Saraki Explains Why He Didn’t Disclose His Wife’s ‘Hidden’ Properties In Assets Declaration Form

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday denied a fresh assets declaration allegation as exposed in a recent investigative report by an online medium.

Mr. Saraki is currently standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on a 13-count charge bordering on false assets declaration while he was governor of Kwara State.
In the report titled “#PanamaPapers: Hidden family assets of Nigeria’s Senate President, Saraki, uncovered in tax havens”, it was alleged that four assets belonging to the wife of the embattled number 3 citizen were tucked away in secret offshore territories.
The report said a hidden London property in the name of Mrs. Toyin Saraki was left out among the assets declared by the Senate president in his assets declaration form.
The hidden property is located at #8 Whuttaker Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 8JQ and has title number NGL802235.
Apart from the undeclared London property, three additional overseas assets in the name of Mrs. Saraki were hidden from the authorities and are missing from the assets declaration form.
In his reaction, the Senate president said he had fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers.
In a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said he had in his different asset declarations included property owned individually by himself and his wife.
“The property in question forms part of Dr. Saraki’s wife’s family asset. It is public knowledge that Mrs. Saraki comes from a family of independent means and wealth with numerous and varied assets acquired over decades in family estates and investments.
“Furthermore, the law only requires a public officer to declare both his own assets and those held by his spouse and his children under 18 years of age. The law does not require a public officer to declare assets held by the spouse’s family.
“It is not expected by the law that a public officer should declare such assets held in the spouse’s family estate. Indeed, the Code of Conduct form does not make provision for declaration of spouse’s family assets”, he stated.

The Man Inyang Atakpo

    Sometime in Long Beach, Califonia U.S.A December 29 a Prince was born to a Royal family. Welcomed with joy, happiness and gladness about a great Akwa ibom son that has touched the surface of mother earth, the whole community was startled.
As a young man his charisma and strength in adversity partly explains his love to lead his peers, despite his childhood background his love for his fatherland was paramount.
His credibility was proven when he touched down in Nigeria in 1986 to acquire educational and social skills in preparation for his call to serve his fatherland. He acquired a first school leaving certificate at Christ the King Nursery and Primary school Uyo Akwa Ibom state in the late 80s. As a young man he exercised a high level of intellect in school just like Solomon in the Bible he was an intellectual king among his peers . Due to his high level of intellect he was given admission into the prestigious St Mary's senior science college Ediene Abak and he came out in flying colours. Because of his digital knowledge and love for upgrade he later enrolled for a university degree in Information Systems and operations management in the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond U.S.A.  Like every transformational hero; a statue professional, consummate God-fearing gentleman, a man of proven quality, a man of humble beginnings whose crucibles did not Marr him but inspired deep motivation and determination to succeed in the face of challenges he recorded experiences as a career specialist in Texas Workforce Commission Richardson, Texas. U.S.A, a computer system analyst Microsoft Irving, Texas U.S.A, And was Awarded Honours in Academic Achievement and Outstanding Services in the University of Central Oklahoma U.S.A in the year 2000. He was appointed a Supervisor for Health/ Social Services Uruan Local Government Area Akwa ibom state in 2008. He was the MD/CEO IYAKETE NIG. Ltd/ oliver's farm in 2011. A prince in the Uruan Land, a man of Timber and Caliber, as our Elders use to say. "Eyen Owong Eyere Ubok Asana, Adia Mkpor Ye Mme Mbong" Meaning as a son washes his hands clean, he dines with kings. He has achieved a level of friends in the society through respect and humility. A supervisor for health in Uruan Local Government Area transition committee in 2015, Co ordinator Akwa ibom young professionals leadership initiative (AKPRO) Uruan Chapter, Co-ordinator the new breed Uruan chapter, National Executive Member Transport Initiative for Empowerment of Ibom People Youth Wing, Youth Leader Central Uruan Ward 2 Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance  (ACA). Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters . Behold a friend, high spirited and fun loving brother Hon. Prince Inyang Atakpo.


Composed by : Nyongessien Mfon.
 Uruan unity project 2016.

Buhari Formally Resume Office In Aso Villa, Meets Top Aides, Security Chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday formally resumed in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Since his inauguration on May 29, 2015 President Buhari had been working from the Defence House, Maitama, owing to what his spokesman, Garba Shehu attributed to ongoing ‘renovation’ works at the Presidential Villa.

Shortly after arriving his office, Mr. Buhari was joined by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).
As the vice president trekked the long distance from his office to that of the president, he was seen exchanging pleasantries with some State House workers along the way.
Buhari and Osinbanjo thereafter met with some of their top aides.
While the meeting was ongoing, it was learnt that the Service Chiefs also arrived the Presidential Villa to meet him President Buhari.
With his official resumption at the seat of power, activities of governance are expected to pick up immediately.

Buhari Appoints U.S-based Journalist As Osinbajo’s Spokesman

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a U.S-based journalist, Mr Laolu Akande, as the spokesperson of Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr. Akande, who was The Guardian’s North American Bureau Chief, was named Senior Special Assistant to lead the media and communication unit in Prof. Osinbajo’s office, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

Presidential Fleet: I Wish Buhari Would Appoint A Minister For “Common Sense” – Ben Bruce

Chairman of the Silverbird Group and Senator in the 8^th National Assembly, Ben Murray-Bruce has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take a cue from President Joyce Banda of Malawi in a move to resuscitate the country’s dwindling economy.

Responding to reports of the annual cost of maintaining the presidential fleet, the Bayelsa East district Senator described the development as a complete waste of public fund.
According to him, the N5 billion Nigeria currently spend to maintain the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) can be used to provide business start-up grants of over five N500,000 to 10,000 NYSC members.
The media mogul took to his twitter page to make this known.
See below;

In his full address made available to This Day, Ben Bruce urged President Buhari to sell off all 11 presidential jet and should consider issuing an Executive Order mandating all government officials to fly Nigerian airlines except in those cases where a Nigerian airline does not fly to the destination in which they are headed.
He said: “President Buhari should take a cue from President Joyce Banda of Malawi who not only sold off that country’s presidential jet, but also sold off 60 Mercedes Benz limousines attached to her Presidency. So impressed was he by President Banda’s move that Andrew Mitchell, the UK International Development Secretary, immediately handed over 32 million pounds of British Aid to her government.”

Ben Bruce reactions comes hours after the presidency denied knowledge of President Muhammadu Buhari alleged order for disposal of nine VIP jets.
It was earlier reported that the country leader made an unprecedented move to reduce the cost of government, which is to sell the luxury aicrafts from the presidential fleet

Al-Makura approves new pay for corps members

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa on Monday approved an upward review of the allowances of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members posted to the state.
Mr. Al-Makura announced this at the end of a three-week orientation for Batch C corps members held at the Majaji Dan –Yamusa, NYSC, orientation camp in Keffi.
In an address to the 1,782 corps members, Mr. Al-Makura said the allowance would be increased from N2, 000 to N5, 000 because of current economic situation in the country.
The governor urged the corps members to use the lessons gained during the orientation period to improve themselves, their host communities and the country at large.
Mr. Al-makura also urged the corps members to contribute to the state government’s effort at peace building.
He called on them to relate freely with members of their host communities and participate in the peace process initiated by the state government.
“The government strongly rejects out rightly the mischievous call for a state of emergency as being not only political but also unpatriotic”.
He gave the assurance that all necessary machineries had been put in place to ensure the security of both the corps members and all law-abiding citizens of the state.

Nigeria Fighting Boko Haram with bows and arrows

While Islamist terror group Boko Haram uses automatic weapons and tanks against the population of Nigeria, civil defense groups armed with simple weapons are determined to defend their country.

"We can become invisible – and then we fight them at close quarters, face to face," Yusuf said. He is a hunter who lives in the northern Nigerian state of Adamawa. Yusuf is not his real name, he does not want to be recognized. He is a Nigerian civilian fighting against Boko Haram. "Our prayers protect us against their weapons. Soldiers only have weapons. We have other means of luring Boko Haram into a trap," Yusuf told DW. He and his companions know the area well, they know where they can hide, and then emerge to take the Boko Haram fighters by surprise. That was the strategy they used to expel Boko Haram from the town of Mubi.
Yusuf used to hunt wild animals in the bush. But as the attacks by Boko Haram became more frequent and more brutal, he volunteered to join the guerilla war against the group.

Traditional clothing and amulet worn by a Nigerian hunter

"A real hunter wears amulets," Yusuf said. "They take away our fear. We also wear clothing that is woven in a traditional way and is specially made for hunters." Strengthened by their belief that only God can decide over life and death in battle,Yusuf and his companions go to war.
Stronger than the army?
"What's interesting about the rise of these vigilante groups is the fact that they typically don't fall along sectarian lines. It's an almost spontaneous response by local communities to the failure of the police and military to maintain order,"Hilary Matfess, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, told DW.
The Nigerian security forces have now launched large-scale operations in a bid to counter the Boko Haram insurgency. According to Nigerian media, 20 percent of the budget is currently being used for defense purposes. However, many soldiers complain that much of the money does not reach the right places. "What we see in a lot of conflicts with Boko Haram is that the Nigerian military is overwhelmed militarily and flees," Matfess said, adding that the police force was often "predatory towards civilians rather than acting as a source of stability." She says this is also a reason for the growth of civil defense groups.
But can a civilian group armed only with simple hunting weapons be more successful in the fight against a terror group than an entire army? In order to understand this, one must take a closer look at the Nigerian security apparatus, Mattfes says. "You have the military that is not particularly well trained or well funded. The police force in Nigeria is actually the country's largest employer. One of the latest estimates is that the police force employes nearly 400,000 people. It is difficult to train and properly arm a force of that size."

Nigerian soldiers display an armored vehicle captured from Boko Haram

Call for financial support
Of course, says another hunter from Mubi, the army does have a certain amount of modern weapons, whereas "we use hunting weapons made by our local smiths. Some have a bayonet attached." Nigerian newspapers print photos of hunters who, armed only with bows and arrows, protect their villages against Boko Haram attacks. These are effective tactics, the hunter says, since "the animals we usually hunt and kill are also stronger than we are."
Idris Abdullahi lives in Gombi in Adamawa state and applauds the hunters' initiative. "Right from the start, they supported the fight against Boko Haram. They know who belongs to Boko Haram in their villages," he said. Abdullahi thinks the military can play an important role but "in order to be really successful, above all in the forests, the vigilantes and hunters have the advantage of knowing the territory better, every inch of it."

Many Nigerians no longer trust the police

The army and government are happy that the vigilantes have joined the fight as they have succeeded where the army has so far failed. Civil defense groups have liberated Mubi, Hong, Gombi and Maiha – all in Adamawa state – from Boko Haram. The residents of these towns have felt increasingly abandoned by the authorities and they trust the local hunters. "The hunters should receive more support, be it from the government or from wealthy people," said Bilkisu Aliyu Adam, who lives in Gombi. He argues that financial support should be forthcoming since anyone who takes up the fight against Boko Haram has little time or resources left to look after his family.

Two teenage female suicide bombers kill 30 people in Nigeria today

BAUCHI, Nigeria — Two teenage female suicide bombers blew themselves up Tuesday in a crowded market in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri, killing at least 30 people, according to witnesses and a security official.
Boko Haram, Nigeria’s Islamic extremist rebels, are suspected of the bombings, as they have carried out many similar attacks. The bombings highlight Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity in which 1,500 people have been killed by the militant’s insurgency this year, according to Amnesty International.
The two girls dressed in full hijabs entered the busy marketplace and detonated their explosives, said Abba Aji Kalli, the Borno state coordinator of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The first set off her explosives and killed about three women, said Kalli.

Jossy Ola/AP A victim of a suicide bomb attack committed by two teenage girls at a market receives treatment at a specialist hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Tuesday.

When others gathered around the scene, the second bomber screamed and blew herself up, killing about 30, he said.
“I am right here at the scene and I have before me 11 corpses ... many have been taken away by relatives, while others are taken to the state specialists’ hospital,” said Kalli.
Soldiers and police officers cordoned off the area while rescue workers helped survivors to the hospital. Nigeria’s police have not yet issued a statement on Tuesday’s blasts.

I am right here at the scene and I have before me 11 corpses.

Today’s blast is the first in Maiduguri since July 2 when 56 people were killed in the same market area when a car bomb hit a group of traders and shoppers.
Maiduguri is the provincial capital and largest city in Borno state, one of the three states in northeastern Nigeria that are under a state of emergency because of the extremist violence.
In April Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, about 125 kilometers (78 miles) southwest of Maiduguri. The schoolgirls are still missing and their plight has aroused international concern and prompted the (hash)BringBackOurGirls social media campaign.

Jossy Ola/AP The two suspects dressed in full hijabs entered the busy market and detonated their explosives, killing at least 30 people, officials said.

Last month, on Oct. 17, the parents were encouraged when the Nigerian military announced a cease-fire with Boko Haram and said negotiations had begun for the release of the schoolgirls.
Those hopes were quickly dashed, however, when Boko Haram fighters continued attacks and seized several cities and towns across the northeast. In a video statement, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau denied the ceasefire and scoffed at claims of negotiations to release the schoolgirls.
Boko Haram still holds many centers in an area covering an estimated 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles) and has declared the area to be an Islamic caliphate where they are imposing their strict version of Shariah law. The insurgents want to impose Islamic rule over all Nigeria, Africa’s most populous state with its 170 million people about evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.

NSIT UBIUM 2015: WHY I ANSWERED THE CLARION CALL-DON SHADECOVER BASSEY

Patience and steadfastness are two attributes critically lacking in Nigerian politics. Very few politicians remain patient and steadfast if their interests are not guaranteed. There is hardly a spirit of sacrifice.
This explains the constant defection of politicians from one party to the other. These politicians often have a defense in politics, there are no permanent friends and permanent enemies but permanent interests. ‘While I hold my own political views, it’s important not to get too wrapped up in individual candidates and personalities, but instead to focus on the real issues’.- Marcus Samuelson.
As 2015 general election is fast approaching, many aspirants have indicted their intentions to invest their wealth of experience in the service to the people.
According to Peter Drucker ‘Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes . As such Leadership is not a mere gift but it is an in-born potential that springs up as a result of being able to empower and motivate people, During an interview session with group of Journalists in His office, a humble personality, a technocrats with quality years as a private Entrepreneur, Engr. Donald Bassey speaks on his Aspiration to vie and represent Nsit Ubium State Constituency comes 2015. Read the Excerpt below:
Good Day Sir, Please Can we get to know You?
Good Day, My name is Engr. Donald Uko Bassey, born into the family of Engr./Hon. Mrs Bassey Gideon in Ikot Akot Ubium in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Am a graduate of Civil Engineering from the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri. By the grace of God, am the President of ShadeCover Group.
Tell us About Your Success in Business World?
Well, this year makes ShadeCover Group 10 years old, we started from building of two legs suspended carport, I brought in the innovation into this part of the world, and over 10 years counting, we have been doing that very well in production and customer satisfactions remains our core priority. We expanded our service and innovation by introducing other associate products like Danpalon, Golden POP ceilings, Steel gates /rails, Interior and Exterior finishing. So far so good, we have employed over 200 people since we started and our staff strength now is about 50, then we are still employing and empowering of trained staff.
Your Community Support Programme?
Over the years, we have introduced a community support programme, as a way of giving back to the society and empowering the less privileges. Last Year we were in Leprosy Home in Etinan and also in Salvation Army Children Home in Akai Ubium in Nsit Ubium. This year we are going back to those places and likewise extend our support programme to other humanitarian homes.
As a business man, what do you think Akwa Ibom State needs for the businesses and the private sector to grow?
What Akwa Ibom needs is industries. That is all we need to create jobs and wealth for the common people. We need the kind of industries you find in China, Korea even in Taiwan. The next government should industrialize the State; attract foreign investors to come in and invest in the state; create an enabling environment for people to come in and invest. With that, the centre of excellence in Lagos will move to Akwa Ibom. So I believe the next government should pursue industrialization of Akwa Ibom State. As someone who is into shipping.
Why Venture into Politics?
Already in the Private sector there is politics, so I wouldn’t say am just venturing into politics for the first time. Basically, through my wealth of experience, I have gone through a whole a lot of processes in terms of empowerment, community development and communication with the Masses. So I feel and understand both their plights and difficulty they pass through just to access basic social amenities. So my Kind of politics is to apply, those success keys that has made me, who I am today in the Society.
Acceptability?
Acceptability has been warmly welcome and embrace by The Elders, Youths and Women. They have giving me their blessing and support that I should contest and represent them as the Next House of Assembly Member for Nsit Ubium State Constituency.
Pressure from Group?
Well, over the years I have received over 500 awards from corporate and socio-political groups. Most of them have tipped me severally to vie for any elective position. So this is like answering their Clarion call to service. I promise not to fail their believe, trust, and hope they all have in me to cause that DESIRED CHANGE comes 2015

WHY URUAN SHOULD PRODUCE NEXT SENATOR FOR UYO

The race to all political offices is around the corner. The opinion of the people is divided into two unequal parts where majority wants zoning of political offices to rotate among the different political bloc while the other few insist on a free for all contest. Though the constitution allows a free for all contest, but for brotherliness, love and peace offices are shared into different camps.
Just like power rotates along the three senatorial districts at the state level, Uyo senatorial district also has its own unique way of sharing the senatorial set among the three federal constituencies of Etinan, Uyo and Itu/Ibiono.
Since 1999 upon the return of democracy, Uyo federal constituency took the first shot with Senator John James Akpanudoedehe who spent just one tenure and vacated the seat for Senator Effiong Bob in 2003 who by sheer luck won a second term ticket. In 2011, the elders decided that while other local governments wait for their turn, Ibiono under Itu federal constituency should produce the next senator a decision that gave otuekong Ita Enang had the opportunity to serve in the red chambers.
Ita Enang emerge the choice not because he was the most qualified but because in 1992, Itu state constituency represented the district in the senate with Senator Anietie Okon seating on that seat for Uyo Senatorial district. Today those same leaders of thought have agreed that Uruan State constituency under Uyo federal constituency should produce the next senator. Ibesikpo Asutan is another local government that is yet to produce a senator but because they once had an elected governor Uruan won the day. This explains why we have more aspirants from Uruan local government eying the seat with few from Ibesikpo Asutan.
It is only sad that those who championed the rotation of the set especially in the build-up of the 2011 general elections are the very set of people who are reluctant to vacate the seat despite the realization of the writing on the wall. Uyo Senatorial District with nine local government areas should allow the seat to go round so that others that are still queuing can also seat there. Truth be told, if one man or one local government should go more than one term when will Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Ibesikpo or Itu have a shot? Supporting Uruan now means the others will soon have an opportunity. This is in line with our party’s belief in fairness, justice and equity.
Now that Uyo Senatorial District are on the same page with our party as far as sharing rotating the senate seat, let us search inwardly and go for a grassroot democrat who has the people’s interest at heart. Whoever goes to the senate for us in 2015 should be accessible and ready to take the problem of his people as his personal problem and look for ways to either solve it or cushion its negative effect. Being accessible implies that apart from presenting our common problem he should also come home to brief us on actions so far taken since our problem was presented on the floor of the senate. We need somebody who will come home with a good account of his representation and not one of those who will only vibrate on national issues while the people at home continue to suffer deprivation.
After the awesome representation of Chief Nyong Essien from Uruan in the 1930s, Uruan have not had opportunity to represent Uyo people in the red chambers. Chief Nyong Essien results of effective representation could be linked to creation of our dear state, Akwa Ibom. Just as we yearn for dividends of democracy and stomach Infrastructure. I am of the opinion that all should rise up in support of Uruan Local Government to produce another Nyong Essien.
This will give Uruan people a feeling, that they haven’t been sidelined by the PDP and the Government.

Why Northern Youths Donated N2m To Jonathan

Some youths acting on the basis of Northern Youth Forum donated N2m to President Goodluck Jonathan for him to buy the presidential form for the 2015 elections.

^{President Jonathan addresses the general debate of the 69th of the General Assembly. Photo: UN/Cia Pak}

The move to support Jonathan’s desire for re-election was announced on Saturday, October 25, by Forum coordinator Engr Bello Bichi during Kano State rally, Punch reports.
“We decided to support Mr President with this token amount to enable him purchase the nomination form for the presidency. The youths in the north believe that President Jonathan has the country and youth at heart in view of his commitment toward transforming the country.”
Bichi expressed commitment of northern youths to stand for Jonathan who earlier this week finally declared interest to contest.
Education Minister Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, on his part, urged youths not indulge into acts that might cause chaos during the elections.
He was quoted saying:
“Gone are the days when we should take up dangerous weapons during the election. As youths, you are expected to conduct your affairs peacefully, especially during election in order to ensure peace in our state and the country. We have a herculean task ahead of us, so you have to come out en masse and vote so as to ensure the success of the party at all levels in 2015.” 
He also praised the youths for the generous gesture adding that Jonathan himself wanted to appear at the occasion but did not manage to do so because of the “pressing national matters”.
Jonathan has already established the committee for the official declaration, with is set to be made on November 11