My Private Meeting With President Buhari Not On Jonathan---Anyaoku

Former Commonwealth Secretary, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday debunked the online report published by Sahara Reporters, which alleged that he visited President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan to halt the ongoing probe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government under the former president.

Describing the report as ‘utterly baseless and despicable,” Anyaoku said it was unimaginable that people could sit down and fabricate a story without a foundation. “It is utterly baseless and despicable because there is no truth in it; not at all,” he said.

PHOTONEWS: Anambra Government Holds Mass Burial For Onitsha Tanker Accident Victims

Anambra state government holds mass burial for the unclaimed corpses of victims of the 31st May, 2015 fuel tanker accident that occurred at upper Iweka, Onitsha.
Details Later...............

ACF Promises Peaceful Co-Existence Under President Buhari

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has noted that as Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-fitr, the country deserves peace under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was contained in a press statement issued to the Nigerian Tribune in Kaduna, on Thursday and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim.

“Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states deserve some respite. Nigeria needs peace for the Buhari-led administration to effect the change Nigerians voted for.

“To this end, it urged the perpetrators of insurgency and terrorism to lay down their arms and stop killing innocent people, as Islam forbids the killing of innocent soul without any justifiable cause as prescribed by Sharia.

Oliseh Sues For Professionalism

Nigeria New Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh, has fired a warning, stating that he will only consider players who feature in top leagues both home and abroad.

Stephen Keshi, however was known to call up players from the lower leagues overseas.

Sunday Oliseh said he wants to make changes and not do the same thing Stephen Keshi did. He said:

“If you are not playing in first division in anywhere in the world and in Nigeria, you cannot play for the Super Eagles henceforth,” Oliseh warned at a media presentation in Abuja on Wednesday.
“However players coming from the under-aged teams are the only exception to this rule.”
Oliseh said it is an honour to lead the Eagles now as a coach, but that he cannot turn around the footballing fortunes of the country by himself.

Governor Obiano Sallah Message: Let's Build Bridges of Brotherhood with Religion

The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has urged Nigerian Muslims to use the spiritual ascendancy they attained during the just concluded Ramadan season  as a formidable tool to rebuild the fabric of national unity and reaffirm Nigeria's common destiny as one indivisible entity.

In a special Sallah Message issued in Awka on Friday, Governor Obiano expressed the optimism that Nigeria would be the ultimate beneficiary of the spiritual re-armament from the Ramadan season pointing out that Nigeria is a nation in need of healing.

VETERAN OF THE APGA STRUGGLE AT 53

By Ifeanyi Afuba 

He was victorious in all of the 43 legal battles he fought on behalf of APGA against external forces. He was again victorious in the internal political cum legal battles waged to dethrone him in 2013. And his first name is Victor. As he turns 53 on July 19, 2015, will he also be victorious in the ongoing trial of his case at the election petition tribunal? His was one of the most keenly awaited results of the April 2015 national assembly polls.  And not surprisingly, following widespread skepticism over the final result announced by the returning officer, public interest as once more converged on the Anambra Central Senatorial election matter at the tribunal.   

Nollywood Trouper Pete Edochie Extols Gov. Obiano

The award winning Veteran Nollywood Actor Pete Edochie Commends Gov. Willie Obiano For His Strides In Re-positioning the Media and Entertainment Sectors In Anambra State.

He made the commendation when he paid the Governor a courtesy visit accompanied by the Managing Director and CEO of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr Uche Nworah. Chief Edochie lauded the governor for investing in digitization of the station in line with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria demands.He extolled him for peoviding up-to-date broadcast equipment in the state  as well as introducing measures aimed at improving the picture clarity and reach of the radio and TV station.

Senator Ekwunife Urges Muslims To Pray For Peace & Unity of Nigeria In Sallah

The  Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Senator Uche Ekwunife has called on Muslim community to use the period of Eld Filtri to cultivate peace and unity of Nigeria.

In her sallah message, Senator Ekwunife urged Muslims to use the solemnity of this celebration to peacefully co-exist with their Christian brothers and sisters to further deepen the peace process in the building of a virile country where  peace and unity are held sacrosanct.

President Buhari Sacks NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi

As the era of hacking top political officers is raging, one would not be surprised with the sack of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director General, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi  who was recently relieved of his appointment by president Muhammadu Buhari

This was made public in a statement  made available to newsmen by the Special Adviser to President On Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina, Stated the termination of Mr. Akpobolokemi’s appointment would take effect immediate.

President Buhari Apporves The Appointment Of Gana As New Commandant-General For NSCDC

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu as the new Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, who was an Assistant Commandant-General of the NSCDC before his new appointment, hails from Muye in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

He holds a B.Sc in Sociology from the University of Sokoto, and a Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

FINALLY: CAITLYN JENNER Receives ASHE Award

Despite the protests and petitions not to give Caitlyn Jenner the ASHE award, she went ahead and received it. 

The 65-year-old got tearful toward the end of her acceptance speech as she thanked her family, including her mother, sister and 10 adult children in the audience. Caitlyn initially planned to appear on stage with all 10 of her children and stepchildren, including the Kardashian sisters, but they instead showed their support from the audience.

Okorocha's Son Bags First Class Honour From Manchester University

The first son of the Imo state Governor  Mr Aham Okorocha, has graduated from prestigious University of Manchester having attained First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. The convocation ceremony is being graced today by his parent, family members, and political/business associates

Biafra Project: Biafran Radio Propergation Must Be Stopped -----Joe Igbokwe

BY JOE IGBOKWE
Ever since former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election on March 28, 2015 which some of us knew he would never win based on the facts that we all knew and the statistics available, a majority of the Igbo have been unhappy and angry. They have been cursing and abusing the President and the All Progressives Congress leaders wishing that President Buhari never existed and the APC never formed. Many of them have been so frustrated after the election that they are now looking for a way to get back to the APC-controlled Federal Government.

BREAKING NEWS: Buhari Sacks Obi & Others

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dissolution of the Federal Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Institutions with effect from Thursday, July 16, 2015, a Presidency statement said.
“Until the boards are reconstituted, Chief Executive Officers of the affected parastatals, agencies and institutions are to refer all matters requiring the attention of their boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their supervising ministries.

The board of the Security Exchange Commission that was recently inaugurated, which had the former Governor Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi as the Acting Board Chairman is affected by the president tsunami.  
“While the dissolution does not affect Federal Executive Bodies listed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it covers administrative or technical committees and other similar organs established by the now dissolved boards,” the statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, said.

BUHARI APPOINTS TOLU OGUNLESI, SA NEW MEDIA

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Writer and Social Media expert, Tolu Ogunlesi, as his Special Assistant on New Media.
Mr. Ogunlesi who is one of Nigeria’s most active Twitter users was among they foremost youth who supported . Buhari’s election in the 2015 general elections.
Before his appointment, he was a freelance writer, contributing articles to various publications, mostly abroad. He also syndicated opinion articles in many Nigerian newspapers.
He won the CNN award again in 2013 in another category. He was also shortlisted for the inaugural PEN/Studzinski literary prize.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON M-COMMERCE

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest and 26^th largest economy in the world is experiencing a boost in online businesses due to the massive surge in m-commerce. Online shopping community Kaymu.com.ng has witnessed a direct impact on its sales via social media.

According to Evangeline Wiles, Managing Director of Kaymu, “With more people spending time on social media via their mobile phones, Kaymu is able to reach and engage new and existing buyers all over the country”

Man Turns Woman After Witnessing Unusual Growth in Chest

Charles Darling is not a common person, he was born a boy but his natural body modifications turned him into a woman.

Charles Darling was born with male genitals and was treated like a normal boy until one day his body began to grow breasts and hips. The next five years he spent trying to hide his feminine silhouette under baggy clothes, feeling like a freak. Eventually, at the age of 18 he was diagnosed with the Klinefelter’s syndrome – a genetic disorder that affects males which usually occur when a boy is born with one or more extra female chromosomes.

Ekwunife is amazon of change-Soludo

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has described Senator Uche Ekwunife as an amazon of change of democracy in Nigeria.

Prof Soludo while speaking in Abuja during a reception organized in honour of Senator Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone described Ekwunife as a woman whose love to touch lives positively is total.

In his own remark, the Governor of Enugu state, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commended Senator Ekwunife for her contributions to the development of Nigeria and her constituency in particular throughout her stay at the lower chambers of the National Assembly.

APC CAN’T CLEAN UP PDP’S 16 YEARS MESS IN 30 DAYS – TINUBU

Crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC following the national assembly leadership election may soon be over as President Mohammadu has again appealed to the leaders of the party to sheath their swords for the sake of the country.
This came as the national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other Nigerians who accused Buhari’s administration of snail-pacing.
To Tinubu, the 16-years mess of the PDP cannot be automatically cleaned up in 30 days.
Both men spoke at the breaking of Ramadan fast at the new Banquet Hall at the Presidential Villa late last night.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS: 40 GENERALS TO GO

The appointment of new service chiefs on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari may end the military careers of over 40 Major-Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals in the three Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force.
This is coming just as the former Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has met with his successor, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, in preparation for a formal handing and taking-over on a yet to be announced date.
Similarly, the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, and the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, met with their predecessors, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, to finalise their notes.
The former Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah, is yet to meet with his successor, Major-General Tukur Buratai, who was yet to arrive in Abuja, from his base in Chad. Army authorities, however, said the new chief may be arriving late Tuesday night or today.

"I AM SCARED OF GOING TO REHAB' - MAJEK FASHEK SAYS

Reggae star, Majek Fashek who is currently struggling with drug addiction says he is scared of going to rehab after his last experience in America. According to the singer who spoke with Encomium magazine, rehab weakens a person's mind. He said his first contact with Rehab in the US really helped him 
"Yeah, America really helped me. Most American superstars go to rehab because they take cocaine, heroin and the likes which makes them "too high". So they have to go to rehab. Rehab helps calm their brains after which they go back to their business. For me rehab was helpful. I was high but after rehab, I got my contract with Top Gun International. That's Bob Marley's label. I got it through his wife Rita Marley and an American woman, Cassandra. Rehab calms the brain so it won't explode. It calmed me." he said 
Asked if he ever stopped taking hard drugs after Rehab, Majek says
"I am scared of Rehab. Let me tell you what I did to escape the rehab. God gave me different knowledge of Orisha, babalawo knowledge. My ancestral knowledge which is what I am using right now. I now drink akpeteshie. It's the orisha idea i got."he said

SARAKI’S TWEET ON APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE CHIEFS STIRS CONTROVERSY

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, alleged tweet on the appointment of Service Chiefs raised controversy on Tuesday.
Saraki, in a tweet on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, had said that “appointment of service chiefs remained the exclusive function of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He added that the Senate could only approve ministerial nominees and appointment of head of parastatals.
Saraki tweeted: “Appointment of service chiefs is an exclusive function of Mr. President. Senate can only approve ministerial, parastatals list etc.”
The Tweet was in reaction to Buhari’s pronouncement on Monday that the newly-appointed Service Chiefs would function in acting capacity until the confirmation of their appointments by the Senate.

NIGERIAN STUDENTS IN UK TO BE BANNED FROM WORKING, FORCED TO LEAVE

Foreign students, of which Nigeria accounts for a huge chunk of those coming from Africa, are to be banned from working in Britain under a fresh crackdown on immigration ordered by Home Secretary Theresa May. When their courses finish, they will have to leave the country before reapplying to return for a job.

Ministers say the new rules, which will apply to all those from outside the European Union, will stop colleges being used as a “back door to a British work visa”.

Official figures show that 121,000 non-EU students entered the UK in the 12 months to June last year, but only 51,000 left – a net influx of 70,000.

The government also estimates that the number of foreign students coming to the UK will rise by more than 6 per cent a year up to 2020. Home Secretary Theresa May has taken action against 870 bogus colleges, banning them from taking foreign students.

They want to stop student visas being used as an easy way to enter the UK before getting a job and claiming benefits. Under the new rules, non-EU students will be denied the right to work while in the UK and will not be able to apply for a visa extension when their course finishes.

I DIDN’T WITHDRAW $1BN FOR JONATHAN’S CAMPAIGN – OKONJO-IWEALA

The immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday denied withdrawing $1bn from the Excess Crude Account to finance the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement by her Media Adviser, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, the former finance minister described the allegation by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State that she spent $1bn out of the ECA to fund the re-election bid of Jonathan as a “ludicrously false statement that has unfortunately become a trademark of the Governor in his public campaign of falsehood.”

The statement said the comment by the governor was “just another example of the numerical diarrhea that seems to have afflicted His Excellency in recent times in his effort to damage the reputation of the former minister.”

It reads in part, “He has, within the last few months, asked Dr Okonjo-Iweala to explain all kinds of totally wild and unsubstantiated figures, ranging from $30bn, $20bn, $2.1bn, N720bn and now $1bn.

Questions To Answer For Buhari On Choice of New Service Chiefs

In an apparent bid to re-jig the nation’s security apparatus in the wave of growing insurgent attacks and suicide bombings, President Muhammadu Buhari, 45 days after assuming office, yesterday sacked all the service chiefs and appointed replacements whom he said were chosen on merit.

The new security helmsmen are Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Chief of Defence Staff); Major-General T.Y. Buratai (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice-Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff). The rest are Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan (Chief of Defence Intelligence) and retired Major-General Babagana Monguno (National Security Adviser)

Chadian Government Commences Plan To Arrest Women Wearing Hijab

Chadian police at the weekend warned that anyone found wearing the Muslim full-face veil would be arrested, after a Boko Haram suicide bombing in the capital left 15 dead, AFP reported monday.

Saturday’s attack in a bustling N’Djamena market by a man disguised as a woman in a full-face veil also injured 80 and spread panic across the city.

“This attack just confirms that a ban” on the full-face veil was justified, national police spokesman Paul Manga said, adding that “it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population”.

“Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,” he warned.

Senator Ekwunife Condoles Awka Accident Victim's Family

Senator Uche Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone has condoled with Odenigwe family of Enugwu Ukwu, the Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry (aka Ebube Muonso), Rev Fr. Emmmanuel Obimma and Anambra state government over the death of Okey Odenigwe and some members of his family in an auto crash along Awka Enugu expressway on Sunday,when a trailer running away from FRSC fell on top the Family Car and crushed them to death.

Ekwunife in her condolence message described the incident that led to the death of Okey, his wife and one of his sons as tragic and a calamity for the entire family of Odenigwe and Anambra state government.

She called for special prayers for the repose of the deceased souls, adding that the sad news of the auto crash kept her awake all through the night as she meditated over the incident that almost wiped out entire family of six and called on Odenigwe family to bear the irreparable loss courage.

Again! Completion Of Second Niger Bridge Suffers Setback As Julius Berger vacates site, sacks 50

Nigeria Leading Construction company, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd., has stopped works on the ongoing second Niger Bridge project. Ashiwaju.org  learnt that the company had in the last one month sacked over 50 workers on the site due to financial constraint.

The construction company had earlier stopped work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to paucity of fund. Our correspondent, who visited the project site at the Asaba and Ogbaru end of the bridge, reports that some of the heavy duty equipment working on the site have disappeared while only few security personnel and some foreign nationals were seen loitering at the site. The plant house along the expressway has also been shut.

Only security personnel were seen at the entrance of the plant. A source stated that there is funding gap for the project. The source said: “Oga, I don’t know what is happening; you can see the workers are no longer here.

Again, Greece Misses I.M.F Grants

The Republic of Greece has again  missed the International Monetary Fund  payment to late Monday, slipping further into the debt morass that has devastated the economy.

Including a missed payment at the end of June, Greece is in arrears to the I.M.F. for about 2 billion euros, or about $2.2 billion, said the fund, which is based in Washington.  the country failed to pay the fund €456 million.

The missed payment was overshadowed by the agreement among eurozone leaders  that would provide more aid to Greece and keep it in the eurozone, in return for a harsh program of budget discipline and measures intended to modernize the country’s economy.

NPF Arrest Female Policewoman For Alleged Killing of Cop Hubby

Delta State Police (DSP) have arrested a policewoman identified as Sergeant Helen for allegedly killing her estranged husband Kelechi Aririguzo, who was also a policeman.

Mr. Aririguzo was traveling to see his daughter in Ogwashi-Uku on Thursday of last week when his wife gathered a crowd that clubbed him to death, according to an eyewitness and Delta police.

A man who gave his name as Uche was eyewitness to the brutal murder and confided in a SaharaReporters correspondent that Mr. Aririguzo met his untimely death after he visited his daughter, who lives with his estranged wife in Umuokwe village.

NEW SERVICE CHIEFS: Buhari Appoints Best NDA student, oil thief ‘catcher’

ABAYOMI GABRIEL OLONISHAKIN (DEFENCE) The new chief of defence staff, a major general from Ekiti state, was until his appointment the head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger state. He topped his class at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He is the most senior general in the armed forces with the retirement of the former service chiefs. He is only the third south-westerner to be Nigeria’s No. 1 military officer, after Alani Akinrinade (1980-81) and Seyi Petinrin (2010-2012).

Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria.Our stand on marriage, family and human society

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria would like to once again reiterate the perspective of the Church on more recent developments concerning the sanctity and dignity of human life and the institutions of marriage and the family all across the world.

The recent rise in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activism, the popular vote in the Republic of Ireland and the Supreme Court decision in the United States of America will tend to provoke a notable and rapid shift in public opinion about the nature and meaning of marriage and family as it has been known for millennia.  This, in many countries, has inevitably led to powerful legislative and judicial manoeuvres to redefine marriage in order o include “same-sex marriage”. We wish to state that this is a sad, unjust and lamentable situation based largely upon a distorted perception of natural law, the will of God and human nature.

7 New Bishops For Aguata Anglican Diocese Ordained

The Archbishop on the Niger and Bishop of Aguata diocese, Most Reverend Christian Efobi has ordained three priests and four deacons at St. John the Divine Anglican Church Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The four deacons are: Ord. Walter Chife, Ord. Chukwuemeka Anyichie, Ord. Ernest Okoli, and Ord. Rowland Nwibe; while the priests are Rev. Nathaniel Ume, Rev. Kenneth Ochulor, and Rev. Eric C. Chidolue.
Bishop Efobi charged the priests to hold unto the truth and light of Jesus Christ while discharging their priestly duties. He noted that the church would stop at nothing to ensure the salvation of Jesus Christ is preached around the world.

Tukur Takes Over From Kenneth Minimal As New Chief of Army Staff

President Muhammadu Buhari has named Tukur Buratai, a major general, as the chief of army staff. Buratai  takes over from Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah,, who was removed on Monday along with other service chiefs. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, a major general, will succeed Alex Badeh, an air chief marshall, as chief of defence staff. Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a rear admiral, is the new chief of naval staff, while Sadique Abubakar, an air vice marshall, will be the new chief of air staff. All these positions are in acting capacity until senate confirmation, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman said in a statement. In a surprise move, the president named Babagana Monguno, a retired major general, as the national security adviser, contrary to several media reports that Abdulrahman Dambazzau, a retired lieutenant general and former army chief, had been slated for the position. The president also named Monday Riku Morgan, an air vice marshall, as chief of defence intelligence – another surprise announcement since such an appointment is usually announced by the military authorities rather than by the president.

LASTMA official, who slumped on traffic duty, dies

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who slumped while controlling traffic on Ishaga Road in the Idi-Araba, Mushin area on Saturday, has died.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the official, Kazeem Lawal, was brought in dead to the Randle Hospital, Surulere, where his colleagues had rushed him.

Sunday PUNCH had reported that the official, who was among LASTMA officials on duty for an event at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, collapsed at about 1.30pm.

Senate on a collision course with Buhari …over Perm Sec’s refusal to honour invitation

THERE were indications, on Sunday, of an imminent clash between the Presidency and the Senate over an alleged attempt by the Presidency to rubbish the senate president.

Pro-Saraki senators are accusing the Presidency of instigating the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastacia Nwaobia, not to honour an invitation by the upper chamber.

Nwaobia had communicated to the Senate that she could not honour its invitation without an approval by her supervisors to do so but the Saraki loyalists said the Senate had the constitutional power to invite Nwaobia and that her refusal constituted an affront to the legitimacy of the senate president.

The Saraki loyalists’ belief apparently rested on the alleged ‘non-acceptance’ of his presidency by the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It will not augur well for our democracy if the Presidency will not allow civil servants to do their jobs. We should not carry the crisis in the APC to the Senate,” a pro-Saraki senator told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday.

Both Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, had spurned the party’s directive on who to lead the National Assembly and had ridden on the back of an alleged alliance with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party members to clinch the leadership posts in both chambers.

The APC had preferred Ahmad Lawan, a Senator from Yobe State, as the president of the Senate.

The Lawan group in the Senate on Sunday said it supported Nwaobia because Saraki was said to lack both legitimacy and the moral right to invite the permanent secretary to brief the senate on the state of the economy.

The Saraki group said the ‘offending’ permanent secretary failed to honour the Senate’s invitation because she did not get clearance from the Presidency.

Investigations by one of our correspondents revealed that as of Friday the permanent secretary had yet to neither appear before the Senate leadership nor respond to the letters from the National Assembly management.

It was learnt that senators loyal to the Senate President were angry that the Presidency could encourage the civil servants to disobey the Senate.

The PUNCH had on Thursday reported that the Senate ad hoc committee on Finance, in a letter dated June 29, 2015, had invited Nwaobia and some officials of the finance ministry to appear before the committee on July 8.

But when the permanent secretary did not honour the invitation at 11am on July 8,   the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, wrote another letter to her the same day, restating the invitation.

The permanent secretary was said to have sent a text message to the Senate on July 7, explaining why she could not come.

US trip: Govs, Amaechi, Bakare may make President’s team

The final decision on those who will make the delegation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States and other logistics on the impending trip will be taken on Tuesday, The PUNCH has learnt.

Buhari is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama on July 20 at the White House.

The parley is expected to feature Nigeria’s current fight against the Boko Haram sect among other issues.

I earn $50 per tweet, says ex-gov’s daughter

To some members of the Nigerian social media community, Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo is controversial. But the 50-year-old daughter of a former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu-Olunloyo, says Nigerian youths rather misunderstand her and what she does on social media.

While many spend a lot of time criticising her on online, the United States/Canada-trained pharmacist says she earns between $50 and $150 every time she publishes three tweets for her foreign clients who are mainly musical artistes.

In an online interview with The PUNCH, Kemi, who has spent 25 years on social media, says Nigerian youths are missing the commercial side of the platforms because they chose to attack her and others who mean well for the country.

President Buhari Appoints New Service Chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointments of new service chiefs and National Security Adviser for the country.

Their appointments, which was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, followed Buhari’s sacking of the former occupants of the offices earlier in the day.

Dark Sunday In Awka As Trailer Crushes Family Leaving Three Kids Alive

Mr. Okechukwu Odinigwe, his wife and eldest son died when a trailer rammed into their car at Esther Obiakor Junction, Agu Awka on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway between noon and 1pm.

A six–month-old baby boy, his brother and sister, aged four and seven, were injured.
The three children, who survived the accident, are two boys and a girl. They were rushed to Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials.
When The Nation visited the hospital yesterday, the survivors were seen at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where doctors were battling to save their lives.
Sympathisers were wailing at the scene of the crash, cursing the driver of the killer-trailer who, they alleged, was reckless.
The driver, according to eyewitnesses, disappeared after the accident, which involved the trailer marked LSR 897XQ and an ash–coloured Toyota Camry in which the family was ridding. The number plate of the mangled car was not seen.

NIGERIANS EXPECTATIONS FROM BUHARI ARE LIKE JESUS RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD— DELE MOMODU

…..Says Nigerians expectations from Buhari are like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead
Mr Dele Momodu, the publisher of the Qvation magazine, was the presidential candidate of the National Commission Party (NCP) in the 2011 general elections. In this interview, Momodu speaks on the Buhari administration, the elections of the leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly and his relationship with the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the late politician, Chief MKO Abiola, among other issues.
You were, before the general elections, one of the unofficial spokespersons for President Muhammadu Buhari, who was then the APC presidential candidate. But of recent, your thoughts about the president appears to be changing?

JONATHAN CAUSED PDP’S DEFEAT —OGUNLEWE, EX MINISTER OF WORKS

Former Minister of works and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Sen Adeseye Ogunlewe has described the composition of the principal officers at the National Assembly as the best that has happened to the country. In an interview with Saturday Vangaurd at his Ogudu, Lagos residence, Sen Ogunlewe stated that whether people like it or not, the development would benefit the President and the country more. Excerpts:
The defeat of the 2015 election was caused by Jonathan. If not, it is impossible to defeat PDP. Look at all the people that are playing games now including the governors, the Senate President, Speaker and others, they were from PDP. So, it is the majority party and it is going to come on board. We need Buhari now, no doubt, to straighten things out. And let us have a new direction to governance in the country.

DEFECT AND LOSE YOUR SEAT, INEC TELLS LAWMAKERS

The Independent National Electoral Commission said it would not hesitate to invoke the relevant section of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the event of any lawmaker leaving the political party on which platform he/she was elected, before the expiration of the tenure.
There were rumours in some quarters that the crisis in some political parties might lead to some aggrieved lawmakers defecting to another political party to avoid being sanctioned for anti-party activities.
But Deputy Director, Public Affairs of INEC, Nick Dazang, told Sunday Telegraph yesterday, that the constitution is clear on the position the commission will take in such situation. Quoting Section 109 (g) of the 1999 Constitution, Dazang said the provision is explicit on “what happens if one defects from one political party to another.”

Fuji 'Burble' Musician: Adewale Ayuba Turns Born Again Christian, Shares Testimony

Adewale Ayuba, a renowned Fuji music artiste, is not only a born-again Christian but the day he decided to follow Jesus Christ remains the happiest day of his entire life. Speaking with News of the People during an interview in honour of his  50th birthday, Ayuba said he had since realised that the essence of life is to worship God. “I will not lie to you. When I remember the day I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, I am happy, the day I became a born again, that was my happiest day. Now I realise this life is to worship God,” he said. Asked how he came about the decision, he said he could not precisely state how it happened: “It’s what brought me to Fuji music. I don’t know. I remember I