NEZITIC: July 2015

Friday, 24 July 2015

CJN BARS POLITICIANS FROM HIS RESIDENCE, OFFICE

Apparently to stave off pressure over electoral disputes, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmood Mohammed, has banned politicians from his residence.

His security detail from the Department of State Service (DSS) and police orderly will henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.

The CJN has since refused to accede to requests for courtesy calls by governors and legislators with outstanding petitions against them at election tribunals or with court cases generally.

The CJN put these measures in place following subtle moves by some petitioners to drag the Judiciary into politics, it was learnt.

The CJN and justices of the Supreme Court were reportedly touched by the row generated by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s visit to the CJN’s office in Abuja.

Although the governor did not meet the CJN, his visit almost created a political backlash for the Judiciary.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, said the CJN warned his aides and household members not to allow politicians access to him.

The source said: “Except for his fellow judicial officers, relations and friends, the CJN has banned politicians from visiting his residence. He has limited all transactions or relationship to his office.
“The CJN has also made it a policy to invite a member of the security operatives or aides in his office to henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically-Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.
“Once any lawyer is suspected to have come to solicit favour, security agents will now be called upon to witness such an audience.”

It was learnt that the CJN has decided to limit courtesy visits by public officials.

“The new guidelines take immediate effect. The position of the CJN remains the same that the Judiciary must be insulated from politics.
“As a matter of fact, what the public did not know is that the CJN deliberately avoided meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike to avoid dragging the Judiciary into the murky waters of politics.”

The CJN has also advised judges to stay away from politicians to be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

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Wednesday, 22 July 2015

DAAFIT COMPUTER

www.daafitcomputer.com

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Monday, 20 July 2015

WHAT OBAMA TOLD BUHARI

The following is a collection of tweets from the Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

What Obama told Buhari:

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SHAMED FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER IS SHOWERED IN FAKE DOLLAR BILLS BY BRITISH COMEDIAN DURING PRESS CONFERENCE

Disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter sensationally had a bundle of fake banknotes thrown over him by a comedian who gatecrashed his press conference in Zurich today.

Englishman Simon Brodkin - whose comedy creations include footballer Jason Bent and Lee Nelson - calmly walked up to Blatter's position behind a table at the front of the stage and placed a wad of pretend US dollars on the table, saying: ‘This is for North Korea 2026’.

He then turned to address the press while Blatter, who later announced he would not stand for another term as FIFA president in the new elections having resigned earlier this year, waved urgently at security guards to take him away.

They duly arrived either side of Brodkin, but before they could remove him he threw a huge bundle of notes into the air, which rained down around the out-going president of football's governing body.

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NIGERIA, OTHERS MAY GET US VISA LOTTERY ELIGIBILITY AGAIN

Nigeria, the United Kingdom and other countries removed from the eligibility list of the United States’ Congressional-mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV), also known as the US Visa Lottery may be returned to eligibility list as the list is modified every year based on trends of the previous five years within which they were removed.

Nigeria which was removed from the eligibility list in the 2015 DV program may return to eligibility list after the 2020 DV program.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Ashley Garrigus in a response to inquiries by The Immigrant explained that “the Congressional-mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV) makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas each year, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
“The section of the law establishing the Diversity Visa program limits the list of “eligible countries” to those countries from which fewer than 50,000 persons in various visa categories immigrated to the United States during the previous five years.
The Spokesperson added that “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) modifies the list of eligible countries for each year’s DV program on the basis of this five-year calculation.
“The list is modified every year based on trends of the previous five-years. The list of eligible countries can change each year of the program.”

Initially Nigeria had low rate immigration to the United States and remained in the program since it started in 1995 fiscal year.

Those born in any territory that has sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years are not eligible to receive a diversity visa.

For DV-2016, natives of the following nations are ineligible: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.

The Diversity Visa Program usually opens for entry at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), from October 1 and closes at noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) first Monday of November.

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POWERFUL PRESIDENTS: BUHARI MEETS OBAMA (PHOTOS)

Nigeria's president meets US president Obama at the White House this afternoon.

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YOU’ RE THE BADDEST ENTERTAINER, DON JAZZY TELLS D’BANJ

Ace music producer and leader of Supreme Mavin Dynasty, Michael Collins (Don Jazzy) has hailed his former business partner, Dapo Oyebanjo (D’banj) for the feat recorded at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) held in South Africa, describing him as the baddest entertainer he knows.

Don Jazzy was reacting to the MAMA Evolution awards won by D’banj, which the Kokomaster dedicated to the Doroboss. The Evolution awards is a new category honouring established artists who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture.

“Shout out to the baddest entertainer we know on the MAMA EVOLUTION AWARD. Thanks 4 the dedication bro @Iamdbanj,” Don Jazzy posted on his Twitter handle.

Don Jazzy and D’banj established the successful Mo’Hits Records in 2004 which brought to limelight music stars like D’banj, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, D’Prince and K-Switch.

The first album released by the label was D’banj’s No Long Thing in 2005. Other albums are Rundown & The Entertainer (D’banj), Mushin2Mohits (Wande Coal) & Turning Point (Dr SID). The label also released a compilation album called Mo’Hits All Stars along with many other singles from its artists which proved to be National Hits. Don Jazzy won various accolades including Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) Producer of the Year in 2006, and Nigeria Entertainment Awards Music Producer of the Year in 2007.

The label has also attracted foreign interest from international acts like Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z. However, the musical marriage between D’Banj and Don Jazzy ended on a sour note in 2012.

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PRESIDENT BUHARI AND HIS ENTOURAGE MEET EX US SEC. GEN. MADELINE ALBRIGHT (PHOTOS)

President Buhari and his entourage had a private dinner with former US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright at the Blair House yesterday.

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I WAS NERVOUS KISSING D’BANJ OPENLY… BONANG MATHEBA SPEAKS

If you had any doubts that Nigerian legendary singer D'Banj has found love with South African television host Bonang Matheba, well doubt no more as they two have just proven their love publicly.

The two lovebirds were all over themselves throughout the MAMAs which held on July 18th, 2015 in South Africa and the picture of the two lovebirds surfaced as D’banj could not help it but publicly show is happiness to his lover by kissing her before walking up to get his awards.

After the much talked about show, Bonang, while speaking on the kiss with her fan, stated that she was nervous when D’banj kissed her in such an event which was why she looked down as he walked up the stage.

Adelaidemncube: “My heart is dancing after that kiss. It make sense. Only a king should have the privilege to love you. Love you guys. You looked down though. Hope you good.
Bonang: “I was nervous.”

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WHAT I WANT IN A MAN—DJ CUPPY

Although her father, Femi Otedola, is one of the richest men in Nigeria and has a huge reputation and influence as an oil billionaire businessman, his young daughter, Florence Otedola, known in the entertainment industry as DJ Cuppy, does not want to ride on her father's back to success.

The beautiful DJ also wants for herself, a man that is very ambitious and as hardworking as she is.

"I am someone that is very ambitious and my career is very important to me. I am a very young individual. I like someone that is very confident and self-assured, someone that is also very ambitious.

“Maybe in the future, that is something I will focus on or care about. For now, I am still learning about myself and I believe this tour will result in my coming back as a different person. I can tell you what I like now but I think that changes with time.

“Every young person is still discovering him/herself. There are prospects to that except if you have a husband for me," she told Vanguard in an interview.

The talented singer also emphasised on her crush on Koredo Bello which went viral few weeks back.

"Yes, the two of us always joke a lot. We always have jokes to share between ourselves. But dating is far from it. I think he is a great artiste who gets me excited as a result of his talent but nothing between us can be taken as anything serious. He is a good act and I think he has a lot of fans that look up to him," she confessed.

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DASUKI’S AIDE’S DRIVER GONE WITH $5M CASH

What happened to the $5m withdrawn from the National Security Adviser’s account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)? The cash vanished under former NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki’s watch.

This question and more relating to other “curious” withdrawals in the dying days of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration informed the invasion of Dasuki’s homes by Department of State Security (DSS) at the weekend.

Although Dasuki has not been linked with any cases of corruption, sources told The Nation yesterday in Abuja that his office was being investigated for alleged questionable withdrawals running into billions of naira.

It was gathered that Dasuki, the immediate past NSA to Jonathan, who President Muhammadu Buhari sacked last Monday alongside the Service chiefs, would be quizzed on how a driver to his personal assistant disappeared with $5 million, which was withdrawn from the office’s account with the CBN.

The DSS, in a statement issued at the weekend, justified its raid on Dasuki’s home on the suspicion that he was plotting to disturb the peace with the quality and quantity of high caliber weaponry stocked in his Abuja home where bullet proof vehicles were recovered. His father’s house in Sokoto was also searched.

Although Dasuki said he was being victimised for discharging his responsibilities, a Presidency source told The Nation that evidence abound that his office played a major role in some shady withdrawals.

Dasuki’s office, the source explained, was fingered in the case of a driver to his personal assistant who allegedly disappeared with a car containing $5million cash withdrawn from the NSA office’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dasuki was placed under security surveillance immediately Buhari was sworn in due to the role he played in the plan to truncate the handover of governance to a new government on May 29, it was learnt.

Said the source: “I believe Dasuki knows the truth and he is only latching onto the democratic environment to twist the tale. The cry of a witch-hunt is unfounded because we work in the same office. We don’t even need to go into how he purchased the Asokoro mansion few months after his appointment as NSA.
“Is Dasuki also claiming ignorance of investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a driver to his Personal Assistant with a vehicle loaded with $5m? In fact, the relatives of the driver are still asking the authorities to help look for their son. The money was withdrawn at the CBN and the PA claimed the driver said he wanted to go for lunch only to disappear with the money, which was in the boot of the car. Now, who allows a driver to go out with a vehicle containing such a huge sum of money?
“You know Dasuki is just playing for time and I think he knows the game is up. By the way, who told the former president that he could influence the sacked Service Chiefs to stage a coup and frustrate the handover date? Who championed the idea of changing the date for the election midway, having realised that Jonathan was not going to win? Who has been collecting millions of dollars to buy sophisticated gadgets and equipment to fight insurgency without any appreciable progress until the tail end of the tenure of Jonathan?”

The source also said that Dasuki cannot explicate his office from the botched $15million cash-for-weapons deal that went awry in South Africa, adding that the extension of the investigation to Sokoto was informed by the fact that the former NSA had taken full control of the house long after his father relocated to Kano before moving to London to treat an ailment.

Said the source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter:

“The truth is that his father relocated from Sokoto a long time ago and that house is solely being used by Dasuki. What point is he trying to prove by feigning ignorance about what he keeps in the Sokoto house? Is he saying there is no money lodged in that house or that some government vehicles were not retrieved from there? Anyway, by the time he is brought before justice, we will know whether this is frame up or not. Sometimes, it is not the noise you make on the pages of newspapers that count but how you defend your integrity”.

Dasuki in an exclusive interview with The Nation on Saturday had described the siege to his house is mere witch-hunt.

He said: “It is just a witch-hunt. If you want me to make clarifications on any issue, in the spirit of democracy and the rule of Law, have the courtesy to invite me and as a gentleman, I will honour the invitation. Sending two trucks to lay siege to my house and restrict my movement is just abysmal.”

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NIGERIA BARS 113 VESSELS FROM LIFTING ITS CRUDE OIL

President Muhammadu Buhari has blacklisted 113 vessels from lifting Nigerian crude oil as part of an effort to sanitize Nigeria’s oil industry plagued by corruption, crude theft and massive fraud.

A memo that originated from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the country’s oil corporation to bar 113 vessels from lifting Nigeria crude oil from 27 designated terminals.

The memo, which was signed by the NNPC’s group managing director, G. O. Komolafe, directed affected terminals to prevent the vessels from lifting crude oil within Nigeria’s territorial waters until further notice.

The memo listed 27 terminals from which the vessels are prohibited to lift Nigerian crude. The terminals are Forcados, Bonny, Bonga, Sea Eagle, Qua lboe, Erha, Yoho, Usan, Bonny River Terminal, Escravos, Agbami, Pennington, Escravos LPG FSO, Escravos Gas Terminal, Antan, Okwori, Odudu, Akpo, Brass, Abo, Okono, Oyo, lma, Okoro, Ukpokiti, Tulja, and Ebok.

A source at the Presidency told SaharaReporters that the blacklisted vessels (see full list below) were implicated in a pattern of fraud that resulted in the shortchanging of Nigerians.

“Many of the vessels had documents in Chinese, Russian or French names, and used these different languages to hide their illicit lifting of Nigerian crude,” said the source.

He added that numerous officials of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the NNPC as well as the Ministry of Petroleum were involved in facilitating the illegal lifting of Nigerian crude.

Mr. Komolafe’s memo also announced that the blacklisted vessels would be prohibited from operating within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Sahara reporters learnt that the vessels were mostly linked with oil bunkering and sophisticated theft of crude from numerous NNPC loading facilities.

Last week, President Buhari sacked Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for undisclosed reasons. However, an investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that Mr. Akpobolokemi was linked to billionaire Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

We could not establish whether the banning of the 113 vessels was connected to the firing of Mr. Akpobolokemi.

See list below of prohibited vessels below:

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PRESIDENT BUHARI ORDERS PREPARATION OF CASE-FILE FOR $182MILLION HALLIBURTON SCANDAL #NOPROBENOHOPE

As President Muhammadu Buhari travels to the United States (US) today to engage President Barack Obama in talks on economic, security, financial and anti-graft issues, it has emerged that he has ordered the preparation of the case-file that would lead to the prosecution of the indicted persons in the $182 million Halliburton bribery scandal.

It was gathered that the President’s directive followed the requirement by the US government of evidence to show that Buhari was ready to prosecute the suspects in Nigeria for their roles in the bribery scandal before it could partner other European countries in releasing the $141million dollars allegedly looted from Nigeria and lodged in various overseas banks.

According to top security sources, Buhari, based on the outcome of investigations by the panel set up to look into the scandal, is scheduled to tell Americans officials during this week’s visit that all those indicted, including former Heads of State, a former Vice President, two former Group Managing Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, will face prosecution to defend themselves.

To further convince the US officials that the kangaroo trial that took place during the Jonathan administration, which saw a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the President being arraigned and then let off the hook following alleged connivance of certain government institutions, will not re-occur, the President will tell them that private legal practitioners, who cannot compromise because of past government patronage, will be commissioned to handle the case.

It will be recalled that the recent directive by Buhari to reopen the Halliburton bribery case led to the discovery that the $26.5 million plea bargain money released by the oil servicing firm as part of efforts to shield the company from prosecution was not in any government account.

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Sunday, 19 July 2015

SEYILAW ANNOUNCES FAST & FUNNY FOR AUGUST @ EKO HOTEL

Seyilaw has made public, plans to celebrate his 10th year on stage as a Professional Comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is official.

The week-long celebrations ends with an unusual Comedy & Music Concert tagged Seyilaw: Fast & Funny, scheduled to hold on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos from 6pm.

Comedians on the bill includes Seyilaw himself, Alibaba, AY, Gordons,Omobaba, Emeka Smith, Mc Shakara, Funny Bone, Acapella, Elenu, Senator and many other witty humourist.

Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt, Superstar DJ Exclusive, and DJ Jamsmyth are fully engaged for Seyilaw’s Fast & Funny. While Olamide, Chidinma, Iyanya, Banky W, Oritsefemi, and Kcee are locked down for the Concert.

Other music talents confirmed for the event are Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, D’ija, Lil’ Kesh, Kiss Daniel, Adekunle Gold, K Peace etc.

Tickets for Seyilaw: Fast & Funny comes in Regular, VIP, and V-VIP categories. Regulars are up for N6000; VIP’s, N20,000 and V-VIPs on a Table of 10 are at a N1,000,000 Premium. All tickets, when available, would be sold at all Tastee Fried Chicken Outlets in Lagos, and online at www.ariiyatickets.com and www.naijaticketshop.com.

Days leading to the Event will see Seyilaw paying benevolent visits to: Niger Wives Production for Visually Impaired, Heat of Gold Orphanage, and his Alma Mata – Methodist Boys High School, VI.

On August the 2nd, Celebrities will converge for a Celebrity Football Match Competition at National Stadium Surulere in honour of 10 eventful Seyilaw Years.

“I can only do this event with a grateful heart,” Seyilaw, “admits because between 2005 and 2015, God mercies have kept me. By His grace made the strong. And His inspirations kept me on top of my Stand up game.
“If it hasn’t been for the Lord on my side; if I haven’t been shown so much love by Fans and Friends, if my Mentors and Colleagues haven’t been encouraging, if the Media has not been absolutely supportive, I probably would still be where I was 10 Years ago.”

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BOKO HARAM: ARMY CHIEF RENAMES OPERATION IN MAIDUGURI

Chief of Army Staff, Major General T.Y. Buratai has said that, the Nigerian Army must wake up to its traditional responsibility of defending the integrity of the nation in the face of challenges posed by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Buratai who was speaking on Sunday during his visit to military formation in Konduga local government area of Borno state renamed the the operation from “Operation Zaman Lafiya” to ”Lafiya Dole” saying the change was informed owing to the fact that, government has given the insurgents the opportunity for peace but they threw it away, hence “enough is enough.”

The new Army Chief, who addressed the troops assured them of continued support, adding that, it is their duty to ensure that peace returns to the northeast whether the insurgents like it or not.

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I STILL COOK FOR MY HUSBAND — AISHA BUHARI

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday, said that despite her present status, she still cooks her husband’s food.

She gave the revelation at a party she organised for children drawn from different parts of the country in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebration at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Her remark followed an excuse to depart from the party amid dances by the children.

“I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband because my children are here playing with you. Nobody is at home, only my husband. So, I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him”, she said.

She further stated that the Sallah party was an indication of the seriousness her husband’s administration attached to the welfare of the youth.

She said, “On occasions like this, we celebrate with children, especially the less privileged, including those in the various internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camp. We love, appreciate and share with their present situation.
“The reason for this is to promote warm interaction and sharing what we have with one another. On this note particularly, we decided to celebrate with all children from different background”.

She charged the children to obey their parents and teachers’ instructions both at home and schools.

“The future of this great country lies in your hands. You are to compliment the efforts of government by working very hard in school and be obedient to your parents. Tomorrow you may become president, the president’s wife, Senator, honourable members, governors, medical doctors, teacher, journalist, engineer, nurse, lawyer and the rest of other honourable professions”, she added.

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MY DOOR IS STILL OPEN TO MARRIAGE – AYO ADESANYA

Voluptuously beautiful and sexy Ayo Adesanya has rightly made an entrance into the Nollywood hall of fame as she celebrates her 20th anniversary in the industry at the age of 45. The entire month of July, has been about accolades and ovation for the highly talented actress.

While basking in the euphoria of the anniversary celebrations, Ayo, who had a tumultuous marriage and even messier divorce saga with her former husband, actor and producer, Goriola Hassan, took time out to tell Potpourri that her 20 years journey in the make-believe world had not been all rosy. She spoke about marriage and love and posited that even though her marriage didn’t work out she still believed in love. She was asked if she could still marry again.

“When people ask me that question, they just get me confused. Fine, God said we should come to the world, get married and multiply but you know what? I’m beginning to think marriage is not for the whole world. It’s not everybody that agrees to that because these days, people are getting so hostile. People fall in love; it’s not as if you don’t find love but does it really last?
You keep wondering that today they’ve broken up, tomorrow they’ve broken up; it’s not a good thing really. When you’re asking me if I’m going to get married again, I’m not God because you really can’t play God when it comes to what is going to happen.
Tomorrow, I might just meet somebody that would sweep me off my feet, so it’s not as if I’m closing the door totally. God is the owner of my life, so if he says okay, this is what he wants. But then, it doesn’t mean you cannot be happy if you’re not married.
I want the coming generation to be happily married, I want them to settle, I want them to believe in love, I want them to have a peaceful life and a peaceful home; I encourage it. Because I’m not married does not mean that I do not understand what love is, I know what love is, I know what romance is, I understand it so well” she said

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SENATOR BLAMES JONATHAN FOR PDP’S WOES

A stalwart of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State and former National Assembly Liaison Adviser to late President Umaru Ya’Adua, Sen. Abba Aji, has accused the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan of allegedly “destroying the party for selfish interests” before handing over to the new government.

Abba Aji, who was defending his decision to defect from PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Maiduguri Saturday, told newsmen in an interactive session that the former president knew the future of the party was glaringly bleak for months before elections.

“PDP was deliberately destroyed by Jonathan. He was the greatest beneficiary of democracy in Nigeria and PDP’s 16 years of ruling in over two dozen states and at the federal level.”
He also alleged that, “the immediate past president did everything to undermine the progress of this great African party and left it worse than he met it in the last five or six years. He simply messed up PDP for probably selfish interests.”

Sen. Aji, who said the fight against Boko Haram in the North East sub-region of the country did not receive timely attention from the Jonathan presidency until things got out of hand, warned that an additional year or more to the increasing on going insurgency in Borno state and the affected sub-region, could compound and create bigger problems for the state and the country.

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BUHARI TO MAKE 6000 APPOINTMENTS – PRESIDENCY

In an interview with Sahara TV on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated that Buhari would be fair to all. He also called for patience reassuring Nigerians that there are more than 6,000 appointments the president is yet to make.

Buhari, who recently sacked the country’s service chiefs that served under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and dissolved the boards of many Federal Government parastatals across the country, has been criticised for not constituting his cabinet and appointing people into various boards of parastatals.

The President is also being pilloried for allegedly favouring the North in the appointment he had made so far.

But, “I think President Muhammadu Buhari is sensitive to the diversity of this country. He has more than 6,000 appointments to make. Therefore, why would anybody use less than 10 appointments to judge the President on this matter? Again, it boils down to the lack of patience. This man is an experienced leader. Nigeria stands to gain from the accumulation of wisdom that he has garnered over his long life on earth. He has sworn to an oath that he’s a President of all.
“This government will make as many as 6,000 appointments. And he is bound, even if he doesn’t wish it, by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reflect federal character.”

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FORMER INEC BOSS, ATTAHIRU JEGA, WINS TOP INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has been nominated winner of this year’s edition of the Charles T. Mannat Democracy award.

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES, based in the United States, administrators of the award, will present the award to Mr. Jega and other awardees at an elaborate ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 29.

Every year, IFES, a leading pro-democracy organisation that advocates improved electoral systems around the world, recognizes accomplishments of individuals in advancing freedom and democracy.

The organisation does this by bestowing awards on these outstanding individuals in honour of past chairs of its Board of Directors: Charles T. Manatt and Patricia Hutar, and Senior Adviser, Joe C. Baxter.

Mr. Jega would be honoured under the Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award category.

Three individuals are honoured each year in that category: one U.S. Democrat, one Republican and a member of the international community who demonstrate unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights.

Mr. Jega is the international figure chosen for the award this year, and he is being honoured for leading INEC to conduct one of the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history, even in the face of intimidation and sabotage by some of his own staff and officials of the past administration.

Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) are to be honoured alongside Mr. Jega.

They will receive the awards at a special ceremony, co-chaired by IFES Board Director and Baker & Hostetler LLP Partner, Ambassador Tom McDonald and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP Partner June L. DeHart on September 29, in Washington D.C.

“Chairman Jega’s leadership was instrumental to Nigeria’s successful general elections in 2015,” said IFES President and CEO, Bill Sweeney.
“He deserves full credit for his efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process under extreme logistical challenges, such as terrorist threats from Boko Haram, where failure could prove the catalyst for predicted election violence.”.
Mr. Jega’s expert management of the 2015 general elections positioned him as a credible election administrator, IFES said.
“The complex Nigerian electoral environment consisted of 69 million eligible voters, 155,000 polling booths and 700,000 temporary staff deployed across the country. These recent elections resulted in the country’s first democratic transfer of power.”
“I am deeply honoured to accept the 2015 Democracy Award from IFES,” Mr. Jega said in response to his nomination for the award.
“INEC’s long-standing partnership with IFES in preparation for the 2015 general elections resulted in a credible process accepted by Nigerian citizens and the international community. These elections have put Nigeria on the right path toward democratic stability.”

Mr. Jega, who left office as INEC Chairman on June 30, has returned to his lecturing job at the Bayero University Kano, where he was also a Vice Chancellor before he was appointed INEC boss in June 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Until his appointment as vice chancellor, he lectured in the department of political science.
He once served as national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU].

Mr. Jega remains the only chairman of the electoral body to organise two national elections – 2011 and 2015 elections.

Sometime in March, Mr. Jega indicated he would not accept tenure renewal.

“I am grateful to God,” he said at the time. “I was asked to come and contribute my own quota to the national development and I have done my bit to the best of my ability.”

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SENATE, REPS POSTPONE RESUMPTION DATE AS LEADERSHIP CRISES PERSIST

The Senate and the House of Representatives have extended the date for resumption plenary sessions, which was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, July 21.
Members are now expected to resume July 28.
This was made known by the the Clerk of the House of Representatives, M. A. Sani-Omolori, who released an official notice of the postponement.
“This is to inform all Honourable members of the House of Representatives of the postponement of resumption of plenary session from adjourned date of Tuesday, 21st July to Tuesday, 28th July 2015,” Mr. Sani-Omolori said in his statement.
Also, a source close to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, told PREMIUM TIMES that the Senate “has also extended its resumption to July 28?.
According to our source, the postponement became imperative because of the crisis rocking the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, over the choice of legislators that will clinch the principal positions of the Nigerian legislative arm.
Plenary session was adjourned at both chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 25, in the wake of fracas that ensued on the floor of the House between members of the All Progressives Congress loyal to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and those loyal the party.
Also in defiance of the leadership of APC same day, Mr. Saraki named Ali Ndume, Senate Leader; Francis Alimikhena, Deputy Whip; and Bala Na’Allah, Deputy Senate Leader, in spite of stiff opposition from APC Senators loyal to the ruling party.
PREMIUM TIMES understands that the adjournment of plenary sessions by Messrs Saraki and Dogara was to create additional time within which the crisis could be resolved.
The crises however remain unresolved.
Mr. Dogara finally responded to the leadership of the APC, rejecting the party’s position of the choice of the principal positions, citing Federal Character principle.
He made a new proposal which would see the North West produce the Majority Leader, thereby blocking Femi Gbajabiamila, South West, who is being favoured by the APC leadership.
The APC is yet to respond to Mr. Dogara’s proposal.
But Mr. Gbajabiamila’s group has vowed to ensure Mr. Dogara obeys the party’s directive.

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D’BANJ DEDICATES MAMA AWARDS TO DON JAZZY

Singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and businessman, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (D’Banj) who won the maiden MAMA Evolution awards, has dedicated the prestigious prize to his former business partner and producer, Don Jazzy, who is the boss of Mavin Records.

DbanjMamaThe Evolution category is meant for established artistes who have made a huge impact on the African music scene, taken African music to new heights around the world and pushed the boundaries of creativity.

D’Banj beat fellow Nigerian representatives Asa, Psquare and 2face to the awards. Fally Ipupa (DRC), Samini (Ghana), HHP (South Africa) Chameleone (Uganda), Black Coffee (South Africa) and Anselmo Ralph (Angola) were also nominated.

It will be recalled that the musical marriage between D’Banj and Don Jazzy ended on a sour note in 2012.

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Saturday, 18 July 2015

TOO MUCH MONEY! MAN RENTS ENTIRE 5-STAR HOTEL AS BIRTHDAY TREAT FOR HIS PET

The son of a Chinese billionaire stunned many across the world recently when he hired an entire 5-star hotel just to give his favourite pet, a sea lion, a memorable birthday celebration.

The sea lion was given the entire premises of the popular Ocean Spring Hotel, in coastal Qingdao City for his special day. Stunned employees at the expensive resort could not help but snap and record the remarkable event on their mobile phones.

The unidentified pet owner, reported to be within 30 years old, even arranged for kitchen staff to prepare a giant feast for the animal. He was pictured feeding his pet delicacies from a tray of sausage and vegetable, as a delighted chef looks on, according to odditycentral.com. Later, the sea lion took a dip into the pool where it bathed for hours.

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