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

How Wife And Pastor Killed Her Husband

A 45-year-old Pastor Amos Odorimo and a married woman, Roseline are currently cooling their feet at the Ebonyi state Criminal Investigation Department over their involvement in the untimely death of the woman’s husband.

Wife, Roseline and Pastor Amos Odorimo arrested for killing her husband

According to Sunday Sun the deceased, 45-year-old Nwe­bonyi Nwuguru, a native of Edukwu Inyima had given his pastor Amos Odorimo who is the General Overseer of Divine Salvation Ministry one hectare of land to buid a church auditorium.
Apparently when the late Nwe­bonyi Nwuguru discovered that there was more to the relationship between his 41-year-old wife and the pastor as they were having a love affair, the suspects decided to kill him as they were not willing to end their illicit affair.
The pastor and the wife of the deceased decided to execute their evil plan on September 30, 2014, after Pastor Odori had offered to give the Nwuguru a ride to the farm. Along the way he stopped and killed the late Nwuguru.
Speaking with Sunday Sun at the Ebonyi state police command, the Pastor Amos Odori confessed he was romantically involved with the deceased’s wife:
“I am married and have five children. The deceased Nwebo­nyi Nwugwu was nice to me. He gave me a hectare of land to build my church.
His wife, Roseline Nwuguru attended my church. It was from there that I started having love affair with her. When the love was getting deep we found out that the de­ceased was disturbing us and we have to plan for him,” Odorimo said.
“I took deceased’s cutlass and cut him on the head. His wife also hit him on the head with a big stick. He died on the spot and we ran away to Benue State, but men of the local vigilance group arrested us and handed us over to the police.”
The wife of the deceased, Roseline Nwuguru, who hails from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and has seven kids for her husband narrating how herself and the pastor killed him said:
“Actually I was having a love affair with Pastor Odorimo. I don’t regret my action and joining in killing my husband. He was a wicked man, because he prevented people from entering the church.”
Ebonyi State Commissioner, Maigari Dikko has said after investigations has been concluded they will be charged to court.

Shocking Story! Woman held captive for 9 years by lover in Lagos (Photo)

This is the shocking story of a woman who was kidnapped by her lover and locked in a house for 9 years..She gave birth to 4 children while in captivity ..Culled from the Sun
A woman from Delta State (names withheld by us) who was kid­napped nine years ago by her lov­er has miraculously regained her freedom.
The woman who lived in the Ikotun Egbe area of Lagos stepped out of her lover’s house with her four children for the first time in nine years. The woman said to be a grad­uate and speaks fluent English narrated her ordeal to the people in the area who gathered around to have a glim of her.
Sunday Sun was told by eye witnesses that the woman’s lover who hails from Ekiti State loved her so much and wanted to marry her but because her family was against the relationship, he decided to kidnap her for keeps, to keep her away from her parents. He later took her to a wooden house he built for her in Okerube area of Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos.
Neighbours said the woman claimed not to have known where she was kept because her lover would go to the market to get food for her and her children very early in the morn­ing and threatened that she would die if she stepped out of the house. When he leaves, he makes sure he locks the house so she had no way of coming out. Sunday Sun was told that it was in the wooden house that the woman gave birth to her four children while the hus­band acted as the midwife.
Three weeks ago, her lover fell ill and could not as usual go out to fetch food all through the period of his illness. Extreme­ly starved and weak, the woman forced him out on Friday, October 24, 2014 to get what they would eat and drink before they all die of hunger and thirst. Luckily for her and the children, the man forgot to lock the house.It was at this point that the woman decided to urinate and was shocked to see what had hap­pened around her.
When the people in the area discovered her, they came out in their numbers and started questioning her as they thought she was mad. She and her children were so much emaciated but from her responses and body language, they realized she and the children were okay and mentally sound. While in forced confinement, she had taught the children their lessons such that they spoke very well when with their mother in the crowd. She remembered her sister’s con­tact and one of the sympathizers quickly put a call through to her. In about 30 minutes, the sister arrived at the scene and took her and the children away.
Eyewitnesses reported that her husband had not returned from the market when she was taken away. They said she was so upset at the forceful rescue that she was scream­ing at the top of her voice:

“My husband oh, my husband!” thereby getting her sister an­gry and shouting back at her; “which yeye husband you dey call?”

A lady who lived in the neighbourhood said the man built the wooden house near her house. Whenever people go near the place to see if anyone lives there, he would use a catapult and stone to hit them and chase them away. She said:

 “Anyone who tries to get close, this man will use catapult and stone to shoot them so people had to let him be thinking he was mentally unbal­anced. We didn’t even know he was living there with five people. When the man got back, he found the house empty. He be­gan to shout, ‘’I hate human beings, that is why I isolated myself and my family from them.’’Can you imagine”?

It is uncertain if the man is himself a grad­uate or if he is mentally stable but one thing is certain: He was not ready to set his “wife” free and was very upset when she left