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The main aim of the bailout fund initiated by the federal government is to pay the outstanding workers salaries, but to katsina stete government, the bailout fund was a controversial one as no outstanding workers salaries in the state.  However, Gov. Masari applied to the bailout fund request and was granted, this leads to extensive debates amongs Nigerians, however, Masari was able to convinced Nigerians through his SSA media and publicity, social media, Maiwada Dammallam that finally, the THE END WILL JUSTIFY THE MEANS.  Maiwada pointed out that Katsina State is owning workers pension and gratuity arrears, thats made Masari to apply for the bailout fund.  According to a report by Daily Trust, Katsina State government has concluded arrangements to commence payment of pension and gratuity arrears, this means that "The End Is Justifying The Means". Governor Aminu Masar speaking at the commissioning of the state chapter of the Civil Service Union house i...

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday approved the appointment of Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, from Cross River, current Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, as the new Head of Service of the Federation after the unceremonious relief of Danladi Kifasi, the former civil service boss who was due to retire on January 1, 2016 when he will clock 60. Mrs. Oyo Ita, a 51 years old Chartered Accountant will still be in the office in acting capacity though the office does not require National Assembly approval. Apart from the surprise ministerial nominee, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, President Buhari had earlier appointed Admiral Ibas Ibok from Nko in Yakurr LGA of Cross River state as the Chief of Naval Staff. Incidentally, both the Chief of Naval Staff and the Ministerial nominee are from the same Nko community.

A magistrate's Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded 20 pro-Biafra protesters in prison for alleged treason. Benson Sunday (21), Emmanuel Ali (25), Ukeme Monday(32), Chibuzo Ezechina (33), Charles Eze (29), Egbo Okechukwu(24), Chibona Ifion (47), John Douglas(20), Ezenwa Alphonus (51), Wori Endurance (30), Chinomere Nwolu (25), Henry Eze (36), Friday Uzunwa(22), Igodo Abio(34), Akaniyene Uwem (22), Eni Iboro (27), Obinna Stephen (26), Monday Ocha (37), Obinna Ibekwe (27), and Kingsley Ezengorie (24) were arrested for destroying the Nigerian flag and chanting hate songs during Tuesday's protest in the Garden City. The three-count charge against them reads: "…On October 20, 2015, at about 2pm, on Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, the suspects and others now at large, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: treason and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 37(2), of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria...

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, on Wednesday, distanced the people of the South East geo-political zone from the protest over the arrest of the director of Radio Biafra Mazi Kanu by security operatives saying that such a protest had no supporter or blessing of the governors and leaders form the zone. Okorocha who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, regretted that the protest over Radio Biafra and arrest of its director would not add any value to development of the zone and life of the people in the area. The governors and leaders of the South-East condemn the protests, especially for the manner they were carried out in the name of Biafra. If a section of the people in the South-East or even the whole people in the geo-political zone protest over the bad shape of the federal roads in the area or protest over the total negligence of the geo-political zone, every governor and leader in the area would su...

It was reported by Leadership news that there was celebration in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and Lagos on Wednesday, following the rulling of the governorship tribunal. In its ruling, the tribunal headed by Justice Sadiq Umar, ordered re-run of election in 18 out of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election for Akwa Ibom, Umana Umana, had approached the tribunal challenging conduct of the election and declaration  of Udom Emmanuel as governor of the state. The tribunal ordered INEC to conduct fresh polls in 18 LGA's of Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom, Ibiono, Uyo, Etinan, Udung Uko, Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Onna, Uruan, Ikono, Ini, Ibesikpo, Nsit Atai, Eket, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi . Before delivering judgement, the tribunal first ruled on five motions on notice by the respondents. The first ruling was a 2nd respondent's motion on notice dated 13th July, 201...

Peterside empathizes with flood-ravaged communities of Rivers State ...Calls for urgent govt. intervention     Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State in the April, 2015 election has empathized with the Joinkrama, Akinima and Ubie communities currently ravaged by devastating floods which have displaced the inhabitants of the areas in Ahoada West Local Government Area in Rivers State.   These devastating floods, occasioned by the Orashi River overflowing its banks, have submerged houses and farmlands of these agrarian communities, leading to the displacement of the inhabitants, their lives and livelihood generally disrupted and left stranded.   Dr. Peterside expressed his sadness over the avoidable sufferings the people of Joinkrama, Akinama, Ubie and other surrounding communities have been subjected to due to the floods.  "It is unfortunate to observe the disruption to lives and l...

More details about the appointment will come up later.

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, in a bid to ensure the entrenchment of the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 (as amended). Kifasi is born in Taraba hails from the same North-East zone as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal. Lawal is from Adamawa State. Danladi Kifasi had served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries including Federal Ministry of Finance and Petroleum and is said to have prepared for smooth handover in an event of the announcement of new HOS. It was gathered that President Buhari is looking at the South-East region for the replacement of Kifasi. Since Buhari took over power on May 29, 2015, the South-East has been the least favoured zone in his appointments. Source: The Summary

Abba Moro, former minister of interior, is being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the recruitment tragedy that rocked the Nigeria Immigration Service in 2014. TheCable understands that he arrived the Abuja office of the anti-graft agency on Monday morning following an invitation to respond to allegations of fraud in the recruitment process which ended tragically with 16 deaths. The recruitment test, written on March 15, 2014, attracted 6.5 million applicants, 700,772 of whom paid N1000 each as online registration fee. Only 4,000 vacancies were available. Questions were raised over the N700 million generated by the consultant through online registration fee and why adequate measures were not taken to prevent overcrowding and stampede at the test centres. Moro initially blamed the applicants for being "disorderly", but later took responsibility, expressing regrets that his desire to eliminate favouritism through a competi...

The Nigerian Petroleum Sector accounts for over 80% of Nigeria's revenue, consequently being the largest source of our economic dependence. President Buhari's desire to oversee the affairs of the Petroleum Industry/Sector has seen a series of unfounded attacks on the President's decision from both legal and moral viewpoints. Nigeria cannot joke with this profound sector. On the other side, it is of significance to note the fact that the Petroleum sector accounts for over 60% of our revenue leakages. It is lucent that the Nigerian Petroleum sector has been bereft of prudence and accountability. President Buhari's consequent decision to put a special eye on this sector by personally overseeing the Ministry of Petroleum is in order. I would not pretend or shelve beneath the carpet the moral and legal argots flying here and there giving credence to or castigating Mr. President's decision. It is important that I state here that, in fact, after President Buhar...

By Dr Idris Ahmed  Following the shenanigans and the preposterous delays surrounding the ministerial screening of Rotimi Amaechi at the Senate, we at CUPS feel obliged to shed more light on the matter. As always, our covenant with God and fellow Nigerians is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, no matter whose ox is gored. The Integrity Group, which claims to be a grassroots anti-corruption civil society organisation based in Rivers state alleged that Rotimi Amaechi has a case of grandeur theft to answer for. In their petition letter addressed to his Excellency, President Muhamamdu Buhari, on 31/7/2015, they alleged that Amaechi is guilty of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment, and wanton conversion of Rivers state financial resources for personal use to the tune of N70 billion. They alleged that the offences were committed between 10/2007 and 28/5/2015. They sent the same petition letter to the EFCC on 28/7/2015. While Th...

The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra Tuesdaay along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke Chanting songs of grievances and displaying placards which bore various inscriptions such as "Freedom for Biafra, free Nnamdi Kanu", "We are not terrorists, we are freedom fighters", "We are tired of intimidation and harassment by Nigeria Government", "Biafra on the move" amongst others, the protesters said they were no longer comfortable with the Nigerian government. Speaking during the protest, Secretary of IPOB, Delta State chapter Nnenna Nwaoha, said: "The reason for the protest is for Nnamdi Kanu to be released; we have suffered enough in the hands of the Nigerian Government and we are no more comfortable with it. "We want our freedom that is why we are here. We are not comfortable with the Nigerian government, the intimidation, killing an...

By Nwaorgu Faustinus The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress [APC], says its attention has been drawn to a statement being circulated in the media that Mr. Livingstone Wechie has obtained a court order restraining the Senate from Screening Rt. Rotimi AMAECHI as a ministerial nominee. The APC said following the announcement, it made frantic search at the Federal High Court across the Country and did not find any such proceedings pending or ORDER before any Court in the Country, the Federal High Court being the only Court that has jurisdiction to determine any matter in which the Senate is made a party and its duties and functions are the subject matter, in view of Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Continuing the party said, "again, because we are aware of the desperation of the PDP and Mr. Livingstone Wechie on this matter, we have nonetheless carried out a search at the High Court Re...

 Emmanuel Emenike, has announced that he is retiring form the national team after five years. He wrote on Instagram on Monday night, "No more Eagles career! After five great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace." "It's a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it's the best time to end it. Million thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times. "I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called 'Nigeria'. My AFCON gold medal is a sign of great achievement, My AFCON topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team. Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn't be a threat zone for any individual. "I have done according to our national anthem. "All my dreams came true in th...

By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Preamble and Political Life Contrary to the expectations of Chief Nyesom Wike and his gang of miserable ingrates, their ferocious campaign to blackmail, disparage and portray Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi as a very corrupt person and unfit to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria failed to achieve the desired objective. On 30 th September, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari went ahead to list and submit the name of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi along with those of 20 other great Nigerians as ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation. However, to the shock of most Nigerians, during the two sittings of the Senate to screen and confirm the 20 ministerial nominees, Amaechi's screening was deferred based on the Senate's on-going investigation into the fraudulent petition against Amaechi by one Livingstone Wechie working in consonance with Wike. This is despite the fact that the case is in court and is, t...

Director of  Radio Biafra and Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel, Ikeja, on Saturday, has been granted bail. Although, he is yet to fulfill his bail conditions. IPOB's lawyer, Mr. Egechukwu Obetta lamented that Nnamdi Kanu was  put in the same cell with terrorists despite his life threatening health challenges. He said Kanu is selective to delicacies, adding that he (Kanu) vowed never to eat any food served by the Federal Government of Nigeria. However, midway into the chat with his lawyer, a call came in, indicating that Kanu has been granted bail in the sum of N2 million or with surety of N2 million with a civil servant of grade level 16. Obetta further said that "Last week, the Afenifere threatened to secede but nobody was vilified. I am talking about the recent Olu Falae's kidnap case. The militants in the Niger Delta has done same." Source: Vanguard

The people of Ezeakam Eziudo community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, still shudder at the recol­lection of the heinous act of their kinsman, 39-year-old Chamberlin Ojoko, who allegedly gave his pregnant girlfriend, Chinonye Ella, 25, a local abortion concoc­tion. The concoction caused fatal adverse reaction that resulted in her death, on July 20, 2015. Like some­one acting out a well-scripted plan, Ojoko was alleged to have calmly gone home to borrow a shovel from his brother, Pastor Sopuruchi and buried the corpse of the deceased girlfriend in a shallow grave, which he dug at the back of an uncom­pleted building owned by one Dr Maduakolam Ukaegbu, a kinsman. According to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, the chain of events that ultimately led to the untimely death of Chinonye began the day she boarded the same bus with Ojoko in December 2014, at Achingali, in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State. They chatted along the way ...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Dakingari, over allegation of money laundering of about N3.8billion from the state while serving in office. Throwback: His wife was earlier arrested by the EFCC in connection with money laundering of over 2billion Naira when her husband was in office.  The former governor is being detained since around 10:30AM today at the EFCC Headquarters.

Breaking News!!! TRIBUNAL SACKS ABIA ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, AZUBUIKE! Information just reaching our Desk indicates that the election of Martins Azubuike, the speaker Abia State House Assembly has been nullified by the tribunal. The Abia State House of Assembly has 24 members, with 13 from PDP and 11 from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Azubuike, a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) had been in the House since 2007.  His words when elected as speaker "the Abia Assembly, under my watch, would play the role of a stabilising force by cooperating with other arms of government without compromising the rules of separation of power".

When she was asked to explain Falcao's inability to replicate the performances he showed before his cruciate ligament injury in January 2014, Dona Denis King Garcia told El Universal: "I do not understand what happened. "After the injury he suffered last year before the World Cup he has tried to return and has played some good matches; but I also think the coaches he has worked with have not been explicit with him.  "You have to show confidence in him because that is the only way he can return to what he used to be [before his injury]. "At first he was used a lot, but after that he has been used very little; in those 10 or 15 minutes he's being given he can't do anything. "And so it is very difficult for him. You have to give him more time to do what he does best."