Buhari swears in SGF,NSA,SSA

President Muhammadu Buhari  (center)congratulate the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Mr. David Lawal (right) while Vice President  Yemi Osinbajo looks on during the swearing –in Ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidenbtial Villa , Abuja. 

• Appointments not based on ethnic consideration, but merit, say Lawal, Oshiomhole
• President will not sideline any section, Oyegun assures

President Muhammadu Buhari monday swore in the new Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, who was appointed last Thursday.

The president also inaugurated the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

The event took place at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr. Buhari has come under fire for appointing mostly people from Nigeria’s northern region, to top positions.

Criticisms grew last week after the appointment of Mr. Lawal and five others, with only one of the nominees from the south.

The appointments followed a pattern that has seen at least 75 per cent of top government officials, from the north.

The presidency has denied any sectional agenda, and has assured that no part of the country will be marginalised in subsequent appointments.

Mr. Buhari did not comment on the controversy on Monday after swearing in the new officials. He did not give any remarks.

But speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the SGF, Mr. Lawal, said they were not appointed because of their places of origin.

“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions,” he said. “(It was) not because of our tribes, or our faiths, or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.

“If it is such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments. We appreciate the president and we appreciate God that he has blessed us with these privileged appointments,” Mr. Lawal said.

Still determined to douse the tension that followed the perceived marginalization of a section of the country in the recent appointments, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari will balance the federal appointments across all the geopolitical regions.

Oyegun defended the president over the recent appointments saying that such appointments made so far are his personal staff.

The APC national chairman  urged the aggrieved persons to calm down and wait for the next round of appointments to be made.

Speaking on  yesterday in Abuja at the national secretariat of the APC when he received in audience a group known as the Muhammadu Buhari Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group, led by its national coordinator, Hon. Usman Ibrahim.

Oyegun believed that there is a lot of fight back from the people who want to draw back the nation under the Buhari administration.

Speaking on the concern generated by the appointments, Oyegun said: "There have been a lot of unfortunate misinformation and uproar against appointments at this stage. We have two sets of appointments that have  taken place. One set are the personal privilege of Mr. President, as far as his personal staff are concerned. The other set has to do with a few important and strategic persons that are going to help him either in the fight against corruption or the fight against insurgency in the North-east of our country, but this is not where to play the political balancing game. These are serious and the president has the right to appoint those he has confidence in because these are the areas where he has made promises to Nigerians.

"But we have thousands of political appointments and he has just made a few appointments while thousands are still waiting. The balancing must happen when the political appointment are being made. But we must not at this particular point in time with the few appointments say that one must be from the North, one must be from the South or from the east not at this very early stage.

"So, one must make that clear at this stage. Nobody, no leader can disadvantage any part of this nation. That will not happen”, Oyegun assured.

On the anti-corruption feat of President Buhari’s government, he said: "If a particular group has ruled for 16 years, then who is guilty of corruption?

"And all the fight, witch hunting are neither here nor there. What is important is that those who have skeletons in their cupboards are the ones who have something to fear. If you do not have any skeleton in the cupboard you go to sleep and sleep very sound but of course if you have you will pretend and try to divert attention," he said.

Also in defence of the president’s appointments, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has said the recent appointments of his Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Comptroller General of Customs and Presidential Liaison Officers to the National Assembly.

Oshiomhole were based on merit and not political sentiments or ethnic considerations.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, the governor said Nigerian nation had come to a point where the best hands to confront the peculiarity of the problems should be used.

He stated that Nigerians should not descend to the level of geopolitical balancing, adding that there was need to employ unusual methods to solve an unusual problem.

According to the governor, “The level of decay in the country at present requires very seasoned hands and incorruptible Nigerians that would help to translate the All Progressive Change (APC) agenda of change for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“We must not reduce governance to political patronage of bread and butter.  The Comrade Governor congratulates the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Comptroller General of Customs, all of whom he had had very close relationship with and whose credentials stand tall among their compeers.

“If we must make a huge difference in the lives of Nigerians, things must be done differently. We cannot continue to apply same template in the recruitment of persons and expect different results.

“The new appointees are Nigerians who have served the country in different capacities before now and deserved every bit of our cooperation and support to make them excel in their new jobs.”

APC post-election summit: Oyegun,Oshiomole,Ameachi, others storm Calabar.

The ancient city of Calabar in Cross River State will host the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South South geo-political zone for a post-election summit.

Party leaders expected at the summit slated for September 5, include the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; former Rivers State military administrator, Group Capt. Sam Ewang (retd) and some  other former governors from the zone.

Also to attend are all former and serving National Assembly members from the zone and state party chairmen of the party.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the zonal chairman of the party, Mr. Bassey Ita, said the event, which is scheduled to hold at Gomays Conference Centre in the state capital, would review the party’s victory at the last general elections and plan towards repositioning the zone under the present administration.

The APC summit will also discuss the probe instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in Rivers State led by governor Nyesom Wike and come out with a common position.

The statement read in part: “The meeting is expected to take far- reaching decisions that will further strengthen the party to take a holistic lead in the zone as well as throw its weight behind the federal government’s resolve to fix the peculiar problems of the zone.”

Apart from the statement, a source close to the party in Calabar stated that the summit would also use the opportunity provided by the meeting to streamline appointments and present same to the president.

A source, who did not want his name in print, said unless party chieftains in the zone come together to press for juicy positions in subsequent appointments to be made by President Muhammadu Buhari, it might lose them to other zones.

The source pointed to the latest appointments made by the President in which Oyegun and Amaechi were missing either as Secretary to the Government of the Federation or Chief of Staff to the President.

Reliable sources hinted that the summit would likely receive some defectors to the party.

Bayelsa Guber 2015: Timi Alaibe, 7 others pick APC nomination forms.

The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Ndutimi Alaibe, and seven other people were yesterday, confirmed to have procured expression of interest and nomination forms from the national secretariat for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in the state.

Checks by Daily Sun revealed that the APC leader in the state and former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has also paid for the expression of interest and nomination forms, but he had not picked them from the national secretariat.

Others who were said to have picked the forms to contest the party’s governorship primaries in the state, include a former member of the House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba, the former PDP chairman in the state, Col. Sam Inokoba; former Commissioner for Housing, Autin Ogiowon, a former commissioner for Local Government, Chief Godknows Powell, and former Chief of Staff to Governor Seriake Dickson, Chief Dikivie Ikhiogha, former chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Council, Christopher Enai, and the immediate past senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district, Senator Clever Ikhisikpo.

A reliable source said Alaibe’s forms were procured by party elders and stakeholders from the State under the aegis of Bayelsa Change Project.

The source said: “This afternoon, some elders picked up the nomination form for presentation to Chief Ndutimi Alaibe at the APC national secretariat. The group of over 48 persons, was led by Senator John Brambaifa. Others include, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, Hon (Dr) Stella Dorgu and High Chief O’Lord Michael Bassuo.”

Also speaking, Hon. Patterson Ogon,  who confirmed that the elders were led by Senator  Brambaifa, said the group commended the APC national leadership for organizing a hitch-free process for the selection of candidates and assured that the people of Bayelsa State were poised for change.

Why am still single - KOKO master D'Banj explains to inner room.

D’banj

Ladies simply love D’banj and that is not a lie. The Koko Master, as he is fondly called, has not lacked female attention especially since he came into limelight some years back.

He has been linked with not just a few babes, including actress, Genevieve Nnaji; Jennifer Obayuwana, daughter of Polo boss, John Obayuwana; billonaire’s daughter, Adama Ndimi and South African diva, Bonang Matheba. But then, none of them has been able to ‘tame’ the 35-year old ‘white lion’, as he calls himself.

In a chat with Inner room,the Koko Master revealed he had wanted to get married at the age of 30 but he has yet to do so five years after.

“While growing up, there were some goals I set for myself and at 35; I have accomplished most of 
them. Sadly, I have not accomplished the primary goals. The main one is marriage. By now, I thought I would have been married. I had always thought I would have a child before the age of 30. That fantasy did not become a reality because I wanted to strengthen my brand. I wanted to be sure that I 
was on the right path career-wise because as a kid, you need to crawl before you can walk and eventually run. I wanted to be sure I surpass all boundaries and reach a certain stage where I can easily balance my work and family. That is the main reason why I am not married.”

He however said that he is proud of his other achievements as they have surpassed his widest imaginations.

“Apart from marriage, one other thing I desire to have is the Grammy but that is already in the pipeline and it would be acquired soon. I didn’t know I would meet Kanye West while I was dreaming big as a child. But I dreamt that I would go places and people would hear my song all over the world. I also dreamt that Caucasians would dance to my music. I dreamt I would top music charts across the world and all that has happened. I have dreamt of performing in front of thousands of people on a global stage and I have achieved that. For all these I am grateful to God.

Alleged Forgery of senate standing orders: Saraki,Ekweremadu shun court.

Saraki and Ekweremadu

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, as well as other Senate officials on Monday shunned a scheduled hearing in a suit seeking their removal from office.

The removal of Saraki and the other principal officers is being sought on the grounds of alleged forgery of the Senate 
Standing Orders 2015 used for the conduct of their elections shortly after the proclamation of the 8th Senate on June 9.

Plaintiffs in the suit, which is before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni, all supporters of Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate presidency eventually won by Saraki.

The six defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/651/2015, are Saraki, Ekweremadu, the National Assembly and the Clerks of both the National Assembly and the Senate.

None of the defendants was represented by their lawyers when the matter came up on Monday before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, to whom the case was re-assigned after he took over from Justice Gabriel Kolawole as the vacation judge of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

While delivering a ruling during Monday’s proceedings, Justice Ademola noted that the choice of Monday for the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice seeking an order restraining the Senate from going ahead to constitute its standing and ad hoc committees was with the consent of lawyers to the parties to the suit.

However, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Chief Mamman Osuman (SAN), withdrew the motion on notice during the proceedings, saying the essence of the application had been overtaken by event with some 
of the committees already constituted.

Justice Ademola, while striking out the motion on notice in a short ruling, noted that the application contained the same set of prayers that were in the plaintiffs’ ex parte application earlier dismissed by Justice Kolawole.

The plaintiffs had anchored their suit on the use of alleged illegitimate and unconstitutional Senate Standing Orders 2015 to conduct the election of the current leadership of the Senate on June 9.

The plaintiffs alleged that the Senate Standing Orders 2015 was “contrived” from the amendment of the 2011 version of the Orders without following its (the 2011 edition’s) relevant provisions and those of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They argued that the said amendment was in breach of the “prescriptive procedures” stipulated by the extant provisions of section 60 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Rule 110(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended).

They therefore contended that the election of the current leadership of the Senate and other proceedings based on the unconstitutional Orders was null and void.

The senators are seeking, among other prayers, the declaration of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as null and void for being a product of an alleged illegitimate and unconstitutional amendment of the 2011 version of the standing orders.

They also want the court to nullify the amended order as well as the election of Saraki as the Senate President and that of Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, for being products of the alleged illegal orders.

Lateness: civil servants prostrate for Fayose.

Civil servants prostrate for Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose ... on Monday

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked the state Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka, to take appropriate disciplinary action against 31 civil servants who resumed late to work on Monday.

The governor gave the directive when he paid an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat on Monday.

Fayose, who arrived at the place around 7.45am caught many of the workers who arrived after the official resumption time of 8a.m unawares.

Many of the workers rushed to work on learning about the unscheduled visit of the governor to the place while the 31 were unlucky to beat the governor.

As soon as the governor arrived at the place, he ordered that the gate should be locked at 8am.

The governor, who expressed displeasure at the attitude of some workers in the state, said such an act of indiscipline must be stopped.

He ordered his aides and the Head of Service to take down the names of the affected workers and that stern disciplinary action must be taken against them.

Several of the female workers knelt down while the men prostrated for the governor begging him to save their job.

But Fayose said, “If a labourer is worth his wages, the employer also is worth his services. I have warned workers in the state repeatedly about coming late to work or taking their jobs with laxity. Despite the paucity of funds, we have been regularly paying workers’ salaries.

“If workers are paid regularly, the workers too must justify our efforts and work for the money they earn. There are many people out there searching for jobs. I want to take the workers by surprise and I will visit a lot of places. This will be a continuous exercise. Those that are not disciplined and not ready to key in to our policy of taking the state to a greater height will be shown the way out,” he said.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, told our correspondent that the governor had earlier appealed to the workers to show commitment to the service.

“For long he (the governor) has been warning them against idleness and lateness. He had sent the HOS to them to change their way. The governor was on a fact-finding mission to know if the workers had heeded his advice,” he said.

Adelusi added that the governor planned to pay unscheduled visits to the local governments any moment from now.

He said, “It would be a continuous exercise. The governor wants the Ekiti State Civil Service to be a model for others.”

When contacted for his reaction at 1.33pm, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Ade Adesanmi, promised to call back after five minutes.

However, he did not pick the calls placed to his telephone again between 4:30pm and 4.32pm.

Buhari is a northern president - Says Gov Fayose.

Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari since he took over on May 29 are tainted with ethnic colouration.

The governor, who said the retired general was operating as a “president of northern Nigeria only” said, “appointments made by Buhari so far negated the principle of federal character.”

Fayose, according to a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said it was wrong for the President to have made 31 major appointments with only seven coming from the South.

“Under Buhari, are people from southern Nigeria only meant to be hounded and harassed by anti-corruption agencies and the Department of State Services while those from the North are meant to enjoy Federal Government’s juicy appointments?” he asked.

Apart from lopsided appointments made by the President, the governor said he was worried that the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway had slowed down while work had stopped on Lokoja-Abuja road.

These roads, he said, “are the major roads linking the southern part of Nigeria with the North.”

“Also, we have been told by the Federal Government that the Second Niger Bridge project has been suspended and one is now beginning to remember how Buhari cancelled the Lagos Metroline Project in 1985 at a loss of over $78m (then) to the Lagos tax payers.”

Fayose maintained that Nigeria could only move forward if there was equity and fairness, saying those who made the country’s constitution and enshrined the principle of federal character in it were mindful of the ethnic diversity of the country.

But the Presidency appealed to Nigerians to ignore Fayose.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said appeal to ethnic and regional arithmetic would not give back to the Peoples Democratic Party what it lost at the poll.

He said, “Let me say at this stage that mere appeal to ethnic and regional arithmetic will not give back to the PDP what they lost. They seem to be making a dangerous calculation with their recent outbursts.

“The mere appeal to sectional and religious will not give the party its lost relevance or electability. Nigerians are smarter than Fayose thinks.

“The governor’s outbursts are intended to be a trigger for a clash between communities in areas where deliberate attempts had in the past also been made by the PDP to stoke ethnic and religious fault-lines.

“Our appeal to Nigerians is that they should ignore these tantrums. President Buhari is a healer not a divider.”

Power generation supply now 4,029.83MW.

•Power plant

Energy Sent out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) last Sunday hit 4,029.83MW, The Nation learnt Monday.

According to the Federal Ministry of Power in its Power Statistics of Sunday 30th August, power supply leaped by 32.02MW from the last statistics of August 25.

Of the total energy generated in period under review, the company recorded 87.9MW spinning reserve or stranded energy which the it could not wheel  to the electricity distribution companies.

The ministry made this disclosure on its website Monday, adding that the peak power generation that was 4,810.7MW on August 25 dipped to 4,516.5MW on Sunday.

It also noted that Energy Generation rose to 4,117.73MW from the last record of 4,080.86MW.
Highest peak power generation in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was the 4,810.7 MW of August 25.

There has been significant increase in the electricity supply to customers, which most consumers have described as the usual ploy of electricity distribution companies when they are preparing to dispatch their monthly bills.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had recently decided that the Discos’ fixed charge should now be proportional to energy charge, although The Nation could not confirm whether the adjustment was effected in the August bill or whether it would commence in September.

Why my marriage crashed - Actress,ini Edo tells inner room.

 

Popular Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has revealed that distance, ir­reconcilable differences, and incompatibility are the factors that largely contributed to her failed marriage.

She made this known to inner room correspondent on Sunday.

According to Edo, distance plays a very important role in a relationship. “No mat­ter the indifference or incompatibility, if you’re together in love, a lot of things can actually work out. Howbeit, you don’t get to work things out when there is no contact. When you are with someone, and you can’t agree on certain things or find a common ground, I think being together could have actually helped us to understand each other better,” she reiterated.

The actress explained further that acting makes actors and actresses vulnerable. Her words: “Most of the time, we attract wrong people, sometimes for the wrong reasons. Because when people come to you because of what they see on TV, it’s hard for them to accept you considering the fact that you are just acting because that is your job. When they find out that it’s not the real you, it becomes a problem.

“Marriage is an experi­ence which I don’t regret. My husband met me an actress. My job takes my time, because naturally there are certain roles you are not allowed to play once you are married. Even if your husband understands, his relatives might not understand. My husband is the last child, so family interference in the marriage was normal.

“Marriage has taught me a lot of lessons, it made me wiser and stronger. I think it actually made me more matured. I don’t think I married too early, maybe I was a little bit in a hurry.”

On dating Mike Godson, Edo said: “Mike is just a friend, and we get to work often. He is a friend to my siblings so we are just good friends. I have known him for a long time just like I have other friends in the industry. I could date an actor. I try not to put limits to what hasn’t happened yet. I happen to believe that anything is possible.”

Janet Jackson writes open letter to the late Aaliyah 14-years after.

Today (August 25) marks the 14th anniversary of the tragic death of Aaliyah, and Janet Jackson took some time out to acknowledge her late friend.

In a handwritten note posted to her Twitter page, Janet wrote, “What I shared with u ever sacred everlasting N it’s pure + it will endure. I love u Aaliyah. #RIP.” With the photo, Janet captioned with a lyric from her 1997 song "Together Again": “I know u r there shining down on me. #ConversationsInACafe,” she wrote.

Aaliyah was a huge fan of Janet's. In an interview on the Rosie O’Donnell Show in 1997, Aaliyah said, "I am a huge fan of Janet. I try to mention her in every interview because I want to meet her and maybe at some point in my career collaborate with her."

Janet and Aaliyah only met in person once and planned to work together, but unfortunalty that never came to pass. Janet said in a 2006 interview,  "I really felt like we were gonna become really good friends," she said. "What a sweet girl, and one of the most stunning-looking women I have ever seen in my life in person. Just absolutely gorgeous. And she's very much so missed."

R.I.P. Aaliyah

Lagos church members chase pastor from church for impregnating maid.

There was commotion on Sunday at the United Methodist Church, Mafoluku, in the Oshodi area of Lagos as members of the church chased away their pasto for allegedly impregnating his housemaid.

It was learnt that the pastor, Barkuma Andrew, was stopped from leading the church seven months ago when the housemaid, who was also a member of the church, Grace, had complications after aborting the pregnancy.

Andrew had lived with his wife, children, wife’s cousin, Favour, and Grace in a three-bedroomed flat on the church premises before the incident.

It was gathered that the members had petitioned the Central Conference of the church in Taraba State to investigate the alleged accusation.

Then sought the service of another pastor three weeks ago when the district reportedly failed to probe Andrew.

At 10 am on Sunday, members of the church showed up for Sunday service only to see that Andrew and some “unknown” people had commenced the service.

This angered the congregation which proceeded to chase out Andrew and his group from the church.

Men from the Makinde Police Division, including the DPO, were said to have intervened after the incident was reported at the station.

A member of the church and a former secretary to Andrew, Moses Sherima, said that the pastor sent his wife to her village after he impregnated Grace.

He said:

“My room is opposite pastor’s apartment and I was his secretary. When he started dating that girl (Grace), I called his wife’s cousin, Favour, on the matter. She said Grace used to tell her whenever the pastor had sex with her.

“At a point, I had to move upstairs when I could no longer bear it. The day that abortion happened, I was sleeping inside my room when I heard Grace screaming. I rushed there and saw blood coming out from her private parts. When the wife came back from one of her numerous journeys, he told her to send Favour away.”

Another church member, John Komboroh, said the church was embarrassed by Andrew’s conduct, adding that they were tired of his leadership.

He said:

“The petition of adultery against the pastor had been sent to the bishop at the 

 Central Conference. He came here, but did not do anything about it. That was why we wrote to the main body, the Southern Conference to give us another pastor. His (Andrew’s) action is an embarrassment to us. We don’t want him again.”

The new pastor of the church, Reverend James Sunday, said,:

“We were about to start our service this morning when we met the old pastor and some unknown people already holding the service. I calmed down my people to avoid chaos.”

Another resident and a female member, who identified herself only as Blessing, said the pastor had once made sexual advances to her.

“My husband is not always at home. The pastor would call me in the night and asked if I had slept. One day he entered my room and gave me a soft slap on my back. I had only the wrapper on me.

“I was surprised and told my neighbours.”

Ekiti,Osun,Oyo,Kwara,Ondo and others get N338b CBN loans.

CBN-backed cash ready for 27 states to pay workers

Cash-strapped workers who are being owed salaries are set to smile again, with the disbursement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – backed bailout loans for states.

Fourteen banks are disbursing N338 billion “to stimulate the economy”.

Kwara and Zamfara have received their loans and have begun the payment of salary arrears to workers.

A CBN source confirmed that the other states will get the cash this week.

A breakdown of the loans repayable at an interest rate of nine per cent over 20 years is as follows:

Abia- N14.152b; Adamawa- N2.378b; Bauchi- N8.60b; Bayelsa – N1.285b; Benue – N28.013b;

Borno – N7.680b; Cross River – N7.856b; Delta – N10.036b; Ebonyi – N4.063b; Edo – N3.167b; Ekiti – N9.604b; Enugu – 4.207b; Gombe – N16.459b; Imo – N26.806b; Katsina – N3.304b; Kebbi – N0.690b; Kogi – N50.842b; Kwara – N4.320b; Nasarawa – N8.317b; Niger – N4.306b; Ogun – N20.00b; Ondo – N14.686b; Osun – N34.988b; Oyo – N26.606b; Plateau – N5.357b; Sokoto – N10.093b and Zamfara – N10.020b.

The CBN last week announced that it had approved that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) lend money to requesting states to pay salary arrears owed their workers.

Some of the conditions for accessing the loan include:

• resolutions of the State Executive Council authorising the borrowing;
• State House of Assembly consenting to the loan package; and
• issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to ensure timely repayment.

With the signing of the  ISPO, “it is clear that the facility is not free as the states’ financial exposure to the banks becomes first line charges deducted from their monthly allocation”.

The CBN official explained that specific figures were attached to the facilities to be disbursed to the states is because “every state is to come up with its specific needs in order to access the facility from the commercial banks. They’re (states) working out what they need from the banks according to the conditions they reached with the banks”.

The decision to borrow money from commercial banks is sequel to the decision by the National Executive Council (NEC) at its June 29 meeting, requesting the CBN “in collaboration with other stakeholders to appraise and consider ways of liquidating the outstanding staff salaries owed by state and local governments.”

The Buhari administration announced a bailout package for states to take care of the backlog of workers’ salaries and access funds for development through the rescheduling of their debts by banks with the CBN’s guarantee.

Eleven states have had their commercial debts to DMBs restructured with a proviso to pay 14.83 per cent of the value of their bonds which their commercial debts were converted to. Eleven others are also to have theirs restructured.

Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General Abraham Nwankwo said “the restructuring was effected using a re-opening of the FGN-Bond issued on July 18, 2015 and maturing on July 18, 2034. The pricing was based on the yield to date of the bond at a 30-day average, resulting in a transaction yield of 14.83 per cent.”The impact of the restructured states’ commercial debts to domestic bonds, he said, is that “management operations will include: monthly debt service burden will drop by a minimum of 55 per cent and a maximum of 97 per cent, among the 11; and interest rate savings for the 11 states ranging from 3 per cent to 9 per cent per annum.”

20 suspected Boko-Haram commanders arrested in Lagos.

The Department of State Services has arrested 20 suspected Boko Haram commanders in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Plateau and Gombe states.

The suspects, who were arrested between July 8 and August 25, 2015, include the masterminds of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria, and Jos.

The DSS in a statement by an official, Tony Opuiyo, on Sunday in Abuja, said those arrested were notable commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of the country.

The statement noted that the group’s new pattern of movement and spread was caused by the pressure being put on it by security forces in its core areas of strength in the North-East.

The service listed those arrested in Lagos to include Bakura Modu who was apprehended on July, 20 at Kara, Ogun State; Mustapha Jamberi, who was picked up on July 24 at Gowon Estate.

Others are Abuyi Sheriff, who was nabbed at Ebute-Meta; Babagana Ali and Babagana Koloye, who were arrested on August, 7 at Eric Moore, Surulere.

The service explained that it picked up Abba Sagma at Ijora Badia on August 9; Grema Abubakar and Tijani Bagudu were apprehended at Amukoko, Ijora Badia the next day, while Baba Alhaji and Abass Ibrahim were arrested earlier on the same day at the Alaba International Market, Ojo.

Some arrested B’Haram suspects in Lagos. 

The DSS stated that a Boko Haram commander, Usman Shuaibu, aka Money, revealed that he coordinated the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos, which claimed several lives, with N500,000 that was provided by his Amir, one Isa Ali, who had a direct access to the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, from whom he collected money to fund operations undertaken by their Markaz.

The agency said, “Shuaibu also revealed that he had participated in several Boko Haram attacks, including the attacks at Gwoza Divisional Police Station in 2014.

“He admitted to being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the (suicide) attacks.

“Nigerians and indeed the general public have to note that the arrest of Shuaibu, aka Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist sect. It will be recalled that Money and his group were arrested on their way to Bauchi State where they had planned to execute another bomb attack, and this was frustrated by the arrest.

“The sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points is due to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the state and in fact, to other parts of the country.

“The arrest of these confessed terrorists has, however, helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area. However, the service is making efforts to conclude its investigations and commence prosecution of the suspects.

The DSS said a Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Device expert, Ahmed Mohammed, aka Abubakar), admitted to making the IEDs used in the various suicide bombings in the country.

“Mohammed also averred that he was the one who strapped the suicide bombers, notably Sule and his wives, with IED vests, which they used in the attacks in Jos,” the service said.

The secret service further stated that Adamu Abdulahi, aka Babpa, confessed that Shuaibu motivated
 him to work closely with IED expert, Mohammed, in the preparation of the IEDs used in the attacks 
under reference.

The service said that another suspect, Ibrahim Issa​, confessed that he was the one who carried out reconnaissance on the targets in Jos ahead of the attacks, while Muttaqa Yusuf (aka Mohammed Sani/Mudtaka), disclosed that one Aliyu believed to be Aliyu Gombe in Sambisa forest, was the one that ordered the serial attacks which the syndicate carried out.

He further confessed that he assisted Shuaibu in planning and executing the said attacks.

Other suspects include Ibrahim Audu, who was arrested on August 19 at New Artisan Market, Enugu; Ibrahim Haruna, arrested on August, 21 at Kwomi village, Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State; Ali Mohammodu, nabbed on August 22 at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Fagga LGA in Kano State; and Adam Jilbe, who was apprehended on August 23 at ​Obanikoro, Lagos State.

The agency restated its determination to work with other stakeholders in the fight against terror and other forms of criminality in the country and called on citizens to volunteer useful information to the service and other security agencies.

Meanwhile, the DSS has stepped up covert operations to dismantle Boko Haram cells across the country, particularly in the South-West, South-East and South-South where suspected terrorists are hiding.

It was learnt that the arrest of notable Boko Haram commanders had provided credible leads and intelligence that could assist the service to track down insurgents and their supporters, including ‘sleeper cells.’

A source said, “The recent arrest of terror suspects has provided a haul of information and intelligence that could assist the service to dismantle various terrorist cells. If the security forces can sustain the current momentum, we will destroy Boko Haram; it is a matter of time.”

Residents can arrest suspected suicide bomber – Lagos CP

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, says residents of the state are allowed to arrest anyone suspected to be a suicide bomber, and hand him over to the police.

The CP added that the police had also deployed its surveillance teams to monitor motor parks and other public places in a bid to ensure that there was no incidence of terrorist attack.

Owoseni, who said this on Sunday in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro, added that suicide bombers would be recognised first by their unusual movements and inquisitive behaviour.

He said, “The practical step to take when residents suspect a suicide bomber is to alert the security agencies. The police are near to everyone. The residents can also make an arrest before the police arrive. It is allowed.

“One of the signs to look out for is the behaviour. A suicide bomber behaves unusually. He also moves in a suspicious manner. Such people are too inquisitive about the areas where they find themselves. Also, they hardly make friends; they are lone rangers.

“Any car that is parked in an unusual manner should be reported. One of such signs is that one side of the glass is wound down, and other sides rolled up.

“We expect that if residents see vehicles in their areas unattended to, they would raise the alarm immediately. If anyone sits in a parked car without winding down the glass, people should accost him and ask him questions.”

Owoseni said the police in the state had met with the Hausa communities, transport park unions and boat operators to sensitise them on what the police expected from them.

He said, “We have deployed operatives in all the motor parks. We also held meetings with unions like Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers; we are collaborating with them.

“The police met the Arewa communities in the Agege and FESTAC areas, where I told the Imam and the leaders of the Hausa groups that any suspicious face should be immediately reported to the police.”

How to spot a terrorist- Experts

Two security experts, Richard Amuwa and Dr. Ona Ekhomu, have urged vigilance and a more friendly relationship between security agents and residents to tackle threats of Boko Haram, especially in Lagos.

They said vigilance was the only way to recognise terrorists, adding that a friendly relationship would encourage the people to be free to report suspicious objects or persons in their neighbourhood.

Ekhomu, who is the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of 
Nigeria, advised Lagosians to imbibe the culture of TAPIs ─ Terrorists Attacks Pre-incident 
Indicators ─ to avoid unnecessary deaths and tragedy.

He said, “Boko Haram members have been with us for a while; so one thing we can do is to be vigilant against the influx of strangers into neighbourhoods. Landlords associations should register okada (motorcycle) riders and keke NAPEP (tricycle) drivers. Give them vests so that any stranger would be picked up.

“Also, ask questions if anyone moves suspiciously in your area. Look out for one another. Everybody must be their brothers’ keepers.”

Ekhomu said the ammunition of war of Boko Haram members was usually the IEDs.

“So, if you see anyone collecting cans; or anyone with bags of fertiliser; or anyone with container of diesel when they don’t have a generator, be suspicious. These are ingredients for IEDs. Boko Haram don’t have easy access to high explosives,” the security expert added.

He also urged Lagosians not to be confrontational if someone looked suspicious. He added that the suspect might be armed and could kill to save himself.

Ekhomu said, “Contact the authority immediately. You can also contact the media to ensure accountability by the security agencies.”

Also, Amuwa said the police should be ready to work with the people without creating fear in them.

He said, “The people should not hesitate to raise the alarm if they see any strange face in their environment.

“People should think less about their problems, and be more conscious of happenings within their environment.”

Amuwa, who is the Managing Director of the Mega Guards Services Limited, also advised the government to ban the wearing of hijab for the time being, saying the veil worn by muslim women, was being used by terrorists to shield explosives.

He said, “The problem is that how do you detect a Boko Haram member? If you are wearing shirts and the terrorist is wearing hijab, how do you figure him or her out? That is why we have asked the government to stop the wearing of hijab for now.”

In a related development sources told our correspondent that the security agencies had been paying 
attention to some area in Lagos to prevent attacks.

The areas include FESTAC, Apapa, Agege, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Obalende, Ajegunle, Alimosho, Badagry, Lagos Island, Idi araba, Bariga, Bajulaiye, Fola Agoro, Onipanu, Palmgroove, Aguda, Agbado, Ejigbo and Ikorodu, among others.

Col.Sambo Dasuki's trial begins Tuesday.

Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)

The Federal Government will on Tuesday (tomorrow)arraign a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly being in possession of firearms without license, 

The Department of State Security Service had, in a statement by one of its officials, Tony Opuiyo, on August 24, 2015, said that it had charged Dasuki with the alleged offence.

The service did not disclose details of the charge but our correspondent learnt that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, had on Friday assigned the case to Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who is the court’s vacation judge.

The DSS said it had charged Dasuki with possession of firearms without licence, an offence punishable under section 27(I)(a)(I) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, based on evidence so far obtained.

Findings by our correspondent showed that the Federal Ministry of Justice had since taken over the case.

It was learnt that the trial ought to have commenced last week but it could not go on because of the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmmud Mohammed, to various heads of court not to sit throughout the week to enable lawyers and interested judges to participate in the just-concluded one week-long Annual Bar Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The DSS had on July 16, 2015 searched the ex-NSA’s residences in Asokoro, Abuja; and Sokoto, where its operatives claimed to have recovered seven high calibre rifles, including magazines and military gears in the houses located at 13, John Khadya Street, and 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja; and 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

The agency also said that it recovered 12 new vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars from Dasuki’s house, the ownership of which could not be explained by the embattled former NSA, and which investigators believed must have been purchased with proceeds of corruption.

The DSS had claimed that it searched Dasuki’s homes “based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.”

The statement partly read, “You may recall that on July 16, 2015, the Department of State Services carried out search operations on properties belonging to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd.), in Abuja and Sokoto.

“This action was necessitated by credible intelligence, which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security. The search operations led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.

“Consequently, on Monday, August 24, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far 

obtained, but which relates to possession of firearms without licence punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.”

The secret service said Dasuki’s arraignment was in line with democratic practice and “our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law, no matter how highly placed in the society.