Desmond Elliot And His Co-Legislators At US Congress For Legislators Conference (Photos)

Desmond Elliot and some other Lagos state House Of Assembly Members
Visited the US congress today.

They are currently on a Lagos state all-expense paid trip for a
certain Legislators conference at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

The actor looks right at home in this his new environment- That is he
just started acting in official capacity for what he was elected for.

See the pictures.

-GistReel

Read Why NYSC May Soon Be Voluntary

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will
take all necessary actions to maintain and improve the National Youth
Service Corps scheme as a functional vehicle for the promotion of
national unity and integration.

The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, told the
President that there are plans to make the scheme voluntary so as to
reduce the corps population and sustain it.

The president affirmed his confidence and trust in the scheme, saying
that the objective for which the scheme was established in 1973 was
still very relevant for national development.

He said:

I firmly believe in NYSC and I think it should remain a national
programme to promote integration.

Whenever I go home to Daura, I look out for corps members from Lagos,
Aba and other parts of the country.

I am always thrilled to learn that except for the NYSC, some of them
have never left their states of origin to visit other cities in the
country.

Ms. Jimeta had informed the president that the increasing number of
NYSC members was a challenge to the scheme due to dwindling revenue
from the national budget to cater for their needs.

She also told the president that the annual enrollment of corps
participants had increased from 2,364 at inception in 1974 to 229,016
in 2014.

She added that "given the increasing number of tertiary institutions,
our projection is that the number of participants may rise to 300,000
by year 2020″.

-Premium Times

Kachikwu Sacks 8 NNPC’s Group Executive Directors

The eight Group Executive Directors (GED) of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have been relieved of their appointment
in the corporation.

New NNPC Boss, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu
A source in the NNPC said the GEDs of the corporation have been
replaced with new GEDs.

The GEDs who were relieved of their duties are: Mr. Ian Udoh, Group
Executive Director, Refining & Petrochemicals, Mr. Adebayo Ibirogba,
Group Executive Director, Engineering and Technical; Dr David Ige,
Group Executive Director, Gas& Power and Dr. Attahir Yusuf, Group
Executive Director, Business Development.
Others are: Dr.Dan Efebo, Group Executive Director, Corporate
Services; Mr. Bernard Otti, Group, Executive Director, Finance &
Accounts.

-Vanguard

Lagos State Government Seals Nwankwo Kanu’s Hotel

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has sealed a hotel
owned by former Super Eagles player, Kanu Nwankwo on Victoria Island.
The hotel named 'Hardley Apartments' was among other hotels, churches
and mosques sealed in Lagos yesterday, August 3, 2015, over alleged
air and noise pollution.

Report has it that 30 facilities were shut in other areas including
Ketu, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Victoria Island and Surulere.

-GistReel

Read Michelle Obama’s Birthday Message To Barack Obama!

First lady, Michelle sent President Obama a loving Birthday message
via Twitter on Tuesday.

"Happy birthday to a loving husband, wonderful father and my favourite
dance partner." she wrote. "54 looks good on you."



President Obama Turned 54 On Tuesday, 04 2015.

Buhari Orders Education Ministry To Include Islamic Books In Federal Schools’ Curriculum

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Federal Ministry of Education
to include two Islamic Studies books written by the late Justice
Muhammad Bashir Sambo in the secondary school curriculum for all
Federal Government Colleges.

The president, gave the directive, weekend, in Kaduna while launching
the reviewed editions of the books which were first published in 1974.

Represented by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, the President
noted that such books had become essential in the face of declining
moral and religious values in the country.

The Islamic Studies for Secondary Schools, co-sponsored by the Bashir
Sambo Centre for Islamic Da'awah and Jaiz Charity and Development
Foundation in memory of late Justice Bashir Sambo, former Judge of
Sharia Court of Appeal and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, were reviewed
by Mallam Mukhtar Lere to conform with the current 6-3-3-4 educational
system in the country.

Buhari thanked the co-authors for updating and structuring the books
to match the new secondary school curriculum. He urged the Ministry of
Education to look at the books with a view to adopting them in all
government colleges.

The chairman, Board of Trustees of Jaiz Charity and Development
Foundation, Alhaji Umar A. Mutallab, said the Bashir Sambo Centre for
Islamic Da'awah was established by disciples and associates of late
Justice Sambo in order to immortalise and inspire the legacy of the
late sage.
-Vanguard

Unemployment Cases Worsen As 1.3m Lost Jobs In Q2

There are indications that the country's labour market has taken a
major hit with worsening unemployment recorded in the second quarter
(Q2) of 2015. About 1, 317,700 Nigerians lost their jobs within the
period.

On the other hand, the number of underemployed increased significantly
with new hire of about 1,362,274 citizens in this category of
employment during the period.

Within the same period, the number of unemployed in the labour force
increased to 6,063,500, a significant 9.6 per cent from 5,533,600
recorded in first quarter (Q1), resulting in an increase in
unemployment rate to 8.2 per cent in Q2, 2015 from 7.5 per cent in Q1.
This represents a third consecutive rise in the unemployment rate
since third quarter 2014.


Accordingly, there were a total of 19.6 million people between ages 15
and 65 either unemployed or underemployed in the labour force in Q2,
2015, compared to 17.7 million in Q1 2015.

Amidst this development, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its
latest labour market report, said economically active population or
working age population (persons within ages 15-64) increased to 103.5
million in Q2, 2015 from 102.8 million in Q1.

Also, the report shows that in Q2, 2015, the labour force population
(those within the working age population willing, able and actively
looking for work) increased to 74 million from 73.4 million in Q1
2015, representing an increase of 0.81per cent. This means 574,498
economically active persons within ages 15 and 64 entered the labour
force within the period.

According to NBS, the drop in the number of full employment (those
working less than 40 hours per week) despite a rise in the labour
force can be attributed more to job losses or previously fully
employed persons choosing or being forced to work part time or in
underemployment.

The NBS report also indicated that unemployment and underemployment
was higher for women than men in Q2 2015.

While 9.6 per cent of women in the labour force (those between 15 65
willing, able and actively working or searching for work) were
unemployed in Q2 2015, another 21.6 per cent of them in the labour
force were underemployed during the period under review. On the other
hand, 6.9 per cent of males were unemployed in Q2 2015, while another
15.4 per cent of males in the labour force were underemployed.

Employment, underemployment and unemployment, according to NBS, are
treated as a function of a person's involvement or otherwise in
economic activity even if that activity is aimed at making ends meet.
The suitability of wages is covered under other quality of living
standards indicators such as poverty etc and not in determining
whether one is employed, unemployed or underemployed which is a
function of economic engagement..
-Vanguard

Bouncer Shot Dead At Orange Room Nite Club In Owerri [Graphic Photo]

A popular bouncer known as Mr Incredible was unfortunately shot dead
by an angry customer at Orange Room nite club in the early hours of
Saturday August 1st. A source who spoke with LIB said an argument
ensued when the gunman and two of his friends allegedly refused to pay
for drinks they had and Mr Incredible came to challenge them. He was
shot four times during the fight that broke out. Two of the men were
arrested while one is still at large. I have the exclusive photos of
the dead bouncer…but please be warned *it's graphic*
-LIB

Hoodlums Set Abia INEC Office Ablaze

Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in
Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State was on Sundayset on fire
by yet to be identified hoodlums.

Sources within the area that confirmed the incident expressed fear
that sensitive materials used in the conduct of 2015 general
elections, including the ones used for the governorship elections may
have been burnt by the fire.

But another source told our correspondent that although the level of
damage was yet to be ascertained, the fire had already been put off.

Another account has it that the whole structure was engulfed, but the
Abia State Fire Service is yet to comment on the incident.

Enabor Godwin, the state INEC Public Relations Officer when contacted
by our correspondent said he was not aware of the incident, but the
state Police Public Relations Officer, Onyeke Udeviotu Ezekiel
confirmed the inferno.

Onyeke said he was yet to be briefed on the extent of damage to the
INEC office in Obingwa, adding that investigation into the matter
would soon comence.
-TheNation

U.S. Considers Lifting Arms Ban On Nigeria

The United States is considering lifting restrictions on sales of arms
to Nigeria, officials of the U.S. Congress have said.

A delegation from the U.S. Congress told military authorities in
Abuja, Nigeria's capital on Monday, that the decision was part of
efforts by the U.S. to enhance cooperation between both countries in
tackling the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria's north-east.

The delegation, which was led by Issah Darrel, who is also part of the
Judicial Committee of the U.S. Congress, met with the Chiefs of Army,
Naval, Defence and Air Staff in a closed door meeting.

The Leahy Law

The U.S. Congress deligation's visit is coming almost two weeks after
President Muhammadu Buhari's visited the U.S. and had talks with
President Barack Obama on the war on terror ongoing in north-eastern
Nigeria, economic development and other issues of interest to both
countries.

Addressing a gathering at the United States Institute of Peace during
his visit, President Buhari stressed the need for the U.S. Congress to
examine how the U.S. Government could provide Nigeria with far more
substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings.

At that meeting, President Buhari said: "Regrettably, the blanket
application of the Leahy law by the United States on the grounds of
unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our
forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to
prosecute the war against the insurgents. In the face of abduction of
innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of
civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained
largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons
and technology which they could have had, had the so called human
rights violations not been an obstacle.

"Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the
Leahy law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abated the
Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist
ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of
civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous
crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the
American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.

"I therefore strongly appeal to both the Executive Arm and the U.S.
Congress to examine how the U.S. Government can provide us with far
more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings.
The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events,
we have re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of
combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of
conflict".

The Nigerian military had maintained that it had put into
consideration the rights of citizens in its counter-terrorism
operations, stressing that it would continue to uphold that
commitment.

The restrictions on sales of arms by the U.S. to Nigeria is embedded
in the Leahy law which prohibited the U.S. Department of State and
Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign
countries that violate human rights with impunity.

NAFDAC DG, Orhi Arrested By EFCC Over Alleged Graft

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs
Administration And Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhi, has been summoned
by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over
allegations bordering on abuse of office.

Dr. Orhi is currently being questioned by a crack team of detectives
for allegedly awarding huge contracts to companies in which he has
interests.
An EFCC top source confirmed to Vanguard that the DG, who arrived the
commission's headquarters around 10am Monday had been making useful
statement to its agents.

The source said: "It is true that the NAFDAC head was summoned by us
and he is currently being quizzed in relation to allegations that he
has been awarding contracts running into millions of Naira to
companies close to him.
Asked if the man would be released today on self recognition, the
source said he had no idea but that doing so might depend on whether
the operatives were satisfied with his answers to issues raised
against him.

Details shortly….
-Vanguard

Abubakar Shekau Absent In Boko Haram’s Latest Video

The Boko Haram sect has released a new video with Boko Haram leader,
Abubakar Shekau, again failing to appear in it.

His continued absence from the sect's videos has increased speculation
about his fate.

He was last heard from in March, 2015, when he released an audio
message pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Soon thereafter, the military said it had recaptured all towns and
cities from Boko Haram.

The military said on Sunday that it had freed 178 people held captive
by Boko Haram in Borno State.

It had also killed militants and captured a commander following
airstrikes on the group's bases, it added.

In the eight-minute video, an unidentified young man speaks in the
name of the Islamic State in West Africa, saying, "We are still
present everywhere we had been before."

The video shows the militants attacking a security checkpoint, seizing
weapons, and slitting the throat of a policeman.

Shekau also failed to appear in a Boko Haram video released earlier in June.
-PUNCH

How Jonathan Transformed The Refineries - Setting The Record Straight

This subject has been generating unnecessary controversy powered by
supporters of the ruling party, APC. To cut the story short, this
article is to set the record straight and counter the distortion of
facts by a pro-Buhari writers who disturt fact to favour the new
government.

1. The Situation/Capacity of Our 4 Refineries Before Jonathan:
To appreciate where we are we need to cast our mind where we were.
Let's see the refining capacities between of our 4 Refineries between
2001 and 2010.

PORTHARCOURT REFINERIES:
In 2001, it operated at 60.73 percent, 52.17 (2002), 41.88% (2003),
31.04 percent (2004), 42.18 percent (2005), 50.26 percent (2006),
24.87 percent (2007), 17.84 percent (2008), 9.08 percent (2009), and
9.17 percent (2010), averaging 34 percent in ten years.

***Jonathan Inherited PHCR at 9.17% capacity***

KADUNA REFINERY:
Kaduna refinery operated at 31.39 percent capacity utilisation in
2001, 34.95 percent (2002), 15.96 percent (2003), 26 percent (2004),
33.08 percent
(2005), 8.34 percent (2006), 0.00 percent (2007), 19.56 percent
(2008); 20.02 percent (2009), and 20.46 percent (2010). On average, in
the ten years, the
Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical complex attained capacity
utilisation of 20.97 percent.

***Jonathan Inherited KDRPC at 20.46% capacity***

WARRI REFINERY (WARPC)
Warri refinery operated at 48.29 percent in 2001, 55.53 percent
(2002), 14.27 percent (2003), 9.10 percent (2004), 54.85 percent
(2005), 3.85 percent (2006), 0.00 percent (2007), 38.52 percent
(2008), 43.01 percent (2009), and 43.36 percent (2010), averaging 31
percent between 2001 and 2010.

***Jonathan Inherited WARPC at 43.36% capacity***
www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-case-for-increasing-refining-capacity/105378/

Nigeria's Refining Capacity During GEJ Era:
May 2013: Portharcourt Refinery (66%)Kaduna Refinery (65%), and Warri (63%)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Thursday, announced
an improvement in Nigeria's refining capacity, declaring that domestic
refining of Premium Motor Spirits, PMS, at the country's three
refineries has increased to 10.23 million litres per day.

He disclosed that the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company is
currently running at 65 percent installed capacity, while the Warri
Refining and Petrochemical Company is producing at 63 per cent and the
Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company at 66 per cent of
installed capacity.

"Infact, these refineries have been running consistently for over
three months now."
www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/nigerias-refineries-now-producing-10m-litresday-of-fuel-nnpc/

Before that statement was made, the then Minister of Petroleum Mrs
Alison Madueke had stated in March that early turn around maintenance
was already ongoing while the MAIN TAM that was expected to yield the
90% projected capacity was expected to commence later that year.

"Our early turnaround maintenance work has commenced at the
Port-Harcourt refinery while the main work is expected to commence in
April and may of this year. The TAM and rehabilitation work for Kaduna
and Warri refineries are intended to follow in quarter four of this
year and quarter one of next year respectively,"

"Our early turnaround maintenance work has commenced at the
Port-Harcourt refinery while the main work is expected to commence in
April and may of this year.
www.sunnewsonline.com/new/tam-fg-begins-work-on-port-harcourt-refinery-next-month/

Nobody or Group disputed the position of the NNPC. So who was
responsible for the improvement to 64% working capacity of our
combined refineries in May 2013? JONATHAN of course

October 2014: Turn Around Maintenance Began For The Optiman Performace
of Our Refineries (80%):
While the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries were built by two
Japanese firms - Chioda and JGC, the Warri Refinery was built by
Snapcogetti of Italy.

According to The Coordinator, Corporate Planning and Strategy, of the
NNPC, Dr. Tim Okon when SAIPEM eventually came, it offered to
maintain Port Harcourt Refineries at $550 million, Kaduna Refineries
at $600 million and Warri Refinery at $180 million.

Okon said the bills were unacceptable to them because they were too
high despite the fact that the figures were eventually reviewed
downwards. He said the high bills prompted NNPC to send some of their
engineers to the builders abroad to learn the repair processes with a
view to saving costs.

Following this move, Okon said NNPC began to spend as low as N10
million to maintain the refineries every month as from October 2014.
Following this
development, he said the four refineries would roar back to life and
produce in optimum capacity from the first quarter of 2016.
www.thisdaylive.com/articles/exxonmobil-ceo-crude-oil-prices-to-remain-low/203419/

***The Testimony/revelation was made on March 05, 2015***

The Transformational Result By GEJ's Effort
On the 10th of June, the GMD NNPC came out to make the following statements..

"We are taking the refineries unit by unit and carrying out turnaround
maintenance on them. So in other words, the maintenance are being
carried out on the run and we started a couple of months ago.

"Most of the refineries have advanced to a certain stage where they
will be able to operate very soon.
For example, the Port Harcourt refinery, which has reached an advanced
stage, will start receiving crude by end of this month and then of
course will start contributing to the available products in the
country."
www.punchng.com/news/pharcourt-refinery-to-commence-operations-in-july-nnpc-gmd/

I hope this is satisfactory enough? I hope the APC fans will emulate
Buhari by giving credit to whom it is due?

-Culled from Niaraland

One Killed, Others Injured As Robbers Attack Couple On Way To Their Wedding Reception In Owerri

A gang of masked dare devil armed robbers at the weekend, unleashed
terror on a bridal train at Mgbuishii, Ohaji/Egbema local government
area of Imo State, killing the video camera man and badly wounded
others, including the photographer in the process.

Vanguard gathered that the newly wed couple (names withheld) were in
Chimezie Catholic Parish, Mgbuishii, for the solemnization of their
wedding and were on their way back to Owerri for the reception, when
masked men suddenly jumped out of the nearby bush and attacked the
bridal train.
A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, identified the
dead video camera man as Mr. Isaac Ezirim, while the wounded
photographer was Mr. Julius Ashigbu.
"The hoodlums first attacked the vehicle conveying the bride and
groom. Although the bullets hit the video camera man and the
photographer, the driver of the vehicle sped off", the villager
recounted.

It was also gathered that having missed their target, the masked
hoodlums descended on all the vehicles coming behind the couple.

"The hoodlums robbed the friends and relations of the couple of cash
and other personal valuables, including telephone handsets", the
villager said.
A close friend of the couple told Vanguard that the wedding, which was
taken to the home of the groom, was eventful until the bridal train
started moving to Owerri for the reception.

"This ugly incident took place at the outskirts of Mgbuishii, a sleepy
rural community that is now getting notorious for all manner of
serious crimes", a female villager lamented.
It would be recalled that about a year ago, Vanguard exclusively
reported how scores of women from this community, demonstrated at
Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, to not only complain about the lack
of security in the area, but also how their children mindlessly raped
them.

The fear-stricken women equally refused to go home after the protest
until their host, Archbishop Anthony J. V. Obinna, arranged police
escort that helped them home.
-Vanguard

Body Of Late Ooni Of Ife Secretly Flown To Nigeria From London

The remains of the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, has arrived his
palace in Ile Ife, knowledgeable and reliable palace sources have told
PREMIUM TIMES.
The remains of the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, has arrived his
palace in Ile Ife, knowledgeable and reliable palace sources have told
PREMIUM TIMES.

This website became aware of the development even as palace
authorities and notable Ile-Ife personalities insist the Oba is alive,
and is hale and hearty.

Late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade
Reliable palace insiders said on Saturday that the body of the
paramount ruler left London in a chartered air ambulance on Friday and
was taken to the palace under the cover of darkness.

The body, our sources said, is now lying in a secluded part of the
palace called Ilegbo, a sacred place where all Oonis commune with
their ancestors.

Ilegbo, we understand, is the place where highly-prized rituals take
place within the confinement of the palace.

It is also the place where the Are beaded crown, worn annually by the
Ooni, is kept.

The Are crown is usually worn through the back because it is forbidden
for the Ooni to see the inside of the beaded crown. And when it is
worn, the rain must not touch it.

Our sources said only the monarch's male children and highly ranked
priests and chiefs are allowed to access that innermost recess of the
palace and sight the Ooni's remains.

"Even the Oba's female children can't come here, tradition does not
allow them to sight the Oba at this time," one of our sources said.

Those who should know said the traditional chiefs had to declare the
annual Oro festival on Friday in expectation of the arrival of the
corpse.

The commencement of the Oro festival, our sources said, signalled the
beginning of the final rites of passage for the departed Ooni.

The Oro is expected to last seven days after which the Ooni would be
committed to mother earth at a private ceremony within the palace.

Palace sources said the announcement of the Oba's passing had to be
delayed to allow his wives and family members move their personal
belongings from the palace, and for the traditional priests to perform
some "compulsory rituals".

"Members of his family who were with him in London had to hurry back
home to remove their personal effects because once his death is
declared all their property will belong to the people. They won't be
able to take anything from the palace anymore," one of our sources
said.

Palace chiefs and notable personalities from Ile-Ife have consistently
denied reports that the revered monarch had passed on, a news item
that first broke on Tuesday.

Their visit to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday
and a closed-door meeting with the governor heightened anxiety that
the Ooni might have actually passed away.

They however emerged from the meeting insisting that the Ooni was in
good health. On its part, the Osun state government is yet to make any
comment on the matter.

Oba Sijuwade's predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi died on July 3, 1980.

Mr. Sijuwade, crowned Oba on December 6, 1980 is widely believed to
have passed away since July 28, 2015.
-SaharaReporters