Close to $15bn, more than half of Nigeria's current foreign reserves, was lost to fraudulent security equipment spending - VP

Read the press statement below.. 

"Nigeria lost about $15B to fraudulent and corrupt practices in the security equipment spending during the last administration, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has disclosed, even as he spoke of hope that the implementation of the 2016 budget would commence soon. "By the grace of God in the next few days we will begin the implementation of one of the most ambitious budgets in our history. 

Ambitious not just in its size but more in its broad range of fiscal and other socio-economic policies," according to the Vice President.

The Vice President spoke today at the book presentation of the Ibadan-based elite group, House of Lords, which just published an indepth analysis by different experts titled "Nigeria: The Challenges of Growth and Development, " at the University of Ibadan.

While observing that the Buhari presidency has kept on a sustained fight against corruption, the Vice President said the country simply cannot sustain the shocking level of public sector corruption in particular.

Said he: "When you look at the sheer amount of money that have been embezzled, the sheer amount of money lost from any of these various cases of corruption,  you will find that far too much has been lost. "

Continuing he disclosed that "it was discovered a few days ago that the total amount of money lost just to corruption in part of...and provision of security equipments in the military is closer to 15 billion US dollars."

While the nation's foreign reserves is now around about $27B, Prof Osinbajo, driving home the stark significance of the such corruption, noted that the $15 billion figure "is more than half of the current foreign reserves of the country."

He then told the audience made up of top Nigerian elites drawn from academics, business and the professions that what the Buhari presidency is "trying to do is to ensure that there are consequences for corruption and we try to send a message that anyone who is found to have been corrupt would not only dislodge the property they have stolen but will also pay for it in terms of the sanctions of the law."

According to him, "I believe strongly that it is important to send a message that no public officer can steal the resources of this country and expect to escape. I hope the message would be loud and clear and it will inform behaviour in the future."

Throwing a challenge to the generality of the Nigerian elite, Prof Osinbajo said "the limits of the growth and development of most nations largely depend on the strength of the value-driven influence of their elite, indeed it is evident that the reason for the development and growth of most societies is not resources, but values, (otherwise African countries will be the most developed.)

Citing the example of Singapore to back up his submission, the VP noted that the reason why the "tiny, resourceless island is richer than most of sub-Saharan Africa with its vast resources is values: hard-work, integrity, innovation promoted by a committed elite. Thus the custodian elite especially in largely poor and illiterate societies has a huge responsibility."

He said that responsinility is what he called "The burden of privilege."

He explained: "I have argued elsewhere that the privileged, or the elite both individually and collectively have a responsibility, an obligation to society, to plan it, organise it, order or reorder it and above all to make sacrifices for it, for the maximum benefit of all."

Continuing he added: "This is the burden of privilege. It is their -elite-obligation individually and collectively to chart the course for the millions. They define and house the ethos and the public sense of the people. It is their expected role to find common cause across professions, vocations, ethnicities and faiths, defining the minimum terms and conditions for the safety, security, growth and prosperity of the community."

Furthermore he stated that the elites  "define clearly what is lofty, what is noble, what is deserving of honour and how these values can be sustained, preserved and enforced. This is the burden of privilege. The French describes it as “Noblese oblige” --nobility obligates or perhaps more correctly for our purpose, privilege obligates. Society fails when the elite abdicates its role."

Based therefore on the recent past of the country, the Vice President lamented that "to a large extent the ethical space has been vacated by the Nigerian elite. In its place are all manner of excuses and false justifications of bad behaviour. Today ethnicity and religion protect corruption and abuse of power. Mediocrity is encouraged by the subjection of merit to variations of quota systems. Quotas are not in themselves wrong, but must be the exceptions not the rule."

He stated three principles that the Nigerian elites ought to accept and pursue to ensure nation's growth and development:

The first is integrity-a rigorous maintenance of transparency, accountability in governance

The second: the discipline of implementation, which encapsulates planning, timeliness and precision. 

And third: the rigorous enforcement of rules, law and order. 

"Each of these is founded on ethical constructs that are established, nurtured and protected by the elite. In doing so the elite must understand its responsibility, the obligations that the privilege of education, status and providence confers."

"It was the aristocratic elite in the United Kingdom that presented the MagnaCarta Libertatum: a charter of human freedoms that has become the template for constitutional rights anywhere in the world. Those barons, not lawyers, crafted the high-minded words of that charter including those that through the ages undergird the enduring notions of the rule of law and judicial integrity namely: "To none will we sell, to none deny or delay, right or justice." 

"Similarly it was the American elite that drew up the words of its Constitution and its other documents enabling personal autonomy and free enterprise. The puritans a small but powerful group entrenched the Anglo-American concept of hard work, creativity and trustworthiness, their reward is that the work ethic said to be responsible for the success of the industrial revolution is named after them, 'the puritanical work ethic.' "

"There is very little reason why concepts such as "Omoluabi," or equivalents which conflate notions of a person, character and introspection should not be insisted upon and established. 
It is my humble submission so, that it is the business of the Nigerian elite through its most revered social institutions to promote the values that are fundamental to development and growth. Policies are often only as good as the character and commitment of its implementers."

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President
May 2, 2016

Check out today's newspaper headlines [Monday, May 2, 2016]

FG ignores N56, 000 minimum wage proposal by Organized Labour

The Federal Government on Sunday kept mum over the recent demand by the organised labour for a new minimum wage of N56,000.

The issue of the minimum wage was not mentioned by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, at the May Day rally in Abuja. 

Officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress expressed disappointment at the failure of the President to personally attend the annual event which would have given him the opportunity to address some of the issues raised by the workers.

For instance, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, who doubles as the National Treasurer of the NLC, said that the President’s absence was a minus as he missed the opportunity to hear directly from the workers.

He said that Buhari would have had the opportunity to directly respond to the workers who believed in his cause as President.

The last time the President openly identified with labour unions was at the 11th delegates’ conference of the NLC in February, 2015, shortly before his election.

When asked that both the President did not mention the issue of the new proposed minimum wage, he said that the President’s absence caused it.

“That is one of the bad feelings we have as workers representatives on May Day. We believe that it was as a result of the absence of Mr. President. There is no way the President of the country would grace an occasion and salient issues like that would be raised, without Mr. President at least responding to them.”

Khaleel said that while the organised labour did not have the exact reasons for the government’s refusal to comment on the issues, it was a fact that labour had always achieved welfare demands for its members through sustained struggle.

“We cannot say sincerely or talk about the reasons behind the government side not to say anything about it. But we believe that nothing, absolutely nothing, comes to the working class in the history of struggle free of charge, so we are determined and we are ready to pursue our agenda because we believe in our cause,” he said.

There were high expectations that the Federal Government would comment on the issue of the minimum wage during the event.

The expectations of the President’s personal presence at the even reflected in the address read by the President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, who expressed gratitude to the “President for accepting our invitation to personally grace this May Day celebrations.”

NLC’s Deputy Director in charge of Press, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, had told our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Saturday to wait for the response of the Federal Government on the issue of the proposed new minimum wage on May Day.

In an address read on his behalf by Ngige, the President called on the workers to collaborate with the government in the fight against corruption in the public service.

He said, “In this fight against corruption, I need you all to be very willing partners. Fighting corruption in the public service in particular requires the workers to play major roles by cooperating with the government.

Senator Dino Melaye show off his wealth (Photo)

Just get your pen and do the maths, it doesn’t add up...It just doesn't!

In a country where about 100 million inhabitants survive with below $2 per day, it doesn’t just add up!

Those of you from his constituency, what questions are you asking him?

Paul Okoye's advice on public image came crashing on him

Following the major issue concerning celebrities and their failed relationship, one of the Psquare brothers paul okoye came out straight to advice other celebrities to stop making the media help them settle their dispute as their intimate issues serve as better entertainment for them.
However, fans have taken a harsh reaction calling out the musician to first remove the spec in his eyes before removing the log in his neighbour’s.

The psquare duo were once the biggest selling acts in Africa but have now sepearted,  doing music individually. See tweet below...

Albinos in Malawi may Face Possible Extinction – United Nations

                                          

A United Nation human rights council’s expert says that Malawian Albinos may face extinction. In other words the UN personnel implied that it has sadly gotten to that point where albinos will not be found in Malawi for all the wrong reasons.

Albinos all over the world face a certain level of discrimination. But in Africa, the experience is a lot worse. In different parts of the continent, albinism is viewed as taboo. As such people with albinism in the region go through a lot of ordeal.

According to the expert Ms Ikponwosa Ero, who is also an albino, there is an estimated   10, 000 albinos most likely to face “extinction”. This is because of the incessant and inhumane treatments meted out to them. Some are murdered. Others are mutilated for diabolical reasons. Ms Ero says that albinos in some parts of Africa are seen as a source of income.

In places like Malawi and Tanzani there have been cases where albinos lose a part or parts of their body to ritualists who want to be wealthy and influential. In a place like Tanzania there are local markets where charms made from albino body parts are sold. Desperate citizens who want to be rich go as far as exhuming the dead bodies of Malawian albinos from their graves.

“Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries and the sale of body parts of persons with albinism is believed to be very lucrative.” Ms Ero says that if this hideous crimes continue to be perpetuated on Malawian albinos, then they are bound to go extinct.

Officials Ban From Accepting Gifts Above 60 Dollars in Burkina Faso

Officials in Burkina Faso will no longer be able to accept gifts above 60 dollars, that is gifts worth more than 35,000 CFA francs. The government just announced this yesterday in yet another move to curb the corruption that is seemingly rife in the nation especially among public officials.

Justice Minister Rene Bagoro told reporters while outlining the terms of the order which was made by the cabinet on Wednesday; "If an agent receives a present, a gift and other perks worth more than 35,000 CFA francs, it falls under the law.”

By that he referenced an anti-corruption law already adopted in 2015 which provides for a 20 year jail sentence for anyone charged with economic crimes. Under another new “appearance” decree, public officials are required to account for any apparently inexplicable increase in their standard of living. Bagoro said again; decrees were made under the anti-corruption law passed by the National Transitional Council set up after the fall of president Blaise Compaore who fled the country after a popular uprising in 2014.

The anti-corruption law criminalizes so-called appearance offences and prohibits gifts for public officials in a country where high-ranking government employees often receive donations and gifts. The new pronouncement will obviously encounter a lot of acceptance from the citizens of the country.

University of Port Harcourt announces resumption date

The school was shut down on April 11, following a protest embarked upon by students of the university.

However, Students have now been directed to return to the school as a statement was published on the school's information portal.

The statement said:

""Following Senate’s approval, the University Management wishes to inform all Returning Students that the Registration Portal will be open for two (2) weeks, from Tuesday, 3rd to Monday, 16th May, 2016. This is to enable the students concerned to conclude their registration for the 2015/2016 session.

The students concerned are to pay their School Charges at the designated Banks (outside the University environment). However, for the UniPort-Choba (U & C) Microfinance Bank, students concerned are to use the Branch at the College of Continuing Education, University of Port Harcourt, Nkpolu Orowurukwo, Port Harcourt."

Malia Obama is officially going to Harvard

After months of rampant speculation, The White House announced the Malia Obama has chosen to attend Harvard University. She will begin her freshman year at Harvard in the fall of 2017, graduating with the class of 2021.

She sparked rumors about her college choices after she went on a tour of the Ivies, Stanford and NYU last year. Many believed that demonstrated her interest in film studies and an internship in New York City on the set of HBO's "Girls," would lead her to choose NYU, which has a top-ranked film program.

Other top guesses were first lady Michelle Obama's alma mater of Princeton University or President Obama's undergraduate institution Columbia University. Her pick, however, still connects her to both parents, who attended Harvard Law School.

Unbelievable as Wizkid Reveals his long time crush

Wizkid made his thoughts known as guest artiste on the popular MTV Base & did not mince words, as he gave some exclusive revelation about himself.

He said; "I’ve had a huge crush on Chidinma for a long time… she doesn’t know it but it’s true".

I regret my open letter to Tiwa Savage- Freeze

See his post he shared on Instagram below...

See what a woman was seen carrying on her back

Lol!! Nigerian women no go kill person with laughter. She na fuel scarcity cause am ni?

Photos of Rita Dominic on a movie set with Chidi Mokeme

                        

Very cute behind the scene photos of Nollywood Actors, Rita Dominic & Chidi Mokeme playing the role of 'Sharon and Kobi', in a movie directed by Teco Benson.

Borrow to fund welfare programme promised by APC, Falana to Buhari

Femi Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on Saturday called on the Nigeria Labour Movement to lead campaign for recovery of stolen wealth and the prosecution of all indicted looters. He made the call at the 2016 Pre-May Day Lecture with the theme, “The fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’’, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). 

According to him, government has continue to take toxic loans from foreign financial institutions to fund the escalating costs of governance. “Under an economy controlled by market forces, the majority of citizens have been denied access to security, welfare and happiness. “In an arrogant manner, the few public officers and their cohorts who have cornered the commonwealth go around freely. “The ongoing investigation into the mega looting of the treasury had shown that if the resources of the nation had been judiciously managed, an effective welfare programme could have been established. “This will run in the interest of the people, although the mega looting of the national treasury is being investigated.’’ 

Falana also noted that electricity tariff had been increased even though there was no improvement in electricity supply. He also said that Nigerians were being forced to pay more for education, health, fuel and other essential social services. “Since the Federal Government is in a position to borrow N600 billion every month to pay salaries, it should also borrow to fund the welfare programme promised by the APC. “It is therefore suggested that the stolen wealth being recovered should be channeled towards the funding of a welfare programme for the people,’’he added. He called on the Federal Government to review the National Minimum Wage as it was long overdue in line with the law. According to him, government is under obligation to provide a living national minimum wage and ensure that condition of work is humane. He said that government must ensure that the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment were safeguarded and not endangered or abuse.

Dope new make-up selfie of Genevieve Nnaji

                      

Nollywood actress, Genevieve, shared Beautiful selfie of her make-up via her instagram page.