Tag: Nigeria newspaper

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday listed eight priorities he will give more attention to give his anti-corruption agenda a big bite in the next four years.

He also said the governments will soon device new strategies to win the war.

He said he will press for a crackdown on safe havens for corrupt assets, abolition of bank secrecy jurisdictions and tax havens on the continent and beyond.

He also said he will push for unconditional return of looted assets kept abroad and strengthen international.

He however insisted that uncontrolled electoral spending and voter inducement by politicians must be combated.

Buhari bared his mind in an address at the National Democracy Day Anti-Corruption Summit in Abuja, which was organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The theme for the summit was “Curbing electoral spending: A panacea for public corruption”.

He said it was regrettable that Thabo Mbeki Panel on illicit financial flows, published a few years ago, claimed that Africa has lost over $1 trillion to corruption over the last 50 years.

He said: “During the recently concluded election campaigns, I stated clearly that the major areas of priority during my second term in office as it was in my first term will be: Security, economic improvement and fight against corruption. I remain committed to the fulfillment of these promises.

“Now, as this administration commences, we are taking stock of progress made so far in the war against corruption, assessing what needs to be done and devising new strategies to address existing challenges.

Read Also; Senate presidency: Five reasons why Lawan defeated Ndume

“I am pleased to inform you that this process has already started with the recent interaction between the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption and all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.

“The outcome of the interaction, among others, shall serve as the basis for a more concerted effort by this administration to:

· Strengthen the capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies by providing additional material, organizational and logistical support;

· Close existing legislative loopholes, facilitate collaboration with the judiciary, and strengthen the criminal justice system;

· Enforce effective asset declaration by public office holders and ensure sanctions by professional bodies against lawyers, bankers, brokers, public officials, and other individuals facilitating corrupt practices;

· Ensure comprehensive support and protection to whistleblowers, witnesses and victims of corruption;

· Adopt and formulate the policy of ‘naming and shaming’ all those who engage in corrupt practices while encouraging and honoring those who do not;

· Educate, mobilise and encourage Nigerians at the grassroots level to take ownership of the fight against corruption;

· Press for a crackdown on safe havens for corrupt assets, abolishing of bank secrecy jurisdictions and tax havens on the continent and beyond;

· Insist on the unconditional return of looted assets kept abroad and further strengthening of international cooperation through information and mutual legal assistance.
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Voting has commenced amid uproar in the green chamber.

Femi Gbajabiamila and Mohammed Bago are the two contenders.

 

 

The Senator representing Yobe North, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on Tuesday emerged Senate President of the Ninth Senate.

This is coming as Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central Senatorial District) dusted immediate Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to clinch the post of Deputy Senate President of the Ninth Senate.

Lawan defeated Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume with 79 votes to 28 to emerge the winner of the keenly contested election.

A total of 107 Senators-elect voted in the election.

The election of Lawan was not without drama.

Uproar erupted in the Senate chamber venue of the election when the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sanni-Omolori, announced that the use of open Secret ballot as the method of election of the presiding officers of the upper chamber.

Omolori said that the use of open secret ballot was as contained in Senate Standing Orders 2, 3,4,5, 6 and 7 of 2015.

The announcement did not go down well with majority of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators-elect.

Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) who went to court to obtain an injunction for the use of open ballot as contained in the Senate Standing Order 2011, openly challenged the Clerk.

There was confusion in the chamber as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators-elect appeared prepared for confrontation with their APC colleagues.

Barau pointedly asked the Clerk if he did not receive court order for the use of Senate Standing Order 2011.

Omolori repeated that the main business of the day was election of President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate.

He reminded the Senators-elect that no question or motion would be entertained.

Omolori went further to say that he did not receive any court order mandating him to use Senate Standing Order 2011.

The Clerk noted that he had only heard about the court Order but did not receive any Order from the court.

He said that he answered the question on court order out of respect for the senators as he was not bound to answer.

The Clerk insisted that the Senators-elect do not have any say on the issue especially when the election would be conducted in accordance with the Senate Standing Order 2015.

Order was subsequently restored to the chamber when Omolori stood his ground to use open secret ballot.

Omolori directed Senate Clerk, Nelson Ayewoh, to take the roll call to establish the number of Senators-elect in the chamber.

Read Also: Senate Presidency: Anxiety envelopes Yobe for Lawan

The Kogi born Clerk to the National Assembly announced after the roll call that 107 Senators-elect were in the chamber out of 109 Senators.

The Clerk’s announcement effectively shut out former Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo West) and the Senator for Imo North Senatorial District out of the election.

While Okorocha was not cleared for the election, the case of the winner of Imo North Senatorial District is still in court.

The Clerk called for nominations for the position of Senate President.

Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) nominated Senator Ahmad Lawan to take the seat of Senate President.

The nomination of Lawan was seconded by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West).

Lawan accepted his nomination and promised to work for the unity and progress of the country if elected.

Senator Ishaku Elisha (Adamawa North) nominated Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume for the position of Senate President.

Ndume’s nomination was seconded by Senator Ndidi Barinada (Rivers East).

Ndume also accepted his nomination and promised to unbundle the Office of the Senate President to enable senators to reclaim rights and control of the institution of the Senate.

In the absence of more nominations, the Clerk closed nomination.

Omolori announced once again, apparently for emphasis, that voting will be by open secret ballot as contained in the Senate Standing Order 2015.

The Clerk also repeated that 107 Senators-elect would vote.

Ballot papers were distributed to the Senators-elect to vote.

Voting for the Senate President commenced by 10.50am after the initial uproar over voting procedure and was concluded by 11.56 am.

There was tension in the chamber as votes were being counted. The tension began to fizzle out when it became obvious that Lawan was coasting home to victory.

At exactly 12 noon, Omolori announced that “today 11th of June 2019, gathered in the Senate chamber are 107 Senators-elect. 107 Senators-elect cast their votes.

“After voting and counting of votes, Senator-elect, Ahmad Lawan received 79 votes. Senator-elect Mohammed Ali Ndume received 28 votes. Total vote cast 107.

“On the strength of this, Senator-elect Ahmad Lawan, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner and returned elected President of the Ninth Senate.

The Clerk promptly administered the oath of office and oath of President of the Senate on Lawan and swore him as the President of the Ninth Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The implication of Lawan’s 79 vote meant that 18 PDP Senators-elect voted for him against their adopted candidate, Ndume.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, has proceeded into the chamber of the House of Representatives to conduct the elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Read Also: Abdullahi Wuse emerges Niger Assembly Speaker

Sani-Omolori had earlier inaugurated the Ninth Senate and conducted polls from where Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege emerged as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.

Roll call is ongoing

Being in debt sucks and can be extremely stressful, however with determination and discipline, there are some simple and effective ways to get out of it. Here are four ways you can get out of debt.

Determine the amount of debt you have

Rather than ‘bury your head in the sand’, look at the reality of the situation, go through account statements etc. and be sure of how much you owe. If your total debt seems high, just remember that from the day you make up your mind and start paying off your debts, it really can only go down from there.

Decide on what to pay off first

You need to ‘strategically attack’ your debt and to do this you must first prioritize the pay off of your debts. This prioritization should be based on the time frame you have and the interest rates (if any). If there are interest rates, then it’s best to pay off the debts with the highest interest rates first. Prioritizing the pay off your debts will make it easier to come up with an effective plan to get out of debt.

Read Also: Veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah professes new faith, preaches salvation

Get rid of temptations

You definitely don’t want to be incurring more debts when trying to pay off present ones. Consequently, you should do whatever you need to do to ensure that you discipline yourself enough to resist falling into the ‘debt temptation’ again. If you have to get rid of all your credit cards and stop using them all together, then you should. If you have to ask friends to turn down your request to borrow money from them, then do it. Basically, whatever you need to do to resist the temptation to borrow should be done promptly.

Consider your hidden income

Hidden income more or less has to do with cutting the costs of everyday bills and items (you probably never thought you could save money on), where and when you can. Saving money on these everyday bills and items can easily help to free up more cash towards paying off your debts. Challenge yourself to do this and see just how much you can put together for your next debt payment. It always best to ‘wipe out your debts’ so you can have your financial freedom.

A final year student of Microbiology of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Aliyu Maidamma, has been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen some days to the first semester examination.

The Nation gathered the victim was attacked Friday evening on his way back to Sokoto after the Sallah break.

The victim’s brother, Ibrahim Sanni Maidamma, confirmed the attack in a phone chat with The Nation.

He said: “The last time we talked, he (Aliyu) said he was on his way back to school and we were in touch with each other along the way.

“But around 3pm his contact could no longer be reached, I thought it was due to poor network until they (the kidnappers) called our elder brother later in the evening that Aliyu has been held captive.”

Saddened, Ibrahim relayed that the kidnappers had called and requested a N3million ransom for his release.

“First, they requested N3million before they could release him. Another one called shortly after, warning that if we don’t pay the money, they would kill him.

“We are trying our best to secure his release. Our elder brother has taken charge of the situation,” Sanni added in a gloomy tone

However, efforts to reach the elder brother proved futile as he neither responded to call nor texts on his mobile line.

The Students’ Union President, Comrade Faruk Barade, confirmed the kidnap, adding the union has not yet met with the family to get a full knowledge of the incident.

“Yesterday (Monday), we called his family. One of his brothers (Ibrahim) said he has been instructed not to speak on the incident. He also advised that we should wait for their elder brother to arrive before we could get anything from them”

He, however, lamented the increasing wave of kidnapping in the country.

“Actually, the high rate of insecurity, especially kidnapping in the country is becoming unbearable.

“Imagine, a student? How much does a student have? This is a slap on the face of the government

“We pray to Almighty Allah to safeguard and return him unharmed,” he stated.

The university’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Aminu Mode, denied management’s knowledge of the incident.

“I am unaware of the incident. Maybe the parents are trying to reach out to the abductors on a personal level. Moreover, no complaint has been made to us so far. May Allah protect him,” he added.

Similarly, the Sokoto State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident.