Sultan says women can’t be equal to men in Nigeria because it is against Islamic teachings

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar, has called on the Nigerian Senate not to consider the bill seeking gender equality in inheritance because of its religious implications.

The sultan said this while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th Zamfara State annual Qur’anic recitation competition.

According to him, the bill is unacceptable to Muslims because it is against Islamic teachings.

"Our religion is our total way of life; therefore, we will not accept any move to change what Allah permitted us to do... Islam is a peaceful religion; we have been living peacefully with Christians and followers of other religions in this country. Therefore, we should be allowed to perform our religion effectively.” He said.

The bill proposes that widows should have custody of their children, except if it is contrary to their welfare. The bill also seeks for widows to be allowed to inherit a fair share their husband's property,
be allowed to live in their matrimonial home and also remarry any man of their choice.

Meanwhile, Nigerians on Twitter have expressed outrage over his proclamation, stating that Nigeria is not a Sharia country and as such our constitution should not be guided by the Quran. See a few tweets below.

2 injured as a bus burns down at Obalende bridge, Lagos state

Two people have sustained injuries as a bus burnt down after it was involved in an accident at Obalende bridge, Lagos state. See more photos after the cut Photo credit: Twitter/Lasemasocial

French man who allegedly repairs weapons for Boko Haram arrested in Sambisa French

A French man was reportedly arrested during the capture of Boko Haram's strongest enclave in Sambisa forest last week Friday.

DailyTrust reports that the man worked for Boko Haram as a specialist in repairing and unlocking armored personnel vehicles and other fighting equipment.

Although the Federal government and the military authorities are yet to comment on his arrest, a source within the military says the Frenchman was arrested along the Bama axis of the dreaded forest.

“He was arrested along the Bama axis of the Sambisa forest and agreed to give vital information provided he would be spared. I learnt that he is from France but authorities do not want to make his real identity known for diplomatic reasons…They  don’t want to jeopardise the success recorded,”the source said.

The source added that the sect members might have moved to another location alongside the yet to be rescued Chibok girls.

“It is likely they (Boko Haram) are somewhere because they moved away with their equipment and prized possessions, including the Chibok girls in possession of Shekau group”.

Stop posting photos of your meeting with James Ibori- ex Delta state gov, Emmanuel Uduaghan, tells Delta state politicians

Former Delta state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has asked Delta state politicians to stop sharing photos of their meeting with recently released ex governor of the state, James Ibori. Uduaghan stated this in a post he shared on his facebook wall.

Udughan in his post wrote.

“For those going to London to see Chief James Ibori and posting pictures and making statements, please stop it. We appreciate your love for him. But you can go quietly without the unnecessary publicity. You are creating problems for him that you can never imagine. Nigeria is a complex country and you must understand and respect people’s sensibilities”.

Many politicians from the state have stormed the UK to felicitate with Ibori after he was released from a UK prison where he served jail term for stealing $250 million from Delta state while he served as governor between 1999-2007.

Photos: Two men excrete 50 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two suspected drug traffickers at the  Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos state during the screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to Hong Kong and Egypt Airline flight to Athens.
A statement by the NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, says one of the suspects, 37 year old Achebe Chucks who is an importer of electronics, excreted forty-five (45) wraps of cocaine he ingested weighing 935 grammes while the other suspect, 43 year old Ndukwe Daniel who lives in Athens, excreted five (5) wraps of cocaine weighing 215 grammes.

“Both suspects tested positive for narcotic ingestion and while under observation, they expelled wraps of cocaine which they had wanted to smuggle out of the country. The suspects are currently under investigation” Ahmadu said in his statement.

While confessing to the crime, Achebe Chuks David who hails from Anambra state, said he was promised N5million if he successfully trafficked the banned substance. 

“I sell electronics at Alaba market. This is my first time of dealing in drugs. My friend in Hong Kong introduced me to cocaine smuggling. He sent the drug to me at Alaba by a young man. The cocaine was in a black polythene bag containing plantain and pineapples. I swallowed the 45 wraps in my toilet without my wife’s knowledge. I was promised the sum of five million naira which I had wanted to use in importing electronics. At the airport, they told me that scanning machine has indicated that I have drugs on me. That was how I was arrested”.

The other suspected while confessing to the crime, said he was promised N250 million.

“I have lived in Athens for over a decade. I lost my job last year and things have been very bad financially. I came to Nigeria to visit my wife and two children. I had no plan to smuggle drugs until a friend called me from Athens that I should bring five wraps of cocaine. Since it is only five wraps I felt it will be an easy task. He sent someone to give me the wraps in Umuahia. I inserted the five wraps in my anus in Lagos but the scanning machine was able to detect it. I feel very sad” Daniel who hails from Abia said.

Fayose orders payment of N140m severance package to former dead, living public-office holders from 1999-2008

Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, has approved the payment of N140m severance package due to former dead and living elected-public-office holders at the local government level in the state. According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said the beneficiaries of the severance include former chairmen of local governments, council secretaries, councilors as well council advisers elected into office in 1999, 2006 and 2008‎.

He gave the order for the payment during a meeting he held with them on Monday December 26th. Adelusi quoted Fayose as directing that families of those already dead must also be paid the entitlements of their deceased ones.

“The governor felt that despite the economic challenges we are facing as a state, we feel it is our duty to honour those who had served our state in the past. They had contributed their own quota to the development of our state; therefore, families of those that are already dead should be paid too. The ‎exercise has nothing to do with politics and must be fairly shared. We already made some payments some months ago and we are again doing this now. If this had been done in the past, the backlog would not have been a burden on us now, if not for the financial challenges we are facing, we would have paid everything at a go” he said

Gov. Shettima appoints chairman of Chibok Schoolgirls' Parents Association, Ward Councillor

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has appointed Yakubu Nkeki, the Chairman of an association of the Chibok schoolgirls' Parents as councillor of Mbalala ward in Chibok local government area.

The governor made the announcement on Monday, being Boxing Day, while hosting the 21 rescued Chibok schoolgirls at a government house in Chibok town, where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at a Government Secondary School on April 14, 2014, after a night attack.
The girls presented a gift of medium size photo frame with a bold 'THANK YOU' printed on it. ‎The frame has pictures the Governor took with the girls when he visited them in Abuja months back. The frame also has individual pictures of each of the 21 girls.

Glory Dama, one of the 21 girls, presented the photo frame on behalf of her colleagues. She said they deeply appreciate the show of love by Governor Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima.
Governor Shettima told the girls that with their cheerful mood, the next concern had to be their future.

"As you know, 56 of your colleagues who escaped abduction are currently in two international schools where they have been since 2014. We are taking care of all their educational needs from school fees to other basics. Left to me, I would want the 21 of you to join them in those two schools so that you can all feel at home and move on. However, the Federal Government has a plan which we will jointly discuss and come up with a decision that is acceptable to you our daughters. President Muhammadu Buhari loves you so much and he is deeply concerned about our daughters that are yet to be freed. He is working on that and we are all working" Shettima said.

On the appointment of Yakubu Nkeki, as Councillor of Mbalala ward, Shettima said: 

‎"We appointed Yakubu Nkeki as councillor for him to have a formal platform to continue his advocacy for the welfare of families of missing Chibok girls, for him to ensure that they are given special consideration at all times by the local government area on all issues, particularly on welfare, on issues of their health, empowerment etc. Keke will also serve as a constant reminder to the council that there are parents like him who live in pains. He is simply there to advocate for the welfare of the parents and also as someone who has been a victim, he will stand by efforts of Government to protect schools through Community surveillance in addition to formal security establishments" 

The Governor also consoled parents whose daughters are yet to be recovered, promising that all hands are on deck to ensure the return of all the girls.

"I will be meeting the parents tomorrow (Tuesday)" he said.

Shettima ‎also ordered the presentation of assorted clothing to the girls and their parents. 
"Nothing is too much for these girls and their parents. They have suffered too much and deserve our support" the Governor said.

50,000 Ghost Workers sacked, more Than N200 Billion saved in 2016- Shehu Garba says

 
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, today disclosed that the Federal government payroll has been rid of 50,000 ghost workers, saving the country a huge amount of N200 billion. 
 
The amount N13 billion has been taken off the payroll monthly from February to December this year. Speaking with State House correspondents at an interactive meeting to mark the end the year, Garba Shehu announced that 11 persons championing the syndicate of ghost workers have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

"The flagship program of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to rid the system of fraud and instill good governance is on course. Through a notable initiative, the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the government has embarked on the continuous auditing of the salaries and wages of government departments. When the the Committee was constituted in February 2016, Federal government monthly salary bill was N151 billion excluding pensions. Now the monthly salary warrant is N138 billion, excluding pensions. Which means that the government is making a monthly saving of about N13 billion. That is from February 2016 to date," he said.

Garba added that the "the pension bill was 15.5bn monthly as at February. Now it is down to N14.4 billion, which means average monthly saving is made of about N1.1 billion."

He explained that the total number of ghost workers so far removed from the payroll is about 50,000 and that 11 persons championing the syndicate of the ghost workers have been referred to EFCC with some of them already undergoing trial.

Speaking on the welfare of the recently-released 21 Chibok Girls, Garba said they are being treated as adoptees of the Federal Government but revealed that there is a lot of local and international interest in the future plans of the girls.

"A black American billionaire, Mr. Robert Smith who is currently sponsoring the education of 24 girls from Chibok, among them the first set of escapees from Boko Haram at the American University of Nigeria, Yola has offered to pay for the education of the 21 released through negotiations and is offering to take responsibility for all the others who will hopefully be eventually set free. The Murtala Mohammed Foundation in the country is equally interested," according to the the Presidential spokesman.

Responding to complaints by some of the parents of the 21 Chibok Girls that they did not have enough room for interaction with their daughters brought home for Christmas by the Department of State Services,DSS the Senior Special Assistant to the President admitted that there were some hitches arising from a lack of understanding of the objective of the trip on the part of some security operatives but that following the receipt of this complaint, a directive has been given from the headquarters for the access by the parents to be eased. "If the situation persists, please let us know so that the higher authorities will make a further intercession," he assured.

Addressing an issue of interest to a lot of the members of the governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC concerning appointments into boards, Garba assured that the process will be be fully back on track at the beginning of the new year.

" You know that the reconstitution began methodically, from sector by sector. You should expect that to resume at the beginning of the new year. The President has given directions on what to do," according to him.

On the agricultural programs of the administration, he said that the President's persistent calls for a return to farming is yielding good results.

 "The talk about agriculture has driven people to the farm. This year, there is a huge boom in the rural economy. We have witnessed an excellent harvest. Farmers are getting value for their output. What has encouraged farmers the more is the increasing availability of extension services. New farming techniques are helping farmers to do their occupation better. The readiness of off takers to buy the produce is also a major boost. When you put all these together with the systematic move to curb importation as a boost local production through the restriction of the available foreign exchange to critically important sectors of the economy, you have favorable environment for the diversification of the economy.  As we speak, several of the country's major manufacturing industries are actively backward-integrating- Nestle, Unilever, the breweries are looking what we have as local materials, changing their formulations to maintain production levels and keep their share of the market. Manufacturers who are hooked on import of raw materials are advised to re-strategize and take full advantage of local raw materials. The future belongs to those who employ the use of local raw materials".

Exclusive pics: Dalung, Asisat, Ifeanyi Ubah all smiles as billionaire businessman sponsors Asisat Oshoala invitational tournament

As part of his social responsibility and in line with his resolve to keep promoting grassroots football in nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, CEO of Capital oil and gas, who recently sponsored the Joseph Yobo centenary game, and Odion Ighalo's farewell match for his dad has once again thrown his weight behind the Asisat Oshoala invitational football game.

 See exclusive photos from Dr Ubah's meeting with Asisat and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung

The celebrity game will hold on 26th of December, 2016 Boxing day at the popular Campos Mini Stadium, Joseph Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, before the invitational women's game finals.

The Super Eagles trio of Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Imoh Ezekiel are in the star-studded list of players to feature in a novelty match between the Eagles and those from the Entertainment Industry on Boxing Day.

Super Falcons star, Asisat Oshoala who is hosting a youth tournament for girls named after her confirmed this development.

“Well, talking about the entertainment part, AY has really being helpful bringing in the likes of Akpororo, Sexy Steel… will I say the Nollywood stars and artists also” Oshoala stated.
“The entertainment stars will be playing against Super Eagles players like, Imoh Ezekiel, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo , Gbolahan Salami and many more which we have all agreed to” she added.
Oshoala assured that it will be a fun-filled day with the stars in terms of music and good football as well and i will also want to use this medium to thank dr ifeanyi ubah for sponsoring the tourney i really appreciate his gesture.

The Arsenal Ladies forward is using her Foundation and the invitational tourney to again show that sports and education can go hand-in-hand.

Pres Buhari congratulates troops for capturing Boko Harams enclave in Sambisa

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole yesterday captured Boko haram's enclave known as “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest. President Buhari in this statement signed by his media aide, Shehu Garba, congratulated the gallant soldiers for this great feat. Read his statement below:

I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest. I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest. I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will expose all the terrorists hiding among the populace. Further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity. May God be with them. I also want to congratulate and commend the able leadership of the Nigerian Army in particular and indeed, that of the Armed Forces in general, for making this possible. This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North East, but the country in general. But we must not let our guards down. Once more, congratulations to our troops and all who, in one way or the other, contributed to this most commendable and momentous effort. May the Almighty continue to be with you. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a most rewarding and peaceful Year 2017 ahead.

Photos: Ex-President Obasanjo's son set to wed daughter of lotto merchant, Kessington Adebutu, holds introduction ceremony

One of the sons of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Adejanwo Obasanjo, is set to wed the daughter of billionaire lotto merchant, Kessington Adebutu, Tolulope. The couple had their introduction recently. More photos below:

Read President Buhari's Christmas message to Nigerians

 

He shared his personal Christmas message to Nigerians via social media. Read below

Dear Compatriots,

I heartily rejoice with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on this year's celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I believe that it is very appropriate for us to reflect on the love of God aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that comes in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth.

There is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges.

We can have peace in Nigeria if we all learn to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority; and be our brothers’ keepers in word and deed.

During this period, we should remember to offer special prayers to God for all our heroic citizens who paid the supreme price to restore peace and security in the North East and other flash points in the country. Let us also remember in our prayers the security forces in the frontline in the continuing battle to rid our nation of terrorism and violence.

We must not forget the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in our midst and those who have suffered untold hardship as a result of activities of insurgents and terrorists.

Our immediate priority is to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians by quickly stimulating the economy. I assure Nigerians that our government is doing its best to make life easier for all.

Let us therefore, renew our hope in the God-ordained unity, progress and prosperity of our great nation.

I wish all travellers safe movements and a memorable holiday as we celebrate with our family and friends.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MUHAMMADU BUHARI
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 24, 2016.

Photos: Gov. Okorocha presents 25 Prado SUVs & 2 Land Cruisers to members of State House of Assembly

 

Governor Rochas Okorocha on Friday, December 23, presented 25 Prado Jeeps and 2 Land cruisers to the Speaker and members of the Imo State House of Assembly. More photos below:

Court orders freezing of Ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan’s multiple accounts

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the freezing of multiple accounts of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, over allegations of receiving proceeds from fraud. One of the account domiciled with Skye Bank plc has a balance of $5,316.66...

According to Vanguard, the order comes sequel to a further affidavit in support of Ex-parte originating summons sworn to by Abdulahi Tukur, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and filed before the court by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo requesting the court to urgently direct the managers of the bank accounts contained in the schedule filed with the summons (FHC/L/CS/1343/16) to, in the interim, forfeit the money in the accounts, to prevent further tampering with such.

Also affected by the order are five companies which are Finchley Top Homes Limited, Aribawa Aruera, Magel Resort Limited, AM -PM Global Network Limited Pansy Oil and Gas Limited. Finchley Top Homes Limited is alleged to have fraudulently open account number 1102001996 domiciled with Ecobank Plc and has a current balance of N226,376,700.23 and a fixed deposit with a balance of N1,099,511,484.88.

The company also fraudulently opened other accounts These are account 1771731336, domiciled with Skye Bank and with a current balance of N14,173,848.85; Fidelity Bank account 4011019539 with a current balance of N1,800,494,000; Stanbic Bank account 0016901361 with a current balance of N40,594,12.88; and Diamond Bank account 0019213687 with a current balance of N39,418,712.12.

Aribawa Aruera Reachout Foundation opened account number 1222014221 with Ecobank and has a closing balance of N479,893,431.01, while Magel Resort Limited accounts (4011019546/5250059782) with Fidelity Bank has a subsisting balance of N1,000,494,000. The company also operates two other accounts (1011744356) in Zenith Bank, which has a balance of N858,923,982, and 0024351590 with Diamond Bank and has a balance of N174,166,207.00. AM-PM Global Network Limited opened account number 0026718889 at Diamond Bank and has a balance of N7,213,303.50.

The account opened by Pansy Oil and Gas Limited at Fidelity Bank (4011019577) has a current balance of N1,809,666,494.68, while that at Diamond Bank (0026838491) has a balance of N55,930,024.50. Also affected is one Esther Oba. Esther Oba has a balance of $429,381.87 in her account while the companies collectively havea balances totaling N7,418,829,290.94 (seven billion four hundred and eighteen million eight hundred and twenty nine thousand two hundred and ninety naira ninety four kobo) in six commercial banks.

Esther Oba was found to have opened account number 0019213689 with Diamond Bank and has a current balance of $429,381.87. EFCC said it carried out analyses after receiving an intelligence report, which showed that the accounts ought to be investigated. As such, Mr. Tukur averred that it would serve the course of justice to grant the application for such.

Bauchi state commissioner for Budget and Plnning resigns from office, accuses state governor of marginalization

Bauch State Commissioner of Budget and planning, Shehu Barau Ningi, resigned from office yesterday December 22nd. In his resignation letter made public, Ningi cited absence of a good environment to properly function as well as marginalization by the state governor as some of the reasons for his resignation. See copies of his resignation letter below:

I won't condone any of my aides breaking laws- Senate President, Bukola Saraki says

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has reacted to online reports of the raid and "arrest" of one of his aides, Ugochinyere Ikenga by DSS officials.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said he would not condone any of his aides that breaks the law. Read the statement below.

“The attention of the Senate President has been drawn to a statement issued today to the media by the Department of State Services (DSS) in which the Department raised allegations against Mr. Ugochinyere Ikenga, an aide to the Senate President. According to the statement, the DSS has not officially informed the Senate President of the allegations against Ikenga. However, Saraki having read the statement now circulating online will want to make it clear that he will never condone any action by any of his aides which threatens the peace of the country or is against the provisions of the law. Saraki called on the DSS to properly investigate the allegations against Mr. Ikenga and if he is found to have acted against the law, then the law should take its natural course".