FIRE ON BUHARI! - Lauretta Onochie

Lauretta Onochie

Carol Ajie is a Lawyer. I am not. I am a Lecturer, Carol is not. I took one look at her petition against President Buhari and her call for the respected leader of the most populous black nation to resign and I thought, "Joker, who set her up?". But that's her opinion from the view point of a lawyer. But as a Lecturer, and a layman in law, I would try to teach Carol one or two lessons she missed or even educate her on how not to make herself a laughing stock. 

One lesson Carol must learn first is that lawyers are well respected  across the world and Nigeria is not an exception. However, it takes very little for Nigerians to caste anyone from the height of respectability to the abyss of ignominy and notoriety. If Carol was seeking fame and respect, allowing herself to be used by the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode and Oliseh Metuh has obviously done the opposite. She has drawn the ire of Nigerians. This is because many Nigerians can no longer see any line, not even a thin one, between IPOB and PDP.

Another lesson is that President Obama of the United States, although an illustrious son of Africa, is not the Prime Minister of Nigeria nor the General Overseer. Because Pres. Obama did not also register to vote in Nigeria,  President Buhari is not accountable to President Obama. Nigeria is a part of some world bodies like the United Nations but by and large,  Nigeria is a sovereign nation and not answerable to any other nation. President Buhari is not a subject of President Obama of the United States of America. I therefore do not see the need or the point of Carol addressing the nonsense she ignorantly penned to President Obama.

Looking into the Nigerian Lawbooks and the constitution of our land, Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi insists that the power to hear a petition against the President by the National Assembly is non existence. He went on to add that the National Assembly can however, institute impeachment proceedings where there's evidence of a gross misconduct, which till today no law has sufficiently defined what constitutes a "gross misconduct". I believe Carol is aware of this or she is just being mischievous. 

Coming to the uninformed and frivolous allegations of meddlesomeness in the judiciary by president Buhari, it's very clear that Carol, does not have a firm grasp of what the laws say in Nigeria. So far, our president has respected the boundaries between the executive and the judiciary. That's what democracy demands. This too has been lost on Carol. But who can blame her? When one decides to go into partnership with embittered PDP remnants such as Chief Oliseh Metuh and FFK, they hit at the air and swallow a combination of shame and disgrace. 

If Carol followed the trend on the Nnamdi Kanu or of the Dasukigate as it unfolded or did her homework as all professionals do, she should have discovered  or at least guessed that there are litany of charges lurking in the background and waiting to be hurled at Nnamdi Kanu or Col Sambo Dasuki and his ilk as they try to use injunctions and bail applications to pervert the cause of justice. Agreed that the courts have a right to issue injunctions and to grant bails. The anti corruption agencies also have to be clever and on their feet. They have the right to bring new charges against any accused person, as long as they can prove their case. 

Nnamdi Kanu was facing charges at the magistrate Court for which he was discharged on the application for the withdrawal of charges made by the DSS. The reason being that a higher charge of treason has now been filed against Kanu at a High court. We are not aware that Kanu applied for bail, yet! How Carol arrived at the conclusion that President Buhari was disobeying court orders for not supporting the release of some people who are facing grave criminal charges, is beyond Nigerians. 

Nigerians on the Social Media and everywhere were outraged that Carol was making a case for corruption and insurgency, two issues that have weighed heavily on the minds of President Buhari and millions of Nigerians. Issues that contributed to institutionalising poverty in our nation. Issues that dislocated families and made numerous people refugees in their own nation. Issues that have sent multitudes to their early graves. Issues that ex President Jonathan neglected to confront but which President Buhari is courageously and bravely confronting.

It's common knowledge that our criminal justice system need a facelift in terms of reforms. There is no where in the world where alleged criminals are given immunity from prosecution by the courts. The practice of obtaining permanent injunction barring courts and other legal institutions from prosecuting those who have questions to answer is a slap, a dirty slap on our judicial system. We cannot allow that to continue to be. 

We all agree that  our courts need judges who can exercise their discretion more in the interest of the Nigerian people as a nation. Aliyu Abdullahi, a lawyer, thinks it's high time Nigeria  revisits it's laws on corruption, the trial procedure and that penalty should be all encompassing and severe to have the intended deterrence effect. That's how a lawyer thinks. That's what Carol should be focusing on. To lend her name as an advocate of corruption to the point of asking President Buhari to resign, is the deepest pit one can dive into and I doubt there's a ladder long enough to help one climb out. 

Nigerians are delighted with President Buhari's work of rebuilding our nation from the ruins of corruption. Corruption enabled our elected and appointed political office holders who looted the funds we gave them in trust to keep us under. They are unhappy that the love affair between President Buhari and ordinary Nigerians is waxing stronger and that he is determined to keep acting and protecting the interests of the ordinary Nigerian people. We are delighted that he would nip insurgency in the bud by keeping us safe from security threats, be they from Zaria, Biafra or elsewhere. For the sake of ordinary Nigerians who suffer most the effects of corruption and insecurity we say, "#FireOnBuhari". 

Lauretta Onochie

@Laurestar

laurestar@aol.co.uk.

Davido, Baby Mamas and other stories by Reuben Abati

“What a relief, my friend!”
“What are you relieved about?”
“It is this David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu soap opera”.
“I tell you. It is a perfect subject for a good home video. But what is your own?”
“No. Nothing. I am just relieved that the parties involved have agreed to let peace reign”
“This will be about the third time I would hear of that matter being resolved.”
“Well, I think the Momodus and the Adelekes should just spare us. They should not forget there is a child involved. They have suddenly made Imade Adeleke, the most famous victim of Baby Mama-Baby Papa palaver in Nigeria. Both Davido and Sophia and their supporters’ clubs should please protect the baby, and not make her a poster child for that kind of subject.”
“But me, I am enjoying the story oh.”
“Of course, too many sadists in our land enjoy other people’s misery.”
“But really, it is a simple matter. “
“If it were that simple, the drama wouldn’t be so entertaining. “
“What Davido wants, Davido gets. His father is rich. He is a famous musician. Davido says he wants custody of his daughter.”
“By taking her away from her mother by force, and giving her to his half-sister, and threatening to travel out of the country with the baby for medicals, without the mother’s knowledge or consent? A seven-month old baby, abducted at two months?”
“He gave reasons for that. He is talking about the biological mother taking cannabis and risking his daughter’s life”
“Cannabis?”
“Yes. Igbo”
“You seriously mean marijuana?”
“Yes, gbana as in Indian hemp. And Davido provided a medical report to confirm his claim.”
“You saw the medical report. You are sure it is genuine? Because I understand Sophia Momodu’s lawyers have written the lab to produce the original report of proof of drug abuse.”
“This their matter sef.”
“That’s why it is the child that is most important. I don’t like the way they have turned the young girl into a trophy to be fought over in a blood sport. We are in the age of the internet. Twenty years from today, someone could print out these funny details from the internet memory bank. A father, grandfather and a half-sister fighting a mother and her family over a baby and making sordid claims: It is not a fight that can be easily won.”
“I hear Davido says the Momodus cannot force him. He may even release a special song to make his position clear: No be by force.”
“Nobody is forcing him and his family to marry Sophia Momodu. They are just saying custody should be mutually agreed upon.”
“And he and his family are saying they want their daughter properly brought up. They too have a point. You should not take sides.”
“Ok. He is talking about Marijuana. When he was head over heels in love with the Momodu girl, he didn’t smell marijuana? I am sure if he was given Marijuana before he was allowed to inhale, he would willingly exhale?
“He insists he was just 21 years old. And that he was seduced by a full-grown woman who took advantage of his youth and innocence.”
“Innocence, indeed. Was he raped? Did he not have a relationship with her, and did he not showcase her everywhere? He was 21. If he could be tricked at 21, then he should live with the consequences. “
“You are taking sides. I know why. You are Dele Momodu’s friend.”
“I am making uncommon sense. I am saying why is Davido asking for Sophia Momodu’s birth certificate after the fact? When the thing dey sweet them, they no dey remember say na the thing wey fowl chop, him go shit.”
“But you can’t force any man to marry a woman. Why the girl too go carry belle for him junior brother? She suppose know say Davido sef him na pikin. You no see as him papa they follow am, make dem no carry big yansh, big chest, fine face, cheat him son for Lagos”
“Him try well, well. But Davido, your boy, him no sabi use rubber?”
“That girl look like person wey go gree rubber?”
“You dey craze”
“My own is that fathers should just keep an eye on their sons and daughters. Let mothers also keep an eye on their daughters. To avoid stories that break the heart like this one, fine girls should just know that you can’t detain any man with a baby. Er beg.”
“The values of the younger generation are different.”
“Some strict parents will still never have allowed this to happen.”
“Some of these children are beyond control.”
“But we all suffer for it. This is why Ghanaian ladies insist that Nigerian men are unreliable. They say they use and dump women.”
“They say they…?”
“That’s what I hear.”
“They or we?”
“They.”
“You mean you have tried the Ghanaian market too? Tell your brother something about ECOWAS romance?”
“You are an incurable gossip. Ashawo, somebody.”
“But talking seriously, it won’t be fair to condemn Nigerian men. I think this is a thing about Nigerian musicians. Those people too like women. Young women, old women oh…any woman. Even the women musicians sef, any man wey stand well… fiam”
“That is more important to them than their art? No wonder many of them sing such trashy songs”
“There is even one of them who has seven children from five women or so. And there is one they call Whizkid”
“Superkid?”
“Whatever. But there is this kid musician who also has a child from an older woman. There is this joke that when his parents heard, they quickly took charge of the situation, by telling the Baby Mama that while they would accept the baby, everyone could see that the Baby father is himself still a baby, too young to take care of another baby, not to talk of a grown woman. They pleaded that no woman should pakurumo..ko…”
“ Nice joke. I laughed. Him sef na pikin, he never grow finish to take care of pikin. The girl fled.”
“That’s why I say it is a simple matter. Davido should have consulted his seniors in this matter. That one that has seven children from five women did it so well, today all his Baby Mamas married or single, are friends.”
“Wow. That’s a real Baba of the matter. Who is he?”
“I can’t mention his name. He is happily married now to one of the Baby Mamas. I don’t want to be accused of disrespecting another man’s wife.”
“Let Davido and Sophia just make peace for their daughter’s sake. And when the matter is settled, Davido knows where to go for tutorials if he really wants to fish in this type of troubled waters.”
“But our musicians sha. They can fight?”
“Who again is fighting?”
“Olamide and Don Jazzy.”
“That face-off over awards at The Headies event? But they have apologized”
“No. You don’t get the point. Why should artistes or producers or label owners fight over awards? What I have seen is that our young artistes are obsessed with awards. They seem to be more interested in being given a plaque than developing their real work. It is this same problem with Nollywood actors. Any small award is treated as if it is the Nobel Prize.”
“I see that too. It is the Grammy award disease.”
“No true artist should work with an eye on winning a plaque. The best award is the acceptance of the market place, not by a group of biased judges. If you are good as an artist, you are good, nobody can take that away from you.”
“Quite true. But it helps to have some plaques on the wall, I must say.”
“How many of those musicians who were called the best new acts on the block in the 80s and early 90s are still making any impact today? When a work of art is good, it will be evergreen; when an artist is good, his talent will endure.” 
“Some of these new kids are great though. World-class talents. In the last few years, there has been an explosion of real talent.”
“I want to hear more about talent. Great art. Not drama kings and queens, not Baby Mamas and Lab Reports.” 
“You are just old-fashioned. Controversy is part of art. Life itself is about controversy. Controversy produces great art. In the world of artists, all things work out as raw material.”
“That’s why people insist artists are mad.”
“But it is not only artists that generate or attract controversy. Politicians do.”
“I know. Controversy is the soul of politics, but here it produces stress and oftentimes, tragedy.” 
“I’ll give you one example.”
“Which is?”
“In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to embarrass the Olubadan in Council by trying to determine how existing vacancies within the hierarchy are filled. He is introducing INEC guidelines to Ibadan Chieftaincy affairs!”
“How can he possibly do that?”
“He is asking for certificates of mental, physical and marital fitness before Ladoja and Balogun can fill the Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan vacancies.”
“Marital fitness?”
“When people ask for physical fitness, don’t you know it is all encompassing?”
“All that is politics. I am sure it will be amicably resolved. Ajimobi is smart enough to know that you don’t fight the traditional institution. Governors will come and go, the Olubadan is the owner of Ibadan”
“Don’t tell me. Go and tell Ajimobi”
“Don’t worry. He knows. He just dey make body. Body language, they call it.”
“But what is happening in Bayelsa is not body language oh. When the people of Southern Ijaw go to the polls tomorrow to determine who will be the next Governor of Bayelsa state, they won’t be joking; the state will be at war.”
“May be not real war; let’s say blood sport.”
“You are speaking grammar. I just hope the election won’t be inconclusive again.”
“It is a combat for political supremacy.” 
“Put it like this: the outcome may determine the future of Bayelsa state.”
“No. Put it like this: the outcome will determine the future of the PDP.”
“You are quibbling.”
“Dickson is core Ijaw. Timipre Sylva is Nembe.”
“I don’t get it.”
“The mind of the core Ijaw voter will make the difference. We pray for peace.”
“I have an idea now. Yes. All things being equal.” 
“That’s politics for you.”
“But there are other forces.”
“That’s why there is so much at stake, and a question of where the stakeholders stand.”
“I know. Stakeholders matter. They have just allowed MTN to buy Visafone.”
“Really? Is that a reward for the fine MTN is supposed to pay?”
“It is a business transaction, nothing about government.”
“Everything is about government. Has MTN paid its fine, before being allowed to take over a home-grown company?”
“We should study what happened. Why do Nigerians get licenses and approvals, run a business for a while and then sell to foreign interests? HiTV. Now Visafone. ”
“One glaring failure of local content!”
“Look, let’s discuss that after MTN must have paid the fine.” 
“I hear they have sacked 2, 000 Nigerian workers at Visafone, already. They have taken over.”
“What?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Oh no”

Named in Dasukigate, ex-Anambra Gov. Jim Nwobodo dumps PDP for APC

A former governor of the old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, who admitted receiving N100million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, on Friday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressive Congress.

He defected to the APC in Enugu alongside a former senator, Fidelis Okoro, representing Enugu North, and another chieftain of PDP, Richard Ozobu.

They were received into the APC at the party’s meeting convened by Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeffrey Onyeama.

The meeting was attended by the state party chairman, Ben Nwoye, other members of the state executive and APC’s national vice chairman, South-East, Emma Eneukwu.

Mr. Nwobodo, also a former PDP senator representing Enugu East between 1999 and 2007, and a former sports minister, is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for receiving N100 million from Mr. Dasuki, who allegedly diverted $2.1billion meant for arms purchase, to politicians.

The former governor has since denied that the money was for his personal use, claiming that it was meant for the PDP leaders in the South East zone to mobilize support for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election.

Source: Premium Times

Wike’s ex-media aide declares support for Dakuku, APC

Opunabo Inko-Tariah

With defection from Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress on the rise, Governor Nyesom Wike might have a thing or two to worry about.

The latest person to show support for APC and its governorship candidate in the state, his former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Rivers State governor, Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah.

He declared support for the efforts by Dakuku and that of the the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the immediate past governor of the state.

Inko Tariah who a few months ago was an irrepressible critic of Amaechi, Peterside and APC said in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital that he poised to assist Peterside and APC wrest power from Governor Nyesom Wike if the Supreme Court orders for a re-run governorship election in the state.

Inko-Tariah in his statement said he was in support of Peterside because he has seen the need for change.”

He said: “Some persons may ask why I am supporting Peterside. It is simple. There comes a time when time itself needs change. For me this is that time.”

He promised to work for Peterside’s victory if the Supreme Court orders a re-run election in the state, expressing the hope that Peterside will put smiles on the faces of people of the state.

Inko-Tariah served under Wike for six months before tendering his resignation, stating that, “However, with unfolding developments, it is irrefragable that my services are no longer needed.”

Source: PM News

Arms deal: Accord Party admits Ladoja collected N100m from Anenih

The Accord Party on Friday admitted it collected N100 million from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Anenih, for it to support the candidacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The money has been traced to the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition by a former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

In a statement on Friday by its National Secretary, Hon. Nureni Adisa, Accord party said the money was passed to it through its National Leader and governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

In the statement dated January 8, 2015, the party stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was released to the ACCORD leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, by Chief Tony Anenih, the (former) Chairman BoT of the PDP.

“We confirm that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was given to the Party through our leader after series of meetings between the leadership of ACCORD and Chief Tony Anenih in preparation for the 2015 general elections.

“The following issues were discussed at the meetings:

“The need to support the Presidential candidate of the PDP since ACCORD had no Presidential candidate.

“The need to ensure that peace was maintained to enhance peaceful movement during periods of campaign, elections and after the elections.

“The need for the PDP to support ACCORD campaign effort.

“Accordingly, the PDP (former) BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih released the sum of One Hundred Million Naira for these purposes through our leader, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

“The money released was accordingly used for the purposes as stated above.”

Source: Today.ng

Ekweremadu Decries Crackdown on Opposition, Rule of Law

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has warned against the trampling of the opposition and total disregard for the rule of law in the guise of anti-corruption war.

Senator Ekweremadu who reaffirmed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s support for a genuine anti-graft crusade, however, decried a situation where such crusade becomes a calculated attempt to decimate and silence the opposition, while members of the ruling party with serious corruption allegations go about their businesses.

Speaking in the light of the continued detention of the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, Senator Ekweremadu expressed fear that Nigeria was fast descending into authoritarianism.

He said the continued detention of the PDP mouthpiece was an attempt to gag the opposition and therefore unhealthy for democracy.

Warning against the corruption of the anti-corruption war, he argued: “An anti-graft trap that catches only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day is compromised”.

He called on the nation to denounce and resist the prevailing situation where people are held in custody against the directives of the courts and laws of the land, insisting that there would be no justice without the rule of law.

Uche Anichukwu

Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy President of the Senate

08/01/16

‘Metuh Never Received N1.4 billion Or N4 million Monthly from ONSA’ – PDP Publicity

The office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted certain apparently sponsored reports in some section of the media dropping figures and falsely claiming that Chief Olisa Metuh got the sum of N1.4 billion in addition to receiving N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the former National Security Adviser.

These reports are completely false, mischievous and fabricated to mislead the public and derail the course of proper investigation on issues relating to Chief Metuh.

For the avoidance of doubt, neither Chief Metuh nor his office received the figures being bandied. We therefore challenge the EFCC to substantiate that Chief Metuh received the said N1.4 billion figure as well as make public any evidence that he ever received N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

This office is deeply worried at the turnout of events since Tuesday when Chief Metuh was arrested and detained while fictitious figures continue to be bandied against him in the media.

Chief Metuh, as a well-known citizen and a public figure had always stated his readiness to honor any invitation by the EFCC or any agency of government for that matter on any issue regarding any allegations against him.

This office is therefore persuaded that the continued detention of Chief Metuh is ostensibly part of the plot by the APC to silence or keep the opposition spokesperson out of circulation for obvious reasons of clipping the wings of the opposition PDP.

Signed:

Richard Ihediwa

Special Assistant To

PDP National Publicity Secretary

EFCC Raids Ex-Customs Comptroller-General, Dikko’s Home

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday raided the residence of the immediate past Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, in Abuja.

Anti-graft personnel arrived at the house located at 6, Ahmed Musa Crescent, Jabi, at about 7 a.m., the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

Mr. Dikko was not at home at the time of raid. NAN reports that the mission of the personnel was not disclosed to any member of the family who were in the house.

Armed officials of EFCC were still around the property by Friday noon, NAN said.

The agency quoted an armed police at the house as saying that they were deployed to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.

The report also quoted Mohammed Usman, a relative to the former Customs boss, as saying that the EFCC operatives arrived at the residence at about 7 a.m.

According to him, about seven operatives searched different sections of the property for documents.

“A team of about seven operatives of the EFCC in company with some armed policemen arrived at the residence at about 7am and have been in the house for the past five hours.

“From the information available to me, no search warrant was presented before the commencement of the search.

“As I speak to you, they are currently in my uncle’s bedroom carrying out the search in his absence,” he said.

Mr. Usman faulted the search on the ground that the operation was being carried out in the absence of the former comptroller-general.

“The only people in the house at the commencement of this search and even till now are his children who are below the ages of 18,” he said.

When contacted, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Spokesman said that he had not been informed of the search on the former comptroller -general’s residence.

Source: Premium Times

Lagarde Meets Emefiele, Banks’ CEOs, NASS

In continuation of her four-day visit to Nigeria, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as well as Chief Executive Officers of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, which took place at the Head office of the Bank, Ms. Lagarde said discussions centered on how the Nigerian economy would be rescued through banks’ support to the real sector, realistic interest rates, among others issues.

The Governor, Mr. Emefiele, who corroborated Lagarde’s stance, commended the visit of the IMF chief at this critical period, saying the meeting with the banks’ CEOs was fruitful and would assist their role in boosting economic growth in the economy.

At the National Assembly, Ms. Lagarde met with the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Principal Officers of the Senate, during which she made a comprehensive presentation and offered professional advice on how to move the economy forward. She also promised that the IMF would support Nigeria in its journey towards economic recovery.

The presentation, based on what she termed 3Rs: Resolve, Resilience and Restraint, detailed Ms. Lagarde’s perspective on Nigeria’s story, which she structured into three phases: the global transitions and how they impacted on Nigeria’s economy; the importance of managing near-term vulnerabilities facing the economy; and suggestions on what might help towards achieving a more inclusive and sustainable growth.

She concluded by affirming Nigeria’s position as a 21st world economy, premised on indicators such as a booming mobile communications market; vibrant film industry; growing number of innovative startups in fashion and software development industries; among others. She however pointed to some structural challenges in the economy such as poverty and inequality, which she said would continue to stunt any growth potentials of the country unless efforts to address them was doubled.

Some of the suggestions Lagarde offered, which she believed would turn around the economy, included effective transportation network, fostering a sound banking system to attract more savings into productive investment, and an effective war against corruption.

In a welcome address, President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, said, as people’s representatives, it was imperative for them to have adequate understanding of the policies of the IMF. He also promised that the National Assembly would help the country achieve economic diversification.

The National Assembly session was attended by key committee Chairmen, including Senator Danjuma Goje of the Appropriation; Senator John Enoh of Finance; Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Agriculture; Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Planning; and Senator Binta Masi Garba of the Tertiary Education and TETFund.

Earlier at the Mother Theresa Orphanage in Gwarimpa, Abuja, Ms. Lagarde commended the efforts of the proprietors and called for more support from the private sector. After inspecting the facilities at the orphanage the IMF Managing Director, made a token donation on behalf of the IMF.

Earlier in her remarks, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade, promised that the CBN would assist the orphanage.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance Dr. Mahmud Isa Dutse, who represented the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said that Federal Government had budgeted the sum of N500m this year to cater for the vulnerable groups.