#Unconstitutional: Buhari To Read Out Ministerial List On October 1st TV Broadcast

Barring any last minute changes, President Buhari will on Thursday October 1st 2015 read out his much anticipated list of ministerial nominees in the course of an independence day TV broadcast, BREAKING TIMES can report.

According to a top and informed source in President Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) party who spoke to BREAKING TIMES on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, Buhari is yet to send the list of his ministerial nominees to Senate President, Bukola Saraki as required by Nigeria’s constitution.
Buhari’s reported plan to read out his list of ministerial nominees on his planned October 1st TV broadcast is not only unconstitutional but contravenes the democratic principles of separation of powers, rule of law as well as checks and balances.

“It is not clear why Buhari is taking this route to read out the names of his nominees on his October 1st broadcast when he is actually expected to forward the names to the Senate. It will be tantamount to a constitutional breach of due process and a mockery of our democratic institutions if he goes ahead to make a TV show out of it”, the source disclosed.

Following Buhari’s promise to unveil his ministerial list at the end of September 2015, a list was submitted through Senator Ita Enang, his special adviser on National Assembly Matters to Saraki Tuesday morning. But the document received by Saraki turned out to be a list of older appointments made by President Buhari.

Source : @breakingnewsnig

Ondo Workers Ordered To Begin 2-Day Strike

Labour leaders under the aegis of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) in Ondo State, on Tuesday, directed all workers in the state to embark a two-day warning strike.
The JNC chairman in the state, Sunday Adeleye, who disclosed this, said the strike became imperative so as to press home the workers demand over the non-payment of their three months salaries.
Adeleye explained that the leadership of the JNC met with the government representatives and the meeting was deadlocked, adding that the union decided to embark on the strike until the government attends to their demands.
The JNC said all workers of the state government had been directed to stay away from their offices for two days beginning from Wednesday.
He said that the strike would hold between Wednesday and Thursday, saying though Thursday had been declared a public holiday, the leadership would meet again to deliberate on the next step to take after the expiration of the warning strike.
Comrade Adeleye, who led leaders of NLC and TUC to the meeting with the state government, noted that the government was not sincere over its promise to pay July and August salaries as well as May and June deductions.
Earlier at the meeting, government's representatives, led by the head of service, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, had restated government's commitment to pay workers salaries from Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by government officials such as the state Attorney General, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN,) the governor's Chief of staff, Dr Kola Ademujinmi and the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Akin Adaramola

Source : Nigerian Tribune

New Ministers: See list of speculated nominees

Barely 48 hours to September 30, the deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari, to release the list of his long-awaited ministerial nominees, the social media was again abuzz on Monday, with a list of politicians and technocrats who are speculated to make the ministerial nominees to be sent to the Senate tomorrow.

However, this list is not an official list from the Presidency. Again, this is not likely the real list because some names such as that of Dr Kayode Fayemi, Femi Falana and Engineer Segun Oni are all from Ekiti State. According to the constitution, the President must appoint a minister from each state.

Here is the list:

Prof. Tam David West
Femi Falana (SAN)
Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazu (rtd)
Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola
Wale Edun
Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru
Chief Bode Mustapha
Engineer Segun Oni
Dr Kayode Fayemi
Dr. Abba Ruma
Chief Kanu Agabi
Donald Duke
Babatunde Raji Fashola
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Akeredolu
Oby Ezekwesili
Festus Odimegwu
Engineer Funsho Kupolokun
Yinka Folashade Oredola
Bisola Adegbenro
Isaiah Danjuma (son of TY Danjuma)
Dele Momodu
Kehinde Lawanson
Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN)
Pat Utomi
Charles Chukwuma Soludo

Meanwhile, as Nigerians await the official announcement from President Buhari:

Source : Vanguard News

Mecca Stampede: What is Hajj and why do people go on the pilgrimage?

At least 717 people at the Hajj pilgrimage have been killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca.
Officials in Saudi Arabia say another 863 injured while 717 dead

It happened at a holy site called Mina, where two million people go to throw stones at pillars representing the devil.
Similar tragedies have happened at the Hajj before

What is Hajj?

Millions of Muslims travel from around the world to go to Saudi Arabia to complete the Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.
It is the fifth and final pillar of Islam and takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.

Why do so many people go?

It is a spiritual pilgrimage that every adult Muslim must perform at least once in their lives, if they can afford it and are physically able.
The journey is central to the faith.

What is the stoning of the devil?

Pilgrims travel to Mina, a large valley about 5km (3 miles) from Mecca, where they throw 49 stones over three days at three pillars called jamarat, which represent the devil.
It houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night before the event.

Why have so many people been killed before?

There have been numerous tragedies at Hajj over the years, but this latest stampede is the deadliest in 25 years.
It seem accidents happen because of the sheer amount of people that turn up.

What happens next?

The Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars on improving transport and other infrastructure in the area in an attempt to try to prevent more accidents.

SOURCE: @BBCNewsbeat

Military Recorded Another Great Victory Over Boko Haram

Yesterday 22nd of September 2015 advancing troops along Banki axis made tremendous progress against Boko haram. They cleared 2 Boko Haram terrorists camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages, in addition to that success, our troops as of today 23rd of September have arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists including one of the Boko Haram kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu who happen to be the ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri. The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation.
To further confirm what was said earlier, about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one of the terrorist known as Mohammed Modu led our troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village. Apart from arm and ammunitions, bows and arrows were also recovered from him. Bulama Modu also explained that Boko Haram gave him a horse to enhances his deadly pursuits.
Similarly, our gallant troops arrested one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, known as Aji Gambo, at Wudla village who revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village Nigeria, and that they have an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory there. He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel. He however added that the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai who keeps close tap on the progress of our troops has commended them for their impressive performance thus far. Our troops with the high morale in them have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves.

Source : Nigeria Defence Headquarters

Governor Ambode submits List of 23 Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers to House for Screening on September 21, 2015 in Governance

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented the list of would-be cabinet members to the House of Assembly for screening.

The Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru read the names on the floor to members.

The Governor is requesting for the screening and approval of 36 persons with 23 as Commissioners and 13 as Special Advisers.

Amongst the names are six former cabinet members from the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration including former commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, former Special Adviser, Central Business District, Folarin Coker, former Special Adviser Commerce and Industry, Seye Oladejo, former Special Adviser Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson and former Special Adviser Rural Development, Babatunde Hunpe.

Governor Ambode had made good his promise at the inaugural address to inject new blood on merit and professionalism as the new list depicts.

It is made up of top technocrats, politicians and strategists.

The Governor named a relatively young cabinet with the likes of Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, Fela Bank-Olemoh, Akinyemi Ashade, a partner in KPMG, former Managing Director, National Mirror, Steve Ayorinde, Alhaja Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, a pharmacist, Kehinde Joseph and Prof. Ademola Abass, a professor of Law, whose ages range between 39 and 47 years.

Other names include Dr. Akintola Benson, former Special Adviser Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, Dr. Mohammed Akinkunmi, former member, House of Representatives, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Dr. Femi Onanuga, CEO of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, Arch. Wasiu Anifowoshe, former member House of Assembly, Mrs. Lola Akande, Agboola Dabiri, Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, Anofi Elegushi, Rotimi Ogunleye, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Femi Odubiyi, Alhaji Musiliu Folami, Adeniji Kazeem, Adeyemi Labinjo, Toyin Suarau, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, Deji Tinubu, Mrs. Mudirat Giwanson and former Chairman Ejigbo LCDA, Kehinde Bamigbetan.

The screening of the list is expected to commence immediately after the Sallah holidays while cleared cabinet members would likely be sworn in to resume the task of governance by Monday, October 5, 2015

Source : Akinwunmi Ambode Official Site

BREAKING NEWS: Buhari Appoints Ipaye, Akande As Deputy Chief of Staff, SSA -

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Rahman Adeola Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr. Laolu Akande as Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) in the Presidency.

The two new appointees will work in the Office of the Vice President.

Mr. Ipaye is the immediate past Attorney General of Lagos State.

He studied at the University of Lagos where he graduated with B.A. (Hons) Degree (History) in 1984; LL.B. Hons (1988) and LL.M. (1991). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators respectively.

Before his appointment as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ipaye was employed as a lecturer in the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Lagos (1992 to 2001); Special Assistant (Legal Matters) to the Governor of Lagos State (2001 to 2007); and Special Adviser (Taxation and Revenue) to the Governor of Lagos State and member of the State Executive Council (2007 to 2011).

Mr. Laolu Akande graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1990 with an honours degree in History and a Masters degree in Communication & Language Arts in 1992.

He became a Staff Reporter of the Guardian newspaper in 1990 while still serving under the National Youth Service Corps. He left The Guardian to join the foundation team of The News Magazine in 1993, where he became Senior Writer. In 1997, he was appointed by Nigerian Tribune as editor of the Tribune on Saturday, a position he held until he moved to the United States of America in 1998.

In the United States, he worked as a journalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Newsday. He also served at the United Nations as a Press Officer and later as an Advocacy and Communication Consultant. He was also the Bureau Chief of The Guardian in North America and the Executive Director of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN.

Mr. Akande taught at the State University of New York at Stonybrook and also Suffolk County Community College in Long Island, New York between 2002 and 2015.

Ipaye and Akande have been working with Vice President Osinbajo since the inception of the present Administration.

Source : THE GUARDIAN

LAMORDE AND THE SENATE

The Senate Should Play By The Rules

The Senate last week began investigations into the weighty allegations brought against Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr George Uboh, a security consultant, had in a petition accused Lamorde of fraudulently diverting over N1 trillion recovered from those convicted of corruption. Uboh specifically mentioned instances of under-remittance and non-disclosure of proceeds recovered from criminal suspects including former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and ex-Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun.

The petitioner alleged that Lamorde conspired with some EFFC officers and external auditors “to operate and conceal a recovery account in the Central Bank of Nigeria and excluded the balances from audited financial statements between 2005 and 2011”. The said fraud, according to Uboh, was committed between 2007 and 2008 when Lamorde was the director of operations of the EFFC as well as in the period he was acting chairman of the commission when the then chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was away for a course at the National Institute forPolicy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

Lamorde has dismissed the charges as a smear campaign by Uboh who is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly stealing government property. This showed that the case "should not be taken seriously", Lamorde said. Given the timing of the petition, the manner in which it became a subject of investigation in the Senate and all the issues around it, there are grounds to suggest that some people may actually be working to muddle the waters in the efforts to tackle corruption in Nigeria.

Whatever may be the weight of the allegations, it is also a fact that the petition contains a germ of something very troubling. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions started investigations last week into the allegations but the Senate itself is divided over the issue because of the manner the petition was routed and the haste with which the public hearing was being conducted.
Indeed, members of the “Unity Forum” within the Senate said the investigation was illegal and a breach of the Senate standing rules, arguing that there was no record indicating that Uboh’s petition was presented to the Senate in a plenary. “In a standard parliamentary practice, a petition is routed through either a Senator or a member of the House of Representatives,” said the group in a statement. “Upon receipt of such petition, the representative will inform the presiding officer of the chamber and thereafter, present the petition in a plenary. Upon presentation in plenary, the presiding officer will invite the Senator/ Representative to lay the same petition on the table in the chamber, which automatically becomes a public document.” Even many members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate were opposed to the petition.

Given the foregoing, some pertinent questions are inevitable: Why is due process being sidetracked? Why couldn’t Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, chairman of the Senate adhoc committee, follow the rules as laid down? Why is it so urgent that the Senate, in the words Dino Melaye, chair of the Senate Committee on information, would “adopt any format it deemed fit?” Why did they smuggle in such vital document at a time the Senate was supposed to be on recess?

The non-adherence to due process and the hurried manner the petition was admitted raise serious questions about the motive of the sponsors. Indeed, the action is openly being interpreted as a preemptive strike by the Senate leadership to combat and intimidate the anti-graft body in its reinvigorated war against corruption. Such interpretation, true or false, does so much damage to the Senate in the current crusade against corruption and in the general efforts to rebuild our

Source : THIS DAY LIVE

Gov.Ambode Approves Recruitment of 1,300 Teachers

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the recruitment of no fewer than 1300 teachers into all public primary schools across the State as part of efforts aimed at strengthening the quality of the Universal Basic Education Programme in Lagos State.

Executive Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja, who conveyed the Governor’s approval in Lagos on Tuesday, explained that the exercise will also achieve a balanced workforce of teachers in public primary schools in the State.

Mrs. Adelaja therefore urged enterprising and young teacher applicants with specialization in English, Mathematics, Yoruba, Computer, Basic Science, Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Arts & Crafts, Special Education and IRK/CRK to apply.

Source: @NigeriaNewsDesk