ALIYU: I’M GOING ON FOUR YEARS SABBATICAL

Niger state Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has revealed that he will be proceeding on a four-year sabbatical from politics at the end of his tenure as governor on May 29, adding that he will not be visible in the next four years
until 2019 “when I will come back in a big way.”
Aliyu, who lost the bid to clinch the Niger East Senatorial seat, made this known in Minna on Monday while commissioning some projects constructed for the newly established Niger state University of Education and the Niger state College of Education, both in Minna.
He however did not say in what role he will be coming back into the politics of the country in 2019 but he has been a serious advocate of a reorganization of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which suffered a serious defeat in the general elections held recently in the country.
Aliyu has also been very vocal in asking his colleagues who lost in the election not to allow their defeat to make them jump ship to the new party that will be at the helms of affairs in the country on May 29.
He spoke seriously against allowing the APC to turn Nigeria to a one party state which he argued will not be democratic and will also be against the political growth of the country.

Police Smash Armed Robbery Gang in Okpoko, Onitsha

The Police in Okpoko community near Onitsha, have smashed a four-man armed robbery gang that has beeen terrorizing residents of the area
Confirming this on Sunday, Mr Emeka Ugwu, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Okpoko, said the gang was led by one Abuchi.
Ugwu said the hoodlums met their waterloo following a tip-off by a public-spirited individual.
He said that the police trailed members of the gang for over one week before they arrested them.
He said one AK 47 rifle; wraps of cannabis and objects suspected to be charms, among others, were found in their possession.
“Residents of Okpoko have heaved a sigh of relief since the arrest of the four-man armed robbery gang, led by one Abuchi.
“This was made possible by information volunteered to us and we acted promptly,’’ he said.

EX-MILITANTS WARN APC, BUHARI

Even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to sustain certain agencies of government to keep up with development in Niger Delta, ex-militants from the region have cautioned the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari not to tamper with the programmes of the outgoing Jonathan’s government.
Speaking under the aegis of Niger Delta Salvation Front(NDSF), the ex-militants alleged that their kinsman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, lost the election to international conspiracy and further accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, of playing a regional/ethnic card in the just-concluded general elections.
The statement signed by Victor Tamara and Michael Akporode, National Coordinator and Public Relations Officer of the group respectively, reads in part:
“We are members of the Niger Delta Salvation Front(NDSF), a new grand coalition of ex-militants and agitators from all the Niger Delta states.
“We have watched keenly the recent developments in the country- that is the general elections, especially the presidential election, and the hurried concession by our brother, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Finally Nigerian Army Freed Chibok Girls and 93 Others

One year after the abduction of Chibok girls, Nigerian troops, yesterday, stormed the Sambisa forest hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists, and rescued 200 girls and 93 women in a daring operation.

The Defence Headquarters in a statement, yesterday, confirmed the rescue operation but said it could not yet determine if some of the girls were Chibok schoolgirls abducted over a year ago from Chibok town in Borno State.sambisa

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col S. K. Usman, in a statement said:

“This is to inform you that our gallant troops have been making progress in the desired aim of ridding the nation of terrorists and their sanctuaries.

“It is heartwarming to inform you that today (yesterday), troops continued the offensive and cleared four key terrorist camps in Sambisa forest, Borno State. So far, they have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest.

“The troops have also rescued 200 abducted girls and 93 women. They are presently being processed. Similarly, a number of equipment and weapons have been captured. We will send further details and photographs soon.”

President-Elect Buhari May Consider Granting Amnesty To Corrupt Politicians– Fayemi

Former  Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said General  Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), may consider granting amnesty to corrupt politicians who are ready to return stolen funds.
He, however, said Buhari’s promise to extend hands of friendship across the political divide in his acceptance speech shortly after winning the poll, does not mean that he would not prosecute corrupt government officials who served in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Fayemi said this during a programme on BBC titled, HardTalk, which was monitored by our correspondent on Monday.

Finally Indonesian Government Executes Eight Foreigners, Including Four Nigerians

After much persuasion from international communities to assuage death sentence issued on four Nigerians and  other foreigners by Indonesian government to restrain action on executing  the alleged drug traffickers, they they finally murdered the culprits.
It was reported that the eight foreigners today who were  charge for  drug related offenses, including four Nigerians had group of death-row inmates was originally referred to as the “Bali 9” because of their prison and execution sentences tied to narcotics trafficking.
The Philippine national, Mary Jane Veloso, was given a last minute reprieve of her execution sentence, largely attributed to the intervention by the President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino, according to reports.
The four Nigerians executed today are Martin Anderson, Silvester Nwolise, Okwudili Oyatanze, and Raheem Agbaje Salami—all for drug trafficking. Martin Anderson and Raheem Agbaje Salami were mistaken for being Ghanaian and Spanish nationals respectively, because they travelled on false passports.

PricewaterhouseCooper Pressurise To Reverse Missing $20Billion Report

One day after President Goodluck Jonathan authorized the release of a version of a forensic audit of $20 billion reportedly missing from Nigeria’s crude oil sales, an oil industry expert retained by Newsmen to look at the report has stated that the Nigerian government appeared to have pressured the auditors, PricewaterhouseCooper, to revise parts of its preliminary report.

After analyzing the audit report, the expert concluded that the much-anticipated release of the audit report of Nigeria’s accounts and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has provided few insights into the $20 billion that was allegedly not remitted to the Federal Accounts.

Obiano Cements Cordial Relationship with Anglican Communion

The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie  Obiano is leaving no stone unturned in his commitment to establish cordial relationship with various religious denominations in the state, believing such bond will  avail his administration the much-needed peace and spiritual backing to realize its lofty dreams for the state.

Governor Obiano who spoke on Saturday at a dinner he organized for all Archbishops and Bishops of the Anglican Communion at the Banquet Hall of the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, described the Church and government as partners in progress in the task of changing lives and building a virile society.

Governor Obiano Donates his Salary to Underprivileged People

The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has donated his salaries to the less privileged members of the society. Disclosing this in Awka at the weekend, Governor Obiano pointed out that he had sent a written instruction to his Principal Secretary, Mr. Willie Nwokoye to implement his wish with immediate effect.

The governor’s directive followed his long practice of philanthropy and public spiritedness which had informed his earlier decision to donate his salaries to the churches since he took his oath of office on March 17, 2014.“I have been donating it to the church since I became a governor,” governor Obiano explained and further pointed out that he figured that giving it to the underprivileged people in the society through properly structured charity organizations would make for more impact.

WHY JONATHAN APPOINTED PETER OBI SEC CHAIRMAN

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday approved the appointment of the former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
But the appointment of Obi as SEC chairman was not politically motivated alone. Obi’s glittering career in the banking sector made him as easy choice for Jonathan.
A business analyst told PM News that not many people know that Obi has a very rich background in business and banking, noting that, many associates him with politics alone.
Born 19 July 1961 in Onitsha, Obi attended Christ the King College, Onitsha where he completed his secondary school education. He was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980, graduating with a B.A (Hons) in philosophy in 1984.