Jamil Balogun and Imade Adeleke playing around with water. Cute kids!
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Photos of Tiwa Savage's Son and Davido's Daughter
Jamil Balogun and Imade Adeleke playing around with water. Cute kids!
How NIA Kept President Buhari In Dark Over Ikoyi $43m Been Revealed
As the Presidential Investigative Panel into the $43million cash recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, winds up its assignment later this week, there are indications that the NIA, which claims to own the money, kept President Muhammadu Buhari in the dark on its existence.
The panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will conclude its assignment on Wednesday.
It has already interrogated the suspended Director general of the agency, Mr. Ayo Oke and is now in possession of documents showing approval for the release of $289m and other funds to the NIA and some security agencies by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
But the panel is not inviting Jonathan because of what sources said are certain security decisions within the Executive powers and discretion of a sitting president.
Besides, the committee is said to be only interested in tracking how the cash was sourced; how it was disbursed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); the projects it was used for; and what happened to what is left of it.
Oke was first grilled on Monday for about 10hours and on Tuesday for another two hours.
Also quizzed in respect of the money were heads of relevant government agencies including the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and some staff of NIA.
A presidential source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the Presidency was not aware of the existence of such the huge amount of money.
The source denied a report that the current National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, who is a member of the panel, was aware of its existence.
The source told The Nation that Oke did not brief the NSA at all about the funds - $289m - or the projects they were meant for when the Buhari administration took office in May 2015, even though the money had been released in March the same year.
The NSA office, he said, only got to know of the existence of the money during the work of the Presidential committee that audited the Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces.
The Committee, he said, had observed certain payments from the CBN to the NIA and raised questions drawing the attention of the NSA.
When the suspended DG of the NIA discovered that that Committee was raising questions and to forestall the NSA from blowing the cover, the source said, Oke then gave a report to the NSA on the existence of the funds.
Even then, he reportedly told the Committee that its job did not cover the activities or the finances of the NIA.
The source added that subsequently, a team was constituted to ascertain the situation.
He said that the first suspicion of a potential abuse was noticed at that stage, especially considering the amount of money involved and the purposes stated.
“This was how the NSA and the Presidency learnt of the existence of such funds. We were not told by anyone in NIA until the committee saw something, and raised a red flag,” the source said.
Besides, Oke did not inform anyone in the Federal Government or presidency that he kept $43m of the said funds in cash in a private apartment anywhere in Lagos or any part of the country, when compelled to explain what was happening.
Another top government official, who does not want his name in print as he was not authorized to speak on the matter, said: “This is the issue: the NSA was not told that NIA had this lump cash stashed away in the place it was eventually discovered by EFCC.
“In any case, extant rules are clear that such money ought only to be placed in the NIA headquarters or in CBN vaults.”
Stressing that there were also instances where CBN actually paid out some of the funds directly to some NIA contractors, the source queried why the suspended NIA boss needed to put aside such huge cash in a private apartment.
He said that the projects for which the former President approved the $289m included two in Lagos which total cost was about $28m.
As at January this year, the source said that funds for the Lagos projects had actually been released to the tune of $18m, meaning that only about $10m was left to be paid four months ago, before the $43m was found in the Lagos apartment recently.
He added: “So let us even assume that the NIA DG wanted to keep funds in Lagos for the Lagos based projects, he did not need that much for the total of the Lagos projects at all. And apart from that it is completely untenable to stash away agency money in a private apartment instead of keeping it with the CBN or inside the NIA head office where the money would be well-secured and its disbursement well protected. ”
The issues are as follows:
*What informed ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of such huge funds to NIA and other security agencies in 2015?
*Where were the funds sourced from;
*How was the cash disbursed by the CBN;
* What projects were the funds used for; and
*What has happened to unspent funds?
* Was it appropriate for the $43.4m to be in the Ikoyi apartment?
*Were there infractions committed by SGF Lawal and NIA DG Oke?
“The committee has discovered some anomalies bordering on extra-budgetary spending. It has a task to overhaul the system and make far-reaching recommendations.”
Also, “the government may remove PINE from the control of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). It is becoming another ATM".
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Pope Francis Historic Visit to Egypt (See Photos)
Pope Francis arrived in Egypt on a two day historic visit, where he's preaching the gospel of peace, saying violence cannot be committed in the name of God. The 80-year-old touched down at Cairo airport on Friday, before he was ushered in a car to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Francis is in Egypt to push for dialogue with Muslims and support the country's embattled Christian minority that has suffered a series of attacks in recent times.
See Photos as Nigerian Transgender, Miss Sahhara Put Her Boob's and Tiny Waist on Display
As shared on social media. See another one below..
"I Did Not Beat My Wife" - Husband of Nollywood Actress, Mercy Aigbe Says
We revealed today that actress, Mercy Aigbe's 7-year marriage to Lagos based hotelier, Lanre Gentry -year marriage to Lanre Gentry crashed over alleged battering.
(Read Here).
Sources told that Mercy had been enduring domestic violence for a long time in her marriage but it got worse lately.
Lanre Gentry has now briefly responded to the battery allegations.
He denied the allegations, saying he loves her so much and has/will never beat her. See his comment below..
Some reactions after he denied beating his wife.. Read some comment below:
[MUSIC] Reminisce – Level Yen
Reminisce bounces back with a spanking new single titled ”LEVEL YEN”.
Download and Enjoy!.
Click here to DOWNLOAD
Dozens of Islamic Names In Xinjiang Region Have Been Banned By China
Due to fear of extremism in the northwestern Muslim-majority region of Xinjiang, the Chinese government has listed dozens of 'extreme' Islamic names banned in the Xinjiang province.
The list titled 'Naming Rules For Ethnic Minorities' on the government document which was signed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party and disseminated by Uighur groups included 23 names related to historic religious, political figures and places that are deemed to be ‘overly religious’
The list includes ‘Imam,’ 'Hajj,’ 'Turknaz,' 'Mujahid,' 'Muhammad, 'Azhar' and 'Wahhab,' while 'Saddam,' 'Arafat,' 'Medina' and 'Cairo are also on the list.
According to the government ruling, if a parent chooses to name his/her child one of the barred names, the child will be denied government benefits in the country.
Confirming the ban, a government official told RFA.
‘You’re not allowed to give names with a strong religious flavor, such as Jihad or names like that. The most important thing here is the connotations of the name. It mustn’t have connotations of holy war or of splittism Xinjiang independence.' He said
However, the World Uyghur Congress, an advocacy group from the ethnic minority operating outside of China, has condemned the new policy.
‘In setting limits on the naming of Uyghurs, the Chinese government is, in fact, engaging in political persecution under another guise,’
Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the group, told RFA.
“'They are afraid that people with such names will become alienated from Chinese policies in the region.'
Friday, April 28, 2017
Special Adviser To The Nigeria President, Femi Adesina Say The President Will Not Resign
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, has said his principal will not resign and that those asking him to, are “merely expressing their opinions.”
Adesina stated this at an interactive session with journalists, at the launch of Olusegun Adeniyi’s new book, ‘Against The Run of Play,’ on Friday in Lagos.
His words; “Saying the president should resign is an opinion but don’t forget that 15 million people elected the president so if one or two people express their opinion, will their opinion override that of 15 million people that voted for him?
“Those who are expressing their opinion have rights to their opinion.”
On Buhari’s health, he said: “There is no need for apprehension, God spared the president the first time. Remember he said that he has never been as ill as he was before. The same God that spared him will also ensure that he returns to full health. Nigerians prayed and God answered, Nigerians are still praying and God will still answer.”
Buhari didn't attend the Jummat prayer in Aso Villa on Friday, after failing to convene the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for the third consecutive week.
Ooni of Ife Disowns Statement Credited to The Palace, Restates Respect For Oba of Lagos
Read the statement below..
Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja 11) on Friday disowned a remark credited to one Tunde Awoyemi who claimed to be the palace Director of tourism that the palace of Ooni would invoke the wrath of ancestors on Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu if he fails to tender apology for snubbing Arole of Oduduwa at a public function recently.
Ooni Ogunwusi insisted he would continue to hold Oba of Lagos in high esteem and continually give him respect not only as one of the foremost traditional rulers, but also as an elderly Oba.
In a statement issued by Oba Ogunwusi's director of media and public affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, "the palace of Ooni is using this medium to dissociate Ooni of Ife from the statement credited to Mr Tunde Awoyemi and we have said it repeatedly that we have no official reaction to the issue of Oba Akiolu".
"Kabiyesi Ogunwusi is committed to his peace and unity agenda, which he has embarked on since he ascended the throne of his forefathers. We refrain from reacting officially, with a view to avoiding fanning any ember of discord as Oba Akiolu remains respected monarch and the Ooni had established a very robust and healthy relationship with him before his installation as Ooni of Ife".
"While Ooni would continue to sustain the relationship with Oba Akiolu, we want to state categorically that the remark credited to Tunde Awoyemi was not authorised by Ooni and should be disregarded by all Nigerians both at home and in diaspora".
Signed;
Comrade Moses Olafare,
Director,
Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni's Palace.
Ezekwesili Forgives Those Who Abused Her as She Celebrates Her 54th Birthday Today
Former Education Minister and Bring Back Our Girls campaigner, Oby Ezekwesili is 54 years old today. She said as a mark of celebration, she has forgiven those that have attacked her for standing up for the missing Chibok school girls. Happy birthday to her!
Meet The Lady "Queen Stunner" Alleged to Have Broken Mercy Aigbe's Marriage (See Photos)
Another Nollywood marriage has crashed, the details are quite messy and yet again, another fair skinned lady has been fingered to have allegedly caused the marriage crash.
LIB learnt that domestic violence was a huge factor in the crash and a lady named Opemititi aka 'Queen Stunner' has also been mentioned as the lady having an affair with Mercy Aigbe's hubby.
Efforts to get comments from all parties involved is yet to yield any result at this time, but reliable sources tell us that Queen Stunner used to be like a younger sister to Mercy Aigbe, before things went south.
Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari Absent At Aso Rock Mosque Today
A move that is set to increase speculations about his state of health, President Muhammadu Buhari did not show up for the Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock mosque on Friday.
This is first time Mr president will be absent at the mosque since he returned to the country after a 49-day medical vacation in the UK.
However, some of the dignitaries who usually join him at the mosque were there for prayers.
Among them were Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, Ibikunle Amosun, his Ogun counterpart, and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara.
The absence of the president in public functions has been a source of concern.
On Wednesday, Buhari missed the federal executive council meeting for the second time in a row, fuelling reports about his health condition.
Should Nigerians be worried about Mr President health? I guess time will tell.
See Photos as Nnamdi Kanu Leaves Kuje Prison
After meeting his bail conditions, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, left Kuje Prison in Abuja around 5pm this evening April 28th. He was driven home by former Aviation minister Osita Chidoka. Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in 2015 for treason and has been in prison since then.
He was granted bail by Justice Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday April 26th, after being told not to participate in any rallies or be found in a crowd of more than 10 people while he is on bail.
"Why You Rarely See Me In Public" - President Muhammadu Buhari Opens Up
Mr. President spoke on Thursday evening through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Explaining why he's been out of public glare for a while, he said;
“President Buhari’s absence at the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, April 26, was a last minute decision; otherwise, the cabinet and the public might have been alerted in advance. As eager as he is to be up and about, the President’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago.
“President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.
“Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria.
“He receives daily briefings on the activities of government, and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. His private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, also has a fully equipped office.
“God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London. We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation.”
“President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.
“Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria.
“He receives daily briefings on the activities of government, and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. His private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, also has a fully equipped office.
“God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London. We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation.”
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