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Amaechi Lied! Nigeria Was Not In Recession Under Jonathan

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Amaechi Lied! Nigeria Was Not In Recession Under Jonathan
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of transportation and former governor of Rivers state, gave false information when he reportedly said that Nigeria was under recession during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Amaechi reportedly made the comments while granting an interview on a Television Programme, ‘The Osasu Show’ alleging that the then Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okoknjo-Iweala, had begged him, as the then chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, not to reveal that Nigeria was in recession.

“If you remember as governor, I said we’re broke. The minister for finance (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) came to my office in Abuja here and pleaded with me that I shouldn’t say it again,”

“So I knew as chairman of governors’ forum, that we had gone into recession under Goodluck (Jonathan),” Amaechi was quoted as saying in the interview.

The controversial Minister, in the same interview, also said Nigeria was generating 7,000MW of electricity under President Muhammadu Buhari, before the resurgence of militant activities in the Niger Delta.

He blamed the militants – Niger Delta Avengers – for poor power generation in Africa’s largest economy.

“Don’t forget that until these so-called Avengers began to bomb, we had got to 7,000 megawatts, and what he promised was ten at the end of the first term,” Amaechi had said.

“By the time the avengers, or whatever they call them started bombing, the minister of power, had driven the thing to 7,000 megawatts. Unfortunately, they began to hit the gas facilities, so what would you do?”

But in a Fact Check conducted by THE CABLE, it was gathered that the claims were false.

According to the report, “The International Monetary Fund (IMF), CNNMoney, New York Times and leading economic bodies agree that a recession can be easily identified by “two consecutive quarters of decline in a country’s real (inflation adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP)”.

They, however, add that on a global scale, one may need more than this metric to call a recession. IMF particularly says “it is often better to consider a wider set of measures of economic activity to determine whether a country is indeed suffering a recession”.

“According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a private research organisation, which maintains a chronology of the beginning and ending dates of US recessions, recession cannot be covered up.”

The NBER’s Business Cycle Dating Committee defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in production, employment, real income, and other indicators”.

But Amaechi claimed that Okonjo-Iweala had “begged him” not to disclose to Nigerians that the country has gone into recession.

The report added: “Goodluck Jonathan became Nigerian president on May 5, 2010 and relinquished power by May 29, 2015.

“Central Bank of Nigeria data shows that there was never a single quarter of negative GDP growth from 2010 to 2015, and no “two consecutive quarters of decline (negative growth) in a country’s real (inflation adjusted) gross domestic product (GDP)”.

“According to World Bank and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) opendata project, Nigeria experience annual economic growth ranging from 7.8 percent in 2010 to 2.7 percent in 2015,” it said.

On the issue of electricity generation, the FACT is that Nigeria, in its 55-year history, has never generated 7,000MW

The Cable’s report said: “According to Wall Street Journal, which quoted the World Bank and Energy Information Administration, Nigeria produces less than half as much electricity as North Dakota for 249 times more people.

“Meanwhile, the federal ministry of power, has said the highest level of power generation in the country, in the space of over half a century, was recorded on February 2, 2016, when the country generated 5,074 MW” and “this 1,926 MW short of Amaechi’s claim.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, speaking at an event at the University of Ibadan May said: “Nigeria, for the first time, was actually generating 5,000megawatts, which was the first time it will happen in the history of the country,” Osinbajo added.

The Cable added that as at July 26, when Amaechi made this claim, data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission, NERC, showed that power generation peaked at 3,082 MW for the week.

Court Grants Fayose’s Aide N500 Million Bail

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Court Grants Fayose’s Aide N500 Million Bail

FAYOSE-IN-COURT.FEDERAL-HIGH-COURT

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted bail to Abiodun Agbele, an ally of Governor  Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, in the sum of N500 million for alleged money laundering.

The judge also ordered the applicant to produce two sureties in the sum of N250 million each, who must own properties within the FCT or in the Ikeja or Victoria Island areas of Lagos State.

He said that the sureties could be private businessmen, professionals or civil servants, adding that if in the civil service, he must not be less than the rank of a director.

Dimgba, while granting the accused bail, said that the prosecution could not substantiate its claim that the defendant would jump bail.

“Taking a holistic appraisal of all the materials before me, I am not convinced that the prosecution has provided sufficient evidence as to stop the court from exercising its jurisdiction to grant bail.

“I hold, therefore, that I am inclined to admit the defendant to bail and I so admit him,” Dimgba declared.

The judge held that Agbele would forfeit the N500 million to the Federal Government if he jumps bail, while ordering the defendant to deposit his international passports with the registrar of the court and must not travel abroad without the permission of the court.

He further said that the trial shall be accorded accelerated hearing and the defendant would remain in prison custody until he perfected his bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till October 26 and 27 for hearing.

Agbele was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering, to which he pleaded not guilty.

He and four others – still at large – are standing trial for conspiring among themselves to commit an illegal act to launder N4.6 billion transferred from the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

The others charged with Agbele were Musliu Obanikoro, Lt. A. O Adewale, Tunde Oshinowo, Olalekan Ogunseye, and Sylvan Mcnamara Limited.

Appeal Court Upholds Bello’s Election As Kogi Governor 

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Appeal Court Upholds Bello’s Election As Kogi Governor 
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello

The Court of Appeal has upheld the election of Yahaya Bello as the validly elected governor of Kogi State.

Governor Bello’s electoral victory is being challenged by James Faleke, a sitting house of representatives member and former running mate to Audu Abubakar.

Audu Abubakar was the initial governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC in the election that held in November 2015, and was already coasting to victory before he died suddenly with the elections yet to be concluded.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC then asked the APC to nominate a replacement for the deceased and Bello, who had come second in the APC governorship primary, was nominated but Faleke refused to be his deputy, insisting that he should be the Governorship candidate.

He challenged the emergence of Bello as governor and asked the tribunal to declare him, Faleke, governor.

But on June 6, the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, dismissed Faleke’s petition, saying the lawmaker was unable to prove his case.

It also held that all votes cast belong to political parties, “it is the political party, through the instrumentality of its candidate that runs for election”, adding that Faleke lacked the locus standi to challenge the election results since he was never a deputy governor-elect.

Faleke appealed the tribunal’s judgement and the appeal has now been thrown out.

 

Kano Estates Built With N4.1 Billion Pension Fund Rot Away

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Kano Estates Built With N4.1 Billion Pension Fund Rot Away
Houses in Amana City
Houses in Amana City

By Tajudeen Suleiman

Over 200 units of luxury duplexes and 2-4-bedroom flats constructed by the Kano State government under Rabiu Kwankwaso, now a senator, may become abandoned properties unless the new administration in the state is able to find corporate buyers for them.

The houses are in three residential estates named Kwankwasiya City, Amana City and Bandirawo City located on the outskirts of Kano metropolis and were constructed between 2012 and 2014.

Investigations by www.icirnigeria.org indicate that former Governor Kwankwaso committed N4.1 billion from the state’s pension fund into the project, which was designed to provide decent housing and further open up the ancient city.

Houses in Bandirawa City
Houses in Bandirawa City

The houses were to be sold to civil servants and other residents interested in owning their own homes. However, the problem is the cost of the houses. The two-bedroom flats go for N15million while the four-bedroom duplexes have been put on sale for between N30 million and N35 million.

Since 2014 when the estates were completed, the state has failed to get buyers for the house and there is growing concern that the N4.1 billion pension fund committed to the projects may have been wasted.

Government officials who spoke to this news website said those who had shown interest in buying the properties complain that the prices are too high by Kano standards, and wondered why the state government would embark on such a project without considering the capacity of end users.

“In Kano, no one will put N30 million down to buy a four-bedroom flat when half of that money can build a decent four-bedroom in the city,” said Umaru Lado, a staff of the state Ministry of Education.

When the reporter visited the estates last week, there was no one living in any of the flats or duplexes and the roofs of some of the buildings were caving in. The paints were falling off on some of the walls.

Kwankwasiya

Kwankwasiya City
Houses in Kwankwasiya City

Kwankwasiya City, which has not less than 20 four-bedroom duplexes, was constructed by Birsa Engineering International Limited, a Minna based construction company. The estate has underground electrification. The duplexes go for N35 million each. But all the houses are unoccupied and overgrown grasses were noticeable right from the entrance of the estate.

Isa Yunusa, an estate manager, told www.icirnigeria.org that it would be difficult for the state to get buyers for the properties at the prices they are being offered for sale.

He said: “You know, Kano is not like before. Business has slowed down considerably in the city due largely to the religious crisis that has plagued the state and the activities of Boko Haram insurgents. Many people, especially non-indigenes who could have been attracted to buy the houses, fled Kano because of these problems.”

He said unless the government was willing to sell the houses “at give-away prices” it may not get buyers.

Auduwa Maitangaran, chairman of Indigenous contractors in the state, disclosed that that Kwankwaso administration owed the group’s members over N200 billion for work done. He led his members on a visit to Governor Abdulahi Ganduje in October, 2015 to seek the his assistance in paying the debt.

Asked whether the government was thinking of bringing down the prices of the houses to make them affordable, Mohammed Garba, commissioner for Information, said bringing down the prices would amount to wastage as government would not be able to recoup its investments.

“As you know, the government spent N4.1 billion pension fund on these estates and if we have to pay back the pension board. If we slash the price too much, we ‘ll be losing a lot of money. That is our dilemma now. But we are seriously looking for buyers and we have been talking to organisations and individuals who may be willing to buy. It is a serious problem for us because the houses are not affordable and we need the money,” the commissioner stated.

Critics of Kwankwaso have criticised him for embarking on the construction of luxury estates when he knew that only very few could have the means to purchase them.

Army, Police Clash In Yobe

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Army, Police Clash In Yobe
File
File

The Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police were on Wednesday engaged in a gun battle in Geidam local government area of Yobe State.

Channels Television reports that residents of Geidam town said “sporadic and prolonged gun duel between the two Nigeria forces caused “pandemonium” in the town.

Witnesses said soldiers and policemen engaged themselves in a serious gun battle as sounds of both small and heavy weapons were heard across town with much concentration around the Mai Idris Aloma Polytechnic, which is situated between the military base and the Geidam Police station.

George Okupe, spokesman of the 27th Task Force Brigade in Yobe State, and the State Police Public Relations Officer, Samaila Solomon, both confirmed the clash saying it was as a result of little misunderstanding between both parties.

The officers would not give further details on the misunderstanding but only said the situation has been brought under control.

On the level of casualties and destruction as a result of the gun duel, they said it was too early to assess the extent of damage but details will be given as they unfold.

The clash between security forces is the first since the commencement of the Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State.

But there had been incidents of clashes between Army and Police personnel in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The latest of such clashes occurred on June 23 as a quarrel over the sharing of food items for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, at the Government House in Maiduguri led to a shootout that resulted in a policeman being shot in the leg.

Nigerian Troops Nab Boko Haram Kingpin

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Nigerian Troops Nab Boko Haram Kingpin
One of the arrested terrorists
One of the arrested terrorists

The Nigerian troops currently engaged in clearance operations in the North east, known as Operation LAFIYA DOLE, with the assistance of Vigilante groups on routine checks, have arrested a high profile suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Mohammed.

He was arrested in Zauro at Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State,

Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said preliminary investigation shows that the suspected terrorist kingpin was was trying to flee to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, from Sambisa Forest when he was arrested.

“The troops recovered a Gionee brand of mobile telephone handset and a fake SAIE/JIBWIS identification card to perfect his escape and the sum of N7,900.00k,” Sani said.

He added that soldiers “also intercepted another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Lawal Aboi, along Damboa-Bale road”, who was on his way to voluntarily surrender to the troops in Damboa because he was tired of fighting for no just cause.

The army spokesman said that both suspects are undergoing further interrogation.

FG Promises To Deliver Badagry Port By 2021

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FG Promises To Deliver Badagry Port By 2021

FEC-Meeting-4

The federal government has said that it hopes to conclude the Badagry deep seaport by 2021.

Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this while addressing the media alongside two other ministers at the state house after the weekly Federal Executive Council Meeting.

Mohammed said the $2.56 billion project would be funded by public-private sector partnership.

Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, also said the project remains in line with the administration’s macroeconomic policies to fund its infrastructure.

He said, “There is transparency and accountability on the private side of the economy than we have on the public side of our economic life,

“As for the Badagry port, well, it is a port that is long overdue… Our ports, in terms of technology, are behind maritime transport industry; there are bigger vessels being built across the world and they require larger depths in other to berth.

“Some of our competitors on the continent like Djibouti are building bigger ports, so if we don’t build this port, we risk becoming noncompetitive and we risk a threat to our maritime, in the sense that they become a port of trans-shipment instead of original destination.

“That is the business and economic basis for the development of this port,” Fashola said.

He added that the fact that all of the financing for the project will come from the private sector “is consistent with what this government stands for in terms of allowing private capital… for the development of our people.”

Fashola said that the project was delayed due to the past administration’s inability to grant approval for the project.

Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, corroborated Fashola, saying that the money needed for the project would not be contributed by either the federal government or the Lagos state government.

Gowon Supports Calls For Restructuring Nigeria

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Gowon Supports Calls For Restructuring Nigeria
Yakubu Gowon
Yakubu Gowon

Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has thrown his weight behind calls for the restructuring of the country, saying there is nothing wrong with the idea provided it was done within the context of one Nigeria.

He made this known when Shehu Sani, a serving Senator from Kaduna State, paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

“We can restructure within one Nigeria context. I did it in 1967; we created states to stop eastern Nigeria from seceding,” Gowon said.

He added that “We had to do something to ensure the fear of their seceding did not exist; a serious issue of a part of the country wanting to breakaway when we already lost a part to Cameroon.

“If we had allowed the eastern region to go away, the map of Nigeria would have looked funny; it would have been tilted one way.

“So, we decided overnight to break the fear through the creation of states. If we had to save the country that was the only way to do it.

“We also ensured that no state was too big or too small to threaten the unity of the country,’’ the former head of state said.

Gowon maintained that the call for true federalism in the country was not a bad idea as well.

“What is true federalism? As long as it means respect for oneness of our country, it is alright, but if it means to breakaway, it is not my way of thinking’’, he said.

It would be recalled that it was during Gowon’s tenure as head of state that the country was divided into 12 states namely: North-Western, North-Eastern, Kano, North-Central, Benue-Plateau, Kwara, Western, Lagos, Mid-Western, Rivers (a South-Eastern state), and East-Central states.

National Assembly Gets New Clerk

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National Assembly Gets New Clerk
National Assembly Complex
National Assembly Complex

The National Assembly Service Commission has appointed Ataba Sani-Omolori as the new Clerk of the National Assembly.

The decision was taken at the commission’s 443rd meeting and the new Clerk’s appointment takes effect from August 15, 2016.

Sani-Omolori has been in acting capacity for a while and he takes over from Salisu Maikasuwa who has been on terminal leave since May.

Before his appointment, Sani- Omolori was a former Clerk of the House of Representatives.

You will recall that Salisu Maikusuwa was charged alongside Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and former clerk of the 7th House of Representatives, Benedict Efeturi in the allegation of forgery of the Senate Standing Rule, which was used in the election of principal officers in the senate.

The case was adjourned till September 28 for continuation of hearing.

 

Goodluck Jonathan Visits Buhari, Makes Case For One Nigeria

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Goodluck Jonathan Visits Buhari, Makes Case For One Nigeria
President Buhari with former President Jonathan at the State House today
President Buhari with former President Jonathan at the State House today

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, to discuss his recent international engagements and to offer his opinion on the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta.

Speaking to state house correspondents, Jonathan said that he was strongly against the disintegration of Nigeria, adding that he was working with other leaders to find solutions to the renewed militancy in the oil-rich region.

“I came to brief the president about some of my engagements. As you are aware I will be leading the AU elections monitoring team to Zambia, I came to brief the president about some of this external engagement. It is the tradition,” he said.

On the agitations for cessation in various parts of the country, the former president said Nigeria was only termed “great” because of its size and diversity and not necessarily because of its oil.

“Those of you that have followed my talks when I was here, my emphasis is that we need a united Nigeria and I always emphasize that Nigeria is great not just about the oil – so many countries produce more oil than Nigeria nobody notices them.

“We are great because of our size, the human resources we have, the diversity we have, if we fragment the country into small components we will be forgotten by the world.”

It would be recalled that a new group in the Niger Delta, named “Adaka Boro Avengers” had threatened to declare an independent Niger Delta Republic on Monday, August 1, but later said it had to call off the plan due to interventions from ex-president Jonathan and other leaders in the region.

Jonathan said, “It’s not just about me but about all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders that are of the Ijaw ethnic nationality; we have been in touch to see that peace reigns in the country,

“That has been my focal position and without peace, there cannot be development anywhere in the world.

“We are all working collectively to see that issues are resolved,” the former president said.

He however would not speak on the ongoing anti-corruption drive that have seen many of his appointees and former aides arrested and undergoing trial by the EFCC.

“I don’t want to talk about that one because there are too many cases that are in court, it will not be fair to make comments, I will talk at the appropriate time when most of these things are resolved,” he said.

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