It's PluxTIME: 2016-05-22

Presidency lists President Buhari’s achievements after first year in office

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The presidency has released a list detailing all the achievements of President Buhari in the last one year. He marks one year in office tomorrow May 29th. The list as published by the News Agency of Nigeria contains the following:</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"></a><br />
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<b>SECURITY:</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri, since May 2015, contributed to the success in the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As at February 2016, the total number of persons rescued by the Nigerian troops during the ongoing operations in the North East came to 11,595</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Since December 2015, the well-motivated and rejuvenated Nigerian Military have regained all Nigerian territories previously under Boko Haram control.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Prioritized regional cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and violent extremism, through the operations of the 8,500 strong Multi-National Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, currently headed by a Nigeria military general.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nigeria has provided $21million USD to the Task Force since June 2015 and is committed to an additional $79 million USD, bringing the total of Nigeria’s commitment to the Task Force to 100 million USD.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cohesive international support in the fight against terrorism and assistance to victims and communities affected by terrorism, following President Buhari’s meeting with G7 leaders and other world powers.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In May 2016, Nigeria hosted a Regional Security Summit to boost military operations against Boko Haram and forge a global support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs and rebuilding of the North East.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In June 2015, the United States announced a 5-million-dollar support for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In April 2016, during the visit to Ms Samantha Power, the U.S Ambassador to the UN to Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, the U.S Government further announced an additional $40 million USD for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recruitment of additional 10,000 persons into the Nigeria Police Force is ongoing. The recruitment will address the manpower gap which currently exists in the Nigeria Police</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Overhaul of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian military which resulted in optimal result and degradation of the Boko Haram elements.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Was able to bring back our hitherto military allies; which saw the United States and UK governments commit their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous administration. The Israeli government has also indicated interest in the fight against insurgency.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduction of the motor cycle battalion (This is so that the Nigerian Army can travel to remote areas that were not accessible to cars/trucks)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Realigned our partnership with regional allies by embarking on foreign visits which resulted in bilateral and multilateral agreements to tackle insecurity back home.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No more roadblocks and curfews, which normally impeded free flow of movement.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Continuous monitoring of activities in the region of war through the use of satellite images and geographical information system is helping in fighting insurgency and strategizing against the enemy.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The trips to our neighbouring countries showed the resolve of the President to push Boko Haram elements out of existence by going for the jugular of the group, cutting their arms, food supply routes. Support has thus been mobilized through the Multinational Joint Task Force.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another major stride is the Trans National Organized Crime (TNOC) where the president got partnership with regional allies in the fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As part of the reconfigured military partnership, the United States donated 24 mine-resistant armoured vehicles (MRAP) which had protected the Nigerian troops from the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices. Today we have less causalities.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reached out to the G7 countries and achieved the following: intelligence sharing; technical military training; arms deals/donations</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Overhauling of NIMASA. A reversed policy of the past administration where national infrastructural assets were given to militia leaders to protect as against established bodies like the Nigerian Navy was stopped.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The President Buhari government has drafted the army to partner with other security agencies in ensuring the security of our national infrastructure and this is already yielding the desired results.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A major ring of pipeline vandals in Lagos state were captured recently in a joint operation by security forces led by the army.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The government has renewed its fight against oil bunkering</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Nigerian Navy has recorded tremendous success lately in apprehending vessels used by oil thieves. This operation has improved security on our water ways and it has also helped improve the revenue of government.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deployment of sophisticated weapons to ensure vandalism is contained by setting up a pipeline security force in stamping out the menace.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Effective Management of the Separatist Biafran Movement</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Improving the technical capacity of Nigerian Police Force. We now have a forensic lab and GSM tracking device. We now have a more IT integrated Police force.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Restructuring of Nigerian Immigration to stop cross border crimes.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NSCDC has become more proactive in the prevention of pipeline vandalization, with arrest of several pipeline vandals.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Joint operations involving various security outfits in curbing the menace of the herdsmen in the country has been set up.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The use of surveys and updated mappings across the country as strategies for preventing threats among ethnic groups in Nigeria.</li>
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<b>CORRUPTION</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Right from the moment he won the Presidential Election in 2015, the impression of the President as a ‘‘no nonsense and incorruptible leader’’ sent a signal to looters of public funds, with many of them returning funds that had been stolen under the previous administration.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To create a frame work for prosecuting the war against corruption and institutionalize probity, President Buhari set up an Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The anti-corruption battle is gaining ground with several high profile cases already in the courts. The administration is being guided by the rule of law in the prosecution of corruption cases.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">President Buhari enlisted the support of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF, security agencies, Western countries and other friendly nations to locate and repatriate stolen assets.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At a London summit on anti-corruption, President Buhari announced that Nigeria will begin the full implementation of the principles of the OPEN contracting data standards.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the first quarter of 2016, President Buhari embarked on trips to the Middle East to sensitize the governments on the need to repatriate stolen assets and hand over the looters for trial in Nigeria. In January, Nigeria and UAE signed Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In March 2016, the Federal Government and the Swiss Government signed a Letter of Intent On the Restitution of Illegally-Acquired Assets forfeited in Switzerland. Under the agreement, Switzerland will repatriate $ 321 million USD illicitly acquired by the Gen. Sani Abacha family.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In March 2016, the Presidential Committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015 announced the recovery of over N7 billion from indicted companies and individuals.</li>
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<b>ECONOMY</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has provided greater visibility of government revenues and cash flows. Between June 2015 and April 2016, the Federal Government TSA collection clocked N3trillion.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To further instill fiscal discipline, President Buhari directed the closure of all multiple accounts in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, thereby plugging loopholes for leakages with new technology.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The opaque accounting structure of the NNPC has been reconstructed to be more transparent with the closure of more than 40 accounts. As a corporate entity, NNPC is now accountable and more transparent in operations, publishing its monthly financial reports.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The President also resolved the lingering shadowy oil swap deals that had cost the country billions of dollars and left it at the mercy of a few rich Nigerians.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To alleviate the suffering of Nigerians in September 2015, President Buhari directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to disburse N689.5 billion as bailout to 27 states of the federation to pay salaries.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To stimulate the economy and reduce poverty, in April, 2016, President Buhari approved deferment in the payment of the bailout as states were still reeling under the burden of the fall in commodity prices.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Records of more than 34,000 ghost workers draining the nation’s resources were expunged from the Federal Civil Service, saving N2.29 billion monthly.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In 2015, President Buhari ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. By this decision, the government saved about one million U.S dollars and N30m of local expenses</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Enforcement of the Bank Verification Number: Also the BVN has ensured that the menace of “ghost workers” are being identified and dealt with, while looters with multiple accounts can no longer hide their loot undetected.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Social Protection: Groundwork for social intervention/palliatives for the poor is being put in place as data is being collated by the economic planning office of the VP in conjunction with the World Bank.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reorganization/restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into a focused, accountable and transparent institution with autonomous Units (Upstream; Downstream, Gas & Power; Refineries; Ventures and lean Group Headquarters)</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reduction of operational deficits in NNPC by over 50% as at March 2016 as a result of Increased Transparency and Commercial focus</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Conduct of NNPC outstanding Annual Audits from 2011 to 2014, and the publication of Monthly Financial and Operations Reports to ensure transparency</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduction of third party financing in order to eliminate direct funding of cash calls by the Federal Government</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Renegotiation of existing service contracts under Joint Venture and Production sharing contracts (PSC) Operations by about 30% leading to operational efficiency improvements and cost reductions</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Elimination of the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) through the introduction of the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable off-shore refineries thereby yielding annual savings of US$1 billion</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Resuscitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries presently producing about 7 million litres of products per/day</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Repair of products pipe lines and the resuscitation of supply of products from Atlas Cove-Mosimi- Ibadan- Ilorin after a six year lull</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Repairs of Escravos/ Warri and Bonny/Port Harcourt crude oil pipe lines</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduction of a Price Modulation framework for downstream petroleum product pricing to encourage responsiveness to market dynamics</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Guided deregulation of the downstream sector to allow market forces determine product price and eliminate subsidy payments</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduction of the initiative on refinery co-location to increase domestic refining capacity and minimize the drain on scarce foreign exchange for product importation</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Commenced policy reforms for gas monetization, flare out and infrastructure development, to fast track power supply and economic diversification.</li>
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<b>POWER</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Under President Buhari, the Federal Government agreed to a 50 million Euro (about N11.15 billion) loan agreement with French government for capacity-building and upgrade of power training facilities in Nigeria.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nigeria signed a $237 million agreement with World Bank to improve power.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chinese solar power manufacturers agreed with the Federal Government to set up solar panel manufacturing business in Nigeria.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">President Buhari has signed an agreement with the Chinese government to improve Nigeria’s power infrastructure</li>
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<b>ENVIRONMENT</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Presidential approval for the Implementation of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report 2010 for the clean-up of Ogoniland with regards to oil pollution and inclusion of stakeholders in the process of implementation.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Continuation of the implementation of the Great Green Wall project to fight and contain desertification in Northern Nigeria initiated by past administration.<br /><div style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0.5rem 0.3em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>JUDICIARY</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Since assumption of office, President Buhari has maintained a clear stance on the rule of law and respect for separation of<br />powers.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The President has focused on the strengthening of institutions with key appointment of professionals.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Appointment of 30 new Federal High Court Justices</li>
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<b>NATIONAL IMAGE</b></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On assumption of office, the President undertook some foreign trips both within and outside Africa to re-establish Nigeria’s position in the global arena and solicit support for Nigeria and Africa.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">President Buhari has continually pushed the agenda for enhancing Nigeria’s global image by always demonstrating Nigeria’s credentials in the 2015 general elections, which saw the country scoring high on peaceful transition.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; color: black; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">President Buhari strongly supported the emergence of a Nigerian, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as President of the Africa Development Bank. (NAN)</li>
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Presidency lists President Buhari’s achievements after first year in office

The presidency has released a list detailing all the achievements of President Buhari in the last one year. He marks one year in office tomorrow May 29th. The list as published by the News Agency of N…

Troops in 4 warship invade Niger Delta in search of Niger Delta Avengers

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Wayne Rooney seen with a bald patch on his head

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzuer0KEX0qhRoHc1MdfTWKRfiJsJZxix8x5XLl-HUhMfaFFXiGqZDh8pT9X6xPkZPZ7OEFBniMSe2XlIGu7Uu8ngUdAVycXfE6nJ82TXwz1LE5uXk6tTXj7AFb460cuHFjR8Ysi69jI/s1600/1d.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzuer0KEX0qhRoHc1MdfTWKRfiJsJZxix8x5XLl-HUhMfaFFXiGqZDh8pT9X6xPkZPZ7OEFBniMSe2XlIGu7Uu8ngUdAVycXfE6nJ82TXwz1LE5uXk6tTXj7AFb460cuHFjR8Ysi69jI/s1600/1d.png" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">England Captain Wayne Rooney, 30, who spent $15k on a hair transplant in 2011, and underwent a second procedure in 2013 seems to be in need of another operation after he was seen with a fresh bald patch when he joined his teammates for training on Wednesday. The hair of the father of 3 was noticeably thinning on top as he left The Lowry Hotel in Manchester.</span>

Wayne Rooney seen with a bald patch on his head

England Captain Wayne Rooney, 30, who spent $15k on a hair transplant in 2011, and underwent a second procedure in 2013 seems to be in need of another operation after he was seen with a fresh bald pa…

Herdsmen still control four villages in Agatu – Idoma group

After the Agatu carnage that left over 300 people dead, a group, 
Idoma Initiative, yesterday revealed that the rampaging Fulani herdsmen 
are still in control of about four villages in the community, in Benue 
State.<br />
The group also warned that if nothing is done by the 
federal government to bring the carnage to a halt that the Idoma people 
might be forced to defend themselves which he said might lead to the 
proliferation of arms.<br />
The leader of the Initiative,Mr. Paul Edeh,
 disclosed this in Abuja at the Agatu Peace Concert organised to 
advocate peace for the people and also to raise funds towards the 
rebuilding of Agatu.<br />
According to him: “The reason for the concert
 is to bring to fore as we have done in the past few months since the 
Agatu massacre, the pains the people feel, to keep it on the front 
burner.”<br />
Edeh said: “I can confirm to you that Fulani herdsmen are
 still occupying some villages that were originally for the Agatu 
people, particularly on the Nassarawa State axis.”<br />
Also speaking, 
another leader of the group,Mr. Moses Paul, said Abuja was chosen as the
 venue of the concert because the people that would make a difference in
 Agatu will never go to Agatu, stressing; “even the Inspector General of
 Police (IG) has never been to Agatu, he only stopped in Makurdi. So, we
 are doing it in Abuja because the president lives in Abuja, the IG 
lives here, all the people that matter that can do what they need to do,
 they all live here, this is where we can raise the money.”<br />
He 
added: “We are using musicians because music is a very powerful tool, 
people like Fela Anikulakpo Kuti used music. Bob Marley sang untill 
South Africa was free…, and we have our own legend, Bongo Sikwe, he is 
here too, music is beyond entertainment and can be used to bring 
change.”<br />
Paul
 stated: “Up till now, people do not know the extent of the damage and 
the carnage, and the depth of what took place in Agatu. Over 2,000 
houses have been razed, we have video clips and pictures to show, people
 have been killed, children were cut down like trees, people have fled 
their homes, over 10,000 people have no homes to lay their heads, and so
 this is what we continue to do to raise funds; and do the little that 
we can and also to put it in focus until government and people rise up 
to do what they need to do in support of the Agatu people.”<br />
When 
asked if the federal government had done enough to curtail further 
attacks from the Fulani herdsmen, he said; “the killings have not even 
abated yet,they have curtailed it but there are villages in Agatu, 
almost about for villages that have been taken over completely by Fulani
 herdsmen, and until the people can go back and farm, until restoration 
is done, no, government hasn’t done anything.”<br />
He stressed that the Governor of the State visited Agatu almost seven weeks after the carnage.<br />
Paul
 stressed: “In less than 24 hours when the Enugu carnage happened, which
 was less than 10 per cent of what happened in Agatu, the governor of 
the state was there and even the IG, that is what I call 
responsiveness.”<br />
He was however critical against the grazing 
reserves being canvassed for by the herdsmen, noting that grazing 
reserves were adopted in northern Nigeria during the colonial 
administration because the population of the country was about 50 
million then.<br />
Paul emphasised that since nobody was giving money 
to farmers to own lands because it’s a private business, then 
individuals can have their own ranches too.<br />
“Musicians are here 
today to lend their voices and push our agenda until Agatu is restored, 
restoring Agatu is restoring Benue State, restoring Benue State is 
restoring Nigeria,” he added.<br />
Among the musicians that graced the concert were 2face, Terry G, Black Faze, Chris Morgan.<br />
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Herdsmen still control four villages in Agatu – Idoma group

Manchester United sack Louis van Gaal and his Dutch coaching staff

Manchester United have sacked Louis van Gaal just two days after the 
Dutchman led them to victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.<br />
The
 Dutchman has been made to pay for United’s poor Premier League campaign
 and will be replaced by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.<br />
Van 
Gaal’s Dutch coaching staff – including United assistant coach Albert 
Stuivenberg and goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek – have also left the club 
with immediate effect.<br />
Ed Woodward arrived at Manchester United’s Carrington training complex ahead of talks with Van Gaal on Monday morning.<br />
The
 United executive vice-chairman informed Van Gaal he will no longer 
continue as manager as they look to appoint Mourinho as his successor.<br />
Van Gaal arrived at Carrington at around 8.45am.<br />
Van Gaal’s entire coaching staff were also present as they learned their fate.<br />
Mourinho
 expects to have more talks on Tuesday ahead of signing a three-year 
deal with Rui Faria and Silvino Louro the goalkeeping coach expected to 
follow.<br />
Ryan Giggs’ future at United is up in the air despite Mourinho’s wish to keep the Welshman at the club.<br />
Van
 Gaal was followed into United’s training ground by employment lawyer 
Paul Gilroy QC, who has long worked with the League Managers 
Association.<br />
Having initially been turned away by security, he was allowed into the complex around an hour after the Dutchman arrived.<br />
Gilroy lists former United manager Moyes among the clients he has advised, along with Ferguson, Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers.<br />
Chambers
 and Partners describe Gilroy as ‘a noted employment specialist’ who is 
‘renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers’.<br />
Before the 
celebrations had even subsided at Wembley on Saturday, United’s FA Cup 
win was being overshadowed by fresh reports that Van Gaal was to be 
replaced by the former Chelsea boss in the coming days.<br />
United 
have steadfastly refused to comment on speculation regarding their 
managerial situation, while the Portuguese kept his counsel when asked 
about the job by Press Association Sport ahead of David Haye’s fight on 
Saturday evening.<br />
Van Gaal stood firm when asked about his 
position in the post-match press conference at Wembley, but fuelled 
speculation on Sunday by telling a reporter outside the team hotel that 
‘it’s over’.<br />
The brevity of the comment meant it was not immediately clear whether
 that meant the former Holland manager had been told his time at United 
was at an end, although his situation could soon become clearer.<br />
Van
 Gaal arrived at United’s Aon Training Complex at around 8.45am on 
Monday, his Mercedes sweeping into the Carrington training ground.<br />
Two
 years ago predecessor Moyes attended a morning meeting with Woodward at
 the club’s training complex and a statement confirming the Scot’s 
sacking followed shortly afterwards, just 10 months into a six-year deal
 to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.<br />
Van Gaal still has a season 
remaining on his three-year contract, while Mourinho has been out of 
work since paying for Chelsea’s abysmal title defence with his job in 
December.<br />
The Portuguese has repeatedly spoken of his plans to 
return to work this summer, and reviving United’s fortunes would surely 
be a mouth-watering proposition for the self-styled ‘Special One’.<br />
United,
 a club synonymous with a swashbuckling, attacking style, managed a 
paltry 49 league goals – their lowest return for 26 years – and missed 
out on Champions League qualification to neighbours Manchester City on 
goal difference.<br />
A first FA Cup win since 2004 was a welcome boost, but captain Wayne Rooney admitted the campaign was far from good enough.<br />
‘He has been under pressure. I think we all have,’ Rooney said of Van Gaal.<br />
‘That’s part of playing for Manchester United and managing Manchester United – it is a massive club.<br />
‘You have to set standards and we fell below them this season.<br />
‘But
 we have to make sure as players we get back to those standards and make
 sure we are back challenging for the main trophies.’<br />
Success is 
something former United midfielder and Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins is 
backing Mourinho to bring back to Old Trafford.<br />
‘I think it is the
 right move,’ he told talkSPORT. ‘It is the only move for them. He will 
get them playing again and he will get them winning again.<br />
‘He is a
 winner – there is no two ways about it. When he goes to a club, 
normally he wins a big trophy within the first couple of years.’<br />

Manchester United sack Louis van Gaal and his Dutch coaching staff

Manchester United have sacked Louis van Gaal just two days after the Dutchman led them to victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. The Dutchman has been made to pay for United’s poor Premier…

BREAKING: NNPC didn’t remit $3.8bn, N358.3bn to Federation in 2013

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Latest audit report by the Nigeria 
Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative has accused the 
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation of not remitting $3.8bn and 
N358.3bn to the Federation in 2013.</div>
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The Chairman of NEITI, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this on Monday while presenting the 2013 audit reports of the agency in Abuja.</div>
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Citing the audit, Fayemi said some 
revenues that should have gone to the Federation in 2013 were not made 
or lost due to a number of reasons.</div>
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He said, “These revenues were broken 
down as follows: Sum of $3.8bn and N358.3bn as outstanding revenues from
 NNPC and its sub-units in 2013. These outstanding payments were due 
from unpaid consideration from the divested OMLs (Oil Mining Liseases), 
cash call refunds from NAPIMS (National Petroleum Investment Management 
Services), and NPDC (Nigerian Petroleum Development Company) liftings 
from NAOC JV (Nigerian Agip Oil Company Joint Venture), etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Sum of $5.966bn and N20.4bn as revenue 
losses to the Federation. These losses were due to offshore processing 
agreement, crude swap, crude theft, etc. Sum of $599.8m as 
under-assessments/under-payments of petroleum profit taxes and royalties
 by oil and gas companies as a result of the use of different pricing 
methodology by the government and the companies because of the absence 
of a new fiscal regime.”</div>
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source: punch </div>
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BREAKING: NNPC didn’t remit $3.8bn, N358.3bn to Federation in 2013

Latest audit report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation of not remitting $3.8bn and N358.3bn to the Federation …

Senator Dino Melaye rolls on the floor during Thanksgiving Service

Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dino Melaye, pictured rolling on the floor during a Thanksgiving Service at Church. He also shared a photo of his parents at the service. …

Saraki mourns shehu sani's mother

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President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday expressed sadness over the death of Mrs. Fatima Abubakar Sani, the mother of the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, at the age of 75 years.</div>
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In a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Mrs. Sani had left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.</div>
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We mourn a great woman and a role model who lived her life in the service of God and humanity,” Saraki said, urging the children to emulate the virtuous legacies of patience, courage, compassion and selfless service left behind by their mother.</div>
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He condoled with Senator Sani, the bereaved family and the government and people of Kaduna state over the incident and prayed Almighty Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.</div>
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He also prayed Allah to grant the soul of the deceased a place in aljannah fidaus.</div>
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Saraki mourns shehu sani's mother

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday expressed sadness over the death of Mrs. Fatima Abubakar Sani, the mother of the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District…

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