MTN Again? Uganda Fines MTN $622,000 For 'Anti-Competition Business Tactics'

It is not only in Nigeria that MTN has run foul of the rules. It is also in hot water in Uganda, going by this report by Uganda’s New Vision newspaper:
The Commercial court in Uganda has ordered telecom giant, MTN Uganda to pay a sum of Shs 2.3bn (about $662,000) in damages to EzeeMoney Limited for sabotaging its business.
Justice Henry Peter Adonyo on November 6, 2015 also ordered MTN to stop acting in unlawful and anti-competitive manner, which denies other businesses an opportunity to prosper.
Justice Adonyo said MTN should pay Shs 800m to EzeeMoney in general damages for loss of business. It should also pay a penalty of Shs 1.5bn in punitive damages to deter not only MTN but also warn other companies against uncompetitive business tactics.
It all started when EzeeMoney, which runs an e-money business, obtained a contract from MTN for the provision of digital transmission [E1] and 30 fixed telephone lines to carry out its mobile money business.
EzeeMoney then contracted Yo! Uganda Limited (YUL) to implement the service after Uganda Communications Commission, the regulator, approved it on December 2012, to use the 7711 short code to enable its customers to subscribe for e-money services.
But in 2013, MTN cancelled the contract, saying EzeeMoney was a direct competitor to its mobile money business. Through AF Mpanga and company advocates, EzeeMoney went to court, saying MTN’s action “restricted and distorted competition.”
EzeeMoney said MTN also damaged its ties with YUL and deprived it of services of other telecommunications operators. It argued that MTN used its exclusivity agreements to stop its agents from working for any other firm with similar business, further limiting competition.
‘ILLEGAL ACTIONS’
In a January 28, 2013 letter to EzeeMoney, MTN appeared to say its business would be disrupted if the former was given access to its platform.
“EzeeMoney is in direct competition with MTN in the provision of mobile money,” read the letter in part.
Justice Adonyo said the letter confirmed that MTN was stopping services of the company because it considered it a competitor.
“It is testified that when YUL required the defendant [MTN] to activate the plaintiff’s [EzeeMoney]short code on its platform, the defendant declined to do so on the basis that the plaintiff was in direct competition with it,” the judge observed.
“YUL then seeing that the plaintiff couldn’t carry out the business they had agreed together, by a letter dated 7/2/2013, did terminate all services with the plaintiff as YUL did not want to jeopardize its relationship with the defendant.”
David Mpanga, EzeeMoney’s lead counsel, said MTN’s action of not activating the short code and the subsequent cancellation by YUL led to loss of business.
“The denial of the use of the defendant’s [MTN] platform to the plaintiff [EzeeMoney] by the defendant would thus be an act which is prohibited within the meaning of section 53(1) (a) of the Act [Communications] for it limited competition,” Adonyo said.
AGENTS STOPPED
The judge also found that MTN coerced its agents to reject EzeeMoney. One witness, Sammy Mwathi, told court that he was an MTN money agent and he was restricted from dealing with other firms in the same business by signing exclusivity agreement.
“The perusal of the exclusivity agreement itself confirms the position that the defendant acted outside the law for it appears it used coercive methods like denial of services to its agents,” he said. “[This] prohibited fair competition… and [was] contrary to the provisions of the law.”

Road Crashs at Toll-Gate, Sango-Ota clamps lifes and leave many injured

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ota, Ogun, said five persons had died and 12 others sustained injuries in two separate accidents at the Toll-Gate, Sango-Ota, on Wednesday.

The Unit Commander of the FRSC in the area, Mr Leye Adegboyega, told NAN in Ota that the first accident occurred at about 12:10 a.m., while the second one happened at about 6:40 a.m.

Adegboyega attributed the two crashes that occurred on the same spot to “carelessness” on the part of the drivers of the trucks involved in the accidents.

He said that the brake of a Larfarge trailer that was heading to Lagos from Abeokuta failed and rammed into eight vehicles which resulted in the death of five persons while four persons sustained various degrees of injury in the first accident.

“All efforts by the FRSC officials to get the registration number of the Larfarge truck proved abortive because the truck fell into a ditch.

“The drivers and the motor boys that were involved in the two accidents also absconded because of the weight of the offences they committed,” he said.

Adegboyega said the second accident which involved a truck with registration number KRD-215 XB loaded with gravels, was also heading toward Lagos when it lost control due to brake failure and crashed into eight other vehicles.

He said the total number of people involved in the two accidents was 17, while five died and four sustained various injuries in the first accident.

He said eight persons sustained minor injuries in the second accident.

“The five corpses had been deposited at the State Hospital, Sango-Ota, while the other four injured in the first accident are receiving treatment at the same hospital,” the unit commander said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to construct speed breakers along the toll gate and its environs to check speeding and reduce road crashes in the area.

UNILAG lecturer Akinfolarin Baruwa jailed for rape

A lecturer in the University of Lagos, Akinfolarin Baruwa, who allegedly molested an 18-year old admission seeker has been jailed.
UNILAG lecturer Akinfolarin Baruwa jailed for rape
Baruwa, who had been imprisoned ever since the incident earlier this year, was reportedly handed a 21-year jail sentence.
READ: ICPC To Persecute UNILAG, UNICAL Lecturers Over Rape Case
The 18-year old raped by Baruwa was said to be the daughter of one of his friends, who had come to him for help with admission.
A person who was familiar with Baruwa was quoted as saying:
“I just want to inform you that the Unilag lecturer that raped the daughter of his friend that wanted admission has been jailed on Friday November 6, 2015 for 21 years.”
“He stays in my estate, Abesan estate Ipaja; his whole family is still in shock and can’t believe the Judgement. His family are also saying it was his first wife that cursed him cos he left the woman with 4 kids before he remarried.”

Mark Zuckerberg defends Facebook' s decision to activate saftey check for Paris

The Facebook CEO and FB.Com came under harsh criticism after Facebook activated safety checks for Paris and not for other countries which have been victims of terrorists attacks. Users have been also able to change the background of their profile pics to the French national flag!

BUHARI TO REWARD 85 EAGLETS 30 YEARS AFTER

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured the
Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden FIFA
Under-17 World Cup in China in 1985 that his
administration would fulfil the promises he made to
them 30 years ago.
Buhari, who was Head of State, had promised the
team houses and scholarships during a reception in
honour of the players at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, in
celebration of the victory.

Nduka Ugbade, who was the captain of the team, was
the only player in the China ’85 FIFA Under-17 World
Cup squad that progressed to win a major title for
Nigeria at the senior level. The former Spain-based
defender won the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations.
He assisted Manu Garba to guide the Golden Eaglets
to the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup triumph.
Baldwin Bazuaye and Jonathan Akpoborie also
graduated to the Super Eagles. Bazuaye was in the
squad that won silver at the Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of
Nations. Akpoborie won bronze at the Senegal ’92
Africa Cup of Nations.
But the likes of Hilary Adiki, Fatai Atere, Binebi Numan,
Joseph Babtunde, Salisu Nakande, Victor Igbinoba,
Tonworinmi Duere, Lucky Agbonsevbafe, Bella Momoh,
Chukwuma Nwoha, Sani Adamu and Dele Abubakar
failed to progress in their careers. Defender Kingsley
Aikhionbare died in the United Kingdom.
Sebastine Brodericks-Imasuen was the head coach
while Christian Chukwu was his assistant.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said in a statement
on Tuesday that the President was not happy that his
directive to state governments to reward the Eaglets in
1985 was not complied with.
“It is a pity that those promises were never fulfilled. It
is unfortunate that our players, who did us proud on
the world stage, went unrewarded for their efforts,
despite a presidential directive to the state
administrators that they should be honoured in their
home states,” the statement quoted Buhari as saying.
The statement said the Federal Government fulfilled
its own commitment by sponsoring the players to
Mexico to watch the 1986 World Cup.
He added that the promises of houses and
scholarships and naming of streets after each player
were supposed to have been taken care of by the
states.
The statement noted that shortly after the promises
were made, Buhari was overthrown and that despite
repeated pleas made to succeeding governments by
the players and their officials, some of the promises
were not fulfilled.
“I apologise for whatever embarrassment and
disillusionment in your country these raised and then
dashed hopes may have caused you. My government
will do all within its power to remedy the situation,”
the statement quoted the President as saying.

BREAKING : The full list of the ministers and their offices

President Muhammadu Buhari has assigned his newly appointed ministers offices.

The full list of the ministers and their offices are as follows:
Kemi Adeosun (Ogun) – Finance
Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)–Transportation
Chris Ngige (Anambra)–Labour and Employment
Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)–Solid Minerals
Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)–Power, Works and Housing
Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano)–Interior
Aisha Alhassan (Taraba)–Women Affairs
Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi)–Science and Technology
Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)–Justice
Hadi Sirika (Katsina)–State for Aviation
Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa)–Water Resources
Solomon Dalong (Plateau)–Youths and Sports
Ibeh Kachikwu (Delta)–State for Petroleum
Osagie Ehanire (Edo)–State for Health
Audu Ogbeh (Benue)–Agriculture
Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom)–Budget and National Planning
Lai Mohammed (Kwara)–Information
Amina Mohammed (Gombe)–Environment
Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Nasarawa)— State for Environment
Anthony Onwuka (Imo) – State for Education
Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa) — FCT
Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) — Education
Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia) – Industry, Trade and Investment
Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) — State for Trade, Industry and Investment
Khadija Bukar Abba (Yobe) – State for Foreign Affairs
Claudius Daramola (Ondo) – State for Niger Delta
Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu) — Foreign Affairs
Monsur Dan-Ali (Zamfara) — Defence
James Ocholi (Kogi) – State for Labour
Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna) – State for Budget and National Planning
Mustapha Shehuri (Borno) — State for Power
Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)–State for Agriculture
Isaac Adewole Folorunsho (Osun) — Health
Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River) — Niger Delta
Abubakar Bwari Bawa (Niger) — State for Solid Minerals
Adebayo Shittu (Oyo) — Communications
Muhammadu Buhari — Petroleum

2 students die from initiation concoction in Kogi

Two teenagers, who finished their secondary education this year (names withheld), have been reported dead in Kabba, Kogi State, in mysterious circumstance.
Sources told Vanguard that their deaths were in connection with cult initiation by a confraternity in the town.
When contacted, the parents of the teenagers said they were too devastated to speak to the press. They told Vanguard that they did not want the incident reported for fear of police harassment.
A source, who craved anonymity, said the boys died of complications which resulted from drinking a “hard substance,” which was part of the initiation.He said the boys voluntarily sought to join the confraternity.
The source said:

“From what was gathered, one of the boys was given a very hard concoction to drink during his initiation into Eiye confraternity by the leaders of the cult group. “The substance, which was laden with very hard drugs, led to the death of the poor boy.”

However, a new twist has emerged in the controversy surrounding the teenagers’ deaths.
Another account has it that the boy took performance enhancing drugs which overstretched his system and led to his demise.
According to this account, four teenagers were involved in taking the concoction known in local parlance as Sukudie.
He said the teenagers, who resided at Odiolowo CAC area of Kabba, were rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Kabba, before two of them died.
The two survivors, according to the source, are Ebira boys from Okene.

N5,000 stipend: PDP reject Buhari, APC Senators move to ease the unemployed NYSC graduate

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that Wednesday’s rejection by the All Progressives Congress, APC, senators of N5,000 monthly stipend, underscored the “monumental hypocrisy” of their party in getting to power by means of deceit and false promises to Nigerians.
APC had promised payment of N5,000 to unemployed Nigerians as a social security
package during electioneering campaign.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh​,​ in a statement on Thursday said the development was a clear confirmation that the APC was a party of “hypocrites, who never had the intentions of honouring any of their campaign promises”​.​
“The PDP declares that it is absolutely obvious to all that the APC came to power riding on monumental lies and deceit in making promises they had no intentions to keep.
“All they wanted was to get into power and they achieved this with their lying tongues.
“Indeed, the unanimity displayed by the APC senators in rejecting the promised N5, 000 monthly welfare package, especially coming after their party and the presidency had made futile efforts to distance themselves from it, further stresses the duplicitous spirit of the APC and its reprehensible insensitivity to the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians, especially the unsuspecting youths, women and the indigent, who they shamelessly swindled with false promises.
“From the foregoing therefore, Nigerians should not expect any sincere action from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government on the other promises including monthly allowance to discharged but unemployed NYSC members, free meals and scholarship to school children, free houses, bringing the naira to the same value with the dollar.
“Our position remains that the APC has sufficiently confirmed to the world that they have a lot to learn on the leadership values of honesty, integrity, credibility and forthrightness.
“Finally, we invite Nigerians to note the powers amply vested in them by the constitution under a democracy as we urge them to stand on such powers and hold the APC and its government accountable for all their campaign promises,” the party said.

Father Of Two, Tortured To Death At Sokoto Checkpoint By Policemen

When Sadiya Shehu Shinkafi of Shinkafi, Zamfara State, sent her younger brother, Shehu Yahaya, to buy some chickens at the Teke market in the neighbouring Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, she never knew she would never see him alive again. His lifeless body was reportedly found in a nearby bush.
The 25-year-old father of two children was allegedly tortured to death by some policemen at a checkpoint along the Isa-Sabon Birni road. Yahaya was said to have observed that President Buhari had ordered the stoppage of all checkpoints, a comment which was said to have angered the policemen who were purportedly collecting money from drivers.
Narrating the incident, Alhaji Shehu, father of the deceased said: “When the vehicle in which the late Yahaya was travelling moved on, the police at the check- point trailed them because of what he said.”
Yahaya’s friend, Bashar Nahantsi, who was travelling with him recounted: “The policemen ordered the two of us to come out of the vehicle, claiming that they suspected us of drug abuse. We came down and they arrested us, but my late friend freed himself from their grip and ran away, leaving me with them. They stripped me and tied my hands from behind, using my vest. They asked if I had anyone who could stand for me. I said yes and called one of my elders. They did not see him, but they said I should not worry. They tied my hands and feet.
“Later, my friend who ran away came back. I was put under the custody of two mobile policemen under a tree. They asked me to lie low in the grass so they could arrest my friend. They arrested him, but he later escaped into a farm. He was chased by the two mobile policemen.”
Bashar said one of his relatives later came to meet him and negotiated for their bail with N1,500.
“By then, they had come back with my friend in an unconscious state and dumped him on the ground. At that time, he could not even sit properly. I had to support him with my feet before he could sit down.
“After collecting N1, 500, they ordered that I should carry my friend to where we could get a vehicle home. When I realised the condition they had subjected my friend to, I told them I couldn’t do anything.
“I managed to get away from them. It was two days after the encounter, while I was at a village that I got to know of my friend’s death. The police killed him.”
Yahaya’s father, who was away when the incident happened, recalled amidst tears: “I was at Birnin Gwani when the incident happened on Sunday.
I came back home on Tuesday to find out that my house was filled with people. Upon enquiry I was told that my son Yahaya had died. I asked if he was sick and the people told me that it was policemen who killed him at Teke market.”
He said that those who washed and dressed his son’s lifeless body testified that his neck was fractured and that he had bruises on it as though he was strangled.
He added that it was Yahaya’s sister, in the company of a driver, one Kabiru, who went to get the corpse at a hospital in Sabon Birni.
“I have left everything to Allah, but I demand that justice be done,” he concluded.
For Yahaya’s sister, Sadiya also recounted, “0n Sunday morning I gave my younger brother N37, 000 to buy chicken for me, but about 4pm the same day, his wife came to inform me that he dead. His corpse was covered with neem leaves. I uncovered the corpse and discovered it was my younger brother, Yahaya. I regretted that I sent him to his untimely death.”
The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State command, Salisu Fagge, confirmed that five policemen had been arrested and investigation was still on.
“The deceased’s parents alleged that the police had killed their son at a certain town. We investigated and arrested the policemen who were alleged to have carried out the assault. We called witnesses who testified to us. We will penalise any offender, whoever he is, whether police or civilian. Whoever commits any wrong must be brought to order. The law must take its course. No one should be above the law,” the police boss said, adding, however, that, “There are procedures to be followed before the suspects are taken to court. We have to follow due process

I will lead a war against them like Ojukwu. Am not joking– Wike

Yesterday, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike declared war on those he considered to have betrayed outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and the South-South. Addressing his supporters in Port Harcourt via a media briefing monitored by Sayelba Times, he said Governor Chibuike Amaechi is Judas Iscariot.
He further declared that nothing can stop his victory at the polls. Barrister Wike also alleged a plot by the State Governor to sponsor thugs to disrupt the election in order to use that as a pretence to annul the results when President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in. He however promise to lead Rivers people to an Ojukwu style war against the Federal government to resist such attempts.
Below is his full statement.

“Today, I want all South-South and South-East to remember this, that we’ve two Judas. Let me confess to you, we held a meeting before the elections on Saturday, and we said as people from this part of the country, we must standby our brother. Some APC leaders bought into the idea. And that was why with all the money Amaechi throw around, we still gave our brother almost 1.5million votes.

Amaechi is the only betrayer that raised his ugly head to say we rigged elections. When he knows it’s obvious that you and I gave our best to our brother. In Edo state,the governor only complained of Army that was deployed in his residence. He never said the elections should be cancelled. IMO state the same thing. But it is only Amaechi that stood like Judah to tell Jega to cancel elections in rivers state.
We heard he has gone to Abuja, trying to persuade Jega to change the returning official here. In fact, let him tell Jega to come down to conduct the election himself. Amechi, Jega,and Buhari will still fail. We have taken over the Senate and the state house,we are left with the governorship, and with you again,we will get 2million votes to silent Amechi for once. We will treat him like a betrayer, and call him a stranger in his own house. He is coming to beg us, to let go. When he has succeeded in using Rivers Rtate money to fund his Fulani friends.
Amaechi, eyes will see hell the highest they can give to him is Secretary. And after 8 years, he will return home and become irrelevant. Trust the Hausa people,they will soon betray him just the way he betrayed the south south struggle. I was told he is paying some thugs so that elections will be cancelled in Rivers State,in order for them to come back and conduct it after GMB is sworn in. If they try it, they should just carve Rivers State out of Nigeria map. I will lead a war against them like Ojukwu. Am not joking, I know am on air,and I am warning them now. Any attempt to rob us the way they rob our brother (GEJ) the battle will start from rivers state.
We will remain opposition state like Lagos. In fact we from the south south and south east we remain in PDP. We leave the south west and north to run APC. That is how they tactically shared the country. And we will not allow them use our resources to develop their States.. I am urging you all to come out April 11th to do it again. We will be at the field to defend our votes,and revenge for our brother.

THANK YOU.”

I have slept with over 10 dogs, Woman from Akwa-Ibom state confesses

My name is Ini-Obong. I am from Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria but I reside in Malaysia. Only last year, I returned to Nigeria on completion of my studies. For a lot of reasons, I may want to hide some other details for fear of been humiliated by my folks. All I desire are kind and encouraging words to get out of this thing I have come to realise is a huge mess.

I have been living in shambles and mystery and decided to speak out before I get consumed. I am 29 years old and I have never had sex with any man, except my dogs.

Growing up, we had dogs as guards or say pets. As an only child, I got what I wanted. On this fateful day, specifically January 12th, I asked my father for one of the dogs to live in my room. He granted my wish as a birthday present to me. This was where my ordeal started.

I would bath with the dog, eat with it and all. On this particular day, I played with the dog and I got tickled and turned on. In the process, one thing led to another and I had an ‘insertion’ with the dog.

For 15 years, I have slept with over 10 dogs. I have lived my life sleeping with any cute dog I came across. All I need do is either buy it or cajole it to a corner and have sex. I am a full grown adult and I still can’t kill the urge. Whatever you can imagine doing with a man in bed as a lady, I do with my dogs.

As much as I love dogs, I detest men. I get every satisfaction from my dogs. The more effort I put in trying to stop sleeping with dogs, the more urge I have to have sex with them.

I’m the only one who knows this and the burden is too heavy for me. It’s far more than I can swallow.

Am I alright? Is it out of the ordinary? How can I talk to my parents about this?

Can this confession even help me when I keep battling with myself over this matter? What do I do please? I need help!

(Source: DAILY POST)

I have slept with over 10 dogs, Woman from Akwa-Ibom state confesses

My name is Ini-Obong. I am from Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria but I reside in Malaysia. Only last year, I returned to Nigeria on completion of my studies. For a lot of reasons, I may want to hide some other details for fear of been humiliated by my folks. All I desire are kind and encouraging words to get out of this thing I have come to realise is a huge mess.

I have been living in shambles and mystery and decided to speak out before I get consumed. I am 29 years old and I have never had sex with any man, except my dogs.

Growing up, we had dogs as guards or say pets. As an only child, I got what I wanted. On this fateful day, specifically January 12th, I asked my father for one of the dogs to live in my room. He granted my wish as a birthday present to me. This was where my ordeal started.

I would bath with the dog, eat with it and all. On this particular day, I played with the dog and I got tickled and turned on. In the process, one thing led to another and I had an ‘insertion’ with the dog.

For 15 years, I have slept with over 10 dogs. I have lived my life sleeping with any cute dog I came across. All I need do is either buy it or cajole it to a corner and have sex. I am a full grown adult and I still can’t kill the urge. Whatever you can imagine doing with a man in bed as a lady, I do with my dogs.

As much as I love dogs, I detest men. I get every satisfaction from my dogs. The more effort I put in trying to stop sleeping with dogs, the more urge I have to have sex with them.

I’m the only one who knows this and the burden is too heavy for me. It’s far more than I can swallow.

Am I alright? Is it out of the ordinary? How can I talk to my parents about this?

Can this confession even help me when I keep battling with myself over this matter? What do I do please? I need help!

(Source: DAILY POST)

AMAECHI'S FULL ADDRESS TO THE SENATE

AMAECHI'S FULL ADDRESS TO THE SENATE
Your Excellency, the President of Senate,
Your Excellency, the Deputy President of Senate
Your Excellency, the leader of Senate,
Your Excellency the minority leader of Senate and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State,
Distinguished leaders of the Senate
Very distinguished Senators,
Good morning. It is a rare pleasure to stand before you distinguished Senators in this hallowed chambers.
I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve in the office of a Minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
My name is Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and I am the immediate past governor of Rivers State.
Before then, I had served as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for two terms of eight years and as Chairman, Conference of Speakers, for two tenures.
I am perhaps the first Nigerian to have served as Speaker of a State House of Assembly, for eight years.
I served as Governor of Rivers State for two terms during which period, I had the honour and privilege to serve my colleagues as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, for two terms.
Taken together, whether as Governor or as Speaker, these two career paths tell a story of public service.
During my tenure as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, we achieved a lot.
Some key bills were passed like the Anti Kidnapping Law and the Rivers States Schools Rights (Parent, Children and Teachers) Law. However, my most fulfilling moment as Speaker was the passage of the Rivers State Schools Rights (Parent, Children and Teachers) law, No. 2 of 2005.
This bill clearly enunciated and defined the
responsibilities of parents, teachers and children to guarantee our children access to qualitative education.
As Governor, we inherited a state that was comatose and in the throes of insecurity. Rivers State bore the fault lines of the Niger Delta militancy.
Our immediate task was therefore to restore security and improve the social and economic well being of our people.
Ours was a two-pronged approach of fiscal and physical security.
Whilst we confronted criminality with aggressive law enforcement measures, we embarked on massive social and infrastructural development.
We declared an emergency in the education sector that guaranteed free and compulsory education up to secondary school level. During my tenure as Governor, we awarded the construction of some 500 primary
schools. 314 of these were 100 percent completed while others were virtually completed by the time we left office in May 2015.
We undertook the training and recertification of teachers already in the service of the state and employed over 13,000 new teachers.
Our efforts and investments in the education sector did not go unnoticed as Port Harcourt won the UNESCO World
Book Capital city for 2014, beating cities like Moscow and Oxford.
In the area of healthcare delivery, we built over 140 primary healthcare centres, three secondary healthcare facilities, employed 400 doctors and 200 nurses to improve the manpower in the healthcare sector.
Anyone who visited Port Harcourt while we served, will testify to the fact that we worked to bring back the old glory of Port Harcourt as the garden and city as the third leg in the economic tripod of Nigeria.
We built a dualised network of 1500 Kilometres of roads, 23 bridges, 2 major fly-overs and 2 interchanges.
In the area of power, of the 350 Megawatts (MW) total capacity generation assets invested by the government before ours, only 70MW (equivalent to about 20 per
cent) was available.
With enthusiasm, we ramped up the efficiency to 77 per cent availability including injecting another 360MW Green Field Generation Project at Afam. That massive investment is partly the reason why today, residents in Port Harcourt enjoy almost 24 hours of electricity supply.
On the whole, Mr. President of Senate, I say with pride that during our stewardship of eight years we consistently maintained our pledge to our people to render “transparent and accountable stewardship.”
To guarantee that we did not deviate from that pledge, we were the first state to pass a Fiscal Responsibility law and the Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement law. Both laws stemmed from executive bills, and we are pleased that we maintained our stance of surrendering the power of the governor to award contracts until the end of our tenure.
Mr. President of Senate, Distinguished Senators, it is therefore fair to say that under my leadership as governor of Rivers State we redefined governance and
repositioned Rivers State as a destination choice to live, work and do business.
Accordingly Mr. President of Senate, Distinguished Senators, I give you my word that if I am confirmed as minister by this distinguished Senate, I will bring to bear my vast experience as a Legislator, Speaker and Governor in the execution of my duties

#EKITIGATE : NIGERIAN ARMY TO INVESTIGATE EKITI AND OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS OF 2014

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday announced a
high-powered Board of Inquiry (BOI) to
investigate serious malpractices involving its
personnel and to review the involvement of its
formations/units and their officials in elections
and other duties in aid of civil authority.
“The BOI is to investigate the alleged unprofessional and unethical conduct of some Nigerian Army personnel in Ekiti and Osun States’ Gubernatorial Elections 2014, as well as in any other State in Nigeria where other allegations of misconduct were made during the 2015 General Elections in the country,” the Army’s Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a press statement.
It would be recalled that last February,
SaharaReporters published an exclusive story about how some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in collusion with some army officers led by Brigadier-General Aliyu Momoh,the commander of the 32nd Artillery Brigade stationed in Ekiti State, rigged the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States in 2014.
Our report included documents and audio recordings providing substantial courageously prepared and provided by Sagir Koli, a Captain in the 32nd Artillery Brigade stationed in Ekiti State who accompanied Brigadier General Momoh to a key PDP planning meeting in Ado-Ekiti on 20th June 2014 ahead of the Ekiti election which brought the current governor, Ayodele Fayose, back to power. The meeting involved Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, Iyiola Omisore, Jelili Adesiyan, Omobolanle Oluwo, Wasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah and a crew of Nigerian army officers led by Brig. General Momoh. Captain Koli fled the country for fear of his life, but his teenage secondary school brother was arrested and tortured by army officials.
According to Tuesday’s statement, the mission of the BOI is to “prevent future unprofessional conduct by officers and men in the performance of the constitutional roles while strengthening Nigerian Army’s support to democratic values and structures in Nigeria.

By : Godwin Onoghokere

OSUN STUDENT STIFF HEAD WITH THE GOVERNOR

Polytechnics Students in Osun State are preparing for legal battle against the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola alongside the state police force after their protest against their staying out of school for over four months was violently interrupted and were teargassed by the police, which led to the death of three students.
This was make known in a write-up posted on social media by some members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
The state owned tertiary institutions lecturers declared an indefinite strike for non-payment of salary by the State government.
In a write-up tagged “ATTEMPTED EXTINCTION OF Nigerian students voice in Osun state by Aregbesola: NANS POSITION” posted in walls and pages of social media, the students stated why they embarked on the grievance resolution and also expressed their shock over the manner at which the protest was halted violently by the state riot police.
The content contained in the write-up says “The entire Nigerian Students family is still very shocked by the reckless and brutal assault and attack on Nigerian students by the Nigerian Police Force and government Agencies under the watch and instructions of the Osun State Governor in Osogbo yesterday, which shows the highest degree of leadership irresponsibility and inhuman posture of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
“Nigerian Students of some tertiary institutions in Osun State which include Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Osun State Polytechnic Esa-Oke, Osun State College of Education Ilesha and Osun State College of Education Ila Orangun, that have remained at home wasting over four months, due to the inability of the State Government of Osun to resolve the current industrial dispute between her and the teaching staffers of the institutions. The students however, having waited patiently enough and had on several occasions appealed to the state government to resolve this dispute, embarked on a peaceful protest to call the attention of the osun government to their plights in the most civilised manner and global best practices guaranteed by the students movement modus operand, but to our utter disappointment, the government of Osun state unleashed terror on the students during which several students were injured and three lost their lives in a pitiable manner in the water.
“One is therefore made to wonder what manner of legacies is the Governor of Osun state trying to put in place for coming generations, when he has permanently short the door of his conscience against Nigerians students.
The students, nevertheless, seek for parents and well meaning Nigerians that understand the value of education to come to their aids
“We therefore use this medium to call on all well-meaning people of Osun State and Nigerians to rise against this senselessness in the position of authority, which is a reminiscence of the infamous military oppression”.
However, NANS made clear their position on the matter as they prepare to institute a legal action against the state and her Police Force
“We in the National Association of Nigerian Students will not accept this. We will not surrender our liberty and future on the alter of socio-political oppression.
The national secretariat of NANS having duly consulted with other civil society organisations with supportive mandate with NANS have resolved to constitute a three man committee to visit Osun State to investigate the matter more adequately and report to the National secretariat of NANS in 7days on the next line of action particularly as instituting a legal action against the Nigerian Police Force and the government of the state of Osun.
A news medium called The Lead reported that “when the protest was becoming violent with the manner the students were harassing passers-by and shop owners, the riot policemen were deployed to disperse the protesters.
The Lead included in its report that some of the students sustained serious injury while the policemen arrested some of them and also seized some Students Union Buses.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola explained that the state government was working tirelessly to ensure the lecturers are paid soon. The Lead reports.
Meanwhile, there has been speculation that some of the institutions have called off the strike following the students’ protest.

DEAD WOMAN’S FAMILY PUTS HER BURIAL ON HOLD TILL BOYFRIEND MARRIES HER CORPSE IN EBONYI STATE

A family of a deceased woman have suspended her burial rites until her ‘husband’ who she was living with, performs her wedding rites.
The woman, Chinyere Mbam, died from a snake bite she sustained while returning from the wake-keep of her friend, Oge Ogashi.
She was taken to a traditional healing home in the area for treatment and thereafter back to the husband’s home where she died.
Her uncle, Ishiali Ikwe, confirmed her death.
But the deceased’s family have mandated her partner, Stephen Mbam, of Enyi Igwe Village, Ezzainyimagu community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to carry out her traditional marriage rites before she is buried.
It was learnt that the woman had been living with Stephen for three years and their relationship produced a child even though he did not perform marriage rites.
According to the Uncle, the family, who are from same village, have put the burial on hold until Mr. Mbam performs traditional marriage on the deceased.
He further said that Mbam’s family, in line with the tradition, have scheduled a date for payment of the bride price to be preceded by the wedding.

BREAKING NEWS :Former Bayelsa governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is dead

Former Bayelsa governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is dead

A former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, is dead, the Bayelsa State radio is reporting.
He was 63.
Mr. Alamieyeseigha died Saturday at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he had been in coma for days.
He was the governor of the Niger Delta state from 1999 to 2005 when he was impeached on corruption charges.
The former governor was succeeded by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was his deputy.
Close family sources said Mr. Alamieyeseigha was diabetic and was treated in Dubai, but recently returned to Port Harcourt.

STUDENT OF THE STATES INSTITUTION PROTESTING THERE INDEFINITE STRIKE

The student of all the state owned institutions  on the March to the state governor's  office in person of OGBENI  RAUF AREGBESOLA to show there displaces about the ongoing indefinite strike at all the state own Institution. 

Update is coming soon. 

See face of fake Army General who sponsors Boko Haram

Another suspected Boko Haram sponsor, Aliyu Hussaini, who has also been parading himself as a military brigadier general has been arrested.
The Nigerian Army in a statement on Tuesday said that Hussaini was arrested by soldiers of the 33rd Artillery Brigade in Bauchi State during a raid.
The fake Army General, Aliyu Hussaini
The statement read, “The 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, has recorded another landmark success in the ongoing Operation Zaman Lafiyah as troops of the brigade recently arrested one Aliyu Hussaini, popularly known as Colonel, a suspected Boko Haram terrorist and an Impostor who has been parading himself as a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army.
“The troops, who were acting on a tip-off, said Aliyu Hussaini was a sponsor and also a member of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. (They) carried out a raid operation, which led to the successful arrest of Aliyu and another suspected Boko Haram member, one Ibrahim Mohammed, who is also known as Yuram.
“It was later gathered that Aliyu had been defrauding innocent citizens (with the claim) that he was a general in the Nigerian Army.”
The military had earlier today announced the arrest a financier of the terror group in Bama, Borno State. It was reported that the sum of one million naira and other items were found on the suspect.

MEET THE NAME IN #THELIST AS IT IS BEEN FINALLY UNVEILED

President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki finally unveiled the names of the Ministerial nominees submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
They include;
1. Dr. Chris Ngige Fmr. Governor of Anambra State
2. Dr. Kayode Fayemi Fmr. Governor of Ekiti State
3. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi Fmr. Governor of Rivers State
4. Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN Fmr. Governor of Lagos State
5. Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau (Rtd.) Fmr. Chief of Defence Staff
6. Hajiya Aisha Alhassan Fmr. Federal Lawmakers and Governorship Candidate
7. Dr. Ogbonaya Onu Fmr. Governor of Abia State and Fmr. National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (which is part of the ruling All Progressive Congress)
8. Mrs. Kemi Adeosun Fmr. Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State (South West Nigeria)
9. Alh. Abubakar Malami A Senior Advocate of Nigeria
10. Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu Group Managing Director, NNPC
11. Chief Audu Ogbeh Fmr. Minister of Agricultural and Fmr. National Chairman of PDP
12. Sen. Hadi Sidika Fmr. Federal Lawmaker
13. Ibrahim Usman Jibril
14. Udoma Udoh Udoma Fmr. Federal Lawmaker
15. Ahmen Musa
16. Alh. Lai Mohammed Nat. Publicity Secretary of APC
17. Suleiman Adamu
18. Chief Adebayo Shittu
19. Barr. Solomon Dalong A Legal Practitioner
20. Missus Amina Ibrahim - Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning.