WHY OBAMA SHOULD VISIT ABUJA IN JULY

Former United States’ Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson has implored President Barrack Obama to prioritise repairing relations with Nigeria by stopping over in Abuja when he visits East Africa in July.
Carson, who served in the first cabinet of Obama, said the visit will help to sooth the frayed relationship between the two countries. He also suggested that the US President formally invite Nigeria’s President-elect to the White House to iron issues out.
According to Carson who was a former ambassador to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, Nigeria is the sixth largest democracy in the world and that “the success of the elections has also raised Nigeria’s political profile”.
Nigeria, he noted, is also the most important country in Africa and it would be unfair to ignore the successes the country has achieved in spite of its many challenges.
President Obama is slated to visit Kenya, a longstanding economic, democratic and security partner, and Ethiopia, an important security partner whose democratic and human rights performance has been strongly criticized in the international community.
Carson said, “It would be deeply troubling for many Nigerians to see Africa’s largest democracy snubbed at this important moment in its history.”

PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE: BUHARI TO REVOKE JONATHAN’S CONTRACTS TO OPC, EX-MILITANTS

Anyone who thinks that the administration of the incoming president, General Mohammadu Buhari would tolerate the surveillance of oil pipelines and waterways by private individuals or groups should better think again as there are now plans to discard the practice and revert to the use of conventional security agencies.
Saturday Vanguard’s investigations during the week indicated that already some highly placed persons in Buhari’s camp with military and security backgrounds have begun to fashion out ways that would facilitate the process.
It was gathered that the man behind the process was a Director in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Organisation.
His briefs included to liaise with experts in the sector and other people with rich legal background to work out the template for the new surveillance policy.
When this is completed, the incoming administration, we gathered, would further equip the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Army and Navy, as well as the police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and hand them over the job of protecting the oil pipelines and other installations both onshore and offshore.

DOKPESI PREDICTS DIFFICULT TIMES FOR JOURNALISTS

Media Mogul, and owner of Raypower FM, African Independent Television (AIT), and DaarSat , High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, has predicted hard times for Nigerian journalists in the years ahead.
Dokpesi, who made the prediction, yesterday at his ‘Kpaduma’ top Hill residence in Abuja, at a meeting between a group of media professionals under the aegis of South- South Pen Pushers (SSPP) and Dokpesi, expressed fear that there are signs that journalists may be subjected to difficult working condition except practitioners work in tandem to defend the values of the profession.
While calling for a formidable media collaboration of the South, Dokpesi said journalists in the discharge of their official duties must be resolute, determined and united as any injustice to one journalist amounts to injustice to all journalists.

Babangida berates Mu’azu for holding on as PDP chair

                                                                Babangida and Mu'azu

Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday, took a swipe at the Adamu Muazu- led National Working Committee NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for holding on to power after leading the party to a ‘’disastrous defeat,’’ in the last general elections in the country, saying that the best and most civilised thing was to throw in the towel.
Aliyu who spoke at the commissioning of the multi -billion Naira Shiroro Bridge linking Niger and Kaduna States, however said that the loss suffered by the party at presidential level and in most states coupled with the massive defection of some members to the All Progressives Congress, APC, were not enough reasons for him to dump the party.
Also, his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who spoke on the occasion said that he would not leave the PDP which he was a foundation member for tenants saying that defection was not the answer to such defeat in a democracy.
However, Governor Aliyu said, ‘‘how could you lead a party to disastrous outing in an election and you are still in that place, take the blame for the defeat by quitting and if the PDP still wants you they will beg you to stay?’’

N9bn for Buhari’s ministers, lawmakers outrageous –Nigerians

A cross section of Nigerians have condemned the planned payment of about N9bn as perks to ministers and lawmakers who will assume office in the government of President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)
The newspaper on May 9, 2015, in an investigative report, said lawmakers to constitute the 8th National Assembly and ministers to be appointed by Buhari would receive N9bn as perks on assumption of office.

The perks include housing, furniture and motor vehicle allowances, among others.

For instance, the housing allowance for the lawmakers is 200 per cent of their annual salaries; furniture is 300 per cent and motor vehicle loan is 400 per cent.

The report, which has been read about 40,000 times on www.punchng.com as of Friday, generated mixed reactions from the public, many of who demanded pay cut for political office holders in the country.

We get many complaints against Obasanjo Foundation –UK commission

The United Kingdom Charity Commission says it has received many complaints about the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in London concerning allegations of financial misconduct and conflicts of interest.

The UKCC’s spokesperson, Sarah Hitchings, told our correspondent in an email that the commission had also started a broad investigation into the matters because the foundation had violated its regulatory standards.

She said, “We have received complaints about this charity and issues including alleged conflicts of interest and alleged financial misconduct.

“We currently have an open case in relation to this charity and have been in contact with the trustees.

“We have recently become aware of further information about potential wrong-doing at the charity which is of regulatory concern to the commission and we are currently considering this new information. We cannot comment further while our case is live.”

I’m happy to remarry again, says Oshiomhole

It was glitz and glamour as Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Iara Fortes, from Cape Verde.
The Governor and his bride had signed the dotted lines at a private marriage registry attended only by family members and a few friends at his Iyamho residence after which top dignitaries in the country, were led by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to the wedding reception held at the People’s White Hall in the Governor’s country home.

N172bn fraud cases against ex-govs turned senators

Investigation by Saturday PUNCH has shown that over N172bn fraud cases are against some senators-elect who were formerly governors.

Over 15 ex-governors won senate seats in the March 28 election with many of them having cases of corruption ranging from misappropriation of public funds to money laundering hanging over their necks.

Some ex-governors have been in the senate before the last elections while a fresh set of former governors will be joining them when the new legislature is inaugurated on June 6, 2015 by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

The list of the ex-governors elected as senators, who allegedly have fraud cases against them, whether old or new, include Bukola Saraki, Theodore Orji, Adamu Aliero, Sam Egwu, Joshua Dariye, Danjuma Goje and Abdullahi Adamu.

Chuka Umunna: The man who wanted to be British Prime Minister

                                                                    Chuka Umunna
Ben Osi Umunna had just returned from England with what everybody accepted as a rich resume as far as sports is concerned.
Aside being a businessman, he was linked with Crystal Palace FC in England where he was a director.
He lived in England for years, acquired experience in business and football management. He also married there.
It was, therefore, no surprise that many celebrated his appointment as chairman of Enugu Rangers FC in 1987.
Umunna transformed the management of the Flying Antelopes. He pulled all the strings to make the club a professional outfit, well run, although Rangers were still one of Nigeria’s top clubs then.
Rangers reigned in the 1970s and 80s and the most successful chairman of the club then, Jim Nwobodo, was so made popular by football that he later became governor of old Anambra State.
Umunna was heading in the same direction as chairman of Enugu Rangers. He was popular although I had issues with him. His passion for Enugu Rangers was such that he took criticisms very personal. In fact, you became his enemy if you were not supporting Rangers in all ramifications. He fumed over my reports or analysis anytime Rangers lost and even picked on me at a press conference. He was just a bad loser. But he brought class to the club and Rangers were on the rise again following his input.

ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE'S DAUGHTER ON WHY SHE MISSED HIS WEDDING

Winifred Oshiomhole is governor Oshimhole's daughter and she's older than the bride so when she was noticeably absent at her father's wedding, tongues began to wag. But explaining why she was absent, Winifred said;

"The information for the day was not properly circulated, I would say I was busy taking care of my life, work and my family and I must have missed out on the plan, I cannot say for the rest of my sisters but I am sure we were not properly informed. I wish the couple a great married life and I am sure she will make my father happy.."
Winifred also asked those criticising his father for taking a Cape Verdean Model, Lara, as wife should let him be.