RIVERS: WIKE SETS UP PANEL TO PROBE AMAECHI ADMINISTRATION

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Friday inaugurated a seven-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the immediate past administration of Mr. Chibuike Amaechi.
Wike said at the inauguration that the probe was in conformity with section 2 (1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law of Rivers State.
He charged the commission to ascertain the sale of valued assets of Rivers and other related matters with a view to finding out the legality of such transactions.
The panel was also charged to investigate the sale of Omoku 150 MW Gas Turbine; Afam 360 MW Gas Turbine; Trans-Amadi 136 Gas Turbine and Eleme 75 MW gas Turbine.

WHY WE CAN’T RELEASE DETAILS OF BUHARI, OSINBAJO’S ASSETS – CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU

The Code of Conduct Bureau will not make public the details of assets declared by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo due to limitations in federal laws covering such release, the office has said.
There has been controversy over the release of the details of the president and vice president’s assets since their inauguration May 29.
Mr. Buhari pledged to publicly declare his assets despite the lack of a law requiring him to do so. The Nigerian Constitution stipulates that senior office holders declare their assets, without requiring them to do so publicly.

JODA COMMITTEE ASKS BUHARI TO APPOINT ONLY 19 SENIOR MINISTERS

The Ahmed Joda-led transition committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prune the number of federal ministries from 28 to 19. In its report seen by TheCable, the advisory committee recommended that Buhari should have only 19 senior ministers, while 17 ministers of state should be appointed, bringing the total to 36 in fulfillment of the constitutional requirement of one minister per state. Previous governments, starting from 1999, appointed 42 ministers — picking one from each of the six geo-political zones in addition to one from each of the 36 states of the federation. Under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, there were 28 senior ministers and 14 ministers of state. Three of the ministries were directly under presidency. The issue of small government has dominated public debate, with the new governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, reducing the number of ministries from 19 to 13 upon inauguration.

BUHARI HAS NOT ORDERED SALE OF 9 PRESIDENTIAL JETS – PRESIDENCY

Contrary to reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the immediate disposal of nine of the 11 VIP transport aircraft in the presidential fleet, the presidency on Friday denied knowledge of any such directive.
THISDAY newspaper had quoted unnamed sources as saying the president had directed the selling of serviceable and unserviceable aircrafts to cut maintenance costs in line with the government’s policy to drastically reduce its annual expenditure.

SOUTH AFRICAN STOWAWAY FELL TO HIS DEATH FROM BRITISH AIRWAYS JET AS IT APPROACHED HEATHROW

According to The Sun UK, a man believed to be South African fell to his death from a British Airways passenger jet as the plane approached Heathrow airport. The stowaway's body was found on an office block roof of a retail company along a busy road in Richmond, South West London.

Another man, also believed to be South African, survived the 8,000 mile, 11-hour flight from South Africa to London by holding on to the undercarriage of a British Airways Boeing 747. No one knows how the two men got there.

DRUGS: FOUR NIGERIANS JAILED FOR 15-18 YEARS IN NEW ZEALAND

Police authorities in New Zealand on Friday disclosed that four Nigerian nationals Nnamdi Augustine Iwu 36, Hyacinth Ochibulu 44, David Obiaga 44 and Ugochukwu Okpara 27 and a New Zealander have received long jail terms for their roles in an international drug smuggling ring.
The Nigerians were jailed for terms of 15 to 18 years after being found guilty of importing and possessing methamphetamine for supply, and the New Zealander was jailed for nine years for possession of methamphetamine for supply.
The sentences handed down at the Auckland High Court on Thursday marked a successful end to a combined police and customs operation that began in November 2013, said a police statement.

NIGERIA’S FOUR REFINERIES TO BEGIN OPERATION NEXT MONTH – NNPC

Nigeria’s four refineries will resume production next month, spokesperson of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said.
Ohi Alegbe on Thursday said the four refineries – two in Port Harcourt, one in Kaduna and the other one in Warri will be fully operational from next month.
Speaking to AFP, Alegbe said “the operations resume after a successful turn-around-maintenance (overhaul) of their facilities”.
“The turn-around-maintenance has been on for some time. We did not just want to make any noise about it. The refineries will start production as soon as they have delivery of crude oil for refining,” he said.
His statement raises hope of an end to perennial petrol shortages that have plagued Africa’s largest crude producer.
The NNPC has four refineries — two in Port Harcourt in the south, one in northern Kaduna and another in southern Warri, with a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day.

MAN WRITES APPLICATION LETTER TO BUHARI FOR MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT

As published today by Vanguard in a paid advertorial, Comrade Igbini Odafe Emmanuel is appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider him for a ministerial appointment in his yet to be constituted cabinet.

In the open letter tagged: 'Attn: President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)', the man who says he is Comrade (Engr) Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, said he is the immediate past Director-General of Delta State Direct Labour Agency, went on to describe himself as the best man for a ministerial post going by his qualifications and competence.
Emmanuel says he was a Governorship candidate in Delta State on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party and the state Chairman of the party.

“ Mr. President Sir, I have faith in you to favorably consider my application given my proven record of integrity, competent and consistent patriotism to our dear nation, Nigeria.” He said.

In conclusion, henamed Alhaji Balarabe Musa; National Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party and Gen. Ishola Williams [Rtd] as referees.

SARAKI, OYINLOLA, OTHERS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH OBASANJO

Senate President Bukola Saraki is in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, holding a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Also in the entourage of the Senate President on the early Friday visit are Senators Andy Uba, Danjuma Goje, Ahmed Yerima, Tayo Alasoadura and a former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
They arrived at Obasanjo’s Hilltop Mansion, Abeokuta, at about 9.10am in about seven Sports Utility Vehicles.
The senators and other All Progressives Congress chiefs proceeded into the inner chamber of former President’s home as soon as they alighted from their vehicles.

It is yet unclear why the politicians have come to see Obasanjo.

I’M UNDER PRESSURE OVER BUHARI’S CABINET - JODA

Chairman of President Muhammadu Buhari‘s Transition Committee Malam Ahmed Joda has said he is under intense pressure from politicians and contractors and seeking appointments and other favours in the All Progressives Congress (APC) new government.
In an exclusive interview yesterday in Kaduna with Daily Trust, the elder statesman said people looking for political appointments in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government have been disturbing him.
Joda, who led the Buhari’s 19-member transition committee, submitted its report last week in Abuja.
He said the committee was approached by many politicians, contractors as well as interest groups with various lobbying for one appointment, contract or other special favours. 

BAUCHI GOVT SEIZES 22 VEHICLES FROM YUGUDA’S WIVES

Bauchi—As part of efforts to recover all its properties, the Bauchi State government has seized a total 22 vehicles in the possession of the wives of former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda.
The Chairman of the Transition Committee, Senator Mohammed Mohammed who spoke yesterday at the Government House in Bauchi said that the recovery of the vehicles was in tandem with the mandate of the committee to recover all items confirmed to have been allocated against due and return them to the government.

BUHARI TO MOVE INTO ASO VILLA, ANNOUNCE SOME APPOINTMENTS NEXT WEEK

...As Fashola, Fayemi, others fine-tune 800-page report for take-off
ABUJA — After spending nearly three weeks in the saddle, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to move into the Presidential Villa and commence serious business of governance next week, a competent Presidency source confirmed to Vanguard.
Since being declared winner of the 2015 Presidential election, Buhari has been operating from the Defence House in Maitama and has been conducting official business of government from there, having taken over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015 from former President Goodluck Jonathan.
But authoritative Presidency sources told Vanguard that Buhari was set to move into the Presidential Villa before the end of the week and might also name the first set of top government officials to kick-start the administration, which has witnessed a lull in the last three weeks.

SENEGAL GETS RID OF ITS SENATE TO SAVE MONEY

Senegalese lawmakers, who are divided between a 150-seat National Assembly and a 100-seat Senate, voted to do away with the Senate, passing a law, which dissolves the institution in order to save an estimated $15 million.

Minister of Justice Aminata Toure explained that the suppression on Tuesday of the Senate is intended to curb government spending, and would provide the cash needed to help the victims of the yearly rains, which have left thousands homeless and killed at least 13 people.

BUHARI ORDERS DISPOSAL OF NINE PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT TO CUT COST

As part of the federal government’s cost measures, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet should be sold.

Industry sources informed THISDAY that the presidential fleet, which are registered as Nigerian Air Force aircraft, is one of the largest in Africa and the third largest in Nigeria after Arik Air and Aerocontractors.

According to an aviation source, who is aware of the directive to sell the aircraft, the presidency has a number of serviceable and unserviceable aircraft that need to be disposed of in order to reduce the amount spent by the federal government for aircraft maintenance annually.

APC IN FRESH CRISIS OVER N’ASSEMBLY POSTS

• Tinubu, NWC disagree on selection procedure for Senate Leader, others
• Odigie-Oyegun battles to retain post
The All Progressives Congress (APC), which is still smarting from the crisis over the defeat of its candidates for the leadership positions of the National Assembly, is enmeshed in a fresh trouble, New Telegraph has learnt.
It was learnt yesterday that the fresh crisis in the party followed another attempt by some party chieftains to select those to occupy the positions of the Senate Leader, Deputy Senate leader, Chief Whip of the Senate and the Deputy Senate Whip. New Telegraph gathered that the party became divided following pressure by a national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, on the party to nominate those to fill the positions.
However, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) prefers that the remaining principal officers should emerge by allowing the various zonal caucuses to nominate them from among their members.