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Governors join Adeboye, Gowon at Xmas Carol

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Governors join Adeboye, Gowon at Xmas Carol

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, set aglow, the presidential Christmas Carol held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Aside Adeboye, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, many state governors attended the Carol.

The Carol tagged “Christmas Praise Concert”, was also attended by Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.

The first Bible reading taken from Luke 2:18 –18, was read by Mrs Victoria Gowon, wife of the former Head of State, Gowon, while the second reading taken from Isaiah 7:14–15, 9:6–7, was read by Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State.

The Gospel lesson taken from Luke 2: 1–7, was read by SGF, Mustapha.

In his Christmas message, Adeboye thanked God for peace in Nigeria and prayed God to continue to protect the nation and bring lasting peace to it.

He prayed for God’s mercy on the nation and committed the 2019 general elections into God’s hands.

In a special intercession, Pastor Seyi Malomo, Chaplain, State House Chapel, prayed for Nigeria and its leaders especially, President Muhammad Buhari, who would mark his birthday on Dec. 16.

The congregation was thrilled by renditions from various choir groups, including Aguda House Choir, Aso Villa Chapel Choir, Aso Villa Chapel Children Choir, Plateau Unity Choir and Praise Chorale, Lagos, among others.

Osinbajo, Adeboye, Gown at Xmas Carol

Speaking with State House correspondents shortly after the carol, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, said his take away from the carol was that God should lead Ekiti people to freedom.

On his part, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, said that God was bringing hope to Nigeria despite its numerous challenges.

He said that Nigeria was moving on the part of progress.

Also in attendance were the governors of Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, royal fathers, clergies, captains of industry and members of the National Assembly. (NAN)

Malabu scam : FG sues Shell, Eni in London

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Malabu scam : FG sues Shell, Eni in London

The Federal Government said it had filed a 1.1 billion dollar lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell and Eni in a commercial court in London  in relation to a 2011 oilfield deal in Nigeria.

The two oil majors are embroiled in a long-running corruption case revolving around the purchase of Oil Prospecting Licence  (OPL)245.

OPL 245, which is one of the biggest sources of untapped oil reserves on the African continent with reserves estimated at nine billion barrels, is also at the heart of an ongoing corruption trial in Milan, Italy, in which former and current Shell and Eni officials are on the bench.

Milan prosecutors alleged bribes totalling around $1.1bn were paid to win the licence to explore the field which, because of disputes, had never entered into production.

The new London case also related to payments made by the companies to get the OPL 245 oilfield licence in 2011, Reuters reported on Thursday.

“It is alleged that purchase monies purportedly paid to the Federal Republic of Nigeria were in fact immediately paid through a company controlled by Dan Etete, formerly the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, and used for, among other things, bribes and kickbacks,” Nigeria said on Thursday.

“Accordingly, it is alleged that Shell and Eni engaged in bribery and unlawful conspiracy to harm the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that they dishonestly assisted corrupt Nigerian government officials.”

The Nigerian government also included Nigeria-based Malabu Oil & Gas in the lawsuit, and a company called Energy Venture Partners Ltd., according to Bloomberg.

Malabu was allegedly controlled by Etete, who took possession of the $1.1bn payment and used it for bribes and kickbacks, according to the lawsuit.

Antonio Secci, a lawyer for Etete, was quoted as saying that the London suit “surprises” because the Nigerian government is already seeking damages in Milan.

“This situation cannot be represented again in London because it is repetitive,” he said.

Shell said “the 2011 settlement of long-standing legal disputes related to OPL 245 was a fully legal transaction with Eni and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the most senior officials of the relevant ministries.”

Eni was quoted as saying in an emailed statement that it rejected “any allegation of impropriety or irregularity in connection with this transaction.”

“Eni (…) signed a commercial agreement in 2011 for a new licence for OPL 245 with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the consideration for the licence was paid directly to the Nigerian government,” it said.

Nigeria has already filed a London case against a US bank, JPMorgan, for its role in transferring over $800m of government funds to Etete, who has been convicted of money laundering.

In another separate trial, a Milan court in September found a middleman guilty of corruption after prosecutors alleged he had received a mandate from Etete, who had denied any wrongdoing, to find a buyer for OPL 245, collecting $114m for his services.

Last month, a global anti-corruption and accountability watchdog group, Global Witness, calculated that the OPL 245 deal deprived Nigeria of double its annual education and healthcare budget.

Reported by Punch

Boko Haram: UK campaigns international support for Nigeria

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Boko Haram: UK campaigns international support for Nigeria

The United Kingdom has called for international support for Nigeria in the fight against the resurgence of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Jonathan Allen, stated this at the Security Council briefing on the UN Office for Central Africa.

Allen raised concern about the humanitarian and security situation in the wider Lake Chad Basin, which continued to deteriorate, in addition to the crisis in Cameroon.

He said: “The United Kingdom has played its part in providing humanitarian support, as well as significant support particularly to assist the Nigerian security forces in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA).

”This matter needs the ongoing focus and support of the international community. The deteriorating security situation in northeast Nigeria is of particular concern, and one I note shared by the Secretary-General.

“ISWA has increased the frequency, range and sophistication of their attacks and has attacked forward operating military bases in North East Nigeria.

“The execution by ISWA of humanitarian workers such as Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman, who were both abducted while providing antenatal care to communities in desperate need is a telling reminder of the brutality of ISWA’s activities”.

On Cameroon, Allen said the United Kingdom recognised the many positive contributions the country was making to stability in the region.

“However, we are concerned by the reality of the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.

“In particular, we are concerned about high levels of displacement and take very seriously Reena Ghelani’s warning that this is now one of the fastest growing displacement crises in Africa and reports of human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by armed separatist groups and Government forces.

”Including extra-judicial killings, other killings, abductions, restrictions of movement and access to health and education as described in the Secretary-General’s report.

“We must always be alert, colleagues, to the risk that the situation escalates, affecting the broader peace and stability of the Central African region, and we have already seen over 30,000 Cameroonians flee into Nigeria.

“If grievances are not addressed, tensions are likely to increase further,” Allen warned.

He said the UK welcomed Cameroonian President Paul Biya’s recent pledge to address the situation but that words alone would not improve things, adding that the UK strongly urges the Government of Cameroon to take urgent action.

The UK’s envoy said his country also called on the armed groups involved to cease their attacks on civilians, allow full humanitarian access, and access to human rights monitors, and to engage with the Government on these issues.

“The UK, for its part, is committed to supporting Cameroon and I am pleased to announce today that the United Kingdom is contributing $3.1 million to the UN’s response in the Anglophone regions – that’s equivalent to 20 per cent of this year’s flash appeal for the Anglophone crisis – to address immediate humanitarian and medical needs.

“We strongly encourage other Member States to fund this as an important part of the conflict prevention effort. Preventing a crisis costs significantly less than resolving one,” he said.

Allen said the UK had raised its concerns quietly so far and directly with the Government and was committed to working with the Government of Cameroon in every way it could to help resolve the situation.

“But I fear, unless action is taken and the situation improves, concern over the situation in Cameroon is likely to increase amongst Security Council Members and become a more prominent part of our discussions,” he said.

Kaduna Gov. El-Rufai under fire for threatening Dunamis Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche

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Kaduna Gov. El-Rufai under fire for threatening Dunamis Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche

My attention was drawn to a statement credited to governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State where he publicly threatened to GET the senior pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, over what he tagged as an inciting statement against his person.

I wanted to ignore him but I chose to speak out and not be silent because the body of Christ is being threatened by the forces of darkness here and I urge every Christian to rise up and speak against it.

El-Rufai in his said statement accused the Senior Pastor of Dunamis of mainlining his name and he pointedly asserted thus, “The clip was circulated in Kaduna and he is in Abuja, we will get him.”

I am yet to understand the motive behind his statement in what appeared to be a threat.

I have watched the video over and over again and there was nowhere Dr. Paul Enenche mention or accuse him (El-Rufai) of kidnapping and killing any traditional ruler, neither was his name mentioned in the entire message.

The pastor only condemned the abduction and the eventual murder of the paramount ruler of Adara Chiefdom, Agwom Adara, His Royal Highness, Maiwada Raphael Galadima paramount ruler of Adara Chiefdom, Agwom Adara, His Royal Highness, Maiwada Raphael Galadima who resisted every attempts by some from his government to bring all the chiefdoms in Kaduna under the emirate system.

El Rufai’s statements and denial reminds me of the case of a child denying stealing meat from the pot simply because his mum asked if he had visited the kitchen.

Let it be made known today that not even a trillion el-Rufais can silence the voice of God or of His kingdom.

Reacting to a message after two months is an afterthought and a clear case of swimming in a dry ocean.

No threat or political conspiracy would deter the armies of God’s kingdom from speaking against the declaration of war against Christianity in Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.
I call on the United Nations and international community to pay attention to this statement of Nasir El-Rufai against the person of a peace loving Nigerian citizen.

I also call on Dr. Paul Enenche not to allow the empty noise from Kaduna shriek his voice from speaking against political Ahithophels in Nigeria.

I want to remind the governor that despite his hatred for Christians, the church is marching on and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

Lawrence Okwoli writes from Lagos

Foremost traditional ruler, Oba Oyelude calls for support for Nigerian Army

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Foremost traditional ruler, Oba Oyelude calls for support for Nigerian Army

Foremost traditional ruler, Oba Oyelude calls for support for Nigerian Army

Foremost traditionalist and the Olowu of Owu Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, has called for total support for the Nigerian Army on the war against terrorism.

The Olowu was reacting to a report in the media which indicted the Nigerian Army for war crimes in countering Boko Haram and other threats to the country.

The monarch said the report, which accused the troops of war crimes was mischievous and disheartening, considering the sacrifices the soldiers have made in restoring peace back to the nation.

Oba Oyelude, while addressing a press conference on Thursday at his ancestoral Palace, implored Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation or convictions to come together and resist the cheap blackmail against our Army.

He said, “At this critical time in our nation’s history, I consider it mischievous and malicious the timing of the release of the said report, and the usual double standard of the so called Amnesty International in demoralizing our patriotic Army.

“We were thrown into mourning some weeks ago, when our soldiers were slaughtered by insurgents.

“This resulted in low morale among troops and one must acknowledge all efforts put in place by the present administration and previous ones in motivating the Army to do its job.

“I believe the only way to go is for Nigerians in rare show of patriotism to reject this assertion and keep supporting the ongoing efforts of the present government through the Army and other security agencies in protecting the integrity and sanctity of our sovereignty.

“I call on all patriotic Nigerians to rise up against the agent of Colonialism under the disguise of pseudo Human Right Organizations , because their usual numerous activities have always been injurious to our fighting force, the Nigerian Army is our national pride,
Long Live the Nigeria Army,” he added.

Nigeria to revamp hospitals to curb medical tourism

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Nigeria to revamp hospitals to curb medical tourism

Nigeria is exploring better ways of re-equipping and making public health institutions efficient in order to save foreign exchange drain arising from medical tourism.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said a news briefing to commemorate the ”5th World Universal Health Coverage Day,” in Abuja on Wednesday.

The theme for the commemoration is ”Unite for universal health coverage” and the slogan – ”Now is the time for collective action’’.

Ehanire said the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and its partners had developed an operational platform for ensuring that every citizen had access to affordable and comprehensive care in a timely manner.

He said that the ministry and its agencies as well as partners were guided by a common vision and goal for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

He said that efforts were currently on-going to kick-start the first phase of UHC in Abia, Osun, Katsina, Yobe, Edo and Federal Capital Territory.

”We have worked to ensure that routine immunisation coverage has risen from 48 per cent to 57per cent. We continue to distribute and educate citizens on the use and maintenance of the long lasting insecticidal-net.

”Another step is the development of a national health insurance scheme for all Nigerians at all levels with robust citizen participation to build confidence.

”FMOH is also working on a universal medical emergency services and ambulance scheme to assure free and immediate emergency treatment of all victims of accident and emergency situations,” he said.

The minister added that the government was deeply committed to increasing investment in Nigeria’s health system to strengthen and improve service delivery.

Nigeria loses huge resources to its citizens travelling out of the country in search of better medical care because of the inefficiency of services in the country.

A-Class celebrities throws weight behind Buhari

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A-Class celebrities throws weight behind Buhari

By Timothy Aiyeku

Some prominent Nigerian Celebrities have pledged their support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The celebrities including former Nigerian football stars, Daniel Amokachi, Peter Rufai, Garba Lawal and artistes Korede Bello, Jide Kosoko, Iyanya, Joke Silva, DJ Jimi Jat made the declaration while receiving awards for excellence from Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Aisha Buhari, presented the awards to the footballers, musicians as well as Nollywood actors for their contribution to the development of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

She made the presentation during an event organised by the Buhari Support Organization tagged “Together Nigeria” aimed at galvanising support for the re-election of President Buhari in the 2019 general election.

The event was organised to showcase the achievement of the Buhari administration in the last three and half years.

In their separate responses after the award, the celebrities declared their support for the re-election of President Buhari.

Amokachi, said the Buhari administration has achieved a lot in the fight against corruption.

He also said the fight has been gradually changing the narrative of Nigerians in the international community.

The footballer said, Buhari has laid a solid foundation for the betterment of future generation of Nigerians.

Kosoko said, his support for President Buhari is unshakable considering the successes recorded by the administration especially in the area of social investment programme.

Christmas: Night trading begins in Enugu

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Christmas: Night trading begins in Enugu

Barely two weeks to Christmas celebration, dealers in all kinds of Christmas items have taken over major markets and pedestrian walkways in Enugu, at night, to make brisk business.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  correspondents who visited some of the markets and shopping malls in Enugu report that most of the traders were seen selling brocades, jewelry, shoes and sandals.

Other items include ready-made clothes, weave-on, balloons and the traders stay deep into the night.

Many of the traders were seen ringing bell to attract passersby, wooing them with discount prices at the major strategic locations in the area.

A trader in Ogbete Main Market,who gave her name as Mama Akano, said that she decided to display her wares on the pedestrian walkways to attract civil servants returning from work.

Akano said that she had a shop inside the market but that the festive atmosphere associated with the season motivated her to stay beyond the 5:00p.m and do extra business to earn more money.

She said that the market closes 5 p.m, adding that the night trading afforded her the opportunity to increase her daily sales, noting that traders at the market hardly made good returns.

“I open shop by 10:00a.m. every day and till 5:00p.m. I hardly make N2, 000 profit.So, I decided to be selling at night, and this has improved my daily profit,” she said.

Another trader, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiogu, said that he opted for night trading due to the penchant of most residents of Enugu for trading into the night.
Ejiogu said that though he had a paid job, “I decided to sell foot wears this season in order to meet my financial needs.”

NAN further reports that hairdressers at Ogbete Market have been swell time making fast business as most of them stay up to 8:00p.m., a development many of them described as unusual.

Criticism of Buhari: Sen. Adamu knocks Obasanjo

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Criticism of Buhari: Sen. Adamu knocks Obasanjo

By Timothy Aiyeku

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, has expressed concern over the manner former President Olusegun Obasanjo, criticised President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adamu, who stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, said Obasanjo’s criticisms of Buhari was not dignifying.

He was reacting to a recent report credited to the former president, where he said he was not neutral regarding his support for a specific presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections.

Adamu said: “while he is entitled to criticise and also campaign against the re-election bid of Buhari, he should not be pedestrian in doing that.

“What was Obasanjo’s record in office when he ran this country first from Feb. 1976 to Oct. 1979, and subsequently from May 1999 to May 2007.

“Would there have been the desperate and notoriously corrupt bid for a third term in office that was witnessed by Nigerians if he had a good record by then,” Adamu said.

According to the Senator, under Obasanjo’s watch, most of Nigeria’s strategic investments were sold without much to show as returns to the nation.

“No Nigerian of repute who knows Obasanjo’s antecedents will be surprised at his current criticism of Buhari.

“He is going off the line of fair comment in this circumstance, and I believe eminent citizens of this country need to call him to order,” he said.

Buhari to reward hard work, loyalty

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Buhari to reward hard work, loyalty

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated “Together Nigeria’’, a support group and assured his supporters that handwork and loyalty would henceforth be adequately rewarded.

The event was organised by the Buhari Support Organisation.

Buhari, who expressed gratitude to the organisation, said, “some individuals and organisations might be feeling disappointed because we have not been able to please everyone.

“I would like to assure you that this time, handwork and loyalty will be rewarded adequately.’’

According to the President, the event reminds him of the political struggle and support he has been enjoying from the group over the years.

He, therefore, endorsed the plan put in place by the Buhari Support Organisation to reposition the organisation and strategise towards success in the next election and beyond.

“This once again gives me further encouragement, hope and optimism in our political journey,” Buhari said.

While acknowledging the overwhelming nationwide support he has been enjoying over the years, Buhari said his administration was already celebrating the landmark achievements so far recorded.

He expressed gratitude to the group for sensitising Nigerians to the successes recorded by the governing All Progressive Congress (APC).

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian celebrities for their contributions to the growth of the country’s entertainment industry as well as projecting the good image of Nigeria abroad.

“I would like to thank our celebrities for projecting the image of Nigeria globally and your contributions to our entertainment industry,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘Together Nigeria’, which is made up of Nigerian celebrities, is an advocacy group supporting the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

President Buhari’s remarks at the Launch of “Together Nigeria’’.

PROTOCOLS:

It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you to this memorable event.

2. Let me first congratulate and thank the organizers of this event for putting this together in a very special way. I feel happy to see people from different backgrounds coming together for a common cause such as this. I am particularly happy to be here face to face with some of our celebrities whom I only see on television.

3. Tonight’s event once again reminds me of our political struggles over the years and the support I enjoyed from many support structures such as The Buhari Organization (TBO) and Buhari Support Organization (BSO). I am happy that today we are not only celebrating our election victory but our numerous land mark achievements.

4. I have listened and I acknowledge with delight the story of Buhari Support Organization (BSO) past, present and future from previous speakers. In particular, I commend the plan to reorganize and reposition the organization towards the forth coming election and beyond. This has once again given me further encouragement, hope and optimism in our political journey.

5. At this point, I would like to acknowledge the over whelming support I enjoyed from individuals and organizations across the country over the years. I say thank you to all those who contributed to our successes in one way or the other.

6. Some of you, individuals and organizations, may be feeling disappointed because we have not been able to please everyone. I would like to assure you that this time hard work and loyalty will be rewarded adequately.

7. Finally, I wish to thank the TOGETHER NIGERIA Group for educating the world about our good work and achievements. I will like to also thank our celebrities for projecting the image of Nigeria globally and for your contributions to the development of our entertainment industries.

8. To our teeming supporters across the country and beyond I say thank you for your continuing and unrelenting support.

9. I wish all of you present here safe journey back to your various destinations.

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