SENEGAL'S MACKY SALL LAUDS PRESIDENT BUHARI ON THE GAMBIA

President Macky Sall of Senegal has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention in The Gambian impasse that led to the restoration of democracy in the West African country.

Former President Yahya Jammeh had baulked at handing over power to Adama Barrow, winner of an election held last December, but ECOWAS leaders, under the inspiration of President Buhari, insisted Jammeh must quit at the expiration of his term in January. He did, rather involuntarily.

In a communication with the Nigerian leader, Macky Sall said:

#2017BUDGET HEARING: House of Reps Speaker Dogara's Remark

Today, the National Assembly began a 3-day public hearing on the 2017 Appropriation Bill, as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the budget process.

House of Reps Speaker  Dogara's address is copied below;

REMARKS BY THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2017 NATIONAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING ORGANISED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON MONDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY 2017, AT SENATE CONFERENCE ROOM 022.

Protocols:

PROTEST: You can be pro-Buhari, but be against the political and economic saboteurs

Wishing President Buhari a quick recuperation. And to all those agile youths who think it’s weird for President Buhari (a mortal like you) to undergo a serious medical procedure, wait until you’re 70 years old.

Simultaneously, I’m wishing all those brave protesters well for their willingness to expose the current economic debacle that is ravaging the land. And for those who think that a protest is not necessary (or fruitless), I honestly think those people are one of the problem of problems facing our volatile nation—Nigeria.

THE CHANGE WE PROMISED IS HERE! - LAI MOHAMMED

Being The text Of The Speech By The Hon Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, At The South-East Edition Of The Federal Government's Town Hall Meeting in Enugu on Monday, Aug. 1st 2016

PROTOCOL

Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the South-East Edition of our Town Hall Meeting. Permit me first to thank the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, most sincerely for his immense contribution to the hosting of this event. By his efforts, His Excellency has shown that the development of our country transcends party affiliation and other divisive considerations.

2 May I also express my gratitude to my colleagues Honorable Ministers for accepting to be part of this meeting, despite their busy schedule. Honourable Ministers, your presence here is a testimony to the importance you attach to keeping Nigerians adequately informed of the activities of government.

Buhari, Nigeria and the IMF: Echoes from the past by Paul Adams

Nigeria came full circle in April 2015 when it elected Muhammudu Buhari as president, turning in mid-crisis to a former military ruler now convinced of the merits of democracy. Soon after his election, the tortuous course of the relationship Nigeria had embarked upon with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the 1980s, during Buhari’s first spell in charge, looked set for a reprise.

A cycle recurs roughly every ten years in Nigeria. Oil prices weaken or crash whilst the president spends recklessly to try and hold on to power. He is dislodged and a new president declares the treasury empty and holds talks with the IMF. No deal is agreed, but the World Bank and other donors offer bigger loans on less strict conditions. The oil price picks up – and it’s “business as usual” till the next crash. Successive governments have had just enough oil money in times of crisis to say “no thanks” to the IMF’s cash and policies, and to win public acclaim for standing up to it.

IMF policy prescriptions and oversight can affront national pride, especially that of Nigerians. Allowing the IMF to scrutinise the national accounts also threatens the ruling elite, which is reliant on control of the country’s resources. Nigeria’s accounting for its vast oil revenue and expenditure is at best, and by design, opaque.

Crusade against corruption

Saraki Says Democracy Remains Best Solution to our National Problems

The Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commended Nigerians for working to sustain democracy in the past 17 years despite the various challenges the country has encountered within the period.
In a statement to mark this year's Democracy Day, signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described democracy as not only the most globally accepted system of government but also the best solution to the problems confronting a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious society like Nigeria.

He said in the last 17 years, the electorate have become more discerning and sophisticated as the nation has got to the point that people elected to the various offices are now conscious of the fact that they are under constant watch and when they fail to meet the expectation of the voters, they will be given the red card.

Fuel Subsidy:TMG says Nigerians should prepare for war

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 400 civic organisations working to promote democracy and good governance in Nigeria, stoutly rejects the N145 pump price of petrol imposed by Federal Government.

To say the least, this imposition portrays the government as insensitive, and out of touch with the daily unbearable plight of the ordinary Nigerian.

We are determined to turn Osun to commercial hub of nation's economic activities - Aregbesola

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogeni Rauf Aregbesola as again retraited the determination of his administration to turn Osun to a commercial hub despite the current finacial and economic challenges facing the state.

Aregbesola in company of the speaker, state of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, made the staement in Ejigbo while commissioning the Omoluabi Mortgage Bank today

According to him: "We are determined to turn Osun to commercial hub of the nation's economic activities with continuous provision of modern infrastructure." "The current economic situation in which we find ourselves as a nation is best described as disastrous. Nonetheless we must forge ahead."

PRESIDENT BUHARI TO PARTICIPATE IN CHOGM, UN CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow, Thursday, November 26 for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which begins in the island nation on Friday.

The Commonwealth is made up of Britain, Nigeria and 51 other countries that work together to pursue common goals and promote development, democracy, peace, security and good governance.

President Buhari and other Heads of State and Government who will be in Malta for this year's summit and are expected to deliberate on fresh Commonwealth initiatives on development and climate change with a view to adding greater value to ongoing global efforts in these areas.

A new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth who will take over from the incumbent, Kamalesh Sharma, will be announced at the summit, which will also feature the presentation of a progress report on the eradication of polio.

Thai coup leader General Prayut Chan-O-Cha named prime minister

(AFP) - Thailand's junta-picked national assembly on Thursday chose coup leader General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as prime minister in a one-horse race that entrenched the military's hold on power.

Nobody in the rubber-stamp legislature opposed the selection of the 60-year-old army chief, who ousted an elected government in a bloodless takeover on May 22.

The move by the top general to shed his uniform and take the premiership is seen as cementing the military's control of the politically turbulent nation.

West Africa: UN envoy cites region’s daunting challenges, Boko Haram threat to Nigeria

While countries in West Africa are trying to promote development and consolidate democracy, they continue to face daunting challenges such as transnational organized crime and growing terrorist activities, the top United Nations official in the region told the Security Council on Tuesday, while also warning of the increasing threat the Boko Haram crisis poses to Nigeria.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, added that the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), which he heads, has been trying to sensitize regional leaders to the need for “decisive concerted efforts” to fight these threats to regional security and stability.

John Kayode Fayemi, Despite His Loss, Is The New Brand Of Leaders Nigeria Need By Dr. Wumi Akintide

I never thought our wasted generation would ever live to see a day in Nigerian politics when a loser in an election would pick up his phone to call his nemesis and later issue a very thoughtful concession statement to an opponent who has just beaten him flat in an election many people would normally have expected him to win as the Governor in power.I never thought our wasted generation would ever live to see a day in Nigerian politics when a loser in an election would pick up his phone to call his nemesis and later issue a very thoughtful concession statement to an opponent who has just beaten him flat in an election many people would normally have expected him to win as the Governor in power.I never thought our wasted generation would ever live to see a day in Nigerian politics when a loser in an election would pick up his phone to call his nemesis and later issue a very thoughtful concession statement to an opponent who has just beaten him flat in an election many people would normally have expected him to win as the Governor in power.

John Kayode Fayemi has just done in Ado Ekiti and I throw my salute to him. I see that as a big plus for Nigeria. I also want to use this platform to congratulate Ayo Fayose the clear winner in that election even though I would not have voted for him. He did what he had to do to win and like I acknowledge in my previous article on him and Kayode Fayemi, posted on the Internet, he is not a pushover in Ekiti or Nigerian Politics given his track record as a former Governor in Ekiti who has now led the opposition to defeat two Governors in Ekiti back to back. I am talking of Governor Adebayo and Governor Fayemi. He, Ayo Fayose has got to be doing something right to have done that. Ayo Fayose, the only politician to call the bluff of General Olusegun Obasanjo when he refused to support his third term agenda is not a political strategist to be taken lightly. I respect him for his courage and conviction but more so now for his resourcefulness in grass-root Politics and his command and control structure in Ekiti.

Governor Fayemi meets Fayose in a closed door meeting, pledges not to challenge election result

Kayode Fayemi, the out-going governor of Ekiti State, on Monday, said he would not challenge the result of the June 21 governorship election in the state. Mr. Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado Ekiti, said “I will not challenge the result of the election because I am not desperate to remain in office.

“Election must not be seen as a do or die affair,” he said.

Mr. Fayemi said Mr. Fayose’s victory has assisted in “strengthen and deepening’’ democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large. He added that “election by its nature generate tension and hot exchange of words; but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved should take such with calmness and stop all acrimonious.

Ekiti Poll: Saraki says Jonathan can lose re-election

Former Kwara State governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to live up to expectation of Nigerians because he could lose re-election next year if he failed to do the will of the people. Saraki said the outcome of the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti State, in which the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, trounced the incumbent governor and the candidate of the APC, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, was a signal that the President could lose re-election in 2015.

The former governor, who is currently a senator, said in a statement on Sunday that Fayose’s triumph was a victory for democracy and for the people of Ekiti State.

He said, “It is important that around the clock, people want to be engaged. This should also serve as a lesson to Mr. President that as an incumbent it is very possible to lose in Nigeria if he fails to do the will of the people.

Ekiti Poll And Boko Haram: Jonathan Destroying Nigeria Faster Than The US Predicted

On Ekiti election today, Jonathan's Federal Government deployed over 36,000 security agents to Ekiti for the gubernatorial elections. Security sources confirmed that there are 12,340 regular policemen; 26 sniffer dogs; 20 Helicopters; 3170 anti-riot policemen; 4,280 soldiers; 1800 Nigerian secret police operatives and 15,000 civil defense personnel on ground in the state for today's election.

Therefore, are you still asking who is Behind BoKo Haram? So FG have 20 helicopter for one day election that Jonathan needed badly, yet 3 states under state of emergency for over a year does not have Helicopter patrolling except for given food and arms to Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen?

As Ekiti Decides: A clarion call to United Nation and other International community

That today is the d-day for Ekiti populace to decide who governs them for the next four years is no more a story but the preparations and atmosphere of the state calls for concern.

There has been accusations and counter accusations from opposing angles before today but the reality on ground is worthy of discussion.


AS much as the security of lives,properties and votes of Ekiti and it's people are important,the psychological effect (on voters) of the presence across the state and most especially the known strongholds of the ruling APC of too many security operatives calls for attention.

The Ekiti Saga: The Road To Tyranny And Anarchy By Senator George Akume

Thursday the 10th of June 2014 will remain a very frightening and disturbing day in the history of democracy in this country since 1999. The nation woke up to the incredible news that the military “had barred all APC Governors from entering and attending the APC Governorship grand rally for their Ekiti State colleague, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi. There was also an alleged threat by soldiers to shoot one of the APC Governors-Rotimi Amaechi in the process. It was like a coup d’état rehearsal by soldiers in a Banana Republic. Whichever way one looks at this saga, it represents a major threat to democracy and dangerous drift towards total anarchy in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that only a week ago, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan led all PDP Governors and other stakeholders to the same Ekiti State for a similar rally for the PDP Candidate, Ayo Fayose. No PDP Governor was stopped or harassed and the incumbent APC Governor provided all the needed security for the rally to hold successfully in the true spirit of democracy and fair play. The PDP rally was successfully held with fanfare.

KWANKWASO, AMAECHI AND OSHIOMOLE PREVENTED FROM TRAVELLING TO EKITI STATE: MY TAKE By Kingsley Muoneke

While I do not support avoidable gallivanting and frolicking of the breadth and length of the Terra firma by supposed suzerains of the new found democratic ethos and ethics in the vanguard of the APC- and any other party-, it is my thinking that what President Jonathan has done in this case and in many other cases involving Amaechi and other seeming 'troublesome' governors in particular is to increase their popularity and make people have positive affection for them as the President continues to hunt them down even for matters that can go without some hullabaloo. And, in most cases, the hunted is hunted just for the stupid reason of being in the opposition!

As President GEJ branded bags of rice flood the country

As President GEJ branded bags of rice flood the country, towards his re-election bid in the forthcoming 2015 general elections... Sigh!.

Indeed, nothing is expected to behoove our comprehension having studied the psyche of both present and past leadership of the country and the arrow heads of each political party in the country and I don't stand to be corrected that the level of shamelessness of our leaders seeking either a re-election or a fresh election into public offices has skyrocketed beyond normal or our imaginations as a people of the 21st century, which gave birth to the picture attached to this update.

Nigeria at 54, is expected to have grown above the height of campaigning to the populace with cheap food stuffs, sewing machines, motorcycles, hair driers, barbing hair clippers, helmets, hoes and cutlasses for small scale farmers, and branded tops for motorcyclists among others but this does reveal the inability of our government from the inception of democracy to eradicate poverty in the country to their advantage...

Rowdy Session As Confab Delegates Reject Honour For Abiola …say no to immunity clause

Echoes of the June 12, 1993 presidential election reverberated at the National Conference on Thursday when a motion seeking national recognition for the presumed winner of the poll, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was moved at the confab.

The motion, which was moved by Orok Duke, saw the delegates divided along regional lines as those from the southern Nigeria favoured the motion while those from the North rejected it.

Those who were opposed to the motion, led by a representative of the civil society, Mallam Nasir Kura, were shouting “no!, no!”