JOB CREATION REMAINS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES OF OUR CHANGE AGENDA - BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari declared Saturday in Kaduna that job creation will remain one of the topmost priorities of his administration’s economic agenda because it was vital for the attainment of the Federal Government’s other objectives of improved security and poverty reduction.

Speaking at the 2nd Convocation ceremony of the Kaduna State University which had “Entrepreneurship for Development” as its theme, President Buhari pledged that his administration will give the fullest possible support to all efforts to create more jobs through the reorientation of Nigerian youth towards an entrepreneurial mindset.

“This administration will ensure that youths in the country are gainfully employed and youth restiveness curtailed.

“One of the focal points of this administration is job creation. Job creation will help in the achievement of other objectives of the government such as poverty reduction. Insecurity cannot be divorced from unemployment and poverty because an idle mind, they say, is the devil’s workshop.

“With declining internally generated revenue and over dependence on equally declining oil revenues, there is need to seek other ways of diversifying the economy so as to boost revenue.

“One of the ways we can achieve this is through the reorientation of our youths towards an entrepreneurial mindset. We must therefore promote and enhance the teaching and learning of entrepreneurial skills in all schools and tertiary institutions, thereby exposing our youth to the basics and rudiments of starting and sustaining their own businesses,” President Buhari told the gathering.

The President said that to encourage and assist Nigerian youth to move from being job seekers to job creators, his administration will sustain and improve ongoing programmes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and other Federal agencies to grant them start-up loans at concessionary rates.

President Buhari urged the Nigerian private sector to also do more to support government’s efforts to boost youth entrepreneurship and the development of micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the country.

He thanked the University for conferring an honourary doctorate degree of letters on him.

Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 12, 2015

DASUKIGATE ($2.2bn Arms Deal): Why Dasuki paid former VP, Sambo N20m monthly – Ex-NSA account officer

Further details on the misappropriation of money meant for procurement of arms by the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki have continued to surface.

The latest coming from the former Accounts Officer II in the Office of the former National Security Adviser, ONSA, Ibrahim Idris Wambai who says the Office of the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo received a monthly stipend of N20m from the ONSA.

Wambai stated that several presidential aides, who benefited from the slush funds used five firms as a platforms to receive their share from ONSA, the Nation reports.

He disclosed that many prominent Nigerians and leaders also got huge sums from ONSA during the leadership of Dsauki.

In a Statement of Witness/Accused Person which was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wambai said the records of all cash payments to such individuals and organizations are still intact.

The certified statement on oath is part of the Proof of Evidence for the trial of nine suspects next week.

He said: “In December 2014, I took cash of N4million to Col. Madaki(rtd) in his residence in Wuse II Abuja. I had made many cash payments to Doyin Okupe, Ahmad Idris (PA to ex-NSA), ADC to former First Lady Patience Jonathan as payments for monthly operation allowances.

“The documents showing evidence of the payments are in the office of Yazidu Ibrahim in cash payment files. The exact amounts paid and date of payments I cannot remember but are available in the files.

“The venue for the collection of the money was my office and the money was given to me from the cash in the strong room.

“So many cash payments were made on a monthly basis to the following beneficiaries: Office of the former Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo (N20,000,000). The money was being collected by former Deputy Chief of Staff; ADC to former President, amount not known but in cash payment files; Chief Personal physician to former President Goodluck Jonathan; former coordinator on anti-terrorism, Gen. Sarkin Yaki; former Director PC4, Gen. Terba Waya, rtd, Personal Assistant, Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The amounts and frequency of payments to the beneficiaries as well as the list of other beneficiaries are in the cash payment files

“I also witnessed several payments in cash to various people. Prominent was about payment of N300million to former Chairman on Security and Intelligence, Dr. Bello Matawalle from the cash in the strong room.

“To get details of cash payments in Naira and individuals and organizations summary and vouchers from January 2011 to July 2015, the documents are kept in Yazidu Ibrahim’s former office. These should be collected from the Director of Finance and Administration, Col. Jafaru Mohammed. I and Yazidu Ibrahim can supply the files and the summary.”

Wambai further listed the names of the five firms allegedly used for transfer of funds from the ONSA.

According to Wambai,“The amounts for the five companies are ACACIA Holdings Limited(N600,000,000) via account no. 1017330319 with UBA and N650million via account no. 0122012650 with ECOBANK Nigeria Limited; Reliance Referral Hospital Limited(N750m) via account no.2022394057 with First Bank Nigeria Plc; Jabbama Global Nigeria Limited(N400m) via account no. 1013898095 with Zenith Bank; Continental Development etc.”

Also read: I delivered $47m in 11 suitcases to Dasuki!! http://bit.ly/1J0VN3s

I delivered $47m in 11 suitcases to Dasuki!!

MORE shocking revelations have come on how huge cash estimated at $2billion meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by key government officials and politicians during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 11 suit cases.

He said he suspected that the cash might have been given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He, however, said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only carried out instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, yesterday ordered that Salisu  be either arraigned in a competent court of law if there is any basis for so doing or be released on administrative bail on terms to be settled by the applicant.

It was also discovered that N10billion was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  for gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The payment of the N10billion was authenticated by former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has said she transferred $322 million from the Abacha loot to Dasuki, following instruction from Dr. Jonathan.

Salisu opened up in a Statement of Witness/Accused  he wrote under oath in the presence of investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The statement was attached to the charges preferred against Salisu and filed  in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in preparation for his arraignment by the EFCC today before Justice H.Y. Baba and Justice P.O. Affen.

Salisu, who said he did not benefit from all the slush funds from the CBN, said: “I could remember on the 20/11/2014 , I was directed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki to go to the CBN and collect the sum of $47m in cash and the balance in Euro and the directive was obeyed and the monies were delivered to the NSA in about 11 suit cases.

“I acknowledged the receipt of the money from the CBN which was handed over to M.S. Dasuki.

“I think the monies were meant for PDP. After delivery, I left, I did not see or know when the money was distributed.

“I did not benefit even one cent. The request for the funds was tag(sic) Special Services signed by the NSA, M.S. Dasuki, addressed to the Governor of CBN.

“I did not know the source of the money into our CBN Account. The foreign currencies  that I collected from the CBN were delivered to the NSA in his house, No. 13, John Kadiya Street, Asokoro.”

The Nation last night  obtained memos of some  of the curious withdrawals.

In a  November 26, 2014 memo to the Central Bank Governor(NSA /366/S), the former NSA instructed as follows: “Further to our discussion, you are pleased requested to provide the sum of $47m cash out of the N10 billion and the balance in Euro to this office for special services.

“Mr. S.A Salisu, Director of Finance and Administration, is hereby authorised to sign and collect the amount. Please accept, Your Excellency , the assurances of my highest esteem.

In another April 10, 2015 letter, BPSD/CRC/ GEN/FMF/01/36 by the Banking and Payment System Department, the CBN authenticated payment mandate of N10billion to the ONSA for preparation for gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

The letter, signed by CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, reads: “In accordance with your letters, Ref. No. HMF/FMF/082.F15276.7 and F.15276 respectively on the above subject, we forward herewith the following mandate for authentication. Mandate Ref. FD/LP(9/4/2015)-N5,000,000,000 to National Security Adviser Account No. 0029172241019, CBN; another N5,000,000,000 to National Security Adviser Account No. 1014199287, Zenith Bank, K-City Plaza, WUSE II Abuja.

“Purpose of payment: “Being amount released to the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA) from the Signatory Bonus Account in preparation for the forthcoming Gubernatorial / State Assembly elections as approved by AGF.

“The Honourable Minister may wish to authenticate this mandate to enable the CBN remit the fund.”

In a short note to approve the request Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala simply said: “Authenticated” and signed.

There were indications last night that the EFCC may invite Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala “for clarifications”. She has openly admitted that she released $322million to ex-NSA Dasuki from the Abacha loot recovered.

“ We have to find out from her whether or not due process was followed. She also needs to tell the anti-graft agency whether such a release was appropriated or not,” a source told The Nation, pleading not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the matter.

Justice Ishaq Bello yesterday ordered that Salisu  be either arraigned in a competent court of law if there is any basis for so doing or be released on administrative bail on terms to be settled by the applicant.

This followed an application for the enforcement of Salisu’s fundamental human rights by his counsel, A.U Mustapha.

Mustapha had sought for a declaration that the “ arrest and continuous detention of Salisu by the EFCC from November 20, 2015 constitutes a gross volation of the applicant’s rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement respectively guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

“A declaration that the arrest and continuous detention of the applicant in custody without any charge since November 20 with a view to denying him freedom of movement as guaranteed by 1999 Constitution and .article 10(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights( Ratification and Enfircement) Act Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria is accordingly unlawful, unconstitutional and illegal.

“An order directing the the EFCC to release the applicant forthwith without any condition.

“An order as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the application.”



Source: The Nation

Police arraign six Osun pupils for attacking teachers

By - Femi Makinde, Osogbo.

The Police in Osun State have arraigned six pupils for allegedly disrupting the peace at St. Mark’s Anglican High School, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

According to a charge sheet obtained by our correspondent in Osogbo on Friday, the students were arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court presided over by Mrs. Adejumoke Olowolagba.

The accused persons who police prosecutor said  were all 18 years of age are: Adewunmi Olusegun, T.  Ajibola, Sodiq Ganiyu , Femi Adegbite , Atoyebi Nurudeen Atoyebi  and Yusuf Adepoju.

Police prosecutor, Mr. Taiwo Adeboke, told the court that the accused persons and others at large disturbed the peace of the school on December 7 and used  cutlasses and sticks.

The prosecutor told the court that  the pupils committed an offence  punishable under Section 517(d) and 249(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II, Law of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.

The charge  sheet read, ” That you Adewunmi Olusegun, age 18; Toheb Ajibola, 18; Sodiq Ganiyu 18;  Femi Adegbite 18;  Nurudeen Atoyebi 18  and Yusuf Adepoju 18 and others now at large on 7th day of December, 2015 at St. Marks Anglican High School, Osogbo in the Osogbo Magisterial District did conspire together to commit misdemeanour to wit conduct likely to cause breach of the peace by disturbing the school activities.

Also Read - Pupils attack teachers with guns in Osun - http://bit.ly/1RcVJoW

“That you and  others now at large at the same date, time and place aforementioned did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by disturbing the school activities with sticks and cutlasses.”

The accused person pleaded not guilty and the magistrate granted then bail  in sum of N200,000 with two sureties each.

 She adjourned the case to February 15th for mention.

It will be recalled that the Osun State Ministry of Education had closed down the school following the disturbance by some students who were said to be cultists.

Some of the students were reported to have chased some teachers with locally made guns and injured a cadet deployed in the school.

Source: Punch

Court Of Appeal In Abuja Sacks All PDP Senators from Rivers!

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has ordered a rerun of Rivers East Senatorial election.

It was the unanimous judgement delivered by a panel of three justices.

The case was filed by Senator Magnus Abe of APC against PDP’s Senator Olaka Wogu who was declared the winner of the election into the Senatorial district by INEC.

The court has also nullified the election of Senator Osinaka Ideuzo of PDP. In the unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Abdullahi, the court ordered a rerun of the election in 90 days.

Yesterday, the same court nullified the election of Senator George Sekibo, meaning that all the PDP senators have been sacked in the state.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/12/11/court-appeal-abuja-sacks-all-pdp-senators-rivers

APC sure of winning Bayelsa!

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it is confident that it will still emerge victorious in the governorship election in Bayelsa state despite the poor performance in the seven local government areas where elections has been concluded.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank who expressed the party’s optimism on Thursday, said even though the party lost six of the seven local government where results have been announced so far, it was confident that when the supplementary election is conducted, the APC will emerge victorious.


Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Frank said the infighting within the party in the state was largely responsible for the poor performance of the party in six of the seven local government areas where elections have been concluded and results announced by INEC.


He said that there were issues resulting from the conduct of the governorship primary in the state, pointing out that the governorship candidate of the party should be able to correct the mistakes he made that put the party in the current position.


He said: “This is the beginning of the battle. The battle is not yet over because we still have a rerun election and we are waiting for INEC to give us a new date. By the grace if god, that local government t is a very big one that has a lot of votes.

“Yes, we must have lost in the other six local government areas that has been announced. But we are still hopeful that if we come together as a party, we will achieve a lot.

“I can tell you clearly that the only reason why we lost the local government areas we have lost is because there are internal crisis in Bayelsa and I made this clear before today. Those crisis are still there till today. For example, our governorship candidate has not spoken to me since after the primary election.

“There are so many people still aggrieved within the party and there are those who don’t have the courage to speak out and that is why we lost in those a areas we lost. If we came together from the beginning as one, if you were united before the election and everyone seems to be happy what happened in Bayelsa would not have happened.

“However whatever has happened is history today, but I pray that the candidate himself should be able to correct whatever wrong or mistakes he must have made to put our party in this situation. Now that we are expecting a local government that has a very big votes, if we do well to correct our wrongs, I believe that we can still get victory from that local government”.

Frank who insisted that he was the constitutionally recognized spokesman of the party with the exit of the National Publicity Secretary said the party and indeed Nigerians were not prepared for what happened in Kogi state, but expressed satisfaction with the way the party handled the issue.

“Sorry to say that we were not prepared for what happened in Kogi State. But as a party, we just had to take a decision. We were also conscious of the fact that who ever the party choose, people will still go to court. So, we can not be stagnant as a party and we had to come up with a decision.

“Whatever decision was taken, the party consulted widely, spoke with the people of Kogi state, did all our checks before taking the decision that was taken. As a party, we have taken a decision and it is left for people who feel aggrieved to challenge it in the court of law. Whatever such the outcome of such litigations, as a party, we respect the rule of law. We I’ll give the judiciary the opportunity at this point in time to interprete the laws and what ever the court says, as a party, we will abide by it”.

On who speaks for the party with the exit of Lai Mohammed, Frank said “I can tell you clearly that our party constitution is very clear and for anybody who does not understand the party constitution within the party, as at today, I am the Acting spokesperson of the party.

“It is very clear that when either the National Chairman, the National Secretary or anybody is not there today, the deputy takes over automatically. This is the principle contained in the party constitution. We have this also existing today in the PDP. You can see that when Mauzu left, Secondus is today acting Chairman of the party.

“It is not different. Today, Lai Mohammed is not there and so, I am the Acting spokesperson of the party. Any other person issue ing statements for the party is doing so in his personal capacity. But constitutionally, I am the Acting Spokesperson of the party. It is not something I need to lobby of beg somebody within the party for. It is skiing that is meant to be the trend and no by it”.

On whether he believed that the Buhari government can sustain the N5000 payment to unemployed Nigerians. Comrade Timi Frank said “I can tell you clearly that for the President to come up with this kind of budget, I believe he must have commuted himself to Nigerians and is trying to key into his promises to Nigerians and see how he can turn things around to make sure that whatever promise he has made can really are sustained.

“He has competent hands. You can see that he has been traveling from one country to another looking for solutions and how Nigeria can really move forward under his leadership. Sustainability is not going to be an issue because he has a team which can deliver.

“I believe they are going to look for ways of sustaining what he has promised Nigerians. I will only appeal to Nigerians to give him the opportunity to see how he will achieve whatever he must have promised.

“Let us just give him a chance and be hopeful and trust that Mr. president, known to be somebody who keep to his words, is going to achieve the promise he has made to Nigerians”.




Source: The Nation

Popular Abuja based Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA ministries is said to have acquired the latest Porsche coupe – the Targa 911 S4.

The car is said to have cost around N25Million and believed to have been given as a gift to the pastor in Abuja.