Buhari Abandoned Us After Winning Election – Bodyguards

The bodyguards of President Muhammadu Buhari, who participated during the campaigns, have lamented that they have been pushed to the corner.

The bodyguards claimed they have been excluded by those they tagged as “cabals in the government.”
According to them, apart from the N20, 000 they got on two occasions in January and February 2015, “we had never and were never given anything.”
Speaking at a press briefing addressed by their spokesperson, Olabiyi Balogun, and three other members, Audu Odemeho, Abdullahi Hassan and Zubairu Idris, the group lamented that those who did not even work for the victory of Buhari were now reaping from where they did not sow.
Balogun said, “Right now, we need Mr. President to appreciate our hard work for him. We need Mr. President to recognise the fact that we have lost everything because we championed the change agenda.
“Definitely, it is not just our exclusion that is a security threat to the country. Anything that will deny any man his dues and legitimate rights can be concluded to mean a security threat because when you don’t get your dues and what is rightly due for you, then you are opened to a lot of temptations. So, we are indeed a security threat.”
Members of the Presidential Bodyguards, put at over 100 personnel, were said to have been drawn from the security and protocol departments and the Buhari Support Organisation.
“During the electioneering campaign, we served the current President, Muhammadu Buhari, as his personal bodyguards. That was who we were and that is what we are till now.
“One would have expected that having worked hard tirelessly and relentlessly for the President to assume the office he had desired all these years, the people that were in the forefront deserved to be recognised, compensated and remunerated, considering the volume of work and gravity of the sacrifices we had to make,” he added.

Nigeria Moves Up In FIFA Ranking

Nigeria  Super Eagles climbed three places and now occupy the 67th position but remain in 16th position in the latest FIFA rankings  released by world football governing body  yesterday.

Last July, Eagles were  rated 70th globally and 17th in Africa. However, the former AFCON champions is still behind  Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Egypt who are the top five teams in Africa .
Two of Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup, Group B opponents, Cameroon and Zambia was ranked 54th and 91st respectively in the updated ranking.
There were no changes at the rankings summit, with the top 20 retaining their July position.
Argentina remain top, followed closely by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile.
A new ranking would be published by the world governing body’s official website  on September 15, 2016.
The third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Nigeria starts on October 3rd against Zambia

Man, 22, Bags One Year Jail Term For Stealing Groundnut Oil In Edo

An Egor Magistrate Court in Edo State has sentenced a 22-year old man, Evans Ewansesehia, to one year imprisonment for stealing three gallons of groundnut oil.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Lucky, informed the court that the convict committed the offense on November 17, 2015 at Idemudia Street, off Lagos Street in Egor local government.

Sergeant Lucky said Evans stole the three gallons of groundnut oil valued at N12, 800 belonging to one Mrs. Joy Adiodun
The prosecutor told the court that Ewansesehia escaped from lawful custody after he was arrested and detained at Ugbowo police station.
He further said the convict stole N12, 000 belonging to one Mrs. Victoria Imayehor on December 2, 2015 at Uwasota road.
Presiding magistrate, Mrs. Esohen Ighodan found him guilty of the charges of stealing and escape from lawful custody preferred against him.
She, however, gave an option N30, 000 fine on each for the two count charges.

Boko Haram: Borno Inaugurates Board To Regulate Islamic Preaching

In a move to prevent a recurrence of factors that encouraged the spread of Boko Haram ideology, the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has set up a regulatory body to censor Islamic teachings in the state.
Shettima, who spoke at the inauguration of the body, named Borno State Islamic Preaching Board, said its task is to help prevent “history from repeating itself”.

The governor said the board’s major task is to monitor and spy on the preaching of all Islamic clerics especially those in the remote areas of the 27 local government areas of the state.
The Board is to be headed by the Chief Imam of Borno State, Imam Zannah Laisu Ibrahim Ahmed.
Mr. Shettima urged the board to monitor ‎the proliferation of traditional Islamiyya, Tsangaya or Almajiri and Arabic schools for the purpose of “protecting noble schools from the infiltration by others which may have hidden motives aimed at teaching violent doctrines”.
All members of the board were present during the inauguration yesterday at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The governor said Borno and its people “must learn from the history of the Boko Haram”, which he noted, keeps re-surging despite being defeated at various times by the military.
“There is a famous saying made by Winston Churchill more than 50 years ago that ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it’”, he said.
“Majority of us in Borno State have expectedly been enthralled by the successes of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Multi National Forces in the evident debasing of the devilish Boko Haram terror group. While we celebrate, we however seem to be paying less attention to history.
“If we cast our minds back as short as ten 13 years ago, we would realize that the Boko Haram group has got the history of being defeated, going underground for some years, regrouping themselves and coming back through different forms.
“When the Boko Haram, then known as Taliban, migrated from Borno and launched attacks in Kananma, a border village in Yobe State around December, 2003, they were defeated by the military. They disappeared completely only to regroup and attack Bama and Gwoza police divisions in 2004. Again, they were defeated by the military.
“They disappeared in 2004 only to resurface in 2007 somewhere in Panshekara, an industrial area in Kano State. For the third time, they were defeated by the military. But they regrouped as Yusufiyya movement in 2009 with mass followership and high presence in Maiduguri, Bauchi and Potiskum.
“They were defeated after the July 2009 crisis only for them to regroup in December, 2010. When they were chased out of Maiduguri between 2013 and 2014, they shifted their horror to local government areas.
“The chronicle of Boko Haram’s death and resurrection is one piece of history that should prompt us to remaining totally focused towards ensuring that we do not make the mistake of others in allowing the group to ever return to our midst.
“At all instances of their regrouping, the Boko Haram sect recruited new members, mostly through open preaching to spread their misguided ideology, targeting teenagers. They had leaders who openly preached in mosques and at special gatherings, without showing violence at initial levels.
“We must take firm, consistent and knowledge-based steps to continuously separate between those clerics who preach in the name of Allah and those who kill innocent souls in the name of Allah. Often times, preachers with violent attention start on normal note, they tend to start by being nice, they exhibit friendship to gain acceptance before they systematically begin to share misguided ideologies in their true colours.
“The job of the Borno State Islamic Preaching Board is not only to set preaching standard but importantly, to be alert in spotting unusual and suspicious preaching among Islamic clerics.
“The board must take special attention on new comers into the existing group of preachers in all parts of Borno State. The Board has to make deliberate efforts to work with community sources across the 27 local government areas of the State in getting information about any form of suspicious preaching not only in urban centres but in villages.
“We shouldn’t expect Boko Haram to come back using a familiar identity. If they will try to return, they may apply different forms. The Board has to be alert and has to encourage preachers who will use knowledge to change the Boko Haram narrative”, the governor said.

27 year old Google manager’s body is found burnt after she went jogging

A Google account manager, 27 year old Vanessa Marcotte’s dead body was found unclad and burnt in a wooded area of Massachusetts, US, on Sunday night August 7th near her mum’s house in Princeton after she went jogging.
Police believe she was sexually assaulted before she was set on fire at the crime scene. Detectives believe the incident was a homicide and are now searching for suspects in the mystery case.

A state police source told News Center 5 that Vanessa had burns on her hands, feet and part of her head.
Internet search giant Google has paid tribute to Vanessa, in a statement the company said;

“Vanessa Marcotte was a much loved member of the Google team, working in our New York office for the last year and a half, and known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work and love of Boston sports.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

More photos of Vanessa

‘Pogba Worth Transfer Fee’ – Rio Ferdinand

Paul Pogba has completed his world-record transfer to Manchester United, and tongues are wagging about the £89m paid for his services.
In his defense, former team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who made 453 appearances for the Old Trafford giants after a similar British record transfer of £30m from Leeds, believes the 23-year old is worth every penny spent by Manchester United.

“Paul is a huge talent and someone with the personality to handle that price tag,” Ferdinand was quoted saying.
The former Juventus talisman joined United in 2009 as a precarious youngster.
Frustrated with limited playing opportunities; recording only seven substitute appearances, he left Manchester United in 2012 for a fee around £1.5m.
In his early years in Juventus, he developed into one of the most promising young players in the world, helping the Italian side to four consecutive Serie A titles, as well as two Coppa Italia, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.
In 2013, he received the Golden Boy award, an award handed to the best under-21 player in Europe.
“He can do everything. He is still working out the best way to use all of his weapons but, once he does, he will be an absolute monster of a player.” Ferdinand continued.
“Paul told me before he left that he wanted to be the best player in the world,”
“He is on the right track to achieving that.
“He won a lot of trophies at Juventus and his mentality means he wants to keep on winning things. If he does that at United then he will be up there to contend for individual accolades as well.
“From training with him and playing with him I know all about his self-belief and work ethic, as well as his ability as a player. Those are the two big things you need to be a success at United.
“Paul’s character means he will deal with being such a big investment – so that won’t be a problem.
“As well as that, he will relish the responsibility on his shoulders of bringing medals and trophies to the club. That won’t faze him at all.”
Manchester United begin their premier league campaign against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 14th, and Pogba is expected to play a part in the lunchtime kickoff.

Killing Of Soldiers, Airmen In Niger State Unfortunate – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has described the killing of soldiers and airmen on lawful duty in Bosso, Niger State, by suspected gun runners as unacceptable.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday shortly after addressing personnel at the 332 Artilery Regiment in Shendam, Mr. Buratai, however, said the incident would not deter the military from carrying out its lawful duties.

“What happened in Bosso is highly unfortunate”, he said, noting that the troops were on a mission to recover arms hid in communities in the area when they were ambushed and killed.
“But instead of them – gun runners to be law abiding, they took the law into their hands and attacked the troops.
“We have the mandate to bring the situation under control, we are working with the police to make sure that we keep our society free of criminalities”, the chief of army staff said.

RELATED POST: Five Killed, Two Injured As Villagers Mistake Soldiers For Armed Herdsmen In Niger

On his visit to the regiment and other military formations in the state, Mr. Buratai said it was “routine” and to find out challenges of the troops in order to address them.
“If you are not on ground to see them and know what their challenges are, you will not be able to appreciate and address them”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chief of army staff announced the promotion of a gunner in the regiment, Dantani Ibrahim, to Lance Corporal, for his bravery, dedication and hard work.
Mr. Buratai, who later addressed wives of soldiers at the regiment, promised to give their welfare a top priority, adding that children of soldiers who died in line of duty would be sponsored up to the university level.
He also said any of those children, who desire to get enlisted into any of the military services, would be given priority.

NiMet Alerts Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Nine Other States To Imminent Flooding

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has urged 11 state governments to take pro-active action against imminent flooding.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Public Relations Unit, National Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Centre of NiMet, Eva Azinge, in Abuja on Monday.

“The affected States include: Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe and Zamfara”, she said.
Mrs. Azinge said NiMet had predicted flooding in the eleven states due to the cumulative high intensity rainfall in those parts of the country in June and July.
She added that with the current rainfall, there were prospects of flooding in August and October.
“After thorough analyses of rainfall data from our observatories nationwide for June and July, soil moisture has either reached saturation, or near saturation levels”, she said.
“This is due to cumulative high intensity rainfall in some parts of the country in June and July.
“This means that floods should be expected in these areas because the soil is no longer able to absorb more rainwater in the coming weeks which coincide with the peak rainy season”.
Mrs. Azinge said many parts of the country would experience lower than normal total rainfall due to the effect of El Nino.
“Flooding could still be experienced in such areas; particularly those that are naturally prone to flooding”.
She recalled that the 2016 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), identified parts of the Northwest, Southwest and low-lying areas, as particularly vulnerable to flooding during the 2016 rainy season.
According to Mrs. Azinge, “these observations and projections are also in agreement with the 2016 Annual Flood Outlook that was released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.
“NiMet advises Governments, communities and individuals in these vulnerable parts of the country to take proactive actions, such as clearing water channels, drainages and avoid activities that will block the free flow of waters.
“Governments, communities and individuals in these vulnerable parts of the country are advised to take proactive actions, such as clearing water channels and drainages, and also avoid activities that block the free flow of water.
“Closer attention should also be paid to NiMet’s daily weather forecasts and alerts. It is further advised that relevant agencies should perfect their emergency evacuation plans and activate them as soon as necessary.
“Meanwhile, NiMet will continue to monitor the rainfall pattern as well as general weather conditions across the country and issue updates from time to time”.
She said NiMet was also working in collaboration with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency to monitor rainfall across the country.
(NAN)

N/Delta Groups Hail Buhari NDDC’s Board Appointments

President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for appointing a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The president was commended by three groups in the Niger Delta, which also condemned a publication credited to a youth movement in the region, condemning the appointment of a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Nsima Ekere, as the intervention agency’s Managing Director.

The groups alleged that the “faceless” petitioner’s aim was to discredit the nomination of Ekere as NDDC’s boss without having knowledge of the political topography and history of appointments in the area.
A joint statement by Abiye Tamuno Sokari-George (Rivers Pathfinders), Erasmus Obele Nwankpa (Alliance for Transparency and Good Governance) and BaJerome Alali Green (Vanguard for Justice, Equity and Strategy) said the appointment was in order and satisfied the yearnings of the area

Ex-Amnesty Boss, Kuku Denies Link With Avengers

The immediate past Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has condemned the attempt to link him with the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, had in statement issued weekend by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, alleged that Kuku, alongside prominent Niger Delta personalities, including former President, Dr. Goodlukc Jonathan, were the brains behind the NDA, a militant group that has claimed responsibility for bringing Nigeria’s crude oil production from about 1.8 million barrels per day to a little above 1 million barrels.

All the personalities mentioned as alleged sponsors of the NDA have since issued separate statements denouncing the claim, with the exception of Kuku, whose office as former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, was in charge of the amnesty programme.

SEE ALSO: GEJ, Other Accused Sponsors Of Niger Delta Avengers Refute Claims

However, in a statement he issued from Alabama, the United States of America (U.S.A) where he is undergoing therapy after a knee surgery, the former amnesty coordinator denied sponsoring any militant group.
The statement reads: “This is yet another attempt to discredit my hard-earned reputation and defame my person, after the earlier plot to implicate me with terrorism by another fictitious Kano-based group, National Security Watchdog. If that attempt failed, this too has surely fallen flat.
“Since the 1990s, I have dedicated a greater part of my life to the service of our dear country. I have been privileged to serve Nigeria and my people in different capacities and have discharged my duties and responsibilities with utmost patriotism and the fear of God.
“The jury is still out on my last national assignment as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. But what cannot be disputed is the fact of an indelible mark my team and I achieved at ensuring and stabilising the peace and security of the Niger Delta for four solid years, despite the very grave challenges we faced. Even now, I am willing to join any sincere effort to restore and strengthen the peace of the region, irrespective of party affiliation, in the interest of my people and the nation.
“It is, therefore, the height of perfidy to point fingers at a man like me; after committing so much to guarantee peace and security in the region, to now sponsor acts that are antithetical to my cherished principles. Without mincing words, I am pained by the seeming reversal of the gains recorded while discharging our mandate.
“But no matter the systemic attempts to blur our achievements, there shall be light at the end of the dark tunnel.
“In Nigeria of today, where you are guilty until proven innocent, which is the title of my upcoming book, some of the fruits of our efforts have started manifesting with the graduation of three of our delegates with First-Class degrees and some others with Second-Class Upper degrees in the United Kingdom (U.K) alone, just as thousands of others have equally performed excellently well in other parts of the world and in Nigeria. These are youths who were privileged to be enrolled in higher institutions abroad and in Nigeria under the Special Scholarship Scheme initiated by my team and me under former President Goodluck Jonathan. We invested so much in academics and capacity development of youths from the region and our achievements continue to speak for us.
“As I recuperate from my surgery, I have advised my lawyers to take steps to defend my integrity against negative media reports.
“I remain an unrepentant advocate of the indissolubility of the Nigerian nation as well as the peace and development of the Niger Delta”.

President Buhari Congratulates Tinubu’s Son On The Occasion Of His Wedding

Mr. Oluwaseyi Afolabi Tinubu, son of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, got married to his heartthrob, Layal Jade Holm yesterday at a low-key ceremony at the Iga Idunganran Palace of Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos. The ceremony was witnessed by top government functionaries,

The ceremony was witnessed by top government functionaries, eminent academics and royalty. Although, President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t attend the wedding, he sent his well wishes  to the couple via a letter.

“It is a real pleasure for me to convey my congratulations to the groom, Oluwaseyi Afolabi Tinubu and the beautiful bride, Layal Jade Holm on this day. Wedding day is one of the happiest and most momentous days of a couple’s life. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you very happy marriage and long life together.
“Seyi, your duty is to look after her, respect her and be patient with her. Layal, your duty is to respect him, honour him and be patient with him.
“Seyi, your father is among the famous Nigerians who helped to shape modern Nigeria. You should cherish and help keep his legacy alive. Congratulations, happy day today and happy days ahead.”