Saturday, 27 February 2016
MEET WORLD’S FIRST ARMLESS PILOT
Jessica Cox was born without arms. This did not stop the 33-year-old from fulfilling her dreams. She is from the America state of Arizona and has become the world's first licensed pilot with no arms. This great achievement has gained her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. In an interview with BBC'S Matthew Bannister, Jessica explains how she was born without arms.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
Despite cash crunch, public outcry, Saraki takes delivery of new N330million exotic cars
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has taken delivery of new exotic cars purchased by the National Assembly management for his official use, brushing aside widespread criticisms against such lavish spending at a time of national economic crisis.
PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported that the Nigerian legislative body proposed to splash about N4.7 billion on at least 400 vehicles for leaders and members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Among the proposed vehicles were 10 top-of-the-range cars for Mr. Saraki and his official convoy.
Our market survey showed the vehicles cost N329, 515,625 – more than the budgetary allocations for many government schools.
The report triggered a firestorm of reaction from Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who urged the National Assembly to shelve the plan.
Mr. Buhari said he had rejected a proposal for new vehicles to be purchased for him as part of 2016 budget expenditure.
"I turned down a N400 million bill for cars for the presidency, because the vehicles I am using are good enough for the next 10 years," the president said during his first media chat.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also wrote members of the National Assembly asking them to jettison the plan to buy official vehicles.
"Whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive," Mr. Obasanjo said. "A pool of a few cars for each Chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty. The waste that has gone into cars, furniture, housing renovation in the past was mind-boggling and these were veritable sources of waste and corruption. That was why they were abolished. Bringing them back is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians."
But PREMIUM TIMES can report today that the National Assembly management ignored such concerns and, finalised procurement processes for the vehicles, and indeed took delivery of them for Mr. Saraki.
At least four of the 10 vehicles meant for Mr. Saraki have already been delivered by Lanre Shittu motors and the lawmaker has since put them to use.
Officials briefed about the matter told this newspaper that procurement process for the purchase of vehicles for the senate president was concluded since December.
However, like Mr. Saraki, the tenders board agreed the purchases be made in batches due to paucity of funds, our sources said.
Stressing what the Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi, had earlier said, the source said procuring new vehicles for Mr. Saraki became a "matter of priority" because "the current cars are old and already developing faults".
PREMIUM TIMES obtained tender documents for the 10 cars Mr. Saraki requested.
In the document, the National Assembly sought to purchase a 2016 model Mercedes Benz S550, four 2016 Toyota Prado jeeps, four 2016 Toyota Hilux SS (Auto) as well as a 2016 model Toyota Hiace Bus.
PREMIUM TIMES' independent market evaluation showed the cars cost as follows: 1Nos.Mercedes Benz S550 (N49, 020,625); 4nos. Toyota Prado (N149, 650,000); 4nos Toyota Hilux SS (N102, 407,500) and 1Nos. Toyota Hiace Bus (N28, 437,500).
At N250 to the dollar, PREMIUM TIMES estimated the total cost of the purchase at N329, 515,625.
The four cars delivered yet, and confirmed by this paper, are three Toyota Prado SUVs and one Mercedes Benz S500.
120 cars for Senators
PREMIUM TIMES also confirmed that the procurement processes for the purchase of 120 Toyota Land Cruisers for the remaining 119 Senators were also concluded last December.
The tenders board also agreed to shelve the plan temporarily due to "paucity of funds."
A source said senators however continued to pressure the Committee on Senate Services, which in turn put pressure on the National Assembly management to immediately conclude the procurement.
An estimated N4.7billion would have been spent by the time the acquisition of cars for Mr. Saraki and his 108 colleagues are completed.
A cocktail of illegalities
As we reported in an earlier story, the acquisition of cars for senators is a violation of the monetisation policy of the federal government.
Under the policy, no new vehicles should be purchased by any agency of government for use by officials.
Rather, public officers and political office holders are to receive 250 per cent of their annual basic salary as motor vehicle loan, which translates to N5.07 million for each senator.
Our sources at the National Assembly said the Senators got these loans before also proceeding to acquire these new Toyota Land Cruisers.
Also, the President of the Senate is said to have inherited the vehicles used by his predecessor, and Senate insiders say "he really does not need new cars as the one he uses are in top condition".
But even if he needs new cars, the number being acquired for him is in excess of what the law provides.
According to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Senate President is entitled to a maximum of six vehicles, and not 10 as being bought for him.
He is entitled to two official cars, one pilot car, one protocol/press car, one ambulance and one security car.
Members of the two chambers of the national assembly are renown for their taste for exotic vehicles even after receiving monetary pay in lieu of official vehicles based on the provisions of the law.
The Senate had in the last legislative session bought Toyota Prado Jeeps for each Senator at the cost of over N1.3 billion, coming after both chambers had also bought Toyota Camry, for Senators and Peugeot vehicles for members of the House of Representatives.
The allegedly shady deal involved in the purchase of the Peugeot vehicles formed part of the charges against then Speaker Dimeji Bankole when he was taken to court after completing his term.
What N4.7billion can do
If deployed towards enhancing healthcare delivery, N4.7 billion can be used in building 235 primary health care centres across Nigeria (enough for at least 6 health care centres in each state) at the cost of N20 million each.
The money, N4.7 billion, can also provide over 470,000 children with insecticide-treated mosquito nets at N10,000 each, saving them from the scourge of malaria which today kills more than 300,000 Nigerian children under the age of five annually and responsible for 11 per cent of maternal mortality cases yearly, according to experts at the Malaria Action Programme for States (MAPS).
Still on healthcare, over 10 million Nigerian kids could get complete malaria treatment dosage, at N460 if the N4.7 billion was directed to this life-saving purpose.
If that money is spent on boosting yield of farm produce, the amount can cover the cost of procurement of about 626,667 bags of fertilizers for Nigerian farmers at N7,500 each.
The money –N4.7 billion – can also offset a six-month wage bill of 40,000 minimum wage workers presently owed salary payment by some state governments seeking bailout from the federal government.
In order to provide conducive learning environment in schools, 470,000 sets of school furniture, comprising table and chair at N10,000 each, can be procured at the cost of N4.7 billion. Yet kids sit on bare floors to study in many schools across the country while the parliamentarians gets N4.7 billion to buy cars.
In the housing sector, at N7million per piece, the country can provide 671 additional cheap housing for citizens; and provide 51 thousand households with potable water at N92,000 per household connection.
PREMIUM TIMES.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
The United States (US) has offered to send a special operations mission to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram
"At the request of the Nigerian government, the SOCAFRICA (Special Operations Command Africa) component of USAFRICOM conducted a preliminary assessment regarding the feasibility of resuming a limited advise-and-assist mission alongside select Nigerian units," USAFRICOM said in a statement.
According to Reuters, USAFRICOM said the proposals envisaged a "platoon-sized" team, typically meaning a group of between 12-30 troops. The proposals were also said to be pending approval from various governments departments and military officials.
The New York Times earlier reported that the advisers would be based in Maiduguri, the most affected city in the northeast.
The US has been seen to be expanding its support for African countries over the past few months and has plans to enter a new security deal with Senegal.
It has also been reported to have increased the number of elite special operations forces in Africa to about 1,200.
Jennifer Cooke, Africa programme director at the centre for strategic and international studies, told the house foreign affairs committee that there is an urgent need to tackle Boko Haram.
"There is an urgent need to prevent Boko Haram from regenerating and possibly coming back more virulent, destructive, and globally connected than before," she said.
Read more at:
https://m.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecable.ng%2F12-to-30-us-soldiers-to-help-fight-boko-haram&h=FAQFXN9A1&s=1
The United States (US) has offered to send a special operations mission to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram, the US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) said on Friday.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
I paid N480,000 to arrange special room for my husband in Prison – Wife of kidnap kingpin
THE Police have nabbed the wife of a kidnap gang leader, Mr Prosper Nengi David, who coordinates the activities of his gang from the Port Harcourt prison. A member of the gang, Mr Ifanyi Nwanfo, who spoke while in the custody of the Anti-Kidnap Unit of the Police, had said that David was in detention at the Port Harcourt prisons and coordinated the activities of the group from the prison with a phone. According to Nwanfo, the group always gave David's share of the ransom to his wife at a spot on Aboloma road. Meantime, David's wife, Clara, who was arrested by the anti-kidnap unit, told newsmen yesterday before the Officer In-charge of the Police Anti-Kidnap Unit, in Port Harcourt, that she collected money from a member of the gang at separate times, pleading that she did not know her husband was a kidnapper. She said she only knew her husband to be an illegal oil bunkerer. She said the man was yet to perform all the marriage rites on her but they had a son and had lived together as husband and wife since 2011. According to her, the husband, Mr David asked her to give N480,000 to a warder so they could arrange a private room for him and some other inmates in the prison custody. She said she gave a total of N480,000 to the warder in three instalments. Her words: "My name is Clara Collins, I sell wrapper. I am 26 years. They arrested me, saying I collect my husband's share of ransom paid by kidnappers. I did not know my husband, Prosper Nengi David is a kidnapper. When they detained my husband last October, one of his friends brought N950, 000 to me as support since my husband was in detention. Later, my husband sent another money to me and told the person who sent it to me that it was for me to give a lawyer that was seeking his release. This time, they gave me N1.5 million naira. Then, I got one million naira again. The state Police Commissioner, Mr Musa Kimo said between January and February four cultists were shot dead by his men, adding that a total of 46 kidnappers were arrested. He said 18 AK47, 3 Pump actions, 3 English pistol, 9 magazines, 124 cartridges were among items recovered from criminals in January. While assuring that there will be no hiding place for hoodlums in the state the state Police chief said 11 vehicles were also recovered from armed robbers between January and now.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
Bagudu Receives Onion Investors From US, Assures Delegation of Secured Investment
*Investors describe Kebbi onions second best in the world
A team of investors from the United States of America that specializes on onions hydration, preservation, storage, research and packaging have visited one of the largest onions' markets in Aliero, Kebbi State.
The team also indicated interest to establish their presence in the state, while also describing Kebbi onions as second best in the world with more than 2.2 million tonnes being produced annually, besting 12 other onion-producing states in Nigeria which produced less than 800,00 tonnes combined.
Leader of the team led by Dr. Yinka who was received in the state by the Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, gave this hint to newsmen, while inspecting variety of Onions in Aliero.
Dr. Yinka expressed confidence that Kebbi State has quality and quantity of the commodity the team required and told farmers that improved seeds, research methods, preservation, packaging and processing of various types of onions would be effectively carried out in the state.
On his part, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had assured the visiting investors that the State Government would provide the necessary support in the production of quality and quantity of Onions under a secured and conducive environment.
Also in a remark, the Chairman of the Onions Market Association Aliero, Alhaji Dodo Aliero represented by Alhaji Salisu Aliero, expressed appreciation to Governor Abubakar Atiku for the initiative to visit Aliero Market aimed at boosting Onions production for economic benefit of the state.
Highlight of the team's visit to Kebbi was an interaction with farmers on methodology to improve production and storage to avoid wastage of the commodity.
Daily correspondent
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1010996058972658&set=a.332567626815508.75970.100001868208320&type=3
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
Idoma people plans mass protest at National Assembly over Agatu carnage
The Idoma People of Nigeria would next Wednesday march to the National Assembly to register their displeasure over the ceaseless attacks on Agatu community, which have left several persons dead.
The people of the area said the continuous silence of the federal and Benue State governments over the incidents was becoming unbearable.
It would be recall that suspected Fulani herdsman had in a recent attack on the community reportedly killed no fewer than 300 persons.
A statement issued by the convener of One Idoma Initiative, Barr Paul Edeh said that "The protesters will take off from the Unity Fountain (beside Trancorp Hilton Hotel) Abuja by 9am and make their first stop at the Ministry of Justice, where they will submit their petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister for Justice.
"Our next stop will be the National Assembly where we are expected to be received by the leadership of the National Assembly, along with representatives of the various constituencies in Zone C. We will also make stop overs at the Force Headquarters, Defence Headquarters, as well as the National Emergency, NEMA and Customs Headquarters," he said.
He noted that the continuous silence of the Federal Government and the Benue State Government over the incidents had become excruciatingly unbearable.
He added that, "This carnage in Agatu must stop! Silence at a time like this isn't golden. The government needs to hear our voice and act expeditiously."
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1010994035639527&set=a.332567626815508.75970.100001868208320&type=3
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze
Breaking/Trending News Feb 27th from ADELOVE.COM
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|