Home Blog Page 2652

FIGURES: Buhari’s State House is more expensive than Jonathan’s

Chikezie OMEJE
-
1
FIGURES: Buhari’s State House is more expensive than Jonathan’s

Additional reports by Damilola Ojetunde and Victoria Nwaziri


For three consecutive years, President Muhammadu Buhari has presented budgets that are more reckless and ridiculous than his predecessor’s.

Buhari did not only adopt the budget template of Goodluck Jonathan, whom his administration has consistently accused of financial profligacy, he has presented more outrageous budgets than the defeated PDP leader did while at the helm.

The most inexplicable item in the 2018 budget is the reappearance of N5.4 billion for repair and rehabilitation of office buildings at the State House headquarters, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In 2016, Buhari earmarked N4.5 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of residential and office buildings, while in 2017, N5.6 billion was budgeted for repair of residential houses in the Presidential Villa.

In three years of budgeting, Buhari has earmarked over N15 billion to repair and rehabilitate buildings in the State House.

This outrageous expenditure on repairs of buildings is unbelievably coming from Buhari, who had just five houses and two mud houses in Kaduna, Kano, Daura, and Abuja before he became President in 2015.

In contrast, Jonathan earmarked N2.1 billion in 2014 for repair of both residential and office buildings, and N1.1  billion in 2015 for all repairs and rehabilitation at the State House.

Buhari’s first budget for 2016 attracted public outcry but he blamed the inflated figures on “budget padding” by unnamed civil servants. However, the 2017 and 2018 budgets are not better than the “padded” 2016 budget.

Buhari’s State House is more expensive than the Jonathan’s. The 2017 budget for State House headquarters was N11 billion, lower than N11.5 billion in 2016 but N11.5 billion again for 2018. The same budget under Jonathan in 2015 was only N5 billion and N8.7 billion in 2014.

Comparing Buhari and Jonathan’s budgets in figures may not be realistic because of naira devaluation. However, Buhari has nearly doubled the figures on all the budgetary items in the State House and made provision for suspicious items.

Buhari has earmarked N66 million to the ever-changing residential rent in the Presidential Villa. In 2017, the rent was N77 million and only N27 million in 2016. The same residential rent in the last two years of Jonathan’s presidency was N22 million in 2015 and N41 million in 2014. It seems there is nothing as fluctuating and elusive as this annual rent paid to the Presidential Villa landlord or probably a landlady.

The 2018 budget is as disappointing as the two previous budgets under the leadership of Buhari who came to power riding on a reputation of integrity based on years of living an austere and “Spartan” lifestyle. His lifestyle contrasted sharply with many of his contemporaries who occupied public offices and relished ostentatious living.

Buhari was known for his simplicity of taste, clothing and living standard, spawning the notion of Buhari as a more financially prudent and disciplined political leader who would bring positive change into public finance.

But it appears that times may have changed, as the President’s austere lifestyle has given way to opulence and ostentatious living.

Buhari, who obviously enjoys travelling, has earmarked over N1 billion for local and international travels in 2018. That is a presidential privilege because he did not even have N27 million to buy his party’s nomination form for the presidential contest in 2014, which he said he borrowed from his bank.

In 2016, nearly N1 billion was budgeted for vehicles at the State House but Buhari is again earmarking almost N1 billion for the purchase of motor vehicles in 2018.

Since Buhari moved to the Presidential Villa, the cost of services have been rising at an alarming level. Although electricity charges have reduced from N319 million in 2017 to N274 million in 2018, it was only N45 million in 2016. Jonathan budgeted N36 million for electricity in 2016 and N68 million in 2014.

Water rates have also risen from N18 million in 2016 to N76 in 2017, but have slightly come down to N65 million for 2018. The same water rates were N15 million in 2015 and N28 million in 2016.

Following wide criticism, sewerage charges have reduced from N52 million in 2017 to N45 million for 2018. The same service was N6 million in 2016, N4 million in 2015 and N9 million in 2014.

Upon assumption of power, Buhari made a grand gesture by announcing N50 percent cut in his salary. But this gesture is insignificant when he has earmarked N164 million for his honorarium and sitting allowance in 2018.

Come rain, come shine, Kano belongs to Buhari, says Kwankwaso’s brother

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Come rain, come shine, Kano belongs to Buhari, says Kwankwaso’s brother

Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, younger brother of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, immediate past Governor of Kano State, says his brother should forget his presidential ambition in 2019, as he is no match for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The younger Kwankwaso, who is also the Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said his elder brother, now a serving senator, has nothing to show for the two years he has spent so far in the National Assembly.

He lambasted Kwankwaso for shunning Buhari during his recent visit to the state, instead fixing his own visit for Saturday, December 30.

“Out of the three Kano senators, only Kwankwaso deliberately shunned Buhari’s visit,” Ilyasu said.

“Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano North and his colleague of Kano South, Kabiru Gaya did not only attend the gathering, they played their roles in ensuring the successful hosting of the President.

“We want to remind him (Kwankwaso) of how Buhari defeated him in APC primary in Lagos; even Kano delegates who were his, then, voted for Buhari. Nothing has changed since then.

“Kwankwaso’s outing can never match that of Buhari because come sun, come rain, Kano remains that of Buhari.”

Ilyasu advised Kwankwaso to not only shelve his 2019 ambition, but to rather beg Umar Ganduje, the Kano State Governor, if he wants to retain his senatorial seat come.

“Vibrant people are eyeing Kano central senatorial seat because of Kwankwaso’s abysmal performance at the Upper Chamber,” Ilyasu said.

“How many times has he spoken on the floor of the Senate? How many bills has he sponsored since 2015 when the Senate was inaugurated? And how many projects has he attracted to Kano from federal level? The answer is zero.”

7.9m Nigerians lost their jobs from 2015 till date, says NBS

YEKEEN Akinwale
-
0
7.9m Nigerians lost their jobs from 2015 till date, says NBS

 

Between January 2016 and September 30, 2017, a total of 7.956 million Nigerians lost their jobs, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.

“The unemployment rate increased from 14.2 per cent in Q4 2016 to 16.2 per cent in Q2 2017 and 18.8 per cent in Q3 2017,” NBS said in an unemployment report survey for the third quarter of 2017 released on Friday.

“Total unemployment and underemployment combined increased from 37.2 per cent in the previous quarter to 40 per cent in Q3 2017.

The figure is more than the 8,036 million in stood in 2015 Q4.

The NBS report stated that the number of Nigerians that became unemployed rose from 8,036 million in 2015 fourth quarter to 15.998 million in third quarter of 2017.

It also revealed that between the second quarter and third quarter of 2017, the number of economically active or working age population (15 – 64 years of age) increased from 110.3 million to 111.1 million.

The number of people within the labour force who are unemployed or underemployed increased from 13.6 million and 17.7 million respectively in Q2 2017, to 15.9 million and 18.0 million in Q3 2017.

“The labour force population increased from 83.9 million in Q2 2017 to 85.1 million in Q3 2017. The total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) declined from 52.7 million in Q2 2017 to 51.1 million in Q3 2017.”

NBS blamed the increasing unemployment and underemployment rates on Nigeria’s fragile economy despite the exit from recession.

The report explained that domestic labour market is still fragile and economic growths in the past two quarters in 2017 have not been strong enough to provide employment in Nigeria’s domestic labour market.

“An economic recession is consistent with an increase in unemployment as jobs are lost and new jobs creation is stalled,” the report said.

“A return to economic growth provides an impetus to employment. However, employment growth may lag, and unemployment rates worsen especially at the end of a recession and for many months after.”

During the third quarter of 2017, 21.2 percent of women within the labour force (aged 15-64 and willing, able, and actively seeking work) were unemployed, compared to 16.5 percent of men within the same period.

The report also noted that underemployment was predominant in the rural areas as 26.9 percent of rural residents within the labour force were underemployed, compared to 9 percent of urban residents within the same period.

Minister in the spotlight for sending out church invite with official letterhead

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Minister in the spotlight for sending out church invite with official letterhead

Martin Obono, a Nigerian Facebook user, has blasted Usani Uguru, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for using his official letterhead to invite Nigerians to a service in his church.

Obono noted that Uguru’s action is quite insensitive, especially given the ongoing hardship of citizens as a result of the crippling fuel scarcity.

Uguru, who, according to Wikipedia, is also a pastor, wrote the letter of invitation using the letterhead of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, not his personal letter head or that of his church.

The letter, which has already gone viral on the social media, has elicited strong-worded criticisms by Nigerians, many describing the situation as unfortunate.

“I just saw a post from you, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, representing Cross River State at the Federal Executive Council, inviting people to a religious programme on the letterhead of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Obono wrote on Saturday.

“This madness has got to STOP! Nigeria is not a religious State. It does appear that we use religion to cover incompetence in this country.

“To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Minister, you have not engaged young people in one single job creation empowerment programme for the teeming population of unemployed youth in your immediate constituency, Yakurr local government, talk less of the rest of the state.

“You have never done a letter like this inviting people to a town hall meeting or skill acquisition training. Despite being aware of the level of hunger and poverty in the state, you are telling people to come and worship God.

“Is that what the Bible teaches you? Haven’t you read what the Bible says in James 2: 15-16? Or you pick and choose to obey the scriptures that suits your clandestine and impious agenda?

“My advise to you Mr. Minister, is that, you design a letterhead in your name for purposes like this. The letterhead of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was printed with tax payers money.

“There are Muslims, Traditional worshippers, atheists among those tax payers and even Buddhists. How do you think they will feel when they see these?

On a final note, Mr. Minister, please be reminded that you are a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Minister of Christian worshippers alone.”

We’ve ushered in an era of responsibility and accountability, says Buhari

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
We’ve ushered in an era of responsibility and accountability, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is correcting the many wrongs of the past that crippled the economy, and has ushered in an era of responsibility and accountability.

The President also said it is a wonder how Nigeria survived the monumental corruption that he met when he took over office in 2015.

Buhari said it was only by “an act of God” that the country did not go under.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari made the comments when a group of supporters, under the aegis of Governance Support Group, paid him a solidarity visit at the Presidential Villa on Friday.

“Some of the things I saw here were unbelievable. I still shudder and wonder how a country can survive under such abuses. It is only by an act of God that we survived,” Adesina quoted Buhari as saying.

However, Buhari noted that his administration “had ushered in a new era of accountability and responsibility by auditing and correcting the many wrongs of the past that crippled the economy”.

He thanked the delegation and all who believed in him and vigorously supported him during the 2015 presidential campaign.

“I can never forget your sacrifices and I am grateful for all. You never gave up when things were bleak, and we needed to survive. I can’t express my gratitude enough,” he said.

“In spite of the environment you found yourselves [in], you kept believing and pushing. Some of you were really exposed to risks. My consolation is that you voluntarily threw in your lot with me.

“Some of you exposed yourself so much, and I knew it. I urge you to still stick to your principled ways of doing things and our country will be the better for it.

“I want you to maintain your steadfastness. We have gone through the worst of the times. We lost elections three times and I learnt a lot along the way.”

In his response, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, leader of the delegation, praised Buhari for his “bold initiatives in restoring security, tackling corruption, and setting the economy on a more predictable path”.

Nick Vujicic, limbless motivational speaker, fathers identical twins

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Nick Vujicic, limbless motivational speaker, fathers identical twins

Nick Vujicic, an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker, and his wife Kanae, have become proud parents of identical female twins.

Vujicic, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs, made the announcement through his verified Facebook account.

According to the post, his wife put to bed on Wednesday, and both mother and babies are in good health.

“Our Identical Double Blessing from Our Gracious and Almighty God! Born Dec 20th – Olivia Mei Vujicic (red bow, 5lbs2oz @ 7:54am) and Ellie Laurel Vujicic (yellow bow, 5lbs14oz @ 7:56am) !!! Mommy (Kanae Vujicic) and Girls doing wonderful,” Vujicic wrote.

“Thank you all for your love and prayers! Babies Olivia and Ellie were born on Mommy’s Birthday, 5 pounds 2 oz and 5 pounds 14 oz. Mommy is well and so are the girls. Thank You God!” he had written in an earlier post.

Vujicic got married to his wife, Kanae, in February 2012. They have four children, including the newly born twins.

Ojo, media rights activist, wants African leaders to fight oppressors of journalists

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Ojo, media rights activist, wants African leaders to fight oppressors of journalists

Edetaen Ojo, Chairman of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), says leaders of African countries must show greater commitment to the fight against violence and impunity on journalists.

Ojo made this known during a one-day stakeholders’ dialogue on Journalists’ Safety held in Juba, South Sudan, as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI).

Ojo, who is also the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), a Nigerian-based non-governmental organization, expressed sadness that journalists in Africa continue to face numerous challenges, sometimes life-threatening, in the course of carrying out their responsibilities.

“As we all know, the media community is under relentless attack. Not just in South Sudan or in Africa, but globally,” said Ojo, who was represented at the event by Felicia Anthonio, Coordinator of the AFEX network.

“Such attacks include killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention, expulsions, intimidation, harassment, threats and other forms of violence.

“These issues remain a central part of international discussions due to the unending crimes and impunities against journalists.”

Although Ojo was expressed delight that the ugly situation is being tackled by the international community, he noted that leaders of African countries ought to be in the lead of such measures.

Therefore, he urged African States to abide by the terms of the several resolutions they are signatories to, especially those that require them “to ensure that measures to combat terrorism and preserve national security or public order are in compliance with their obligations under international law and do not arbitrarily or unduly hinder the work and safety of journalists, including through arbitrary arrest or detention or the threat thereof”.

“These are some of the responsibilities which South Sudan and other countries on the African continent and, indeed, around the world now have with respect to ensuring the safety of journalists and combating the problem of impunity in this regard,” he said.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is a continental network of some prominent freedom of expression and media rights organisations in Africa.

The network is currently made up of 12 organisations spread across West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Customs generates over N1trn in 2017 — the highest in 126 years

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Customs generates over N1trn in 2017 — the highest in 126 years

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has generated more than N1 trillion in 2017, the highest amount ever since its coming into being in 1891, for revenue collection and accounting, and curtailing anti-smuggling activities.

Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of the Customs, made this known at a media briefing in Abuja.

According to Attah, the sum is N241.68 billion higher than the N770.57 billion target the NCS set for itself for 2017, adding that the feat was achieved with about five working days remaining before the end of the year.

The NC generated a total amount of N898.67 billion in 2016 .

“With dogged implementation of the presidential mandate to restructure, reform and raise revenue, Nigeria Customs Service has recorded the highest revenue collection ever of N1,012,259,006,779.94 with five more working days to the end of 2017,” Attah said.

“It is imperative to state that the service would have performed better if not for the paucity of funds.

“Despite this difficult situation, NCS strives to deliver, sometimes even at the risk of sustaining serious injuries and even death.”

Attah added that “in the process of enforcing the laws, six officers fell in the line of duty this year”.

He described the performance of the NCS in terms of revenue generation as remarkable, given the economic recession witnessed in the country and the low volume of imports due to some import restrictions.

Attah also said that illegally-imported goods worth over N11 billion were seized by the Service, including 2,671 pump action rifles, dangerous drugs, rice and vehicles among others.

He reserved special praise for Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of Customs, “whose leadership qualities made the record possible”.

Okorocha urges workers to report salary delays to ministry of happiness

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
Okorocha urges workers to report salary delays to ministry of happiness

Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, says civil servants who are yet to receive their payments for November and December should direct their complaints to the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment.

This was contained in a statement issued by Nnamdi Obiaraeri, the State Commissioner for Information, who further added that the move was a demonstration of Okorocha’s resolve to ensure that workers in the state have a stress-free Christmas celebration.

“This is to announce that the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has approved the immediate payment of the November and December 2017 salaries of Imo workers,” the statement read.

“This is to enable our esteemed Imo workers to celebrate seamless Christmas. Payments have duly commenced.

“Any worker encountering any difficulties with the approved payments should not hesitate to contact the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment for immediate intervention.”

The newly-created ministry of happiness and purpose fulfillment in Imo State, headed by Ogechi Ololo, Okorocha’s biological sister, has generated heated controversy among Nigerians, as many believe the ministry is not necessary.

El-Rufai: Atiku can’t win APC presidential ticket even if Buhari does not run

Kingsley OBIEJESI
-
0
El-Rufai: Atiku can’t win APC presidential ticket even if Buhari does not run

Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, says Abubakar Atiku could not have won the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) even if President Muhammadu Buhari was not seeking re-election.

El-Rufai made these comments on Thursday during an interview on Voice of America (VOA) Hausa station.

He said that Atiku came third during the 2015 APC presidential primary election, behind Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State, and as such, even if Buhari was not in the race, he would still have lost out on the ticket.

El-Rufai further said that Atiku’s claims that he funded the Buhari presidential campaign in 2015 was false, as he (el-Rufai) was part of the leadership of the campaign organisation and knows who brought what.

“Atiku had seen that we in the APC, especially the APC governors, had made up our mind to support President Muhammadu Buhari to run again in 2019. That is why he left APC since he was only looking for where to contest for president,” el-Rufai said.

“Even in the 2015 APC primary election, Atiku didn’t come second; he was floored by Kwankwaso. So, even if President Buhari decides not to contest, Atiku knows that the APC ticket is not sure for him.

“Majority of the APC governors have endorsed President Buhari as our candidate for 2019, and God has continued to improve the health condition of the President. Each time I see him, I thank God and I still pray that God continues to give him sound health.

“So, by 2019, we are waiting to see Atiku contest; we are waiting to contest against him and see what happens. I cannot lose sleep because Atiku wants to contest because, by God’s grace, this is the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

El-Rufai also said he never heard Atiku’s name as having donated “a dime” to Buhari’s election campaign in 2015.

“It is agreed that in politics if you lose even only one person, it should worry you, but the utterances of the former Vice President that APC used his money… who did he give the money to?” el-Rufai queried.

“For me, I know those that supported us with their money and property that we used during election, and I never heard the name of Atiku that he brought a dime. If Atiku said he brought money, who did he give it to? Let him come and say it and how much did he give and what was it used for?

“And, in fact, if Atiku brought money, I ought to know, because I was part of the leadership of the party and during campaign, along with former Governor Rotimi Amaechi. We were at the centre of the presidential campaign. Therefore, we are supposed to know. So, let him mention whom he gave the money and how much?”

El-Rufai agreed that some “greedy people” could follow Atiku, “but if people will consider how we can work for the progress of our country, everybody knows that you cannot compare Atiku with President Muhammadu Buhari”.

1...2,6512,6522,653...3,441Page 2,652 of 3,441