Buhari vows to scrutinize 2016 Budget before assent

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday vowed to scrutinize the 2016 Appropriation bill before assenting the bill.

The National Assembly that passed the bill last week only forwarded the bill without its details.

When the President insisted that he will not sign the bill into law until he receives the details, some National Assembly members pointed out that it will not be out of place to sign the bill into law without the details.

They cited instances under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

But Buhari on Thursday in Washington DC replied them that he will thoroughly scrutinize the passed bill before assenting to it.

He spoke during a meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry.

According to him, in view of the controversial alteration and padding of the budget proposals, he needed to review the appropriation bill to be certain that its contents tallied with the authentic budget proposal presented to the National Assembly.

“Some bureaucrats removed what we put in the proposal and replaced it with what they wanted. I have to look at the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, ministry by ministry, to be sure that what has been brought back for me to sign is in line with our original submission,” the President said.

Declaring that his administration will continue to vigorously prosecute its war against corruption, President Buhari sought and received an assurance from Mr. Kerry that the United States Government will facilitate the repatriation of all stolen Nigerian funds found within the American banking system.

“It will greatly help our country if you assist us to recover all our stolen funds which we can establish to be within your financial system,” the President told Mr. Kerry.

Acknowledging that the United States has been of great help to his administration in the retraining and re-equipping of the Nigerian Armed Forces that has resulted in the significant success already achieved against Boko Haram, President Buhari said that the Federal Government was now working very hard to restore full normalcy in the North Eastern states.

“Boko Haram no longer holds any local government area. We are reconstructing damaged facilities and preparing the police to take over and reassert civilian control over areas affected by the insurgency,” the President told Mr. Kerry.

Responding, the Secretary of State said that he has been told that the stolen Nigerian funds were in “billions of dollars”.

“It’s not easy to hide that amount of money and we are pretty good in tracing them,” Mr Kerry assured President Buhari.

He said that relevant United States Government Officials will meet with the Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to discuss further cooperation in that regard.

Mr. Kerry applauded the Buhari Administration’s success in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency, saying that the United States will continue to give Nigeria all possible support to ensure that the terrorist sect is finally eliminated as a threat to national and regional security.

The Secretary of State also praised President Buhari’s clear order that Nigeria’s Armed Forces must show greater regard for the human rights of persons in the theatre of operations against Boko Haram.

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Police arrest eight persons over Abuja clash

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the clash in Gwagwalada on Saturday.

Inalegwu told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that investigation on the incident in which houses, shops and vehicles were destroyed, had reached advanced stage to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the fracas.

“All those found wanting will soon be taken to court for prompt prosecution,’’ he said.

He said that no stone would be left unturned in applying the law fully in order to serve as deterrent to anyone who may want to follow the same barbaric path.

He disclosed that normalcy had returned to the area and assured residents of the FCT that security agencies are on top of the situation.

NAN recalls that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had while reacting to the incident, directed the security agencies in the territory to arrest those involved in the clash.

The minister also directed the agencies to ensure that all those involved in the fracas faced the full wrath of the law, saying that nobody was above the law.

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Police kill suspected armed robber, recover weapon

A Mobile Policeman attached to Micura Services Limited Thursday gunned down a suspected armed robber in the Apapa area of the state.

The suspect was killed during a shootout around Coconut Bus stop, Trinity, while attempting to snatch a woman’s handbag.

It was learnt that the deceased, with his accomplice both on motorcycle, opened fire upon sighting a policeman attached to who moved towards them.

The policeman identified as Corporal Ayeni Adetayo who sustained injury, fired back at the criminals, knocking down the suspect, while his accomplice, the motorcyclist fled.

Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said a pistol and seven rounds of ammunitions were recovered from the deceased.

She stated that the suspect has been under watch by the police for his notoriety in armed robbery.

Badmos said: “Corporal Ayeni Adetayo posted to Micura Service Limited, Apapa, while on duty noticed two men on motorcycle trying to snatch a bag from a woman.

“On sighting the situation the policeman moved towards the scene but the armed robber at the back of the okada opened fire on the policeman and in a shootout that ensued the robber died, while the rider of the okada fled.

“The Policeman sustained gunshot injury at the abdominal area. However one pistol with 7 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspect who has been on the watch list of the command in the last two months. “The deceased robber specializes in snatching bags from women mostly those from banks.

“Effort is on to track the rider who is at large, while the policeman is receiving treatment in the hospital. The Lagos state command reiterates its commitment to protection of lives and property and warns all criminals that Lagos will no longer be safe haven for them.”

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Boko Haram insurgency to end soon – Chief of Air Staff

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, Thursday said the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of northern Nigeria would soon end.

Speaking when he paid a maiden visit to the 207 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Airforce in Calabar, he said that the military was at the “tail end of totally eliminating the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.”

According to him, the movement of the sect in long convoys from one village to the other, killing innocent people has been curtailed.

He said that the military has re-captured most of the territory that were previously in the control of the sect.
“We are not only winning the war against Boko Haram, we are actually at the tail end of the battle.

“It is just a matter of time; this issue of insurgency will definitely come to an end.

“If you visit Maiduguri today and witness the level of economic activities going on, you will believe with me that peace is fast returning back in that area.

“In counter insurgency operation you cannot automatically rule out any chance. Where are these female suicides coming from? Who is arming them?

“Boko Haram have been degraded and like I said, we are at the tail end of the battle,’’ he assured.

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Okorocha swears in new SSG

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha Thursday swore-in the new Secretary to the State Government, Sir George Eche, who replaced Sir Jude Ejiogu, who was sacked under controversial circumstances by the Governor.

Eche a career Civil Servant and former Accountant General of the State until his appointment was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber, Governor Okorocha disclosed that Eche’s appointment as SSG was to bridge a gap in appointments in the State, noting that in the state, Ngor Okpala, where the new he comes from, is among the most marginalized Local Government Areas in the state.

He urged Eche to unite his people and the entire state.

The Governor expressed optimism that the new SSG will live up to expectation, stressing that his predecessor was not sacked as a result of dishonor, while reminding him also that “every political appointment must end one day”.

In his response, Eche promised that he would bring the needed change to the office of the Secretary to the State Government for better and expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding him worthy for such position.

At the event, the Governor also on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Imo State University Chapter to call off the strike embarked upon by the lecturers in the University.

He expressed shock that the lecturers would go on strike in the second week of March over February salary.

According to him, “it is shocking that the ASUU in IMSU told lecturers to go on strike in the second week of March because of February salary, and when they had been paid full salary for the month of January.  This is shocking.  It is not acceptable to the state government.  ASUU in IMSU should call off the strike without delay because it was by all standard not justifiable and not advisable.”

He added further that “we shall continue to keep faith with the workers welfare.  If the workers in the state did not go on strike over two months’ salary owed to them, we would have continued to go out of our way to pay them full.  But they went on strike over two months’ salary and we then agreed with labour that they should take seventy per cent of the total income of the state to pay salaries and pensions, while the government takes only thirty per cent for capital expenditure.  And now they have seen the truth of what we have been telling them about the finances of the state.

“As the allocation dropped further for the month of February, the labour Union in the state may only be able to pay the workers fifty per cent of their salary.  The whole thing has been able to let Imolites and the world to understand what the state has been able to do all these while.  It is on record that Imo government has kept faith in the past in payment of salaries and allowances until recently when the economic situation in the country has become challenging following the outrageous looting of the resources of the country in the past.

“The workers of Imo state should imbibe the spirit of sacrifice because of the prevailing economic situation at the moment.  They should show concern.  Imo people should also show understanding.  The state has the highest number of ghost workers.  The government has set aside N3.5billion for the Job, Job and Factory, Factory campaign of the state government which must be agro based.”

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Beninoise food seller accused of stealing N40m jewellery

A 42-year-old food vendor, Janet Kenu, who allegedly broke into a residential house and stole jewellery worth N40 million, was Thursday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Kenu, from Cotonu in Benin Republic, is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and breaking and entering.

Prosecuting Corporal Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on March 10, at noon, at A10, Nicon Town, Lekki Expressway, Lekki, Lagos.

He said that the defendant broke into the house of one Ajisola Yomi, and stole jewellery worth N40 million.

According to the prosecutor the offences contravened Sections 285 (8), 305 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Section 285 (7) provides for seven years imprisonment for any person found guilty of such offence.

Magistrate A. G. Omoyele granted her bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in the like sum, who should not be low level civil servants and must have verifiable addresses.

She adjourned the case till April 26 for mention.

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Pair - Go to work in comfort; earn money

Pair (www.ilovepair.com) is a transportation service that enables Lagos workers go to and from work in comfort, by matching them with verified ride-owners(Cars and Buses) going the same route to work like themselves daily.

 Pair enables Lagos workers go to and from work in an air-conditioned ride for as low as ₦2500 weekly or ₦10,000 monthly. While encouraging ride-owners make money with their rides while driving to work and back home daily.

SAFETY

Every Pair user is pre-verified(identity and residential) thereby making Pair  a safer option than Buses and Taxis. All vehicles on Pair also undergo a mandatory physical check-up before being allowed to pick passengers on the service.
COMFORT
 
Pair rides are very comfortable, with no Pair ride having a manufacturing year of less than Year 2000.On Pair, a Saloon Car can pick a maximum of 3 passengers at a time,while a Pair minivan picks a maximum 6 passengers per ride. For a Bus it’s a maximum of 10 passengers.
Pair rides are so comfortable,  you can even get office work done while commuting to work.For nursing mothers, Pair is the service for you.
PRICE
 
Pair is relatively cheap for the quality it offers. The price of a Pair ride when broken down,equals the same amount of money you spend going to work in a public Bus weekly or monthly.
CASHLESS

Pair is 100% cashless,no need to argue over change. Payments are made to Pair via subscription,and Pair pays the driver at the end of the week.
What are you still waiting for?
Log unto www.ilovepair.com to signup as a Passenger or driver.
Newly registered passengers,are entitled to 2 days free trial of the service.

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Photos: Tanker loaded with PMS catches fire at filling station in Kumbotso, Kano State

A fire incident occured at RUQEE Petrol station in Chiranchi, Kumbotso local government area of Kano State in the early hours of Thursday, March 31 after a tanker fully loaded with fuel caught fire. The whole station would have been razed down but for the prompt response from firefighters.
Continue to see more photos.

Source: Zuma Times Hausa

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Photos: NBA player Emeka Okafor & daughter with Barack Obama at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Beyonce, Blue Ivy among guests

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed thousands of children to the South Lawn of the White House on Monday morning, March 28 for the final Easter Egg Roll of his presidency.


There were over 35,00 attendees on the South Lawn. Among the lucky guests were Nigerian NBA player, Emeka Okafor, his wife and beautiful daughter, Adaeze, Beyonce and Jay-Z and their 4-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, other celebrities, staff of the White House, and others

The egg rolling began in 1878. Now the event includes storytelling, musical performances and tips from professional athletes on how to play basketball, tennis and other sports. There are even cooking demonstrations and yoga. This year, the first lady added a fun run to the mix.

"I'm going to be running around the White House with a bunch of kids and any adults who feel like they can hang," the first lady told the crowd as the president jokingly signaled in the background that the run wasn't for him.

The Obamas spoke from a balcony that overlooks the lawn with dogs Bo and Sunny and the Easter Bunny at their side. They then went out into the crowd for some hands-on play.

The president read the children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are," a classic from 1963, and the Obamas acted some of the story out, marching enthusiastically with the kids as he read the line "let the wild rumpus start!"

More photos...

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Nigerian Transgender, Ms Sahhara, shares new photos to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility

Ms Sahhara, a Nigerian Transgender residing in the UK, shared these photos to celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual holiday occurring on March 31st dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. See more photos of Ms Sahhara and other transgenders celebrating the day after the cut...
 

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I think we've achieved, I won't resign- NFF boss Amaju Pinnick says

Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick has come out to defend his term in office after critics called on him to resign following Super Eagles failure to qualify for AFCON 2017.

Amaju highlighted his achievements with other national football teams during his tenure as enough proof his stewardship has been a success and categorically stated he won't resign as he had a four year tenure to complete.

"I was elected by the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation for a four-year team and I don't see why I should be asked to resign with over two years to serve," said Pinnick. With all due respect, I don't think we have done badly in these past one and half years that we have been in office and I have a four-year mandate which I intend to see through. When we came in we had a case running for nine months and this affected us. "In between we won Fifa Under 17 World Cup, we won the Africa Women's Championship and we also qualified for the women' s Under17 and U20 World Cups coming up this year. “I think we have achieved. Again we have very young Super Eagles players that should be the future of the game in the country. On the choice of Kaduna as venue of the Afcon match against Egypt, we picked Kaduna because of the passion the people have for the game and the fact that the venue boasts of the best pitch in the country presently and they stood behind the team all through. Aside from that, the Super Eagles have never lost a match there so it was all these that we considered on picking the Ahmadu Bello Stadium to host Egypt,” he said.

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Sensational teen Rapper, Dkt Baba debut new single No vacancy featuring Falz The Bahd Guy

Sensational 18-Year-old Nigerian rapper, DKT Baba is here again with another smashing tune titled No Vacancy. On this one, the industry prodigy teamed up with Falz the Bahd guy to create a record that will last in Naija’s hottest playlists for a long time.


The song, No Vacancy is officially produced by ace producer Benie Macaulay and its a cool follow up to Dkt Baba's previously released single "Kilofoshi" featuring YBNL boss Olamide.
The young rapper is quite determined to carve a niche for himself in the Nigerian music scene and will definitely be coming with more music throughout the year.

Download and listen to 'No Vacancy' via the link.

My NJO LINK: https://my.notjustok.com/track/79616/dkt-baba-no-vacancy-ft-falz

Follow Dkt Baba on Twitter @Dkt_Blaze; Instagram @blazegvngram"

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Lionel Messi celebrates getting 40m followers on Instagram

The Barcelona super star footballer reached 40million instagram followers today and captioned the post; 'We've reached 40million fans here on Instagram, thanks everyone! '

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Thelma West, a 32-year-old Nigerian is the only woman in the male-dominated world of diamond business

Nigerian Thelma West is a rare gem in the diamond world as a woman in a male-dominated sector with few Africans, despite the continent being the main source of the precious rocks.

The first in her family to work in diamonds, West is used to being an outsider, having been raised in a Jewish family in a country where Jews number fewer than 50,000 out of a population of around 180 million.

 

 

"I’m the only Nigerian Jewish woman in the trade, and I don’t know of other African women in the business," the 32-year-old told AFP at her London-based business as she greeted customers with a broad smile and sparkling diamonds on her hands and wrists.

Discretion and security are essential, with the anonymous-looking building guarded by an encrypted intercom system and a reinforced door, all under the gaze of a bank of security cameras.

"I wanted to become an engineer because at that time in Nigeria, you had to choose a solid career, such as doctor, lawyer, engineer," she told AFP.

But, as the saying goes, “Diamonds Are Forever” and the sparkle of the stones, which had captivated West since childhood, was an irresistible allure.

"My mum had loads of jewellery," said the daughter of a Guinness drinks company employee mother and a property developer and industrialist father. "We were always playing with her jewellery box and she would always clean her jewels, and I would help."

West headed for Antwerp, the world’s diamond capital, aged 17 despite "not knowing anybody" in the Belgian city. There, she enrolled at the internationally renowned Hoge Raad Voor Diamant school to hone her skills.

"Even though you go to school, most of your knowledge comes from working with diamonds day-to-day," she said.

After trying for six months in vain to secure an internship, she was eventually taken under the wing of an Orthodox Jew diamond dealer, who worked with her every evening after school for a year. She was then recruited by one of the biggest diamond suppliers in Europe based in Spain.

"It was being sent in at the deep end," she recalled. "I was 19 and I was responsible for every single diamond the company had."

Teaming up with school friends from Lagos who had moved into investment banking, West set up her own business in London to trade the precious stone.

Metal tongs in hand, West explained the secrets of some of her stock.

"Diamonds have fire," said West. "That stone is too flat but it’s got a lot of life in it, it was cut about 100 years ago,” she said, pointing to one tiny rock. "This one cost just over £100,000 ($141,000, 126,000 euros), it’s got a low colour but it has been cut perfectly so it reflects light in such an amazing way."

Fewer than 50 clients, 12 of whom are investors, have access to West’s knowledge.

"I can find a diamond and call them and say ‘we have to buy this diamond, trust me’ and they follow me," she said.

Her multinational client base — introduced by word of mouth — includes Swiss, Russians, Ghanaians, Nigerians and "a handful of French". Helped by a 10-woman team, West creates all of her company’s products, which come with a lifetime guarantee. Her most ambitious creation was a custom-made necklace worth around #2 million.

She plans to open a workshop in Nigeria, "where I’ll train girls in the art of making jewellery". West gives little away but also said she is creating "a revolutionary tool" that will help people in her business.

"That tool should be part of every diamond dealer and every shop".

Source: AFP

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Lady testifies how God healed her baby of heart disease, shares adorable photos of him

Facebook user, Amara Ugo Eze took to her Facebook wall to testify how God healed her baby boy of a heart disease. She shared the photos above and wrote

"Oh our son Chibuikem Joshua Eze is 6months today! Words fail me but I'll say a few things. He was conceived supernaturally, and apart from one or two attacks from the enemy which God gave us victory in, there were no hassles throughout the pregnancy. He was also delivered supernaturally to the glory of God.

 

On the 14th day of his life, he was diagonised of a heart condition. He had 2 large holes in the heart. Oh my God, it was a scary experience. I couldn't feel my legs when I heard the doctor' s report, but as I left the room, I looked into our son's eyes and said, 'This sickness is not unto death but to showcase the Glory of God on your life son'. Immediately, scriptures started flooding my heart and I was strengthened. On our way home we laughed very well. I and my husband started building our faith in God. The paediatric cardiologist said it was impossible for the holes to close back. That we should start preparing for surgery in India. Hmmm. Hubby told her we'll make our decision after the second echo scan. My son was loosing weight due to the condition.

We were asked not to allow him suck so that he doesn't go into heart failure. So many procedures(phew). They gave him some medicines he'll take pending the surgery. I discarded the drugs after giving our son the first dose and told hubby that the Word of God is Josh's MEDICINE. I allowed him to suckle because babies are designed to suck from their mothers' breasts. We got scriptures on healing and the one that talks specifically about the heart Ezekiel 36:26. And started applying it on him by confessing it daily. I had to build my faith by reading a Kenneth E. Hagin's study book on Prayer. We just kept confessing God's word and refused to believe that anything was wrong with Josh. In January, during our church programme, (WAFBEC), Pst Matthew Ashimolowo mentioned our case and we claimed it by faith. We danced, laughed, praised and blessed the name of God for his healing. Exactly 3weeks ago, we went for the second echo scan. To God be the Glory, the scan read that Chibuikem Joshua Eze's heart has been COMPLETELY CLOSED. I wanted to hold my husband tight and scream out my lungs in excitement but the tears started rolling! The God that perfectly knitted my baby in my womb has given my son a NEW HEART! The God that makes impossible situations possible HEALED our son COMPLETELY! Oh Praise God with me! Onye n'agwo oria! Oloro ihe loro ehi! Ogbajiri igwe kpo ya nku!

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