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".
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 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

Senate approves MTEF as oil prices, Naira crash further

The Senate, yesterday, approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, 2016-18 submitted by the Federal Government, basing the financial estimates on oil revenue at benchmark of $38 per barrel and exchange rate at N197/ $1. MTEF and FSP are the three-year fiscal plan from where the annual budget is extracted.
PIC.23. SENATE CHAMBER DURING THE INAUGURATION OF THE 8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY (9/6/15). 3023/9/6/2015/CH/BJO/NAN
But the international oil prices and the domestic currency market at the parallel segment have all moved against both benchmarks, yesterday.
While the global oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude closed, yesterday, at $35.83 per barrel, down by 4.07 per cent and Brent Crude down by 3.25 per cent to $37.20 per barrel, the OPEC reference where Nigeria’s Bonny Light trades also closed lower at $32.6 per barrel, far below the Federal Government’s 2016 budget benchmark.
Similarly, while the official exchange rate has been retained by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, at N197/ $1, the Naira crashed to N270 per dollar at the parallel market, yesterday.
Market operators blamed the continued crash in Naira value at the parallel market on constrains in the supply of the foreign exchange resources coupled with speculations that official devaluation is becoming inevitable following steady decline in foreign reserves and dollar inflow from crude oil sales.
The speculations appeared further fuelled by CBN’s reduction of quantity of foreign exchange supply to Bureaux de Change, BDCs, yesterday to $10,000, down by over 66 per cent from $30,000 per week.
At the backdrop of these developments, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the 2016 budget estimates to the National Assembly on Tuesday  for further deliberations and final approval of the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
Single salary account  for all employees
Meanwhile, the Senate also approved, yesterday, that the Federal Government should, in 2016, establish a data base and possibly a single salary account for all its employees to help streamline and reduce its personnel cost.
The Senate also urged the government to sustain the implementation of Treasury Single Account, TSA, in 2016  with e- collection platform.
President Buhari had, Wednesday, December 8, forwarded the MTEF and FSP  to the National Assembly with far reaching economic proposals including scraping of oil sector subsidy.
President Buhari wrote the National Assembly yesterday, informing it of his readiness to present the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who read Buhari’s  letter at plenary, said the President had requested to address the joint session of the federal parliament on the 2016 budget at exactly 10:00 am.
The approval of the MTEF and FSP documents were sequel to a report by the Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriations; and National Planning and Economic Affairs by the Chairman, Senator John Owan Enoh.
Recommendations
In the approved MTEF report, the Senate also asked the Federal Government to sustain the current tempo towards increasing Federal Government internally generated revenue and diversification of the economy, as well as the projected increase in oil production from current 1.9 million barrels per day, mbpd, to 2.2 mbpd
Other recommendations of the joint committee as approved by the Senate were: “that the relevant committees of the National Assembly should closely and constantly maintain oversight over the ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs,  responsible for implementing special intervention programmes to ensure that the targeted benefits are achieved while safeguarding against abuses.
“The diversification of the economy should be accompanied with economic modernisation such that the economy can be more competitive and productive; arrears of 2015 fuel subsidy for domestic consumption as proposed in the MTEF be sustained;the funding of the infrastructural development stated in the MTEF should be clearly captured in the details of the 2016 Appropriation Bill;
“The National Assembly in close collaboration with the executive should as a matter of urgency consider an accelerated passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) particularly those sections with implication on joint venture funding by the federal government (JV Cash Calls).”
In his remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki who noted that the contents of the MTEF document had clearly indicated that Nigerians were  going to a very challenging times in 2016 because the nation was still practicing a mono economy with a product that we do not control the price, stated: “We must continue to increase our independent revenue, we must make effort to increase our tax revenue and the committees should intensity efforts in their oversight activities.
“We must also work to reduce the level of borrowing and the executive should also comply with the senate recommendations on the MTEF particularly as regards to oil subsidy. The situations in the past where we submit MTEF and we then go to do something completely different I think should not be entertained again.”
Naira depreciates to N270/$ in parallel market
Vanguard investigation revealed that from N260 per dollar at the close of business on Tuesday, the parallel market exchange rate rose sharply to N270 per dollar in Lagos, indicating N10 depreciation.
But in Abuja, the parallel market exchange rate rose from N262 per dollar to close at N273 per dollar, indicating N11 depreciation.
BDC operators, who confirmed this development to Vanguard, said the sharp depreciation was due to further reduction in the weekly dollar sales by the CBN.
President, Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, told Vanguard that though the CBN increased the number of BDCs it sold dollars to from 1,170 last week to 2,270 this week, it however reduced the amount of dollars sold to each BDC by 60 per cent from $30,000 to $10,000.
According to Mr. Harrison Owoh, Chief Executive Officer, H.J Trust BDC, the decision of the CBN aggravated the demand situation in the market.
He said: “There is huge volume of unsatisfied demand in the market. We had to turn down lots of request for dollars because there is no dollars to sell to them,” he told Vanguard.
An Abuja-based BDC operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity told Vanguard: “The dollar is selling at N273 in Abuja this evening. It was N262 in the morning. We are surprised at the pace of depreciation, because we can’t explain why it just went up by such margin in one day.”
Speculative reaction
On this development, Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the reduction in dollar sales to BDCs is part of the demand management of the CBN in the foreign exchange market.
He said the depreciation of the naira to N270 per dollar is a speculative reaction to the development.
According to him, “the rate is not sustainable. This is because there are still other windows for end users to buy dollars at lower rate. They can buy dollars at the official rate from the deposit money banks, and from Travelex inside the airport. So by the time people know about these alternatives, the reaction in the parallel market, and the exchange rate will calm down.”
Further investigations reveal that the naira also depreciated heavily against the British pounds. From N365 per pounds at the close of business last week, the parallel market exchange rate rose sharply to N385 per pounds at the close of business yesterday.
In addition to the reduction in dollar sales by CBN, foreign exchange supply from autonomous sources is thinning due to hording.  “People are hording their dollars in anticipation of further depreciation of the naira, while some are demanding higher exchange rate before they sell,” said the Abuja-based BDC operator.


Vanguard

Why I’ll continue to oppose Buhari, APC — Gov FAYOSE

GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, in this encounter, bares his mind on the setting up of a military panel headed by Maj-Gen Adeniyi Oyebade to look into the roles of the military in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti among other burning national issues. Excerpts:
By Dapo Akinrefon
His take on the Military panel
After I won the election, there was this effort to stop the swearing in that generated a lot of controversy. There was one story of photo-chromic military rigging and all that.
After Dr Kayode Fayemi conceded, the All Progressives Congress, APC, still went ahead to challenge it up to the Supreme Court and we still won. The Supreme Court dealt properly with the issue of impeachment and it did not raise issues of whether the elections were won or not. It talked about the issue of certificate that was raised in 2002 and it equally raised the issue of non qualification as a result of impeachment. The court dealt with it all and it was a landmark judgement already reported in all law journals. So, ordinarily, I think this should put paid to all these stories.
An online newspaper generated a report of a conversation and I came out to say that I was part of the conversation, I was the complainant in that conversation. Why set up a military committee to look into the Ekiti and Osun elections that were adjudged to be free and fair? The Americans and international observers made it very clear that they recommend the way the Ekiti elections were run for subsequent elections.
To my surprise, I heard they set up a panel to look into activities of some military men during the elections in Ekiti and Osun, that is their choice. To fulfil all righteousness, I sent my Attorney-General and Commissioner for Information to give them information that they may not have. For instance, they might not be privy to the observers’ report. If the international community says the elections were free and fair, that the military did well, the military will be on their own if they indict their personnel because of politics.
Criticising Buhari
I have been very critical of this government and I will continue to be critical of any government in Nigeria because democracy is about opposition and the government in power. I have no regrets and I am not sorry about my actions. I did not start after Buhari’s election, I started before the elections.
Fayose
Fayose
I actually told Nigerians not to vote for him (Buhari), I made advertorials and I am still not sorry for that, I still maintain my stand because I envisaged this disobedience of court orders and dictatorship. Forget about those who rule Nigeria but we must be governed by the rule of law.
Those who promoted Buhari to be president, at one time or the other later in this country, will regret, and most of them are already regretting and suffering in silence because when you promote a lion and you don’t remember to tame its claws and jaws, one day you will end up in its stomach.
What they are doing now is that they went to Kaduna, after all submissions, they now want to say the military rigged Ekiti election. So, I want to remind them, they are on the verge of destroying democracy in Nigeria. Call it fighting corruption but they are on the verge of destroying democracy in Nigeria.
On Kogi election: The Kogi experience is still very fresh. It doesn’t matter which party I belong to but Nigerians, their votes, and their views must be respected; a man did not participate in an election and he is the beneficiary of that election.
If a man is dead he should not enjoy democracy and votes from an election. Automatically, election came, processes followed and a winner must be announced; Wada was supposed to be announced. Now that you have equally chosen not to announce Wada I don’t know how you brought somebody else who did not participate in the elections. I must commend Faleke. I am not saying he is the winner but we must commend him for standing out in the midst of this darkness.
God uses a man for a purpose in a given time. Faleke is being used for a purpose in this period of this democracy. Look at what happened in Bayelsa where the military were engaging the electorate physically. It is all over the social media. We will continue to remember Buhari for his antecedents and his current  attitude which undermines our democracy.  I am telling him again, the consequences of dictatorship is the fall of the dictator. It is either he threads softly and remember the same Nigerians who gave him the opportunity after several attempts.
Arms deal: Again, I want to talk about the N2.1bn arms deal. I agree with them; we should all fight corruption.
Continuing with propaganda
 All I am saying is that the security votes under the National Security Adviser (NSA) is part of the prerogative of the President at a given time to stabilise the country. President Buhari must be bold enough to go beyond Jonathan’s tenure and let us look at all the NSA’s in office in the last 16 years.
He should go a little further, the Halliburton is there why is he shying away from going there? I am telling you corruption is even higher under Buhari than ever before.   We cannot continue with this propaganda and I want to say that Buhari should make public in the last 16 years, finance under the NSA.
Ekiti mandate: Ekiti people gave me free mandate to govern them. I am the first person in Ekiti to be governor twice. I am the first Nigerian and Nigerian politician to defeat two incumbent governors at two different attempts. I have records when they talk they say I wore particular type of cloth what is their business. The people that I govern are very happy with me whether I wear tattered clothes. They are hypocrites, they do something else in dark corners and another one in the open.
They made attempt to make my swearing in impossible but the people rose against them, the went to ensure I was impeached but the people rose against them, they made attempt to the Supreme Court to stop me they were stopped; they are at it again, they want to use military panel.
Would you say that the role of the military for example in Ekiti was perfect or otherwise?
I am not in a position to judge Ekiti election, but we have judgment, opinions about Ekiti election. The international community, the Americans phoned to congratulate me personally and they wrote, it is on their website where they recommended Ekiti election for all elections in Nigeria, the conduct, the handling by the military. They recommended it for the 2015 elections.
You expressed your view about what transpired at the military panel, a decision which you said was going to be pursued up to the Supreme Court and you tried to predict what is likely to happen to your victory at the polls, tell us who are the people behind this plot?
APC, the President himself. That military panel was selected for this hatchet job. The same military handled the election in Ekiti and Osun. PDP won in Ekiti but APC won in Osun, heavens did not fall. They have a target, but we are waiting for them.
Now that you are perceived as the face of the opposition, are you not worried about your safety?
My brother, forget that one! This year I am 55, I will be 56 next year. If I die today, I have five sons; they will do a big party. People will console them that your father lived an exemplary life, he was governor twice.
Military panel for hatchet job
They will still move on and enjoy my wealth. Those things we fear most happen to us eventually. I am not a coward, life is not about how many years you live but what you stand to represent. Within or outside Ekiti, I don’t use siren.
I don’t carry policeman or DSS about, I don’t need them. If you come you are only wasting your time because I have nothing to hide, there is even no money for anybody to steal.
I stood to fight all through the eight years and as God would have it look, I left October 16, 2006, I came back October 16, 2014. That is instructive that God is with me. The very day the Buhari-administration faces me, his government will come down.
Any government that confronts me will come down, it will not stand the test of time. Why would you muscle everybody because we are opposed to you. I am in PDP and will never go to any other party. I am Ayo Fayose, I was governor without a godfather, I was there for three and half years before Obasanjo took me out. I am back now but Obasanjo is an expired man today, and I am still making impacts. He is expired, he goes to Aso Rock to go and beg every week, prostrating. How many times did Buhari visited him when he was president in Aso Rock? Buhari did not step Aso Rock throughout not even in Council of State meeting.


Van

Presidency Reveals! We Got 2 Cars Not 5 From Dasuki

As culled from LIB, Press statement from the Presidency...they admit the president collected one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV but deny he received three hundred thousand dollars. Read below...
Our attention has been drawn to reports making the rounds, especially on internet-based media, that President Muhammadu Buhari received $300,000.00 and up to five armoured SUVs from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the aftermath of the attack on his convoy in Kaduna last year. We unequivocally deny that President Buhari received $300,000.00 or any monetary compensation whatsoever from the Jonathan Presidency or any of its officials, in the aftermath of that attack, or at any other time since then.
While it is true that one armoured SUV and one untreated SUV were sent to the President in the aftermath of the attack, the vehicles were in keeping with his entitlements as a former Head of State under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (And other Ancillary Matters) Decree of 1999. Section 3, Sub Section 1 of that Decree provides that three vehicles will be provided for former heads of state and replaced every four years. There was therefore nothing untoward, illegal or tending to corruption in former Head of State Buhari and Presidential aspirant, as he then was, receiving vehicles, to which he was statutorily entitled , from the Federal Government of Nigeria. President Buhari had in keeping with his austere, spartan and frugal disposition shunned most of his entitlements as a former Head of State, but was prevailed upon by his supporters to accept the two vehicles for his personal safety in the aftermath of the dastardly attempt to assassinate him. It is preposterous to think that the President will allow his acclaimed reputation of honesty and incorruptibility to be tarnished by accepting a questionable monetary compensation from a discredited regime.
Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
 December 15, 2015‎

Former NIMASA boss dragged into a waiting bus by EFCC officials: Video

Information culled from LIB has it that EFCC officials literally dragged former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA boss Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi into their waiting bus after they stormed the Federal High Court to effect his arrest today Dec 14th.
According to PM News, the embattled former Director General of NIMASA who has been arraigned before two different courts of the federal high court on charges of stealing and conversion of money running into billions of Naira, was just coming from a court presided over by justice Ibrahim Buba, where one the cases was adjourned till 18th January, 2016 for trial and was about to enter his car outside the court when he was accosted by two EFCC operatives and two armed mobile policemen.
See the video through the link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-CXV64rgaI&ebc=ANyPxKpSDcH_DGZbypCnmb4K-R13S6JtL47L5T0wPRCQa58BeDvzi_GobUFJ2F5QAF4rlSyz_oUGbJxorOCKu2-B4Zru9Hjftw

I Did Not Collect N240Million From Dasuki Says Linda Ikeji

Popular Blogger, Linda Ikeji has denied receiving N240million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
 Linda Ikeji had to issue the denial after one Kayode Ogundamisi tweeted that a popular female blogger in Lagos state received N240million from Dasuki.

See tweet alongside Linda Ikeji's denial below:

linda accused.png

 So, social commentator and activist Kayode Ogundamisi tweeted this today...he didn't mention any names but I am now trending on Twitter. Many assume he's talking about me...and you can't blame them really. He said...popular! I'm somewhat popular! He said female.. I'm female...duh! Lol. He said Lagos...I live in Lagos...in a posh place called Banana Island..lol. #Flipsweave! #Just teasing!
 So people are reacting and some actually believe it! That PDP or someone in the party gave me N240m? For what? Advert? This was why I didn't want to get politics advert money in the first place o...and but then some of you advised that I do when I asked here and now see the gbege that I have entered...lol.
 But seriously for the record...no party registered or unregistered, no human being dead or alive gave me N240m for anything. The only advert I did for PDP was a page background take-over for former president Jonathan... and they asked for the space after I did a page background take-over for APC's Akinwunmi Ambode. (I'm sure you all saw it). The two parties paid me same amount. I had a politics advert rate which I sent to everyone who wanted to advertise on LIB! And it was a few millions ...which some of you followed to chop inside in the giveaway that April...lol. #Kidding!
 Anyway, all these bad belle people looking for ways to bring a woman down...like I always say...you can't! Except you're mightier than God! Whether you like it or not, I'm a hardworking young woman who God chose to bless the work of her hand and is using me to bless others. Get over it! I am here to stay! Not going nowhere! *wink*. Make I go find una more news ojare!


LIB/Nigerianbulletin

 

Army/Shiite clash: I escaped by the will of God — Buratai

* Death toll hits 1,000, says sect spokesman
* El-Zakzaky, wife in our custody
By Henry Umoru, Luka Binniyat, Joseph Erunke & Mayen Etim
ABUJA—CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said yesterday it was by divine intervention that he escaped being assassinated on Saturday, by members of the Shiites Muslim sect.
The sect on its part claimed that at least one thousand of its members had been killed and that soldiers had evacuated their bodies following the weekend clash between its members and the military.
The Nigerian Army also said “the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife are in the custody of the Nigerian Army, “safe and sound” in a secured and protective custody.”
The army boss said contrary to claim that members of the Shiites group were not armed, they were not only heavily armed but also violently confronted him and his convoy on his way to Zaria.
The Army chief spoke to newsmen at the National Assembly complex, shortly after attending an interactive meeting called by the Senate Committee on Defence, for service chiefs.
“You want to know how I escaped? It was by the will of God that I was able to escape from the place,”he said, while advising citizens to be law abiding wherever they are.
Insisting that the group was violent, Buratai stressed: “ I think NTA was there and they aired the clip, it was very clear . They were violent and the clip is there.”
Meanwhile, the sect spokesman, Ibrahim Musa said. “We have reports that bodies of our members killed outside the house of our leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky are being evacuated in trucks by soldiers and our leader was arrested this morning (yesterday) in his demolished home by soldiers where he had been holed up in a room that was spared from the fire that gutted the house from grenades.”
Ibrahim Musa, in a statement he issued in Kaduna alleged that the army was not only selectively killing its members yesterday, but it had instigated the public to join in the killings.
 The Nigeria Police, and Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were mute yesterday over the claims.
El-Zakzaky, wife in our custody — Army
The Nigerian Army said yesterday that the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife are in its custody “safe and sound” in a secured and protective custody,
Addressing a late evening press conference yesterday, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division of Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said the order given to the troops was to ensure that the sect leader was taken into a safe custody and as at 09:15am he was brought into the custody the Army with his wife and some family members.
The GOC further said that the sect leader would soon be allowed access to his members.
General Oyebade added that in the course of operation there were casualties on both sides, but did not mention the number of casualties.
He said: “On December 12, 2015, myself and the Commissioner of Police were with President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state for an assignment when I received a distress call that the life of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was threatened by some hoodlums who blocked his way on Sokoto road in Zaria city.
“After much persuasions from senior officers on the entourage, the hoodlums who were later identified as Shi’ites members remain adamant and in line with our rules of engagement, we have no option but to clear the road for the COAS and in the course of doing that, the hoodlums started throwing missiles on us; and our men responded which resulted to minimum casualties.
“From there we received information that they have started mobilizing in one of their temples at Husainiyya, the resident of the leader at Gyellesu and on Dambo road. That was on Saturday night, this lead to a long night of battle.
“We have nothing against the Shi’ites because they’re all Nigerians and our duty is also to protect them. But we cannot tolerate them forming a government within a government. I call on all shi’ites members to be law abiding and go about their religious activities without tampering with the freedom of others,” he said.
In its own statement, Shiite said: “Following the brutal attack on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army in Zaria where scores have been extra-judicially killed, we wish to state as follows: “A source has confirmed that the Army has taken the revered leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) from his house this morning and is receiving treatment for injuries he sustained during the attack.
“About a thousand of members of the Movement have been massacred at the moment as counting continues, but the soldiers are now busy evacuating the dead bodies to unknown destination.
“There are hundreds of others that have received various degrees of injuries that are in need of assistance that have currently been denied access by the soldiers on ground who are in a killing spree, shooting anyone identified as a member of the Movement.
“The army is deliberately exploiting religious sectarian sentiment to instigate uninformed public, some of whom are now busy killing innocent and unarmed members of the Movement at sight using local weapons.
”The Army is at present dressing corpses of members of the Movement with their military attire and snapping still pictures to probably display them as soldiers killed by the Movement during the attack as a means of propaganda, whereas it was solely an attack by the army on armless citizens.”
“The army has also stationed road blocks in Zaria picking out innocent unarmed people that look like members of the Movement and killing them in cold block. Even today they put an army road block in Zaria to Kaduna highway near Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, searching for any member of the Islamic Movement. The most weird of many of such cases is that of an army road block at Dogarawa near Zaria where they killed thirty of our members traveling to Zaria yesterday Sunday.
“We wish to state here that some of those earlier declared dead through various sources might not have been killed but might be severely injured and in need of assistance.
“In connection with the above mentioned, we wish to declare as follows:
“Members of the Movement should be allowed immediate access to Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) as a means of taming the the situation from aggravating unnecessarily.
“We believe that the army is clearing the corpses to unknown locations for mass burials to cover up for it’s crime. We hereby demand unequivocally that they should release the corpses to us, so that we can give them a proper Islamic burial. The people they killed are not foreigners, they are citizens with their relatives known.
“The Army should stop the unnecessary stage management of the whole incident making it look like what it is not through false and provocative press statements, incitements and ground activities which might not augur well for everyone.
“Access to health facilities should immediately be allowed to those injured anywhere in Zaria.
“We believe that this incident is planned and executed by the government which has been looking the other way while the army was killing members of the Movement for a period of over 27 hours from Saturday on without any statement and is still quiet as the army continues with its killing spree.
“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria is a peaceful and unarmed Movement with members in every cadre of the society that are entitled to every rights enjoyed by every other Nigerian, including religious rights, whose fundamental rights have been trampled upon by the government in its claim to be fighting against violent extremism, but instead spreading violence and hatred using state machinery.
“Finally, as the Army continues its genocide on members of the Movement, with support of the government, we hereby call on peace lovers and the international community to join us in condemning the act for it is virtually ridiculous to think that the government can kill the millions of members of the Movement”.
Meanwhile, Vanguard findings showed that normalcy has returned to the affected parts of Zaria town and government offices, markets, shops and other business activities as well as bus town services had commenced.
 But Banks in Zaria remained under lock and key.
“We are grateful things are gradually coming back to shape,” said Makama Sani, to our reporter on phone.
“As I am taking to you now I am just from PZ area, I went round Sabongari and came back to Tudun Wada area,” he said.

Vanguard

Arms probe: Dasuki set to name more beneficiaries

As details of huge funds disbursed by the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki continue to surface, indications emerged last night that the embattled security czar is set to expose more top Nigerian leaders who benefited from the funds.
A source close to the former NSA, who was docked yesterday, told Vanguard that Dasuki who was arraigned yesterday alongside others on a fresh 19-count charge was ready to speak up on how the funds earmarked for his office was disbursed with details of top serving and retired Nigerian leaders who benefitted immensely from the money, which is now a subject of litigation.
Meanwhile, former Minister of  State, Finance, Bashir Yuguda ,former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Salisu,  Sagir Attahiru and a company the EFCC insisted was used to divert huge sums of money from the office of the NSA prior to the 2015 general elections, Dahaltu Investment Limited will be arraigned today even as Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications was admitted to bail yesterday.
Dasuki to expose more
According to the source close to the former NSA, it had become necessary for Dasuki to expose the first in the series of the top beneficiaries, which include former heads of state and presidents, who were bought bullet-proof Sports Utility Vehicles by the ONSA with funds approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Click the link below to read more


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/arms-probe-dasuki-set-to-name-more-beneficiaries/

Crude Oil:Emergency Opec meeting aired as Russia braces for sub-$30 oil

Lower quality oil is already selling below $30 on global markets
Oil markets are becoming dangerous with no grown-up in charge. Spare capacity is wafer-thin, despite the glut, and any upset could trigger an oil shock

Opec will be forced to call an emergency meeting within weeks to stabilize the market if crude prices fail to rebound after crashing to eight-year lows of $35 a barrel, two of the oil cartel's member states have warned.
Emmanuel Kachikwu, Nigeria’s oil minister and Opec president until last week, said the group is still hoping that the market will recover by February as low prices squeeze out excess production from US shale, Russia and the North Sea, but nerves are beginning to fray.
“If it [the oil price] doesn’t [recover], then obviously we’re in for a very urgent meeting,” he said. Indonesia has issued similar warnings over recent days, suggesting that the Opec majority may try to force a meeting if Saudi Arabia’s strategy of flooding the market pushes everybody into deeper crisis.
The comments came as Brent crude plunged to $36.76 as the fall-out from Opec’s deeply-divided meeting earlier this month continued. Prices are now within a whisker of their Lehman-crisis lows in 2008. West Texas crude dropped to $34.54 before rebounding in late trading.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/12050437/Emergency-Opec-meeting-aired-as-Russia-braces-for-sub-30-oil.html

EFCC docks Dasuki, Yuguda, others on fresh charges today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will today arraign the embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), before an Abuja High Court on fresh charges bordering on alleged illegal diversion of public funds.
The commission has already secured leave of court to compel Dasuki and eight others, including a former Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, to enter their plea today before trial Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the FCT High Court sitting at Maitama.
Others the anti-graft agency dragged before the court over their alleged complicity in a N10 billion fraud, include the former Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu.
Equally to be docked before the court today are former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Sagir Attahiru and a company the EFCC insisted was used to divert huge sums of money from the office of the NSA prior to the 2015 general elections, Dahaltu Investment Limited.
Others are former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission, NNPC, Aminu Baba-Kusa, as well as his companies, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited.


Vanguard

Burundi crisis: US tells its citizens to leave

The US state department is warning Americans not to travel to Burundi as political violence there increases.
A travel warning issued on Sunday urges US citizens in the central African country to leave "as soon as it is feasible to do so".
On Friday, 87 people were killed after three military sites were attacked, Burundi's army said.
US rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Sunday called for an investigation into the killings.
Protests in Burundi began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office.
Last month, Belgium advised its citizens to leave Burundi, while the EU cut staff levels, temporarily evacuating employees' "families and part of the non-essential staff".
"As a result of continuing violence, the Department of State ordered the departure of dependents of US government personnel and non-emergency US government personnel from Burundi," the US statement read.
"The US Embassy is able to offer only very limited emergency services to US citizens in Burundi."
It also gave advice for citizens who may encounter violence, advising them to stay indoors in ground floor rooms, away from doors and windows.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35087894

Boris Johnson: Denmark offers answer to Cameron's EU crisis

Treaty derogation that allows Denmark to impose residency tests on property purchases examined in Brussels as compromise to rescue David Cameron's floundering benefits curb plan

David Cameron must be granted a Danish-style opt out from free movement rules in order to get his ban on migrant benefits, Boris Johnson says, ahead of a summit this week which will determine Britain’s future in the European Union.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the London Mayor said an exemption from EU rules that allows Denmark to ban non-residents from buying homes could be emulated by the UK to impose waiting times on benefits.
• Boris Johnson: If Denmark can treat foreigners differently, then so can Britain
Click the link below to read more


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/12048580/Boris-Johnson-Denmark-offers-answer-to-Camerons-EU-crisis.html