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Just In: APC To Conduct Fresh Primary In Kogi

Mohammed Useni
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Just In: APC To Conduct Fresh Primary In Kogi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it will conduct a fresh primary election in Kogi state to pick a replacement for Abubakar Audu.

Audu, who passed away on Sunday, was the party’s candidate in the November 21 governorship election.

Speaking with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, John Oyegun, chairman of APC, said the decision to hold a fresh primary was taken after the party received a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asking it to replace Audu.

 

Attorney General Of The Federation Says APC Will Substitute Audu With Another Candidate

Mohammed Useni
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Attorney General Of The Federation Says APC Will Substitute Audu With Another Candidate

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday gave an opinion on the way forward in the confusion created by the sudden death of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, shortly after the election held on Saturday was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday.

The chief law officer of the federation said combined reading of relevant provisions of both the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 envisaged a situation like the one created by the death of the APC’s governorship candidate in the middle of an election that had yet to be completed, contrary to the general impression that the laws were silent on it.

Malami, who said the supplementary election had to be conducted, spoke in Abuja at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission on the reform of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act?.

Contrary to some schools of thought which argued that Audu’s running mate, Abiodun Faleke, would automatically become the APC candidate, Malami said the decision of the party on the new candidate would be based on the outcome of the primary from which Audu earlier emerged as the party’s flag bearer.

He said by virtue of provisions of section 221 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the votes cast were for the political party and by section 33 of the Electoral Act 2010, the political party had the right to substitute its candidate in case of death.

Buhari’s Government Re-introduces War Against Indiscipline Says Lai Mohammed

Mohammed Useni
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The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says a nation-wide campaign against indiscipline, African-time syndrome and loss of social norms and values will begin before the end of the year.

Mohammed stated this on Tuesday at a strategic planning meeting he held with the chief executives of agencies and other top management staff of the ministry in Abuja.

“You are welcome to this meeting, which I have convened to present to you the template for the massive, nationwide reorientation campaign to be embarked upon by this ministry very soon.

“Those invited to this meeting have been painstakingly selected because I believe they have the necessary expertise to help drive the campaign.

“However, let me state unequivocally, that everyone in the Ministry of Information and Culture as well as its parastatals, is key to the campaign.

“This is because as the lead ministry, we must first buy into the campaign and own it before we can propagate it.’’

The minister said that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) would spearhead the campaign to ensure positive change of attitude, values and behaviours of Nigerians.

“As I have said on several occasions, the National Orientation Agency will be in the forefront of the campaign, because it is in line with its mandate to positively change attitudes, values and behaviours.

“Make no mistake about it, we need to change the way we do things in Nigeria.

“It is important to let our people know that they cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result.

“The impending campaign must take on indiscipline, the lack of respect for time, loss of our time-tested values and generally lead to attitudinal change in such a way that there will be a paradigm shift in the way we do things.

“This is also in line with my vision as Minister of Information and Culture.’’

According to him, the ministry has put enormous work into the presentations that it is about to showcase.

He stated that the presentations should be considered the template for the campaign.

“But feel free to critique them and make suggestions so that the campaign can be ready on time for its launch this year unfailingly,’’ the minister added.

INEC Asks APC To Replace Audu With Another Candidate, Orders Kogi Election To Continue

Mohammed Useni
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INEC Asks APC To Replace Audu With Another Candidate, Orders Kogi Election To Continue

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is to conduct supplementary elections on December 5 in the 59 polling units where the governorship election was cancelled in Kogi State last Saturday.

Besides, the All Progressives Congress, APC which was coasting home to victory before the election was declared inconclusive is to present a candidate to replace Prince Abubakar Audu, the party’s candidate who died in the midst of the election.

The choice on who becomes the candidate it was gathered would be left in the hands of the APC.

The INEC, returning officer for the election, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, had announced Audu as having polled 240,827 votes to top the election with Wada scoring 199, 514 votes.

He, however, declared the election inconclusive on the fact that no party could be declared the winner since the number of cancelled votes was more than the difference between the APC and the PDP.

Though the election was peaceful across the three senatorial districts, the election was cancelled in 59 polling units across 18 Local Government areas of the state due to non-usage of the card reader, over voting, ballot snatching, violence and other irregularities.

Kucha said, “Since the number of cancelled votes was 49,953 while the difference between the votes scored by the APC and PDP candidates stood at 41,353, the election could not yet be declared as conclusive.

Buhari Blames Sabotage For Undermined Achievements In His Administration’s Efforts To Increase Power Supply

Mohammed Useni
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Buhari Blames Sabotage For Undermined Achievements In His Administration’s Efforts To Increase Power Supply

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the sabotage and theft of gas were undermining the efforts of the government to increase power supply in the country.

To tackle the problem, the President announced that existing Military Task-Forces will be reorganized to ensure a successful protection of the network of gas pipelines.

The President, who said this Tuesday in a question-and-answer interaction with the Nigerian community in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, noted that “although some improvement in power had been recorded in the recent period,” sabotage of pipeline installations continued to be a problem.

Senior Media Aide, Garba Shehu said Buhari, also told his audience that Nigeria had everything it takes to generate enough power.

“Power is a running battle because the saboteurs are still there. We have the potential. We have gas, we have qualified people but we are contending with a lot of saboteurs who go and blow up installations. When gas is pumped to Egbin and such other power stations, thieves and saboteurs such as the militants cut those supplies,” President Buhari said.

He also cited another factor as the reduced role of the government in the sector due to the privatization of the institutions under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, in the process of which, he said, the facilities “have been sold to a number of interest groups.”

He assured that the Military Task-Forces with representation from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and other security agencies will be reconstituted to secure the pipelines.
“Supplies will become steady; there will be less sabotage as we secure the pipelines,” he stressed.

Buhari In Tehran Says Jonathan’s Men That Looted The Treasury Are Already Returning Stolen Funds

Mohammed Useni
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Buhari In Tehran Says Jonathan’s Men That Looted The Treasury Are Already Returning Stolen Funds

President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that those who looted the nation’s treasury during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan have voluntarily started returning the funds.

Buhari revealed this in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday while fielding questions from members of the Nigerian community there. The president was in Iran for the third summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

President Buhari noted that but for the needed thorough investigation and evidence that would aid their eventual trial, the looters would have been prosecuted before now.

“On corruption; yes, they (alleged looters) are still innocent. But, we are collecting documents. And some of them have started voluntarily returning something. But we want all”, Buhari said.

According to the president, the looters’ day of reckoning is near as they will be formally prosecuted when necessary documents are obtained.

“When we get those documents, we will formally charge them to court, and then we will tell Nigerians to know those who abused trust when they were entrusted with public funds. So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching”, he stated.

The president also explained that the dictates of rule of law and due process had decelerated the process of prosecuting corrupt officials in the current administration.

He said this was unlike in 1985 when it was easy for him, as a military head of state, to arrest and put alleged corrupt officials in protective custody for them to prove their innocence.

Speaking further, President Buhari reminded his audience that his predecessors had sold the power sector to many interest groups.

The president also vowed to clamp down on the saboteurs in the sector and do its best to ensure regular power supply in Nigeria.

“I believe if you’re in touch back at home, you would have been told that already there is some improvement in power. We haven’t said anything to them yet. I think they only find it sensible or appropriate for them to try and improve the power. I am sure you know about the privatisation of the power sector; your old friends, NEPA or Power Holding Company of Nigeria, have been sold to a number of interest groups.

“But, the fundamental thing about us is that we remain potential in everything except performance. We have a lot of gas, we have a lot of qualified people; but again, we have a lot of saboteurs who go and blow installations. Those who normally steal Nigerian crude and those who blow up installations, whether they call themselves militants or whatever, they are still there”, Buhari stated.

The president, reiterated his government’s commitment to reviving the education sector, pledged to ensure more Nigerians are sent to Iran on scholarship owing to discipline and orderliness in that country.

On the current security challenge in Nigeria, President Buhari reassured of his government’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

Earlier in his remarks, the Nigerian Chargé d’affaires in Iran, Dr Ali Magashi, had told President Buhari that Nigerians in that country were law-abiding.

The chargé d’affaires, however, explained that few Nigerians currently in Iranian prisons were drugs couriers who attempted to smuggle banned substances into the country from Afghanistan.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/news/buhari-jonathan-s-men-now-returning-loots/120985.html#TD8gpkTfbHPdkUeS.99

South East Traders Killed By Militants After Failing To Recite The Quran At Madala Market In Niger State

Mohammed Useni
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South East Traders Killed By Militants After Failing To Recite The Quran At Madala Market In Niger State

Five traders believed to be from the South East of Nigeria were reportedly killed by some militants after they failed to recite the Holy Quran at the Madala Market in Niger state last week Thursday.

According to Vanguard Newspaper, the armed militants went straight to one of the lines owned by the traders and immediately ordered them to recite the Holy Quran of which they could not.

The militants unsatisfied then opened fire at close range, killing them. The five casualties have been identified as John Kalu, Oliver Ezemah, Uche Nguweze, Sunday Emmanuel while fifth casualty is yet to be identified.

The militants escaped before the Police arrived the scene of the incident. Niger State police Command spokesman ASP Richard Adamu Oguche while confirming the incident said the police was in search of the militants.

Udoma Udo Udoma, Buhari’s Minister Of Budget & Planning, Still Clueless What “Budget & Planning” Entails – Reuters

Mohammed Useni
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Udoma Udo Udoma, Buhari’s Minister Of Budget & Planning, Still Clueless What “Budget & Planning” Entails – Reuters

Speaking from a cramped and makeshift office, a top Nigerian civil servant says his minister, Udoma Udo Udoma, has spent much of the fortnight since his appointment in meetings trying to work out his team’s remit.

Reuters News Agency reports that Udoma’s new Ministry of Budget and National Planning reduces the power of the finance ministry – previously responsible for allocating spending – and, the civil servant says, will “help ministries to synergise”.

That is no small task.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari took office on May 29, and in the months of campaigning beforehand, projects – including roads and other infrastructure initiatives – and foreign aid have been put on hold in the absence of a cabinet.

Critics say that the power vacuum has exacerbated an economic crisis caused by plunging oil prices.

And even though the former military ruler swore in his cabinet on Nov. 11, work may not get under way until early next year as Nigeria comes to a halt for a Christmas break in mid-December.

Meanwhile, the 36 ministers need to pin down what their roles are after Buhari cut the number of federal ministries from 29, under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan, to 24 and named 17 new top civil servants as part of plans to end decades of mismanagement and corruption.

With oil prices unlikely to pick up any time soon, Kemi Adeosun, a former investment banker and now finance minister, is charged with the biggest challenge – reviving the economy in Africa’s top oil producer.

A senior civil servant said Adeosun also spent much of her time in meetings since being sworn in. Hers were with the African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Diplomats were glad to finally have a finance minister to meet.

She was so busy that she struggled to find time for her official photograph to be taken.

“We’re all criss-crossing,” said Agriculture Minister Audu Ogbeh of himself and fellow cabinet members who have visited each other to discuss where their remits overlap.

“We’re talking. Nobody can do it alone,” he said.

NO BUDGET YET

Under Buhari’s plan, the 2016 budget – the key to unlocking spending – is now the responsibility of Udoma’s new ministry, where cardboard boxes containing computer equipment are still piled high in the reception area.

The government has not even completed the first step towards compiling the budget – a medium-term expenditure framework covering three years – that is usually submitted by August or September. That is then approved by parliament at which point government starts working on the following year’s budget.

Parliament usually sees the budget before the Christmas holiday but a proposal for 2016 is yet to emerge and discussions are likely to take longer than usual with public finances so eroded.

A document from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo seen by Reuters proposed a budget of 7-8 trillion naira ($35-$40 billion), up from 4.4 trillion this year, but diplomats have been wondering where the money will come from as revenues have collapsed or whether government bodies hitherto not included in the core budget will be added.

Clement Nwankwo, director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, an Abuja-based think-tank, said ministers would make little impact until a budget was in place.

“The mood has dampened,” he said, describing a lull after the much-anticipated cabinet news. “Expect the cabinet to really start work around late January,” he said.

Investigation Reveals How Abubakar Audu Died Shortly After Casting His Vote On Saturday, Election Day

Mohammed Useni
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Investigation Reveals How Abubakar Audu Died Shortly After Casting His Vote On Saturday, Election Day

Unknown to many, Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Prince Abubakar Audu died on Saturday – the day of the election he was set to win.

The Nation Newspaper reports that according to a highly placed source within the party, the Kogi APC standard bearer whose death came to public knowledge Sunday evening, actually passed on few hours after casting his vote at his polling unit at Ogbonicha in Ofu Local Government Area.

The source confided in our correspondent that Audu had been feeling quite unwell a day before the election. A doctor was called in to attend to him, pending when he would have been flown out for proper medical attention, he said.

The source, however, expressed disquiet over why the family hid Audu’s death from the public until the following day.

According to him, Audu was found lying ill, “with blood covering his face”, on Friday by a member of his domestic staff at his country home in Ogbonicha. A doctor was called in to attend to him and he managed to perform his civic responsibility the following day.

He added: “Audu was found in his room soaked in blood. In fact, they had to use razor blade to tear his clothes before it was removed from his body. A doctor was called in and he was attended to. He was to be taken to the hospital immediately, but he said he was alright and would be able to vote the next day after which he could be taken to the hospital.

“As you know, Audu voted on election day, but his health began to deteriorate. He died around 5pm on Saturday.”

He said a lot needed to be explained why the family kept his death secret till the announcement of the election result the following day.

He said: “The point is that Mohammed (Audu’s son) was at the collating centre in Lokoja when the results were being announced, and later INEC decided to say that the election was inconclusive, even when the total number of collected PVCs in the 19 local government areas that the commission said there will be a supplementary election cannot invalidate APC’s victory.

“A lot must be explained here. INEC said there are 49,000 names on the voters register in the affetcted 91 polling units, but failed to mention that it is only 25,000 of those that have collected the PVCs. That number cannot upturn APC’s victory, assuming that the PDP wins in all the places, which we all know is impossible. Somebody is up to something sinister here and we will not let it go unchallenged.”

It will be recalled that Hajia Halima Alfa represented the APC during the announcement of results at the INEC headquarters in Lokoja. She, however, did not indicate that there was anything amiss all through the proceeding.

 

Governor Bagudu, Profile Of The Wanted Kebbi Man Who The Late Abacha Gave $700 Million Cash For Safe Keeping

Mohammed Useni
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Governor Bagudu, Profile Of The Wanted Kebbi Man Who The Late Abacha Gave $700 Million Cash For Safe Keeping

by Pointblanknews

”My family is one of the rich families of Nigeria. I cannot state the exact figures of my family fortune. I can state that no member of my family needs to work to earn a living” …. Between February 1994 and today, my fortune has considerably increased and a big portion of it comes from funds deposited by the Central Bank of Nigeria in favour of Mecosta Securities, in the book of Goldmann Sachs, Zurich, in April 1997” Abubakar Atiku Bagudu The man who features prominently in Mohammed Abacha’s testimony in the laundering of $700 million cash is Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

In Case You Missed It, READ!!! Kebbi Governor Bagudu Is Wanted In The U.S Over The Looting Of $600million During The Reign Of Sani Abacha..

He is a business associate of the Abachas who is also being investigated by a Swiss court. Already, Mohammed Abacha has admitted to lawyers that his late father once gave him $700 million cash for safe keeping at his Abuja residence. He also admitted that it was Bagudu that later arranged for the transfer of this money into various accounts owned by the Abachas in foreign banks.

Abubakar Bagudu appeared before a judge in Geneva for three days, last year. Here is what he told the court on 30 September, 1999.

”I am Abubakar Bagudu, a Nigerian citizen, born in Gwandu, in the northern part of the country in 1961. I belong to the Hausa tribe, one of the three major ethnic groups in the country. I first had compulsory primary education in Gwandu, then I studied economics in the University of Sokoto from 1979 to 1983. I then went to another university in Jos from 1988 to 1989, where I obtained my degree in economics. I was an assistantlecturer in the University of Sokoto between 1985 and 1989. Between 1983 and 1984, I did my NYSC for one year. From 1989 to 1991, I worked for Nigeria International Bank in Lagos.

I then went to Columbia University in New York from 1992 to 1993 where I obtained a master’s degree in International Business. In 1993 after my master’s degree, I worked for six months in the World Bank in Washington. I wish to state that my master’s degree was sponsored by the World Bank.
In 1993, I came back to Nigeria. I engaged myself in consulting and international trade with my partner Mr. Ibrahim Turaki. We registered a company under the name EPCEL Ltd., Lagos. We represented the French company Pasteur Merieux Connaught.

We were importing machinery. Up till now, we are still in business and I maintain a home in Lagos, even though I now spend most of my time in London. Mr. Ibrahim Turaki and I have stopped working for EPCEL Ltd., which we sold in 1995. In February 1994, Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha, eldest son of former head of state, General Sani Abacha, joined my partner and I to form the company, Morgan Procurement Corporation, Lagos, among others. We were mostly importing vaccines. One of the companies we established is Mecosta Securities Ltd., BVI, in October 1995. We intended to engage in debt recovery and arbitration between creditors and debtors. At the inception of Mecosta Securities Ltd., three of us namely Mr. Ibrahim Abacha, Mr. Mohammed Sani Abacha and myself had equal shares.

Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha died in a plane crash in January 1996. On that occasion, Mr. Mohammed Sani Abacha, his brother, the next in line, took up the late brother’s share in Morgan Procurement Corporation. He also took over the shares in Mecosta Securities Ltd. In fact, Mr. Mohammed Sani Abacha and I became equal shareholders in the company (50% – 50%). I have never held political office in Nigeria. However, my family has always been close to power. Members of my family have never held political or public office, with the exception of my father who was a Director of Primary Education in his state, Kebbi State, my state of origin. May I remind you that Nigeria is a federation of 36 states.

Kebbi State shares a border with Benin Republic. Commercially speaking, the state is highly developed because a large quantity of goods transit through it. My elder brother, Bello Bagudu, was elected a member of the federal parliament in February 1999. He is one of the six representing Kebbi State.

Neither myself nor any other member of the extended family has occupied public or political office. As for my business partners, Mr. Ibrahim Turaki was elected governor of Jigawa State in February 1999. Mr. Mohammed Sani Abacha has never held political or public office. However, as I said earlier, he is one of the sons of the former head of state, who died in June 1998.

Talking about money, my family is one of the rich families of Nigeria. I cannot state the exact figures of my family fortune. I can state that no member of my family needs to work to earn a living. Each member of the family is engaged in managing the family assets. As for me, I do not need to work because I have a personal fortune worth tens of millions of US Dollars, though I cannot quote an exact figure. Moreover, my only wife also has a personal fortune, which comes from her family or gifts. My wife is not a member of the Abacha family, nor does she belong to any of the families that once ruled Nigeria. If I am not mistaking, members of my wife’s family occupy no public or political post. I am aware that the judge will ask me about relationship with a few individuals. General Sani Abacha He was head of state of Nigeria between November, 1993 and June 1998, up till his death at age 57. General Abacha took power under the following circumstances: Following June 1993 elections organised by former head of state, General Babangida, a civilian president was elected namely Mr. Abiola. The elections were annulled by General Babangida, officially due to electoral malpractices; as a result of the annulment, there were riots and disturbance of public peace in the country; as a remedy, General Babangida decided to establish a transitional government and appointed Ernest Shonekan head of state. He was overthrown by General Sani Abacha. Before being appointed head of state, General Sani Abacha was a career military officer. He was one of the five most powerful military men in the country.

I met General Sani Abacha for the first time in 1979 in his house in Kano, his native town. I was introduced to him at home, by his son, Ibrahim Sani Abacha, but anytime I met him at home, I used to greet him. He knew I was one of the friends of his son and he knew my name. I do not think he knew any other member of my family. After he assumed power, I continued to meet him in the same manner as before. At no time did I have commercial or business links with General Sani Abacha. Our discussions were strictly limited to political exchanges. After the death of Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha, I continued visiting the home of the general as in the past, but this time in company of Mr. Mohammed Sani Abacha. At this juncture, the general became aware of my training, asked me a few questions on the economy, but we never had any business relationship.

Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha As I said earlier, he was my childhood friend. I knew him when we were very young. It is possible for him to bear Alhaji instead of Mister, which, according to Islamic culture, means that Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha has gone on pilgrimage to Mecca.

Therefore his name can also be Alhaji Ibrahim Sani Abacha. It was Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha who was my friend. Mr.Mohammed Sani Abacha only came in after the death of Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha. Ibrahim and Mohammed Sani Abacha brothers had an international sugar company. Therefore as early as 1985, we had business links without being business partners.

As far back as February 1994, Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha and myself became business partners and Morgan Procurement Corporation was established thereafter. Our partnership began under the following circumstances: For several years, even before I went on course to Washington, Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha, had proposed that we work together; I had been refusing because before 1993, I did not want to work and, in 1993, my job in Washington took most of my interest and time; I agreed to work with Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha in 1994 because the latter had a huge fortune and I had a lot of ideas about how to invest or manage the fortune. At that time, my fortune was much smaller than now. Even then, I did not need to work for a living.

Between February 1994 and today, my fortune has considerably increased and a big portion of it comes from funds deposited by the Central Bank of Nigeria in favour of Mecosta Securities, in the book of Goldmann Sachs, Zurich, in April 1997.

In reply to a question from the investigating judge, I explained that there is no direct link between the rise to power of General Sani Abacha in November 1993 and the fact that I accepted in February 1994 to become the business partner of his eldest son, Mr. Ibrahim Sani Abacha. It was only coincidental. However, it is probable that the fact that my new trading partner is the son of the head of state contributed to a large extent to the expansion of our business.

I am aware that my hearing will last at least a whole day, but I am prepared to go through it. I already have appointments tomorrow, but I can easily come back to Geneva. Meanwhile, I am leaving a copy of a diagram showing the itinerary of funds, the third agreement dated 16 August 1999 signed with Nigeria, as well as the draft law negotiated between the parties and which was to be deposited with High Court of London for authentication’.

Buhari Inability To Rescue Chibok Girls Is Shameful- Soyinka

Mohammed Useni
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Buhari Inability To Rescue Chibok Girls Is Shameful- Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka chose the occasion of the commissioning of a mega school named after him in the state of Osun to lash out Monday at President Muhammadu Buhari and his team over the non-rescue of 219 Chibok schoolgirls, almost six months since Buhari’s inauguration.

“It is a shame that the nation cannot account for over 200 girls in Chibok. I sympathise with the religious policy of governments in school; children must not be brought up feeling that religion inhibits knowledge.

“In schools, we need not distinguish our children, the fatalistic religious holiness and the holier-than-thou attitude must be reduced among our pupils, ” he said.

Professor Soyinka, ever frank, said He also said the school was an an “emphatic rejection of what Boko Haram insurgents preach”.

Soyinka, however, commended the governor for what he had done to improve the standard of education in the state.

Aregbesola inaugurated the school established by his administration in Ejigbo.

The governor described Soyinka as the greatest scholar in Africa.

The Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo is a 3,000-capacity complex with 72 classrooms of 49 square-metres, each capable of sitting 49 students and has six offices for study groups.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said no amount of money spent on education was too much, saying it deserved the utmost attention.

He said that in the first quarter of next year, his government would also inaugurate another set of schools in the same category.

Aregbesola said, “We can construct a good road that will last for 50 years and we are doing that, but this can never compare to the enlightenment an educated person receives in terms of its value to the society and humanity.

“Economic Policy Has Been Adrift Since Buhari Came To Power” – @TheEconomist Magazine Slams Nigeria’s President

Mohammed Useni
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“Economic Policy Has Been Adrift Since Buhari Came To Power” – @TheEconomist Magazine Slams Nigeria’s President

By The Economist Magazine

Th law was laid down for Nigeria’s ministers when they were sworn into office last week. No corruption, their austere president, Muhammadu Buhari, told them. Obey the law and work together, because expectations are high. Behave in keeping with the times. Refrain from gaudy displays of wealth (“Not that some of us have much to display,” one appointee laments). It has taken almost six months for the former dictator, now elected, to install his cabinet, but for those who made the cut his message is simple: winning high office is no longer a licence to rob the public purse. Unlike many of their predecessors, the new ministers must prioritise reform.

Many observers are optimistic that they can do so. Mr Buhari’s cabinet is smaller than that of the previous president, Goodluck Jonathan, with 25 principal ministers and 12 junior ones. Several of his senior appointees have good track records. Babatunde Fashola, the respected former governor of Lagos state, has been handed a monumental portfolio combining power, public works and housing. Another ex-governor, Kayode Fayemi (pictured, left, with the president), is charged with developing mining operations as Nigeria rushes to broaden its economy away from oil. Fans of a third seasoned politician, Rotimi Amaechi, who won the transport post, say he has delivered roads despite accusations of corruption, which he denies.

Yet the president has failed to please all as he juggles the demands of his party and people. His decision to keep the oil post for himself, while appointing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s new head as his deputy, was designed to keep the valuable resource in hands he can trust. But it raises concerns over the centralisation of power. Ethnic groups of the south-east who mostly voted for Mr Jonathan in this year’s election are feeling neglected. Critics also fret over an absence of desperately needed financial expertise.

Africa’s biggest economy, which relies on oil for 70% of its revenue, is sputtering as prices fall. Economic policy has been adrift since Mr Buhari came to power, and investors complain about the central bank’s use of trade controls and import restrictions. However, the new finance minister, an accountant who cleaned up the books of one of Nigeria’s smaller states, is poorly qualified for the job. Her counterpart in the investment ministry is a respected businessman, but he may lack the clout to stand up to a president with statist leanings. “It’s a government with local professionals and without superstars,” says Shehu Sani, a senator of the ruling party.

Still, Nigerians find much to be happy about. Boko Haram, an insurgent Islamist group, has been weakened during Mr Buhari’s half-year at the helm (though bombs this week killed 43 people), and power supplies are somewhat more reliable. A bigger budget has been outlined for 2016, though it is unclear how it will be financed, and recurrent spending will be pared back. More heartening is the president’s crusade against corruption.

Staff have been fired from the state oil company and customs department. Officials are tackling smuggling along leaky borders. To reduce fraud, an opaque network of government bank accounts has been replaced by a centralised system. Several politicians, including the president of the Senate, a former oil minister and an ex-national security adviser, are under investigation. Meanwhile, biometric registration at banks should expose more money laundered by civil servants and their stooges. High-rollers are on their best behaviour. Lamudi, a property company, reports a slowdown in expensive sales, partly explained by the fact that the rich would rather not be seen splurging.

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