‘There will be no padding in 2018 budget’

The leadership of the House of Representatives has put checks in place, to forestall incidences of padding in the 2018 budget, Chairman House Committee on Media, Abdulrazak Namdas has said.
The House Spokesman, while having a chat with The Nation on Wednesday said the measure put in place by the Green Chamber is to ensure that the type of controversies witnessed in the past does not recur.
He said: “You should know that the leadership of the House has put checks in place, like the rule that, no Standing Committee chairman can submit his report to the Appropriation Committee without the signatures of two-thirds of the members of the committee.
“We have passed the stage of the budget controversy, allegations of padding and stories of the budget getting missing. Some of these were symptoms of the 2016 budget season, we didn’t have such problems with the 2017 budget. ”
Namdas also hinted that the budget may not get to the President at the time he envisaged, adding that the National Assembly must consider the fine points of the bill and make the necessary adjustment that reflects the realities of the constituencies and the nation in general.
According to him, the Green Chamber cannot return the document as it was presented.
His words: “When the president presented his speech on the budget presentation day, he expressed the wish that the budget is approved by January 1st.
“We are saying that we will work faster since the 2018 Appropriation Bill was brought a little bit earlier, we should also be able to approve the budget a little earlier.
“But I cannot be specific about a date since we are few weeks to the end of December. This is about twenty sitting days, so if I sit here in the comfort of my office to assure Nigerians that the budget will be passed by 1st of January, you and even them will know it’s not feasible.
“For the budget process, you should be looking at a minimum of three months. We will deliberate on the basic principles of the budget, it will be committed to committees to work on it, meet with MDA and they now send their report to the Appropriation Committee. All of these processes take time.
“I think people should be more concerned about the National Assembly and the executive coming up with an implementable budget, rather than focusing on a January date.”
Source: The Nation

Senate accuses CBN, NNPC, others of frustrating passage of 2018 budget

The Senate Wednesday said that the refusal of key government officials to honour its invitation for the consideration of templates contained in the 2018 budget is hampering its plan to pass the budget before the end of December 2017.
The upper chamber specifically named the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru and Controller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali as some of those who failed to honour its invitation.
The Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Director, National Bureau of Statistics, were also listed to have refused to appear before its committee to provide information that would aid the Senate to pass the budget on time.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi raised the alarm at a news briefing yesterday in Abuja.
Abdullahi said that the Senate is disturbed by a situation where heads of ministries, departments and agencies are invited by the Senate in relation to the 2018 budget without the government official honouring the invitation.
He noted that the joint Senate committee on Appropriation, Finance and National Planning held a crucial meeting on Tuesday to consider the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) where some heads of key MDAs were invited to throw light on the MTEF.
He said that CBN governor, NNPC GMD, Customs Controller General, Director DPR and Director, National Bureau for Statistics who were duly invited failed to honour the invitation.
The Senate’s spoke person said that the zeal of the upper chamber to pass the budget before the end of the year was being constrained by the action of the key agency officials.
He said that some agency heads decided to send lowly placed officers who can not be held responsible for any resolution.
Insisting that it is important that the government top officials honour their invitation, Abdullahi said that dispatching lowly placed officers to stand in for them does not help matter.
He said that nothing could be more important than the annual budget of a country “but these people decided to stay away.
Asked whether the development would affect passage of the 2018 budget before the end of the year, Abdullahi said: “We are reporting back to the people of Nigeria the hurdle we are facing in the process of trying to meet the target. For me, I cannot give you any concrete commitment. What we are doing is to report back to the people.”
Meanwhile Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning and Economic Affairs laid the report of 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for consideration and adoption.
The MTEF and FSP are the plant upon which the budget estimates are built.
Its adoption will pave the way for the consideration of the 2018 budget.

Rain of tributes for Ekwueme

President Muhammadu Buhari, former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Ekwueme passed on Sunday night in London where he had been receiving treatment since November 13.
Igwe Laz Ekwueme, the monarch of Oko, Anambra State and brother to the former VP, announced his demise in a statement yesterday, saying the elder statesman died at a London clinic at about 10 p.m. on Sunday.
“Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme,’’ he said.
Ekwueme, who turned 85 years last month, collapsed in his home in Enugu a few days after his birthday.
He was taken to Enugu Memfys Nuerosurgery Hospital from where he was moved to London for further medical attention on the orders of President Buhari.
Ekwueme was the Vice President to Alhaji Shagari between 1979 and 1983.
His home town Oko was thrown into mourning. His death dominated discussions everywhere. Ekweueme’s country home was deserted.  Only one security guard was on duty.
A few people had signed the condolence register at the monarch’s palace.
The monarch was said to be upstairs while visitors waited in vain to see him.
Those sighted were Justice A Ekwueme,  Lady Edith Ekwueme,  her daughter,   Ada Ekwueme – Onions and the son of the first monarch of the community, Mike Ekwueme
None of them spoke on how the former VP died.
Visitors and sympathisers were yesterday trooping to the Ezzikwo Street, Independence Layout, Enugu home of the ex-vice-president.
Among the early callers were President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo and the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, the eight Rev Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma.
A condolence register was opened.
Ekwueme ‘s senior widow, Beatrice was said to be away in Abuja. The junior widow, surrounded by many women, was receiving visitors.
President Buhari sent his condolences to Nigerians, the government and people of Anambra State on Ekwueme’s death.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, the President commiserated with the Oko Kingdom, the Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Ekwueme family over the loss of the  patriarch.
He said his regular counsel on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed.
The President affirmed that Dr Ekwueme’s unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria had been a major encouragement to many governments, recalling the personal sacrifices he made in helping to lay the foundation for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
The President believed Dr Ekwueme worked assiduously to improve the livelihood of many poor and underprivileged people through the Alex Ekwueme Foundation, describing him as a man who served his country and humanity.
He prayed that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the former Vice President, and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Second Republic President Shagari also  commiserated with Nigerians over Ekwueme’s death.
In a statement in Sokoto, the former President described the late Ekwueme as his brother who stood for peace, unity and stability of the country.
Shagari, who signed the statement personally said: “It is with deep sense of loss that I learnt aboutý the demise of my brother and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.
”On behalf of myself, I sincerely commiserate with Nigerians on his death ýMay his soul rest in peace.”
Former President Obasanjo described Ekwueme’s demise as “shocking”. He said the Second Republic Vice – President was a “selfless, disciplined and patriotic Nigerian who lived a worthy and exemplary life”
In a statement titled:”Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme: A Tribute”, Obasanjo noted that Ekwueme recorded diverse and worthy achievements in the multifaceted endeavours.
“His irrepressible thirst for knowledge and education, which propelled his foray into many fields of intellectual pursuit and his distinguished role in the development of the architectural profession in Nigeria are shining examples to the younger generation, many of whom have, in fact, benefited from his philanthropy and goodwill.
“It cannot be gainsaid that, over the years, Dr. Ekwueme had shown courage of conviction and integrity in his dealings at the pinnacle of national affairs, notably with his record of sincerity as Vice-President of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983 and as Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during my administration as a democratically-elected President of Nigeria. It would not be an exaggeration to state that with his exemplary lifestyle and commitment to noble and worthy causes, he rightly came
to be regarded as one of the titans of Nigerian politics and an illustrious elder statesman.
”I had hoped he would continue to play an active role in strengthening democracy in Nigeria as well as lending his voice to the ennobling ideal of national unity.  But what can we do?
“I would only urge that we should accept this circumstance as the unquestionable will of God who gives and takes life according to His will and wish.
“As the whole world pays tribute to Dr. Ekwueme, I join them in celebrating the life of a man who raised the beacon of human struggle to lofty heights of nobility and whose life is an example of what we should all aspire for. His struggle and our struggles remain the same and as we all seek for answers to deal with today’s challenges.
“His demise is a loss to his family who would miss a caring patriarch,
the people of Anambra State who would miss a guide and the good people of Nigeria who would miss a leader.  In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility.” Obasanjo said.
Gen. Babangida extolled the virtue of simplicity that characterised the life of the late Vice President.
“His simplicity is a rare virtue, despite his intellectual depth. I have come to know him with carriage of a man that is always living a very worthwhile live built on values and morality. We will miss him , Nigeria needs people like him now than ever” IBB said.
“I condole with the family of the late Dr Ekweme , the government and  people of Anambra state and Nigerians , I pray that God gives the Family and all of us the fortitude  to bear the irreplaceable loss”

Protests, anger rock PDP ahead Dec. 9 convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains unsettled as it heads for its December 9 convention.

National chairman aspirant Prof. Tunde Adeniran has kicked against the list of panelists to conduct the ward delegates’ election ahead of the convention. He has petitioned the leadership.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been fixed for Abuja to ratify the list, among other decisions on the convention.
Adeniran said many members of the committee are sympathisers and supporters of Prince Uche Secondus, another chairmanship candidate.

In the Southwest, the faction led by Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe is laying claim to legitimacy. The leadership recognises Dr. Eddy Olafeso as the Vice Chairman (Southwest). Makanjuola is threatening a law suit should his faction be denied participation at the convention.
In Oyo State, a meeting on Sunday to settle the differences between the two factions on Sunday broke up in disagreement.
The director general of Adeniran’s Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, said the peace accord entered into by the eight chairmanship aspirants is threatened.
”A particular state has members on that list and some of  them are the leading campaigners for Prince Uche Secondus. We as campaign organisation were not consulted to bring one or two persons and I am sure other aspirants were not consulted too.
“It is an indirect way of short-changing other aspirants. The spirit behind the MoU we signed has been violated, not by the aspirants but by the party managers,” Gabam said.
The Adeniran camp mentioned Senator George Sekibo, Mr. Austin Opara, ThanGod Danagogo, Chief Kenneth Ubani Emeka Ihedioha as some of the Secondus loyalists on the list.

The Adeniran camp said: “Now you have just one chairmanship aspirant having his men deeply entrenched in a system that would determine how the delegates will emerge.
“The party created the division among the aspirants. The party should provide equal base for all aspirants and I want to say that we disagree with the composition of this list.”
Adeniran urged the party leadership to shun impunity and imposition of candidates, saying PDP must learn from past mistakes.
The camp yesterday rejected the call by the Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for shadow primary elections for aspirants from the South West, saying the governor had already taken sides.
The Caretaker Committee of the PDP said: “We have received a petition written by Prof Adeniran on the matter and the Caretaker Committee will meet to discuss the petition this week.”
Ogundipe told reporters that the faction remained the authentic executive in the zone based on a subsisting court judgment.
Ogundipe said the continued recognition of Olafeso as Vice Chairman (Southwest) ran foul of the law as there had been no superior order to nullify the subsisting Abuja court judgment.
“We are the authentic Southwest zonal executive of the PDP, based on a subsisting court judgment and we want the party to accord us the due recognition.
“Any other group parading themselves as exco from the zone is committing an illegality as there has been no better judgement to nullify the court judgement affirming us as the authentic executive.
“Moreso, the subsisting court order restrained Olafeso and his group from participating in the Dec. 9 national convention.
“We do not want to constitute any problem to the convention and that is why we are saying the party should operate in accordance with law and allow us to present delegates from the zone.
“In the event that we are excluded, just as we were at the non-elective convention in Port-Harcourt, we shall take the necessary legal action, and that will affect the party in the long run,” he said.
Ogundipe said the Supreme Court judgment affirming Sen. Ahmed Makarfi as Caretaker Chairman did not nullify the leadership of his faction in the zone.
He urged all stakeholders to abide by the rule of law in order not to jeopardise the progress of the party.
Ogundipe cleared Chief Olabode George of any involvement in the leadership impasse in the zone.
He said an all-encompassing meeting of stakeholders in the zone, including national chairmanship aspirants, would soon hold, to decide on a united position of the zone to the convention.
Olafeso, in a statement yesterday said the Southwest PDP did not micro zone the chairman’s post.
He denied that the Southwest executive at its last meeting with stakeholders directed that national chairman aspirant must come from a particular state.
“This is patently false as no such decision was taken. We only zoned other offices that were zoned to the Southwest among all the states in the region and this action is traditional.
“The position of national chairman and deputy national chairman is zoned to the southern states and, as such is beyond the scope of the South West zone to unilaterally adjudicate on. We declare that all those gentlemen that have signified their intentions to contest for those positions remain at liberty to continue to prosecute their ambitions without hindrance.”
The attempt to resolve the crisis between the two factions in Oyo State failed at the weekend.
Senator Rashidi Ladoja called a parley in his home on Sunday but it ended in a stalemate as the faction led by Seyi Makinde, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi and Senator Hosea Agboola rejected the terms of truce.
At the meeting, the representatives of the Makinde faction – Akande-Adeola, Agboola and Hon. Kehinde Ayoola- rejected the offer of a position for Akande-Adeola and Agboola to appease the faction.
The faction, it was learnt, insisted on harmonisation that will see both factions have almost equal number of slots in the State Executive.
The factions held parallel congresses on November 4.
The National Caretaker Committee invited Ladoja for a resolution. Ladoja was said to have promised the committee that he would resolve the crisis.  His promise made the national leadership to stop its intervention. The committee also considered the fact that both factions accepted the former governor as the leader.
At the Sunday meeting were also Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Chief Yemi Aderibigbe and Sen.  Ayo Adeseun from the Ladoja faction.
The meeting, which lasted for over two hours, failed to resolve the problem, with each camp not ready to shift grounds.
It was learnt that Makinde also rejected the two slots already given to him, saying he should have been allowed to present his own candidates.

Source: The Nation Nigeria

Maryam Sanda arrested for stabbing husband to death

Maryam Sanda and Bilyamin Bello: when they got married a few years ago

The Nigerian Police has confirmed the arrest of Maryam Sanda for allegedly stabbing her husband, Haliru Bello to death.
Bello, 35, son of Haliru Bello, a former chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has been buried according to Islamic rites in Abuja, after prayers at the National Mosque.
Police Public Relations Officer, DPS Anjuguri Manzah, in a chat with newsmen said that the suspect was arrested on Sunday night. He said that she would be charged to court after investigations have been concluded.
According to the police, the investigation was being handled by its homicide department adding that investigation would be concluded soon.
Haliru Bello’s death was not natural, as he was allegedly  killed in his Maitama home in Abuja by his wife,  Maryam Sanda.
Maryam is  the daughter of Maimuna Aliyu, former Aso Saving Bank executive.
According to reports, Maryam allegedly killed her husband on Saturday night, stabbing him several times.
Multiple reports online said she attacked her husband based on allegations of infidelity after seeing a text message  on his phone.
Maryam was said to have stabbed Bello, who would have clocked 36 on November 23, thrice in the back. She also reportedly stabbed him several times on his manhood.
After stabbing him, she drove him to the hospital for treatment but he did not survive the attack.
Anjuri Manza, spokesman of FCT police command, confirmed the murder : “We are investigating the matter,”he told the Cable.
According to reports, it was not the first time Maryam  would attack Bello violently.
She once  bit part of his ear off  during an argument. Bello was treated at a hospital before returning home. Some report said he was advised to leave the house but he refused, only to be brutally attacked the second time.
The couple had a daughter together.
Bello’s father was the acting chairman of the PDP board of trustees from 2015-2016, minister of defence from 2011-2012, and minister of communications from 2001-2003.

Source: NAN

Resignation: Mugabe convenes cabinet meeting

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe

(Reuters/NAN) Zimbabwe’s information minister said on Tuesday he did not know whether ministers would attend a cabinet meeting called by President Robert Mugabe at his State House offices, the first since a military takeover on Nov. 15.
“I do not know whether anyone will attend,” SK Moyo told Reuters hours before parliament was due to sit to start proceedings to impeach the 93-year-old leader.
Cabinet meetings normally start at 7.30 GMT.
Mugabe faces the start of impeachment proceedings on Tuesday that could see him ousted within the week, against the backdrop of a military takeover dubbed “Operation Restore Legacy”.
The ruling ZANU-PF party plans to bring the impeachment motion in parliament, after a Monday noon deadline expired for the besieged 93-year-old leader to resign and bring the curtain down on nearly four decades in power.
Impeachment would be an ignominious end to the career of the “Grand Old Man” of African politics, once lauded as an anti-colonial hero and the only leader Zimbabwe has known since it gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Mugabe has so far shown no signs of stepping down and has called for the weekly cabinet meeting to take place as usual on Tuesday.
It would be the first time ministers sit down with him since the military took power on Wednesday.
In the draft impeachment motion, ZANU-PF, which expelled Mugabe from the party on Sunday, accused him of being a “source of instability”, flouting the rule of law and presiding over an “unprecedented economic tailspin” in the last 15 years.
It also said he had abused his constitutional mandate to favour his unpopular wife Grace, 52, whose tilt at power triggered the backlash from the army that brought tanks onto the streets of the capital.
The military operation was launched after Mugabe sacked Mnangagwa, in a move meant to boost Grace’s chances of succeeding her husband.
Zimbabwe’s top general said on Monday talks were planned between Mugabe and Mnangagwa, who was expected back in the country soon.
Gen. Constantino Chiwenga also revealed that the army’s intervention was codenamed “Operation Restore Legacy” and was progressing well.
It has been marked by unexpected twists and turns.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Harare to celebrate the impending downfall of Mugabe, accused by critics of retaining power through terror and election-rigging and of running a once-vibrant economy into the ground.
They expected him to resign within hours. Instead Mugabe dashed their hopes with a bizarre and rambling televised address on Sunday night in which he made no mention of his own fate.
Since last week, Mugabe has been confined to his lavish “Blue Roof” residence in Harare, apart from two trips to State House to meet the generals and one to a university graduation ceremony at which he appeared to fall asleep.
Grace, known as “Gucci Grace” for her alleged fondness for extravagant shopping sprees, and at least two senior members of her “G40” political faction are believed to be holed up in the same compound.
Her stark reversal of fortune was underscored on Monday when the state-run Herald newspaper , which in August proclaimed her “A loving mother of the nation” , ran a piece headlined “Youth League slams ‘uncultured’ First Lady.”
“Grace Mugabe lacked grooming and true motherhood as shown by her foul language,” the paper quoted the ZANU-PF’s youth wing as saying.
Source: NAN

How Diezani forced Jonathan to sack me – Stella Oduah

Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has alleged that former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani-Alison Madueke, forced ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to sack her.

She made the claim in an upcoming book, ‘On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria’, written by the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bolaji Abdullahi, who also served under Jonathan.
According to Oduah, Jonathan called her to explain herself after the news about the $1.6million BMW armoured cars bought for her by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was reported.
She revealed that Alison-Madueke and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, were present at the meeting.
“I thought she had my back. I did not know at the time that she was actually fuelling it and orchestrating all the media attacks,” she told Abdullahi.
“I knew all along that Diezani could not deal with having another female around who had the kind of access I had to the president. But she went too far.
“She thought I was the one who leaked the issue of private jet that put her into trouble with the House of Representatives (Diezani was accused of spending N10 billion on chartered jets). For her it was payback time.”
“Diezani was paying people to keep the story alive. At the same time, she was whispering in [the president’s] ears that he had to take action,” Oduah said.

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Kaduna Commissioner of Education, Andrew Nok is dead

Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, Prof. Andrew Jonathan Nok is dead.

He died in the early hours of Tuesday.
Details surrounding his passing were unclear as at the time of filing this report.
Nok is a Nigerian Professor of Biochemistry Public affairs secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
In 2010, he was a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award in the Science category.
He was the 2013 winner of the Alexander von Humboldt prize for science.

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Nigerians dig up Banky W’s 2016 Snaps where he vowed never to do a huge Lagos wedding

Still basking in the euphoria of Banky W and Adesua Etomi’s wedding yesterday said to be the biggest Nigerian wedding in 2017, Nigerians have dug up Banky W’s 2016 Snaps where he vowed never to hold a huge Lagos Wedding.
Well, his wedding yesterday was a star studded one and here are his 2016 snaps;

Tiwa Savage , Emma Nyra, and Vanessa Mdee all styled by Swanky Jerry for one Africa music fest Dubai (photos)

Tiwa savage , Emma Nyra, and Vanessa Mdee, three African beauties who performed at the one Africa concert in Dubai, were all styled by celebrity stylist and fashion

entrepreneur Jeremiah Ogbodo a.k.a Swanky Jerry of Swanky’s Signatures Styling and they all look lovely .

Here are photos below;

Wizkid Reportedly Welcomes New Baby With His Manager, Jada Pollock

Wizkid has been enmeshed in another baby daddy rumour according to recent multiple reports claiming he just welcomed a new baby with Jada Pollock.

Jada Pollock, is one of the three powerful managers of Wizkid, his Triple Threat Management Team include: Sunday Are, Dumi Oburota and Jada Pollock.
According to the reports, Wizkid and Jada have been in a romantic affair for over a year and the baby welcomed few weeks ago in London, is reportedly a product of their affair though they kept low profile.
Could this really be true?

source: 36ng

Check Also

Bride, Adesua wore 4 different outfits, designed by Toju Foyeh, at the ceremony. Check out …

Chief Osita Chidok accepts defeat before INEC announced results

The governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party(UPP), Chief Osita Chidok, has accepted defeat even before INEC’s final declaration of the winner.
Chidoka, the former Minister of Aviation, accepted the defeat in a statement entitled “Politics Anambra election: Why I lost polls” in Awka on Sunday.
“I have accepted defeat in the Anambra governorship election even as result is still being announced by the INEC,” he said.
Chidoka said that he lost because he would not play the usual money politics.
“Our campaign attracted the finest and brightest of Anambra.
“The bold and the courageous were with us as we exerted our best in running the most robust issue-based and technology-driven campaign in the history of our dear state.
‘We attempted to change the course of events and chart a new beginning for our state.
“We believed and we dared; we engaged with all patriotic vigour as we held strongly that the long awaited time for our people to experience a new opportunity had come and we laboured for it.
“In all, our focus was the people; the forgotten, the poor and the disadvantaged.
“They were the prime impetus for our involvement. We beheld their agony and we strived to redirect and vent that energy through a genuine political process.”
He said the UPP heard the complaints of the people and worked to redirect them from the streets to the ballot box.
Chidoka said he rejected god-fatherism and money politics and made personal sacrifices with small donations and goodwill of a few good men and women.
He said his campaign remained issues-based, adding that he did not attack anybody before, during and after the campaigns.
“But from the ballots, we heard the voice of our people. We heard it loud and clear.
“On November 18 our people announced strongly their rejection of politicians.
“They traded their votes because they doubted we would truly represent their interest.
“While our message resonated with the people they doubted that the political class cared about them. They voted for the highest bidder.”
Chidoka said that as at Thursday, a large percentage of his supporters insisted that they would not vote unless he brought money.
According to him, “I insisted we will not pay for votes. The decision not to pay ended our good run.
“We accept the voters’ decision. We also heard our people by their turnout and transactional approach.
“In all, we hold our heads high; high because we did not lose the poll due to paucity of ideas or lack of “structure”.
“We lost to superior financial firepower. As Democrats, we concede to the voters’ choices.
“The true hallmark of democracy is the respect for the voice of the ballot as that of the majority,” Chidoka said.
Source :NAN

Former Vice President Dies In London Hospital

Nigeria’s Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has passed on.
The elder statesman’s death was disclosed in a statement released in the early hours of Monday by the Ekwueme family of Oko, in Anambra State.
According to PUNCH, the statement, signed by the former vice president’s brother, and the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, explained that he passed on around 10:00 pm on Sunday, in a London hospital.
The statement read, “Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON.
“The sad event occurred at the London Clinic at 10:00 pm on Sunday, 19th November, 2017.”
Recall that Ekwueme was hospitalised in Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital, Enugu, for about two weeks before he was flown abroad for medical treatment on November 12.
The elder statesman was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at his residence in the Independence Layout area of Enugu on October 28.
It was learnt that the elder statesman was in a coma at the time he was admitted to the hospital.
Ekwueme, who celebrated his 85th birthday on October 10, reportedly suffered from a chest infection, according to his family members.

LASG issues Muiz Banire’s 90-year-old mother 48-hour demolition notice

There is tension on Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja, residence of Alhaja Sarat Banire, who is the mother of the National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Muiz Banire, as the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has issued the nonagenarian a 48-hour demolition notice.

Muiz, who is observing the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia, described the notice as “politics of vendetta.”

The former Commissioner for the Environment said he acquired the two-bedroomed bungalow on lease from the Federal Government and the family only renovated it.

He condemned the request of the state government for a building permit on a property he claimed was constructed by the Federal Government.

This is coming less a week after the house of a former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Funmilayo Tejuosho, was sealed by police operatives who were alleged to be acting on the directive of the Lagos State Government.

Muiz, who issued a statement on the notice to his mother on Wednesday, said the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was “hell-bent” on persecuting him and his supporters for fighting against the culture of imposition in the ruling party.

He said, “My siblings and I acquired a lease of the property from the Federal Government to serve as a residence for my aged mother. The lease covered the two-bedroomed bungalow already on the land, together with a boys’ quarter. I did not have any reason to rebuild the house or do any further construction as the place was fit for the purpose for which it was acquired on lease.

“I know that since the creation of the lease, my mother has been living in the said two-bedroomed bungalow without adding a block to the property by way of additional construction, development or alteration save minor renovation like painting. The reasons why we could not develop the property to make it more befitting is that we are still awaiting federal consent to the lease created in my mother’s favour.

“Surprisingly, on November 14, the contravention notice purportedly served by government requires that a building permit must be produced for an old building, the existence of which predated the lease by which my mother became the occupier of the premises. The property belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria who granted a lease to my mother and saves for minor renovations to make it habitable, no single efforts at construction or reconstruction has been made by any of us.  How on earth could it be heard that a tenant is required to produce a building permit of a property that belongs to her landlord within 24 hours otherwise she risks demolition of the building?

“I had earlier said that the Lagos State Government, under the governorship of Akinwunmi Ambode, is out on a vendetta and having failed to get me removed as the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, has targeted my supporters for persecution. I had been expecting that since I was the ultimate target having received several messages threatening my family members and me, that very soon my property shall become objects of demolition by the vindictive government that is out to wage war against real and perceived enemies. I am, therefore, not surprised to see that my aged mother’s residence is under attack.”

The legal practitioner said the building, which was not posing a threat to anyone, was a target because it was linked to him.

He added that the urgency with which the government demanded the building permit for the house and the 48-hour demolition notice showed the desperation of the state to get at him.

The APC chieftain said he was not moved by the government’s recent “acts of terrorism” against his call for internal democracy in the party and resistance to the culture of imposition which he said were out of personal convictions.

“All necessary reactions to the notice have been escalated to both the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government as I have caused my lawyers to respond to the notice appropriately. I have no doubt that this latest Gestapo tactic is in furtherance of the political victimisation and oppression raging against me and my associates. I am ready for the sacrifice even if I have to, in the process, sleep on the streets of Lagos.

“Rule of law and institution building remain sacrosanct to me. As far as God continues to protect my life, I will remain resolute on it. As the political repression continues, I urge all my followers and supporters to be calm. If God says that my ailing mother at the age of 90 will die in the hands of Governor Ambode, I give God the glory,” he added.

However, in a statement by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Anifowoshe Abiola, the Lagos State Government said Muiz was merely whipping up sentiments by alleging that his mother was the target of the demand for the permit and that the property might be demolished in 48 hours.

He said neither allegations was a sincere reading of the notice served on the property.

He said, “The contravention notices that went out on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 were a routine exercise served on properties identified by state agents as operating without due permits. Twenty-seven properties were indeed served on that same day, 13 out of which were located on the same Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja, where Banire (Muiz) admitted his property was located.

“The 27 properties served across the state are just the first set of an ongoing exercise embarked upon by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to validate the records and permits of properties that have undergone ownership transfer processes.

“There is no way Lagos State would have had a pre-knowledge of the owners of the properties in question, let alone target the one that Banire has identified to be his own. This is a routine and lawful exercise that ought not to be confusing to a supposedly learned gentleman who has had the privilege of serving in the Lagos State cabinet for many years.”

The commissioner said according to the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, what a contravention notice demanded was evidence of a planning permit on the existing structure, in order to avoid demolition of what would be deemed a contravention, if such a permit was not produced within the stipulated time as required by law.

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Source,: Punch

    

Football Football News Gianluigi Buffon retires as Italy lose to Sweden in World Cup play-off

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A tearful Gianluigi Buffon said he was “sorry for all of Italian football” as he led a wave of international retirements after a World Cup play-off defeat by Sweden.

Italy were held to a 0-0 draw in Milan and failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Buffon, 39, said: “It’s a shame my last official game coincided with the failure to qualify for the World Cup.

“Blame is shared equally between everyone. There can’t be scapegoats.”

Buffon’s Juventus team-mate Andrea Barzagli and Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi also ended their Italy careers, while Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini is expected to join them. The quartet have won 461 caps between them.

Goalkeeper Buffon made 175 appearances for his country in a 20-year career – lifting the World Cup in 2006 – and believes the future could still be bright for the four-time world champions.

“There is certainly a future for Italian football because we have pride, ability, determination and after bad tumbles, we always find a way to get back on our feet,” he said.

Italy manager Giampiero Ventura – under contract until 2020 – did not speak to national television after the defeat but arrived at a news conference 90 minutes after full-time.

‘I haven’t resigned – yet’

“I have not resigned because I haven’t spoken to the president yet,” Ventura, 69, said.

“I’m sorry for being late, but every player I had the privilege of working with, I wanted to salute individually.

“Resignation? I have to evaluate an infinity of issues. We will meet with the federation and discuss it.”

Barzagli, 36, said it was “painful” to “leave this group of lads”.

He added: “I don’t know what we missed. All I know is we’re out of the World Cup. It’s a unique disappointment.

“The era of four or five veterans comes to a close, the one of the hungry young players coming through begins and that’s how it should be.”

‘Send the strikers on!’

Lorenzo Insigne has scored three goals and made four assists for Napoli in Serie A this season

There was a bizarre moment late in the game when De Rossi was asked to warm up but pointed instead at Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, a player Ventura refused to call upon despite pressure from Italian media and supporters.

“I just said we were near the end and had to win, so send the strikers to warm up!” said De Rossi. “I pointed to Insigne too.

“I just thought perhaps it was better that Insigne come on instead.”

Ultimately, De Rossi, 34, was not used either as Italy failed in their search for the goal that would have taken the tie to extra time.

‘Apocalypse’ – reaction in Italy

Italy’s leading sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport said the result brought the arrival of the “apocalypse”.

The article said: “We will not be with you and you will not be with us. A love so great must be reserved for other things. Italy will not participate at the World Cup.

“It is time to start thinking about what else we can do in June: concerts, cinema, village festivals. Anything but watching Sweden play at the World Cup – that would be too painful.”

Iker Casillas, who lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and won 167 international caps, said: “I don’t like seeing you like this. I want to see you as you’ve always been, as what you are for so many – as a legend. I’m proud to have met you and to have faced you many times.”

Who next for Italy?

Gazzetta have outlined four candidates who could replace Ventura to “rebuild from rubble and work for the 2020 Euros”.

Former AC Milan, Juventus and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is the “most liked” name to take over, having been sacked as Bayern Munich boss earlier this season. He also leads the poll on the Gazzetta website.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who left the Italy job after Euro 2016, has also been mentioned as he is “a bit tired of England”, while ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, now at Zenit St Petersburg, and Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri have also been touted.

Analysis – a blessing in disguise?

Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki told BBC World Service Sport:

It is a national tragedy. It feels surreal that in a World Cup where so many nations take part, Italy will not be there.

It is a lot of mediocre players put together in the squad. The ones who do have talent have not been given the opportunity to show off their talents by Ventura. The oldest coach to take charge of Italy, it was amazing he did not have the room or tactics to bring in Lorenzo Insigne, considering how effective he has been for Serie A’s best side Napoli.

The very good players for Italy are the experienced veterans who did so well and Ventura was largely put in charge to bring through the young talents to mix with old players and take Italy forward. He did not manage that.

This is not a great thing to happen to Italian football, but maybe it was needed and can look at it as a blessing in disguise. It may give an opportunity to rebuild and that means from the top, getting rid of the men who have been in power for so long.

Ventura is perhaps not the right age for someone to adapt to the national team. He is only a man who won the Serie C title with Lecce so this is not someone with great experience of winning trophies.

This is the chance to start afresh, bring in the right people at the top, on the pitch and those giving the strategies. It will no longer mask the deficiencies in Italian football.