gkbnewsdigest: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

DISCARD YOUR OLD WAYS FOR PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP, SPEAKER TELLS FAYOSE

‎The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, has counseled Governor Ayodele Fayose to shun belligerent attitude in governance process, saying bare-faced lies to set the people against the APC lawmakers bears no integrity in moving the state forward.

The All Progressives Congress, APC governorship hopeful in Rivers State, Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside says Governor Chibuike Amaechi has laid a formidable foundation of service delivery in the state. Hence, he would have no reason not to perform well if he emerges governor in the 2015 general elections.

SULTAN PLEADS FOR UNITY OVER BOKO HARAM

The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has challenged Islamic sects in the country to unite and fight Boko Haram insurgency.

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has lauded the initiative of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the leadership of the 33 local government councils to collaborate and embark on construction of intra-city roads in their respective domains in fulfillment of the promise made to the people by the state government.

KILLER COP RESIGNS

SIXTY THREE PEOPLE ESCAPED DEATH AS PLANE VEERED OFF RUNWAY

Fifty-nine passengers and four crew members of Overland Airways flight ATR 72 escaped a plane crash on Saturday as the aircraft veered off the runway after landing at the Ilorin Airport in Kwara State.

EBOLA; DEATH TOLL NOW 7000 - WHO

The death toll from the worst Ebola outbreak on record has reached nearly 7,000 in West Africa, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday.

ARSENE WENGER IGNORES CRITICS

The death has occurred of Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s former foreign minister. He was aged 66.

FATHER OF KANO CHILD BRIDE APPEAL FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S LIFE

KANO, Nigeria (AP) — The father of a 14-year-old child bride accused of murdering her husband said Thursday he was appealing to a Nigerian court to spare his daughter the death sentence.
Wasilat Tasi'u is on trial for the murder of her 35-year-old husband, Umar Sani, who died after eating food that Tasi'u allegedly laced with rat poison.

Defense Chief Admits Nigeria Is Experiencing Difficult Times

Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has tasked newly promoted Generals in the Nigerian Army to rise up to the resilient security challenges currently halting the nation’s effort towards attaining its developmental goals. He categorically admitted that the country was going through difficult times.

The Defence Chief stated this during the decoration ceremony of 24 newly promoted Major Generals and over 40 Brigadier Generals in Abuja yesterday, where he noted that the senior officers have by their promotion become part of the decision makers in the army, as such, must rise up to the expectation.

He urged them not to betray the confidence reposed on them by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth T.J. Minimah while urging those not promoted not to be despaired as it would be their turn some day.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Minimah disclosed that it is only God that gives promotion.

He expressed confidence that hard work, belief and faith, which were the factors that informed the promotion of the new Generals, will see them rising above contemporary security challenges confronting the nation.

Some of those promoted as Major Generals were army headquarters AHQ Garrison Commander, Major General B.T Ndiomu, former ADC to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Major General Chris Jemitola, Major General L.C Ilo and Major General Abubakar Torfa, Major General Leo Irabor.

On the other hand, those promoted to one star General are PSO to Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier General Solomon Udounwa, Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi, Brigadier Generals Ozigi and Bakare of the Finance Corps and Brigadier General Abdulsalam of CTOP’s branch.

Daily Post.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has tasked newly promoted Generals in the Nigerian Army to rise up to the resilient security challenges currently halting the nation’s effort towards attaining its developmental goals. He categorically admitted that the country was going through difficult times.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II, on Saturday visited the city’s bloodstained central mosque, 24 hours after coordinated bomb and gun attacks there that left at least 120 people dead.

During the 20-minute-visit to the mosque, which adjoins his palace in the city, the emir directed the place be washed and cleaned, an AFP correspondent at the scene reported

VIGILANTE GROUP FOILS BOMB ATTACK IN MAIDUGURI

Civilian vigilantes working with the Nigerian military against Boko Haram on Friday said they had foiled a roadside bomb attack against worshippers at a mosque in a key northeast city.

OZIL,TOURE, HAZARD, DI MARIA ON WORLD XI SHORTLIST

A short-list of 15 midfielders from whom three will be selected

for a World XI was released by football’s World governing body FIFA on Friday.

An oil rig south of town extracts crude on July 21, 2008 in Taft, California. David McNew/Getty Images

Oil prices have been dropping sharply over the past three months — a huge energy story with major repercussions for dozens of countries, from the United States to Russia to Iran.
OPEC is now engaged in a price war with US shale oil producers

But on Friday, priceswent into serious free-fall. The reason? OPEC — a cartel of oil producers that includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela — had a big meeting in Vienna on November 27. Before the gathering, there was speculation that OPEC countries might cut back on their own oil production in order to prop up But in the end, the cartel couldn't agree on how to respond and did

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, one of Africa’s largest financial services institutions, swept the global banking awards in London Thursday, winning in five categories to become one of the highest single winning bank brands ‎at this year’s awards.

The death toll from Friday Kano mosque bombing has crossed the 1000 mark, a security source has told Pointblanknews.com.

HAUSA RIDERS, YORUBA DRIVERS CLASH IN LEKKI

Reports coming in says a riot broke out this morning in Durosinmi Eti Axis of Lekki Phase 1 in Lagos between Hausa commercial motorcyclists and Yoruba shuttle bus drivers.

BOOM TIME OIL SAVINGS SPENT ON GOVERNORS- FG

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's finance minister said on Thursday that a significant portion of the billions of dollars drained from the oil savings account over the past two years was distributed to powerful governors instead of being saved for a rainy day.

Kano Threatens To Sue Presidency, Abati For Fraud

The Kano State government has threatened to prosecute the spokesperson to the Nigerian president, Reuben Abati, for advanced fee fraud, 419, and the Presidency, the agency he represents, over the use of the state’s project photographs to promote President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

Mr. Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, had, in a 10-part series of tweets on Sunday, used photographs of the 10-storey Northwestern University and students of the Kano State Institute of Informatics to illustrate key projects he claimed the President Jonathan administration executed in the six North-West states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

The 10-storey building in Mr. Abati’s illustration was a long-standing project of the Kano State government, which was only completed and made a campus by the state’s current governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. The Kano Informatics Institute was also established in 2011, by the current governor.

Using the hashtags #DidYouKnow? #TransformationintheNorthWest #ForwardNigeria#UpJonathan #UpNigeria, Mr. Abati deployed images and graphics to illustrate what he called the president’s transformation of the North-West zone.

Mr. Abati’s tweets angered the Kano state government. It accused Mr. Abati of lying, deception and plagiarism and demanded the deletion of the tweet and a public apology. The current Kano state governor, who is claiming credits for the brandished projects, is also a presidential aspirant and member of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

The deceptive tweets also drew heavy public criticism against Mr. Abati and the presidency.

The presidential spokesperson has since deleted the tweet and replaced it with an infographic where the president’s achievements were illustrated with words scribbled in colourful speech bubbles.

Ahead of the February 15 general elections, Nigerian politicians with ambitions are desperate to brandish concrete achievements to convince the voting public they performed well in their current position, a prerequisite for public support.

419

More than 24 hours after the tweet was deleted, the Kano government said Mr. Abati is yet to apologise to it.

“We are giving him seven days to tender a public apology or we will sue him,” Jaafar Jaafar, the Special Assistant on Media to Governor Kwankwaso, told PREMIUM TIMES.

He said the state government was approaching its lawyers to kickstart plagiarism and advance fee fraud, aka 419, charges if Mr. Abati failed to apologise.

He argued that in addition to using the images without permission, the presidential spokesperson intended to deceive the public with those images and make pecuniary gains. He said Mr. Abati’s action was planned to “hoodwink” Nigerians into believing President Jonathan’s administration was effective in the region.

Mr. Jaafar argued that such assumptions could have misled voters to re-elect the president in the forthcoming election and in turn make Mr. Abati richer.

“That is obtaining money under false pretence,” Mr. Jaafar said.

If Mr. Abati is charged, it would be the first time an aide of the President is tried for deception.

Mr. Abati could not be reached for comments.

Telephone calls rang out and were not returned.

Text messages were not replied.

Premium Times.

The Kano State government has threatened to prosecute the spokesperson to the Nigerian president, Reuben Abati, for advanced fee fraud, 419, and the Presidency, the agency he represents, over the use of the state’s project photographs to promote President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

PDP'S RELIGION IS POVERTY - AREGBESOLA

PDP’s Religion Is Poverty — Osun Governor, Aregbesola
Governor Rauf Aregbesola used the opportunity presented by his swearing-in ceremony, Thursday, to hit out at the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, describing it as a party filled with “self-seeking manipulators” who unleash poverty on Nigerians.

Decline in oil prices has affected Africa more than Ebola if both situations were to be judged on purely economic terms.

SAUDI BLOCKS NIGERIA, OTHERS FROM CUTTING PRODUCTION QUOTA

Crude Oil Falls To Four-Year Low As Saudi Arabia Blocks Move To Cut OPEC Production.

Saudi Arabia blocked calls on Thursday from poorer members of the OPEC oil exporter group for production cuts to arrest a slide in global prices, sending benchmark crude plunging to a fresh four-year low.

HOW PETERSIDE EMERGED AS APC CANDIDATE IN RIVERS

Dakuku Peterside, representing Andoni /Opobo Nkoro federal constituency of Rivers state has been picked as the consensus governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress.

Yaya Sanogo (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League for the 15th successive season as Yaya Sanogo’s first goal for the club and a gem from Alexis Sanchez clinched a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration over the state of the country’s economy, saying government was deceiving Nigerians with its claims of fantastic economic growth.

It Is Wrong To Call Tambuwal Speaker, Address Him As ‘Alhaji’ – IG Of Police

The Inspector General of Police, Sulieman Aba has insisted that it is wrong to address Aminu Tambuwal, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The police boss simply addressed him as “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal”, a title that provoked members of the House Committee on Police Affairs.

According to the IG, it would be “subjudice” for him to address Tambuwal as speaker or any matter relating to him so long as such a matter was in court.

Chairman of the House committee, Mr. Usman Bello-Kurmo, asked him a direct question, “Is Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal the Speaker of the House of Representatives or not?”

The IG replied, “Mr. Chairman, you know that matters before the courts are subjudice.

“Commenting on them is subjudice until they are disposed of.”

This, however, brought the session between Abba and the committee to an abrupt end, as the two parties stormed out of the venue.

The committee, acting on a House resolution, had summoned Abba to explain why the police shut the gates of the National Assembly against lawmakers on Thursday last week.

During the shutout, Tambuwal and many lawmakers were barred from entering by the police, resulting in violent reactions by the members.

However, speaking on what transpired last week, the IG justified the police action.

He maintained that all those the police restrained from entering the National Assembly were “thugs.”

Rather than admitting that his men threw tear gas canisters at lawmakers, he claimed that “a tear gas canister exploded.”

Abba also told lawmakers to their faces that it was his men who suffered physical assault and not the lawmakers.

He said, “The police management and particularly my own person, I was traumatised by what I saw happened to police officers that day.

“What happened was unprecedented worldwide; policemen were physically beaten and disobeyed, among other things that happened.”

He claimed that the police shut the National Assembly for security reasons after the Force Headquarters received intelligence that Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and All Progressives Congress supporters were going to attack the legislature and other public offices on November 20.

According to him, a day earlier on the 19th, the “leadership” of the APC, Amaechi and party members had blocked the Force Headquarters in Abuja, “where they made uncomplimentary statements and threatened to do worse (things) in the days ahead.”

Among the places he claimed would have been attacked by the APC members and Amaechi were the Presidential Villa and the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He added, “The procedure was orderly until the arrival of Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and his men with quite a number of suspected thugs to disrupt the security arrangements.

“Unfortunately, a tear gas canister exploded at the gate; the situation is unfortunate and it is being investigated.”

Two members of the committtee, Hakeem Munir and Victor Nwokolo, asked him to retract his earlier comment and address Tambuwal with his official title, but Abba refused.

With members threatening to walk out of the meeting if Abba would not recognise Tambuwal as the Speaker, Bello-Kurmo called off the session abruptly.

The committee resolved that the discussions could no longer hold since the IG would not accord Tambuwal his respect.

The Inspector General of Police, Sulieman Aba has insisted that it is wrong to address Aminu Tambuwal, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

SPORADIC GUNSHOTS HEARD NEAR GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN PORT HAUCOURT

There was pandemonium in Port Harcourt on Thursday morning, following repeated gunshots around the Rivers state government house.
A banker who works at the Secretariat Complex located on Nnamdi Azikiwe Road told TheCable on phone that banks and other businesses immediately shut operations after the incident while people ran helter-skelter for safety.
“There was sporadic shootings from the government house axis at about 9:30am,” he said.
“This has caused a lot of pandemonium as people are seen running helter-skelter and the roads are totally dry. Reports have it that there is tension right from the Isaac Boro Park axis down through Forces Avenue.
“We have closed our doors at the main branch and the cash centre, pending when the environment will be calm. We are still monitoring the situation.”
He added that staff of the bank were trapped in the office, as they were unsure that moving about was safe..
“We had to lock the premises,” he said. “Once it is calm, they will be evacuated.”

LESS IMPORT WOULD HELP THE NAIRA- CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged Nigerians to be more patriotic by patronising locally manufactured goods so as to preserve the foreign exchange reserves and strengthen the naira.
Bayo Adelabu, deputy governor (corporate services) of CBN, said this when members of the house of representatives committee of banking and currency, paid a courtesy visit on the CBN on Wednesday.
“What the CBN is saying is that we need to become more patriotic. We should patronise locally made goods and services,” Adelabu said.

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged the All Progressives Congress, APC, to a debate where the subject matter would centre on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan led government, asserting that the nation’s main opposition party has no meaningful programme for Nigeria.

WHY I WANT TO RULE NIGERIA – BUHARI

Former Military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has explained why he is in the 2015 presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

RIVERS APC PICKS PETERSIDE AS CONSENSUS CANDIDATE

The House of Representative.member representing Andoni/Nkoro fedeal constituency, honourable Dakukun Peterside picked as APC consensus candidate for APC.
more details to follow.

APC IS NOT AN ISLAMIC PARTY – AMAECHI

Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has debunked rumours by mischief makers and political opponents that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an Islamic Party.

RIVERS APC CONGRATULATES NEW CJN

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on his appointment, even as it requested his immediate intervention in the crisis that has paralyzed the State Judiciary.

OPINION; APC AND THE INTEGRITY FACTOR

2015: APC and the integrity factor

By Segun Dipe

“What counts is not the size of the dog in the fight; it is the size of the fight in the dog.” Dwight D. Eisenhower, US 34^th President.

For a potpourri of reasons, the 2015 presidential election will be the most challenging as well as the most keenly contested in Nigeria. Next only to the 1960 election when the country earned its independence from the colonial masters, it is one in which character will play an all important role in determining where victory will swing at the end of the battle.

WIKE SET TO PICK PDP TICKET IN RIVERS

PDP Screening Committee Disqualifies All Anti-Wike Aspirants, Clears Wike
Published on November 25, 2014 by pmnews ·

The South-South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship screening committee has disqualified Prof Don Baridam, Tonye Princewill and 14 other aspirants among the 16 aggrieved aspirants protesting against Nyesom Wike, who has been cleared for governorship race.

Also disqualified are Becks Dagago Jack, Gabriel Pidomson, Dumo Lulu Briggs, Sampson Ngerighara, Nimi Walson Jack. The aspirants had protested to national headquarters of the party accusing Wike, a former Minister of State for Education of hijacking the party structure in the state.

The aspirants also protested against Patience Jonathan’s imposition of Wike on the party. Those not cleared paid over 11 million naira as expression of intent form.

The news of the disqualification of the aspirants makes Wike the party’s favourite to become the governorship candidate, as those cleared along with him will give him very feeble contest during the party primaries on 2 December.

Shortly after his disqualification, Princewill confirmed the actions of the PDP screening committee via a Facebook post. “Unconfirmed reports have it that the South South screening committee has obeyed Wike’s instruction and disqualified me from contesting for Governor of Rivers state on the platform of PDP.

He stated that: “He said the reason given is that reason I am not a PDP member.”

He described the reason as madness. “I am not a PDP member after I raised hundreds of millions for the party, donated a multi-million naira media center to the national headquarters and participated in all affairs of the party. Not a member but you collected millions for a PDP form. If this decision is true, this marks a new low in our state’s politics. Will confirm for sure later today, but our sources are pretty reliable.”

He then wrote that the following were the options left to him. “To Appeal, quit politics altogether, stay in the PDP even though they say I am not one of them or go to another party (not APC) and run”.

He said while he ponders on these four options, he restated that his commitment to the Goodluck Jonathan re-election is still strong. PDP ticket or not.

Princewill assured his loyalists that if they decide that he should not run, all previous contributions for his campaign will be returned in full to all the many who donated and they can count on that.

According to Princewill, in addition to disqualifying him, Nimi Walson Jack, Bekinbo Dagogo Jack and Dumo Lulu Briggs were also disqualified, just to mention a few. “The writing is on the wall. This is a sad day for internal democracy. What are they afraid of? I ask again; Is PDP in Rivers state not really working for APC?”

Meanwhile, the coordinator of Mainstream Coalition, Prof Israel Owate has dismissed accusations that the disqualification of the aspirants were through the manipulations of Wike who is desperate to be governor and take over from Governor Amaechi, another Ikwerre.

Beckinbo Dagogo Jack has vowed to appeal against his disqualification to the national headquarters of the party.

The South-South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship screening committee has disqualified Prof Don Baridam, Tonye Princewill and 14 other aspirants among the 16 aggrieved aspirants protesting against Nyesom Wike, who has been cleared for governorship race.

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Oluwole Soyinka, today, opened up on his health status, saying he was diagnosed of cancer last December.

WINNERS CHAPEL IN THE UK STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION- BRITISH GOVT

The British government, through its Charity Commission, has said it is still considering the financial information the Living Faith Church International popularly known as Winners Chapel belonging to the popular pentecostal clergyman, David Oyedepo.

CHAD PRESIDENT'S ENVOY CAUGHT WITH MISSILES MEANT FOR BOKO HARAM

One Mr Mahamat Bichara Gnoti, a close associate of the Chadian President, Idriss Déby, has been arrested in connection with the sponsorship of the Boko Haram sect.

NAMES OF PASSENGERS ON ORITSEJAFOR'S PLANE REVEALED

EXCLUSIVE: Revealed: The Nigerians Aboard Jet That Smuggled $9.3 Million Arms Money To South Africa

A private jet that conveyed $9.3 million cash from Nigeria to South Africa for an arms deal between the two countries, had Nigerian crew members, and passengers from Israel and Austria, new documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES in Johannesburg have shown.

There were three Nigerians aboard the plane, the documents show.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained the manifest of the jet that transported the huge sum, and has confirmed the identities of the passengers and crew who delivered the controversial package.

South Africa seized the money early September, accusing the Nigerian government of violating its laws regulating the transfer of cash.

Another payment by the Nigerian government for arms to combat the extremist Boko Haram sect, was also confiscated. The second transfer, totalling $5.7 million, was wired through the banks.

The South African ambassador to Nigeria was later quoted as saying the money had been returned to Nigeria, a claim that has yet to be verified.

Details of the first transaction, revealed by a South African newspaper, City Press, said an Israeli and two Nigerians were aboard the airplane that transported the sum to Lanseria airport in South Africa.

The first tranche of the money was conveyed to South Africa on September 5 in two plastic bag suitcases and two hand luggage aboard an airplane belonging to Ayo Oritsejafor, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

While the Nigerian government confirmed the transactions, it denied violating any foreign law. The government also refused to provide the names of those aboard the airplane.

In its report, widely quoted in the Nigerian media, City Press said the Israeli passenger, Eyal Mesika, had the key to the combination lock of the suitcases. The paper also said two Nigerian passengers were aboard the plane. It quoted South African law enforcement officials.

The report however did not reveal the identities of the Nigerians, and South African officials also declined to provide those details to PREMIUM TIMES when contacted from Nigeria by telephone.

In an investigation that involved visiting South Africa, PREMIUM TIMES has obtained documents showing details of the transaction, including the flight manifest of the airplane.

The listing shows that beside Mr. Mesika, the only Nigerians on board the aircraft were crew members.

The other two passengers who conveyed the cash were Austrians, the manifest shows.

The two Austrians are named, R. Wolfgang and M. Michael.

The flight crew members of the Project Eagle Air jet with flight number: N808HE were Ojongbede R.T (captain), Fejoku U, (flight officer) and George E.E (flight attendant).

The listing contradicts reports that the other passengers were Nigerians, a claim that set off an intense controversy after the All Progressives Congress, APC, accused a former militant leader, Dokubo Asari, of being one of those aboard the plane.

The APC relied on unverified reports by some news websites [not PREMIUM TIMES] in making the false claim.

Mr. Asari denied the allegation and threatened legal action against Lai Mohammed, the spokesperson of the APC.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES at the time, Mr. Asari threatened to physically assault Mr. Mohammed if he failed to get justice in the courts.

“After all the South Africa People have given the names of people on the plane and if by next week we go to court and the court is being manipulated not to give me justice, I will resort to self-help,” he said.

“I have the capacity to resort to self-help. I will not give anybody any apology because if a man has mouth to malign me then I can use what I have to fight for myself.”

Premium Times.

A private jet that conveyed $9.3 million cash from Nigeria to South Africa for an arms deal between the two countries, had Nigerian crew members, and passengers from Israel and Austria, new documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES in Johannesburg have shown.
There were three Nigerians aboard the plane, the documents show.

The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that sliding global oil prices has pushed Nigeria into an uncomfortable position.
The minister, who was speaking on Friday on CNN’s Quest Means Business, said, however, that the country has responded well by reacting swiftly with austerity measures to deal with the crisis that ensued in the economy.

EXCLUSIVE: Chad ‘fuelling’ Boko Haram Insurgency With Eyes On Borno Oil Deposits

What started as mere suspicion in Nigeria’s security circles is now being treated with utmost seriousness: Chad may be the major backer and staying power of Boko Haram ─ with eyes on the oil deposits in the Chad Basin, Borno state.

Preliminary surveys have indicated that there is hydrocarbon deposit in an area covering 3,350 square metres in the Chad Basin, with federal government pumping close to N30bn in the last two years into feasibility studies of the oil potential there.

Countries such as Chad, Niger and Sudan with similar structural settings are already exploring or producing oil on their own soil, leading to conclusions that it is a matter of time for Nigeria’s turn.

The lukewarm attitude of Nigeria’s neighbours, particularly Chad and Cameroon, to the Boko Haram threat has long been attributed to regional rivalry rather than economic interest.

The Chad Basin spanning across six countries

However, circumstances surrounding the phantom ceasefire deal brokered in October by Idriss Déby, the president of Chad, have alerted the security agencies to a possible involvement of the west African country in the insurgency.

“Chad might be eyeing control of the Chad Basin in Borno state, which is believed to be very rich in hydrocarbon reserves,” a senior military officer told TheCable.

“We now have enough grounds to suspect that the staying power of Boko Haram is Chad. While the terrorists have been striking against Cameroon, they have never carried out any attack in Chad. Their arms may be passing through the Chadian territory.”

Unconfirmed reports have linked the Chadian government to arms supply to Boko Haram as Nigerian authorities try to understand what has kept the insurgents fully armed in the last five years.

Although the militants have looted Nigerian armouries on several occasions, some of the weapons recovered from them have turned out to be different from what they stole.

If indeed Chad is fuelling the insurgency, Boko Haram may gain access to more sophisticated weapons, such as surface-to-air missiles, which are legally sold only to sovereign entities.

The transportation of armoured tanks and other heavy hardware into Nigeria may also be facilitated by Chad, but the insurgents are unlikely to acquire aircraft as no terrorist group has yet used the aerial route in launching attacks.

Abubakar Shekau, the group’s leader, once claimed to have shot down an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian military, but this was denied by defence headquarters.
boko haram suspects

Security sources said they have established that Chadian citizens are serving as foot soldiers for Boko Haram, which most recently made its biggest gain on the Nigerian territory since the insurgency began in 2009.

A retired diplomat said if Chadian links are verified, “then we have a potentially dangerous development in our hands. It could be a copycat scenario, considering how Muammar Ghaddafi destabilised West Africa as Libyan leader. Déby was very close to Ghaddafi and he may be copying his style.”

Another senior intelligence officer told TheCable that the federal government is “seriously studying” possible links between Chad and Boko Haram.

TheCable recently reported that Nigerian government officials are furious about the phantom ceasefire deal which misled the Nigerian military into dropping its guard, a situation that saw the terror group reinforce and take over more Nigerian towns and villages.

Déby, who was involved in putting the deal together claiming he had been contacted by Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s leader, has stopped communicating with Nigeria after the failed ceasefire deal.

On the three occasions that the Nigerian delegation went to N’Djamena, the Chadian capital, he did not attend to them, saying he was ill, a source had told TheCable.

President Goodluck Jonathan had met with Déby in September after being informed that the Chadian leader was in touch the leaders of Boko Haram who had indicated interest in negotiating a dialogue.

Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno state whose mother is from Chad, was instrumental to putting the meeting together, but he too has been accused of funding the terror group ─ a claim he has vehemently denied.

Sheriff, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is one of the biggest investors in the Chadian economy and is a close associate of the Déby.

Read more at: http://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-chad-fuelling-boko-haram-insurgency-eyes-borno-oil-deposits | TheCable

What started as mere suspicion in Nigeria’s security circles is now being treated with utmost seriousness: Chad may be the major backer and staying power of Boko Haram ─ with eyes on the oil deposits in the Chad Basin, Borno state.

LAGOS GUBER ASPIRANTS MEET, INSISTS ON PRIMARIES

Ahead of the governorship primaries of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, no fewer than six aspirants met secretly at the weekend, with a plot to stall the exercise through a consensus candidate arrangement

BLAME FAYOSE FOR ANY MAYHEM, SPEAKER OMIRIN

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, has reacted to a news item on Ekiti State Radio and television that the 19 members of Ekiti State House of Assembly led by the Speaker currently in Lagos are planning to storm Ekiti State on Monday with thugs from neighbouring state to cause mayhem, saying any break-down of law and order is orchestrated by Governor Ayo Fayose to implicate him.

http://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Commissioner-of-Police-Foluso-Adebanjo.jpg

An alleged leadership tussle at Aruogba community, in Oredo Local Government area of Edo State, on Saturday, resulted in the death of next person, with five houses and several vehicles burnt down in reprisals attacks.

BOKO HARAM KILLS 48 FISH VENDORS, IN BORNO

Boko Haram gunmen killed 48 fish vendors in Nigeria's restive Borno State, near the border with Chad, the head of the fish traders association told AFP on Sunday.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has cautioned his aides against verbal attack on the person and government of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State over the crisis in the Houses of Assembly of both states.

BEHOLD; THE WORLD'S OLDEST OIL WELL

A reconstruction of the hand operated driling rig from 1862 in the Ignacy Lukasiewicz Museum

The smell of money hangs thick in the air as black crude oil bubbles up from what is billed as the world’s oldest oil well, but this is not Texas or Saudi Arabia.

Nollywood stars, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, will be joining soul singer, Asa, as frontliners in the global campaign to pool a million young Africans to act against Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

NASS FRACAS; POLICE WON'T BE NEUTRAL - GOS

$Photo: NASS fracas: ‘Police won’t be neutral in 2015 ′ - Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon Senate minority whip and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, has condemned the crisis that engulfed the National Assembly on Thursday. Solomon who is also a frontrunner in the 2015 Lagos State gubernatorial race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja said the police attack on the federal lawmakers was the height of executive lawlessness and interference. He noted that the invasion of the hallowed chambers was a signal that the police might not be impartial in the February 2015 general election. Solomon therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba to maintain neutrality in political matters and remain impartial in contests among the political parties. Solomon who was a member of the House of Representatives before being elected to the senate, pointed out that the issue of the defection and speakership of Hon. Aminu Tambuwal should be left to the members to resolve and not the executive coming into it to muscle him out of office. He said, “With Tambuwal already in court, the Police should allow the judiciary to decide what should happen to his seat, not the executive arm interpreting the constitution. Thursday’s incident was tragic in every sense of it. A repeat could completely undermine this democracy.” Solomon also expressed his worry about the negative impact the much-publicised crisis could have on Nigeria’s international trade, pointing out that the signals were already there as evident in the live chat that Richard Quest of CNN had with the Minister of Finance. “Quest pointed out that the international community was worried about the crisis and our economy. The world is now a global village, we must be very careful,” he said.$

KAMALA, THE UGANDAN GIANT LOSES LEGS TO DIABETES

n the 1980s, Kamala the Ugandan Giant was one of the most feared wrestlers in what was then known as the WWF. Today, he's a double amputee struggling to make ends meet.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye

Nemesis caught up with some suspected kidnappers who have been terrorizing Ogun state as men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ogun State Police command arrested five suspected members of the group.

Yet-to-be identified gunmen have abducted the Head of Local Government Administration of Atakumosa West Local Government, Osun state, southwest Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Falode.
A security source in the state who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on Friday, 21 November that Falode was kidnapped as he was about to enter his residence on the night of Wednesday 19 November.

IMPEACH JONATHAN, FACE THE CONSEQUENCES- MILITANTS

Former militants in Niger Delta have reacted to the alleged plan to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan by daring members of the House of Representatives to carry out their threat and face dire consequences.

APAPA OSHODI EXPESSWAY TO BE READY BY JANUARY- DIRECTOR

‘Rehabilitation Work On Apapa/Oshodi Expressway Will End Jan’

The Director, South West, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. John Ibe, said on Thursday that the rehabilitation work on the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway would be completed before January 2015.

Ibe said this in Lagos at a meeting between oil terminal operators and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc – the contractor rehabilitating the expressway.

“We are here to address the problem of the gridlock; we are here with the stakeholders to find a solution on how the contractors could move in and do their work. I am happy to say that we have succeeded. The contactor is moving immediately to start work.

“We are sure that in no time the work will be completed. In a couple of weeks, they will finish the job, if access is giving to them.

“From the meeting here, you can see that Julius Berger was ready to work but there was no access for them to come in and work.“

Eke said that Julius Berger would complete the Creek road, Apapa, soon before embarking on the repair of the major road linking the Ibru oil terminal.

“From now on, Julius Berger is moving back to site even though they’ve been working around Creek Road but now they are coming to finish up this access around Ibru Terminal.

‘’My impression is that they are coming back to finish the access to Ibru terminal but this is most critical.

“You heard them in the meeting say they are moving back. It is not that they’ve not been working, they’ve been working but from other locations like Creek Road.

“The major problem was lack of communication. Now we are communicating, things will change; they are cooperating”.

The General Manager, Ibru Oil Terminal, Mr Victor Enebeli, said that the operators would give the contractor maximum cooperation to complete the contract.

“He has been mentioning one fear and he has always been complaining, on limited access to his place of work and I want to assure him the NUPENG PTD is here.

“Enebeli said he was shocked this morning he got there was no truck. We have sat down and we have decided on a mode of operation that will give them that unlimited access.

“Once this meeting is through we are holding another meeting here to address that issue. It is not magic that he sees the road this way.

“If Julius Berger is assuring us that they are going to come to site and do what needs to be done to achieve what they need to achieve even before the four weeks, they have that access.

“So the access shouldn’t be a problem and I tell you if we are working as they are working.

“They say they will leave the service lane to us and one portion of the major road, I tell you, you won’t have problem working.“

The Project Manager, Julius Berger Construction Company, Mr Wolfgang Panzer, said it was possible to complete the Ibru Road off Apapa/Oshodi Expressway “if the access road is free“.

“It’s the other way, when I was coming here I was surprised that the whole carriage lane is free, so it works somehow.

“It works and the experience is from time to time before when we have even stakeholders’ stakeholders meeting.

“I remember two or three stakeholders meeting we had before and for two, three days, the main carriage way was free.

“So it is possible somehow that the access to our construction site is free, if we see a situation as today that the main carriage way is free. If we find a situation as today, we can work in the night.

“Working in the night is not a constraint for Julius Berger. There are several other constraints that we have when we are working during the night time.

“Night time is not an option for us because all the service units have to be available, like machine, techniques, service lorries and all these things. We have no possibility to shift them day and night.’’

Daily Independent.

The Director, South West, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. John Ibe, said on Thursday that the rehabilitation work on the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway would be completed before January 2015.

FG To Link All State Capitals By Rail Service,Says Jonathan

London – President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday expressed Federal Government’s commitment to linking all the state capital cities to the rail service in order to boost the country’s economy through rail transportation.

Jonathan who was in London at the 17th Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC) said with such a nationwide rail coverage, roads and highways would be better maintained.

“If we do not link state capital cities by rail, our roads will not last,’’ he said at the occasion, whose theme is “Rail Transportation’’.

While speaking on the upgrading and expansion of the country’s public infrastructure, the President said “infrastructure plays a critical role in the economy.

“We cannot mould the economy of the country without good infrastructure.

“Quite a number of companies have had to create roads to their sites, and this is not supposed to be so.

“But we are committed to addressing this. We have been working hard and we have improved significantly with our road network.

“Within the next three years, we will be able to resurface all roads in the federal road network across the country.’’

Jonathan said his administration intended to do more by initiating some new road projects.

“These are roads that are very critical to our economy, to link Port Harcourt City and Bonny, the major gas exporting terminal of our country,’’ he said.

The President also told the HIIC members of his government’s commitment to securing the country’s airspace, and improving the quality of airport terminal buildings.

On the issue of security, Jonathan assured the Council members of “putting an end to the holding of communities by Boko Haram insurgents.

“We are improving in the area of security. For about a week now, there has been no new story of Boko Haram members holding territories.

“Instead, we are reducing them by the day. Before now, many Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno were taken by Boko Haram, but now this has reduced.

“We are working to put an end to the holding of territories by Boko Haram.’’

In the same vein, Baroness Lynda Chalker, the HIIC Co-ordinator, said the Council had succeeded significantly in moving the country’s economy since it was established.

She said the Council had focused on the economy’ various sectors since inception. “But this 17th Council meeting will focus on rail transportation, given its critical role to the economy.’’

The Council Co-ordinator however expressed concern that in spite of the progress achieved so far “positive news in Nigeria is overshadowed by what is happening now.

“We must work together to project positive news and achievements. It is not in anybody’s interest to run Nigeria down,’’ she said.

Chalker who lauded the country’s response in tackling the Ebola virus disease paid tribute to the late Dr Stella Adadevoh.

“By her action stopped what would have been a terrible destruction for Nigeria. But, unfortunately, she died,’’ she said.

The Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that deliberations at the HIIC meeting will also focus on opportunities and reforms in the power and construction sectors.

Nigeria’s Ministers of Transportation, Power, Works and Aviation are billed to make presentations on their sectors at the meeting.

The rest are those of Finance, National Planning and Trade and Investment, as well as Defence.

NAN reports that HIIC is an organisation of prominent investors from around the world who advise governments on economic development.

The council’s partnership with Nigeria include reducing corruption, attracting foreign direct investment, and promoting a private sector-driven economy.(NAN)

London – President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday expressed Federal Government’s commitment to linking all the state capital cities to the rail service in order to boost the country’s economy through rail transportation.
Jonathan who was in London at the 17th Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC) said with such a nationwide rail coverage, roads and highways would be better maintained.

The founder, Synagogue Church Of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua, has asked a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja to put a complete stop to the coroner’s inquest into the September 12 building collapse that killed about 116 persons.

I AM SORRY- STEPHEN KESHI

Chief Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi said he would take responsibility for Nigeria’s failure to play in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea after his team were held to a 2-2 draw in a match they needed an outright victory at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo Wednesday night.

Chief promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation and national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, has said one of the reasons Nigeria has failed to successfully tackle the Boko Haram insurgency is the disregard for the country’s rich traditional values and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the 2014 Ajagunmale Festival held in Ibeju- Lekki area of Lagos,

IG ASSURES IRISH INVESTORS OF ADEQUATE SECURITY

The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force , Suleiman Abba has assured prospective investors in Nigeria of the government' s supports for the development of their business

The Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State chapter, has asked the Inspector-General of Police to set up an independent panel to probe the recent ‘bloody’ rally of the wife of President, Dame Patience Jonathan, in the state.

The five-storey building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, which collapsed in September, killing 115 people, may have been destroyed by a strange aircraft which flew over it shortly before the incident, a police investigator told a coroner inquest Wednesday.

UBA RUBY ACCOUNT OFFERS MORE EXCLUSIVE PERKS FOR WOMEN, INTODUCES PRIORITY PASS

Women who chose Ruby, a female focused current account offered by pan-African bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, will now enjoy more perks as the bank has expanded its list of exclusive partners offering special services to its female account holders.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

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