio Biafra? There is a treasonable charge against him and I hope the court will listen to the case.
Biafra and marginalisation of Ndigbo
“They say they are marginalised but they have not defined the extent of marginalisation. Who is marginalising them? Where? Do you know? Choosing a minister is not a matter of ethnicity, it is a matter of the constitution. I am limited by what the constitution says that there must be a member of the executive council from each state. There is a lot of partisan politics in it. Who is the Minister of State for Petroleum? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the governor of the CBN? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the Minister of Labour? Who is the Minister of Science and Technology? What do they want? I stood elections and I won, I am limited by the constitution, I have a member of every state in the Federal Executive Council and I have to listen to them when I sit as chairman. That is the limit the constitution gave me”.
Asked if he would consider banning the use of hijab in the face of the continued use of veiled girls in suicide missions in the Northeast, the president said:
“Placing ban on hijab is not enough. However, if this continues it will be banned. Because it is for the safety of the people generally.”
Vanguard

WAILING WITH COMMONSENSE By Adefemi Pcfr

My introduction to this piece will be first to enlighten a lot of people. According to a well structured online dictionary, WAILING is to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering: to wail with pain. 2. to make mournful sounds, as music or the wind.
The question is simple! Are you wailing inside or outside? Is everybody wailing or pretending? A graduate of 10years still looking for job in a country of plenty resources.. Are you not a wailer? You have been working effectively and no progress are you not wailing? Official price of petrol is 87naira on pump price but you are buying it at 120naira thinking you don't have option are you not wailing inside? You have children abroad but they cannot use their master cards due to one policy or the other are you not wailing inside?
The deep question is that... Is everything in your life, this country okay with you? Be sincere to answer the question. Depends on how you answer it all I know is that EVERYBODY IS WAILING just that some are wailing than the other. Remember animal farm by George Orwell. "All animals are equal but some are equal than the other" may be I'm right?....... Read the book.
Many political drama and abracadabra, at the initial stage it was just like paradise of hope rather it was full of deceits by the committee of hypocrites. Is there exception? Hmmm! Time will tell.
It started in 1999 When OBJ seized the allocation of Lagos state because Bola Tinubu created LCDA. Tinubu called OBJ many names
but today OBJ us actually the navigator of Tinubu's political ship in 2015.
Rtd General Buhari now our amiable President in 2015 truncated elected government in 1982/83, in fact there was serious issues of 53 suite cases which as at that time Atiku was still in custom.. Hmm what happened next? Ask Google but today both are chilling together in the same ship.
Femi Fani Kayode a loquacious intelligentsia was once a minister of aviation under OBJ and later he moved to APC which was widely celebrated. Immediately he raised the issue of Muslim/Muslim ticket towards 2015 election, oh boy he was tagged and black mailed but today he is back to PDP as a normal vociferous vocalists.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki now Senate President and a great part of 16 years government of PDP is now a great leader in Changed APC of holy Mary. Smiles
Ayodele Fayose the Present Governor of Ekiti State a.k.a Oshokomole 1. Was a staunch PDP from blood but he had issue of Poultry with OBJ and went into exile. He helped Fayemi of ACN now APC single handedly to victory in Ekiti State election over Segun Oni. Today Segun Oni and Fayemi are in the same APC.
Oh no what of Oyinlola and Aregbesola in Osun State? Many lost their lives just because  they are followers of these two. Infact Oyinlola a great PDP to the blood is now a formed loyalists in APC and is chilling with Aregbesola. What of those that lost their lives? May their souls rest in peace.
Ehhhh Amaechi of strong character and a sharp friend of Goodluck Jonathan the former  President. A full blooded PDP and part of solid 16 years of their government. Yes he had issue with Goodluck over NGF election, Excess crude account and Soku oil including Jonathan's wife but today he is an honourable minister in APC.. Smiles Remember that Wike the Present Governor may be to be removed of Rivers State was a staunch Amaechi close pal.
Only difference among them that is not switching like a switch is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR a graduate of University of PortHarcout, a lecturer, an administrator, a leader per excellence, a teacher and come politician was formerly a deputy governor, Governor, Vice President, Acting President and President till he lost in 2015 and simply left the podium of Aso Rock for another intake without sharing nor shedding blood. Infact going strolling nor going into tribunal. He is a full blooded PDP and part of 16years of their government but he was loyal and I believe is still loyal. Anyway thanks to Baba OBJ for actually been an instrumental. That is a fact.
There are so many factors to bring out but what prompt this piece is that for those that still believes so much in Goodluck Jonathan despite the alleged bandwidth of propaganda against his person on Chibok girls, Boko haram and labelled corruption, I so much believe that if all these things are true! All I ever wanted is that let Justice prevailed but if they are all cheap blackmail just to score political gains over his person, I pray 🙏 that may he continue to enjoy great prosperity and recognition all over the word and his haters will have no option than to say sorry they made mistake in future.
Yes, no perfect human being on earth and all those supporting the present President Buhari have great rights to do so but they must gives room for constructive criticism and stop been hypocritical.
It is good to Wail and Chilled but know the basic reasons why you are wailing. Everybody wails but some are seriously wailing inside their heart because of hypocrisy. Free yourself from the shackles of timidity's and be free to express your concern opinions. You are free to Wails.
The bottom-line of my piece is that shine your eyes if at all you must follow any politicians and be a person of realist. Politicians are all the same. Do not kill yourself for them rather ask for their son's and daughters to join you. Smiles
I wish each an everyone Happy New Year and 2016 will be a year of multiple of favour, blessing and unlimited success.
Adefemi Pcfr Wailer, Chiller, Realists,

Why Lai Mohammed Must Be Fired Immediately Opinion By Femi Aribisala

This is opinion article written by Femi Aribisala. He said Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf was the Minister of Information in the dying days of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Nicknamed “Comical Ali” by British tabloids, al-Sahaf made a fool of himself during the Iraqi war by constantly fabricating victories of the Iraqi army, even as territory after territory fell to the American-led allied forces.
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 What was so ridiculous about him was that his lies were so blatant, only fools could believe them. Even when American tanks rolled into Baghdad, Comical Ali declared: “There is no presence of the American columns in the city of Baghdad at all. We besieged them and we killed most of them. Today, the tide has turned. We are destroying them. The Americans are going to surrender or be burned in their tanks.”
Comical Lai
 Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, is Nigeria’s home-grown “Comical Ali.” It would not be unfair to fashion him as “the Minister of FABU.” Barely two months of assuming office, Mohammed has established himself as an instrument of cheap propaganda and disinformation. On internet blogs today, he is now generally referred to by his traducers as “Liar Mohammed.” Without a doubt, he has earned this sobriquet by his penchant to be extremely economical with the truth.
 Lai Mohammed’s tall tales have now reached epidemic proportions. It is a contradiction in terms that a government that claims to be anti-corruption, and a president that boasts to be a man of integrity, should have a “Comical Ali” as its face and spokesman. It is doubtful that Mohammed can stop being himself. However, if President Buhari is interested in redeeming his now battered image, he needs to admit he made a big error of judgment in appointing Mohammed as a minister.
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 Lai Mohammed must be fired immediately. Barring which, the only honourable thing left for the Honourable Minister to do is to resign. A Minister of Information should not be allowed to become a Minister of Misinformation.
Fictitious Victory
 On December 23, 2015, Mohammed told a meeting of editorial heads of media houses in Lagos that the Nigerian military has met President Buhari’s deadline to defeat Boko Haram before December 31, 2015.
 Said Mohammed: “Today, I can report that the war against Boko Haram is largely won. Today, I can report to you that the entire 70 plus kilometres stretch from Maiduguri to Bama and all the way to Banki which leads to Cameroun and the Central African Republic are in the hands of our gallant troops. They have so degraded the capacity of Boko Haram that the terrorists can no longer hold on to any territory just as they can no longer carry out any spectacular attack.”
Rather than call his minister to order, President Buhari backed him up in the bid to white-wash the gaffe of predicting Boko Haram would be defeated before the end of the year. He told the BBC: “Boko Haram has reverted to using improvised explosive devices. They have now been reduced to that. But articulated conventional attacks on centres of communication and populations… they are no longer capable of doing that effectively. So I think technically we have won the war because people are going back into their neighbourhoods. Boko Haram as an organised fighting force, I assure you, that we have dealt with them.”
The president conveniently forgot he had said at his inaugural address that: “We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.” We have heard nothing about the Chibok girls. Nevertheless, the president now says Boko Haram has been technically defeated. Are we therefore to conclude that the Chibok girls have also been technically rescued?
Boko Haram Response
 The victory declarations of Lai Mohammed and President Buhari turned out not only to be palpably false, but outrightly dangerous. Just two days after Mohammed’s declaration, the Boko Haram who he says “can no longer carry out any spectacular attack” attacked Kimba in Borno State. They killed 14 hapless people and razed the village to the ground. According to eye-witness reports, “not a single house was spared in the arson.”
One day later, a coordinated fighting unit of Boko Haram infantry attacked Maiduguri. They came in a military convoy, precisely the manner the president boasted is now impossible. They then dug in for a pitched battle against the Nigerian army. Thereafter, two female suicide-bombers detonated explosives in the Jiddari area of Maiduguri, with casualty figures yet to be determined.
 There is no doubt these attacks were direct responses to APC’s vain propaganda. Boko Haram decided to give the lie to the bombastic statements that it has been defeated, either technically or in actuality. To drive home the point beyond reasonable doubt, the insurgents chose to attack Maiduguri, the very command and control epicentre of Nigeria’s military operations in the North-East.
 Clearly, the defeat of Boko Haram only exists as figments in the imaginations of APC propagandists. Having won the election by manipulating the press, they now seek to govern by employing a cacophony of jobless youth whose charge is to post “SAI Buhari” comments on as many internet blogs as possible. They also have the mandate to attack anyone who refuses to buy the many-splendored FABUS of the APC government.
 APC’s bogus propaganda is partly responsible for the deaths and destruction in Kimba, Aladuwari and Maiduguri, the full extent of which are yet to be determined. The false victory procession of APC chieftains provoked the Boko Haram to contradict them at the cost of Nigerian lives. It is way too early to call for the impeachment of Mr. President. But it is high time to call for the retirement of Lai Mohammed. We must not allow this local “Comical Ali” to continue to use Nigerian lives to score cheap political points.
 While the APC was busy celebrating the fictitious death of Boko Haram, the New York-based Institute for Economics and Peace declared in its latest Global Terrorism Index that Boko Haram “has become the most deadly terrorist group in the world.” The day before Mohammed’s bombast, UNICEF declared that Boko Haram has succeeded in keeping over one million children out of school, warning that this is likely to add fuel to the insurgency by radicalising the youth in the North-East.
Campaign Recantations
 It was Lai Mohammed who told Nigerians the promises of the APC during the election were actually not from the APC. The APC denied its key presidential campaign documents: “My Covenant with Nigerians” and “One Hundred Things Buhari Will Do in 100 Days.” Buhari himself presents one of the documents in the first person, saying: “The covenant is derived from the manifesto of my party, the All Progressives Congress. It however represents my pledge to you all when I become your president.”
But once he became president, Mohammed denied them. He swore that: “Buhari never promised to do anything in 100 days, that’s the honest truth.” However, when APC Senators were forced to vote against their own campaign promise to provide N5,000 monthly to 25 million unemployed Nigerians, Mohammed declared that the government already has 1.4 trillion naira recovered from banks through the TSA ready to fulfil the promise. He said we should expect it in the 2016 budget.
 These are his words: “The non-implementation of the payment policy so far is due to the fact that it was not included in the 2015 budget. The Muhammadu Buhari administration has been busy putting in place measures that will make it possible to start the implementation of this project.”
This has turned out as usual to be another tissue of lies. The 2016 budget has now been announced, and there is nothing about the N5000 stipend for the 25 million unemployed.
Presidential Doublespeak
 The government of President Buhari is replete with contradictions and doublespeak.
 At the APC South-East rally in Owerri, Buhari declared he would make the naira equal to the dollar if voted into office. He continued: “It is sad that the value of the naira has dropped to more than 230 to one dollar. This does not speak well for the nation’s economy.” How does it speak for the economy now that the value of the naira has dropped under Buhari to 280 to the dollar?
 Buhari said: “Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra-judicial murder at the hands of the police.” What then are we to say about the extra-judicial massacre of over 300 Shiite Muslims in Zaria at the hands of the Nigerian army under this Buhari administration?
 Buhari said during the campaign: “You are all my people; I will treat you all as mine. I will work for those who voted for me, voted against me and those who didn’t vote at all.” Then he said after the campaign: “The constituents (that) gave me 97 percent cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5 percent.”
On his election, the president said: “Our long night is over and a new dawn has come… Democracy and rule of law will be put in place.” “I pledge myself and the government to the rule of law, in which none shall be so above the law that they are not subject to its dictates, and none shall be so below it that they are not availed of its protection.” But under his administration, democracy and the rule of law has continued to be violated. The DSS ignores court verdicts with impunity, as happened in the case of Dasuki and Kanu.
 Justice Muazu Pindigi was summarily replaced by Justice Ambrosa as chairman of the Rivers State governorship petitions tribunal and PDP’s victory was quickly annulled. Pindigi said: “The Supreme Court has said that for an election to be annulled, the petitioner has to prove that elections didn’t hold at the polling units where the winner was returned elected. I’m not sure that the Ambrosa’s judgment arrived through that route.”
During the election, Buhari declared the maintenance of the presidential fleet of aircrafts a colossal waste of money. He said: “For me, when we come into office, all these waste will be blocked and properly channeled into our economy.” However, since he became president, not a single plane has been sold. Billions of naira continue to be spent as the president has gone on one international junket after the other.

Revealed: Jonathan Spent $4M To Lobby Bring Back Our Girls Campaign Says US Laywer

Information reaching is that A U.S.-based human rights lawyer and humanitarian worker said on Tuesday that former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan spent more than $4 million on lobbying against the Bring Back Our Girls movement last year, after Boko Haram abducted hundreds of schoolgirls from the northeast town of Chibok.
 In an interview with a Nigerian newspaper, Emmanuel Ogebe said the Jonathan administration’s response to the kidnapping was a “colossal failure.”

“The Jonathan-led-government had spent over $4 million fighting the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and almost fighting the veracity of the abduction, saying it wasn't true,” Ogebe told Premium Times Tuesday. “The response was a colossal failure, it was an unmitigated disaster.”
Boko Haram militants descended on a boarding school in northeast Nigeria on the night of April 14, 2014. By morning, the militant group had herded 276 schoolgirls into trucks and vanished behind the forest brush in the town of Chibok. Some of the girls have managed to escape on their own since then, but over 200 are still missing, and government search efforts have been unsuccessful despite a global social media campaign and pleas from international leaders.


 http://www.ibtimes.com/goodluck-jonathan-spent-over-4m-lobbying-against-nigerias-bring-back-our-girls-2242344
 

Petrol to sell for N86/litre from January, 2016 – FG

*Marketers to sell at N86.50;
*New price regime to last for 3 months
 *We’ll resist fuel subsidy removal with all our might — NLC
By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Michael Eboh
ABUJA— The Federal Government, yesterday, stated that effective January 1, 2016, Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, would be sold at N86 per litre by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Retail stations, while other oil marketers would sell at N86.50 per litre.
The Nigerian Labour Congress said, however, that it would resist with all its might, any attempt to remove fuel subsidy.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, also announced the first quarter 2016 PMS import allocation of three million metric tonnes to the NNPC and other oil marketers.
On the review of the price of petrol, Ahmed said the reduction in the price of the commodity was due to an implementation of the revised components of the Petroleum Products Pricing Template for PMS and household kerosene.
According him, the revised template, which would be reviewed on quarterly basis and which would soon be presented to oil marketers, is geared towards ensuring an efficient and market-driven price that would reflect current realities.
He said: “Since 2007, while crude oil price had been moving up and down, the template remained the same. This had made it necessary for us to introduce a mechanism whereby the template would be sensitive to the price of crude oil.
“However, the template is not static, as there would be a quarterly review and if there is any major shift, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources would be expected to call for a review, either upward or downward, depending on the market condition.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/petrol-to-sell-for-n86litre-from-january-2016-fg/

Top 10 Countries With the Highest Salaries in 2015

Do you ever wonder which country pays its workers the highest salary? Have you ever thought that you’re not truly being paid what you’re worth? Let’s take a quick look at the top 10 countries where people enjoy the highest level of disposable income. What is disposable income? It’s the amount of money that a household gains each year after taxes and transfers, so it basically represents the money available to a household for spending on goods or services. These averages are based on the OECD research calculated for single workers without children. Do you think your country is on the list? Let’s find out!
#10 France
Well, the infamously discontent French made it to the top 10 list! France is ranked the world’s seventh largest economies. To explain why the French per capita GDP is lower than that of the United States, the economist Paul Krugman stated that “French workers are roughly as productive as US workers”, but that the French have allegedly a lower workforce participation rate and “when they work, they work fewer hours”. That may be due to the 35-hour workweek law introduced in 1999. By the way, the French receive $28,799 a year after all taxes, which are 49.4% on the average. This is the second largest tax wedge across the OECD countries.
Click the link below to read more
http://topmensmagazine.com/top-10-countries-with-the-highest-salaries/?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=highestsalariesallco&utm_term=naij-naij

APC Suspends Senator Shehu Sani for Criticizing El-Rufai's Policies

Information reaching According to PREMIUM TIMES, In a letter to the senator dated December 27, the party said the suspension is for a period of 11 months. The letter was signed by the Secretary of the ward, Ahmed Abdulhamid, the Public Relations Officer, Auwal Mai Anguwa, and ex-officio member, Aminu Alilan.
 Offences listed against Senator Sani include: uttering statements that allegedly “violate the rules of engagement of the party, factionalizing the party, and engaging in anti-party activities by criticizing the policies of Governor Nasir El-Rufai.”
 “Hardly a week passes by that his group will not be on air criticizing and challenging the enduring legacies of Mallam Nasir ElRufai, that his statement on national issues is not in conformity with that of the state government and government of Kaduna State''.

Arsenal Defeats Bournemouth 2 Nil

Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, at least for 24 hours, as they won their first league meeting with Bournemouth.
After a tense opening, Ozil's corner was met with a firm header by defender Gabriel for his first goal in English football.
Ozil made it 2-0 after the break from a slick one-two with Olivier Giroud.
BBC

CBN: Restriction on Use of Bank Cards Abroad to Remain

Nigerian students in diaspora protest ban
James Emejo in Abuja 
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the recent restriction placed on the use of bank cards abroad will remain until the country’s foreign reserves grow to significant levels.
Commercial banks in the country reversed one of the major gains of the consolidation era when they sent text messages to their customers last week informing them that they would no longer be allowed to use their naira-denominated debit and credit MasterCard to pay for transactions or withdraw money from ATMs overseas.
The ban, which has the backing of the CBN, stemmed from dwindling foreign reserves and banks’ inability to settle dollar transactions arising from the use of naira cards abroad.
Since oil prices fell, Nigeria has witnessed a precipitous decline in forex earnings and by extension foreign reserves, forcing the CBN to impose foreign currency curbs aimed at preserving the country’s reserves.
Speaking with journalists at the weekend, CBN’s Director, Monetary Policy, Mr. Moses Tule, said restrictions were likely to be lifted when reserves increase to between $50 billion and $200 billion, adding that all hands must be on deck to achieve the target.
He said the new policy was a healthy development for the ailing economy in spite of the attendant inconvenience to cardholders.
“It is healthy development; Nigerians can no longer use debit cards abroad. But we know that it is inconvenient. Right now the country is going through very difficult times because of developments in the oil market. Foreign exchange under the condition Nigeria has found itself has become a seasonal commodity.
“Seasonal in the sense that it depends on the movement of the price of oil; if oil prices are high then we build reserves, if oil prices are low then we have no reserves then we are in a crisis.
“That should not be the case for an economy as big as that of Nigeria because we should by now have sufficiently diversified the economy to a point where developments in the oil market should no longer matter.
“Unfortunately, that has not been the case and that is why sometimes these kind of decisions have to be made,” he said.
However, he said the restrictions were largely the decision of the banks rather than the CBN.
According to Tule, “The restriction on the use of debit and credit cards outside the country was not imposed by the CBN. The deposit money banks (DMBs) placed it because they have to settle whatever transactions you make with your cards with their corresponding banks in foreign currency and if the banks do not have the foreign currency to do that, then you create a liability which will crystallise on their balance sheets.”
He added: “But looking at it holistically, does the CBN sympathise with the situation Nigerians find themselves in not being able to use their cards outside the country, yes the CBN certainly does sympathise with the hardship Nigerians are facing.
“But can the CBN stop it, at the point we are in in this country, the obvious answer is that the CBN cannot stop what the banks are doing now and the reason is very obvious.
“Our priorities as a nation for the allocation or use of foreign exchange is one, for the settlement of matured letters of credit that have been opened for importation; two, for the importation of petroleum products until such a time either when we have our refineries fully operational and we are not in a position to import fuel again to ensure that the wheels of economic development continue turning and running; and three, for the importation of raw materials.
“Now, by the time we meet these given the level of current flows into the reserves – by the time we meet these three priority areas – you will discover that people who are using their debit cards overseas for shopping can never be on the priority list.
“We would then go back to the point where the foreign reserves dry up that is the position we are in today.”
On whether the CBN was considering stopping the sale of dollars to bureau de change (BDC) operators, he said: “If you read the budget speech of Mr. President, there was one sentence there where he said we must make hard choices.
“That is designed to open the growth potential of the economy and the president has said we must make hard choices. As policy makers, we are going to make those hard choices, so at the right time, the CBN will take the appropriate decision that will strengthen the foreign exchange market.”
On the push for devaluation of the naira, he said: “No matter how good a professor of war studies is, he cannot tell a general how to conduct and deploy his men.
“The general is the man on the field, he is where the battle is, he has his maps and strategy for the battle that will give him victory no matter how knowledgeable the professor is he cannot advise him in the battlefront.
“People should respect institutions, so if you have some advice to give, you can always write to the CBN governor.
“But no central bank takes decisions just because analysts either in newspapers or on television recommend that the naira should be devalued today, as policy makers have to weigh the fundamentals.
“However, the CBN is holistically looking at the issues, and as we have consistently said, we will not hesitate to take the right decision that in our opinion is in the best interest of the country and help realise the goals of government as enunciated in the 2016 budget.
“So overall that is the position of the CBN; there is a policy direction which government has given in the 2016 budget and every central bank works with the policy direction of government and we will not work outside that framework.”
Despite the explanation given by the CBN, the ban on the use of naira-denominated bank cards has not gone down well with Nigerian students in the United Kingdom, who at the weekend took to the streets to protest the ban.
Armed with placards, the protesters expressed their anger.
A lady who held a Nigerian flag displayed a placard that read: “My father is a successful palm wine tapper. He is not a corrupt thief. We need our naira ATM (card).”
Another placard read: “CBN Governor, why? Can you not advise Buhari? We need our naira ATM cards to survive.”
Another held a placard which also read: “My father is not a politician or government thief. He is only a businessman. I need my naira ATM (card).”
Nigerians in the Diaspora also protested against the spending limits imposed on their dollar-denominated debit and credit cards, reported online website, African Spotlight.
In a group photo, a lady said: “Nigerian students abroad need their naira MasterCard to survive,” while a man who wrapped himself with Nigerian flag wrote on his placard, “$1000/month on ATM/POS/online does not cover hospital bills.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/cbn-restriction-on-use-of-bank-cards-abroad-to-remain/229008/

Almost 75% of fuel in Nigeria will still be imported in 2016 Says NNPC

As culled from LIB, Group Managing Director NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during his tour of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, yesterday, said the country will still rely on 75 per cent importation of fuel throughout the whole of next year.
 According to him:
“The future is that, Nigeria is still going to import fuel in 2016 and beyond. Best case situation is 25 per cent local and 75 per cent importation. Worse case is what we are experiencing now.
“Until we begin to get individuals who can co-relocate, we are going to be doing a mixture of local and importation of fuel to meet up demands. In the next few weeks, however, queues will disappear in fuel stations.”
The minister said that the Kaduna refinery will soon be producing more than two million litres per day capacity as soon as an Fluid Catalytic Cracking, FCC, unit is fully on stream.
 He said:
“We need to get it back to re-kit it to work well. We will do that with some level of production going on. Our concern is to have a consistent production and provision of products at all times.”
“We will not be fluctuating prices, we will take an average. Today no subsidy, in January we will look at the situation and announce it.”
In regards to privatization, he said:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any policy about selling the refineries.”


Vanguard

I didn’t plot against Buhari in Dubai – Atiku

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, denied being part of a conspiracy against President Muhammdau Buhari, saying the insinuation that he used the cover of a foreign medical trip to host an anti-Buhari parley was wrong.
Atiku
Atiku & Buhari
Reacting to insinuations by what he called “political mischief makers and enemies of unity,” who alleged that he has been hosting political meetings at Burj Al-Arab, Dubai, the former vice president said contrary to the rumours being bandied around by political opponents, he was currently in Dubai with his family for physiotherapy on his injured knee.
In a statement by his media office in Abuja, yesterday, and signed by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, Atiku said he was embarrassed by the deliberate falsehoods being spread against him by political opponents who are bent on causing distraction for President Buhari at a time all energies should be channelled into helping the President actualise his change agenda.
Describing rumour mongers as “ill-motivated busybodies that don’t wish the country well,” the Turaki Adamawa explained that his medical treatment is his private affair, which should not be politicised by anybody to achieve sinister objectives.
Atiku, who noted that he was entitled to enjoy his private life, including the right to attend to his health without being harassed and lied against by political opponents, said: “Contrary to the insinuations by political opponents, the former vice president says the success of the Buhari administration has been his preoccupation, and that any true APC member should have the same zeal.”
According to him, rumour mongers that seek to cause distraction in Buhari’s government do not mean well for the APC administration, adding that  with the challenges of providing good governance for the country and creating job opportunities for Nigerians, including reducing the impact of poverty, President Buhari needs all the goodwill and support in this endeavour.
He said: “Whether at home or abroad, the Turaki is preoccupied with his unassailable support to President Buhari and his administration, especially in this critical time, as it works assiduously to turn the fortunes of our dear country around and make Nigeria work for the greater good of Nigerians.
“Rumour  mongers and mischief makers are toxic to the progress of the APC and the country at large, adding that the campaigns are gone, and therefore, all energies should be constructively devoted to the success of the Buhari administration.
“This is yet another plot of the enemies of our country and democracy to divide, divert attention and distract the APC in its avowed commitment to secure the country, provide jobs for the mass of unemployed youths, build needed critical infrastructure, enthrone a regime of probity and accountability and pull the country out of the economic woods it has been consigned to by locust years of mismanagement.”


Vanguard

Former GEJ Aide Kingsley Kuku Constitutes Campaign Group

As preparation for the 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State starts, the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and the former Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, has constituted a committee that  will steer the activities of his campaign ahead of the party's primary.
 The constitution of the committee was contained in a statement issued and signed by Kuku and made available to journalists in Akure, Ondo state capital.
 The group known as Kuku Support Group according to the statement would be coordinated by the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi.
 Kuku who has been recuperating in an hospital in United States of America after a kneel surgery said the formation of the group became imperative in order to make it easy for him to interact and interface with his supporters who have been concerned about his state of health.
 "l have been overwhelmed by messages from persons at home and in Diaspora genuinely concerned about my medical trip in the United States of America and trending events in our polity especially Our Sunshine State
 "By the schedule of my treatment, l am now at the concluding and very critical physical therapy stage, after which I shall return home in due course of time.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/2016-ex-jonathan-aide-kuku-constitutes-campaign-group/228945/

Ban of naira debit cards overseas: Ben Bruce urges rethink

The Senator representing Bayelsa East and philanthropist, Mr. Ben Murray Bruce of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Federal government to have a rethink of the ban of Naira debit cards overseas. In a series of tweets with the hashtag #PunishpoliticiansnotNigerians, he pointed out some of the dangers of the policy to Nigerians.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday ordered commercial banks to stop customers from using their debit and credit cards outside the country.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/ban-of-naira-debit-cards-overseas-ben-bruce-urges-rethink/

Southampton Thrashed Arsenal By 4 Goals To Nothing

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as they were thrashed by Southampton at St Mary's.
Saints full-back Cuco Martina marked his first league start with a stunning goal, curling in from 30 yards out.
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott missed free headers, before Shane Long finished from close range and Jose Fonte headed in the third.
Striker Long struck the post with three minutes remaining, but managed to add a fourth through the legs of Petr Cech.
It could have been even worse for the visitors. Virgil van Dijk had a header ruled out for offside, while Dusan Tadic's dipping strike was pushed away by Cech.
◾Relive Southampton's win over Arsenal on Boxing Day
Super Saints but Gunners sinners
Arsenal had lost just one of their previous 11 league games and recorded an impressive victory over Manchester City on Monday but Arsene Wenger's side could not back that performance up with victory on the south coast.


http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/35140036

Jurgen Klopp: No Premier League break hurts England chances

The busy schedule of the Premier League hurts England's chances in major tournaments, says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The German praised England's current team as "really talented", but said the lack of a winter break in the country would count against them at Euro 2016.
"You have too many games, that's for sure," Klopp told Football Focus. "You have no break, too many tournaments.
The 48-year-old added: "Everybody thinks [manager] Roy [Hodgson] should lead these boys to the title, they have really good players.
"But they've had no break for one year. All the other teams have. You can be [successful] but it's much harder."
England have not reached the semi-finals at any of their past eight major tournaments, and were knocked out at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.


http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/35171607

‘Petrol to sell for N85 per litre from Jan 1’

The Federal government, has said that it can no longer afford to subsidize the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) following the fraud that has attended its operation, stressing that the product will sell for N85 per litre as from the first day of January, 2016.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, disclosed this during his inspection of the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), on Christmas day.
The current official price of the product is N87 but it sells for as high as N350 in some states of the federation with the country experiencing more than two months biting fuel scarcity.
Dr. Kachikwu said that the new price template of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulation Agency (PPPRA), was approved by the Federal government on Thursday, adding that the new price will convince Nigerians that the pricing modulation that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government promised to embark is not a trick.
“We have done a modulation calculation and it is showing us below N87,” Mr. Kachikwu said. “I imagine that if PPPRA publishes it today, it will become effective immediately. But the 1st of January that is when we are looking at.”


Vanguard
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Former Goodluck Jonathan Sends Christmas Message To Nigerians

Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has dropped a message to hope to Nigerians on the celebration of Christmas through one of his social media platforms.
 Jonathan preached for team work and consolidation to make Nigeria and Africa great again.
 He said, "Jesus Christ our Lord, was born to bring people together and no matter the temptation to pursue individual or group interests over the collective, let us not forget that you and I belong to Team Nigeria and we must never allow individual or group aspirations distract us from the Championship ambition we have as a nation to be a beacon of hope in Africa and a pillar of the International Community".
ge.JPG

 Read:
“I love the game of football, and today, as I was watching a game, it occurred to me that even the most talented footballer in the world can not go anywhere if he will not work with others. Talent may win some games, but only teamwork wins the Championship.
 Jesus Christ our Lord, was born to bring people together and no matter the temptation to pursue individual or group interests over the collective, let us not forget that you and I belong to Team Nigeria and we must never allow individual or group aspirations distract us from the Championship ambition we have as a nation to be a beacon of hope in Africa and a pillar of the International Community. Merry Christmas from my family and I to you and your family.”


nigerianbulletin

Exchange rate falls on temporary supply boost

There appeared to be a significant respite for Naira as it strengthened against the US Dollar in the unofficial currency market  a day to the public holidays after suffering severe depreciation daily for three consecutive weeks.
As at close of business yesterday, the local currency gained 3.64 per cent relative to the greenback, USD, to close at N265/USD1.0  from N275/USD.0 in the preceding week at the Bureau De Change, BDC, market segment.
Naira-Dollar
Naira-Dollar
Similarly, the local currency appreciated by 3.57 per cent of its value relative to the USD at the parallel market segment to close at N270/USD1.0 up from N280/USD1.0 in the previous week.
Currency dealers told Vanguard that the development came on a temporal supply boost by homecoming diaspora Nigerians for the festive season.
However, the Central Bank of Nigeria,  CBN, clearing rate and interbank rate closed steady at N196.97/USD1.0 and N199.1/USD1.0 respectively.


Vanguard

We’ve met December deadline to defeat Boko Haram — FG

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that the Nigerian military had met the December deadline to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
The minister said this during his maiden meeting with editorial heads of media houses in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had, upon assuming office, issued a December 31 deadline to the military to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
A photo shows a campaign signboad displayed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show its readiness to defeat Boko Haram Islamists on assumption office at Ogijo, Ogun State in southwest Nigeria, on July 3, 2015. Boko Haram carried out a fresh wave of massacres in northeastern Nigeria on July 3, locals said, killing nearly 200 people in 48 hours of violence President Muhammadu Buhari blasted as "inhuman and barbaric". AFP PHOTO
A photo shows a campaign signboad displayed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show its readiness to defeat Boko Haram Islamists on assumption office at Ogijo, Ogun State in southwest Nigeria, on July 3, 2015. Boko Haram carried out a fresh wave of massacres in northeastern Nigeria on July 3, locals said, killing nearly 200 people in 48 hours of violence President Muhammadu Buhari blasted as “inhuman and barbaric”. AFP PHOTO
“Today, I can report that the war against Boko Haram is largely won.
“I can confidently say this because just recently, I led a group of 33 journalists from both the local and international media to the hot bed of the insurgency
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/weve-met-december-deadline-to-defeat-boko-haram-fg/

Budget 2016’ll revive economy, says Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians over the persistent and biting fuel scarcity in the country and attributed the problem to market speculators and stakeholders who are resistant to change. He assured that the government was working hard to end the shortages urgently.
President Buhari who begged Nigerians while presenting the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, said the government has not increased fuel price and that the pump price of fuel remains N87 per litre.
Buhari presents N6.08trn 2016 budget to NASS
Buhari presents N6.08trn 2016 budget to NASS
Buhari arrived the Chambers at 10.01am. Apologizing to Nigerians for the pains occasioned by the continued fuel scarcity across the country, he said: “The  current fuel scarcity with long queues at petrol stations all over the country causing social dislocation is very unfortunate. Government profoundly apologizes to Nigerians for this prolonged hardship and misery. It is as a result of market speculators and resistance to change by some stakeholders. Government is working very hard to end these shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/budget-2016ll-revive-economy-says-buhari/

5 Facts That Shows PMB Administration Is The Same GEJ'S

Here are 5 basic facts that points Buhari's administration to that of the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan's tenure..
 They are:
 1. More than six months into the Buhari led administration, Boko Haram is still wrecking havoc as freely as before in the North-east.
 2. Nigerians just like in the Jonathan administration are suffering from the harsh realities of fuel scarcity.
 3. There is still mass youth unemployment in Nigeria. The same people who canvassed and massively voted for this government.
 4. The Naira is getting weaker against other foreign currencies by the minute.
 5. Power is still as epileptic as it was during the past administration and Nigeria is still far away from the dream of uninterrupted power supply as promised by this administration.

 You can add yours...
nigerianbulletin

Breakdown of the 2016 Budget

Breakdown of the 2016 Budget



GDP Growth Rate Projection 4.37%
Revenue Projection 3.86 Naira
Deficit 2.22 trillion Naira (equivalent to 2.16% of Nigeria’s GDP)
Oil Related Revenues 820 billion Naira
Non-oil Revenues 1.45 trillion Naira
 Projected Independent Revenues 1.51 trillion Naira
Capital Expenditure 1.8 trillion Naira (30%  of total budget)
Works, Power and Housing 433.4 billion Naira
Transport 202.0 billion Naira
Interior 53.1 billion Naira
Special Intervention Programs 300 billion Naira
Education 369.6 billion Naira
Defence 294.5 billion Naira
Health 221.7 billion Naira
Ministry of Interior 145.3 billion Naira
Foreign and Domestic Debt Service 1.36 trillion Naira
Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans 113 billion Naira
Non-debt Recurrent Expenditure 2.65 trillion Naira


LIB

N1.4trn fine: FG calls MTN’s bluff, says Dec 31 deadline subsists

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would neither be cowed nor threatened by MTN’s court action against the N1.4trn fine which was later reduced to N780 billion, insisting that the telecommunications company risks another fine if it fails to pay on deadline.
Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, made the statement yesterday in reaction to the suit instituted by the telecom operator at a Lagos High Court, weekend.
The minister, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, however, admitted that MTN had the right to seek court’s interpretation if it feels unsatisfied with the action of the regulator but made it clear that nothing would stop the government from imposing additional fine on the operator, at the expiration of the deadline.
According to the minister, “it is the right of MTN to approach the court but there was an infraction, which MTN admitted to have committed before it pleaded for leniency that led to the reduction of the fine from N1.4 trillion to N780 billion and the subsequent December 31, 2015 deadline to  pay.
“If it has decided to go to court, it is still within the ambit of the law. I will not intervene, since they have gone to court, we will allow the court to decide if it is right for MTN to commit those infractions and breach the laws of the land.”
Click the link below to read more...
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/n1-4trn-fine-fg-calls-mtns-bluff-says-dec-31-deadline-subsists/

10 Things President Buhari’s Government Has Achieved So Far

As culled from Nairaland, though it's open for criticisms based on divergent opinions.
Within the few months of becoming the president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Buhari has achieved the following things in office...
 Although, some people have questioned the integrity of some of these points, nevertheless, it has happened while others are still happening within the space of time
 These are:
 1. Oil thieves have drastically reduced with the recent arrest of them by Nigerian Navy. It is in this new administration unlike before that foreigners who have been stealing oils are been arrested and prosecuted.
 2. It is in this administration that lawlessness was fought head on with strong hand in the recent Army/Shitee face off.
 3. It is also in this administration that the untouchables are been arrested, prosecuted and locked up in the on going arms scandal.
 4. This is the first time a Nigerian President is about passing a huge budget of N 6 trillion for next year programmes.
 5. Almost all the territories in North East held by Boko Haram Sect have been liberated by the Nigerian Army.
 6. Smuggling of goods are no longer in sway as it used to be in the past administration.
 7. Taxes are been paid by corporate organisations that have not been paying before under the past government.
 8. Bribery in government parastatals have reduced drastically.
 9. Standard Organisation of Nigeria has woken up to its responsibility.
 10. Anti Corruption Crusade is been widely propagated across the country which has never happened during the past administration.

Arsenal Beat Manchester City 2-1

Arsenal maintains their second position on the log of the English Premier league table following their 2-1 victory over third place Manchester City on Monday night football.
 The Gunners have now opened a four points lead over City, and reduced Leicester City's lead to two points after 17 league games.
 Theo Walcott opened scoring for the Emirate side after connecting with a Mesut Ozil's assist in the 33rd minute of the game, as Olivier Giroud doubled Wenger's men's lead in the 45th minute, just before half time.
 Meanwhile, City's Yaya Toure pulled one back for the Manuel Pellegrini's men in the later period of the game, but Yaya's goal wasn't enough to rescue a point for the noisy neighbours on the night.
 Arsenal ended the game with just 37 percent of ball possession and six shots on target while two hit the back of the net while City enjoyed more ball possession but couldn't convert most of their chances at the end of the day.
 Arsenal will travel to Southampton for the boxing day fixture while Manchester City welcome struggling Sunderland to the Ethiad stadium.
nigerianbulletin

ARMY AND ZARIA CLASH, MY OWN POINT OF VIEW. By Enenche Enenche (Comedian)

This article was written by Enenche and I find it knowledgeable that I should share it with readers.
He wrote:
I think the outcry that the recent clash between Nigerian Army and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria had generated, has reached a point that I break my silence.
Since the incident, I have done countless research to know the difference between the Sunnis and Shiite forms of Muslims.
The Shiite has their highest members in Iran, Irag, Palestinians, India and few other countries, the Sunnis has the Saudi Arabia, Africa and other locations as their stronghold
The Sunnis are 80 - 90% Muslims in Nigeria, while Shiite are 10-15% of Muslims worldwide.
The division came after the death of their Founder, and leadership tussle that followed. Sunnis are the followers of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq while Shiites are followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
In Nigeria, the Shiite movement once had their home base in Sokoto, but were dislodged from Sokoto by Sunni backed government. This is because, you can't have two Caliphs in one Caliphate.
They moved to Zaria, their current base. Zaria is strategic to them because it is on the major road that links the Nation's Capital and Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate.
Shiites see their Zaria base as a good ground to frustrate the flow of traffic to Sokoto by their countless processions.
I have been a victim of their procession before, I was rushing to Katsina to anchor a Gala Nite of Northern Regional Retreat of Management Staff of Fidelity Bank in 2013.
There was no flight from Abuja to Katsina, except Kano. I had an event in Abuja and had to leave that same day, I chattered a car from Zuba to Zaria, then from Zaria I would enter vehicle to connect Katsina or Malumfashi.
My journey was smooth, not until I got to Zaria, the Shiite procession was on. The convoy was up to 10KM stretch. I spent over 5 hours there, how I got to Katsina Motel by 3AM still remains a miracle I would forever live to tell the story.
The lawlessness of those on the procession, was something else, I think in the interest of decorum, something urgent was supposed to be done.
I think they mistook Chief of Army's Staff convoy as one of those they torment with their processions.
Blocking the convoy of a Nation's Army Chief is as good as questioning the military might of that Nation.They asked for it and got even more.
Nigeria must not sleep, because Iran is not sleeping, Iran is mourning the death of Nigerians even more than Nigerians.
Nigerian Government once arrested some owners of Supermarkets and Parks in Abuja. The suspects were allowed to go because they are Shiites. Shiites can never back Boko Haram which is a Sunni extremists fundamentalism.
Shiites number one common enemy is Isreal, but with this Zaria attack, Nigeria should look out more for Shiites and "Supermarkets owners", because their weapons may soon start to find expression in Nigeria.
In as much as we are trying to clear a blockade in Zaria, we must be mindful not to create another "Maiduguri" in Zaria.
In conclusion, I totally condemn the deaths of Nigerians in Zaria, I strongly believe that the attack by Army was disproportionate in response, but I subscribe to the school of thought that it was appropriate.
I rest my case!
Enenche Enenche (Comedian)
 21st December, 2015 9:46GMT +1

How much sex should you be having?

How much sex are you getting?
Do  you take a roll in the hay every night, once or twice a week, monthly or at no particular time? For the good of your own relationship, how much sex should you be having? Many couples do find infrequent sex to be an issue. While some are fine with the occasional 5-minutes romp under the sheets, others wish they were getting a whole lot more.
sex1
There are women who worry that their men demand too much sex and secretly wish they’d slow down. But a lot more men complain that it is their women that are not giving it up as often as they (men) desire.
More than next door
On the whole, the average couple is happy if it thinks it’s getting more sex than the couple next door regardless of how much it’s actually getting.
Having more sex than your neighbours can actually make you happy, and research shows that couples who have sex at least two to three times a month are more likely to report a higher level of happiness than those who who’ve had no sex during the previous 12 months.
The more sex people have, the happier they tend to be, even when factors like income, marital status, health and age are taken into account.
What is more surprising is that even people who have reasonable amounts of sex report lower levels of happiness if they think there is a chance they could be having less sex than their peers.
 Conversely, people who think they are getting more sex than their peers report higher levels of happiness, even if — in the great scheme of things— they aren’t having that much sex.
How much is normal?
This sounds like a simple question, but there are no right answers. What happens when a couple has what is called mismatched libidos? If she likes to have sex four times a week and he only once or twice, of course they want to find out who is the abnormal one.
Essentially the amount of sex you have will depend on you and your relationship, and that the ideal frequency is tricky to pin down.People tend to have more sex in the early stages of a relationship and less lately on.But the average does suggest that a natural sexual frequency is something like once or twice a week in a committed, long term relationship.
Many couples will be happy with less, and others will be at it every night, but if you’re up with the average at least you can stop stressing about what’s happening next door and start enjoying what’s happening in your own bedroom.
At least once a week
Every relationship is different, and the amount of sex you need is the amount that makes both partners happy. While there may be no one right answer to the question of how often couples should have sex, they should to try to do it at least once a week.
Pencilling in sex at least once a week means sex becomes a habit, something you fit in however busy or stressed you are. Once a week means you’ll get all the health and wellbeing benefits, too. So the more you have the better.
Sexless marriages
 Generally speaking, a sexless marriage is one in which a committed couple has sex less than 10 times per year. About 1 in five couples fall into this category.
This may or may not be an issue, depending on the couple. Some couples, especially older pairs who’ve been together a long time, are perfectly fine with once or twice a year or even not at all, thank you very much.
Not having sex doesn’t mean these couples aren’t deeply in love, monogamously committed and happy together. It just means that sex isn’t as high a priority for them as it is for some of their friends, neighbours or people they see on TV and in the movies.
Spice up your flagging sex life If you and your partner have gone several weeks or even months without sex and the lack of activity is troubling you, usually a little bit of effort is enough to revive your flagging sex life, especially if the emotional connection between you and your partner remains strong.
Try one or more of the following tips
Schedule it:  Sounds horribly unromantic, but really it’s quite the opposite. Plan a relaxing shower and mutual massage as part of foreplay. After all, who doesn’t look forward to a massage? Couples who search together for the right scent of massage oil are off to a great start.
Mix it up: Perhaps you’ve always had that special secret fantasy, but you’ve never mentioned it or acted on it. Now is the time to talk about it with your partner. Who knows, maybe he or she is willing to try it. And be sure to ask about his or her secret fantasy. It might be a turn-on for you, too. Just make sure that if you both say yes, you really mean to say yes. No regrets, please.
Go away. If you’ve always done it in the bedroom, try another room, the kitchen, or a hotel, or a cabin in the woods. It’s amazing what a little change of venue can do for a stale sex life.
 Be romantic
Give your partner a gift “just because.” Write a list of things you love about your partner and give it to him or her. Plan a surprise date that involves an activity you know your partner enjoys (even if it’s not your favorite thing to do).
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/much-sex/

Buhari, Jonathan emerge Vanguard Personalities of the Year, 2015

*Tinubu, Jega, heroes of democracy
*Ekwueme, Danjuma, Dafinone, Akande others win life time awards
*Oshiomhole, Amosun, Dankwambo, Shetimma emerge Governors of the Year
Muhammadu Buhari was focused in his persistent pursuit of the presidency. Having attained the maximum political office as a military head of state 32 years earlier at the age of 41, Buhari seemed determined to regain political office as president.
President Buhari, Ex-President Jonathan, Ex-INEC Chairman, Jega and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
President Buhari, Ex-President Jonathan, Ex-INEC Chairman, Jega and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
He submitted himself to a democratic process that in its course projected the re-engineering of the political landscape. In the end and for the first time in the nation’s political history, an incumbent president was defeated in an election.
In the run-up to the election, the Buhari persona became a major issue, but Buhari as candidate took the inquisition with remarkable aplomb. To the credit of the Buhari personality, many of those who contested on the platform of his party won on the coattails of his remarkable victory.
His dogged pursuit, his incomparable victory and his so far unwavering efforts in sanitising the polity, Muhammadu Buhari is by the unanimous decision of Vanguard editors, Vanguard Personality of the Year, 2015.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan – Personality of the Year, 2015
Like the mortal he is, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s fairy tale political expedition was bound to come to an end. Following his advent, President Jonathan had promised to sanitise the electoral process, just as nearly all of the nation’s previous leaders. Dr. Jonathan, however, proved to be an exception allowing the incorporation of an electoral system that eventually  led to his defeat.
President Jonathan’s decision not to seek judicial or other crude disruption of the outcome of the 2015 presidential election not only turned out to be his finest hour, but a glittering anchor that has helped to stabilise the nation’s democracy.
For his brave smile in the face of defeat, his efforts in refining the nation’s electoral system and his continuing continental role in the promotion of democracy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is the choice of Vanguard editors for Joint Personality of the Year, 2015.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Hero of Democracy
Unarguably one of the country’s leading political engineers, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now taken his remarkable political wizardry to the national space. His dogged resistance to the encroachments of the former ruling party in Lagos State, and to its routing in most of the Southwest states, largely bore the footprints of the former Lagos State governor.
Tinubu’s central role in the enthronement of the new administration and the eclipse of the former government has been generally acknowledged by friends and foes. Remarkably, he has achieved his aim within the rules of democracy. For his political dexterity and commitment to the rule of law in his political engagements, Vanguard recognises Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Hero of Democracy, 2015.
Professor Attahiru Jega – Hero of Democracy
Professor Attahiru Jega, a former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, boosted his pedigree in 2011 when he conducted one of Nigeria’s most credible general elections. He was at that time less than 10 months in the saddle as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. In 2015, in spite of pressures from many quarters he introduced many innovations into balloting in Nigeria such as the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and Smart Card Readers (SCR), which helped to reduce ballot rigging in the general polls. His efforts led to the first undisputed presidential election in Nigeria’s practise of presidential democracy.
Lifetime Achievements Awards
*Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Group
*Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd)
*Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman, BUA Group
*Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President
*Senator David Dafinone, Eminent Accountant
 *Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, President, LCCI
 African Businessman of The Year
 *Dr Mike Adenuga, Jnr, Chairman, Globacom
Governors of The Year
 Adams Oshiomhole, Governor, Edo State
 Ibikunle Amosun, Governor, Ogun State
 Kashim Shettima, Governor, Borno State
 Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe State Gov
Vanguard

Never Jettisoned Tomorrow Success For Today's Arrogance

Eight months ago she was a minister in Africa's most populous nation and the president of OPEC making her one of the world's most powerful women alive.
Today she is begging the cold hands of death to spare her life from the grip of cancer.
Seven months ago he had won the biggest soccer leauge in the world as manager of one of the world's most talked about football teams.
Today he is jobless and the butt of the cruelest of jokes in the sports world.
He was released after 1year to serve a 4year house arrest term for culpable homiside of his model South African girlfriend.
Then suddenly, on December 3rd he was convicted of murder for the same action by an appeal court
On Saturday afternoon he was leading the polls to be governor of his Nigerian middle belt state. By 7pm he was pronounced dead by the doctors.
And so the stories of Diezani, Mourinho, Oscar and Audu remind us of what effect the snap of a finger can have on our lives and how unready life can make us look regardless of the insight and work invested into securing tomorrow.
While there is enormous stupidity in living recklessly under the umbrella of "One Life", there is a want of wisdom in believing that tomorrow is guaranteed as a result of individual struggle and will. Even the son of God disagrees with that notion, teaching that you prayed for DAILY bread and let the anxiety over tomorrow be.
No excuse at all to be planless for even ants are not that senseless but please appreciate the gift of grace that you have nothing to do with. In the words of Nigerian comedian Basket mouth : "if you think say na by your power you dey wake up, set alarm clock for the head of dead body"
Dear blessed and privileged reader of this message, let humility and gratitude greet your everyday approach to life and never mix confidence for a better tomorrow for arrogance in its certainty from self will.


Emma Ugolee

Obafemi Martins Obagoal bags American citizenship

Nigeria      international Obafemi Martins will no longer count as a foreigner for Seattle Sounders as he has been listed as an American following the issuance of a Green Card to the ex-Inter Milan forward.
Nigeria allows for dual citizenship and this is also good news for Seattle Sounders, who could now sign another foreign player in place of Martins.
Obafemi Martins obtained the Green Card at some point this year and this was confirmed when the Major League Soccer (MLS) released the roster update for all the 20 MLS teams and listed Martins as a home player.
Sounders may benefit more in cases like that of ‘Oba’ as Jamaicans, Oniel Fisher and Damion Lowe, who have spent several years as students and professionals in the US could obtain Green Cards soon.
MLS clubs are allowed to have eight foreign nationals.


Vanguard

66 soldiers on death row saved

For the 66 soldiers sentenced to death for mutiny and other offences in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, the good news is that they will no longer face the firing squad.
The Army authorities announced, yesterday, that their death sentences had been commuted to terms of 10 years imprisonment.
“The death sentences by firing squad, passed on 66 soldiers in January and March, 2015, by separate General Court Martials (GCMs), have been commuted to 10 years imprisonment each”, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Usman Sani, said yesterday.
After the sentencing of 12 soldiers to death for shooting at a vehicle conveying the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State, Major-General Ahmed Mohammed, the Army authorities, on October 2, 2014, at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison, inaugurated another nine-man GCM to try about 100 soldiers.
The soldiers were charged with offences ranging from mutiny to assault, misconduct and tampering with military property.
Of the lot, 77 were accused of committing mutiny, punishable by death.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/66-soldiers-on-death-row-saved/

American Politics: Sanders apologises to Clinton over data breach

Bernie Sanders has apologised to fellow US Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton after his staff stole valuable voting data from her campaign.
"This is not the type of campaign that we run," he said during a TV debate.
The candidates criticised Republican frontrunner Donald Trump for his call to ban Muslims from entering the US.
But they clashed over Syria, with Mr Sanders accusing Ms Clinton of being set on regime change while she said US leadership was needed.
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley also took part in the debate in Manchester, New Hampshire.




But the former secretary of state remains the frontrunner.
On Syria, she insisted that the US should seek to remove President Bashar al-Assad from power.
"If the US does not lead, there is not another leader - there is a vacuum," she said.
Mr Saunders however argued that the US should first concentrate on defeating so-called Islamic State (IS).
"Getting rid of dictators is easy, but you have to think about what happens the day after," he said.

Screen showing number of tweets about each candidate
Image caption
Clinton and Sanders got about the same number of Twitter mentions during the debate
These differences aside, the BBC's Laura Bicker at the debate says the candidates are not seeking a damaging race and used their TV appearances to appear as safe adults serious about policy in comparison to their Republican rivals.
Both had strong words for Mr Trump, with Ms Clinton calling him "the biggest recruiter for IS" and saying he used "bigotry and bluster to inflame people".
The debate was the first for Democrats since 14 people were killed by a married couple that the authorities say had been radicalised.
All three candidates said it was important to work more closely with Muslim-American communities to tackle radicalism at home.
Data access
Bernie Sanders admitted that on two occasions his campaign could see proprietary data from Hillary Clinton's campaign following computer breaches - which he said were the fault of the software vendor.
He said that the most recent breech involved inappropriate behaviour by one of his staff members, adding that person had now been dismissed.
He said that the Democratic Party's decision to temporarily suspend his campaign's access to the strategically crucial database was "an egregious act".

US Democratic presidential hopefuls (L-R) Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin OImage copyright AFP/Getty
Image caption
All three candidates criticised Republican frontrunner Donald Trump
The Sanders campaign on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee in a federal court to restore its access to the voter data.
Strategically important information on voters is contained in the database, which campaigns use to decide strategy.
That data takes on a crucial role as campaigns prepare for early primary voting in just over a month's time.
http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-35144242

US spending bill lifts 40-year ban on crude oil exports

US politicians have approved a measure to lift the 40-year ban on crude oil exports.
The move is part of a $1.1 trillion (£738bn) spending bill approved by the Senate on Friday that will fund the US government until 2016.
Oil prices rose on Friday following several weeks of falls, as the markets cope with a glut of crude.
US West Texas Crude gained 1.1% to $36.38 a barrel, while Brent rose 0.7% to $37.32 a barrel.
US oil producers will now be able to sell crude to the already saturated international market.




The bulk of US oil comes from shale producers. Production and exploration companies argued the ban - imposed during the Arab oil embargo in the mid-1970s - was outdated and unnecessary.
Opponents claimed that lifting the ban would lead to the loss of oil refining jobs and would be bad for the environment.
As a trade-off for lifting the ban, the spending bill includes tax breaks for solar and wind power and a pledge by Republicans not to block a $500m payment to the UN Green Climate Fund.
President Obama signed the bill into law on Friday.
The global glut meant that lifting the ban was not expected to lead to significant US exports for months or even years, but could give producers extra flexibility.
George Baker, head of Producers for American Crude Oil Exports, said: "Now that we have levelled the playing field, the United States finally has an opportunity to compete and realise our nation's full potential as a global energy superpower."
Tom O'Malley, executive chairman of refiner PBF Energy, claimed that lifting the ban would lead at least one oil refinery on the US east coast to close.
"This is a crazy thing to do. Once you lift it, it's hard to reverse it," he said.


BBC

Guus Hiddink Replaces Mourinho At Chelsea As Interim Manager

Guus Hiddink has been appointed Chelsea manager until the end of the season, the Premier League champions announced on Saturday.
 The experienced Dutch coach, 69, succeeds Jose Mourinho, who was sacked on Thursday, and returns to a role he previously performed in 2009, when he led Chelsea to glory in the FA Cup.
guus.jpe
“I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge,” Hiddink said in a statement on the Chelsea website.
“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but is not where it should be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around.
nigerianbulletin

Alleged 32bn arms deal fraud: Court grants Dasuki, others bail

Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki,rtd
Justice  Hussein  Baba Yusuf  of the  Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama has granted bail to the  former National Security Adviser,  NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd. Others equally granted bail by the high court were  the erstwhile  Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu and the former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission, NNPC,   Aminu Baba-Kusa .
The trio are answering to a  19-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Economic  and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In a ruling this afternoon, trial Justice Yusuf gave the accused persons bail in the sum of N200million each.
The court further ordered the accused persons to produce one surety each, who must be a  serving or retired civil servant not below the rank of a Director. According to the court, the surety must show evidence of his or her ownership of a landed property in Abuja of  which value must not be lower than N200million.
Besides, the accused persons were ordered to surrender their international passports to the Registrar of the High Court, even as they were forbade from travelling outside the jurisdiction of the court without permission. Dasuki and the other accused persons are facing trial alongside  two firms-  Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/alleged-32bn-arms-deal-fraud-court-grants-dasuki-others-bail/

Naira Appreciates Against The Dollar

Good news as the Nigerian naira on Friday appreciated against the dollar at the parallel after weeks of free fall against the greenback.
 The currency gained N10 to exchange at N270 to the dollar after it nosedived to N280 on Thursday.
 At the official interbank window, it gained N0.03 to close at N196.97 to the dollar.
 Traders said currency speculators were afraid that the naira could sell below their expectations and this forced them to release foreign exchange for sale.
 Also Nigerians living abroad would be coming home with a lot of foreign currencies during the Yuletide period which will also help reduce the pressure on the foreign exchange market and strengthen the naira.

 NAN

Jose Mourinho sacked: Who will Chelsea turn to next?

The king is dead. Long live, well, who?
Chelsea's fans sang Jose Mourinho's name until the end, but ultimately their loyalty and a Premier League triumph seven months ago were no protection from owner Roman Abramovich's ruthless streak.
Now their attention turns to the next man to ride the club's managerial bucking bronco. But who are the potential contenders?
Click the link below to read more


http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/35125699

Justin Bieber Is Now SLEEPING With Kourtney Kardashian

In the world of affection nothing is impossible. According to TMZ it has just be confirmed through Kris Jenner that Justin Bieber is now SLEEPING with Kourtney Kardashian. That family is COMPLETE AND UTTER TRASH. Why do we say this? Well cause the word on the street is that Justin Bieber already slept with Kourtney's two sisters Kendall and Kylie.
Justin already had a close relationship with Kourtney -- and her ex Scott Disick. This past spring, Justin played babysitter to Mason Disick -- Kourtney's eldest son -- watching and playing with the boy in a pool. Justin posted a pic of them having fun on his Instagram account. Kourtney shared it as well
Justin is 21, Kourtney is 35 -- and the mother of three. This could get real interesting . . .

INEC Takes Decision On Bayelsa Rerun

After the inconclusive results, The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed January 9, 2016 for the supplementary election of the Southern Ijaw Local Council, Bayelsa state.
INEC.jpg
 According to THE GUARDIAN, multi sources within the Commission claim that the date is widely acceptable to all the principal actors in the election saga.
 INEC boss is set to meet with all the parties that participated in the last election, together with all the candidates on Thursday in Abuja.

So Sad! Husband Shots Wife 13 Times Because She Couldn't Let Him Sleep

Sometimes we can really pinpoint where this world is going. A husband shot his wife and mother-of-two 13 times in the face while her sons were in the next room because she 'wouldn't let me sleep', according to police. Dorian Barker, 31, was arrested on Monday night in Indianapolis for allegedly killing wife Penny Jones-Barker, 28, after cops were called to a domestic disturbance at around 10.15pm.
Police said that when they arrived they found Barker standing on his front step, and when they asked him if everything was OK he responded 'yes', before adding: 'No, I just killed my wife.'
 According to court documents seen by the Indianapolis Star, as Barker was led to a police car he told police: 'She's been trying to kill me all day. She wouldn't let me sleep.'
 At the station, while being read his Miranda rights, Barker is reported to have interrupted the officer by reaching across the table and crumpling the paper he was reading from into a ball.
 Inside the home officers said they found Jones, who had only been married to Barker since July, laying on the sofa with gunshot wounds to the face.
A Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol was found on the floor nearby, while 13 shell casing were recovered by crime lab technicians.
 Jones's sons, aged 5 and 11, were asleep in an adjoining room at the time of the killing and are now in the custody of child protective services.
 The murder was apparently witnessed by Jones's sister, who was sitting and smoking on the sofa with her when Barker came into the room. The sister said that Jones told Barker to put the gun away, and that he was scaring her, but he refused to do so.
 Instead, the sister says, Barker walked around to the front of the sofa before unloading the weapon's entire magazine into her head.
 The sister said she ran into a back bedroom before deciding to escape, then went back into the living room. There, she picked up the weapon and intended to take it, but thought better of it and dropped it before leaving the house.
Barker has been arrested twice before on domestic violence charges during previous relationships, but both times the charges were dismissed.
 In 2007 he was charged with strangulation, battery and domestic battery, while in 2012 he was again charged with strangulation, intimidation, two counts of battery and two counts of domestic battery.
 He is now being held in custody accused of murder.
 According to the Indy Star, Jones drove buses and worked as a home health aide with the elderly in order to support her family.
 Facebook posts in the days before she was killed show her at the mall meeting Santa with her son and a young nephew.
 On December 13, just a day before she died, she posted an image of a Christmas tree in the family living room, saying: 'Christmas at the Barker's. Now who's going to help me wrap all these gifts?'
 Devnee Kendrick, who identified herself as Jones's sister online, wrote: 'Oh Penny I can't stop crying sister, oh my God sister my heart aches for you.
'I just want my sister back. I have never felt anything like this. I just can't stomach this s***. I'm so sick Penny, I'm sick.
LIB

N1.04 trn fine: MTN refuses to pay, threatens court action

MTN Nigeria has finally concluded it would not pay the N1.04 trn fine, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC imposed on it, for its failure to disengage about 5.1 million improperly registered subscribers on its network in August and September 2015 and has decided to challenge the NCC in court. Not even the reduction of the fine to N780 billion last week by the commission, could sway the telecommunications company.
Addressing its shareholders, yesterday, MTN said that “all factors having a bearing on the matter have been thoroughly and carefully considered including a review of the circumstances leading to the fine and the subsequent letters received from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“MTN Nigeria acting on legal advice has resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof is not in accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act. Accordingly MTN has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs.
Appropriate reliefs
MTN is advised that in the current circumstances in line with the lis pendens rule (pending legal action) the parties are enjoined to restrain from taking further action until the matter is finally determined. This is consistent with previous judicial decisions in Nigeria”.
The telecommunications company said that notwithstanding this action, the company will continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities to try and ensure an amicable resolution in the best interests of the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities. The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last week reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N780 billion. However, the commission also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015.
Meanwhile, the MTN’s latest decision has attracted several reactions from stakeholders in the industry. While some agreed that MTN reserved the right to seek court interpretation to the issue, others warned of the consequences taking the matter to court might bring to both the company, the sector and the country at large particularly with the level of impact the sector has on foreign direct investment and the country’s GDP.
Chairman of the Association of  Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, said that although MTN has the right to seek court action as a company, over matters that were not clear to it, the implication of taking the matter to court is that investors who would have ordinarily strolled into the country to do business would have to wait to see the outcome of the case before doing so. “I hope this matter would be resolved amicably for the interest of all and the sector. No foreign investor would want to come to the sector now if the matter is in court until they see the direction of the resolution. That is an implication that may also tell on the contribution of the sector to the GDP” he added.
Also president of Teledom Group, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, added that taking the matter to court may be a business decision following the nature of Nigeria’s judicial system. “Anything is possible. It may be a business decision, considering that before the case would go through all the levels to Supreme Court, it may have taken five years, of which they may have recouped a lot of gains to pay the fine. But if the court finds out there was an infraction and that the fine by NCC was in the right direction, MTN should know that it would not only pay the fine but also compensations. All these would also impact the sector in one way or the other. So amicable resolution would have served better option”.
In his reaction, President of Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr Lanre Ajayi, said that going to court to seek clarification, was a right no one should fault MTN on, if all other options have been exhausted. He, however, said that he did not believe that it would impact the sector negatively in any way. The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last week reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N780 billion.
However, the commission also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015. The fine imposed on the telecom operator followed what NCC described as MTN’s inability to disconnect about 5.1 million Nigerian subscribers improperly registered on its network, after several warnings in August and September 2015.


Vanguard

Get Use To A Real Jagaban

Jagaban Nigeria. (1) Prof Yemisi Osinbajo SAN was Tinubu's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. He is today, Nigeria's Vice President (2) Rauf Aregbesola was Tinubu's Commissioner for work. Today he is serving his second tenure as Governor of Osun State (3) Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN was Tinubu's Chief of Staff and successor in office. He is today Nigeria's Minister of Power, works and housing (4) Alhaji laid Muhammed was Tinubu's first chief of staff. He is today Nigeria's Minister of information (5) Babatunde fowler was appointed by Tinubu as Chairman of the Lagos state Internal Revenue Service. Today, he is the Executive Chairman of the Federal inland Revenue Service. At the National Assembly, there are countless "Tinubu boys" who have occupied and are still occupying seats till today. Since 1999, the Tinubu camp has produced almost 98% of the members of the National Assembly from Lagos state. Forget politics, this man is a political enigma. Rewind to 1999 I am sure most of us have forgotten the names of the people who were elected Governors then. Some of them have gone out of circulation. Some are gasping for breath politically. Indeed, most of them are no longer relevant today. Who still remember Mbadinuju of Anambra state, Jolly Nyame of Taraba, Muhammed lawal of kwara, Segun Osoba of Ogun state, Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto, Achike udenwa of Imo, Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom, Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia? That one has lost two consecutive senatorial elections. But Tinubu has not only managed to remain extremely relevant, he has continued to control Lagos politics 100%. Not only that, he manages to carry his boys along and today they occupy critical position in our national life. Take it or leave it, Tinubu is today, Nigeria's most powerful political entity. It didn't just happen by chance. He worked very hard for it. Very very hard. The hallmark of a true leader is not just the ability to rule well but also the ability to nurture and groom his associates. THE JAGABAN!!!

Uncertainty Shrouded Mourinho's Future At Chelsea

Last season's Premier League champions Chelsea are two places above the relegation zone after 16 matches
Speculation about Jose Mourinho's position as Chelsea manager is nothing new and will "ebb away", says former Blues winger Pat Nevin.
Mourinho's future at the club is in question following discussions about his position among Blues directors.
The Premier League champions' defeat at Leicester on Monday - their ninth loss in 16 league games - left them a point above the relegation places in 16th.
Asked if Mourinho, 52, would be sacked, Nevin said: "I don't see it happening."
The Scot, a regular pundit on Chelsea's television channel, was speaking on a special BBC Radio 5 live programme about Mourinho's future.
Nevin, who played for the London club from 1983-1988, added: "I've been outside Stamford Bridge seven or eight times after games this season and the mood today is no different.
"I would agree the manager's future has been in doubt for months, but that doesn't mean he will go.
"It builds up and comes to a crescendo, but every time it then ebbs away."
Chelsea host fellow strugglers Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.
◾'Mourinho gone when Chelsea find right replacement'
'The nuclear option'
Nevin was asked about comments Mourinho made immediately after Monday's 2-1 defeat.
The Portuguese said he felt his "work was betrayed" by his players at the King Power Stadium.


BBC