SENATOR PETER NWAOBOSHI ACHIEVES A MAJOR LEGISLATIVE MILESTONE AS THE PRESIDENT ASSENTS TO THE NDDC ACT (AMENDED)

Yesterday, the 29th day of December, 2017, President Muhammad Buhari assented the NDDC Act (amended).

The law before it was amended by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, legally gave most Oil Companies, particularly the NLNG, a window of escape, in terms of payments/contributions to the coffers of NDDC. The legal battle that ensued between NLNG and the NDDC went as far as the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The skewed nature and inadequacies of the Act before amendment threw the weight of legal opinions of the lower courts and appellate court and even to the Supreme Court in favour of NLNG.


The resolution which this Amended Act, sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, sought to achieve and has achieved, is to ensure the total stoppage of various loopholes that allowed NLNG and most Oil Companies the opportunity to escape from fulfilling their social content/environmental responsibilities to the host communities.


It is crystal clear that the good people of Delta North Senatorial District have a golden voice in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. It is vivid that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is waxing stronger with each passing day both in the duty of quality bills that will positively touch the lives of the electorates as well as attracting the spoils of democracy to the electorates.

God Bless Delta North!

God Bless Senator Peter Nwaoboshi!!



 ~ Owelle Awele Onokwai Snr

Media Assistant To The Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

Saturday, 30th December, 2017.
SENATOR PETER NWAOBOSHI ACHIEVES A MAJOR LEGISLATIVE MILESTONE AS THE PRESIDENT ASSENTS TO THE NDDC ACT (AMENDED).



Yesterday, the 29th day of December, 2017, President Muhammad Buhari assented the NDDC Act (amended).

The law before it was amended by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, legally gave most Oil Companies, particularly the NLNG, a window of escape, in terms of payments/contributions to the coffers of NDDC. The legal battle that ensued between NLNG and the NDDC went as far as the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The skewed nature and inadequacies of the Act before amendment threw the weight of legal opinions of the lower courts and appellate court and even to the Supreme Court in favour of NLNG.


The resolution which this Amended Act, sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, sought to achieve and has achieved, is to ensure the total stoppage of various loopholes that allowed NLNG and most Oil Companies the opportunity to escape from fulfilling their social content/environmental responsibilities to the host communities.


It is crystal clear that the good people of Delta North Senatorial District have a golden voice in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. It is vivid that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is waxing stronger with each passing day both in the duty of quality bills that will positively touch the lives of the electorates as well as attracting the spoils of democracy to the electorates.

God Bless Delta North!

God Bless Senator Peter Nwaoboshi!!



 ~ Owelle Awele Onokwai Snr

Media Assistant To The Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

Saturday, 30th December, 2017.

OTIVE DISPELS RUMOURS THAT COUNCIL ELECTION WILL NOT HOLD

*Drums Supports For APC Chairmanship candidate and 20 Councillors in Ughelli North LGA

Ahead of the January 6th 2018 Council election in Delta State, @ Delta APC Leader, Dr. Otive Igbuzor has on Thursday, December 28th,  in his country home, Odeyovwi Villa, Emonu-Orogun, charged Deltans to disregard rumours that elections will not hold, but rather, urged APC Party faithfuls to put all their efforts in this elections so that they can win at the polling units.

In his word of advice, he implored the Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates to have a working knowledge of their agents, and at the same time, have at least, ten credible people in each unit who can stand for them and defend their votes.

He also urged the Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates to employ due diligence to read and train their agents about the DESIEC laws to know the procedures in case of any breach of the Electoral process which can be used as evidence against them in court.

High point of the occasion was his presentation of half a Million Naira (N500, 000) to APC through the Chairman, Finance and Strategy Committee of the 2018 Local Government Election and his team, headed by Dr. Sir Chief Ominimini Ubiuwevwi.

Dr. Igbuzor also supported the Chairmanship Candidate, Comrade Ese Akponana with One Hundred Thousand (N100, 000), while all the twenty Councillorship candidates got twenty thousand naira each, totaling Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400, 000).

In their remarks, beginning from Dr. Sir Chief Ominimini Ubiuwevwi, the Delta State House of Assembly, Ughelli North Constituency 1 hopeful thanked Dr. Otive Igbuzor for the advice and lecture he gave them and his magnanimity. 

The APC Ughelli North Chairmanship Candidate, Comrade Ese Akponana who, on behalf of the Councillors, was full of praise for Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said that from now on, he will make Otive’s house his home, that whenever Otive is in town, he will always come around.

The meeting ended on a happy note as all were energized the more to work hard for the success of the APC at the polls come January 6th, 2018.

5,000 Ika North East APC Members Decamp To PDP

The All Progressive Congress  ( APC)  has emptied into the state ruling party People's Democratic Party as over 5000 of the APC  decamped  to the PDP in Ika North East local government area.

The decampees led by APC chieftain Comrade Ebenezer Obiazorkwo and other seven APC ward chairmen in Ika North East was received by the state governor Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa  during a PDP meeting held at Ute Okpu .

The decampees numbering over 5000 ,  Comrade Ebenezer said mark the final death of their former party in the local government area , as collectively he noted the people has decided to follow light , truth and the state governor who has showed leadership style that has brought peace , unity and development across the state.

He alongside other ward leaders assured the state governor of their total loyalty and a promised never to return to Egypt in their political journey

The state governor while receiving them assured them that they have made the best decision and that PDP will ensure everyone  is given the same treatment and operate at the same playing ground..

The governor assured Deltans of more dividends of democracy , saying that more will be coming to Deltans in 2018 , tasking the people of sustenance of  support.

DELTA STATE JANUARY 6TH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION; PREPARING FOR THE SHENANIGANS

-By Enemosa Nwachukwu S.

The history of local government elections all over Nigeria has been a record of de-facto influence showcasing the domineering power of the incumbent against rival parties. Nigerian politicians focus mostly on egocentric desires and show of influence rather than the service they promise electorates during the electioneering campaigns. They seems to lack basic understanding of the functions of governance.

Local government elections conducted recently in virtually all the Nigerian states revealed once again the shoddy show of shame and deliberate wastage of public fund. A huge appalling situation where the incumbent considered all electorates as gullible people who have no right to decide or choose their representatives as guaranteed in a true democratic practice.

This ugly political culture initiated by the People's Democratic Party, PDP since 1999 has obviously become an avenue for not just the unnecessary wastage of public fund but impudent on the sensibility of the electorates whose time, money and other resources were abandoned just to obey public laws only to be relegated and disappointed by a governor who has no respect for the election he conducted but rather choose to impose unpopular imposters against the people's vote. The consequences of this act of dastard imposition of unwanted candidates in local government elections usually led to breakdown of public order, nepotism, partiality and the enthronement of mediocre in sensitive administrative posts which resultant effects ruin the opportunity for transparency and good governance as well as the desired economic development and happiness at the grassroots.

The prevailing political orientation initiated in delta state by successive administrations of the PDP is an area prone to any thing electoral fraud, rigging and attack on prominent candidates of the opposition party who pose the possibility of defeating the incumbent. A Clear example was the incident witnessed recently in Ika North East Local Government Area, the home base of the incumbent governor where the popularity of the candidates of the major opposition party in the state; the All Progressives Congress APC seems to have dominated the area and ready to push the ruling party to an embarrassing defeat at the forth coming January 6th delta council elections. As a result of that,  the PDP instead of improving it's techniques ahead of the election resolved at posing for combative contest against the opposition parties as a way of scaring them ahead of the local government elections.

Phenomena around the state government preparation for the elections revealed indubitably the already planed antics of the ruling party to rig the election. The electoral umpire; DSIEC has been accused by some chieftains of the opposition parties in the state of being too promiscuous and aligning with the PDP to perpetuate their rigging antics as usual.

It is regrettably ridiculous that no Nigerian state governor has been able to prove his popularity and integrity by allowing a free, fair and transparent local government elections. The exercise is considered by the governors as a formality show of necessary political jay-walking.

It is time we begin to change our political orientation for good as that is the only way we can enhance the beauty of our democracy. We cannot continue to absorb the corrupt traditional way of doing things, else we will become victims of our own jiggery-pokery.

IGBUZO COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT UNION WORLDWIDE PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON SEN. NWAOBOSHI

By Hon Leo Nkeaka

The Igbuzo Community Developement Union, (ICDU),  led by its President-General, Chief (Dr) Austin Izagbo, on December 26, 2017, paid a courtesy visit to Sen. Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi, representing the Delta north senetorial district and chairman, senate committee on Niger Delta Affairs.


Speaking at the occasion, chief Izagbo said that their purpose of visiting was to appreciate the distinguished senator for his good works since he assumed office, his dexterity and sagacity displayed so far at the Senate, his developmental strides in Ibusa as his home town and in Anioma Nation at large.

He further stated that at the meeting of ICDU NEC held on the 25th day of December 2017, he used the opportunity afforded him as the PG of the Union to debrief the NEC about the Senator's giant strides both at legislating and bringing the spoils of democracy to the electorates.


Senator Peter Nwaoboshi in his response, briefed the Union on his achievements so far with special reference to projects which have received approvals, waiting for funding and implementation.

On completed projects such as the skills acquisition centre, the distinguished senator assured that the equipping of the edifice centre is the next phase in the life of the project which according to the professional lawyer, would begin very soon.

Also speaking, Chief Felix (Fenlab) Nwabueze, an elder statesman of the Union added that the people of the community and Delta North at large would continue to remember the senator in their supplications to God almighty because he has done exceedingly well  to the admiration of everyone.

He would equally pray the senator not to get tired of those things that have endeared him to the electorates across Delta North.


The Union, through a motion moved by Dr Austin Obidi, the deputy national president and seconded by Barr. Andy Ogbolu, the secretary-general, passed a Vote of Confidence on Senator Nwaoboshi and resolved for his return to the Senate in 2019 which they promised to collectively work on.


Some other personalities  and members of the NEC present at the meeting were Mr Monyei Chukwuma, VP South Eastern Region, Hon. Pat Mozea, mrs Philo Okonkwo, a NEC member and Mr Kwasa Amatokwu, who requested the senator to look critically into the poor state of Ibusa Mini sports arena and pleaded for the renovation of said facility.

In a firm resolve, the President- General, chief Austin Izagbo, re echoed that, and, I quote "No reasonable, rational and good thinking Ibusa man will work against Senator Peter Nwaoboshi in Ibusa and Delta North senatorial district come 2019 with his level of developmental strides".

The working, dogged and results-oriented Senator Nwaoboshi  (THE PRIDE OF ANIOMA NATION) thanked the ICDU NEC for their unalloyed support and deeply reassured them that more projects will be attracted to more Communities in the Delta North Senatorial district.

QUEEN OPONE EMERGES AS NWA ADA NDOKWA

QUEEN OPONE EMERGES AS NWA-ADA NDOKWA (WORLD)

What’s in a name? In the African setting, names are valued as prophecies about a child’s future and destiny and that has played out in the case with Miss Queen Nkonye Opone; who recently emerged the newly crowned NWA-ADA NDOKWA WORLD at the just concluded sixth (6) Edition of the Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Cultural Beauty Pageant 2017.

Queen Nkonye Opone emerged the overall QUEEN of NDOKWA Worldwide out of twelve (12) finalists who took part at the Grand Finale Event at the Ogbe Travellers Annex Hotel, Kwale on the 27th day of December, 2017. At the keenly contested Pageant Event, Queen Nkonye Opone exhibited all the qualities of a truly groomed Queen. She was first and foremost very humane, humble and soft spoken as well as being reserved, well cultured and gifted.

Queen Nkonye Opone, who represented Utagba Ogbe Community at the Event is nineteen (19) years old and hails from Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. She is a SSCE holder and runs an entrepreneurial outfit as a Fashion Designer cum Bead maker.

As she steps into the Office of the NWA-ADA NDOKWA WORLD for one year, under the Management of TISOVA RELIEF CONCEPTS, organisers of the Pageant; she is expected to work closely with the NWA-ADA NDOKWA FOUNDATION (Girl-Child Initiative) in executing various programmes and projects in the Ndokwa Community.

We wish her a very fruitful and successful REIGN.
Management
QUEEN OPONE EMERGES AS NWA-ADA NDOKWA (WORLD)

What’s in a name? In the African setting, names are valued as prophecies about a child’s future and destiny and that has played out in the case with Miss Queen Nkonye Opone; who recently emerged the newly crowned NWA-ADA NDOKWA WORLD at the just concluded sixth (6) Edition of the Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Cultural Beauty Pageant 2017.

Queen Nkonye Opone emerged the overall QUEEN of NDOKWA Worldwide out of twelve (12) finalists who took part at the Grand Finale Event at the Ogbe Travellers Annex Hotel, Kwale on the 27th day of December, 2017. At the keenly contested Pageant Event, Queen Nkonye Opone exhibited all the qualities of a truly groomed Queen. She was first and foremost very humane, humble and soft spoken as well as being reserved, well cultured and gifted.

Queen Nkonye Opone, who represented Utagba Ogbe Community at the Event is nineteen (19) years old and hails from Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. She is a SSCE holder and runs an entrepreneurial outfit as a Fashion Designer cum Bead maker.

As she steps into the Office of the NWA-ADA NDOKWA WORLD for one year, under the Management of TISOVA RELIEF CONCEPTS, organisers of the Pageant; she is expected to work closely with the NWA-ADA NDOKWA FOUNDATION (Girl-Child Initiative) in executing various programmes and projects in the Ndokwa Community.

We wish her a very fruitful and successful REIGN.
Management

OZIGBO OZIGBO AGENDA 2019 REMAINS ON COURSE.

*
It has come to our notice at TEAM ESEWEZIE that a group of cheap Political tale-bearers are going round town with the false cooked-up news that Hon. Innocent Esewezie is having cold feet concerning his ambition to vie for the Seat of ONLGA Representative in the State House of Assembly come 2019.

We are here to make these *BOLD STATEMENT* as regards the issue:
- It is on record that Hon. Innocent Esewezie in NOT a man who develops cold feet.

- The OZIGBO OZIGBO AGENDA 2019 is a Movement that will be achieved by the special Grace of God.

- We at Team Esewezie will never be perturbed by such desperate act/move from the Opposition. We knew it would get this dirty and even dirtier.

- We know the originators and tale bearers of such cheap, dirty and unprofessional news who are only out to deceive the public as usual.

- We know why they have suddenly become desperate and eager to waterdown the OZIGBO OZIGBO Movement.

- Our only advice to these cheap tale bearers is that they should get busy projecting their preferred candidate rather than trying, without success, to paint Hon. Innocent Esewezie in a bad light.

- Team Esewezie will continue to project Hon. Innocent Esewezie and we hope to meet other Aspirants, those who would not develop cold feet, at the Primaries.

Remember:
A Vote for Hon. Innocent Esewezie, is a Vote for Good and Quality Representation in the House of Assembly.

*"KPOI, OZIGBO OZIGBO"*

*"OZIGBO OZIGBO, NO LET AM COLD."*

Powered by
TEAM ESEWEZIE.

DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVANTS HAIL OKOWA ON WORKERS' WELFARE.

By: Okowa Reloaded

Asaba - Delta State civil workers under the umbrella body of Amalgamated Union of Public Primary Secondary Schools and Local Government Workers (AUPPSSLGW), has commended Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for enhancing the welfare of workers in the state.

The National President of AUPPSLGW, Mr. Emuobosan Dennis made this commendation when he led the state executive of the union on a courtesy visit to the Governor to register their pleasure on the simultaneous payment of November and December salaries despite the delay experienced in November salary resulting from reconciliation of conflicting figures by handlers of the TSA that affected FAAC.

Delta State and Local Government workers through the union's executive, commended Governor Okowa for the prompt payment of workers salaries especially that of November and December which some state governors are yet to offset.

The Union noted that, such gesture by the governor, made the Christmas celebration a joyous one for the workers and their families.

The Union during their chart, applauded Governor Okowa for being an outstanding workers friendly governor despite the harsh financial status of the nation's economy, noting that, a good administrator's competence is not determined by rosy economic times, but in challenging economic times.

It noted that Gov. Okowa has earned Deltans' confidence and trust through his sincerity and prudent management of  resources in payment of salaries, running of government and execution of meaningful projects across the state during the excruciating phase of the recession when many state governors wallowed in the burden of workers' salary backlogs and absence of infrastructural projects on the excuse of paucity of fund.

On local government workers, the group who acknowledged that, though it is not the prerogative of the governor to pay local government workers salaries, but in furtherance of their appreciation of the governor's release of almost a billion naira that settled two months salaries prior to the Christmas, appealed to Okowa to continue with his good gesture in augmenting the treasury base of local government to enable it service their workers salaries since their wage bill is far above what accrues to the local government for effective service delivery.

Responding, Governor Okowa appreciated the union for deeming it fit to appreciate the state government's efforts in this regard.

Governor Okowa who expressed shock at the Union's visit and content of their message, noted that, their gesture was rare and described it as a welcome development unlike the past where union were manipulated, sponsored and used against the government with a view to inciting workers and the masses against incumbent.

He commended them for distinguishing themselves as people with better understanding of the situation of the nation's economy which hitherto, has affected growth and development, but here in Delta state, we have remained focused as a people elected by the masses to alleviate their sufferings. We will continue to do what is right to please Deltans.

Payment of workers salaries is a priority for any reasonable government as we are doing in the state and that tempo must be sustained as the major source through which majority of families survive. He reiterated.

The Governor who thanked the union for their enlightenment, promised not only to sustain his administration's efforts to ensure that the joy of Deltans and workers through prompt payment of salaries and even distribution of infrastructures across the state, but to also partner with the local government arm to see that with time, the issue of local government workers backlog become history and while we work on that, the state will stop at nothing but the best.

Okowa's Aide Reject Pres. Buhari's Appointment

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS DR (BARRISTER) FRED LATIMORE OGHENESIVBE AS CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY (NITT).

A List of federal appointments just released by the Federal Government of Nigeria, has my name as Chairman, NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY (NITT).

It came to me at a time I was not expecting such a fantastic gesture from Mr President. Its a new year gift if not tied to partisan politics; in the spirit of ONE NIGERIA.

I remain Executive Assistant to His Excellency the Governor of Delta State on Communications.

Thank you Mr President.

PDP Empowerment Programmes, Welcome Development -Gov Okowa

Delta state governor Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has described as welcome development People's Democratic Party empowerment programme being initiated across various wards in Ika North East local government area.

Governor Okowa speaking during an empowerment programme held at Ute Okpu where over 200 persons benefited from various items ranging from cash , welding machines , complete hair driving equipments , vulcanizing machines , said such empowerment measures promote party unity and cohesion.

He said PDP in Ika North East local government area through the empowerment measures  have brought hope to thousands of persons  and assisted in no small measures in bringing his administration prosperity agenda to door steps of the people.

While commending Ika North East  PDP leadership  and leaders within the local government for the empowerment programme, he noted that he is happy that they carry the people along for the general interest of the party , tasking them to sustain the tempo of support towards the party and in reaching out to the people,

On the fourth coming local government election .governor Okowa said PDP will continue to campaign across the local government areas   to solicit the people's support, assuring that victory is sure because the party has worked hard for the victory and infrastructural development across the state speaks volume.

He appealed to the people to come out in their large numbers to support PDP , promising better days ahead for Deltans.

Press Statement

Bike Accident: PDP Prays For Yusuf Buhari...Wishes Him Speedy Recovery

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shocked by the news of the involvement of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari in a power-bike accident in Abuja on Wednesday.

We are however reassured by reports from the Presidency that he is in a steady condition.

The PDP as a family prays for Yusuf’s speedy recovery to enable him return to his normal life.

We also commend the prompt intervention by medics even as we value the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers for Yusuf and the first family.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Pres Buhari Signs 6 New Bills Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, December 29, signed six new bills that have earlier been passed by the National Assembly into law.

According to a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, the bills signed into law include the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 and Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

Enang made this statement to State House Correspondents after the President signed the bills into law at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Enang said: “Specifically, the Act stipulates that a person with a gunshot wound shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria with or without initial monetary deposit.

“Furthermore, a person with a gunshot wound shall not be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person or authority, including the police and other security agencies.

“Anti-Torture Act, 2017 makes comprehensive provisions for penalising the acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and prescribes penalties for the commission of such acts.”

He added that the president assented to the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act, 2017.

He explained that the Act included the gas producing and gas processing companies in the list of agencies that were contributing to the NDDC in addition to the oil companies in a bid to increasing the funding of the commission for effective discharge of its duties.

Enang said: “Previously, the NDDC Acts excluded the gas companies. The Act makes it explicit that the Gas companies have to be included."

“This is to diversify the sources of funding for the NDDC for the economic wellbeing of the region."

The president has also assented to the Federal Capital Appropriation Act. This bill authorises the Federal Capital Territory Administration to legally and legitimately provide funds out of its Statutory Revenue Fund for recurrent and capital expenditure.

He said: “President Buhari had earlier assented to the Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment) Act, 2017, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017, Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 and Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

“The Federal Capital Territory Water Board Establishment Act is charged with the responsibility for providing safe, adequate and affordable water supply services to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

It is also to collaborate with the other authorities responsible for water resources management to secure efficient use of water resources for the conservation and protection of the water resources of the Territory and the nation.

“The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017 is to provide national direction in cancer research, control and treatment; guide scientific improvements to cancer prevention, treatment and care, coordinate and liaise between the wide range of groups and health care providers with an interest in cancer.”

Our Youths Have No Zeal To Lead

The youths keep saying 'give us a chance' but have they shown willingness and zeal to lead? How many of our youths are members of political parties?

How many are thinking of picking party forms to vie for political offices? The minimum age to run for Local government chairman, Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly offices is 30, For Senate and Office of the Governor, the minimum age is 35.

How many of our 30-40years old have shown the zeal and passion to run for these offices? How many have shown the zeal to run for their Local Government Chairmanship elections?

How many youths within the 25 and 35 age bracket are passionate about representing their wards as councillors?

 How then can there be power shift when there is no zeal to lead? Does power come on a platter of gold?

May I remind the youths that Bola Tinubu first ran for Senate(and won) at the age of 40?

Rabiu Kwankwaso was first elected Member/Deputy Speaker of House of Representative in 1992 at the age of 36.

Ayo Fayose was 43years when he ran for Governor against an incumbent and PDP elite in 2003. At 37, Owelle Rochas Okorocha first ran for Governor of Imo state in 1999(he lost).

At 41 he vied for the Presidency in 2003(he lost). He was however appointed Special Adviser to President Obasanjo. At 35 Musliu Obanikoro was the NRC Caretaker Chairman for Surulere Local Government.

All these men started WITHOUT a godfather. They however showed the zeal to lead, today they are moving from one office to another.

Our Youths Must Wake Up:
Leadership comes with responsibilities. I am not a fan of 'gifting' people with political offices, but instead I believe in supporting young visionaries for political offices.

For young people to lead, they have to join/support political parties of choice. They must intelligently contribute to party growth, show willingness and readiness to lead, and pick forms for elective offices.

Don't be discouraged whether you win or lose the election because the zeal will prepare and position you for other positions (appointments) that usually comes AFTER every election.

If appointment didn't come, the next for years will definitely provide another opportunity to vie for elective/appointive position. Who says a youth cannot be the a national officer of his party(apart from youth leader)?

Finally, leadership is not a gift, it must be earned. If the youths really want generational shift, they must show willingness to lead.

As at now, the youths are just not prepared for leadership.

HARD TRUTH

“Before Buhari came to power:
I was buying a bag of rice N7,500 but later N23,000. Now N16,000. They said its for my own good, that local farmers are now very rich!

I was buying a bag of Semo N1,550 but later N3400. They said it is just to ensure food sufficiency!

I was buying fuel at N87 per liter, but later N145. They said it is just a temporal hardship for the nation to move on!

I was paying 1,000 NEPA Bill, but later N5,000, they said it is to ensure steady electricity!

I was buying a pack of sugar at N250 but now N500. They said I should thank God for this government!

Sanusi raised alarm about missing $20 billion during GEJ administration, later reduced it to $10 billion, the nation was agog.

Under Buhari Kachukwu raised alarm of misappropriation of $26 billion, no reduction but he was asked to go and reconcile with Baru and story ends!

Naira was 178 to $1 under GEJ administration ,but under Buhari administration it went up to N500 to $1 and now exchanging for over N306 to $1 and we are told the economy is the focus of this government!

HoS raised alarm that my president was aware of Maina's return but choses to be quiet, no denial, yet, no reason was given to Nigerians for that!

We used to have presidential media chat in which d president keeps citizens abreast with what's happening, we only had it once under this administration and no reason is given for the alienation of the citizens!

My president went to Abia and Anambra on two days working visit and no single inmate was freed, he went to Kano and 500 inmates were left off the hook!

Almost 3 years gone, no single project has been commissioned under a government that has the highest history of budget in Nigeria!

I can go on and on...but, my challenge is that, people keep saying that PMB is the best thing that ever happened to Nigeria, even when this is not his first time in government. I am yet to be convinced."

please share until supporters of Buhari get sense.

Change begins with you, Mr President!

Prof. Ahmad Isah Haruna wrote :

The blame game that characterised this government have shifted from Jonathan government to petrol marketers on the issue of serving petroleum products to Nigerians.

That is rather absurd and enigmatic because Nigerians voted a president while the president appointed a petroleum minister, and coincidentally in 2017 , the president is the petroleum minister and another coincidence: he was the petroleum minister in 1977 (40 years ago).

Nobody voted or appointed petroleum marketers, they registered voluntarily with their own companies and money so how does the statutory responsibility of providing petroleum products be vested in their hands?

The so-called removal of subsidy is an IMF policy that the former governments refused to accept but this government accepted and implemented in fullest and here we are today: 100% devaluation, N145 per liter and yet they cannot provide the petrol. The failure in petroleum sector is therefore a government failure and not petroleum marketers.

If it is not from government, the NNPC mega stations should have the petrol consistently. 

If buhari don't have solution towards providing the petrol needs for Nigerians despite being a president twice and petroleum minister twice within the span of 40 years (1977 - 2017), and now rely on IMF  policies, then he has nothing to offer to Nigerians. He cannot hide his failure under marketers who don't have laws in their hands and were neither elected nor appointed. 

The term marketers precisely does not refer to any person or company because if he accuse them of hoarding then he knows where they kept it and DPR workers (the owners of majority of filling stations) would have moved to catch themselves since they are in cohort with the marketers. How could you relinquish your statutory responsibilities to marketers (who are all profit makers) and when things get bad, you transfer blame to them?

This is absolute failure.

I still blame President Muhammadu Buhari for throwing the nation into biting petrol crisis. Buhari created the November/December 2015 fuel crisis for his failure to form the cabinet that would prepare supplementary budget and pay marketers. If marketers, this time, are to blame for the fuel crisis, how many oil marketers the federal government is prosecuting for economic sabotage? 

Even if the marketers are in court today, you must take responsibility for allowing them to sabotage the economy. The buck always stops at the president's desk. When you were Candidate Buhari, we joined you in fault-finding, criticising and blaming the then government.

Now that you are President Buhari, it is your duty to tackle and find solution to the problems you raised when you were candidate not apportioning blame to citizens. You cannot ask Nigerians to elect you and start blaming them for your failure and incompetence as a leader.

Change begins with you, Mr President!

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTS GOVERNING BOARDS FOR PARASTATALS AND AGENCIES

The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the constitution of the Governing Boards of Agencies and Parastatals, under some Ministries, as well as the appointment of eminently qualified Nigerians to fill the Board positions, numbering 209 Chairmen and 1258 members.

2. Mr. President considered the approval for the constitution of the Boards as well as
the appointments, very necessary, so as to provide a proper Governance and oversight
structure for Government Agencies and Parastatals. The constitution of the boards with the appointments, is a demonstration of this Government’s efforts aimed at building
strong institutions of Governance, and by extension, improving the quality of Policy
formulation and supervision.

3. While these appointments represent a substantial number of hitherto pending board
appointments, some more appointments are still being processed and will be released
in due course.

4. The appointments take immediate effect and Honourable Ministers are advised to
inaugurate the boards after letters of appointment have been issued.

Signed

Boss Mustapha
Secretary to the Government of the Federation
29th December, 2017.

WE’LL NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL NIGERIA BECOMES A FOOD EXPORTING COUNTRY AGAIN, PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja said his administration will not rest in continually reviewing and strengthening ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector
until Nigeria regains its pride of place as a
food exporting country.

Receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) family from Kebbi State in the Presidential Villa, the President said about 90 per cent of some food imports into the country, which usually gulped the country’s foreign exchange reserve, had been sliced, with Nigeria now
targeting self-sufficiency in food production.

“We are not doing badly in the agricultural sector and Nigerians, and the world, are beginning to appreciate our efforts.

We will not be satisfied; we will work harder until we
start exporting food.

“We are happy that rice and beans importation into the country have gone down by 90 per cent, and visibly everyone can see how productive states like Kebbi have turned out to be and states like Lagos, Ogun and Ebonyi are following the example,’’ he said.

He said Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto states had already reported remarkable turn around in the agricultural sector, with more youths taking interest in entrepreneurship.

The President said he disagreed with the astronomical food import bill presented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from the inception of the administration, pointing out that it was later discovered to be “fraudulent practices’’ by some of the elites to deplete the
foreign reserves.

“When I was told that the CBN had no savings after the windfall of selling oil for more than $100 dollars per barrel for many years, and the production was 2.1million barrel per day, I did not believe them.

“I did not believe them because majority of Nigerians cannot afford imported food; they rely on what is locally grown.

It turned out that 50 per cent of the export bills were
fraudulent. That is what the Nigerian elites did.

“Unfortunately, we will not know all that happened because the elites worked in collusion with institutions in developed
countries, like insurance firms and other financial outfits, to perpetuate the fraud,’’ he added.

On security, President Buhari said the return of farmers to their farm lands in the North East, with glaring results of high yields, was a testimony to the relative peace that had been achieved.

He assured that more would be done to check the mayhem of suicide attacks.

The President said his administration will put in more effort to reposition the educational and health sectors to compete with other global institutions.

In his remarks, the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu said the APC family was pleased with the performance of the administration in securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption.

Bagudu and members of the delegation, which include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and former PDP stalwarts in Kebbi State, also prayed for the quick recovery of the
President’s son, Yusuf.

Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 29th, 2017

Buhari names APC NWC Members, Others as Chairmen of 209 Boards

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the constitution of the Governing Boards of Agencies and Parastatals, under some Ministries, as well as the appointment of “eminently qualified Nigerians to fill the Board positions, numbering 209 Chairmen and 1258
members”.

The disclosure was made, Friday, in statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Among the appointees are several members of the National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC and a hordes of other party stalwarts.

The National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr Muiz Banire chairs the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON.

Other NWC members in the list are the party’s National
Auditor, Chief George Moghalu who chairs the board of the Nigerian Communications Satellite NIGCOMSAT Ltd; its National Organizing Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso
chairs the board of National Automotive
Design and Development Centre (formerly National Automotive Council); Deputy National Chairman, South, Engr. Segun Oni (Nigeria Export Processing Zone); its Ntional Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (National Sugar Development Council); and the party’s
North west zonal vice chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir who chairs the board of the

National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC. APC’s Secretary, Mai Mala Buni heads the NIGERIA Shippers’ Council while its Deputy
National Chairman North, Sen. Lawal Shuaibu
heads the Federal Housing Authority.

Other party. Executives heading various boards Zakari Idde and Sen. Ayo Akinyelure while a former Deputy governor of Plateau state, Dame Pauline Tallen, Gen. John
Shagaya, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora and many others are also heading different boards.

A former Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo is also to chair the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN.

The statement said, “Mr. President considered the approval for the constitution of the Boards as well as the appointments, very necessary, so as to provide a proper Governance and oversight structure for Government Agencies and Parastatals.

The constitution of the boards with the appointments, is a
demonstration of this Government’s efforts aimed at building strong institutions of Governance, and by extension, improving the quality of Policy formulation and supervision.

“While these appointments represent a substantial number of hitherto pending board appointments, some more appointments are still being processed and will be released in due course.

The appointments take immediate effect and Honourable Ministers are advised to inaugurate the boards after letters of appointment have been issued”.

Nigerians Are Tired of Your Failed New Year Promises - PDP Tells APC, FG

…Says Enough Of Lies And False Hope


The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday advised the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to issue any New Year message to Nigerians since they have not fulfilled any of the promises contained in their previous messages since assumption of office.

The party said Nigerians have become overstretched by the litany of woes visited on them in the last two years by the incompetent and pretentious APC Government, stressing that it would be the height of callousness for the party and its government to spew another round of propaganda and false hope in the name of new year messages.

“What else would they tell Nigerians apart from inventing new lies and propaganda as they had always done, particularly at the turn of each New Year”, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan queried in a statement.

 Every New Year, since 2016, the APC and its Federal Government have been reeling out heaps of promises which they had no intentions to fulfill. Now they are warming up  to reel out fresh ones in January 2018.


 What is the need of a New Year message from APC Government when it would be replete with propaganda?  What is the need of their yearly assurances when the only thing we see is an arrogant and incompetent government plunging the nation into economic recession and visiting the citizens with the worst forms of untold hardship.


What seriousness should any Nigerian attach to a government that takes governance for granted, puts off its Federal Executive Meeting at the slightest whims and blame imaginary invasion of its offices by rats for the inability to meet required statutory functions?

What else should Nigerians expect from a government that promised massive employments only to render 7.74 million Nigerians jobless between 2016 and September 2017; with combined unemployment and underemployment rate hitting 40.0% as declared by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).


This is the same APC that promised to deliver naira exchange at N1 to 1USD but ended up wrecking the currency from N160-N170 to a scandalous N350-N400; the same party and its government promised to reduce the price of fuel only for it to rise from where the PDP left it at N86.50 to N300-N400 per litre.


What do we expect from a government that so devastated the economy in 2017 that Nigerians were forced to turn to Ponzi schemes like the Mavrodi Mundial Movement (MMM) for survival only for an estimated three million of them to lose about N18 billion in the process.


The APC misrule literarily turned 2017 into a harvest of woes; hunger, disease, violence and deaths while the nation is now being pummelled by ethnic and religious agitations and attendant violence in all parts of the country.


Also this year, marauders, criminal herders, Badoo cultists and insurgents were on the prowl with several innocent Nigerians as victims. 


Nigerians suffered strange diseases; businesses were shut; hardship and poverty swelled mortality and divorce rates while the APC continues to thrive on propaganda and lies.


Measured against all key performance indicators, the APC controlled Federal Government has fallen below the expectations of Nigerians.


Painfully, instead of channeling the nation’s resources for the good of the citizens, the “zero corruption” Federal Government is busy providing cover for APC interests who are diverting public funds through padded budgets, multi-billion dollars secret oil subsidy regimes, illegal lifting of crude using unregistered APC fronts, pillaging of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, diverting of funds meant for fight against insurgency and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast; and attempts to steal $1bn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

Nigerians are very patient people but are tired of APC's incompetence, lies and endless propaganda.

We therefore urge the APC to stop taking Nigerians for granted as the nation eagerly await their farewell address come 2019.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

NNPC's Subsidy Fraud, A Must Probe -ADP

...Urges Senate To Urgently Set Up Probe Team

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has mandated the National Assembly both the upper and lower chambers to wade into the subsidy controversy and probe it.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday, by the ADP Lagos Spokesman, Prince Adelaja Adeoye, he said that the discrepancies in the subsidy claim has further created tensions, controversies and doubts in the minds of Nigerians. While he explain in details, he called on the Senate President Bukola Saraki to urgently set up a committee to look into the subsidy controversy.

According to ADP, the current fuel scarcity that has left Nigerians in a sorry state, in this festive season, has revealed monumental fraud in the NNPC, through its involvement in secret payment of subsidy. This is of huge significance because, the Buhari's government had told Nigerians that subsidy was removed in early 2016, the party said.

The party said further that, it could be recalled that in the wake of the present fuel scarcity, the APC government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, had blamed the problem on major oil marketers, whom it alleged were asking for an increase in the pump price of fuel. However, the oil marketers later countered the allegation, maintaining that their problem with the government, was far from the alleged demand for pump price increase; and went on to reveal that they were being owed huge sum by the FG in subsidy payment.

The revelation, immediately prompted an outcry from Nigerians who demanded to known what subsidy, the marketers were talking about, taken into account that the Buhari's government had told the nation, in early 2016 that fuel subsidy has been removed, a development, which lead to the increase in pump price from N87 to N145.

In their explanation in May 2016, through VP Osinbajo, the FG explained that the fuel subsidy removal as follows;

“First, the real issue is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel there isn’t much of a subsidy to remove." Explaining further, VP Osinbajo said;

“We realised that we were left with only one option. This was to allow independent marketers and any Nigerian entity to source their own foreign exchange and import fuel. We expect that foreign exchange will be sourced at an average of about N285 to the dollar, (current interbank rate). They would then be restricted to selling at a price between N135 and N145 per litre.

What this meant was that Marketers were importing fuel and selling as dictated by the market forces, with little government regulation to avoid excessive pricing of the sales of fuel to the Nigerian masses.

Also, Speaking with Nigerians in October 2016, in an interactive session in Berlin, Buhari said, “There are things that are happening, and if such had happened before there would have been major riot, like the removal of subsidy on fuel,” further confirming Osinbajo's earlier claims.

These are the reasons ADP said its in total disbelief to hear that there was still anything called subsidy, associated with fuel. Hence, in a swift reaction, and to cover this fraud or probably to silence Nigerians who kept demanding for an explanation of this sudden subsidy claim, the party noted that the VP Osinbajo told the nation that NNPC and not the federal government is responsible for the subsidy payment. In his words, "NNPC and not the Federal Government pays for the fuel subsidy that has emerged with the N171 landing cost as against the official retail price of N145."

ADP said this new claim has further angered Nigerians who couldn't figure how NNPC became responsible for subsidy payment and not the FG. More so that as an agency of government, NNPC can only spend money within the budget. Meanwhile, there has not been any budget for subsidy for two year running.

Now to avoid the probing questions of Nigerians, NNPC GMD, Baru, while  responding to questions at Aso Rock Villa, after the Friday prayers, said that Buhari authorized him to be paying subsidy for fuel.

It is interesting to note that NNPC is a parastatal of the FG, which spends money as budgeted for in the annual national budget. For two year running, there has not been any budget for subsidy, because it has been removed from petroleum product; yet NNPC has been paying subsidy. The fraud here is, NNPC is paying subsidy the government said doesn't exist anymore, and doing so outside the budget.

The practice has been that every money collected by all FG agencies and parastatals are mandatorily paid into the TSA, from where approval is given for withdrawal, by same agencies in line with their budget. What this means is that NNPC has either not been paying into TSA or has been short paying. We must remember that just recently, a House committee discovered the sum of N50bn in NNPC secret account, outside the TSA. The NNPC GMD Baru, was quick to say, Buhari order him to put the N50bn into such secret account. This is besides the $25bn contract it awarded without due process, which he also claimed, Buhari authorised.

ADP said it is calling on the Nigerian Senate to do the needful by investigating the NNPC's subsidy fraud, to save Nigeria from the monumental fraud supervised by GMD Maikanti Baru and his team at NNPC happening in the open and to the knowledge of Buhari, the party concluded.

Better Days Ahead For Deltans, Says Okowa

DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said with continuous peace which translates to improved revenue, the fortunes of Deltans will witness a boom in the coming years.

The Governor who spoke today (28/12/17) at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, stated that God has positioned the state to witness tremendous developmental projects.

He emphasized that at all times, he will tell the people the truth, disclosing that when the situation was bad to the extent that it was difficult to pay salaries, he told the people that the state had no money which led to the popular saying, 'ego aria', but observed that through the grace of God, the state has gone beyond that stage and positioned to attain greater heights.

"The things that will take place in the years to come will make other states to come to our state to ask how we did it, the spirit of God has taken over this state, Deltans should be confident that in going forward, from this day, the Lord will do remarkable things in 2018 and we shall have every reason to worship Him," the Governor said, attributing the existing peace in the state to the grace of God.

He continued, "our state will be much better if we continue to keep the peace, we can see the impact of having peace because, with increased revenue as a result of peace, we have cleared all the debts owed the trade unions, all debts owed civil servants, all debts owed cooperative societies and we have assisted the local government councils to pay their salaries monthly; we have come today to thank God for His goodness to us as a state, and as a people."

The Governor at the thanksgiving service paid glowing tribute to his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro saying he was chosen by God to work with him to transform Delta State as they share a lot in common.

He also, thanked religious leaders, traditional rulers, the youths and all stakeholders for the different roles they played for peace to return to the state and urged them to continue to keep the peace because of the numerous benefits of having such.

Governor Okowa who was accompanied to the thanksgiving service by his wife, Dame Edith, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ebi Otuaro, and attended by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro, former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Benjamin Elue, the Senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, members of House of Representatives, members of the Delta State House of Assembly, Commissioners, traditional rulers led by the Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor II, among numerous others asserted that the thanksgiving service was necessary because, "we are alive today, the air we breathe is a gift from God, in the last two and half years, God made it possible for us to survive the trying period."

Earlier in a sermon, the Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Venerable Charles Osemene, stated that no man can stand against   God and that it is important for Christians to always honour God.

Delta To Have Directorate For PWDs, Okowa Assures

... Set To Establish Skill Acquisition Centres For PWDs

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said a Directorate would be created in 2018 to manage the affairs of People with Disabilities.

Senator Okowa made the disclosure today [28-12-17] in Asaba at a Luncheon organized in honour of Persons With Disabilities [PWDs] by the Delta State Government, stated that with the level of progress, organisation and discipline made by PWDs in the state, the Directorate would help handle all issues related to them and liaise with MDAs and other stakeholders on entrepreneurial and skill acquisition for PWDs.

“I am happy that I took the decision to talk and dine with PWDs; I find joy that I made the right decision, and I am pleased with the level of progress you have made as a community, you have grown into an organised community, a lot  can be achieved through dialogue, as violence does not pay," he said, stating, "a Directorate is what you seek, this will be pronounce through an executive order in January, 2018; we will all work together through the Directorate to see what we can get for your people from other MDAs.".

He charged the members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities [JONAPWDs] to always aspire for success in life as “disability does not take life away from you, you can be a success story, start little, work harder and you can become entrepreneurs and employ others”.

While assuring them that he would work with the state House Of Assembly on the passage of the Bill on the rights of PWDs, the governor stated that a special school for the PWDs to acquire entrepreneurial and technical skills would be established in the state.

Mr Samuel Ankeli, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Disability Matters and Mr Isaac Obruche, Chairman, JONAPWDs, Delta State Chapter in their separate messages commended Governor Okowa for his support for PWDs and charged PWDs to get education, make themselves relevant to their society.

l, Commissioner For Women’s Affairs, Rev. [Mrs] Omatsola Williams, said that the Luncheon was the first of its kind in the state, enjoined PWDs in the state to be discipline and work with government to improve their lives and make them successful.

Press Release By State Secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji,Delta APC.

Press Release

By State Secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji,Delta APC.

My attention have been drawn as published that state working C'ttee (SWC) have adopted  Osiobe Okotie as sole Guber aspirant for 2019 election. This assertion or statement is not true atall. It is a misleading statement and must be disregarded.

All aspirants has equal right and must  go for primary in line with party constitution. Any aspirant spending his or her money to gain favour for endorsement is on his own. I declared.

Furthermore, i want to debunk the rumour on zoning that APC Governorship Ticket will be zone to Delta North. I have said it before and i will always say it anywhere any time,

that there is no zoning at all. We can not kill our party by our hands. We are going to support the most acceptable person that is capable of winning PDP. What we need is to win.

Signed:

State Secretary

Comrade Chidi Okonji

Delta APC

Exclusive: Civil Society Groups Not Sold Out To APC Govt-Otive

 By Michael Peter and Gift Samuel

Abuja- Following the trend of issues happening in Nigeria and the perceived silence by Civil Society Organizations, the Executive Director, Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Otive Igbuzor has said that CSOs have not been silent and have not been bought over by the All Progressive Congress(APC) led government.

Otive who spoke to The Sight News Reporters in an interview in Abuja, while reacting to a statement that CSOs and NGOs have been bought over as well as other critical issues, stressed that there are NGOs that have remained steadfast, and went ahead to call on Nigeria’s not to leave everything to the CSOs to do but to also lend their voices to proffer solutions to critical issues in the country.

He further emphasized that “if citizens, CSOs, media and legislature do not perform their duties of oversight and holding elected officials accountable; corruption and impunity will thrive everywhere”.

See excerpts from the Interview

TSN: May we meet you sir?

Otive: My name is Otive Igbuzor. I hail from Orogun in Ugheli North local government area of Delta State. I come from a very humble background, not poor background because my parents were very rich in values, hard work and commitment. I wasn’t brought up with hunger. There was food three times daily. My first degree was in Pharmacy. But While I was in school reading Pharmacy, I had more books in Political Science and Marxism. I practiced Pharmacy from 1986 to 2000. I was quite successful. But in 2000, I went into teaching and development work. The development part of my work took me to ActionAid, and now I run the Abuja branch of the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

TSN: What informed your decision to Move from Pharmacy to Advocacy?

Otive: You know, when I was growing up, there was always the expectation that if you are bright, you must read either Medicine or Pharmacy. I was good in all the subjects but I was brought up in that mindset. So I studied pharmacy but it was worth it. Even if I am born again I will still go in that same path; because pharmacy prepares you for every aspect of life. There’s Pharmacy Business, there’s Pharmacy Law, there is Pharmacy management, there is science in Pharmacy, there is medicine in Pharmacy, there is herbs.  That is why Pharmacy is my first love and will always remain so. I believe I have been able to attain what I have attained in life because I read pharmacy. I had a fairly successful Pharmaceutical Company. I rose to become the Chairman of Nigeria Association of General Practice Pharmacists in Borno State. Like I mentioned, when I was in the University I belonged to a Marxist group, where I subscribed to change in society. At that time it was the visionary overthrow of the bourgeoisie – the ruling class as a whole. Those ideals still affect me till today. Even though pharmacy was successful, it did not offer me my vision/ mission for life; which is that of changing society for the better. Because I had the vision of a world where there is no poverty, there is no injustice and there is prosperity. So all my life, my vision is to impact other lives spiritually, financially, politically, socially and knowledge-wise. Pharmacy offered me a limited opportunity to do that, that’s why I made a career change in 2000 to go into teaching and development. I was teaching at Delta State University, Lagos Campus; then to Center for Democracy and Development, CDD, with the current Minister for Mines and Steel and former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi from there I joined ActionAid Nigeria in 2004 as deputy country director,later the country director that same year. I was there till 2009 and in January 2010 I started the Africa Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

TSN: The recent statistics show that the rate of Unemployment in the country is growing in an alarming proportion, what do you think can be done to remedy the situation?

Otive: There’s a lot that can be done. The beginning point is strategy. Every country should have a long term development strategy; where you would be able to project based on your population growth, the number of people that would be available to work. And then create the macroeconomic framework that will take into consideration the job needs of that population. Let me break it down, so it does not seem as grammar. You create an economic framework that for each sector, as you are planning, you are planning how you would create jobs. The education sector for instance, the major challenges are infrastructure, quality of teachers, the type of curriculum, access to education. So as you are planning intervention, for instance on building infrastructure, you know the employment you would create along the value chain. When you are looking at intervening in the tourism sector you look at the entire value chain, how you would create jobs. There are even countries that have poor security situation but create the tourism corridor, they secure that corridor, train people as tourists guide, let natives bring arts and crafts for tourists to buy and create a wide business around the sector.

When you are doing your economic framework, you focus on four sectors which have impact on the lives of people. The sectors are infrastructure, education, health and agriculture. When you focus on these four sectors you create jobs and you do things that have direct impact on the lives of the people. The kind of budget we implement today, unless there is a fundamental change we can’t deal with unemployment. Because the budget has about 70 percent recurrent and let’s take an agency like NOA for instance; NOA has offices in all the States of the Federation and the 774 local government areas. Their budget for 2017 has about N4 billion for salaries but N400 million for programs.  What can you do with N400 million? When NGOs are having £6.8 million.

So, there’s a structural problem with the way we design our budget. If you have sufficient resources to devote to infrastructure; young Nigerians are being innovative and creative. You can create computer villages across the country with all the infrastructure, they will develop themselves. You know as I grew up, What pained me the most is that things our fore fathers bequeathed to us, we can’t bequeath to the next generation. Those days we had local government football pitch, sports stadium, sports center, libraries,  so when you do all of these things, you create opportunities for these young people to develop their minds, skill and soul. There is no government that can provide employment for all citizens. It’s creating the enabling environment; providing power,  ease of doing business, we must here, commend the Buhari administration for the improvement in the ease of doing business rating by the world Bank but a lot still needs to be done in terms of power infrastructure in terms of entrepreneurial education, widespread technology. The average Nigerian wants to be rich but ask many of them “how do you want to be rich’? Some will tell you, “only God knows”. But there is a sense in which Nigerians are being socialized unknowingly to be thieves. Many average homes encourage their children to go to school, so that when they leave school, they would get good jobs. What is the good job? Customs, immigration, police( now police has joined the group). Now, the official remuneration of these, is it different from others? No. But the parents know that if the child enters there, they would engage in corruptible transactions, the children know. Nobody says it ” I want you to go into that place so that you will steal but so that you get a good job. Now come to it, how do people make money globally if they want to be rich? Business! We can even see it in our very eyes young people developing applications, going into business, there are new businesses emerging today, yet what is still the mentality? Get a job! There is a disconnect in the society. People do not have the right financial information, no financial intelligence, no financial planning and no financial discipline. So you see a lot of people in the rat race. Get rich quick syndrome. And living above means.
You see young boys and girls carrying very big phones yet they don’t have a plot of land. They are living in rented apartment. So to deal with the issue of unemployment requires the intervention of government on a massive scale- Creating the enabling environment, entrepreneurial education, changing the budget, it requires providing avenue for people to showcase their talents and it also requires reorientation and change of mindset by both parents and children.

TSN: How do you rate this present administration bearing in mind that they promised change, yet the economy is in terrible shape, you still can’t get fuel without queuing and many Nigerians are hungry?

Otive: The change has imparted both positively and negatively. For me the greatest positive impact of this administration is that it is changing the way governance is done. And the way business is done in Nigeria. This administration came to power more than two years ago, people have been clamouring for political appointment, he has not appointed. The president has set the tone at the top of intolerance for corruption. Those who have stolen money can no longer flaunt it in our faces. These are intangibles. Increasingly it is becoming clear to people (a few still engage in it) but for majority of people, they now know that you can’t get easy money. For me those changes, if they are sustained over a long period of time, will be monumental. There was a time in this country where if you are not a thief, you are stupid; especially if you have opportunity. In fact if you go to some circles and you have not stolen, you are odd man out. You have not eaten yet you open the television to NTA or Channels, you see lavished wedding ceremonies of two young people who have not worked before. Have you noticed the decrease in those things? Those who have stolen money can no longer assault our sensibilities. For me that is a major achievement of setting the tone and making people know that for them to make money, they must produce and sell goods and services. You know what? Those who say business is not favourable for them under the Buhari administration, I ask what kind of business were they doing during the Jonathan administration? What goods were you producing? What services were you offering that is no longer relevant? Corruption money distorted the economy.

Unfortunately however, the administration has not been able to manage the economy in a way that it has full impact on the citizens. I guess it comes with experience so we can only hope that as we go into 2018 that there will improvement. Luckily for us, through the economic and growth plan we’ve been able to come out of recession. This administration has some good policies like the social investment program; that’s a program that can Change the course of poverty in the lives of people. Especially intergenerational poverty. There are people who are so poor that unless you intervene through conditional cash transfer and social investment program, they will remain in poverty forever. This governance has those policies and programs. Of course there is still the challenge of implementation. I have written a lot of things about it- how to manage change. When you come with a change program it’s not an easy thing. In fact research show that 70 percent of change programs across the world have failed for many reasons. One, you need to get change champions who understand the process and content of the change. Who will be able to put mechanism in place to explain the change; to get people to support the change, to put programs in place to deal with people who oppose the change. There’s what we call “freezing, refreezing and maintaining” in the change process. But unfortunately this administration has not been very systematic in organising the change. We hope however, that with the statement of the President recently, that he is going to rejig his cabinet, make new appointments and deal with the mistakes of the past, we just but hope that he will do this as soon as possible.

TSN: Let’s go back to the budget: are you concerned that the National Assembly is still talking about padding in the 2018 budget?

Otive: Yes I am concerned about budget padding generally even though many people have different opinions about it. I would rather put it that it is important we have a realistic budget. Budget realism is what we desire. A realistic budget is one where the macroeconomic assumptions and projections are close to reality. A realistic budget is a budget that meets the needs of citizens. A realistic budget is that which does not have a lot of frivolous expenditures and it is implementable. In planning our budget we must first do a needs assessment. What do the people need? It is that needs assessment that feeds into the content of the budget. And not the present situation where people sit down in their office in Abuja and decide which village should get what and also the need to ensure that during appropriation citizens participate in the process and during implementation, there is tracking. And we must commend the budget office for putting in place the citizens portal. So now as a citizen you can go to the citizens portal, the i- monitor and monitor projects within the budget which is a good innovation that this present administration has brought about. But we must strengthen the auditor general in terms of auditing and reporting on the budget. So I will say that the budget process there are gaps, padding by whatever definition is negative. And what we really want is a realistic budget and not a padded budget.

TSN: The other day we saw the Director General of the Budget Office saying that the government will be selling some national assets such as the National Theatre, Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS and some power infrastructure to fund the annual budget for three years. Do you consider this as the right way to go; seeing that the diversification efforts of government may not be doing much?

Otive: I am against the selling of national assets for many reasons; number one; experience in this country shows that any time a national asset is sold, it is under valued. There is even a story about a time that one asset wanted to be sold and it was refurbished and sold at a cost less than the cost of refurbishing. That’s one reason. Second reason is that the national assets belong to all, when you sell it only a few have the opportunity to buy and you shortchange the poor. The third reason is that if well managed, national assets can bring resources to the government. I don’t support the idea that government cannot manage anything. Its an escapist and lazy approach to solving societal problems. There are many governments of the world that have national assets and they are bringing money to the government regularly. Ethiopian Air is one and there are many other examples across the world. Right from 1998 when we started the privatization and commercialisation, we have not seen any successful stories. Even including this power. And it’s not completely true that diversification has not worked. Because there is steady progress being made in agriculture under this present administration and there is steady progress being made in Mines and Steel.

In just one year the revenue from mines and steel more than doubled. And if you look at the mines and steel sector you know it’s a long term sector. One of the problems with us in Nigeria is that we suffer from the problem of “short term-sm”. We want it just now. There is no societal problems that you just give one magic bullet, it’s a range of things and usually they have political connotations to religious, spiritual and that’s one angle some people do not even look at, mindset, need for reorientation. So there are many things that needs to be done to deal with any social problems and we must have long term approach.

I use Singapore as an example, these people have a plan of what the country will be in 20 years time.we did a a study and did a projection of Delta population 2100 if the current population growth rate remains, Delta state will be about 82 million and I was just wondering, where are they going to stay. Look at the crisis in education there today, JAMB has gone to computer but many schools in Delta state have never seen computer all their lives. There is no systematic way for social housing for the poor. So you just look at in the next 30 to 40 years, what will happen to the citizens of Delta.

But both the politicians and citizens have short term-sm, this Christmas, it is who will bring rice, for politicians, it’s how they will win the next election. That’s where you see a Governor who will appoint 2,203 special assistants in Delta state and in every ward you have 2, 3, 4, 5. They don’t go to work, they don’t have office but they have salary and their work is that in 2019, go and deliver your wards. We cannot run a society like this.
Our children and grand children will be so annoyed with us and our forefathers will be turning in their graves. And it’s like it’s norm, you pay journalists, they write good things, you give citizens money, they sing your praises.

TSN: HURIWA Coordinator said most NGOs and CSOs have been sold out to the APC government, would you say that is true?

Otive: People must understand certain things, first is that, look at the trajectory of the history of this country. When Obasanjo came to power in 1999, from then to 2000, what was the NGO doing during his regime? When Goodluck Jonathan came to power in 2010 to 2011, NGOs were the ones that put him there. That is what I am saying, in this country we have short term-sm. Look at the trajectory, what NGOs were saying in 2015 and check what they are saying now, is it the same? No. It’s not true that NGOs have been bought over but we should also know that historically, there are Government Non-Governmental Organizations and there are NGOs that have remained steadfast. So because it is the sector I work, it pains me when you lump everybody together. Look at people’s antecedents, are NGOs keeping quiet about the fuel scarcity on the social media?.

One other thing which is a danger to the country is that some people think that there are some people whose work is to talk , so if there is fuel scarcity you are looking for what Femi falana, Otivie and others will say.; how about you, don’t you have social media handles, why can’t you speak? In every society, vigilance is the eternal price of liberty. If citizens, CSOs, media and legislature do not perform their duties of oversight and holding elected officials accountable, corruption and impunity will thrive everywhere.
NGOs are working, there are NGOs and there are NGOs.

TSN: What can you say about the $1 billion from the ECA to fight Boko haram and the call by Seriake Dickson to give 13% derivative to oil producing states?

Otive: Security is a serious issue in any country. There are certain issues about security that cannot be made public for security reasons so we cannot know everything but under normal circumstances we are supposed to trust the judgment of our leaders on the money but there has been trust deficit in governance over the years so what is happening is understandable but we are a federation and if $1 billion is needed, in my view, the best way to get it is through supplementary budget and not the Excess Crude Account because ECA belongs to all the levels.

The Governors may have approved it based on National security because insecurity in one part is insecurity in all but ideally, it should be part of federal government money. On Dickson’s request, there is no where in the country where there is no security issues and it doesn’t help to give regional and ethnic analyseseca because many years we have had special intervention in the Niger Delta but I agree with him because since it’s from ECA, 13 percent ought to go to Niger Delta.

TSN: What will be your final words to  Nigerians

Otive: The final word would be that the way things are being done in this country, it is not sustainable at all. The way everything has been politicized and if you look at trend, you will see that most Governments are no longer interested in provision of public goods and services but on how to sustain or perpetuate themselves in power. The way even citizens begin to look at everything from prism of ethnicity and religion and even the media which is supposed to bring balanced news is now the generator of fake news. In this period of festivities, I hope Nigerians both young and old would be able to sit down and reflect and make commitment to the country. There are sufficient resources in the country to make life better and comfortable for everyone but more importantly, there are many good men in Nigeria that cannot be corrupted but they lack the organisational power and resilience to come together. Everybody today, those who have the opportunities are building themselves into local governments. Everyone is looking for money to send their children to private schools, everyone is providing water and leaving the bigger picture. If that was the attitude of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Many of us will not be where we are today.

I call on Nigerians to make a new year resolution to not just be committed to the country but to do things so that we can hand over a better society for the upcoming generation. This idea of selfishness, everyone having a price, people struggling and people not looking at what has happened to others must stop for the collective interest of all.

This interview should not be used either in part or in whole without permission from The Sight News Editor.

Kachikwu: I Didn’t Write Any Memo To Buhari On Petrol Scarcity

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, has denied sending a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari on the petrol scarcity.

In the memo, reportedly dated July 27, Kachikwu was said to have alerted the president on the likely shortage of petrol.

But in a statement by Idang Alibi, director of press in the ministry, Kachikwu said the message and its content should be disregarded.
He added that this was not the best time for “diversionary issues” as the petroleum sector is battling with a national issue.

“Our attention has been drawn to a message making the rounds on social media of a purported memo by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu to the President on the fuel crises. The message and its content is false,” the statement read.

“This is not a time for diversionary issues as the petroleum sector is dealing with a serious national issue. We are focused on collaboratively finding an urgent solution to this crises.

“The minister of state continues to monitor the current fuel situation and to work with NNPC and DPR to continue to execute already communicated ministerial directives to maximally flood the market with products and prevent and penalize any sabotage attempts at diversion by any culprit.

“The Minister of State appreciates the pain Nigerians are going through but urges calm and understanding as NNPC is doing everything possible to immediately end this fuel crises situation.”

Last 3 days Fasting and Prayers for Imo Catholics

All Imolites world wide and their friends and well wishers are called upon to embark on a 3- day fasting and prayers .for God to manifest His power in Imo State and deliver His children from the evil leadership of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Governor Okorocha who has been executing wicked policies against the people of the land, has, on the eve of Christmas, unleashed another dimension of the evil projects he has for the State.

He has changed the MARIA ASSUMPTA AVENUE that was named hundred of years ago after the mother of God to mortal man's name Muhammadu Buhari Road, Owerri.

Catholics are called to begin the fasting and prayer from the 29-31st Dec 2017 fasting starts from 6am - 12noon while the Holy Rosary starts by 12 noon if possible go to confession and be in a state of grace. 31st night will be a total handover of Imo State to Mother Mary.
Strict adherence to this call will go a long way to salvage Imo State.

Our Lady will surely crush the ugly serpent that is raising its head in Imo State now.

Catholics, stand up to your faith and win this spiritual battle with the Rosary. God is with us, we shall  live to see the end of this evil. The heavenly Beings are greater than all principalities here on earth.
God is our Strength!!! We will surely Overcome!!!.

Forward to others immediately as received

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Jerusalem Vote: I Will Destroy Nigeria – Trump Vows; Calls Buhari ‘Senseless Man’

ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – In what appears to be a major diplomatic face-off over Nigeria’s vote at the United Nations last week against Jerusalem as Israeli capital, United States President Donald Trump has vowed to sink Nigeria and destroy it’s leadership, according to report by a Jewish newspaper.

Prior to the vote last two weeks,Trump had warned that America would deal with any country that voted against Jerusalem.

Nigeria was one of the many countries that voted against Jerusalem.

According to an Israeli newspaper Jews News (jewsnews.co.il), Trump has threatened to impose sanctions on Nigeria in response to how Nigeria voted against Jerusalem at the UN meeting.

In a report published on Monday entitled: ‘SO IT BEGINS: Trump MAJORLY Sanctions Nigeria Over Vote Against Jerusalem – WHO IS NEXT?’ the paper said: “The US president’s remarks were followed by a Statement pointing clear that Nigeria vote against Jerusalem makes her a threat to peace,

“Trump said in a tweet he had spoken with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, about ‘the provocative actions of Nigeria’, and promised: ‘Additional major sanctions will be imposed on Nigeria today.

This situation will be handled!’

“In remarks later on Friday at a public event in Missouri, Trump departed from a speech about tax cuts to aim a barb at the Nigeria leader, Muhammadu Buhari, who he has previously referred to as ‘A Senseless Man’. ‘Senseless man, he is a sick puppy,’ the president said.

“Later Thursday, at the UN, Trump said if war comes as a result of further acts of ‘aggression and Nigeria voting against Jerusalem’ ‘make no mistake the Nigeria regime will be utterly destroyed’.

“Haley says the Trump administration warned Nigeria that its future is in the hands of its leaders and the choice was theirs.

With Nigeria voting against Jerusalem, she said, Buhari’s regime made a choice ‘and with this choice comes a critical choice for the rest of the world’.

“She called on all countries to cut all ties to Nigeria.

“The security council was meeting in New York to discuss possible new measures about Jerusalem, and the US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, made clear that the US would press for tougher measures allowing Nigeria shipping to be stopped and searched on the high seas.”

Who Voted For Nigeria At UN General Assembly Voting?

In UN General voting against the speech made by the President of United States of America Donald Trump, recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, we saw our Nigerian representative voted against Trump declaration.

Then we ask these questions.
1) Who was that person that represented Nigeria at that UN Assembly?
2) Which religion is he or she?
3) Whom did he or she consulted to know our general opinion before casting his or her vote?
4) Of which interest did he or she voted?
5) Why must we vote when Nigeria is attending IOC meetings too?

Pls let the  world know that this entity Nigeria does not belong to Muslims and that the vote casted at the UN general assembly does not represent the interest or wishes of every Nigerian in diaspora.

If they wish to cast the vote in Nigeria first to get our stand they will find out that 89% of Nigerians want Jerusalem to be capital of Israel.

The stupid European union are hypocritical forging crisis everywhere and suicide bombing is growing day by day they could not do anything to stop them.

Israel and Christianity are older than Islam so there is no way Palestinians should be claiming Jerusalem.

Jesus and Christianity started from Jerusalem and Jesus left the world through Jerusalem.

Anybody, Any Country or Individual who speaks or fight against Israel over Jerusalem will face wrath of God is biblical.

Therefore we urge Nigerian Government to start making arrangements on how to move our embassy from Tel aviv to Jerusalem with immediate effect so we can partake in God's blessing.

Pls share this as u read. As u do so heaven is recognising u and ur family in this coming 2018 IJN Amen.

As u share this Psalm 121vs 4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep, shall be ur potion IJN Amen

YUSUF BUHARI AND THE QUESTION OF HUMAN KINDNESS

I knew Yusuf Buhari since he was about 3 years old, I watched him grew into a fine gentleman. Yusuf takes after his father's many qualities, the greatest among them are his humility and kindness towards others. whenever we meet anywhere, he will stretch his hands with his head slightly bowing down as a mark of respect to his elders, and with a smile that melts even a heart made of a stone. He never carries along with him that air of authority known to be associated with those born as privileged Children.

He does not go around with a retinue of friends, he is mostly found in the company of his family or one friend at any time. He honors invitation from anyone who sends him invitation for an event, be it a wedding ceremony, naming ceremony, graduation ceremony and so on, and while there, he sits quietly with decorum through the entire process or event, this I have witnessed on numerous occasions. He also doe not engage in any vice known with most of our youth of today, in any case one should expect nothing less from the child of the no nonsense General, now President. He appears intelligent and unassuming at the same time and never allowed the trappings of the office of his Father to dictate how he lives his life, his old few friends still remain his friends till now.

we have seen how some children of past leaders behaved in Nigeria, Children of Governors, Ministers and others, from participating in Public corruption to Inducement/Blackmail of Government Officials to do their bidding to an extravagant and lavish life style they lived, we have seen them all, some still facing prosecution in the Courts alongside their Power Parents, some with their Pictures sitting on heap file of Money both Local and Foreign Currency, while others splash these money at any given opportunity.

Recently we saw a Music Video of a Son of a current Minister with a serving senator showing that kind of life style, some condemned it, others applauded it and see nothing wrong there, to them, it was just musical video (Make Believe) and not real, well it will have been nice if that "Make Believe" was to showcase our cultural heritage and values.

But Yusuf has never done any of these, he was properly trained by his Father and Mother with the help of his uncles who doubled as his brothers influencing a good culture to him.

Yusuf met with an accident on Tuesday Night while riding Bike together with a friend, he sustained injuries and a broken limb, he is currently receiving treatment at an Abuja Hospital with no plans to take him out of the Country at the moment since he was responding to treatment.

Mixed reactions trailed this unfortunate accident, majority of Nigerians were rightly concerned and continue to offers their prayers for Yusuf recovery, as usual some speculated that he will soon be flown out of the Country even when there is no official statement to that, some wondered why was he riding Bike when there was fuel scarcity in the Country, that perhaps all the Nigerian Fuel was stored in the State House (Aso Rock Villa), hence he can afford to ride or race a bike... People pass these judgments while they were driving their cars, riding their bikes but Yusuf should not ride a bike because he is the son of a President and there is scarcity of fuel. I looked outside my House to see if the streets of Gombe where I am, presently on holiday whther it is empty so that I can also fault Yusuf, alas it is not, bikes, cars, Kekes, are all on the streets of Gombe, and I suspect the same will be in Abuja where Yusuf met with the accident and other places, so I cannot fault Yusuf riding a bike, that was his fundamental right of movement, and Yusuf does not do this all the time, I suspect he seized the opportunity of a much quieter Abuja in terms of traffic do enjoy some fresh air when the accident occurred.

The worst criticism came from no other person but the bitter Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) who feeds on misinforming his gullible supporters and has a penchant for causing disaffection, division and disharmony among the People of Nigeria.

His hatred for President Muhammadu Buhari is a public knowledge since the defeat of his erstwhile Presidential Candidate in 2015, who has since moved on with his life, but FFK is still left in 2015. He is always quick to quote the scripture or history wrongly to drive his evil point home, he ascribed the young man's accident to God's anger on the Father and the Son, he equated the otherwise tragic event of the young man to God's swift justice on one of the most despotic Ruler to ever walk the Earth, the Pharaoh, he forgot to note that even while Pharaoh was Evil, his Wife was an Angel, innocent of his many injustices and considered a virtuous woman by God Almighty, furthermore, there is no basis for comparison whatsoever between the Pharaoh and President Muhammadu Buhari, such can only exist in the mind of someone deluded, who is a confirmed Drug Addict like FFK, and who has since lost the touch of human kindness,

FFK as a father ought to have at least consider his own child while mocking another's who did nothing to him whatsoever, but then we are talking of Femi Fani Kayode whose human decency has since left him or perhaps he never has it in the first place.

Finally, to end this on a great news, Yusuf Buhari is fast recovering and once again Nigerians prayers are working. we wish Yusuf Buhari and all other Nigerians suffering from one form of illness to another including FFK with his drug addiction,Speedy Recovery.

Aliyu Abdullah is a lawyer and a Journalist, can be reached on twitter on @AliyuAbdullahA