FG sacks DGs/MD of NAN, NTA, NOA, NBC, VON, FRCN

• The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announce disengagement on Monday

The Federal Government has disengaged the heads of the six information-related parastatals under the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the disengagement during a meeting he held with the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and the National Orientation Agency on Monday .

The Minister directed the disengaged Chief Executives to hand over to the most senior officials in their various establishments.

Mohammed thanked them for their service to the nation and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

The affected Chief Executives are the Director-Generals of NTA, Sola Omole; FRCN, Ladan Salihu; VON, Sam Worlu; NOA, Mike Omeri; NBC, Emeka Mba; and the Managing Director of NAN, Ima Niboro.

Open Message To President Tijani Usman Shehu, National President of NANS.

By Yinka Dada, JP

Mr President, I am compelled by the urgent desire to keep our long standing relationship afloat, robust and inspiring as ever in writing you this short message.

Let me appreciate your sheer respect for me as a person and all that we have both had to work with in our over 16 years friendship. I hope this will continue.

For more than a year now, you have held sway as the President of the largest student movement in Africa, a feat achieved by the collective agreement of all Iroko's in NANS, ably championed by President Yinka Gbadebo who enjoyed tremendous goodwill of the NANS structure.

You have undoubtedly received the cooperation of your friends and followers, stakeholders and colleagues. This is a tremendous goodwill. You should be thankful to all. 

Today, as your regular friend, you need to do all you can to set up a 'transition plan'.

The Zone B of NANS who are the beneficiary of this process are unarguably suspicious of a tenure elongation plan by your leadership. You need to disassociate from any agenda that divides NANS or that raises tension. It is the honest thing to do.

Mr President, the most worrisome suspicion of the NANS Zone B is that there is an attempt to fragment the organization at their legitimate time. Every man of good conscience should be ashamed to nurture, work for or participate in any discourse of this improper motive.

Truth, Mr. President, a lot of our NANS aspirants are seriously waiting to see if stakeholders and you will have any reason to resort to illegitimate fiefdoms within the NANS family. I have dismissed such a suspicion but not on the altar of everything will be well. Take them serious and work as if the last honour you shall give NANS is a united family. The only way to dispel these worries is for you Mr President to apply your moral moratorium and rise above personal plans without observing the mood and the demand. Set up your transition plan. Mr President, you well know that as your longtime ally, I have had no cause to pest you or pet you. I feel that some people spent longer months than the constitutionally required one year is not a moral suggestion to do the same. You are capable of breaking new ground with a willing resolve to do what is RIGHT. It has the very potential of sending the aspirants to the field for campaign. It will also embolden the other three zones in harmonising their zones. The ultimate beneficiary would be NANS and You.

I have often said most of the comrades aspiring to lead are docile immobile aspirants. It could be because your body language suggests acrimonious relations to their camps. One of the reasons many of them have resorted to the delusion that they could just be President in any part of their annexure. They shall be disappointed if you do the transition on time. Be careful of those sweet tongued momentary friends who cares not about you after office. 

Anyone in your shoe, after retirement had their fair share of these emergency friends acting as loyalists. I want to urge leaders of NANS Zone B to be tactical and reach out with messages of hope and unity. It is your turn and I will always support you have it soonest.

Let me conclude Mr President, that your exit by April as demanded by NANS Zone B and other voices across the Zones is a sacrificial olive branch extended to achieving the unity NANS must not toy with.

I wish you well, dear President.

Yinka Dada, JP

Over 5,000 PDP Supporters, Others Grace Gov. Dickson Swearing-In, In Bayelsa…Promises To Collaborate With FG To Stamp Out Crime

Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri (left) administering an oath of office on Hon. Seriake Dickson, (2ndright) ably supported by his wife, Rachael (right) during his 2nd term swearing in ceremony as Governor of Bayelsa State at the Sampson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis

.....Extends Hand Of Fellowship To Opposition Parties

Thousands of PDP supporters, including serving and former PDP governors, legislators at the Federal and state levels, traditional rulers, captains of Industry, traditional rulers on Sunday stormed Samson Siasia Sports complex, Yenagoa, the venue of the Swearing in and Thanksgiving ceremony of Governor Seriake Dickson for another term of four years in office.

Dressed in blue traditional attire, the Governor restated his commitment to security of lives and property of the people in the state, calling for the collaboration of relevant security agencies.

Expressing dismay over the violence that trailed the conduct of the governorship election in the state, Governor Dickson said now that the election was over, it is high time members of the opposition party put aside their political differences and join the Restoration government in its efforts to rebuild the state.

According to him, “I respect your right to hold different views. Your participation in the process made this contest more vibrant and our victory more worthwhile and legitimate”

“Yesterday we were opponents; today, we must be partners for the security, development and prosperity of Bayelsa State. I now invite you all to join me in this enterprise of consolidating the gains of restoration.  Let us work together to move our state forward.

“I salute the leaders and members of the opposition majority of who are already amenable to this new thinking of building a united and prosperous Bayelsa.

“In the nearest future, we shall be convening an all-Bayelsa Summit to discuss our common challenges, aspirations and the way forward. Arising there-from, we should be in the vanguard of leading our region to engage our brothers in the Nigeria Project, and to build a stronger and more egalitarian country”

On the need for the sustenance of the existing peace in the state, the Governor submitted that, this is the only way to attract foreign and local investors to the state, adding that, this could only be achieved through the collaboration of stakeholders, including security operatives.

He warned the government officials both at state and federal levels against the use of their positions to encourage crime and criminality under any guise.

According to him, ‘security officials at federal or state levels should not be afraid to execute their statutory functions for fear of retribution. Nobody, regardless of political persuasion should be allowed to subvert national institutions or undermine the security and stability of the state or the nation.

“Our experience in Bayelsa State in the recent past has shown a tendency to misconstrue membership of the political party at the center as cover and license to kill, maim and destroy while security officials look on helplessly. Let us not allow partisanship to slide our country into anarchy. The consequences will be too grave”

Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi  Okowa (3rdleft) during his 2nd term swearing in ceremony as Governor of Bayelsa State at the Sampson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, while the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose (left) and his Rivers State counterpart, Barr. Nyesom Wike (2ndleft) look on. Photo by Lucky Francis.

The State Governors in attendance were; Mr. Ayodele Fayose, (Ekiti state), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, (Delta state), Barrister Nyesom Wike, (Rivers state), Chief Okezie Ikpeazu, (Abia state), Emmanuel Udom, (Akwa-Ibom). Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, (Gombe state), Darius Ishiaku, (Taraba State), former Governor of Borno state, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, Dr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state and Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, former Deputy  Governor of Sokoto state.

Others were, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Governorship candidate of PDM, Moses Siloko Siasia, PDP Governorship candidate, Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, former Deputy Governor, Bayelsa state, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, members of the State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, clergies to mention but few.

In a related development, Pastor Doutimi Amatari, in his sermon, described Governor Dickson’s victory as divine, submitting that, he was able to overcome the federal might that never recognised that, there is God in heaven, who rules over the affairs of men.

He noted that thanksgiving has three dimensions; yesterday, today and tomorrow, adding that, tomorrow is determined by what people do with God today, through thanksgiving.

APC UK Commiserates With The Family And Friends Of Hajiya Koko

.......APC UK is saddened by the death of Hajiya Fati Koko popularly known as Mai Talla Tara.

A year ago at 94 Hajiya Koko so believed in the need for change, she stood for 9 hours to donate her life savings to the campaign of our Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari who she admired for his honesty and discipline.

It was Hajiya Koko's wish to see a corrupt free Nigeria and President Buhari is on the right path to achieving Hajiya's desires.

Unfortunately she would not be around to witness the full change but Nigeria celebrates a life well spent. She was one of those who believed in President Buhari, she donated her life savings to kick start the change we and future Nigerians will now enjoy.

May her gentle soul rest in prefect peace - Amen

Amendment of Procurement Act: Using Made In Nigeria to Jumpstart The Economy

By Bamikole Omishore

With the continuous fall in the value of the Naira against other currencies in the world market, it is gradually becoming imperative for Nigerians to come to the realization that it is time to focus on patronizing locally manufactured products. It has indeed dawned on many of us that the economy will not improve except we take pride and ownership in made in Nigeria goods and services.

The National Assembly under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has however been working assiduously in this respect as the Senate moves to ensure the amendment of the Procurement Act and give legislative backing to the expansion of the responsibilities of the Bureau of Public Procurement. Above all, the body language of thought-leaders across the board will shift positively towards ensuring the much needed political will to encourage local production and consumption of goods.

In particular, the recent visit of the President of the Senate to the Made – In – Aba Trade fair held in Abuja, and the recent online discussions regarding #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira have kicked off the opening of a new vista in the way the use and patronage of locally manufactured goods are seen. Prior to this awareness, the average Nigerian viewed Kereksuk Rice from Nasarawa, Igbemo Rice from Ekiti State and the Nasco Corn Flakes from Plateau State as substandard in comparison with the Thai Rice or Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. This narrative is about to change.

The United States Buy American Act of 1933 remains a benchmark to follow for the Nigerian government in its efforts to strengthen our local industries via the basic economic forces of demand and supply. The new Procurement Laws which the Senate under Dr. Bukola Saraki foresees will guarantee more productive conditions for the local manufacturing industries, while also tackling unemployment and bringing back the pride of Nigerians in their locally produced goods - amidst competition from foreign products. 

The amendment of the Public Procurement Act of 2007, as stated by Dr. Bukola Saraki, will make it obligatory for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to first consider and patronize Nigerian products before their foreign alternatives. The passage of the revised Law which will change the key word from “may” to “shall” will make it mandatory for government agencies to patronize Made in Nigeria products when available. This alteration, once signed into law, will have ripple effects on the manufacturing industry, as it will assure local manufacturers of a ready and sure market for their products.

While all these efforts are ongoing, the leadership of the Senate has also assured the Nigerian public that it will work with domestic manufacturers and producers to ensure that their products are up to par with foreign competitors, by the proper legislative oversight of agencies mandated to ensure the standards and qualities of products. 

Nigerian products must have comparative advantage. Made in Nigeria goods should no longer  produce adulterated or substandard versions of foreign alternatives because the market is available. Also,  it is high time we pumped the very best into our markets to ensure overall consumer satisfaction and building confidence in the Nigerian brands. The Senate will also ensure that effective laws are in place to ensure that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the 

Standards Organization of Nigeria will also have to renew their commitment to ensuring high standards in this respect. The State Houses of Assembly should also toe the line of the National Assembly in ensuring that enabling laws are put in place to jump start both the Nigerian Economy and inspire the growth and development of their state and local industries. For active citizens like myself, a new Procurement Law will mean value for money, economic efficiency, and national confidence – especially in the use of public funds and of course, improved reliance in the government procurement process.

It is worthy of note, that is also well positioned to key into promoting the use of Made in Nigeria With his appointment of tested-hands like Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola,  President Buhari has also shown that he is committed to ensuring that our infrastructural networks in Nigeria are improved. These strides, once fully implemented, would help increase the business productivity of producers, and create more accessible channels for goods to criss-cross the federation.

As the Naira continues to depreciate and the federal government continues to increase the number of items that will not be able to access forex, it is my hope that these strides by the Saraki-led Senate will motivate Nigerians to look inward to see how we can produce goods that we will otherwise have imported.

Bamikole Omishore is the Special Assistant on New Media to President of the Senate. Tweets with @MrBanksOmishore 

Attack On Delta Speaker: Okpe Leaders Adduce Reasons

Prominent leaders in Sapele Local Government Area on Friday condemned the unprovoked attack on the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, describing him as a politician with a conscience.

They also identified the speaker’s rising profile, particularly his emergence as a major figure in the state, his dogged commitment to principles in the practice of politics, the rule of law and the best democratic tradition of fairness and justice as attributes that brought him into collision with the enemies of democracy and development in Sapele Local Government Area.

“Chief Monday Igbuya has done Okpe kingdom proud. He has respect for the Almighty God and passion for the people. He is against forms of behaviors that are alien to or subversive of the rule of law” the leaders said in Amukpe.

In a meeting on how Sapele could be re-engineered to greater heights, the leaders not only accused some non-indigenes of putting personal interest above those of the people and the local government area but refuted some of the distractions spewing from unguarded quarters in Okirighwe, saying those behind them do not wish Okpe kingdom well.

“Our detractors are already at work” they said. The leaders in a statement by the Chairman of Sapele Development Forum (SDF), Dr. Michael Asaboro berated those blackmailing the speaker.

“Mister Speaker should not be a subject of undue attack. He should be supported and applauded in his quest to bring about economic and social development in Delta State, particularly Sapele-Okpe community.

We ask blackmailers to look for cheap targets elsewhere” the statement said. The leaders who also condemned some misleading stories sponsored by the enemies of the area to push their selfish agenda and justify unrealistic conclusions about Igbuya and Sapele people praised the Delta State Speaker for providing through private and public initiatives the necessary environment for the development of the youths

“Sapele has never had it so good in terms of provision of amenities and infrastructure” the leaders said.

They also praised the astute politician for making Delta State, particularly Okpe kingdom proud by his achievements in politics. They leaders advised non indigenes in Sapele to define the objectives and strategies of their political struggles more clearly than degenerating to thuggery, abuses, lies and wild allegations.

“Leaders at whatever level must demonstrate a certain degree of decency and exemplary conduct. Desperate politicians, those without ideas and popular goodwill are running away from real issues and resorting to character assassination and personal abuse. 

These people are not united by the common desire to move Sapele forward but to bring down Igbuya and his unprecedented record of performance” the leaders said. They appealed to those generating rumours and spreading lies at home and abroad to join hands with Igbuya in the onerous task of moving the area forward.

The leaders called on the youths to emulate the virtues of Igbuya by pursuing peace, progress and development.

“Chief Igbuya will continue to incur envy, malice and hatred from those who see perfidy as a virtue in politics” the leaders said”

Activist Asks President Buhari To Apologize To Nigerians Over Budget Controversy

An activist and leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Egalitarian Society (MAES), Comrade Idris Usman has asked President Muhammadu to withdraw the 2016 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly, which has in the last few weeks generated controversies.

Comrade Usman described as a National embarrassment, the local and international media reportage that has been created around the budget which many Nigerians have come to see as not representing the "Budget of Change" that President Buhari termed it, during presentation to the National Assembly.

"The President should humbly withdrawal the current controversial budget and quickly constitute a reliable economic team that will give the country a realistic and corruption free budget, that can restore the integrity of the process" he said.

Comrade Usman therefore asked the President to apologize to Nigerians for the embarrassment cause by the frivolities in the budget, because the time has come for Nigerians to know that it is not the process of stealing public funds alone that should be regarded as corruption, but also every act of change of promises and conducts that brings our country into ridicule before the comity of Nations.