Fani-Kayode Counters President Jonathan, Says Ekiti Rigging Tape Authentic

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Mr. Fani-Kayode said his team had listened to and reviewed the recording and that it came to the conclusion that the opposition All Progressives Congress turned fact on its head by claiming that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state; former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, who featured in the recording, planned how to rig the election.

Contrary to President Goodluck Jonathan’s dismissal of the Ekiti rigging audio recording as a fabrication that is not worth his attention, the spokesperson for his campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode has admitted that the tape is genuine but that the characters involved in the meeting captured in the recording were not discussing how to rig the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti state.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Mr. Fani-Kayode said his team had listened to and reviewed the recording and that it came to the conclusion that the opposition All Progressives Congress turned fact on its head by claiming that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state; former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, who featured in the recording, planned how to rig the election.
“We have listened to the audio clip and we make bold to say that the discussion that took place in it did not make any mention of any form of rigging in the Ekiti state governorship election and neither did it contain any evidence of any conspiracy to rig,” he said.
Mr. Fani-Kayode also said rather than attempting to orchestrate rigging, what the audio clip clearly revealed was Governor Fayose expressing concerns that a military commander was not acting on information about illegal movement of weapons into certain parts of the state.
“The Governor and others were apparently worried that safety of the voters and INEC officials could be compromised if security measures were not strictly enforced,” he said.
Mr Fani-Kayode’s admission of the authenticity of the tape is another chapter in the series of contradictory responses from the ruling party and those at the centre of the vote rigging plot.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, last Friday, Mr. Jonathan said he would not investigate the authenticity of the audio recording because it was a “fabrication.”
“It’s all fabrications. Why should I investigate things that are not real?” he asked.
Using forensic analysis that compared the voices in the recording with public record samples of the individuals in the recording, Guardian Consulting, The New York-based security firm, that helped authenticate the recordings, confirmed that the tape was genuine.
“The voices from the recording were subjected to a Forensic Voice Frequency Comparison against known samples and were found to match to a 98 per cent degree of certainty,” the firm said.
Mr Jonathan’s dismissal of the tape as a fabrication came after Mr Obanikoro denied taking part in the meeting and threatened to sue PREMIUM TIMES and Sahara Reporters for their vigorous reporting on the matter.
Mr. Adesiyan confessed that the recording was genuine but that it was more of an altercation between Mr. Fayose and Mr. Momoh after the former accused the later of favouring the then governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi.
“Fayose accused the General who supervised the Ekiti election of taking bribe from Fayemi and APC, that was two days before the election. They called me because they said the General disarmed policemen and I told him to allow the policemen to do their job,” he told the Sunday Punch newspaper.
After initially claiming his voice was manipulated using speech software such as Natural Voices, Mr. Fayose later admitted during a political event in Ekiti that it was his voice that was captured in the tape but claimed he was rebuking Mr. Momoh for favouring the APC.
“If you listen to the tape about military rigging in Ekiti. Listen to the tape you will see that I was the one accusing the army of compromise. Listen, take time to listen. But they would come back with propaganda and saying it all as if the whole world of propaganda belongs to them,” he said.

Counter Allegation
While challenging the APC to do a critical content analysis of the discussions in the audio clip, Mr. Fani-Kayode said it was the APC that rigged the governorship election in Osun state.
“During the course of those elections, some of their agents gathered in secret locations where they thumb-printed ballot papers in favor of their governorship candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,” he said.
Mr. Fani Kayode also played a video tape he claimed proved the APC rigged the election in Osun state.
“It is ironic that instead of purging itself of its own insatiable appetite for rigging and cheating, the APC, through its Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, chose to call a press conference in which he alleged that our leaders were ordering soldiers to rig in Ekiti state.
“This is a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black,” he said.
APC, Buhari calling for violence At his press conference, Mr. Fani-Kayode also accused the APC and its presidential candidate of veiled attempts to instigate violence in the country, while also undermining the nation’s armed forces.
“It is now very clear to us that the APC is determined to cause security breaches in the next few weeks. This has been confirmed by their vigorous campaign of calumny against the military and their consistent demand that soldiers must not be deployed for security surveillance at the polling booths in the forthcoming elections,” he said.
Mr. Fani-Kayode also alleged what he termed subtle threat of violence by Mr. Buhari at an APC leadership meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
“General Buhari said that the patience of the APC and its leaders were on test. One wonders what he means by that and what he and his supporters intend to do once that patience runs out.
“In an AFP news report of Friday, February 6, 2015, he was asked if he would accept the outcome of the presidential election no matter how unfavourable. Listen to his answer: “I am not going to lose; so I won’t answer that question.”
“Again, only yesterday, Wednesday, February 18, 2015, in an interview on ARISE Television, General Buhari was asked what his reaction would be if he loses the election. His answer was: “We shall see.”
“As far as we are concerned, these are ominous and subtle threats to unleash violence on the Nigerian people and all those that he perceives are his enemies in the event of his losing the election,” he said.
Mr. Fani-Kayode said Mr. Buhari has succeeded in inflaming the destructive passion of his supporters in the northern part of the country on many occasions in the past.
“We recall his unacceptable remarks on May 15, 2012 when he said “if what happened in 2011 should happen again in 2015, the dog and the baboon would be soaked in blood”.
“We witnessed the orgy of violence that they unleashed shortly after the announcement of the results of the 2011 presidential election, which the Sheik Lemu Committee, in its report to the Federal Government, said was caused by Buhari’s inflammatory statements.
“We recall with sadness the massacre of some of our vibrant youth corps members who participated in the 2011 election as INEC’s ad-hoc staff in Bauchi State.
“We are concerned that the same thing may happen again given General Buhari’s divisive and inciting comments coupled with the APC’s violent disposition,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.
He said the attempt by the APC to discredit the use of soldiers by promoting some “misleading audio footage of the so-called rigging during the Ekiti governorship election, in which one Captain Sagir Koli was the dramatis personae, is childish and absurd”.
He said the Nigerian Government deployed soldiers in the Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and all those elections were devoid of violence.
“Remarkably, the APC won in Edo and Osun; APGA won in Anambra, Labour Party won in Ondo while PDP won only in Ekiti State,” he said.
He added that the basis on which the APC is agitating for the exclusion of soldiers from the election by sponsoring court cases is patently dubious and untenable.
“The reason that the APC and its leaders do not want soldiers deployed is to be able to intimidate voters and unleash violence on the polity once they lose the elections.
“They know that it would be far more difficult for them to do that when soldiers are on the streets.
“With these dishonourable tactics and desperate acts by the APC, we are the ones who should be worried and who should be complaining but, unlike Buhari and the APC, our patience is not running out because we are committed to a peaceful election and we completely reject the option of violence,” he said.

Sahara!!!

Buhari flies to UK

APC Presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, today flew out of the country to UK on a working visit.

According to Malam Garba Shehu, director of Media and Publicity, for the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Gen. Buhari will hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London during his short visit.

He would also hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment in the interest of Nigeria.

Dangers of drinking Cold Water

As rewarding as drinking cold water can be, it could come with serious health consequences. Experts have said drinking cold water regularly could have negative impact on the heart and the digestive system. Food and healthy living expert say that cold water is at a temperature that contradicts the overall temperature within the body system. According to Dr. Tosin Akinsanya, a consultant nutritionist, though the body cannot have too much of water, it complains when it has too much of cold water. He explained that normal body temperature is between 34 and 37 oC while that of cold water is usually between zero and two degrees Celsius and the sudden change in temperature levels, which usually happens when we drink cold water, shocks the body, leading to chronic diseases in those who drink it over time. “The body is made up of 70 per cent of warm water. Water is the most important fluid in the body because it is the medium blood uses. It is the medium which circulates nutrients around the body. If the 30 per cent we drink is against the normal temperature of the body, we see how hard it is for the body to make use of it. Cold water causes distress in the tissues and blood vessels. “The body has to warm up the cold water you drink every time to an acceptable temperature before it can take it up for digestion, nutrient and blood circulation. That is why we advise people not, take drugs with cold water. The drugs will not digest on time; it means you won’t get the best of the drugs because the water did not dissolve on time,” he said. Akinsanya emphasized the need to regularly take water at a normal temperature, saying the brain is sensitive to temperature change which is why it freezes when one drinks cold water at first, adding that such continuous seizure is not good for it. He said: “The brain is one of the relatively important organs in the body, and it needs to be working all the time. We should avoid anything that will make it freeze.” To know the right temperature of water to drink, Akinsanya says: “Put one finger in your mouth and close it. The temperature of what you feel is the temperature of water or food that you eat most times. That is what the body is used to and that is what you should give it.” Dr. Vasant Lad, family health physician and author of Ten Habits To Drop Right Now, warns that drinking cold water after a meal has adverse effects on the digestive system. According to the healthy living expert, Dr. Lucia John, the heart labours more to restore blood circulation when we drink cold water that is not compatible with the body’s temperature. “When we drink cold water, juice, or any cold fluids, we create the basis for chronic heart diseases. Cold water has a clotting effect on the blood and other fluids in the body making it difficult for it to circulate. “A body that cannot circulate its blood is like an uninviting swimming pool in which moss and bacteria grow. The blood may be thick, unable to flow properly to the extremities of the body, the hands and feet begin to feel numb and hurt, the toes begin to hurt, and the toenails lose their shine and may begin to decay. The heart labours to pump the blood throughout the body, and the lungs fight to keep up. The legs may swell and become dark, when blood cannot efficiently pump back up to the heart. “When the blood is free from toxins and flowing freely and properly, we can then liken the blood to an inviting swimming pool, clear and clean. It generates happiness and perfect health, energy and creativity. This individual contributes maximum to the health and wellbeing of others in an innocent, natural way,” he said.


 [Punchng.com]

Lagos Alfa murders, shares friend’s body parts [Photo]

An Alfa in the Badagry area of Lagos State, Fatai Afobaje, has been accused of conspiring with some security men in his area to kill his friend, Rafiu Suleiman. According to police. after the 40-year-old was dead, Afobaje, along with five others, shared his remains among themselves for ritual purposes.

It was gathered that what remained of the late Kwara State indigene was recovered by men of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday, after an intensive search.

The incident happened at Oko Agbonla, Magbon in the Badagry area.

PUNCH Metro reports that Afobaje and Suleiman had been friends for a long time, and the deceased had given a lot of money to the suspect.

Afobaje was said to have conspired with the Chief Security Officer of the area, identified only as
Tanko, to kill Suleiman on Friday. Apart from the corpse, the police also recovered a clay pot which contained the fingers of the deceased with a few naira notes.

A source said the two men had met in a commercial bus and became friends that lasted for years. He said:

 “The two men met in a commercial bus. Suleiman had offered to pay the transport fare of Afobaje after the conductor was about embarrassing him because he had no change.

The Alfa then said he would like to know him better for being so gracious to him (Alfa). So, Suleiman gave the Alfa his address and asked him to visit. That was how the friendship started. From what we found out, Suleiman, who worked as a crane operator, would collect his salary and give half of it to Alfa at the end of the month and that happened for a long time.”

The source, who added that investigation was still on, said Afobaje suddenly connived with his friends to kill Suleiman.

Another source said on Friday, last week, the victim was called by Alfa to come for a meeting around 8pm. He said:

 “As soon as the victim got to the street’s gate, the security guards surrounded him and asked who he was looking for. When he told them, they flogged him with charms and he died.
They then called the Alfa to come and when he arrived, they shared his body parts. While one collected his head, another demanded all his intestines, while another asked for his breasts, which were given out.”

When the victim’s boss did not find him, he made a call to his wife, who explained that she had yet to also see him. His boss was said to have contacted policemen from the Morogbo division who then launched a search for him.

The deceased’s brother, Yinusa Wahab, told PUNCH Metro that the victim’s wife asked him to search Afobaje’s house, adding that the victim was there. Wahab said:

 “We went to the house, but he was not around. We searched everywhere and didn’t see my brother. Later, we saw a mutilated corpse floating on a stream near the house. It was swollen and there was no head. The breast had been cut off.

We went back to the house and as we looked around, I saw some fingers in a pot which were still being burnt and when I saw them, I could recognise that they belonged to my brother.”
The police were said to have apprehended the suspect, and he reportedly named the chief security officer as an accomplice. Afobaje, when queried, owned up to the act, saying he divided the body with the other suspects. He said:

 “He was on his way to my house when he was killed. When I got there, he had been killed and then we shared his body. I urge my accomplices to also confess because the act has been uncovered and there is nothing we can do about it.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.
He said:

 “The decomposing corpse of the victim has been recovered, while Alfa Fatai has been arrested. The matter has been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.”

''I Will Declare My Assets Publicly'' – Buhari

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, if voted into power.

Buhari stated this in a document obtained by PUNCH in Abuja on Thursday. The document highlights what Buhari will do in his first 100 days if he assumes power on May 29.

He said he would encourage political appointees in his administration to also declare their assets publicly.

If the APC candidate keeps to his promise, he will be the second Nigeria’s President to publicly
declare his assets.

The late President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, also from Katsina State as Buhari, was the first and the only Nigeria’s President to have publicly declared his assets when he assumed office.

This action forced his then deputy, who is now the President Goodluck Jonathan, to also make his assets declaration forms available to the public.

However, since he assumed office as the substantive President, Jonathan has refused to make the forms available to the public, saying that he did that when he was serving as deputy to Yar’Adua.

Asked during a media chat whether he would consider declaring his assets publicity, the President refused, saying he did not give a damn.

But Buhari, in the document titled, “I pledge to Nigeria” also said that all his political appointees would only earn salaries and allowances as prescribed by the Revenue and Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission. He said:

“I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities, encourage all my appointees to publicity declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment. All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the RMFAC.”

While pledging to personally lead the war against corruption in the country, Buhari also said that he would inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement Act.

He added that the Federal Executive Council, which he said had been turned to a weekly session of contract bazaar, would be made to concentrate on its principal function of policy making.

He said that he would also work with the National Assembly towards the immediate enactment of a Whistle Blower Act.

On the other ways to strengthen the anti-graft war, he said:

 “We will work with the National Assembly to strengthen the Independent Corruption Practices and other related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by guaranteeing institutional autonomy, including financial and prosecutorial independence and security of tenure of officials.

We will also make the Financial Intelligence Unit of the EFCC autonomous and operational; encourage proactive disclosure of information by government institutions in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.”

He also promised that his government would work with the leadership of the National Assembly and the judiciary to cut down the cost of governance.

On insurgency and insecurity in the country, the former head of state said that he had had the rare privilege of serving the country in the military in various capacities and rose to the rank of a major general and Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces, he would defend the integrity of the nation.
“I pledge, as Commander-in-Chief, to lead from the front and not behind in the comfort and security of Aso Rock, to boost the morale of fighting forces and the generality of all Nigerians,” he said.
On the fate of the kidnapped Chibok girls, Buhari said that as a father, he had been feeling the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether “they are widows and orphans of the military, paramilitary, civilians and parents or the Chibok girls.

“My government shall act decisively on any actionable intelligence to #BringBack Our Girls.”

Open Heavens 20 February 2015: Friday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Christian Atheist?

Topic: Christian Atheist? [Friday February 20, 2015]

Memorise: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15

Read: (2 Timothy 3:1-5, KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Bible in one year: Ezekiel 4-6, and Revelation 2:1-17

MESSAGE:

Our Bible reading today reveals some strange characteristics of the last days that should in no wise be mentioned among children of God. Unfortunately, many of these behaviours dominate the Church today. Frankly speaking, behaviours such as being a lover of self, blaspheming, being unholy, treachery and loving of pleasures beyond loving God, more accurately described ungodly people (atheists). But because professed Christians are found among those who openly manifest and defend such behaviours today, the designation “Christian Atheists” has become necessary. Christian atheists are therefore professing Christians who believe, act and defend behaviours and characteristics that are contrary to Christian values as recorded in the Bible.

The most noticeable error of a Christian atheist is commitment to the philosophy and ways of the world. They profess to be Christians but find it easy to identify with the world in principle, word, action and general worldview. This is contrary to the word of God in James 4:4 that says,

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

And the admonition of Titus 2:12

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Furthermore, preoccupation with the things of this world is incompatible with holy living. The commitment of the Christian atheist to the world is especially seen in the area of materialism and worldliness, which the word of God warns against in 1 John 2:15. This commitment of the world leads to disappointment, failure, physical and spiritual loss, and ultimately God’s judgment (Luke 9:25, Ephesians 5:6). Perilous times are here! The right attitude to take in times as these is to heed the admonition of the word of God in Romans 12:1-2, by resisting the temptation to conform to the standards of this world. Rather, we should seek to be transformed into the image of Christ by the renewing of our minds.

Prayer Point: Father, please expose every atheistic tendency in the body of Christ and rid your Church of all contrary behaviours in Jesus’ Name

Kaduna Islamic Clerics Receive Bribes From Jonathan

A document obtained by Online News portal has shown a list of Kaduna Islamic clerics who were allegedly rewarded for being supportive towards the President Jonathan campaign to be re-elected into office. 

The supposed document also revealed how much each cleric received. The said document was obtained by Abusidique.
The document which was in form of a memo was signed by a particular Garzali Tanko, said to be the Director of Finance of the National Coalition for Jonathan/Sambo Presidency who listed 13 of the clerics to benefit from various sums ranging from N1,000,000 to N500,000.

The memo indicated that the payment is the second of such as the first phase was carried out in December.

The north is widely seen as the part of Nigeria which is seemingly out of the reach of Jonathan as it is believed that the North is behind the election of Gen. Muhammudu Buhari of the All Progressive congress as President of Nigeria.







NB:We cannot independently verify the authenticity of the document in the picture.

Pastors Were Bribed With N7bn By Jonathan, Not 6bn – Cleric

More facts appear to be emerging on the allegation by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that
President Goodluck Jonathan gave pastors across the country N6bn to vote against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), in the presidential election.
A Borno-based Pastor, Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, said on Thursday that the money that was given to pastors by the President was actually N7bn and not N6bn as alleged by Amaechi, who doubles as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation.
Amaechi had alleged that unnamed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party paid N6bn to Christian clerics to campaign against Buhari and the APC.
The governor’s allegation caused a stir among the Christian clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum asking Amaechi to name the church leaders, who collected the huge bribe.
But Musa-Dikwa, who is the Executive Director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, told journalists in Kaduna on Thursday that the said money was channelled through the Christian Association of Nigeria.
He said the CAN got the said money(N7bn) on January 26, 2015 and disbursed N3m to each State Chairmen of the CAN across the country.
Musa-Dikwa, who was an Associate Pastor with the E. Y. N. Church, Farm Centre, Dikwa Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, under Rev. Emmanuel Kwajihe between 2002 and 2004, said the CAN had started threatening Christians in the state (Borno) that they must re-elect Jonathan in the rescheduled election.
He said, “It was N7bn that was given to the CAN leadership by President Goodluck Jonathan. They(CAN) later disbursed N3m to the State Chairmen of the CAN.
“The money was handed over to the CAN Leadership on 26th January, 2014.”
“Actually, President Jonathan is using CAN President, and it was the CAN President who collected the monies and shared N3m to the CAN executives in each state.
“And some Pentecostal Bishops also collected their share. Actually, the money is not N6bn, it is N7bn. This is what I know. One of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they have collected the money. The corruption in CAN is terrible. They are corrupting the body of Christ because of money.
“They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody, who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are now campaigning that if Buhari emerges President, he will Islamise Nigeria; and that Osinbajo collected monies from Islamic world; and that the same Osinbajo will resign soon after Buhari wins to give way for Tinubu to emerge Vice President.”
Musa-Dikwa named some high-profile clerics, who had benefitted from the controversial largesse to actualise the re-election bid of Jonathan.

Naij!

We pay N300 - N500 to enter Nigeria – Illegal immigrants

A suspected illegal immigrant from the Niger Republic, Shuaib Kaneda, says many illegal immigrants usually entered Nigeria by paying between N300 and N500 to unidentified persons.

Shuaib added that he had spent eight years in Nigeria, but could not acquire valid documents before he was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command.

The 34-year-old was among 82 illegal immigrants paraded on Wednesday at the command’s office in Alagbon, Lagos.

The suspects were said to have been arrested at different parts of the Lagos Island area after an intelligence report.

Shuaib was arrested along with a relative, Idris, who had spent barely one year in the country when he was caught.

Shuaib, who spoke in pidgin, said, “I have been here for about eight years now. I work as a loader and make between N1, 000 and N1, 500 a day. I use the money I make to feed my family in the Niger Republic. I am married and have two children and they are in Niger.

“I travel home every six or eight months. The people at the border see many of us when we come in. Sometimes, they collect N300 and other times, we give them N500 before we pass.”

His brother, Idris, also explained that he came into the country to make money which he usually sent home to his family of three.

Another suspect, Alimaru Saliade, told PUNCH Metro that he sneaked into the country by mixing up with cows being transported into Nigeria.

Saliade, who claimed not to know his age, said in pidgin, “I followed cows to Lagos. I have been here for four years now and I have not been able to get my documents because I don’t have money.”

For Yaya Ibrahim, coming to Lagos was to avoid being idle in the village.

“I was in my village and was not doing anything. So, my uncle asked me to come and work in Lagos and that was how I found myself here. My parents live in Ghana but we are from Niger,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Muyiwa Odunubi, said the command raided the suspects based on intelligence report.

He said while some of the suspects were caught around banks’ branches, others were found sleeping under the bridge and “constituting nuisance to residents”.

He said, “We have a surveillance team that keeps a tab on illegal immigrants in the state. When our men went out, they got them in all manner of places. Some were caught around banks, others were found sleeping under benches. Even fuel stations were not spared.

“In the Idumota area of the state for instance, we found that they have a room where they sleep. It is not clear whether they rented the apartment or somebody gave them the place. We introduced ourselves and arrested them; they never resisted.”

The Comptroller of the state’s command, Mrs. Justina Ahmadu, commended the officials, adding that the service would intensify efforts to rid the state of anything that could constitute security risk.

She waved away Shuaib’s claim, saying most of the illegal immigrants came into the country through unauthorised routes because they did not have valid documents that could guarantee their stay.

“This is a continuous exercise and we will continue to weed out illegal immigrants from the state. Anyone without a valid passport or resident’s card will be sent packing.

“We appeal to Lagosians to cooperate with us during our operations by not harbouring any illegal immigrant or fighting our men. This is the only way they can assist us to discharge our functions efficiently,” she said.

Deal with bad breath before it embarrasses you

Seun Akintayo was a fine, tall and handsome gentleman by many ladies’ standards. He was not just good looking; he was also doing well in his career. At the age of 35, he was already a senior partner at the accounting firm where he worked.

As dashing as he looked, it was difficult to get a lady that would stay in a relationship with him for more than a year. They usually opted without giving him a reason. But one of them did him a favour before she dumped him. She said she could no longer withstand his breath.

According to her, his breath smelt as if like a rotten organism Harsh isn’t?

Akintayo decided to ask his best friend if his ex-girlfriend was just being nasty or truthful. He got the home truth from his bosom friend. He had bad breath, a medical condition known as halitosis.

Halitosis can be embarrassing and downright offensive. It is also sad that most people who suffer this condition do not know until occurrences such as Akintayo’s happen.

Consultant Dentist, Dr. Yemi Adelaja, says that halitosis, a common condition caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat, can be a symptom of some dental infections or the result of poor oral hygiene over the years.

Adelaja explains that when bacteria build up in the cavities of the mouth and gums, they form plaque that can irritate the gums. He adds that these germs eventually become plaque-filled pockets between the teeth and gums and start emitting odour.

He notes that uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odour, while dentures (teeth) that aren’t cleaned regularly or don’t fit properly can harbour food particles and odour-causing bacteria.

Simply put, poor oral hygiene such as not brushing your kid’s mouth twice daily, not cleaning the tongue with a soft bristle brush or not flossing to remove food particles from the cavities around the teeth before they become plaque over the years can predispose you to halitosis.

Dental surgeon, Dr. Temilola Banjo, states that not all people with bad breath have poor oral hygiene. According to the specialist, having a dry mouth – that is, not enough saliva in the mouth, can also cause halitosis.

She says, “Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that may cause bad odour. A condition called dry mouth can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased.

“The reason many people experience bad breath in the morning is because the saliva production at night decreases, leading to “morning breath,” and is made worse if you sleep with your mouth open. It is people who suffer from chronic dry mouth that have bad breath, even after cleaning their mouth in the morning.

“Since you may not even know that you have bad breath, this is a symptom to watch for and if you have it, ask people to sincerely tell you if your breath smells, so you can quickly treat it. There are medications that will boost your salivary glands if that is the reason for your bad breath.”

Banjo, however, notes that eating certain foods can also cause bad breath. She says foods such as onion, garlic, and other vegetables and spices emit foul odour after they have been broken down or when some particles are stuck in-between the teeth and the gums.

Banjo states, “When you eat foods that have lots of onion and garlic, you can experience bad breath some hours after because once they are digested, they are carried into the bloodstream, then the lungs and you breathe them out. It’s usually a foul odour that comes out. This is the mild one because it lasts for just few hours.

“You should also avoid sugary foods and acidic drinks. These are bad both for your breath and for the health of your teeth, as acidic drinks can hurt the enamel on your teeth. Avoid fizzy drinks as much as possible and if you have to drink them, make sure to drink them quickly without holding them in your mouth.

“Coffee and alcohol too may cause bad breath. Both of these drinks provide an environment in your mouth for bacteria growth, which causes bad breath. They also dry out your mouth, which causes the bacteria to linger. Smoking can cause bad breath because naturally, they leave unpleasant mouth odour.”

Adelaja quickly adds that bad breath can be a symptom of an underlying illness. He explains that halitosis may be a sign that something has gone wrong with the kidneys and some metabolic processes in the body.

According to him, some cancers and chronic gastro-intestinal disorders can cause a distinctive breath odour as a result of chemicals they produce.

This is the reason why the experts advise that people who suffer from halitosis see a doctor who will either erase or confirm all doubts. One thing is sure, bad breath is a reason for any smoker to quit today!

NB: If your baby has bad breath, you may also need to see a doctor quickly. He or she may have swallowed a foreign object like coins, a key or toy.

We’ve recaptured 11 towns, killed 300 insurgents –DHQ

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, has said that troops of the Nigerian Army and personnel of the Air Force have killed over 300 fighters of the Boko Haram sect.

Olukolade said in a statement on Wednesday that the insurgents were killed during a combined operation of the Air Force and ground forces put in place to liberate 11 communities captured by the Boko Haram sect.

According to him, the communities liberated by the troops are Monguno, Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso Wanti, Jeram and Kabrisungul.

He said that troops had commenced a cordon and search operation in the areas involved in the latest operation.

He stated further that some of the terrorists and their weapons were captured by the troops.

Olukolade also said that the military captured “five different types of armoured fighting vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun, about 50 cases of packed bombs and eight different types of machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade, 49 boxes of various types and calibres of ammunition, as well as 300 motorcycles destroyed in the fighting.

He added that “a total of six Hilux vehicles including those mounted with anti-aircraft guns were also destroyed.’

The Defence spokesman said that two soldiers lost their lives while ten others were wounded in the encounter with the terrorists.

Olukolade said that various phases of highly coordinated combined operation involving the Air Force and ground forces were ongoing in the mission area within and outside the country.

Meanwhile, about 30 civilians were killed when an unidentified airplane dropped a bomb on a Nigerian border village, military sources based nearby in Niger said on Wednesday.

“We don’t know whose plane it was. We understand that the victims are residents who were gathered for a ceremony but who were mistaken for terrorists,” said a military source based in the town of Bosso in Niger.

He added, “Around 30 people perished.”

Punchng

I am not sure if election would hold on March 28, 2015- Prof. Jega

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday, reiterated his preparedness to conduct the   general elections as scheduled but maintained that only the military could guarantee the sanctity of the March 28 and April 11 dates.                      Jega, who appeared before the Senate to explain the level of INEC’s preparedness for the elections, however, stunned many of the lawmakers when he revealed that one million Permanent Voter Cards had yet to be received by the commission from the manufacturers.

The Senators had thoroughly grilled him after he made about three-hour presentation and demonstrated how the card readers work.

Responding to a question by the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, to give a clear assurance on the dates, Jega replied, “I think it is a very difficult question to answer.

“I have said consistently that there are things under the control of electoral commission and there are things that are not under the control of electoral commission. For things that are under our control, I can give definite and categorical assurances.

“On what is not under our control, it is futile, it is fruitless and useless to give a definite guarantee on them. I think that question should be directed appropriately. The questions of security, I will leave it, I don’t think I am competent to answer it sufficiently.”

Asked how he would respond if the security agencies requested a further delay, Jega said doing so would be illegal.

He then made reference to a constitutional provision that requires elections to be concluded at least 30 days before May 29, when a new government must be sworn in.

“Every Nigerian knows we want elections to hold… within a constitutional time frame.   The security agencies are (made up of) patriotic Nigerians. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt,” he told the senators.

He added, “We should be fair also to the military. Soldiers are also patriotic Nigerians.   I don’t see how anybody will contemplate any extension beyond these six weeks.

“There is no constitutional grounds upon which you can do that. For us, we work by the constitution, by the law . That is what is guiding us and we should all put the interest of the nation at heart.

“The human factor is always significant, it is always important but we believe that working together with security and other stakeholders, we should be able to prevent negative human intervention that can create problems.

“I kept saying consistently that INEC is not a security organisation. We are an election management body; so we rely a lot on security to be able to ensure that things are done well and that there is no disruption of the electoral process.

“We have been working very closely with the inter agencies consultative committee on election security and that is why for us, if the service chiefs say that we can’t guarantee security, give us more time, what is the alternative security arrangements ?

“If we consulted with the stakeholders and we cannot find an answer, what happens? We are going to use close to 700, 000 ad hoc staff. We can’t send people to the field in that kind of a situation.

“Our prayer is that in the next six weeks, there will be significant improvement in the security situation for us to hold the   elections all over this country in a very secure environment.

“There are certain questions that we are not really competent to answer. Certain questions should be directed to the military; they can answer them better.”

The INEC boss expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the card readers, stressing that their use for accreditation during the elections would not contravene any provision either in the electoral act or in the constitution.

He also said that   anyone who clones and tries to prevent the use of the card readers would be treated as a criminal.

Jega said, “We have done the functionality and durability tests on the card readers with a local partner, with their technical partner in Texas in the United States. There were 13 specific tests that were done about their functionality, durability and versatility. The card readers   passed all the tests.

“We have done some few tests and the result we have is about 90 per cent successful. We feel comfortable that the card readers can be used. They will add value to the electoral process.

“It cannot be 100 per cent perfect. It may not be able to read every finger and that is why we agree with political parties. We bought 182, 000 card readers. Some of them did not work.

“Of the total number of card readers that we ordered and configured, only 503 had failed to work. That is 0.03 per cent of the total. The agreement is that if a card reader fails during accreditation, then, we will try and repair it within the time of accreditation which is between 8am and 1pm.

“If a card reader fails around 10am , before 1pm, we will do everything possible to replace it but if we are unable to do so, the time lost will be added to the accreditation period and extended.”

On   the high rate of PVC collection in three states under emergency rule in the North-East, Jega wondered why Nigerians were heaping the blame on INEC.

He said, “Why should anyone blame INEC for that? There is a need for us to have clarity on this matter. In Yobe State, only two local government areas are under emergency rule and the state is among the second phase in the distribution of the PVCs.

“In the   state and about 11 others, we distributed cards as far back as July 2014. So if the rate of collection is very high, I don’t see why that should be seen as a problem. In Adamawa State, only four LGAs are inaccessible and we deviced   a system where PVCs were distributed to Internally Displaced Persons.

“So, as many as had been displaced but who had registered have been able to collect their cards. But when you look at the way newspapers do their analysis, they tend to project it as if there is regional slant in the distribution of the cards.

“When we designed the distribution of cards, we did it in such a manner that we took two states each from each geo – political zone to make a phase and we did it in three phases just to avoid being accused of having regional slant in the distribution of the PVCs.

“It will be wrong to assume that Yobe State or any other state has higher rate of collection. If people come out to collect and others   did not , why should INEC be blamed for that.

Jega, who said there was no case in court   that was capable of preventing INEC from holding the elections as scheduled, added, ‘‘As I speak to you, 800,000 to one million cards are yet to be produced.’’

He however gave assurance that the PVCs would be produced and delivered to their owners before the days of the elections.

The INEC boss described the purchase of PVCs by some people, especially politicians,   as a criminal offence .

He said, “If we have information on criminal purchase or cloning of the cards, we will invite the security to investigate. People can clone our cards but if they are not issued by INEC, then they would not be read by our own card readers.

“The PVC carries the information of the voter which is in our database. We refrain from using the card readers for voting because the constitution is against it. We have cases where corps members were forced to alter accreditation figure but now if the number of the votes cast is different from the number accredited, the entire result of the polling units will be cancelled.

Jega said that if security would be guaranteed in IDPs’ camps, INEC could make arrangements to take care of them.

He said, “There is an online system where people can find out details of their registration. Ghana used card readers and it was relatively successful. Likelihood of card reader’s failure is very remote.

“Its usage will not violate either the electoral act or the constitution. There is difference between voting and voting process. We are well advised we are on solid legal standing on the issue.”

He added that INEC did not ask for card reader usage in the Electoral Act because it was not necessary since the existing law guarantees the arrangement.

He said the PVCs would be permanent because it could last for 10 years, adding that “by 2019 we hope that the National Identity Card project would have materialised so that INEC could draw out the data of people of voter age from the NIMC database.”

Jega added,   “Whereas section 52 of the Electoral Act   prohibits the use of electronic voting, the card reader is not a voting machine and it is not used for voting, it is merely an electronic device introduced to improve the integrity of the voting; process.

“It should be remembered that sections 78 and 118 of the 1999 constitution grant INEC powers to register voters and to conduct elections in Nigeria. Using the card reader has enormous advantages; first, once it is configured, it can only read PVC   issued by INEC at the polling unit that it has been configured. Second, it reads the embedded chip card not the back code.

“Third it enables authentication of the identity of the voter by matching his or her fingerprint with the code on the chip of the card. Four, it keeps a tally of all cards read and all cards verified or authenticated with all their details, including the time when this was done.”

The demonstration of the card readers on the floor of the Senate was commended by Senators Bukola Saraki and Ita Enang, who said the development had shown that INEC was fully prepared for the polls.

Senate President, David Mark, in his closing remarks said the Senate had confidence in the ability of the electoral umpire to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

He, however, urged the management of the commission to feel free to contact the leadership of the National Assembly for any assistance that would make the elections a huge success.

Two Niger House of Assembly Members sacked for defecting to APC

The Niger State House of Assembly has declared the seats of Bashir Abdullahi Isa Lokogoma and Nazeer Abdullahi vacant for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, the action of the state Assembly was based on the letter written to it by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratice Party (PDP) which confirmed that the two members defected to the APC. The session in the House was rowdy as the two affected members were not allowed to speak, and they were later ordered out by the Speaker and walked out by the Sergeant-at-Arms. A letter written to the state Assembly by the state PDP and made available to journalists confirmed the defection of the two legislators asking the House to follow the constitution in declaring their seats vacant. The letter read: “Information reaching the state secretariat of the party indicates that two members of the state Assembly: (Bashir Abdullahi Isa Lokogoma and Nazeer Abdullahi) have defected and abandoned the PDP, which provided them the platform for their election and joined APC. The state working committee (SWC) of the party has investigated and found the information to be true. “The SWC is of the firm view that the action of the said members (was) taken without recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and therefore uses this medium to call on the Speaker to invoke the relevant provision of the 1999 constitution, which empowers him to remedy this kind of brazen violation of our constitution.” The affected lawmakers described the action of the Assembly as a clear case of impunity. Meanwhile, the PDP in Niger state applauded the decision of the House in declaring the seats of the two defected legislators vacant. In a statement signed by the state PDP Chairman, Umaru Musa Maali, the party described the action of the state Assembly as noble and a move towards bringing moral sanity to the polity of the state, adding that it would serve as a means to stop the tide of defections among Nigerian politicians. “The decision of the Niger State House of Assembly to declare the seats of two members of the House who defected to the APC vacant will encourage discipline and engender moral virtues among politicians. I am very pleased with what has happened. It will help prevent the shameful trend of decamping among politicians. “We must understand that once politicians realise they will lose their seats, they will not decamp anymore. It is indeed good for democracy as Niger State House of Assembly has set the record straight on the constitutionality of decamping which stipulates that seat should be declared vacant,” the statement read.

Flatimes

New suit filed in Abuja High Court to stop Jonathan’s re-election

New suit filed in Abuja High Court to stop Jonathan’s re-election After withdrawing their suit from a Federal High Court, four plaintiffs seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking another term in office have re-filed it at the Abuja High Court. The plaintiffs, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Dr. Junaidu Mohammed, Mr. Rasak Adeogun and Yahaya Ezeemoo Ndu, are asking the court to declare that by virtue of the provisions of the constitution, it was unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and not permissible for any person to occupy the office of the president of Nigeria for more than a cumulative and aggregate period of eight years when the country is not at war. It will be recalled that the plaintiffs applied to withdraw their suit from the Federal High Court for tactical reasons. The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, consequently struck it out and slammed a N50,000 fine on them. At the Abuja High Court, the case was transferred to Justice Ishaq Bello, who adjourned the matter to February 22 for hearing. The judge had earlier ordered that the originating summons be served on the president, to enable him file his defence. The president was served through substituted means, to wit; by publication of the court processes in a national newspaper. The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said they complied with the order for service. The plaintiffs’ case is that the constitution does not permit anyone to stay in office for more than eight years. According to them, Jonathan is not legally fit to contest the presidential election. They argued that allowing him to participate in the election would amount to giving him the opportunity to spend more than eight years in office, contrary to the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended. The plaintiffs argued that should Jonathan win another term of four years from 2015, he would have been permitted to occupy the office of the president for more than eight years. They therefore prayed the court to declare that in computing the period already spent in office as president by Jonathan, the period from May 6, 2010 to May 28, 2011 should be considered. Among others, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that having spent a period of more than four years in office as president since May 6, 2010, Jonathan no longer had the “competence, authority or entitlement to contest the same office for another term of four years.” Another suit seeking similar reliefs was transferred to the Court of Appeal at the instance of the plaintiffs. Justice Mohammed referred the suit after the plaintiffs, Mr. Adejumo Ajagbe and Olatoye Wahab applied that it be transferred.

(Flatimes)

Open Heavens 19 February 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Perfect Knowledge of God

Topic: Perfect Knowledge of God [Thursday February 19, 2015]

Memorise: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. - Romans 1:19

Read: (Matthew 11:25-27 KJV) 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 1-3 and Revelation 1

MESSAGE: The scriptures make it clear that it is possible to acquire the knowledge of God. As a matter of fact, God has systematically and painstakingly revealed Himself to humanity through nature and through the Bible. The Bible teaches that God can be known, and that it is possible to have the perfect knowledge of God through Jesus Christ His Son. Our Lord Jesus revealed that et
ernal life lies in knowing God and the person of Jesus Christ (John 17:3). Many people conclude in error that God cannot be known because He is beyond human imagination. It must be admitted that God cannot be fathomed by the imagination of man. We cannot form a mental image of the infinite and eternal God. It is for this reason that God sent us His only begotten Son, so that by beholding Him, we might understand the nature and the character of God. Jesus came to give us the perfect knowledge of God. Hear what Jesus said to Philip in response to his request for a revelation of the Father in John 14:9: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” Having the perfect knowledge of God does not imply having a complete and exhaustive knowledge of Him. It does not mean knowing all of His essence, nature and attributes. Simply put, God is past finding out, but we can know Him by faith to the extent that He has revealed of Himself in His Son and through the Scriptures. No man knows the Father except the Son and whomever the Son shall reveal Him to (Luke 10:22). Jesus is the incarnate Word of God and the manifestation of His person and glory (Hebrews 1:3). Accepting Jesus as Master, Lord and Saviour is a necessary first step towards knowing God Almighty. ACCEPTING JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE TODAY! Daniel 11:32 makes it clear that the people who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. I therefore decree in the Name that is above all other names, that as you endeavour to have the perfect knowledge of God through the diligent study of His word, you will receive the power to do exploits physically, spiritually, materially and financially in Jesus’ Name.

Key Point: The knowledge of God produces righteousness that brings salvation, peace, joy, and prosperity

What Do Car Tire Numbers Mean?

Most often times I have wondered the meanings of the various numbers and letters that are usually scripted on the side of tires. I know a lot of you also wonder about it. I did a little research and will explain what they mean.

Image source: mountain-valleymotors.com

The numbers on car tire are explained using the letters and numbers printed on the side of the tire. They tell you the tires purpose, the complete dimensions, the total load/weight capacity, speed rating and more. They indicate what we call the Tire code. The code includes the tire size, radial construction, the type of vehicle the tire was made for, speed rating, and PSI inflation rating which indicates the amount of air that should be blown into it. Tire specs also include something called load rating. This is important for hauling or towing a trailer. Read below for a complete tire guide.

Car tire numbers explained

Tires will have something similar like this printed on the side of it: P205/60R16 90H

The first letter means type of tire for certain vehicles.
P = Passenger vehicles tire
T = Truck vehicles tire

Image source: justtires.com

The 3 digit number (205) is the Width. This number refers to the tire width in millimeters. It is measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.

Image source: justtires.com

The 2 digit number (60) is the Aspect Ratio. It is the ratio of the height of the tire’s cross-section to its width. The number 60 means the height is equal to 60% of the width of the tire.

Image source: justtires.com

The letter (R) stands for Radial. This means the layers run radially across the tire.

Image source: justtires.com

The number (16) is Wheel Diameter. It is the size of the wheel measured from one end to the other. It tells you the size of the wheel that the tire is intended to fit on.

The next number (90) is the Load Index. Load Index shows the maximum load that the tire can support when inflated properly. You can also find the maximum load on the tire sidewall in both LBS pounds and KG kilograms.

The last letter (H) identifies the Speed Rating. The speed rating tells you the maximum speed capability of a tire. A tire with an H speed rating has a maximum speed capability of 210 kmph.

How to determine your tire speed rating

Here is a chart that will identify your tire speed rating. The last letter on your tire will be one of the letters below:
M = 130 kmph
N =140 kmph = Spare Tires
P = 150 kmph
Q = 160 kmph = Winter Tires
R = 170 kmph = Truck Tires
S = 180 kmph = Cars and Minivans
T = 190 kmph = Cars and Minivans
U = 200 kmph = Sport Performance Cars
V = 240 kmph = High Performance Cars
W = 270 kmph = Ultra High-Performance Cars
Y = 300 kmph = Ultra High-Performance Cars

I hope you find this piece useful, buying the right tire for your vehicles can ensure safety on our roads.

Pregnant travellers offered new flight advice

The safest time to fly during pregnancy is before 37 weeks or, if carrying twins, before 32 weeks, new advice says.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says flying is not harmful during a low-risk

pregnancy, but there may be side-effects.

If more than 28 weeks pregnant, a woman should take her medical notes and a GP’s letter.

Many airlines have their own rules on when pregnant women can fly.

It is important to discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly”

Although everyone who flies is exposed to a slight increase in radiation, there is no evidence that flying causes miscarriage, early labour or a woman’s waters to break.

The changes in air pressure and the decrease in humidity on an aircraft have not been shown to have a harmful effect on pregnancy either.

If the pregnancy is straightforward, flying is not harmful to the woman or her baby, the RCOG leaflet says.

Previously, the advice for women with multiple pregnancies was that the safest time to fly was before 34 weeks, but this has been changed to 32 weeks to tie in with International Air Transport Association recommendations.

After 37 weeks, a woman may go into labour at any time.

The leaflet gives advice on the side-effects of flying when pregnant.

These include swelling of the legs due to a build-up of fluid, nose and ear problems caused by changes in air pressure and motion sickness making any pregnancy nausea a little bit worse.

Long-haul flights of four hours or more can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis when a blood clot forms in the leg or pelvis, and pregnancy increases this risk even more.

The leaflet recommends that women wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes, take regular walks around the plane and do exercises in their seat every 30 minutes.

Cutting down on drinks containing alcohol or caffeine and wearing elastic compression stockings can also help.

In some circumstances, however, it is better to take the decision not to fly when pregnant.

For example, if a woman has an increased risk of going into labour before her due date, has severe anaemia, sickle cell disease, has recently had significant vaginal bleeding or has a serious heart or lung condition.

Philippa Marsden, chairwoman of the RCOG’s patient information committee, said the information was relevant for pregnant women travelling both short and long-haul.

Source: bbc/PUNCH

CBN introduces new policy on dormant accounts

The Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced new guidelines for the treatment and management of dormant account balances by deposit-taking financial institutions.

Part of the objectives of the policy, according to the CBN, is to ensure that dormant account funds are identified and channelled through appropriate institutions to make them more productive to the economy and eliminate the possibility of banks converting dormant account balances to income.

The bank, in a circular released signed by its Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kevin Amugo, on Tuesday, stated that the absence of clear guidelines for the management of dormant accounts had resulted in the disproportionate treatment of such account balances by deposit-taking financial institutions.

This, it noted, was generating concern among bank account holders, regulators and other stakeholders.

It said representations received by the CBN from stakeholders on the subject highlighted the need for the bank to develop a regulatory framework for the management of dormant accounts for the benefit of the banking system and the Nigerian economy.

The directive stated, “It is in view of the above and the imperative to promote transparency in the financial system that the CBN hereby issues these guidelines to provide a standard for the treatment and management of dormant account balances in Nigeria.

“The purpose of the policy is to curb possible abuse in the operation of dormant accounts, set operational standards for banks and other financial institutions in line with best practice, and to reinforce the property rights as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“A dormant account shall be a bank account that has no customer or depositor originated transaction within a specified period of six years after the last customer or depositor initiated a transaction. However, such an account shall be recognised as inactive after the first six months of non-depositor or customer originated transaction in it.”

The CBN also said, “Accounts shall retain their interest earning status during the period of dormancy in the bank. Deposit-taking financial institutions shall continue to monitor accounts that show tendencies of inactivity and where necessary, initiate actions for their activation or protection from wrong usage.

“Once dormant accounts exceed a six-year period, they shall be reported to the CBN along with efforts made by the obligor bank to locate the owners or their personal representatives.”

The CBN stated that three months to the end of the six years, both the account holder and the next-of-kin would be notified, adding that revalidation of inactive/dormant accounts would not attract any charge to the account holder as the banks would have made ample use of the idle funds.

It said, “Dormant account balances shall continue to be reflected in the books of banks as deposit liabilities until they are eventually withdrawn by the account holders or disposed of on their instructions. Dormant account balances shall, therefore, be regarded as deposits and shall be covered by deposit insurance.

“In the case of government-owned inactive/dormant accounts, banks shall notify the relevant government agency of their existence, with periodic returns of such notification sent to Banking Supervision Department. Banks are also required to turn over the funds to the concerned treasury after six years of inactivity.”

The bank said account opening forms would include the provision of next-of-kin, who would be contacted at the point of declaring the accounts dormant.

“The provisions of the guidelines shall take immediate effect. Sanctions for contravention of the provisions of the guidelines shall be imposed under Section 60 of the BOFIA (1991) as amended,” the CBN said. (Punch News)

Obasanjo’s exit from PDP: We’ll beg him, we are his children – Lamido

Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who tore his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card to shreds on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as an icon. He said Obasanjo by his action was only angry with his political children, insisting he remains the creation of institutions from the state to federal level, and his children can only apologise. He said even though the party has made some mistakes, abandoning the party was not the solution because the country is first before anything else. Lamido was answering questions from State House correspondents shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. On the exit of Obasanjo from PDP, the governor said: “Baba is more than a party man. He is an icon, a national symbol and a leader and an inventor, a creator of all the institutions today in Nigeria from the Presidency to the governor’s who are his own sons, are all his creations. “And so, when a father is angry with his own children, we will only say we are sorry to him. But then, we cannot be renounced for whatever it is. If you do any political DNA of our blood, you will find his blood in us. No matter what we are, we may not be able to live up to his expectations. “We might have made some mistakes, but abandoning us is not the solution because the country is first before anything else. So, he is our baba even up to the President. Baba is our baba no matter what. He is angry with us, but then, what do we do? He gave us the life at a time when Nigerians were fighting us, he stood for us.” Lamido noted that since 2007 and 2011, Obasanjo stood firm for PDP. The governor said “he is our father. And so, if we made some mistakes, we are only human because we are heading human institutions. And I think by the time he reflects, how could he abandon his own children like that. Wherever we are, we are right in his heart. He feels for us, he cares for us.” On whether they will go back to the former president for reconciliation, Lamido noted, “when there is some kind of misunderstanding between a father and child, you don’t go to NTA or any other media to say you are going to do this. I mean the bond between us is so strong. “I know he is equally pained. I know what he is going through because he is our father, but I will not tell you the strategy because when he was producing us, you were not there, when he was making us, were you there?” On claims by some PDP leaders that they would not miss Obasanjo, Lamido stressed that “but then, the first child is the President, did he say so?” Asked if he was worried by Obasanjo’s consistent criticisms of Jonathan, the governor said “what I am saying is that all of us are parents. When we were born, they pet us, gave us their love, gave us everything. By the time they get old, naturally, there is what they call role reversal. We become the parents and they become the children. So, what is wrong if our parents begin to manifest those signs of old age?” Reminded that the opposition is watching PDP’s crisis, Lamido replied: “What is this opposition partiy in Nigeria? You must know Nigerian history. Nigeria cannot be governed by an aggregate of pain, anger and frustration. And I have been saying those called opposition who are now abusing us, whatever might have been our crime, it was that crime that made them. “We created that for them to become either governors, in the legislature, we created room for them to emerge. So whatever they think is our evil, they
are the manifestations of the evil. Believe me, you don’t know Nigeria.” Asked if PDP can still win the election, he said, “I don’t doubt it because what is APC? An almagamation of pain, anger and desperation. And this country is too big for them.” On the lintel level theory in Jigawa, the governor said: “People can coin anything they like. If you go through the social media, what they paint is that APC has won in almost 99 per cent. In Nigeria? For what?” [Sunnews)

Video: Nigeria’s election will not hold in peace – Boko Haram leader Shekau

 Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau vowed to disrupt Nigeria’s general
election in a new video released Tuesday, after two suicide attacks in
the northeast blamed on the Islamists killed 38 people. “This election
will not be held even if we are dead. Even if we are not alive Allah
will never allow you to do it,” Shekau said in the Hausa language,
presumably referring to the polls scheduled for March 28. The video
appeared to be the first message released by the group on Twitter, a
sign of its changing media tactics after previous messages were
distributed to journalists on DVD. Shekau was shown in unusual clarity
in front of a solid blue background, dressed in black and with an
automatic weapon resting to his right. He also claimed a weekend attack
in the northeast Nigerian city of Gombe, which the military says was
repelled. The Islamist leader, declared a global terrorist by the United
States and sanctioned by the United Nations, disputed the military’s
account of the Gombe clashes, claiming that his fighters overran troops
and freed insurgents from prison.

Court fines T.B. Joshua N25,000 [Coroner’s inquest]

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has awarded a N25, 000 fine against the Founder, Synagogue Church Of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua, for “deliberately stalling hearing” in a suit he filed against a Lagos coroner, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe. Komolafe is the coroner probing the September 12, 2014 building collapse in the premises of SCOAN in Ikotun, Lagos. No fewer than 116 persons, mostly South Africans, died in the incident. Justice Lateefa Okunnu, while awarding the cost against Joshua on Tuesday, berated the prophet for “wasting the time of the court and tax payers’ money.” The judge expressed displeasure that the matter, which was filed in December last year, had been bogged down in several adjournments at the instance of Joshua. Okunnu’s order followed the announcement by Joshua’s lawyer, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), that his client had filed two fresh applications before the court in relation to the case. “We filed two processes yesterday. One is a motion and the other one is the applicant’s consolidated reply on points of law,” Fagbemi told the judge. Counsel for the Lagos State Government, Mr. Karmardeen Bakare, said he had just been served with the said processes on Tuesday morning in the court premises. The state counsel said it would be impossible for him to go on with the case in the circumstance as he needed time to look at the fresh applications and reply appropriately. He therefore urged the court for an adjournment. Okunnu said it was clear that the day’s proceeding had been hampered by Joshua’s fresh applications. The judge said the fine must be paid before the next adjourned date and that Joshua must file an affidavit of compliance as evidence. The prophet had approached Okunnu, asking for a judicial review of the coroner’s inquest into the building collapse in his church. The coroner’s inquest, which commenced on October 13, last year had the mandate to determine the cause of death of the victims. But Joshua, in his application before Okunnu, asked the judge to determine whether the witness summons served on him to appear personally before the coroner was not a breach of his right to fair hearing. He had also argued, through Fagbemi, that the coroner had been extending the inquest into areas outside his jurisdiction. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/02/court-fines-tb-joshua-n25000-coroner-inquest.html#sthash.0E86nR5B.dpuf

Nigeria Police threaten strike over unpaid salaries

Over 15,000 police officers have threatened to either go on strike or disrupt the March 28 and April 11 general elections. They were made up of officers who were promoted from the rank of sergeant to the rank of inspector and those promoted from the rank of inspector to the rank of assistant superintendent of police in December 2013. The policemen, according to seven of them who met with a Punch correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, said that they were promoted since December 2013, but that the police authorities had refused to pay them their new salaries. They said that after waiting for the police authorities for over a year, they were surprised that they were paid their new salaries with the January 2015 salaries, wondering why the money meant for the 13 month was not included. One of them said, “We were promoted in December 2013 and the letters which were given to us indicated that we were to enjoy the benefits accruing to our new rank from the date of our promotion. “We waited to be paid throughout last year, which was 2014. They didn’t pay us, saying that the money was not yet released. “In January this year, they paid us the new salary that was commensurate with our new ranks. But they have refused to pay the areas for the 13 month.” Another officer, who is an ASP, said, “We know that there is corruption in the Force, but how can someone sit on our 13th month salaries and would expect us to keep quiet? “Elections are coming. They said we should be neutral. How can we be neutral when we are being shortchanged by our bosses and the country? “We want to be paid or else there would be crisis during the elections. This is the time for us to shout so that Nigerians would know what we are passing through.” When contacted by one of our correspondents, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, said though he had not been briefed about the issue, he nevertheless promised that their grievances would be looked into and addressed. “I have not heard of the report, but we will look into their grievances and address them,” he said

Open Heavens 18 February 2015: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Worthy Service

Topic: Worthy Service [Wednesday February 18, 2015] 

Memorise: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. - Romans 12:1 

Read: (1 Samuel 15:22-23 KJV) 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 

Bible in one year: Lamentations 3-5, and Acts 28:11-31 

MESSAGE: Service is work done for the benefit of other people or as a form of worship of God. Service characterised the essence of the ministry of Jesus and it is at the core of discipleship. Service means to work, to labour or to minister. According to our memory verse for today, service must meet certain conditions in order to be considered worthy and acceptable to God. First of all, mere correct religions observance is inadequate; rather, a wholehearted commitment to God in total submission and obedience is required. It is in this regard that Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God requires of thee, but to fear the LORD they God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” Furthermore, Amos 5:22-24 tells us that except service is rendered in holiness and righteousness, our persons, prayers, expensive offerings, noise of songs and the melody of musical instruments would mean nothing of God. Secondly, total compliance with instructions in the word of God is required in service. In the case of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, because of his half or partial obedience, God labelled him with rebellion and witchcraft. It was recorded against him that he rejected the word of the Lord, and he was punished for it. May you never incur the wrath of God in Jesus’ Name. The Almighty God will find your service worthy and acceptable in His sight in Jesus’ Name. Service to God must come from a willing heart, with gladness, reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28). The Lord is the Alpha and Omega, the Bishop of our soul, our Maker, Saviour, and Redeemer. We owe Him our lives. There is nothing we can offer in service to God that will be too much. Service to God is highly rewarding; offer Him quality service today. “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” - Psalm 100:2-3 

Prayer Point: Father, help me to identify and take care of a need in your kingdom in Jesus’ Name.