AS THE REFINERIES RETURN.

With the reports of reactivation of local refineries, Nigerians, who have lost all hope and succumbed to a fraudulent petroleum products importation regime and subsidy claims that have almost bled the economy to death, have every reason to cheer.

More cheering is the news that the refineries are projected to hit their near-installed capacities in a couple of months. Considering the economic gains from this and in the light of more than a decade of facility waste following fitful operations, this is laudable. And from indications, the portents are that the refineries can and would be run profitably.

The journey to Nigeria’s sorry pass over the refineries has been a long sad one in which a nation built for its future with one hand and tears it down with the other.

HOW POWER TORE GBAJABIAMILA & TAMBUWAL APART.

There is calm at the House of Representatives after the dust raised by the acrimonious election of its presiding officers on June 9 and another 49-day battle to pick other principal officers of the majority All Progressives Congress seems to be settling. It is difficult to say if peace is finally here.

The speakership election had several strands to it – a majority party being unable to put a preferred candidate, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on the seat because some APC legislators, supposedly arguing on the side of independence of the legislature, worked with minority parties to produce the eventual winner – Mr. Yakubu Dogara. The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, played a key role in the outcome of the poll. There was the question of the geographical spread of the principal offices, federal character and the suspicion over whether the party, indeed, decided on any candidate to be speaker, among other issues.

However, observers have singled out the role of the Governor of Sokoto State, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, in the election for deeper analysis and how it is altering or has altered the relationship between him and Gbajabiamila.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN NNPC?

President Muhammadu Buhari recently appointed a new Managing Director for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The appointment drew applause as usual from ever-ready Nigerians to sing the praises of those in power. Many did not look closely at the process involved in the appointment and the implication for the future of NNPC and the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The new Managing Director, many have said, hit the ground running because on the first day of his assumption of office, he fired the existing executive directors and brought in new persons. 

This, to Nigerians, is good enough to get rid of the perceived corruption in the NNPC. To any management consultant, what happened is just a mere replacement of personnel and the culture of impunity continues. The NNPC Group Managing Director was appointed and given a mandate on what to do.

NIGERIA ARMY REINSTATES 2500 SOLDIERS & 102 OFFICERS.

The Nigerian Army has recalled over 2,500 soldiers who were asked to withdraw from service for alleged offences committed under the counter- insurgency operations code named Operation Zaman Lafiya.

The review panel set up by the Army, which began sitting in Kaduna on August 17, has also screened and reinstated 102 officers, who were sentenced or facing prosecution in relation to the operations in the North-East.

The reinstated soldiers and officers, it was learnt, had commenced retraining at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontangora, Niger State.

ROT IN NDDC - PRESIDENT BUHARI SUMMONS NDDC MANAGEMENT OVER CONTRACT SPLITTING & SHADY DEALS.

Worried by alleged mismanagement of funds of the commission running into billions of Naira, the Presidency has summoned the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to answer questions on the true financial status of the agency.

Competent sources confirmed that the President would meet the management team of the NDDC and take them up on many issues relating to the management of the resources of  the commission since the new board came on board in December 2013.

Buhari, according to sources close to his office, is furious that the management has allowed influential politicians to hijack the agency and made away with billions of Naira under the guise of executing contracts with little or no result on the ground to show for such money.

ALLEGED DIVERSION OF N1TRILLION - SENATE SET TO COMMENCE PROBE OF EFCC BOSS, IBRAHIM LAMORDE.

LAMORDE

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions will on Wednesday begin a probe of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, over an allegation that he fraudulently diverted over N1tn proceeds of corruption recovered by the anti-graft agency.

Part of the money alleged by a petitioner to have been diverted by the EFCC boss included the loot recovered from a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and ex-Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun.

The petitioner, Mr. George Uboh, whose complaint to the Senate prompted the probe, has been invited to appear before the Senate committee at Meeting Room 120 of the New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, by 10am on Wednesday.

HOUSE OF REPS MEMBERS ARE READY TO ACCEPT SALARY CUT & SUPPORT ANTI-GRAFT WAR.

In support of the move to reduce the high cost of governance and to boost the war against corruption, the House of Representatives has declared its readiness to take salary cut and back President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft measures. 

Making these disclosures, yesterday, in Lagos, Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Mohammed Sani Zorro, said all members of the House of Representatives irrespective of party affiliations are on the same page with the President on the change agenda and ready to give him the necessary legislative backing to actualize the agenda.

Zorro, who represents Gumel/Gagarawa/Mai Gatari/Sule Tankarkar Federal Constituency of Jigawa State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the need to streamline the funding of the House’s activities in line with best practices across the world and Nigeria’s economic fortunes was the reason the Reps set up the Dr Clement Nwankwo Committee.

NIGERIA'S ECONOMY IN DEEP MESS AS OIL PRICES CRASHES.

Nigeria’s economy may be heading for trouble, as oil price crashed even lower at the weekend, thereby threatening the 2015 budget and fiscal plan.

The international price of crude hit a six-year low below USD40 per barrel with West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures as low as USD39.89, while Brent crude declined further to USD45.10 from previous week’s level of USD48.87 per barrel. Nigeria’s sweet crude is similar to the Brent.

It is envisaged that prices will crash even further once Iran begins to enyoy its international pardon by pumping more oil into the already saturated market.

This will spell more doom for Nigeria, which is producing less than its projected 2 million barrels daily, thereby increasing the cash crunch and liquidity flow in the economy, with many states still unable to pay salaries.

POLICE ARREST 37-YR-OLD MAN FOR RAPING HIS 2 DAUGHTERS (6 & 4 YR OLD) & HIS 15YR OLD STEPDAUGHTER. #SAYNOTOTRAPE.

The police in Lagos have arrested a man, Ajiboye Oluwaseyi, for allegedly raping his two daughters, a six-year-old and a four-year-old and his stepdaughter, 15, in the Lekki area of the state.

It was gathered that 37-year-old Oluwaseyi, who hails from Ondo State, was arrested on Wednesday, August 19, after his wife reported the matter to the police.

It was learnt that Oluwaseyi, who worked as a Lotto agent, had separated from his wife in December 2014. He was said to have taken the two girls from his wife, leaving her with a baby (the third child).

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS FASHOLA SPENT N139M ON DRILLING 2 BOREHOLES AT LAGOS HOUSE, IKEJA.

The immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, spent N139m on the drilling of two boreholes at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

The project was completed by Deux Projects Limited according to a report published by the state government

The report, which was part of the awarded contracts by the Lagos State Tenders Board in 2013, was seen on the website of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.

OTUOKE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS BEG FOR POTABLE WATER DESPITE THEIR SON'S 16YRS ROMANCE WITH POWER.

Despite holding various major leadership positions for 16 years where he had opportunities to better the life of his people, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan could not provide potable water for residents of his home community in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The water scarcity in Otuoke is similar to that of many parts of Nigeria where over half of the 160 million population lack access to pipe-borne water.

Apart from ruling Nigeria for five years as president (2010-2015), Mr. Jonathan was also vice president for three years (2007-2010). He had also governed Bayelsa State for 8 years, first as deputy governor ( 1999-2005), then as governor (2005-2007). During his 2015 presidential campaign, Mr. Jonathan acknowledged failing to execute people-oriented projects in Bayelsa and the whole of the Niger Delta, pledging to do so if re-elected. He, however, lost his re-election bid to President Muhammadu Buhari, who has pledged to probe to various allegations of corruption by his predecessor’s administration.

MAN JAILED FOR 359 YEARS FOR RAPING 2-YR-OLD GIRL & KILLING HER GREAT-GRANDPARENTS. #SAYNOTORAPE

An Alaska man convicted of raping a 2-year-old girl and killing her great-grandparents was sentenced Friday to 359 years in prison for the repulsive crimes.

Jerry Active was unremorseful as a judge handed down the punishment for the horrific 2013 attack on the Mountain View family, the Alaska Dispatch News reported.

"I'll stand by my innocence until the end," Active said in the Anchorage courtroom, blaming his guilty verdict on a white jury, according to KTUU 2.

RECRUITMENT OF 10,000 POLICE OFFICERS YET TO BEGIN, BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS - NPF HQ WARNS NIGERIANS.

The Police High Command yesterday disclosed that the recruitment of 10, 000 police officers promised by President Muhammadu Buhari, with a view of enhancing the fight against crime and insecurity in the country, is yet to begin hence Nigerians should beware of fraudsters. 

A statement signed by Force Public Relations officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu said, “Following the approval for recruitment of 10,000 Police officers by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigeria Police wishes to inform the general public that recruitment into the Force is yet to commence.

“The modalities for the recruitment are being worked out with the Police Service Commission and would be announced in due course.

PRESIDENCY ABOLISHES OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY.

The presidency has said that official portfolio was yet to be assigned to Aisha, the wife of president Mohmmadu Buhari, overruling what  hitherto was known as “First Lady’s office”. Apparently renaming it “Office of the Wife of the President”, the presidency however stated that Mrs. Buhari would, for now, be saddled with women and youth related issues in the country.

The Presidency was reacting to allegations in some Nigerian media that the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has moved into the First Lady’s office in the Aso Villa.

Describing the allegation as totally false and fictitious, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with Mrs. Buhari making use of the office space reserved for the First Lady, she had not done so in her capacity.

SHOCKER FOR BUHARI AS JOB CREATION DECLINES BY 70% IN Q2 2015.

As President Mohammmadu Buhari begins action on his campaign promises one of the key promises, job creation, appears to have become further worsened as a high powered report indicates a sharp drop in that major economic front in the second quarter 2015 (Q2 2015), covering his first month in office.

In the Q2 2015 total number of jobs created in the economy was just 141,368, a massive 70 per cent decline from 469,070 jobs created in the economy in the first quarter 2015 and also 45.5 per cent decline against the position in the corresponding quarter of 2014.

Two of Buhari’s key campaign promises were anti-corruption and job creation which earned him massive voter supports that pull the victory at the pools in March 2015 presidential election.

@BANKYW DID NOT DISCOVER @WIZKIDAYO, I DID - OJB

So many people would actually think EME Record boss, Banky W, discovered Wizkid, who became so popular while he (Wizzy) was under Banky’s label.

But in a recent exclusive chat, Producer, OJB Jezreel has decided to set the records straight.

OJB said he hadn’t spoken about it before now because he is too old to be blowing his own trumpet at 50. The beat maker said that he went to Wizkid’s family house to convince his parents to allow him pursue his music career.

FG TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL COURT FOR LOOTERS.

The Federal Government has begun moves to establish special courts to try corruption-related cases as part of the efforts to fight graft in the country.

Investigations revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was opting for a comprehensive onslaught against the problem of corruption in the country.

It was learnt that the President had concluded plans to submit a bill on the planned special anti-corruption courts to the National Assembly.

It was earlier reported that the Presidency had commenced the process of identifying fearless judges that would be saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting corrupt persons.

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS OBASANJO AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO MEDIATE IN THE UNFOLDING POLITICAL DRAMA AT GUINEA BISSAU.

Apparently worried by the brewing crisis in Guinea Bissau, President, Muhammadu Buhari, has sent former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, as his Special Envoy, to mediate and help find a solution to current challenge of the West African nation.

Following the dismissal of Guinea Bissau’s Prime Minister, Mr Domingos Simoes Pereira and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz, President Buhari had raised concern over the unfolding political situation in the country.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Femi Adesina, former President Obasanjo embarked on the first leg of his mission by consulting with the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Macky Sall of Senegal in Dakar on Thursday.

THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE IN NIGERIA LAW SCHOOL.

Penultimate week, the Council of Legal Education released the bar final examination results conducted between April and May this year.

The council is statutorily charged with the responsibility of conducting final bar examinations for prospective lawyers who are subsequently called to the Bar after fulfilling certain conditions both in character and learning.

A breakdown of the results indicates that 1,805 out of 5,588 who sat for the exams failed. This failure rate in the institution that provides future man-power for an arm of government is quite disturbing. It is more worrisome that  a higher percentage of those who were unsuccessful in the bar exams came from the rank of those who had to re-sit. Out of 2,736 candidates in this category, a total of 990 still failed. The other 875 candidates who did not pass in their first attempt added up to the figure of failure recorded this year.

I SPEND N350K ON MEDICAL BILLS EVERY MONTH AFTER THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT - OJB.

Two years after he had a successful kidney transplant in India, popular music producer and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa, aka OJB Jezreel, is still battling to stay healthy.

Although the artiste claims, in an interview with our correspondent, to be in a better condition and a lot stronger than he was in 2013, he is engaged in a silent struggle to overcome the challenges that set in after the transplant.

A few weeks ago, it was rumoured, especially in the social media, that OJB had suffered a kidney relapse. The rumour had caused quite a stir in the entertainment industry, as always. But the singer had quickly dismissed it and informed his numerous fans that he was alright.