Military Recovers Boko Haram's Video Recordings

Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade| credits: twitter.com

The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, has
confirmed that troops of the Nigerian Army recovered video recordings
of the heinous acts perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Olukolade, however, refused to disclose further information about the
crimes against humanity captured in the videos in possession of the
military.

"It is true that troops have captured some video recordings of the
terrorists but I would not want to say anything on that for now," he
said.

He also confirmed to an Abuja based media consultancy firm to security
agencies, the PR Nigeria, that the videos were being analysed by the
military.

"A number of vital materials, apart from arms and ammunition, have
been recovered which are being subjected to intelligent analysis. We
don't want to say much about that now." Olukolade was quoted as
saying.

Investigation revealed that the videos have scenes of trials, stoning
of condemned people to death, amputations, beheading of victims with
knives and summary execution through shooting.

It was learnt that the Joint Investigating Panel of the security
agencies had commenced investigation into the activities of the
terrorists and would soon present those found to be culpable of these
heinous acts for trial.

It was stated that the military was taking the issue of the videos
seriously because they were being prepared for posting onYouTubeto
create fear in the civil populace.

PR Nigeria quoted a military as saying, "Some of the video were meant
for release through their normal channels to the public before they
were dislodged from their camps. They also show the barbaric life in
their so-called caliphate.

"The media and the public are advised to be careful in handling or
sharing sensitive and offensive videos depicting atrocities that some
viewers may find disturbing."
--PUNCH

Buhari's Ministers, Lawmakers To Get N9bn Housing, Furniture Allowance

Senators and members of the House of Representatives that will
constitute the 8th National Assembly and ministers to be appointed by
President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on assumption of
office receive welcome perks amounting to N9bn.

The perks of office include the housing allowance which each of the
incoming office holder is entitled to receive once a year, the
furniture allowance which they are entitled to once in four years and
motor vehicle loan which they are entitled to once in their tenure.

The perks are some of the non-regular allowances that the political
office holders are entitled to as prescribed by the Revenue
Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

There are other allowances, both regular and irregular ones, but
housing, furniture and motor vehicle are paid at the beginning of the
tenure of the office holders to ensure that they settle down
appropriately.

Housing allowance for the political office holders is 200 per cent of
their annual salaries; furniture is 300 per cent and motor vehicle
loan is 400 per cent.

The eighth National Assembly will be inaugurated by Buhari on June 5
after the expiration of the tenure and dissolution of the 7th National
Assembly on the same date.

Membership of the eighth National Assembly include 109 senators and
360 members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of
different political parties from across the country.

Investigation by one of our correspondents showed that each of the
senators would be paid N4, 052,800 on the assumption of office as
housing allowance. They will also be paid the same amount every year
because the housing allowance is on annual basis.

This means that 107 senators will be paid a total of N433, 649,600m as
housing allowance annually.

The Senate President and the Deputy Senate President are not entitled
to this allowance because their own accommodation is to be provided by
the Federal Government.

Similarly, each member of the House of Representatives will be paid
N3, 970,425 as housing allowance on assumption of office.

This means that the 358 representatives will be collecting a total of
N1, 421,412,150 as housing allowance. Again, the Speaker and Deputy
Speaker of the House of Representatives are excluded from this
allowance as the Federal Government is to provide their own
accommodation.

Following the monetisation of entitlements of public officials, the
lawmakers lost the right to occupy houses built and maintained by the
government. Consequently, the Federal Government sold the houses
previously occupied by the lawmakers to them.

The principal officers of the National Assembly also benefited from
the sale of the houses. As a result, the Federal Capital Territory
Administration is at present building new houses for the lawmakers
that will emerge as the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President,
the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

For furniture, each of the senators is to get N6, 079,200. The
furniture for both the Senate President and his deputy are to be fully
provided by the government. This means that 107 senators will get a
total of N650, 474,400 as furniture allowance. Furniture allowance is
paid once in four years.

Each member of the House of Representatives will be paid N5,
955,637.50 as furniture allowance. This means that 358 representatives
(excluding the speaker and his deputy) will collect a total of N2,
132,118,225 for furniture.

For vehicle, each of the senators is entitled to N8, 105,600 while
each representative is entitled to N7, 940,850.50. This means that 107
senators will collect N867, 299,200 for vehicle while 358
representatives will collect N2, 842,824,479 for the same purpose.

The allowance for vehicle had been controversial. According to RMAFC,
this allowance payable once in four years is a loan for any member
that wants. This means that it is repayable.

In 2007, each senator had been given the loan to purchase vehicles.
Few months after they had received the loan, the current Senate
President, David Mark, demanded that the money totalling about N856m
should be converted to grants for official cars.

Mark made the request in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the
Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.

In the letter dated November 15, 2007 and titled "Monetisation policy
as it affects senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Mark said
the senators were not properly briefed that the money was given to
them as loan.

He said if senators had known that the money was loan, they would have
had the opportunity to exercise the choice of refusal.

Read more at PUNCH:
http://www.punchng.com/news/buharis-ministers-lawmakers-to-get-n9bn-housing-furniture-allowance/

I'm Going Back To School After Villa -- Sambo's Wife

Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo,on Saturdayin Abuja,
said she would go back to the classroom to acquire more knowledge
after the expiration of her husband's tenure onMay 29.

She also advised Nigerians to pray for the incoming administration of
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

According to her, she will continue to remain accessible, even though
she did not disclose which institution or course of study she intends
to pursue.

Hajia Sambo, a graduate of Political Science from the Bayero
University, Kano, spoke at a ceremony organised in her honour by the
Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The CMWIN said they were honoring Hajia Amina and the wife of the
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Hajia Aisha Mohammed, for their
strive towards uplifting humanity.

The group also hailed them for being pious and not allowing the
demands of office to sway them from the right path.

She said there could be times in future when the demand of her
academic engagements would not allow her to honour invitations to
public engagements.

"I will like to continue to leave my doors open in case you will call
on me. In case I say I am having exams (I am going back to school);
so, do not be offended, I might be studying, but be assured that I
will always be with you," Hajia Sambo stated.

She added that all was now set for the inauguration of the first
Islamic Library in Nigeria, which is located in Kaduna State, urging
the women to strive to donate a book each to the facility.

She commended the Muslims for their support for the current
administration, and called on them to extend the same hand of
fellowship to the incoming administration of Buhari.

The vice president's wife however begged the women to forgive any real
or imagined shortcomings of the outgoing administration, assuring them
of her continued support even as a private citizen.

"I want to assure you that on my part, in my own little way, I will
continue to be of service to humanity. I will continue to help the
less-privileged in the society, the downtrodden, the physically
challenged, and most importantly, to myDeen. Please, always pray for
the incoming administration," she said.
--PUNCH

IMSU Lecturers Embark On Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

The Academic staff members of the Imo State University,on Friday, 7th
May, 2015 embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demand
for the payment of outstanding salaries.

Rising from the meeting yesterday, lecturers in IMSU unanimously voted
for an indefinite strike starting from Yesterday until their salaries
are paid.

The Lecturer of the institution yesterday resolved to boycott classes
until the government paid them their outstanding salaries and bonuses.

The industrial action paralyzed academic activities at the institution
as the lecturers stayed away from work. Students who had come for
lectures were observed discussing their frustration in hush tones
among themselves.

A leading member of the Union, who preferred anonymity said the
academic staff had no option other than to stay away from work because
the non-payment of their salaries had made life difficult for them.
--liveschoolnews.com.ng

Four Nigerians Win Parliamentary Seats In Uk

British Prime Minister David Cameron defied pre-election projections
to win a stunning election victory in the May 7 general elections.

Remarkably, four Nigerians- Mr. Chuka Umunna, Ms. Chi Onuoha, Ms
Helen Grant and Mrs. Kate Osamor- won their elections which also saw a
20-year-old Scottish student, Mhairi Black, become Britain's youngest
lawmaker since 1667.

The victory of four Nigerians in faraway UK is a great lesson for
Nigerians when even in this era the victory of non indigenes of Lagos
became a subject of indication in some certain quarters.

This is just another signal that Nigerians have a lot of evolution to
make in the poli cal scene.

Black defeated Douglas Alexander, a strong Labour Party politician in
the Paisley and Renfrewshire South constituency outside Glasgow. Young
Mhairi Black is a member of the pro-independence Scottish National
Party (SNP).

While the Conservative Party won 331, the Labour Party won 232, and
the Liberal Democrats won 8, the SNP won 56 of 59 seats in Scotland.
The UKIP became the third largest party with 11 seats. Other
highlights of the elections are the rash of resignations from the
leader of Labour Party, Ed Miliband, and of the Liberal Democrats, Mr.
Nick Clegg. The leader of UKIP, Mr. Nigel Farage whose party took
third position also resigned.

This is the first time the Conservative Party is winning such majority
since John Major's surprise win in 1992. Surprisingly, Mr. Alex
Salmond, the former leader of the Scottish nationalists, was elected
to represent them in parliament in London. The United Kingdom includes
England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with England accounting
for 85 percent of the population. Interestingly, four Nigerians won
their elections on Thursday. They are Chuka Umanna, Helen Grant, Chi
Onwurah and Kate Osamor.

Former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair is putting forward Umunna
to become the next leader of the Labour Party.

Umunna was educated at Hitherfield Primary School in Streatham, South
London, and the Christ Church Primary School in Brixton Hill. He was
awarded an upper second class LLB in English and French Law from the
University of Manchester.

After graduating he studied for one term at the University of Burgundy
in Dijon, before studying for an MA at Nottingham Law School.

Ms Helen Grant was born in 28 September 1961. She contested on the
platform of the Conservative Party. She is also an attorney and the
current Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald in Kent. She
is the current Minister for Sport, Tourism& Equalities. Grant was
first elected in 2010 general elections. Grant was the first black
woman to be selected to defend a Tory seat and her election made her
the Conservatives' first female black MP.

The third person is Ms Chi Onwurah who contested on the ticket of
Labour Party for Newcastle upon Tyne Central. She was born April 12,
1965, and was first elected at the 2010 general elections when she
replaced another Labour MP Jim Cousins, who decided to step down. She
is Newcastle's first black MP. Her father, from Nigeria, was working
as a dentist while he studied at Newcastle Medical School when he met
and married her mother in the 1950s.

After Chi was born in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1965, her
family moved to Awka, Nigeria when she was still a baby. Just two
years later, the Biafran Civil War broke out, bringing famine with it,
and forcing her mother to bring the children back to Newcastle, whilst
her father stayed on in the Biafran army.

The fourth politician, Ms. Kate Osamor contested as a member of Labour
Party in Edmonton constituency in North London. Ms Osamor, who has
worked for the NHS for 15 years, is a trade union activist, a women's
charity trustee. She defeated Kate Anolue, another Nigerian.
Victorious Cameron promised to make UK stronger and create more jobs.
--RAINBOW NEWS ONLINE

Liberia Declared Ebola-Free After Weeks Of No Cases

Liberia is now officially Ebola-free, but health authorities are
urging vigilance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Liberia free of the
Ebola virus, confirming that the country has had no new cases in 42
days.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told the BBC that Liberia had "crossed
the Rubicon" and would be celebrating a concerted effort to stem the
disease.

More than 4,700 deaths from Ebola have been recorded in Liberia, more
than in any other affected country.

Neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to fight the outbreak.

It has claimed over 11,000 lives across the region since last year.
The WHO regards a country Ebola-free after a 42-day period without a
new case - twice the maximum incubation period.

The last confirmed death in Liberia was on 27 March. On Saturday the
World Health Organization said in a statement: "The outbreak of Ebola
virus disease in Liberia is over."

President Sirleaf told the BBC: "We will celebrate our communities
which have taken responsibility and participated in fighting this
unknown enemy and finally we've crossed the Rubicon. Liberia indeed is
a happy nation."

Traumatised nation

Ebola was eventually conquered in Liberia through a collective. Care
centres and hand washing stations were set up to try to halt the
disease, which spreads through contact with sick people.

Billboards went up with slogans such as "Ebola is real", "wash your
hands and don't touch" and "don't be the next victim".

"It has been a terrible time in the history of our country," Monrovia
resident Emmanuel Tokao wrote on a BBC Facebook page. "I'm firstly
grateful to God, who I believe brought us back to normality."

At the height of the outbreak, he said, "ambulances would either come
for a dead body or sick person. It reminded me of the war days".

Liberia lost around 250,000 lives in a civil war ending in 2005.

The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia says the president gave a
sense of how traumatised the outbreak remains after the outbreak.

In an address to the nation on Saturday, she said: "Even today if you
hear an ambulance siren you shake a little bit."

Although Liberia has now been declared Ebola-free, correspondents say
the outbreak will have a long-term impact on Liberia's fragile
economy.

The current outbreak is the deadliest in history. It initially centred
on Guinea's remote south-eastern region of Nzerekore in early 2014,
and later spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The WHO is warning against complacency. Its statement warns that there
is "a high risk that infected people may cross into Liberia over the
region's exceptionally porous borders".

--BBC

The Failure Staring APC In The Face

The failure staring APC in the face by Niran Adedokun
>Photo: Niran Adedokun

I hope for its own sake that the All Progressives Congress is not
quickly getting carried away with the euphoria of victory to the
extent that it would fail on the promise of change before it even
starts.

Let leaders of the party make no mistake about it, governing Nigeria
is a Herculean task which does not compare to what happened in any of
the states that they have superintended over in one form or the other
in the past 16 years.

Moves, speculated in the media though, being made by leaders of the
party to fill leadership positions in the National Assembly just
clearly indicate that leaders of the APC may not be totally ready for
a departure from the past as they told Nigeria.

I am one of those who reckon that it is impossible to effect any
serious change in Nigeria without an independent, responsive and
responsible legislature. As I always argue, the legislature is the
most important arm of government in a presidential system of
government. The parliament is the guardian of democracy and is
superior to the other two arms whether they execute the laws made by
the legislature or they interpret it. I am persuaded to imagine that
the framers of Nigeria's constitution had this in mind when they
allowed the creation of the legislature in Section 4 of the 1999
Constitution ahead of the executive and judiciary in Sections 5 and 6
respectively.

By this constitution, members of the legislature at the state and
national levels are to perform two major functions, apart from the
representation of the constituencies and districts from which they
were elected.

One as stated in S.4(2) is the making of laws for the peace, order and
good governance of the federation and state(s) and the other, by
S(88), is to direct or cause to be directed investigations into
activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to ensure that
government is held accountable to the people from where it derives its
sovereignty. This is usually referred to as the oversight function of
the legislature.

Now, you must agree, Dear compatriot, that these are extremely
important functions. They make the legislature the gatekeeper between
the other two arms of government. The laws that the legislature makes
guide the judiciary in the dispensation of justice and the executive
in the day to day running of the country or state. In addition to
this, the legislature has oversight functions which allow it apply
measures to check and balance the activities of the executive. This is
in apparent realisation that the enormity of the powers conferred on
the executive could tempt the holder of such powers into abuse.

Given the weight of responsibility which the constitution places on
the legislature especially the National Assembly, I find it
objectionable that rather than bow their heads in shame and apologise
to Nigerians for the utter disappointment that the legislature has
been, members of the National Assembly join us to condemn the
executive for our current situation. Forgive me if I sound too
judgmental but I really do not see what the federal lawmakers
especially the outgoing set have done on behalf of the people.

Take the fundamental question of lawmaking for instance, it has become
really banal to say that a lot of our laws are outdated and out of
tune with modern realities. Some of them have been described as relics
of colonial legislation. For example, the 1677 Statutes of Fraud
remains the law governing the issue of whether writing or not writing
is required for transfer of interests in land while the Real Property
Act of 1845 is still the dominant law on whether a document should be
by writing or by deed.

The situation is especially worse with the criminal justice system.
Laws like the Criminal Code, the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure
Act and the Evidence, which collectively regulates criminal justice
dispensation are outdated and not in tune with extant realities. That
is why a man who connived with others to defraud the Police Pension
Office and pensioners of N27.2bn would get a mere two-year jail
sentence with the option of a N750, 000 fine. This is why people get
away with light or no sentence at all for crimes like rape,
kidnapping, corruption and even terrorism!

That is why I find the pontification of a lot of Nigerians, including
legislators about the oil and gas sector in Nigeria appalling. How
could an assembly which has kept the Petroleum Industry Bill that is
able to reduce the powers of the petroleum minister and bring some
sanity into the sector for about three years without passing it into
law even speak about corruption in that sector?

Read more at Punch:
t.co/uS6DKYbkOh

Illegal Oil Dealer Sentenced In Imo

Ifeanyichukwu Williams, an Imo State illegal oil dealer, has been
sentenced to three years in prison.

He has been appearing before the Federal High Court in Owerri on a
two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and dealing in petroleum
product without appropriate license.

One of the charges read, "That you, Ifeanyichukwu Williams, on or
about the 8th day of April 2012 along Owerri-Onisha Road, Imo State,
within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did without lawful
authority use a Volvo truck with registration number XN939FST to
illegally deal in petroleum product by conveying same in 42 drums and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(17) (a) of the
Miscellaneous Offence Act Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1(17)(a)(b) of the same
Act."

Men of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Owerri
arrested Ifeanyichukwu on April 8, 2012 along Owerri-Onisha Road, Imo
State, with a truck with registration number XN939FST, loaded with 42
drums of petroleum product without appropriate license.

He was subsequently handed over to Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.

He was first arraigned in 2012 and pleaded not guilty after the
charges were read to him.

At the resumed trial earlier this week, the accused pleaded guilty to
the charge. Justice Oguntoyinbo subsequently sentenced the accused to
three years imprisonment.

He ordered the convict to forfeit the petroleum product to the EFCC,
while the truck is released to him.

The sentence is to run concurrently from the date of his arrest.
- CAJ News

Nigerian Premier League Table After Week 7

This is what the table looks like after week 7 in Nigerian Premier League.
--NTA

I Still Maintain That Jimi Agbaje Will Never Be The Governor Of Lagos -- Oba Akiolu

Oba Akiolu of Lagos has maintained he told his relative, Jimi Agbaje
(pictured with him above) will never be the governor of Lagos. The
monarch who came under fire for his anti-Igbo comments spoke at the
launch of the book edited by Mr. Sam Omatseye titled, 'The Example:
The Era of Babatunde Raji Fashola as Governor of Lagos State,' in
Lagos. According to Vanguard, he said..

"On May 14, 2014 when I first told all residents of Lagos that the
next governor of the state will be Ambode, many didn't believe me."I
knew all the waters that have passed under the bridge, including my
own blood relations, who without consulting me went with others to say
that Bola Tinubu, Fashola and Oba Akiolu have pocketed Lagos, saying
that this time, they will not allow that. And I told them that Jimi
(Agbaje) will never be the governor. I still maintain it. There is no
going back,""I have no doubt in my mind, with the cooperation and
prayers of everyone, Ambode will perform very well. I told many people
that Bola Tinubu planted the seed, Fashola came and watered the seed
and it started germinating in geometrical progressions. We have just
started."

Supreme Court Stops Constitution Amendment

The Supreme Court has stopped the National Assembly from taking
further steps towards amending the 1999 constitution.
In a ruling this morning, a seven-man panel of justices of the apex
court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud
Mohammed, ordered the National Assembly to maintain status quo on the
matter until June 18.

The apex court further directed the issuance of hearing notice on the
NASS for it to appear on that date to respond to the suit that was
lodged against the proposed alterations to the constitution, by
President Goodluck Jonathan.
--Vanguad

Full List Of Newly Appointed Chancellors OF 38 Federal Universities

Here's the list of the new chancellors as contained in the statement
signed by Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

"The new chancellors are Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar
(Sokoto) University of Ibadan; Emir of Kano Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II
(Kano), University of Benin; Obot Akara, Umo Adiaka (Akwa-Ibom),
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe
Alfred Achebe (Anambra), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and Emir of
Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu (Bauchi), Federal University of
Technology, Akure.

Others are Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (Adamawa),
Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya
Abubakar (Niger), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Emir of Gombe,
Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar (Gombe), Michael Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; and Asagba of Asaba, Chike Edozien
(Delta), Federal University, Gashua.

Also on the list are Isuoha 1 of Ohaisu, Afikpo, Ezeogu Engr. Ewa
Elechi (Ebonyi), Federal University, Gusau; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba
Michael Adejugbe (Ekiti), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi;
Igwe Chikezie Agubuzu (Enugu), National Open University of Nigeria,
Lagos; Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V (Cross-River),
University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; and Obi of Obinugwu, Orju, Eze
Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya (Imo), Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.

Others are Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje (Jigawa),
University of Uyo; Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris (Kaduna),
Federal University of Technology, Minna; Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade
Sijuade (Osun), University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Emir of Katsina, Alhaji
Muhammadu Kabir Usman (Katsina), University of Ilorin; Emir of Gwandu,
Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar (Kebbi), University of Port-Harcourt;
and Attah of Igala, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II (Kogi), Federal
University, Oye-Ekiti.

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Lagos), University of Sokoto; Emir of
Lafia, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai (Nasarawa) Federal University,
Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Shehu of Borno, Mustapha Umar El-Kanemi
(Borno), University of Lagos; Amanayabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred
Papa Prieye Diette Spiff (Bayelsa), Bayero University, Kano; and The
Ibedaowei of Bomo Clan, King Joshua Igbugburu (Bayelsa) Federal
University, Lafia.

Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III (Ondo)
University of Jos; Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III
(Oyo); University of Maiduguri; Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba
(Plateau), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Amanayabo of Opobo, King
Dandeson Douglas, JEKI V (Rivers) Federal University, Dutsin-Ma; Aku
Uka of Wukari, Dr. Shekarau Masa-Ibi II (Taraba) Federal University,
Dutse; Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa (FCT) Federal
University, Wukari, Taraba State; and Emir of Anka, Mohammed Attahiru
Ahmed (Zamfara) Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

Ochidoma IV, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa (Benue) Federal University, Kashere,
Gombe State; Emir of Fika, Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Idrisa (Yobe)
Federal University, Lokoja; Eze Eberechi M. Dick (Abia), University of
Abuja; and Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III (Ogun),
Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State. The statement said
all Vice Chancellors are required to contact their new chancellors to
arrange for the appropriate investiture of their new Chancellors at a
time convenient to both parties."

Managing Nigeria's Economy Has Made Me Develop High Blood Pressure -- Okonjo-Iweala

Falling oil prices have put Nigeria's economy at risk, with revenues
falling and the government having to cut spending so as to be able to
fund the 2015 budget.

The economic state of the country is affecting the health of the
Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr.
Ngozi okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed, Tuesday, that the task of managing
the nation's economy has given her a high blood pressure.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala is, however, not the only government official the
current state of the economy has affected; the Minister of State, Amb.
Bashir Yuguda , the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Anastasia
Daniel-Nwaobia and about 70 per cent of the ministry's staff have
also developed High Blood Pressure.

"70 per cent of my staff have high blood pressure. This goes to show
the amount of stress we go through. All three of us here (referring to
herself, Amb. Yuguda and the Perm. Sec.) have high blood pressure,"
the minister said while commissioning a new clinic and a crèche at the
Finance ministry in Abuja.

"Minister of State has High BP and you are on medication. Perm Sec
has and I have. The amount of stress in the ministry is unbelievable.
Many times we are in the office until 1am, looking for ways ... to push
out money to make payment. Many people don't know this.

"We now have a clinic so that people can go and check quickly up when
they start having headache before someone collapses.

"I want to on behalf of myself and my High Blood Pressure colleagues
say that I am happy to commission this clinic. Minister of State,
please forgive me for letting out the secret , you know how I talk- I
am very open," Okonjo-Iweala said.

Election Petitions Tribunal: Politicians File 37 Cases At Owerri

No fewer than 37 cases arising from the national and state assembly
polls have been filed before the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting
in Owerri.

Vanguard reports that at press time, about eight petitions for the
senatorial elections, 18 cases for the House of Representatives and 11
for the State Assembly election had been filed for adjudication.

Available information showed that the All Progressives Congress, APC,
which lost all the three senatorial seats to the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, is expectedly the major challenger of the victorious PDP
candidates.

For Imo West senatorial zone, where Senator Hope Uzodinma smiled home
with the coveted senatorial seat, Chief Osita Izunasor of the APC,
ThankGod Ezeani of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and
Chief Felix Idiga of Accord Party, are all in court against Uzodinma.

In Okigwe senatorial zone, Dr. Clement Owunna of APGA and his APC
counterpart, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu, are contesting the victory of
Chief Athan Achonu of the PDP.

The story is the same in Owerri senatorial zone where Chief Uche
Onyeagucha of the APC and APGA's Mr. Paschal Nneji are up in battle
against the senator-elect, Chief Sam Anyanwu, of the PDP.

Meanwhile, at the maiden sitting of the tribunal, two of the five
motions presented before the judges were fully heard, while three were
adjourned till May 13.

Other members of the eledtion tribun al, headed by Hon. Justice A. Y.
Sanya, include Hon. Justice S. O. Falola and Hon. Justice P. P.
Idiong.
--Vanguard

Imo Teachers Angry Over Unpaid Salaries, Govt Denies Owing Them

Teachers in Imo State have been expressing displeasure at the
non-payment of their salaries for the past six months, calling on the
state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha not to betray the confidence
they repose in him.

These revelations were made as Midweek Nigerian Horn investigated the
stories in the mass media that the governor during his May Day speech
promised to offset the 13 months salary arrears owed primary school
teachers, some of the teachers swore that they were being owed six
months salaries, while some decried the huge deductions that the
government has been enforcing for so many months now.

The teachers expressed the hope that the second tenure of Gov.
Okorocha will be more favourable to them than his first term, stating
that there is a limit to which they can bear the hardship they have
been coping with over the years.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Government has officially responded to the
news making the rounds insinuating that primary school teachers in the
state were being owed thirteen months salary arrears.

Some newspapers (not Nigerian Horn) have published stories declaring
that Governor Rochas okorocha promised to offset the 13 months salary
arrears the Imo government owed primary school teachers in the state
as well as settle some over due pensions.

In a swift reaction, however, the government through a press release
signed by Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor's Senior Special Assistant
on Media has refuted and debunked the stories as false.

"The Imo State government has read a report with the above caption in
the media including the social media, stating that the State Governor,
Owelle Rochas Okorocha has promised to pay the 13 months salary
arrears owed to the primary school teachers in the state.

Those behind the false report, in their effort to make it look real
had also claimed that the Governor made the pledge while addressing
the workers in the State during the Workers Day celebration.

"It is interesting to note that both the report published in the
newspapers and the one in the social media, none has by-line. In other
words, the report was fictitious.

The truth of the matter is that the Imo State Government is not owing
the primary school teachers 13 months arrears of salary; and we stand
to be contradicted. The primary school teachers in the state have
always received their salary as at when due.

"The false report was authored by the Imo PDP and they did it as part
of their anger after the party's abysmal outing in the just concluded
governorship election. They have not yet realized that part of their
problem was hate campaign and falsehood which they called propaganda.

They have been boasting of bouncing back, and they cannot bounce back
by trading on lies and being economical with the truth. They must toe
the part of honour to bounce back. Imo people and Nigerians should
disregard the report. It is not true.
--Horn Newspapers

Election Is Not Yet Over --Iwuanyanwu Tells Okorocha, INEC

Elder statesman and also the chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Elders Forum Imo State chapter, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has
promised to apply all his political strength in re-organizing the
party in the state, informing the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) that the matter of the election is not yet over
based on numerous irregularities that PDP has gathered.

Iwuanyanwu made this assertion Monday while briefing newsmen after the
PDP elders meeting held at Glass House, Owerri.

"I will say the matter is not over yet. It is definitely not over
because there were so many irregularities and of course you all know
or heard that INEC staff were caught red-handed falsifying results. In
this country, people commit offences and go away with it. But I hope
this time they won't get away with it.

"There were a lot of irregularities in the election and of course the
candidate is studying the result. We held a meeting today and most of
the elders reported so many irregularities," Chief Iwuanyanwu stated.

The PDP chieftain boasted of having Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as their
party candidate in the election, adding that PDP did not lose in Imo
considering their victory in all the presidential, states senatorial
seats and eight Federal House of Representatives seats, confessing
that the major obstacle PDP Imo State encountered during the election
was betrayal, especially among leaders from his Owerri Zone.

The Ikeduru-born political gladiator warned APC to apply carefulness
while politicking with those that decamped from PDP to APC owing to
power shift. He described the defection as a shameful act that has
taught PDP to know those that are reliable, maintaining that PDP will
fully bounce back to power in 2019.

Imo Politicians Flood Tribunal With Petitions

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri has been flooded
with a lot of petitions from aggrieved Imo politiocian.
The tribunal is expected to look into petitions arising from the
governorship/ National Assembly and State Assembly elections.

Investigations by Nigerian Horn showed that Imo politicians who lost
out are set to challenge the defect at the tribunal.

At the last count, all the National Assembly elections held in Imo
State are being challenged at the tribunal.

Chief Felix Idiga of Accord Party is challenging the victory of
Senator Hope Uzodinma of the PDP, Hon Uche Onyeagocha of APC dragged,
Hon. Samuel Anyanwu of PDP to the tribunal.

In Okgwe Zone, Rt. Hon. Ben Uwajumogu of APC is challenging the
victory of Chief Athan Achonu at the tribunal.

Furthermore, Rt. Hon. Donatus Ozoemena of APC has filed petitions in
the tribunal against the emergence of Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah of PDP
as the member-elect for Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West federal
constituency.

There is strong indication that many politicians who lost in the last
elections are in the tribunal to seek redress.

Imo Police Smash Kidnap Gang, Rescue Victims

>Photo: Lifeless bodies of three kidnappers gunned down in Nnewi, Anambra State, by Imo police, on Tuesday

Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command
have smashed a hideout of kidnappers at Nnewi in Anambra State killing
three gang members and rescuing two victims.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Imo Police Command Headquarters,
Owerri, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew
Enwerem, said that the police operatives got a tip-off on the hideout
and went to the scene and saw a large number of kidnap suspects
holding some of their victims hostage, calling their relations and
demanding ransoms.

He said the police swiftly stormed into their den, on siting the
police, the kidnappers opened fire on the police operatives, to which
the police responded, three kidnappers were killed in exchange of
fire.

The PPRO said the names of the kidnappers were yet to be known, but
noted that they are all from Imo State.

Speaking, one of the kidnapped victims Mr. Lazarus Ezukam, aged 60,
from Akata in Oru East Local Government Area (LGA), stated that he was
in his house when his children started shouting, and he rushed out to
see what was happening. He said that some boys rushed into his house
and started searching and did not see anything. According to him, they
came out and collected his car key and pushed him into the car and
drove off, tied his eyes and mouth, till they got to a point where
they stopped and brought him out, tied his two legs and hands and laid
him on the floor without food nor water.

He said that he identified one of the kidnap suspects, whom he said is
his family brother, (name withheld), adding that the kidnappers were
demanding N500 million from his relatives.

Also speaking, another kidnapped victim, Mrs. Livina Nwaeze, female,
from Akata in Oru East LGA, stated that she was kidnapped on
30/05/2015 in her house when she brought out water to take her bath,
and some boys came into her house and said that her son was owing
them. She said that they took her into a waiting car and when some
women rushed out to see what was happening, they saw that they were
bad boys and women all ran away, and the kidnappers took her far away
forest in Anambra State and kept her there. According to her, they
were calling her relations, demanding N30 million for her to be
released, before the police came.

Okorocha, INEC Will Meet Me At Tribunal --Osmond Ukanacho

Gubernatorial candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP), in Imo
State in the just concluded election, Dr. Osmond Ukanacho, has
reiterated his decision and resolve to take the tribunal his grouse
over the irregularities and malpractices that characterized the
election.

Since after the governorship election on April 11 and the subsequent
supplementary/re-run election on April 25, Ukanacho has not relented
in his agitation for the elections to be cancelled.

He had tenaciously catalogued numerous reasons for his continued
demand for the cancellation of the elections to include massive
rigging by the two big parties and their allies from the other
parties. He also stated that the elections witnessed the corrupt
inducement of electorates and INEC officials with money and food.

Ukanacho stated that is particularly vexed by the day light incidences
of intimidation with guns, machetes and other weapons, snatching of
ballot paper and ballot boxes that were allegedly openly perpetrated
across, the state and was purportedly crowned with the writing of
results by politicians outside the authority and control of INEC.

In an interview before the supplementary election, Ukanacho had stated
that should INEC go ahead to announce a winner in the election, he
would go to the tribunal to seek the nullification of the election and
its results.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Ukanacho, Mr. Chidi
Emeagu, in a reply to a question whether his principal would make real
his threat to go to the tribunal, stated that Ukanacho was almost
certainly going to present his petition to the tribunal.

"Yes, we said that and still maintain it. But we are not at the
tribunal yet because we are trying to put our materials and documents
together," Emeagu stated.

From this statement, it is apparent that Dr. Osmond Imo Ukanacho of
the UPP will drag Governor Okorocha and INEC to the tribunal.

FG Appoints Eze Ilomuanya Chancellor, Federal University, Bernin Kebbi

The Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman, Imo State and South East Councils of
Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze (Dr) Cletus Ilomuanya has expanded the
scope of his authority as the Federal Government has appointed him the
Chancellor of the Federal University, Bernin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Eze Ilomuanya, whom many pundits have likened to the proverbial cat
with nine lives, has survived all the ferocious onslaughts from
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, whom he has been having a
running battle with since June, 2011. In spite of several Court
judgments and rulings including that of the Apex Court, the Supreme
Court, in Eze Ilomuanya's favour affirming him as Chairman of Imo
State Council of Traditional Rulers, the governor has remained averse
to these judicial pronouncements. But as the aggressions and scheming
by the governor to pull him down rages, Eze Ilomuanya has against all
odds, continued to soar higher.

Also appointed Chancellor of other 37 Federal Universities in the
country alongside Eze Ilomuanya are the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji
Muhammad Saad Abubakar III (University of Ibadan), Ooni of Ife, Oba
Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II (University of Nigeria, Nsukka), Emir of
Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II (University of Benin), the Obi of
Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and the
Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (Federal University
of Technology, Owerri).

Others are the Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) Eze Eberechi Dick
(University of Abuja), HRH Umo Adiaka (Modibo Adama University of
Technology, Yola), Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (Federal
University of Technology, Akure), Tor Tiv, HRH Akawe Torkula
(University of Calabar) and Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu
Abubakar (Michael University of Agriculture, Umudike).

On the list also includes the Asagba of Asaba, HRH Prof. Chike Edoziem
(Federal University, Gashua, Gombe State), Isuoha of Ohaisu, HRH
Ezeogu Engr. Ewa Elechi (Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State),
Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V (University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta), Igwe (Ambassador) Lawrence Agubuzu (National
Rilwanu University, Lagos) and Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwanu Akiolu
(University of Sokoto), amongst others.

A release to this effect signed by the Minister of Education, Mallam
Ibrahim Shekarau stated that President Goodluck Jonathan who approved
this appointment further directed that all Vice Chancellors of the
affected Federal Universities should liaise with their newly appointed
Chancellors to arrange the appropriate investiture for the 38
Chancellors.

Igbos Vote Based On Their Stomach, They Suffer From Incurable Money Mindedness --Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has described the Igbos as people who can
be predicted when it comes to voting. According to him, the Igbos vote
based on their stomach and have an incurable money mindedness. Prof.
Soyinka said this while delivering a lecture titled 'Predicting
Nigeria, Electoral Ironies' at Harvard University Hutchins Centre for
African and African American Research", in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
USA.

"Igbos remained unrepentant and resolute towards their strategic
objective of secession at worst; or a Nigerian president of Igbo
extraction at best," he said at the lecture which held on April 29.

"The climax of MASSOB's war against the Nigerian state was the call
for sit-ins and civil disobedience that shut down markets and public
services, as Igbos stayed at home in a symbolic gesture to assert
Biafran independence. The call was honoured by governors in the two
principal Ibo states, though without fanfare. The Igbos are probably
the only group of Nigerians that you can predict with great accuracy
whom they will vote for in an election, because they tend to put their
votes where their stomachs take them; suffering as it were, from
incurable money-mindedness, as they would stop at nothing in their
quest for personal financial gain. Muhammadu Buhari was the better of
the two evils as the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan had been an
unmitigated disaster and failure. It was a painful decision to tell
people to vote Buhari, but the country needed a new beginning. I was
more against Jonathan, than I was pro-Buhari. "Nothing is more
unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains
fulfillment, and this is what the nation witnessed time and time again
under Jonathan, who was increasingly becoming intolerant of opposition
in an escalating streak of impunity and authoritarian madness, which
was most blatant and unconscionable. The 'militricians' - soldiers
turned politicians in power - aren't looking for excellence; their
civilian cohorts are worse. Short cuts and how to circumvent the
system for the profit of a few are the norm of governance. Those who
do honest work are derided as lacking the skill to fit it. Ironically,
things haven't quite changed a bit after 16 years of democracy in the
country." he said.
--The Cable

214 Girls Rescued From Boko Haram Found Pregnant

About 214 of the girls rescued from Islamist sect Boko Haram are
visibly pregnant, according to un official reports.

Although he did not disclose numbers in the latest pregnancy reports,
Executive Director, UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, said that in
the last one year, the organization had taken deliveries of over
16,000 pregnancies in the troubled North East part of the country.

While giving update of the response to the rehabilitation of the
rescued women and children, Osotimehin said the agency, in
anticipation of the magnitude of the problem on hand, had put in place
a formidable team in collaboration with the Federal and state
governments, to first restore the dignity of the girls, who, he said,
are facing severe psychosocial trauma.

"What we found is that some of the women and girls that have come back
actually have much more in terms of the stress they have faced, so the
counselling has to be more intense and working with them one-on-one.

"I'm glad the communities are not excommunicating them and are taking
them back. That is an important therapy too. We anticipate this is
going to escalate because the military intervention is continuing, we
find that more people are now needing our services and we will
continue," Osotimehin said.

According to him, UNFPA had earlier collaborated with the Federal and
state governments to train 60 counsellors to offer psychosocial
services to the affected women and children. Those trained were
carefully chosen from the communities, who understand the context and
sociology of the people.

"UNFPA is providing dignity for women. In conflict and disasters, most
people would only think of water and sanitation, provision of tents
and housing, and food, which are all important. But women and girls
have specific needs that nobody else looks after; it is only UNFPA
that is doing this. We are giving psychosocial counselling.

"Beyond that, in the growing young people, we will always have
pregnant women, but nobody segregates the needs of the pregnant women
which are very important and different from the needs of the average
community. We look after them, and ensure they get antenatal care and
that they deliver properly and that they even get Caesarean Section
when necessary," Osotimehin said.

Classic FM OAP, Sylvester 'Sly' Ojigbede Is Dead

It is just the beginning of another working week but members of staff
ofClassic FM97.3 are in mourning as one of their popular OAPs,
Sylvester O. Ojigbede, has been declared dead.

The suave presenter, fondly called 'Sly' by colleagues and listeners
alike, passed away after a brief illness and although details of his
death remain sketchy for now, his colleagues includingTintin andJimi
Disuare already mourning his demise across social media platforms.

Until his death, Sly anchored the Morning Show (6am to 11am) from
Mondays to Thursdays as well as the Classic X-Press (6am to noon) on
Saturdays on the urban radio station notable for creating nostalgic
feelings among listeners.

Sly was born in the 70s according to sources and was an Economics
graduate of the University of Lagos who worked in Advertising,
Mortgage and the Commercial banking sectors before embracing the mic
at Classic FM.

He was reputed as a hardworking OAP who took his job very seriously
and was always on hand to help colleagues out even when he was not
officially due to be on duty.

'My Purported Impeachment Is A Shame To Democracy' --Enugu Speaker

The Speaker of the House of Assembly in Enugu State, Honorable Eugene
Odoh, has described his impeachment by eight members of the House, as
a 'shame to democracy'.

Eight lawmakers loyal to the State Governor, Sullivan Chime, sat on
Monday, impeached the Speaker and shot down the Assembly indefinitely.

Their decision came after 18 out of 24 members of the House had
commenced a process to impeach the State Governor, putting forward
allegations of forgery, inflation of funds for state project execution
and unlawful acquisition of public landed property.

The factional 'new Speaker', Honourable Chinedu Nwamba, said the
activities of the other faction was null and void, "as the Speaker,
Eugene Odoh, had been removed, with himself emerging the new speaker".

Impunity In The Face Of Democracy

Despite the impeachment by the few members of the House, the
'impeached Speaker', Honorable Odoh, said the lawmakers would continue
with the impeachment process on Tuesday, insisting that the Governor
had been duly served.

Mr Odoh, however, said the 'purported impeachment' was impunity in the
face of democracy which had diminished the Enugu State House of
Assembly as well as the Executive arm of government.

"I am really shocked that the Governor, who is a lawyer, could
champion eight people seating down to remove a Speaker when he knows
that it requires two-third. It is a shame to democracy and I am
equally ashamed, as I am speaking this.

"There is nothing like removal of the Speaker. It is mere exercise in
futility and they have showed the world the kind of impunity going on
in Enugu State," he said.

Mr Oboh had told Channels Television that trouble started after the
House refused to approve the 11 billion Naira loan which the governor
forwarded to the House on grounds that it was not morally wise and
would be a burden on the incoming government, as the loan would be
paid under Irrevocable Standing Payment order within three years.

Contrary to Mr Oboh's statement, one of the eight lawmakers said that
removing a principal officer in the House required simple majority.
--ChannelsTV

Boko Haram Fracturing, Say Rescued Hostages

There are very strong indications that the insurgent group Boko Haram
is fracturing as shortages of weapons and fuel have caused tension
among the soldiers and the leaders.

One of the released victims told Reuters Agency that the fighters are
saying that their leaders have deceived them into fighting in the name
of religion.

According to some of the rescued women, the group abducted an
estimated 2,000 women and girls in 2014 as it tried to create an
Islamic state.

So far the army has freed nearly 700 in the past one week.

APC Governors Meet With Gen. Buhari, Lament Inability To Pay Salaries For Civil Servants

For the first time since the March/ April general elections, the
Governors-elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) have met with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The Governors discussed the poor revenue of the states and lamented
their inability to pay salaries for civil servants.

They also reviewed the security situation in the country and provided
an insight into the vast challenges facing the incoming government.

The chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha painted a
gloomy picture of the current economic crisis in the country.

He says the government of Gen. Buhari is coming at a time when the
treasure of the nation is almost empty.

The Governors-elect present at the meeting are, Rochas Okorocha ( Imo
state), Mallam El-Rufai (Kaduna), Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Kashim
Shettima (Borno state), Aminu Tambuwal (Kano state) and Rauf
Aregbesola (Osun state) among others.
--ChannelsTV

Enugu State Governor Breaks Silence On Impeachment Plot

Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, has broken his silence on the
impeachment plot against him by 15 Lawmakers in Enugu State House of
Assembly, over allegations of forgery of the 2012 supplementary budget
and financial misconduct.

Governor Chime, who denied forging any budget document or tried
borrowing any money barely three weeks to his exit, said the latest
antics of the House of Assembly is as a result of his refusal to
succumb to their monetary appeals after they had approved the loan.

According to the Governor, "Since last year September, the said eleven
billion naira they are raising their voices against had been long
approved by the Legislators and it is the same figure that is
reflecting in the approved budget that you also have in the
supplementary budget, which they are now referring to as fake".

He also says that, though, he is yet to receive any impeachment
notice, the moves by the Lawmakers against him will not prevail as the
constitution requires a simple two third majority, which the house, as
presently constituted, would find impossible to realise.

However, the Governor moved faster than the legislators as he
hurriedly gathered eight of the lawmakers, who sat, and then impeached
the Speaker, Honourable Eugene Odoh, and elected a new Speaker,
Honourable Chinedu Nwamba.

Shehu Sani Urges Buhari To End Amnesty Program For Ex-Militants

The Senator-elect for Kaduna Central, Mr Shehu Sani, has called on the
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to scrap the ongoing
amnesty programme for ex-militants when sworn into office.

The programme was initiated by the late President Umaru Yar'Adua for
ex-militants in the Niger Delta.

Speaking during a courtesy call to Arewa House in Kaduna on Tuesday,
Sani described the entire amnesty programme as a sham and urged the
incoming President to probe the operations of the Amnesty programme.

According to him, the amnesty programme ought to be a temporary
gesture and not a permanent thing which, he said, some persons have
turned into a conduit pipe to drain the nation's wealth.

The senator-elect wondered why the amnesty programme should be
continuous and only meant for youths from a particular ethnic
nationality while their counterparts from other regions are left out.

The senator-elect also accused President Jonathan's administration of
skewing development to the South-South alone while neglecting the
North and South-West regions.

On the back of this, he called on General Buhari not to repeat "the
mistake" of the outgoing government, but to ensure he carries all
parts of the country along in his government.
--ChannelsTV

Man Treks From Abuja To Otuoke To Honour Jonathan As 'Hero Of Democracy'

Mr. Oladele John Nihi from Kogi state has started trekking from Abuja
to Otuoke, the hometown of President Goodluck Jonathan, to celebrate
him (Jonathan) as the hero of democracy.

Nihi, who started his journey, Monday, at 6:00am local time said that
he chose to celebrate Jonathan for sustaining democracy and keeping to
his promise of free, fair and transparent election in the country.

He stressed that the president who lost the election to Maj.Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari deserve more than a walk or trek for ensuring that
"no blood of any Nigerian is worth his ambition".

The trekker promised to keep Nigerians and the world updated about his
journey with hashtag (#TrekForGEJ).
--

Enugu Governor Served Impeachment Notice

Fifteen lawmakers in Enugu State House of Assembly on Monday morning
served the Governor, Sullivan Chime, impeachment notice.

The lawmakers accused the Governor of high handedness and corrupt enrichment.

Reports from Enugu say that the Governor had asked the state assembly
to approve the funds for a secretariat project, but he was turned down
by the state assembly.

The lawmakers refused because according to them it is less than a
month to hand over to a new administration, so why would the Governor
be asking for 11 billion naira.

The unapproved 11billion naira allegedly led to the power play between
members of the House of Assembly and the state government.

The Governor then allegedly induced some members of the assembly with
some money to impeach the House Speaker, Eugene Odoh.

Fifteen lawmakers sat on Monday morning and suspended some members who
they believe are loyal to the Governor, and then collected signatories
of 15 people before serving the Governor impeachment notice.

Speaker Impeached

In the meantime, the Speaker of Enugu House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh,
is said to have been impeached by eight out of the 24 members of the
House.

The members are believed to be those loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime.

The members who carried out the impeachment accused the Speaker of
being self-centred and uncooperative.

The Governor's Spokesman, Chukwudi Achife, said in a chat with
Channels Television that Speaker Eugene Odoh, had been removed and a
new Speaker elected. He dismissed the alleged plot to remove the
Governor.
--ChannelsTV

Imo Guber Result: Ihedioha's Lawyers Gather Evidence, Suspected Fake Result Sheets From North Top Items

Serious indication that the inability of the PDP Governorship
candidate, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, to extend congratulatory message to
Governor Rochas Okorocha over his victory in the election may not be
unconnected with his desire to challenge the second term election of
the APC candidate in court.

Trumpeta reports that die-hard counsel seasoned in electoral matters
has been contracted to carefully study all items used in declaring
Okorocha winner as well as the processes leading to the conduct of the
polls before, during and after the elections,

Trumpeta newspaper gathered that top on the list of items the lawyers
would use to ask for cancellation of results of the areas the governor
reportedly won are suspected fake result sheets from the North of
Nigeria. The Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, after gathering the
sensitive items will by next week file papers to challenge. Okorocha's
election at the Election Petition Tribunal.
--Trumpeta

Imo Poly To Be Upgraded To Award Degree Certificate

Members of the Imo State House of Assembly. In its resumed plenary
recently, unended the law establishing the Imo state Polytechnic
Umuagwo, the amendment they said was to enable the State Polytechnic
begin the award of Bachelor of Technology Degree (B. Tech), as well as
its usual Higher National Diploma (HND) to its graduating students.

In his appeal to his colleague Hon Luke Chukwu representing
Ohaji/Egbema state constituency argued the House to accord the bill
every necessary support, noting that upgrading the institution would
no doubt shore up the credibility of the institution and make it more
attractive, even beyond the state, as he revealed that necessary
platforms and structures for the immediate take-off have been put in
place.

Hon Simeon Iwunze described the Imo Polytechnic amended bill as world
class, submitting that such action would give the institution a great
leverage among its contemporaries in the country. The bill later
scaled through to the third reading.

Other issues that got mention during the plenary include the amendment
of the law establishing the proposed Turkish University and re-named
it Imo State Claretian University Onumo-Okigwe.

Hon Ikenna Emeh of Isu State constituency supported the change of name
following the alleged non-commitment of the Turkish
stakeholders/Partners, adding that the Claretian Missionary has shown
more interest in partnering with the state toward the establishment
and take-off of the University.

Also, the House amended the law establishing the Imo State college of
Education (Technical) to become the Imo State College of Education
Ihitte Uboma. Hon Simeon Iwunze representing Isiala Mbano State
constituency explained that amendment of the bill will give the
institution a wider scope, both in admission and in attracting the
necessary logistic needed for its sustenance.

Festus Odimegwu Makes Buhari's Transition Committee List

The former Chairman of National Population Commission, Chief Festus
Odimegwu from Imo State is among the selected Nigerians to midwife the
coming of President-Elect, Muhamadu Buhari of the APC.

Odimegwu who acted as the Chief Executive of the National Population
Commission NPC before he resigned will be part of the committee
established on Wednesday by Buhari to form his transition program.

Alongside highly profile Nigerians, Odimegwu will be led by Mallam
Ahmed Joda with the likes of Amaechi Rotimi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Audu Ogbe
and APC National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun making the list.

Their terms of reference is to review the balance sheet of government,
the status of assets and liabilities, cash flow, public domestic and
external debt, outstanding contractual obligations and the status of
implementation of capital projects.

The Panel Odimegwu is part of will provide a brief over view of CBN,
NNPC, NCC, Customs and FIRS, as well as suggest, a quick fixes "which
will result in visible and practical measures so that the change will
be seen".
--Trumpeta

2015 Elections, One Of The Most Rigged In Nigeria -- Observer

A Legal Practitioner and observer during the2015 elections, Ikechukwu
Ikeji, says the just concluded election was one of the most rigged
elections he had ever witnessed in Nigeria, despite being considered
free and fair.

Speaking on a breakfast show, Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on
Monday, Mr Ikeji accused INEC officials of being compromised,
stressing further that the politicians themselves were out to rig and
those who won simply outwitted those who lost.

"Just about every politicians I came across was in the game of
rigging. Nothing can be farther from the truth than that these
elections were fair and free.

"In fact I have to be honest, this is one of the most rigged elections
I have witnessed. I was in the field and I can tell you that electoral
offences were rampant," Mr Ikeji said.

On card readers, the election observer expressed dissatisfaction. He
said that the card readers did not work in many areas he went to.

He said that they (the electorate) had agreed not to use the card
readers, revealing that he clearly saw people coming back to vote
twice while some voted three times in both national and state
elections.

He added also that some polling units were dominated by some political
parties, as they were able to buy the minds of voters and the
electoral officials.

Mr Ikeji also said that all materials for the election should have
been present at the commencement of the voting, including the result
sheets, which various political party agents should verify.

He also indicted some election observers saying many of them were
compromised and carried out their duties with bias.

He reacted to the statement by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) that it had commenced the compilation of all
electoral offences recorded in the 2015 general elections with a
view to prosecuting those found wanting.

The legal practitioner said that it was a good statement by INEC that
they would prosecute electoral offenders, but noted that the solution
does not just lie in advocacy, pronouncement or trying to put
technology in place to obviate the need for politicians to rig.

He advised that the attraction in elective and political public
positions be reduced to discourage politicians wanting to get to
position by all means.
--ChannelsTV

Boko Haram Food And Fuel Supplier Arrested In Borno

Nigerian troops on Sunday nabbed a man who supplies fuel and food to
terrorists in Daban Shata in the suburbs of Baga in Borno State.

Spokesman for the military, Major General Chris Olukolade, confirmed
the arrest on his twitter handle.

"A man who specialises in supplying fuel and food to terrorists was
this morning nabbed in #DabanShatain the suburbs of #Baga/1"
-- Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) May 3, 2015

He said a military intelligence had been trailing him till he was
eventually trapped in the early hours of Sunday.

"He is presently undergoing interrogation," the military spokesman
said, without giving further details about his identity.

It is the latest development in the counter-terrorism operations in
the north-east.
--ChannelsTV

Military Locates 260 Women, Children In Adamawa

Nigerian troops have located 260 woman and children in the outskirts
of Chalawa village in Adamawa State where they had been held up while
trying to escape from terrorists.

Some of them told the military that they had to abandon their homes to
escape from the terrorists when Madagali came under attack, while
others were abducted, but left in the area by fleeing terrorists.

In a statement on Sunday, the military said: "They have now been
conveyed back to their various communities in Madagali after
undergoing the normal security profiling.

Military spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, confirmed the
development. He said they were located on Saturday.

According to him, a number of terrorists died in an encounter with
troops who caught up with them as they fled prior to the recovery of
the women and children.

"Some of the terrorists still managed to escape with varying degrees
of gunshot wounds. Others who were captured are now being interrogated
by intelligence officers.

"A machine gun, some rounds of ammunition, as well as some motorcycles
and bicycles were also captured from the terrorists. A member of the
vigilante group serving as ģuide to the troops was however wounded,"
the military said in a statement.

The Boko Haram terrorists were sacked from Madagali recently.

Meanwhile the operation in Sambisa forest is continuing as troops are
searching every aspect of the expansive terrain.

The Military had earlier released a video of the counter-terrorism
aerial operations in Sambisa Forest, with terrorists seen fleeing
the forest.
—ChannelsTV

Few Nigerian Banks May Collapse In 2016 -- Report

CBN headquarters, Abuja
A new report by Allan Gray Group has stated that a few Nigeria banks
may go bust or raise capital next year.

The report, which examined the lenders' performance as of the end of
March, added that investors' sentiment towards Nigerian banks had gone
from positive to 'outright fear.'

The research by Allan Gray, Africa's largest privately-owned
investment management company, linked the development to the falling
oil price, likely spike in bad debts, political uncertainty and the
Boko Haram insurgency.

The report read in part, "Sentiment towards Nigerian banks has gone
from positive to outright fear. The fear is not without reason given
the falling oil price, likely spike in bad debts, political
uncertainty and Boko Haram insurgency.

"It is indeed likely that there will be a lot of distress in the next
year, but it is important to remember that what a company earns in a
particular year generally has little bearing on the intrinsic value of
the business; what counts is the level of normal earning through the
cycle and the ability to grow those earnings.

"Financial companies are a little different in this regard as they may
go bankrupt before achieving normal earnings. A few Nigerian banks may
go bust or raise capital, but luckily the share prices are discounting
this probability."

The Allan Gray report, entitled 'Gray Issue: The sentiment pendulum',
also compared Nigerian banks with Kenyan banks relative to their
assets and the Gross Domestic Product of their respective countries.

According to the research and investment firm, there is no reason why
the Kenya banking sector should be any more or less profitable than
the Nigerian in the long term, arguing that over the past 10 years the
Return on Equity for the two sectors have been similar.

The ROE measures a company's profitability by revealing how much
profit a company generates with the money shareholders have invested.

The study read, "With a similar ROE, the Price-to-Book value for these
two countries' banks should be fairly close. However, the largest five
listed banks in Kenya are trading at 2.6 times book value, discounting
a long-term ROE of about 26 per cent, while the Nigerian banks trade
below book value, indicating a long-term ROE of around 10 per cent.

"The market capitalisation of the companies relative to the assets on
the balance sheet tells a similar story, with Kenya banks pricing in a
return on assets 3.5 times that of Nigerian banks.

"In the Allan Gray Africa ex-SA Equity Fund we have a significant
investment in Nigerian banks and very little in Kenya banks. We think
the terrible sentiment and clear risks are giving us the opportunity
to buy decent businesses, with favourable long-term prospects, at very
attractive prices."

The Price-to-book value is a financial ratio used to compare a
company's current market share price to its book value i.e the value
of the of a company's net assets expressed on the balance sheet.

Industry players and analysts had said a number of regulatory measures
aimed at stabilising the economy would make it difficult for banks to
make higher profit this year.

The Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment
advisory firm, Mr. Ike Chioke, had said the reduction in banks' fee
income would make the year turbulent for the financial institutions.

He said, "It is going to be very challenging for the banking sector
this year. You remember a gradual progression of the CBN trying to
reduce the fee element that the banks do enjoy. The Commission on
Turnover for example has been reduced from N5 to N3 and N1 per mille.
By 2016, it will be reduced to zero.

"The CBN has also come up with a lot of measures to control the
foreign exchange. All of these are taking away the fee incomes that
the banks would ordinarily have enjoyed. So, I see that some banks
will be in a place where their cost structure may be too difficult for
the income generated to carry. So, they will have to find new ways to
generate additional income.

"But trying to find new ways to generate additional income in an
environment where there is declining revenue overall for the federal,
state and local governments is going to be very difficult. It is going
to be a depressed year for the banks."

The Managing Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr.
Mustafa Chike-Obi, recently said falling oil prices would cause
"serious economic headwind" this year and banks would be forced to
record very significant increase in non-performing loans.

--PUNCH

Rescued Women Narrate Ordeal In B'Haram Captivity

Boko Haram fighters killed older boys and men in front of their
families before taking women and children into the forest where many
died of hunger and disease, freed captives toldReuterson Sunday after
they were brought to a refugee camp in Yola, Adamawa State.

The Nigerian army rescued hundreds of women and children last week
from the Islamist fighters in Sambisa Forest in a major operation that
has turned international attention to the plight of hostages.

After days on the road in pickup trucks, hundreds were released on
Sunday into the care of authorities at a refugee camp in Yola, to be
fed and treated for injuries. They spoke to reporters for the first
time.

"They didn't allow us to move an inch," said one of the freed women,
Asabe Umaru, describing her captivity. "If you needed the toilet, they
followed you. We were kept in one place. We were under bondage.

"We thank God to be alive today. We thank the Nigerian army for saving
our lives," she added.

Two hundred and seventy-five women and children, some with heads or
limbs in bandages, arrived in the camp late on Saturday.

Nearly 700 kidnap victims have been freed from the Islamist group's
forest stronghold since Tuesday, with the latest group of 234 women
and children liberated on Friday.

"When we saw the soldiers we raised our hands and shouted for help.
Boko Haram who were guarding us started stoning us so we would follow
them to another hideout, but we refused because we were sure the
soldiers would rescue us," Umaru, a 24 year-old mother of two,
toldReuters.

The prisoners suffered malnutrition and disease, she said. "Every day
we witnessed the death of one of us and waited for our turn," Mrs.
Umaru added.

Another freed captive, Cecilia Abel, said her husband and first son
had been killed in her presence before the militia forced her and her
remaining eight children into the forest.

For two weeks before the military arrived she had barely eaten.

"We were fed only ground dry maize in the afternoons. It was not good
for human consumption," she said. "Many of us that were captured died
in Sambisa Forest. Even after our rescue about 10 died on our way to
this place."

Amnesty International estimates the insurgents, who are intent on
bringing West Africa under Islamist rule, have taken more than 2,000
women and girls captive since the start of 2014. Many have been used
as cooks, sex slaves or human shields.

The prisoners freed so far do not appear to include any of more than
200 schoolgirls snatched from school dormitories in Chibok town a year
ago, an incident that drew global attention to the six-year-old
insurgency.

Umaru said her group of prisoners never came in contact with the
missing Chibok girls.

Meanwhile, the 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army based in Yola,
Adamawa State, has handed over 275 women and children rescued from
insurgents in Sambisa Forest to the National Emergency Management
Agency for rehabilitation.

The statement quoted the Commander, 23 Armoured Brigade, Col. Aba
Popoola, as saying that "on behalf of the Nigerian Army, I want to
hand over 275 rescued women and children that we rescued from Sambisa
Forest to the National Emergency Management Agency for care and
welfare."

Receiving the rescued persons, the Director-General, NEMA, Sani Sidi,
said the rescued women and children needed special attention and that
the agency had made all the necessary arrangements with relevant
stakeholders for trauma counselling.

Ghuluze noted that the ministry had ensured regular supply of drugs to
the clinics.