HURIWA CAUTION MILITARY ON ITS HANDLING OF BIAFRA PROTESTERS.

Human Rights Writers Association has cautioned the hierarchy of the nation’s armed forces to realize that the Indigenous People OF Biafra protesters are not armed and therefore cannot be treated as insurgents.

National Coordinator of HURIWA Emmanuel Onwubiko who addressed newsmen expressed surprise at a statement credited to the Army Chief Buratai who threatened to hit back at the peaceful protesters in the Southeast and South South.

Onwubiko advised the security agencies to concentrate on the lingering terrorism in the northeast and allow government peacefully handles the issues raised by the Protesters.

Business activities in most parts of the Southeast and South-South Nigeria were paralyzed earlier this week as a result of the protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra who are demanding the release of their leader Nnamdi Kalu who was recently arrested by security agents for operating radio Biafra and demanding for the independent state of Biafra.   

 

NIGERIA'S FORMER PETROLEUM MINISTER INSIST SHE DID NOT STEAL HER COUNTRYS MONEY

Controversial former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, says she did not use her position in former President Goodluck Jonathan's government to steal Nigeria’s money.
Diezani, who looked frail told Publisher of the Boss online that she performed her duties to the best of her knowledge and abilities, and that many of the allegations against her are not based on facts.
But she was arrested by officials of the National Crime Agency in UK over "money laundering".
The former minister had been alleged to have used her position as minister to steal billions of naira from the country’s coffers. In June 2008, she was subject to a Senate probe after it emerged that as Transport Minister she had paid N30.9bn ($263m) to contractors between December 26 and 31, 2007.
However, she has never been tried for these allegations and has strongly denied any wrongdoing. She was alleged to have spent billions of dollars on private jets and responsible for some missing $20bn.
She is also widely accused of reckless spending of government funds.

APC senators walk out as Ekweremadu presides over Senate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senators yesterday threatened to stay away from the Senate at any session presided over by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
Ekweremadu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, emerged as the Deputy Senate President in a Senate with APC as the majority party.
The Enugu West senatorial representative for the first time since his controversial election on June 9 presided over Senate session yesterday, following the absence of Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Saraki, it was said, went to the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the inauguration of the ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari.
During the session, some APC lawmakers led by Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume stormed out of the chamber immediately they noticed that Ekweremadu was to preside.
It was not clear initially why Lawan and Akume walked out, but a statement by the Secretary of the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North), threw light on the development.
Lawan and Akume are leading members of the Senate Unity Forum, a group that supported Lawan to vie for the Senate president.

Amaechi pledges to complete ongoing rail projects

The new Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday pledged to complete all ongoing rail projects across the country.

He made the pledge during his first day in office as minister, shortly after his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

He, however, noted that he would resume work fully on November 17 when the new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sabiu Zakari, would equally assume duty at the ministry.

The former Rivers State governor added that his meeting with the permanent secretary and the directors on November 17 would begin by looking at the budget and its level of implementation.

Amaechi called for cooperation from all parastatals and agencies of the ministry and the aviation sector.

He said, “We are interested in completing all ongoing rail projects around the country because we don’t want to disappoint Nigerians. It is important that we realise that we have a mandate to deliver on our promises and there is competition among the ministers to deliver and we don’t want to take last.”

Ex-permanent secretaries to face trial for alleged corrupt practices

Barely 24 hours after they were retired, five of the affected 17 federal permanent secretaries may face trial for alleged corruption.
One of those slated for trial has been interrogated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Another, who is rated as brilliant, allegedly indulged in using public funds for exotic vehicles, foreign trips and outrageous hotel bills.
It was also learnt that two of those involved were linked to alleged bribery scandals.
The retired Perm Secs include Aliyu  Ismaila; Godknows Igali; Alhaji Baba Farouk; Abdulkadir Musa; Linus Awute; Fatima Bamidele; Obinna John Chukwu; Ezekiel Oyemomi; Anasthesia Nwaobia; Tunji Olaopa; George A. Ossi ; Mike John Nwabiala; Mohammed Bashar and Abdullahi Yola.
The fate of four others was unknown yesterday as they were either not given retirement letters or put on the list of those deployed.
The floating permanent secretaries are: Odusote Ibukun; Henry Akpan, Nkechi Ejele and Dr. James Obiagwu.

Nigeria: Ministers and their portfolios

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday named the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

The ministry is a merger of three ministries: Power, Works as well as Housing, Land and Urban Development.

The President, shortly after inaugurating the ministers, also named former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister for Transportation.

Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)–Transportation

Chris Ngige (Anambra)–Labour and Employment

Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)–Solid Minerals

Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)–Power, Works and Housing

Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano)–Interior

Aisha Alhassan (Taraba)–Women Affairs

Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi)–Science and Technology

Kemi Adeosun (Ogun)–Finance

Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)–Justice

Hadi Sirika (Katsina)–State for Aviation

Pope Francis releases pop-rock album

Pope Francis has shown he is ready to take on the religious world, now he is set to take on the music world with a progressive rock album.
Entitled Wake Up!, the 11-track album was launched at a fairly sombre ceremony within the Vatican walls – unfortunately not attended by the frontman himself.
The pontiff’s foray into the music world is a selection of his public speeches, put to various styles of music ranging from pop and rock, to Latin chant.
Francis’ simple, down-to-earth style served as inspiration for the album, producer and artistic director Don Giulio Neroni said.
Composers Dino Doni and Toni Pagliuca hoped their arrangements would help lend support to Francis’ words.
“We took into consideration Pope Francis’ speeches, speeches he made in various countries around the world, with diverse themes,” said Mr Doni.
“We hope we have delivered a different arrangement for this work but also that we have managed to maintain the emotional and psychological aspect of the pope.
“The music may in some way help to deliver the message of Pope Francis.”
Wake Up! Is released Italy, with producers saying it will be released worldwide at a later date.

#LAFFITOFF with Onome Da Saint on Nov 22nd 2015

Come the 22nd of November 2015 at the NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE AND SUITES. Abuja shall witness an event like never before; it will be a fun filled, quality memorable moment as you "LAFF IT OFF" with Onome Da Saint.

Comedy by: Ali Baba the king, Igos, Osama, Senator, Ghana Must Go, MC Amana, MC Asawana, Chief Mosusu, and Kenny Blaq.

Music by the Reggae blues master Harry Song, Genesis, Lady Usha, Angel Papa, Gully Ryda, Healing Stream Dance Crew and the unpredictable DJ Alex

Tickets Regular #5,000, VIP #15,000 Gold table for 8 # 300,000 and Platinum for 8 #500,000

Tickets available at Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Jevinik restaurant, Amsha Systems Ltd, DrumStik and Nadren Supermarket Abuja

Venue: Plot 496 Ahmadu Bellow Way, Gwarimpa Expressway Deeper Life Junction (Near Next Cash and Carry), Kado, Abuja

Time: Red Carpet start 05:00 pm Event proper 06:00pm

THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY.

Zenith Bank Plc, AIT, Rhythm 74.7 Fm, Silverbird, Hot 98.3 Fm, Hennessy, Love 104.5 Fm, HDC and Rosacomms Nigeria.

For Enquiries call (+234) 07062197809 or (+234) 08096888514

Rebranding: PDP inaugurates 53 -member committee

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday inaugurated a 53-member committee to rebrand and refocus the party for the 2019 general elections.
The committee, headed by media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, is charged with the responsibility of organising stakeholders’ conference with participants from the six geopolitical zones.
The conference was earlier put on hold to allow the party leadership to receive the report of its post-election assessment committee headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee at the party’s Abuja secretariat, the Acting National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, said the move was aimed at checkmating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Secondus said the conference became imperative because events in the last six months of the APC administration have raised fears that the gains of democracy achieved by the PDP were seriously under threat.
“This national conference is meant to fashion out strategy that would help PDP sustain democratic ideals while in opposition, hence the choice of the conference theme, ‘PDP and the sustenance of democratic ideals in Nigeria.”

Lawyer warns against electricity tariff increase

Activist-Lawyer Toluwani Adebiyi has warned Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr Sam Amadi against increasing power tariff this month.
He said the injunction granted by Justice Ibrahim Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos against any increment was subsisting.
Adebiyi, who filed the suit, said any attempt to increase tariff when the suit had not been determined would land Amadi in jail for contempt of court.
Besides, he said there was no justification for increasing electricity tariff now when power supply is not stable and worse in some places.
“Nigerians are still protesting NERC’s unfair trade practices, which include the crude, fraudulent and unjustifiable fixed charge. Both the Upper and Lower Chamber of the National Assembly have consistently warned NERC not to increase tariff. “President Muhammadu Buhari had declared that there won’t be increment until electricity is stable. Above all, is the subsisting court order that there must be no increment until the matter in court is decided.