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  • Why I am pursuing judicial option for my mandate — Atiku

    The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar said his recourse to the court over the 2019 presidential election was to ensure that “votes of Nigerians count.”

    Abubakar in a statement he issued on Friday in Abuja, said it was also to ensure that democracy was seen to be done in Nigeria.

    He said that “nothing good comes easy” and that hard work was needed in the task to rid Nigeria of the forces of fascism.

    Besides, he said that the route he had adopted for reclaiming his mandate was also for the full restoration of the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria.

    “I owe so much to this great land of Nigeria that took me from the streets of Jada, where I sold firewood, to the heights I have attained, by God’s benevolence, in the civil service, in corporate Nigeria, and in public service.

    “If I do not play my part in making it possible for other orphaned children, indigent youths and the less privileged, to replicate and even surpass my path to significance, I will have failed my Maker.

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku: What next after judgement?

    “If I do not ensure that the ladder I climbed remains accessible to those at the bottom, middle and top tiers of society, I will not have fulfilled my purpose.

    “And only by ensuring that democracy is not just done, but seen to be done, can Nigeria and Nigerians have a sense that this our dear land is indeed a land where unity, faith, peace and progress reside.

    “It is for this and other patriotic reasons, that I am pursuing this judicial route: To ensure that the votes of Nigerians count and are counted,” he said.

    The former vice president said those who did not want Nigeria to be a reality, would use every trick in the book to undermine, discourage, misinform and mislead the populace.

    He, however, said that with God’s help and the support of Nigerians, he would ensure that Nigeria was on course towards genuine democracy.

    “We must return to being Africa’s bastion of democracy, where the rights to freedom of speech and freedom after the speech, are guaranteed.

    “We must stand together to pursue this just cause all the way, so that our judiciary are not afraid to do their jobs and have to be wary of blackmail, intimidation, and victimization,” he said.

    Abubakar appreciated Nigerians’ support for shared common goal and the solidarity he enjoyed from all walks of life and every strata of society, right from July 21, 2018, when he declared his intention to contest the presidential election.

    He said that the support continued to Sept 11, when the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal rendered its verdict.

    Abubakar noted the immense outpouring of goodwill from ordinary Nigerians in every nook and cranny of Nigeria and from all regions, religions and relationships.

    “I also thank the governors elected on the platform of my party, the PDP, as well as the National Executive Committee, for their unanimous and unambiguous support for the judicial phase of this struggle, especially after it was announced that we would go on to appeal,” he said.

    He urged all Nigerians to continue their support for that recourse to constitutional order via the courts.

    “Even if there is little or nothing you can do to ensure that justice is done in Nigeria, just believe that it will happen. Let us never underestimate the effect of our belief in Nigeria.

    “Finally, I say to all concerned, that we will all die and give account of our lives to our creator, “ he said.

    (NAN)

  • Senate may review security architecture, says Lawan

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has hinted that the upper legislative chamber might review the nation’s security architecture to address emerging security challenges across the country.

    Lawan however said, the proposed review would be carried out in collaboration with the executive arm of government, as he stressed the urgent need for improvement in the nation’s security situation.

    The Senate President, however, did not elaborate on the scope and sphere of the pending review. He spoke with journalists in Abuja on Friday shortly after his arrival from a foreign trip.

    Lawan said, “In the Eight Senate, we had an ad-hoc committee that I was privileged to chair, to review the security architecture of the country. We are going to look into that report, and of course in addition, other contemporary issues that affect security in the country.

    “We intend to do those things that would ensure that the security situation in the country improves, and this we would do with the executive arm of government, as this cannot be done alone”.

    The Senate President disclosed that the National Assembly had received the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which he said, was sent to by the executive while he was away.

    “I have been informed that the executive arm of government has sent the request for the MTEF to the Senate, and I am sure that will be the first thing that would be looked into when we resume next week.

    Read Also: Senate flays criticisms over plan to buy N5.5b vehicles

    “We hope to take on the MTEF within the first legislative week.

    Our committee on finance will be saddled with its first major responsibility; that it works expeditiously on the FSP/MTEF request of the executive arm of government, and thereafter the budget will come after that”, Lawan said.

    He also expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to receive the 2020 Appropriation Bill anytime soon, saying that the executive was working assiduously to ensure that the document is presented to the legislature by month’s end.

    “We are hopeful and optimistic, as well as hungry and thirsty, to receive the 2020 appropriations bill. I am aware that the executive arm of government is working assiduously to ensure that the appropriation bill for the year 2020 is presented to the National Assembly at the end of this month.

    “The National Assembly will work so hard to ensure that the 2020 budget is passed before we go on Christmas break.

    This is one issue that we hope to take head-on to ensure that we reverse the undesirable tend of the budget.

    “We believe this can be achieved, as doing so would make the economy better and predictable. We also think an early passage of the 2020 appropriations bill will have a desirable impact on Nigerians”, he said.

    On the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Lawan said the Senate would look into the matter on resumption.

    “You recall that this issue was reviewed before we went on recess. The Senate felt as an institution, that our citizens’ diplomacy must be protected whereever they go in the world.

    “The government must be there for them, and I am happy that after the xenophobic crisis, the federal government was able to take a position.

    “We need to be much more resolute, whatever the situation is; our citizens must be protected. If someone runs foul of the laws of a country, there are processes and procedures on how such a person can be prosecuted.

    “Therefore, we must try to protect our citizens. I also think we must be proactive to tell our citizens that if they choose to live in any country, they must ensure they stay within the limits of the laws of that country, just as we expect of foreigners in ours”.

  • Army assures Borno town of security

    The Nigerian Army has assure residents of Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai local council area in the Lake Chad area of Borno of security, urging them to continue with their normal activities.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Ado Isa, in a statement Friday, said the assurance followed reports of terrorists plan to attack and invade the town, conduct indoctrinatory preaching before observing the Friday congregational prayers on Sept. 20.

    Isa explained that many locals of Gajiram became apprehensive and reluctant to attend Jummat service in the mosque.

    He said that on receipt of the information, the Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD)/Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu, directed the Artillery Brigade to move to the town.

    Isa added that the Brigade commander, Brig.-Gen Jal Jimoh, moved to Gajiram to reassure them of army’s readiness to protect them and their property in Gajiram and its surrounding areas.

    Read Also: Boko Haram, ISWAP fleeing to North, Central Africa, says Army

    “Consequently, there was large turn-out of the residents for the Jumat prayer with the Brigade Commander and other Muslim officers and soldiers in attendance including the Commander of the Chadian troops under the MNJTF.

    “The prayers were hitch-free. Brig Gen Jimoh through a Kanuri interpreter addressed the people, reassured them of their safety.

    “He solicited for the support and cooperation of the community by providing credible information on the movements and activities of the fleeing criminals hibernating in the area.

    “At the moment, security situation in Gajiram is fully under control, while military patrols have also been intensified,” he said.

    Isa said that further plan to project the joint forces was already under way, with the troops morale and fighting spirit very high occasioned by the latest successes against the insurgents. (NAN)

  • Keystone Bank rewards verve card holders with free petrol

    Keystone Bank Limited, in partnership with Verve International, has launched a promotion to reward customers for using its Verve Card to purchase petrol at select Oando Petrol stations across Nigeria.

    According to a statement by the lender on Friday, promo tagged “Free Fuel Alert” is open to new and existing customers of the bank.

    Read Also: Keystone Bank partners Google, Facebook on digital marketing for MSMEs

    Customers of Keystone Bank Verve Card holders will receive free extra five litres of petrol each time they use their verve cards to purchase a minimum of N3,000 and above worth of petrol between 6am – 8pm every Friday from September 20-November 8.

    The selected Oando Petrol Stations where the promo will run are: Lagos (Maryland, Marina, Awolowo Falomo, Awolowo Fire Station, Lawanson, Alapere, Ajah, Agege Bye-Pass, Trade Fair, Fola Agoro, Ojodu Berger, Sangotedo, Ago Palace Way and Shiro Road Fadeyi) Abuja (Garki, Ahmadu Bello Way and Zone 6 Wuse) Enugu (Ogui Road), Imo (Assumpta Avenue) Kaduna (Junction Road by Stadium), Kano (Club Road 1), Oyo (Orita Mef and Iwo Road, Southbound) Portharcourt (Aba Road and 75 Transamadi) Delta (Effurun Junction) Edo, Benin – City (Akpakpava Road).

  • Nigeria has all it takes for technology development – S/Korea Ambassador

    The Republic of South Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Lee In-Tae says Nigeria possesses capacity for technology and agriculture development among other industrial sectors which could create jobs for its citizens.

    Lee disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a visit to Sen. George Akume, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

    The ambassador said his mission was to discuss how the two countries can collaborate in the areas of technology, energy and agriculture development.

    The Ambassador also pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government on job creation and the power sector improvement.

    ”My mission here is first, to congratulate the minister on his appointment and to discuss on business in areas of technology, agriculture; energy which I know will create jobs for Nigerians.

    ”We have discussed a lot which we will take into consideration, and I think Nigeria has a great potential in these sectors,” he said.

    In his response, Akume appreciated Lee for such initiative and the collaborative pledge on job creation and power sector, adding that it’s the major challenges disrupting the country’s industrial development.

    “Actually we have discussed a lot of issues and basically we were talking about collaboration between Korea and Nigeria and we want to commence in area of technology, agriculture, job creation and energy.

    “Korea, from my discussion with the Ambassador is very friendly with Nigeria with a lot in the areas of technology and power which draws much attention of this government, because we cannot make meaningful development without power.”

    Akume said from their discussions, Lee had pledged to pulling investment into Nigeria by bringing Korean companies to invest in Nigeria`s economy.

    “He has been talking of pulling investment to Nigeria and inviting Korean companies to partake in economy of this country.”

    According to the minister, if Nigeria harnesses its resources from all the collaborative areas with the Korean government, it will generate a lot jobs for the teeming youths who are now indulging in drug business.

    Akume also pleaded with the Korean Ambassador on the need to establish SAMSUNG electronics industry in Nigeria which he noted was a blooming industry and business across the globe.

    “We are looking forward to the time that we will also begin to manufacture some of your items here in Nigeria; this will also create more job opportunities for our people.

    “If you look at the number of people who have access to your electronics in terms of telephone, television, air condition, I mean virtually every home has SAMSUNG products, the number is enormous.

    “Korea, you have a very big market here, we should also be thinking of establishing your presence here in the county,” Akume said.

    The highlight of the visit included the decoration of the Korean Ambassador and his entourage with Benue State attire.

  • NU MI showcases best of Nigeria interior, product designs

    The best of Nigeria’s interior and product designers will exhibit their products from 21st September to 22nd September in Lagos.

    The exhibition is the initiative of NU MI Design House, the integrated interior, procurement, bespoke furniture manufacturer and homeware product designer.

    Nigerian art, according to the organisers, has captured the imagination of a global audience and introduced a new generation of world-renowned artists to an eager public. But far less known, and equally innovative, is the emerging Nigerian design sector and a range of creative collaborations between art and design are taking it to a new level.

    To showcase this unique new sector, NU MI Design House is curating the NU MI Design Exhibition, featuring a combination of leading Nigerian artists alongside established and emerging Nigerian furniture and other product designers and a unique selection of NU MI founder, Tanwa Newbold’s own work that includes a stunning collaboration with artist Polly Alakija.

    Building on 2018’s first edition hosted at the Oando Wings building, the 2019 NU MI Design Exhibition will take place at LASWA Yard, Falomo Jetty, the new headquarters of maritime Lagos.

    Read Also: Erelu to fashion designers: don’t imitate others

    It features works from product designers like Studio Lani, Tosin Oshinowo, Alaga Collections, Funferekoroye, Kelechi Odu and Oguma Adegoke alongside renowned artists Polly Alakija, Ghariokwu Lemi, Olumide Onadipe and a curated selection from the Nike Art Gallery.

    Speaking at the launch, Creative Director and Founder, Tanwa Newbold, said: “Whether you are looking for the luxury of a world-renowned furniture producer, the highest quality local design and production or African-inspired unique homeware, the NU MI Design Exhibition has something for you. We are privileged to be able to bring together so many talented designers, and I am hugely encouraged by the innovation and creativity that is coming out of Nigeria at the moment.

    “At NU MI, we combine contemporary interior design, with the ability to produce or procure unique pieces, specifically designed to suit your vision. We believe that in a world where choice and flexibility is increasingly important to consumers, we are able to offer a service that maximises your ability to achieve your vision, whether you want to source locally, or internationally.”

    The event is supported by LASWA, the owners of the Yard venue, Bank of Industry, Plascon Paints and La Connaisseur, the exclusive concept store for wine lovers.

  • We are adopting Edo-HIP to revamp Edo healthcare sector – Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration has adopted a reformist agenda to transform the state’s healthcare sector with the Edo Primary Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP).

    Obaseki said this at an interactive session with healthcare stakeholders at Government House, Benin City, the state capital, on Friday.

    The governor, who presented the Edo State Health Improvement Programme (EDOHIP) to the stakeholders during the session, said the purpose of the interactive session was to have an honest and open discussion on how to make the state’s healthcare sector more effective and efficient.

    “Our healthcare system in Edo State must be restored. We want to make this state a destination for medical tourism. I don’t want to see any patient passing through Edo to other states. Rather, I want them to stop in Edo State for treatment.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s initiative to fix points of failure on roads kicks off

    “Our goal as a government is to ensure that by the time we finish with all the reforms in the health sector, Edo will become the healthcare hub of the nation”.

    He said he is championing a reformist administration that prioritises programmes and policies that make life better for the people of the state.

    According to him, “We are a reformist government. We try to prioritise our programmes as a government and the healthcare sector is not left out as we have a road map to guide us in developing the sector and making it more efficient and effective.

    “Healthcare is not cheap; we need a system to identify who pays for healthcare and how the payments will flow. We don’t have all the resources but we can create the enabling environment and pull in the resources. We will create the structure and bring all elements on board to ensure the sector works effectively.”

    “By the end of next year, we would have enough diagnostic centres. There will be five to seven centres with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and Computed Tomography (CT) scan machines for basic diagnosis. We will have 10 to 12 centres for dialysis. It is not the money but the way to organise the system.”

    Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, said the Governor Obaseki-led administration has done well in developing the healthcare sector and needs the support of stakeholders to move the sector to the next level with Edo-HIP.

    Uzor Okomah, of Edo-HIP, said the state government was working hard to meet objectives set for the programme in the state.

    She explained that the government’s focus is on improving the state’s primary and secondary healthcare systems; enhancing healthcare financing and revamping training institutions to produce quality health workers.

    Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Chapter, Dr. Omoifo Valentine, urged government at all levels to improve services at the healthcare centres with good facilities and trained manpower.

  • P&ID $9.6bn judgment: FG arraigns ex-Petroleum Resources official on bribery charges

    The Federal Government has arraigned a former Director, Legal Services of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Grace Taiga on charges relating to acceptance of bribe in connection with the controversial gas supply contract awarded in 2010 to Irish firm, Process and Industry Development (P&ID) Limited, over which a $9.6bilion judgment is now pending against Nigeria.

    On Friday, Mrs. Taiga pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and on which she was arraigned.

    Read Also: $9.6bn judgment: Court liquidates P&ID, affiliate

    The arraignment took place before filed Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of Court 14, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja.

    In the charge, Mrs. Taiga is accused among others, of receiving bribe through her offshore bank account in signing the Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between P&ID Limited and the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Petroleum Resources Ministry on January 11, 2019.

    The then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwan Lukman (now late) was said to have also signed the contract.

    Details shortly.

  • Buhari meets Ag. Head of Civil Service, Yemi-Esan

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the Acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, at the State House, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yemi-Esan took over from Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Read Also: Eight things you should know about Yemi-Esan new Head of Service

    NAN reports that the agenda of the meeting between the president and the new acting HoS was unknown as at the time of filing this report.

    However, NAN learnt that Yemi-Esan, who was in the Presidential Villa for the first time since her appointment on Wednesday, might have used the opportunity of the visit to formally introduce herself to the president.

  • Troops eliminate seven top commanders of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force and Nigerian Armed Forces have eliminated not less than seven commanders of Boko Haram terrorists in Tumbus of Lake Chad region, Army Headquarters says.

    The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Musa said that the neutralised commanders were Abba Mainok, Bukar Dunokaube, Abu kololo, Abor Kime, said to be of Arab origin and likely their ISIS trainer.

    Others according to him are, Mann Chari, Dawoud Abdoulaye from Mali and Abu Hamza.

    “All these were said to be commanders of various Tumbus controlling fighters before they were decisively dealt with l by the military bombardment.

    “Although these names may not be real and may likely nicknames.

    Read Also; Boko Haram: Army assures Maiduguri residents of safety

    “Nonetheless, it is an unprecedented feat to our quest of clearing the remnants of these criminals in the area.

    “Consequently, efforts are ongoing to get more information on their true identities,” he said.

    Musa disclosed that the troops were in celebration mood as a result of successes of their combined efforts of artillery and air bombardments of suspected hideouts of the terrorists.

    He added that it was mourning and a monumental set back to the erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters hibernating at the triangular area of the region.

    Musa said information coming from the criminal group’s enclave escaping to Sudan and CAR, indicates that at least not fewer than seven of their key commanders have been wasted by the superior forces of the MNJTF.

    Army spokesperson said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai had commended the troops for this great efforts and enjoined them to do more.