Why we’ll only confirm serious appointments by Buhari - NASS

The Nigeria Senate said it is yet to lift the embargo
placed on confirmation of appointment made by
Oresident Buhari
- The Senate said it will only confirm the important
ones cruicial to the nation's growth
- The Senate added that it stopped confirming
appointments after Osinbajo said the legislature has
no such power


The Nigerian Senate said it is yet to lift the
embargo it placed on confirming the
appointments made by President Muhammadu
Buhari except the appointment is important to
the nation's growth and cannot be ignored.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media
and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi
said the national assembly stopped confirming
appointments made by the president after Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo said the Senate has no
such power.
Sabi-Abdullahi, who made the statement during
an interview with Punch said the Senate, in
March 2017, resolved to suspend further
consideration of appointments made by Buhari to
protest against the retention of Ibrahim Magu as
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, despite his rejection by the

lawmakers.

He said: “What the Vice-President said clearly is that we
do not have the powers for confirmation. He did not limit it
to the issue of Magu. That was why the Senate considered it
very grave enough to say that, ‘Since that is it, then fine. We
will cease to carry out that function. Let them carry it out
themselves.’
“Because we serve the people, the exceptions you talked
about were serious enough to require that we give an
exception. So, there is nothing like the issue of a back door
(lifting of the embargo). These (confirmations) were
discussed in the same chamber where the (embargo)
resolution was taken.”
When asked if the remaining appointments
under embargo were not considered to be critical
to the economy and Nigerians, he said: “It is not
for me to answer. The question is: Is the National Assembly
not critical to our democracy? Why is our issue not

important?”
Meanwhile, adegokblog.blogspot.com earlier reported that
President Buhari has approved the appointment
of new heads of federal agencies and renewed
others.
Information on the appointments are in a
statement signed by Olusegun Adekunle, the
Permanent Secretary (General Services Office)
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the

Federation on Friday in Abuja.

Full speech of President Buhari at the closing ceremony of APC convention

Winners at the just concluded APC national
convention has been urged to be humble in victory
- President Buhari made this call at the end of the
convention held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on
Sunday, June 24
- He said it is not about winner-takes-all but for
building a party that will serve the nation diligently


President Muhammadu Buhari says the just-
concluded national convention of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) is not about winner-
takes-all but for building a party that will serve
the nation diligently.
The president stated this in his remarks at the
end of the convention held at the Eagle Square,
Abuja, on Sunday, June 24.
He challenged those who emerged victorious at
the party’s polls to be humble in victory, and
that those who lost should be gallant and

gracious in defeat.
Here is the president's full speech
"It gives me great pleasure to address leaders and delegates
of our great party, as we wind down on the convention of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), which began here
yesterday.
"Let me salute the patience, forbearance, and spirit of
accommodation that has been on display, as we held
elections to fill positions in our National Working
Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee.
"I salute aspirants who for the common good, had to shelve
personal ambition, and stood down for others they were to
have contended with. I also salute those who went the
whole way, contested, were voted for, and who emerged
victorious, or otherwise.
"Everything was done in an atmosphere of give and take,
knowing that in such contest, only one person would
ultimately win.
"Let the victors be humble in victory, and let those who
didn't win be also gallant and gracious in defeat.
"We are members of one party, and it is not about winners
takes all. Rather, the purpose is to build a party that would
put its best foot forward, and serve our country to the best
of its ability.
"You were all here through the raw weather that persisted
from yesterday till today, but you bore it patiently. You
persevered through the night, and deep into another day.
Thank you very much.
"At the end of all proceedings, I believe we have put in
place an executive that we all can be proud of, one that
would lead our party from victory to victory, from progress
to progress, and one that Nigerians can be proud of.
"I thank and congratulate members of the immediate past
executive, led by His Excellency, Chief John Odigie Oyegun,
for their selfless service to our party, and urge them to
always lend the wisdom of their experience to the new
executive members.
"Together, we will all build a cohesive party, that will do
our country a world of good. As you all return to your
destinations, I pray that God almighty will take you safely
home.
"In our country, not only the labour of our heroes past shall

not be in vain.
"The labour of the current generation shall also be
rewarded. APC will serve Nigeria to the best of our God
given abilities, and move our country to its right position in
the comity of nations.
"Long live APC, long live our great party, long live Federal

Republic of Nigeria. God bless."

Meanwhile, adegokblog.blogspot.com
Progressives Congress (APC) officially announced

some of its newly elected leaders .

APC announces new leaders (full list of winners)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially
announced some of its newly elected leaders .



Abubakar Badaru, the chairman of the
convention convention the results and elected
officials on Sunday, June 24 at the convention
venue, Premium Times reports.
“We have accredited 6800 delegates for the convention and

starting with the ex official south east.
I announced yesterday 18 positions unopposed. And later
with the intervention of the leaders, another eight positions
became unopposed making 26.”
Here are the names of the newly elected officials.
Some others were yet to be announced at the
time of this report.
Nduka Ayongo – ex-officio south-south
Aminu Tumnaga- zonal woman leader
Blessing Onuhua- zonal woman leader south-east
David Okumba – zonal secretary south-south
Zuera Bakare- zonal woman leader north-west
John Uwede – zonal secretary south-east
Timothy Amah- zonal organising secretary south-
east
Femi Ibedeyi – zonal organising secretary south-
west
Ade Fadileri – zonal organising secretary south-
south
Shuaibu Abdulrahman – zonal organising
secretary north-east
Gabriel Osuori – zonal youth leader south-south
Onyeka Osimeka- zonal youth leader south-east
Laoke Olanrewaju – zonal youth leader south-
west
Abubakar Sa’adu – zonal youth leader north-
west
Kasim Bello Maigari – zonal youth leader north-
east
Afeez Bolaji – deputy national youth leader
Abubakar Shiuab- national youth leader
Onye – deputy national woman leader
Salamatu Umar – national woman leader
George Mohgalu- national auditor
Bolaji Abdullahi – national publicity secretary
Sunday Chukuma- deputy national financial
secretary
Adamu Fanda- national treasurer
Ado Oguta – deputy legal adviser
Hillary Ekpe- national vice-chairman south-south
Emmanuel Omachukwu – national vice-chairman

south-east.

Meanwhile,adegokblog.blogspot.com had reported that reports
emerged that there were three different unity
lists given to delegates at the All Progressives
Congress (APC) convention in Abuja on Saturday,

June 23.

White House press secretary kicked out of restaurant for working for Trump

The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders was
kicked out of a restaurant, Red Hen, in Lexington by
its owner because she supports and works for
President Donald Trump.

Independent reports that Sanders said the
incident happened on Friday, June 22 and said

that she politely left
She said the owner’s actions “say far more about
her than they do about me”.
Stephanie Wilkinson who is the owner of the
restaurant reportedly said she had told Sanders
her establishment "has certain standards that I
feel it has to uphold, such as honesty, and
compassion, and cooperation"
“I’m not a huge fan of confrontation
“This feels like the moment in our democracy when people
have to make uncomfortable actions and decisions to
uphold their morals.”
According to Washington Post, Wilkinson said
Sanders was in service of an "inhumane and
unethical" administration.
It was reported that “Sanders and her party were
waiting for their main courses when Ms
Wilkinson gathered her staff to ask if they
wanted her to ask the press secretary to leave.
The staff said yes and Ms Wilkinson took Ms
Sanders outside to talk - where the owner said
she had had got her point across in a polite and
direct manner.”
Sander also tweeted about it saying she respects

those she disagrees with.

Military owed Abiola N45bn it wasn’t ready to pay - Sule Lamido

Sule Lamido has revealed why the Nigerian Military
annulled the June 12 election
- The former governor of Jigawa state said the Military
thought MKO Abiola would seize the opportunity to
take the money owed him
- According to Lamido, the Military owed Abiola N45
billion from contracts executed for the ministry of
communication
A former governor of Jigawa state and the
national secretary of the defunct Social
Democratic Party (SDP), Sule Lamido, has said
that the Nigerian military was owing late
Moshood Abiola N45 billion before his death.
Lamido said the money was for contracts
executed by International Telephone and
Telecommunication for Nigeria's ministry of
communication.
Punch reports that Lamido while speaking on the
annulment of the June 12, election which saw
Abiola as the winner of the presidential seat said
the military high command however refused the

make the payment.
He said the late Abiola had come with the claim
that his company was owed N45 billion for
contracts just after General Murtala Muhammed
had died.
"When (General) Murtala (Muhammed) died, Abiola came
in with a claim that he was owed, I think, about N45 billion
for contracts executed by International Telephone and
Telecommunication for the Ministry of Communications.
The military high command at that time said no. He went
round the Emirs in the North to lobby and the emirs asked
that they (military) should please pay the money.
They (military) said they cancelled the June 12 elections
because if they made him President, he would take his
money and the country will become bankrupt," Lamido
said.
"Those who were close to Abacha should know this, because
Abacha was then one of the big shots; they were all aware.
There was this Bosnian war going on in Yugoslavia. I said
sir; the Nigerian people are very innocent. This is like the
case of a Bosnian woman rapped by a Christian Serb who
got pregnant.
Yes, it is true that the pregnancy is a product of raape but
this is also my flesh and blood, I cannot kill it. This
(election) is my baby, my flesh and blood, I will not kill it. I
said so.
We went through a process and expenditure, the campaign,
the election day and even the entire government machinery
was involved in the election which we won and you are now
coming with the excuse that you owed some money.
That’s your problem. The baby is my baby. Yes, it is a
product of raape but I can’t kill it. At that time, the
Nigerian mood had been worked to go against June 12,"
Lamido added.

3 APC members die in accident on way to convention

Three members of the All Progressives Congress are
dead
- The party members died on the way to the APC
convention on Saturday, June 23
- One of the road crash victims include a councilor
representing Diso ward in Gwale local government
area of Kano state Abdulwahab Inuwa
Some members of the All progressives Congress
(APC) have died in an auto crash in Zaria.
The members - three of them - were said to have
died in Zaria on their way to Abuja for the APC
convention on Saturday, June 23.
Premium Times reports that the victims of the
crash includes a councilor representing Diso
ward in Gwale local government area of Kano
state, Abdulwahab Inuwa, and two of his friends,

Abdullahi Idris and Abubakar Diso.
The trio were said to have left Kano early on
Saturday to join other delegates at the
convention in Abuja.
Murtala Lawan, an eye witness said that the
Honda CRV conveying the deceased somersaulted
at Amaryawa village, few kilometres from Zaria.
According to Lawan, bystanders were trying to
rescue the deceased when the car burst into
flames burning the victims who could not be
pulled out of the fire.
Confirming the incident, a brother to
Abdulwahab said the family received the sad
news from a good Samaritan.
He also said his brother just came back from
Islamic Umrah in Saudi Arabia six days ago
before meeting his untimely death.
However, the Chief Imam of Kano, Sani
Zaharaddeen, conducted the funeral prayer for
the deceased at Kano Central Mosque around
4:30 pm on Saturday.

Why Senator Abaribe was arrested by DSS

Senator Abaribe's lawyer said he was arrested
by DSS for allegedly supporting IPOB
- The lawyer claimed 27 items were taken from
his house
- He described his arrest as shocking
Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume has said that the
Department of State Services (DSS) arrested
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for allegedly aiding a
proscribed group, the Indigenous Peoples Of
Biafra (IPOB) and gunrunning.
The Nation reports that the lawyer said the DSS
procured a warrant that allowed it to search
Abaribe’s house and to “focus and search for
arms and ammunition and any other
incriminating document, while the alleged crime
was aiding and supporting a proscribed body, i.e.

IPOB.”
The senator representing Abia South was
arrested by DSS operatives before his house was
searched on Friday, June 22 and according to his
lawyer, 27 items were taken away.
He said “but unfortunately, two of the 27 items include
the two handsets of two USA citizens found in the house.
“One of the laptops taken included that of an educationist
containing examination questions slated to be set for
students on the 25th of June 2018.
“All pleas for these questions to be copied were refused.”
“Senator Abaribe, the surety to Nnamadi Kanu, is to appear
in court on 26th June 2018, but on 22nd June 2018, Senator
Abaribe was arrested and detained incommunicado.
“Yesterday (Friday) in the forenoon hours, our Senator
Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, a high ranking senator of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, was arrested by officers of
state security services.
“The articulate senator who has contributed a lot to our
nation building effort is of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
“His arrest was as shocking as it was curious.
“As his counsel, I have, long ago, complied with DSS
stipulation for meeting with its detainees.
“I have also requested for a meeting with the D.G of the
service to know the reason for his arrest.
“All fell into refusal ears. At about 4:45pm, I was alerted
that officers of the services were heading to the senator’s
residence.
“I had to break my long wait at the DSS Headquarters and
rushed to the senator’s residence.
He said: “this man is a known strong voice of the Igbo
nation; hence this is a clamp down on the region.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
on Friday, June 22, in Abuja decried the arrest of
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by the DSS.
In a statement by its national publicity secretary,
Kola Ologbondiyan, the party expressed fears
over the safety of the senator, who represents
Abia North Senatorial District.
It described the arrest as “gestapo-style’’, adding
that it had further confirmed earlier alarm that
the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal
Government has commenced total clampdown on
the opposition.

You can read other news on this www.adegokblog.blogspot.com for more news thank you 

APC drops ‘Change’ slogan, adopts ‘Progress’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dropped the
‘Change’ slogan and adopted ‘Progress’ as its new
slogan.

Vanguard reports that the party made this
change at its convention on Sunday, June 24
One of the masters of ceremonies at the
convention reportedly announced that delegates
should no longer chorus ‘change’ anytime the
name of the party is chanted.
He said: “I want to announce that when shout APC, the
appropriate response should now be Progress and not
Change”
Articles 4 of the APC Constitution as amended
lists ‘Change’ as the slogan of the party and it
has not been amended yet.
Meanwhile, the national leader of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bola Tinubu
has reportedly accused the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) of plotting to loot the country’s
treasury for 60 years.
The Punch reports that the former Lagos state
governor’s allegation was contained in a
goodwill message released on Saturday, June 23
after the party’s convention.
Tinubu said many people were against the
formation of the APC and did all they could to
stop the merger.
He alleged that the doubters forged different
tactics to prevent the APC’s formation.

Nigerian Army kills 20 bandits, arrests 3

The Army says it killed the bandits during raids in a
special operation in that area of Zamfara state
- The force also lists the several weapons and other
properties the troops seized from the bandits
- The police in Borno state also confirmed an attack by
Boko Haram terrorists on Konduga town which left
four people dead

The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of
1 Division taking part in the ongoing Operation
IDON RAINI Corridor II killed 20 armed bandits
during a raid on their hideouts in the general
area of Jambrini village in Maru local
government area of Zamfara state in the early
hours of Saturday, June 23.
A statement signed by spokesman of the Division
Colonel Muhammad Dole reported that during
the raid operations, several camps were
destroyed and three more bandits were also
arrested while some escaped with gun shot

wounds.
He listed the items recovered as:
a. Four AK 47 rifles.
b. One F 99 - Pistol.
c. One PTT HH Motorola Handset.
d. 111 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
e. Five AK 47 rifle magazines.
f. Two Dane guns.
g. Three mobile phones.
h. One power bank.
Meanwhile, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is
reporting that four people were killed and six
others injured when Boko Haram raided
Tunkushe village in Konduga local government
area of Borno state on Friday, June 22.
According to the report, a male su*cide bomber
also detonated an Improvised Explossive Device
(IED) among group of residents sleeping in an

open place in the area.
Bukar Dalorima, a resident in the area who
confirmed the attack, told NAN in an interview
that the bomb blast was followed by
indiscriminate shooting from the insurgents.
Dalorima said that the many residents were
injured and several were killed.
Borno state police command has confirmed the
attack.
Its spokesman Edet Okon said at about 0100hrs,
gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists
attacked Tunkushe village in Konduga. Four
people were killed in the attack.
Okon said that the Command has deployed more
personnel to strengthen security while normalcy

had been restored within the area.

Kwankwaso snubs APC convention, meets Atiku behind closed doors

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has paid a visit to former vice
president, Atiku Abubakar.

Kwankwaso who was absent at the APC
convention which took place on Saturday, June
23 arrived at the house of the former president
in Abuja at about 8:30pm.
According to Premium Times, Kwankwaso who is
a serving senator held a closed door meeting
with Atiku who was also a member of the APC
before he decamped to the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) to intensify his presidential pursuit.
There has been speculation that the Kwankwaso
is also plotting a move to leave the APC as he is
facing tight opposition from current Kano
governor, Umaru Ganduje.
Sources claimed Kwankwaso’s visit was only to
pay homage to Atiku for the Eid Il Fitr
celebration as he was not in the country during
that period.
The sources added that it would be clearer in the
future if the meeting was related to the senator’s
political future.
A source said: “They only touched on the future of
Nigeria as a nation, but not necessarily their individual
futures.”
Paul Ibe who is the spokesperson of the former
vice president also confirmed the meeting
between the duo but said there was no reason to
raise any speculation as their meeting lasted for
less than an hour.
Meanwhile, former chairman of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Oyegun
wished his successor Adams Oshiomhole good
luck as the new national leader of the party.

PDP planned a lifetime of greed but we moved to reform the economy - Tinubu

june-12-tinubu-pledges-
support-buharis-second-term-bid.html- Chief Bola
Tinubu accused the PDP of plotting to loot the
economy for 50 years
- He said the APC came to correct their anomalies
- The APC chieftain said many people though the
formation of the party would not last

The national leader of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) Chief Bola Tinubu has reportedly
accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of
plotting to loot the country’s treasury for 60
years.
The Punch reports that the former Lagos state
governor’s allegation was contained in a
goodwill message released on Saturday, June 23
after the party’s convention.

Tinubu said many people were against the
formation of the APC and did all they could to
stop the merger.
He alleged that the doubters forged different
tactics to prevent the APC’s formation.
He said: “The doubters who gave APC no chance of
existence or of continued survival have gotten their reply in
full. Their envious prayers and complaints have been
answered in reverse.
“They wanted to see the end of us and our pursuit of good
governance for Nigeria. You should not forget, as I shall
never forget, the strong efforts they made to stop us in the
courts.
“There were twelve cases brought trying to stop us from
merging, from registering the new party, then attempting to
bar our candidate from the election.
“Lacking the courage to face the democratic will of the
people, they tried to misuse the courts as a weapon against
democracy.
“We thank the judiciary for following the letter and spirit of
the constitution by dismissing this dirty dozen of malicious
cases filed against us.
“With their schemes foiled, those who tried to destroy us
must bear witness to the destruction of their edifice of
corrupt governance and their dreams of unjust domination
of our nation.
“While they planned a lifetime of greedy enrichment by
looting the people’s resources and the public treasury for 60
years, we moved to reform the economy to bring
development and aid to the poor. ”
“When they hoisted the standard of bias, we raised the flag
of justice and the chevron of fairness.”
Meanwhile, Tinubu pledged his support for
President Muhammadu Buhari's second term bid,
saying that the president deserved a second term
in office.

President Buhari signs 2018 budget

After much anticipation, President Muhammadu
Buhari signed the 2018 appropriation bill into law on
Wednesday, June 20.

Speaking to the leadership of the National
Assembly during the signing of the document,
the president stated that notwithstanding the
delay of the signing of the 2018 budget, he is
determined to continue to work with the
National Assembly towards improving the
budgeting process and restoring our country to
the January-December fiscal cycle.
He said: " I would like to thank the leadership of the
National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as all
the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, for
passing the 2018 Appropriation Bill, after seven months.
"When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the
National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that
the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to
move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December
financial year. The importance of this predictability cannot
be overemphasized.
"While the Federal Government’s budget represents less
than 10% of aggregate yearly expenditures in the economy,
it has a very significant accelerator effect on the financial
plans of other tiers of government, and even more
importantly, the private sector, which mostly operates on a
January-December financial year.
"Notwithstanding the delay this year, I am determined to
continue to work with the National Assembly towards
improving the budgeting process and restoring our country
to the January-December fiscal cycle."
A source within the government had stated that
the president frowned at an excess of N500
billion in the N8.6 trillion proposal submitted to
the National Assembly last November, adding
that Buhari is focused on not bringing the
machinery of the government to a standstill.
The president's assent to the document comes
after the joint session of the National Assembly
committee on appropriation, passed the 2018
Appropriation Bill.
The Senate increased the proposal of N8.612
trillion presented by President Muhammadu

Buhari in December 2017, to N9.120trn.

In another report, the federal government is
making final preparation to disburse $322
million fund repatriated from the accounts of
former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha,
in Switzerland to Nigerians.
Daily Trust reports that the the national
coordinator of the Open Government Partnership
(OGP), Nigeria and special assistant to the
President on justice reforms, Juliet Ibekaku-
Nwagwu, disclosed this recently in an interactive

session with newsmen.
that Ibekeaku-Nwagwu said
under MoU with Switzerland, the funds would be
paid directly into the accounts of the poorest
Nigerians through their various accounts for two
years and identification numbers to be made
available on the website being developed by the
National Social Investment office and the World

Bank.

Buhari lists important projects in the 2018 budget from which cuts were made by National Assembly

President Muhammmadu Buhari on Wednesday, June
20, signed the 2018 budget but lamented that
lawmakers made cuts amounting to N347 billion in the
allocations to 4,700 projects he submitted for
consideration.
The president added that the lawmakers also
introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting
to N578 billion.
Recall that the National Assembly had on May 16
passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill, increasing
the proposal of N8.612 trillion presented by
President Buhari last December to N9.120
trillion.
While signing the budget at the Presidential Villa
in Abuja, Buhari noted that he was concerned
about some of the changes that the National
Assembly had made to the budget proposals he

presented.
Expressing concerns over some changes
introduced into the 2018 budget by the National
Assembly, President Buhari listed the examples

of projects from which cuts were made.
1. Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/
ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo
Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta
Rail Project
The provisions for some nationally/regionally
strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-
part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant,
Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-
West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project
were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.
2. FCT infrastructure projects, major arterial roads
and the mass transit rail project
Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical
infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja
especially major arterial roads and the mass
transit rail project, were cut by a total of N7.5
billion.
3. Additional security measures for the United
Nations building
The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional
Security Measures for the United Nations
Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion
Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira;
this will make it impossible for the Federal
Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment
to the United Nations on this project.
4. Strategic interventions in the health sector
The provisions for various Strategic Interventions
in the health sector such as the upgrade of some
tertiary health institutions, transport and storage
of vaccines through the cold chain supply
system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for
persons on treatment, establishment of
chemotherapy centres and procurement of
dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate
amount of N7.45 billion.
5. Security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools
across the country
The provision for security infrastructure in the
104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by
N3 billion at a time when securing our students
against acts of terrorism ought to be a major
concern of government.
6. National Housing Programme
The provision for the federal government’s
National Housing Programme was cut by N8.7
billion.
7. Provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public
Service Wage Adjustment
At a time when we are working with Labour to
address compensation-related issues, a total of
N5 billion was cut from the provisions for
Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service
Wage Adjustment.
8. Provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and
Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks
The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG)
and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks,
which are key industrialization initiatives of this
Administration, were cut by a total of N14.5
billion.
9. Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu
Airport
The provision for Construction of the Terminal
Building at Enugu Airport was cut from N2
billion to N500 million which will further delay
the completion of this critical project.
10. The take-off grant for the Maritime University in
Delta state
The take-off grant for the Maritime University in
Delta state, a key strategic initiative of the
federal government, was cut from 5 billion Naira
to 3.4 billion Naira.
In addition, President Buhari said that about
seventy (70) new road projects have been
inserted into the budget of the federal ministry
of power, works and housing.
"In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the
additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil
price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably,
however, in order to make provision for some of the new
roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads
have been cut by the National Assembly," he said.
President Buhari said despite all these
observations, he had decided to sign the 2018
budget in order not to further slow down the
pace of recovery of the economy which, he
noted, had doubtlessly been affected by the delay

in passing the budget.


previously reported
that the National Assembly explained why it
delayed the 2018 budget and made a cut of N347
billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects
submitted for consideration and why it
introduced new 6,403 projects amounting to
N578 billion.
Bala Na’ Allah, the deputy leader of the Senate
who represented Senate president Bukola Saraki,
and the chief whip of the House of
Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, who
represented Speaker Yakubu Dogara, said the
lawmakers had no option than to tinker with the

budget estimates.

EFCC arrests operator of fake degree- awarding college

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
has arrested a fake school operator allegedly awarding
degree
- The suspect, John Ogbonnaya, was arrested in Port
Harcourt, Rivers state
- National commission for Colleges of Education,
NCCE, had in 2008 barred all Colleges of Education in
Nigeria from operating satellite campuses


Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal office,
has arrested a fake school operator allegedly
awarding the National Certificate of Education
(NCE) and bachelor of education degree without
authorization and accreditation.
The EFCC which disclosed this on its Facebook
page said the suspect, John Ogbonnaya, was
arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. He
allegedly registered Havana International School
of Arts and Science in 2017 with two other
suspects: Monday Nwapi and Mrs Justina Okafor.
They are holding lectures in two centres in Port

Harcourt.
Brilliant International Schools, Nsukka street,
Diobu and Paragon City Light College, Agip area.
Since the inception of the main school, scores of
unsuspecting students have been defrauded and
made to pay for Application forms, school fees
and project fees.
The students were made to believe that Havana
International School of Arts & Science was
affiliated to four different institutions: Abia state
College of Education( Technical); Ebenezer
College of Education, Edda, Ebonyi state, Enugu
state college of Education and University Of
Calabar, Cross River state.
Investigations by the Commission showed that,
Havana International School of Arts and Science
had no valid affiliation with any of the four

Institutions.

OAU sacks professor involved in sex-for-mark scandal

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University
(OAU), Ile Ife, has reportedly announced the sacking
of Professor Richard Akindele for allegedly demanding
sex from Monica Osagie to upgrade her mark.
Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, the vice
chancellor of the university, announced the sack
at a press conference in Ife on Wednesday, June
20, The Punch reports..
He said the Governing Council sacked the
lecturer having found him guilty of all the

charges against him.
reported that Monica Osagie,
the student at the centre of the sex-for-mark
scandal, talked about the developments that led
to the sexual advances from the randy professor,
Richard Akindele.
In an interview with CNN, Osagie said she had
developed a mentor-mentee relationship with the
professor after she helped him edit his book.
Osagie, however, said she soon became
uncomfortable with the relationship as the
professor started to make sexual advances
towards her.
She said she had also received abuse on social
media and allegations that she was the one that
tried to seduce the professor.
Despite the criticisms, Osagie said she had no
regrets speaking about her experience.
She added that her hope is that her case will give
young women facing harassment on campuses
the confidence to reject inappropriate advances
from their lecturers.
"I am actually happy I came out. I am helping many ladies
that have gone through the same thing I have gone
through, and most of them can't talk about it.
"They are scared of coming out in public. But I know it
happens everywhere, not just in Nigeria. For me, speaking
up will bring more women to speak and eradicate what is
happening around young women and older men," Osagie

said.
"There is no work or ... education that is worth your
dignity," she added. "I will keep saying that."
Since the news broke out, Professor Akindele is
yet to speak publicly and reportedly declined to
speak to CNN.
"I have nothing to say until the university has concluded

their investigation," he told CNN.

Fact check: Is it illegal to confer the GCFR national honour posthumously?

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, June 12,
conferred the GCFR honour, posthumously on
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presumed
winner of the June 12, 1993 general election which was
annulled by then military Head of State, Ibrahim
Babangida.

Buhari also announced that henceforth, Nigeria
will mark its Democracy Day on June 12 every
year, as the events of June 12, 1993, hold more
significance for Nigeria than that of May 29,
1999, when the military, again, handed over
power to a democratically elected government.
However, Alfa Belgore, former chief justice of
Nigeria between 2006 and 2007, said it is illegal
for Buhari to confer a national honour to a

deceased person.
Belgore said: “It is not done. It (the award) is for people
living. The only thing they could do is to name a place after
him, but national honours award, no.”
How valid is this claim made by the former chief
justice?
Checks by the ICIR shows that section 3(2) of the
National Honours Act provides that “a person shall
be appointed to a particular rank of an Order when he
receives from the President in person, at an investiture held
for the purpose”.
According to the Act, a deceased person cannot
receive anything “in person”.
However, section 3(3) reads as follows: “If in the
case of any person it appears to the President expedient to
dispense with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this
article, he (the President) may direct that that person shall
be appointed to the rank in question in such a manner as
may be specified in the direction.”
There is no specific provision in the Act stating
that national honours cannot be conferred to a
deceased person. The president is at liberty to
use his discretion to confer the honours on
anyone who could not appear in person.
So, Alfa Belgore’s claim that awarding a national
honour posthumously is illegal is false; it can
best be described as misleading.
Views from other experts
According to ICIR, Itse Sagay, a professor of law
and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said there is no
illegality in Buhari’s action.
Sagay, who also heads the Presidential Advisory
Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC),
disagreed with Belgore, insisting that honouring
Abiola is an action that “binds the wounds of the
nation”.
He said he does not know the specific provisions
of the National Honours Act, but there are
instances where more emphasis should be placed
on the spirit and intent of an action rather than
the technicalities of law.
“In this case, justice should prevail over technicalities of the
law. President Buhari did the right thing by acknowledging
the events of June 12 and honouring Abiola,” Sagay said.
On whether it was the right timing for such a
decision to be announced, and whether the move
is a political one, aimed at appealing to
southwest voters in the forthcoming 2019 general
election, Sagay said there can never be a wrong
timing to do the right thing.
“People are bound to say anything they like. This is the
right thing for President Buhari to have done, it doesn’t
matter whether it is a political move or not. It also does not
matter when he did it. It is the right decision.
“If Jonathan had done it, it would have been good. If
Obasanjo had done it, it would have been good. They didn’t.
Now that Buhari has done it, it is the right thing to do,”
Sagay insisted.
Also, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, reportedly agreed with
Sagay that there was no illegality whatsoever in
conferring a posthumous national honour on
Buhari.
Jacobs described Belgore’s claims as a “purely
political and personal opinion” which has “no legal
basis”.
“Posthumous awards are recognised all over the world, and
besides, it is the right thing for President Buhari to do,”

Jacobs told ICIR.
Similarly, Benjamin Obidegwu, a Lagos-based
legal practitioner, reportedly said there is
nothing illegal in President Buhari’s actions.
“I’m aware that honours are given posthumously, it’s
nothing new and it’s nothing illegal, except if the Act
specifically says that, which I don’t think is true,”
Obidegwu said.
“What Abiola’s own indirectly means is that he was
recognized as the winner of that (1993) election because
that GCFR is given only to presidents.
“The only challenge I have with that is that Abiola was
never a President. The fact that he won did not mean he
was President until you are sworn in, you are not a
president, that’s the only challenge. Otherwise, there is

nothing illegal in the decision.”

Buhari approves 12 new judges for Appeal Court, 16 for High Court

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the
appointment of 28 judicial officers for the Court of
Appeal, Federal High Court and the high court of the
Federal Capital Territory on the recommendation of
the National Judicial Council.



The 12 justices approved for the Court of Appeal are:


1. Hon. (Mr) Justice P. A. Mahmud
2. Hon. (Mr) Justice F. O. Ojo
3. Hon. (Mr) Justice I. A. Andenyangsto
4. Hon. (Mr) Justice G. O. Kolawole
5. Hon. (Mr) Justice B. B. Aliyu
6. Hon. (Mr) Justice Ebiowei Tobi
7. Hon. (Mr) Justice J. G. Abundaga
8. Hon. (Mr) Justice A. S. Umar
9. Hon. (Mr) Justice A. M. Talba
10. Hon. (Mr) Justice A. M. Bayero
11. Hon. (Mr) Justice A. M. Lamido
12. Hon. (Mr) Justice M. B. Idris


The following nine judges were approved for the
Federal High Court:

1. Sunday Bassey Onu
2. Mrs. Adefunmilola Adekemi Demi-Ajayi
3. Hon. (Mr) Justice Peter O. Lifu
4. Obiora Atuegwu Egwuata
5. Sa’adatu Ibrahim Mark (Mrs)
6. Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon
7. Aminu Bappa Aliyu
8. Tijjani Garba Ringim
9. Nkeonye Evelyn Maha
The president approved Seven (7) Judges for the High
Court of the Federal Capital Territory as follows:
1. Binta Mohammed
2. Modupe Osho-Adebiyi
3. Gaba Venchak Simon
4. Babangida Hassan
5. Akobi Iyabeni Anna
6. Samirah Umar Bature
7. Asmau Akanbi Yusuf
The Justices of the Court of Appeal, According to
Premium Times, will be sworn-in by the Chief
Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National
Judicial Council, Waalter Onnoghen, on June 22
by 10 am.
adegokblog  gathered that hose appointed for the
Federal High Court will be sworn-in on June 25
at 2 pm, and judges appointed for the high court
of the FCT are to be sworn-in on June 26 by 2 pm
at the main hall of the court room of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Lady calls out her aunt, narrates how she maltreated and denied her education

A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to share the
heartbreaking details of her childhood
- According to her post, she grew up with her aunt
who maltreated her all through
- She went on to place a curse on her aunt, saying
she'll never make heaven

A Nigerian lady identified as Chizoba Miracle
Emenaha, has caused quite a buzz on social
media after she shocked a lot of people with her
terrible childhood experience in the hands of her
father's younger sister.
The lady stated that although her aunt claimed to
be born-again in Christ, she treated her poorly
and used every opportunity to make her
miserable. Chizoba who shared the story on her
Facebook account, stated that she blamed her
father as well since he believed everything her
aunt told him.
She wrote: "This for my aunt..last born to my father..I
will call her by her name because I have a lot of bitterness
for her in my heart, and because of what she did..I'm yet to
forgive everyone who played one or two roles in it..De
Gladys as you are called..I will first start by telling

you....You will not MAKE HEAVEN!!!!

You say you are a Christian but you are a wicked human,
soooooo wicked that even the devil is learning from
you...You see I'm writing this now because I'm free from
you and everyone who would try to hold me back or punish
me like you do in those days..I will now start...
My dad brought me to your house because to him he said he
wanted me to get home training.. First I was deceived into
it .I was told It was just for a holiday...not knowing you two
had it all planned..I arrived your home,My first night in
your house arm robbers visited your house..
That became the beginning of my ordeal because you won't
end any of your sentence without reminding me I'm a
misfortune, a bad omen whom on her first night in your
house brought thieves...
I stayed with you.To enroll me in school became a big deal
for you..Finally when you did,it was a local school in an
uncompleted building attended by house helps..Even at that
you won't allow me go to school..I will wake up as early as
4am sometimes 3am to Prepare what your kids will eat..Go
to the shop,shade your goods. Prepare your kids for school.
Take them to school..Then come back to Go In Search of
firewood I will use to cook at night ..While you sleep..
You have the money to buy as many litres of kerosene as
you want..But because of wickedness you turned me to a
slave...Before I could finish with the day's runs..Its
10am..Some days you allow me to go to school.. Other days
you tell me not to go because its late that I should go to he
shop and stay while you enter your room to sleep..Is it the
days you beat me at every slightest provocation..You flog
me to the extent I start crying even without been hit..I talk
to myself and lament... out of all the mothers why will it be
my own mom that should die..
You made me which death for myself..When you noticed I
always talk to myself..You called my dad and told him I was
possessed...He believed you his dearest last Born.It it when
I started growing Breast..You noticed because I was using
my scarf to tie my breast while going to school to avoid
other students from teasing and laughing at my pointed
n*pple.When you saw I started growing breast instead of
you to get me a new bra..You gave me one of your old red
worn out bra..The bra wasn't even holding anything..But I
have no choice.And that was the only bra I owned..
Is it days you will starve me, when you finally manage to
give me #10 fufu,you will tell me to share it the ekuke dog
living with your family..Is it the day I was to take my last
exam in ss1..You told me to take your kids for their
graduation party and leave my exam..I suggested I take
your kids to school then go write my exam since my school
was close to your kids school..You insisted I forget my
exam and stay with your kids at their graduation
party..Because to you my future doesn't matter...All you
know is your own kids.Through out my stay in your house
you never bought me one single dress..Rather you gave me
your oversized worn out dresses...People around always
asked if I'm sure I'm truly related to you because of your
harsh treatment towards me..
When it's time for me to write waec..You told me its not
everybody that will go to school..You knew I was
brilliant..Even with the number of days I manage to go to
school I still take the second position which always leave
you amazed..But when it was time for me to get waec
form..Instead of you to buy the form for this girl who
labours day and night for your family's upkeep... You told
me its its not everybody that will go to school.. I should
learn sowing..
Even when I agreed to learn sowing you never registered
me..You kept postponing it..Till I received sense and found
out you were out to waste my life...I ran away..I ran for my
future..Maybe its something my late mom did to you.Maybe
she offended you and you swore to pay back.. Just
maybe..Cos till today I can't fathom the wickedness..Or you
were simply been too wicked in nature.
When I left your house You told my dad I stole from you
Without pointing one particular thing I stole....You labelled
me a thief..Well my dad believed you..Because right from
day one my dad never believed in me..Today I found out all
your kids attended and still attending one of the best
secondary schools in town and others iñ tertiary
institutions..And I'm thinking.. Why didn't you enrol them
in sowing training without getting their school cert just like
you suggested to me..I left your house seeing my monthly
period but you never noticed, because each time I try to talk
to you about something concerning my body...You will sày
I've started seeing man...
You damaged a huge part of my life and the damage hasn't
left me..Because of things I went through in your hands and
more..I begged God to keep me alive to train my kids to
adulthood or take me when I haven't brought any child to
this life....because I wouldn't wish want them to pass
through half of what I went through as a motherless
child..If my mom was alive...You dare not!!!
She concluded by reiterating that her aunt would
not make heaven for the way she treated a
motherless child.
"You claim to be a born again Christian, a virtuous
woman..Well laugh and I still tell you..YOU WON'T MAKE
HEAVEN..If you could treat a motherless child the way you
maltreated me..Then Heaven is clearly not for you..Blessing
Chidera Make sure your mom reads this....My dad will also
read..Maybe he will start understanding why I distant
myself from home a times..Things like this are what I
remember and I become sad at everyone...."
The post has since gone viral on the social media
platform as many people took to the comment
section to console her, urging her to forgive the
woman and move on with her life while some
shared similar experiences.
So sad!

Gani Adams calls for South-West security summit to tackle herdsmen attacks

Adams says governors in south-west have not tackled
the killer herdsmen menace well apart from Ekiti
governor Ayodele Fayose
- He disagrees that the killers are the traditional
Fulani herdsmen that Yorubas have known for ages,
saying the intruders are trained militants
- He notes that stakeholders in the South-West are
watching the killer herdsmen's attacks closely and
strongly believe they are planned and not just random
The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland Gani
Adams has revealed plans to call for a security
summit for all stakeholders in the South-Western
part of Nigeria in order to tackle herdsmen
invasion.
Adams told Nigerian Tribune in an interview that
he has suggested writing letters for a gathering
of stakeholders to fashion out a strategy to keep
intruders out of Yoruba communities.
The leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress said
the activities of the herdsmen across the country
is raising some suspicions and the South-West
has not taken enough actions against them

except in Ekiti.
He noted that state governors in the region have
to act fast because they have a mandate from the
people to protect.their lives and properties.
"We are studying the political situation of the country and
then if you don’t forget after I was installed, the Fulani
herdsmen became more rampant in the South-West. So, I
had to issue a statement regarding that, calling the
president’s attention to it and the situation came down
drastically.
"But for about few weeks now, we have had some incidents,
especially when some herdsmen waylaid people on the way,
killing them and I have had some calls from key
stakeholders. I told them the issue of security is a sensitive
one and that if it is not properly coordinated, there will be
trouble."
He added: "You are calling me as Aare Onakakanfo, but I
cannot be involved in any community security without the
involvement and support of the government of that state. It
has to be highly coordinated so that you don’t run yourself

into troubles.
Every community is with its own culture and mode of
operations. They also have their security modus operandi. I
cannot stay in Lagos and just dictate the way it should go.
It is only when I have their cooperation and they need my
attention on the basis of supporting them.
"I suggested that I will write letters to all the governors and
chairmen of Council of Obas in each state and some
stakeholders for a South-West security summit, which will
fashion out the ways of solving the problem of intruders in

our communities."

God that intervened during Abacha regime will intervene again - Obasanjo shades Buhari over 2019 re-election bid

Former President Obasanjo said God that intervened
during the Abacha regime will intervene again in 2019
- He, however, called on the members of his new
political party, CNM, to get their PVCs, adding that
they have to do their own side before leaving things to
God
- The former president also urged the CNM members
not to be afraid or discouraged

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said he has
left in God’s hands his resolve to get President
Muhammadu Buhari out of office in 2019 just as
he urged the people to do their bit by getting
their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the
forthcoming general elections.
Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, at a
town hall meeting of the Coalition for Nigeria
Movement (CNM), Obasanjo recalled how
General Sani Abacha hung to power at all costs
only to die secondly.
According to Sahara Reporters, the ex-president
said the God who was laughing then is also
laughing at the moment; a statement which
appears to be directed to President Buhari who is
seeking to extend his tenure in office at the polls

in 2019.
“Some people believe that those that are in position,
whether they are doing well or not, they must continue to be
there. But when we say they must not be there, they will
want to fight back,” he said.
“They will hold many things to wreak havoc, but everybody
must be prepared. It will not be easy to wrest powers from
them. If you think it will be easy to liberate Nigeria, you are
deceiving yourself.
“But the God that did it yesterday will do it again today.
Remember a particular leader who had a desire to
transmute from military uniform to elected president.
“We had a situation that we had five political parties and
the five parties nominated one person as the candidate for
the presidency. If only his nuclear family had voted for him,
he would have won.
“But our God is wonderful. God laughed. Now, God is
laughing. When the time came, God revealed that he’s God.
He is the omnipotent, omnipresent and eternal, who can do
all things and who can make all things possible. But if we
are leaving things to God, we have to do our own side.
“The work has started. Some people may be laughing at
you and make jest of you, don’t be bothered with that.
Listen, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are your instruments.
If you have not collected yours, go and collect it.
“If you are not yet registered, go and register. Let us tell
them in all urban and rural areas that PVCs are what we
will use. They are the key to open the doors.
“Don’t be afraid or be discouraged; they will try to
intimidate you individually or collectively. For me, I don’t
think there is anyone that can intimidate me. Let me
remind you, I have gone through many things. I have been
jailed without being given any opportunity of offence.

Where is the person that jailed me?”