Here Is The 7 Important Matters Osinbajo, 36 Governors Discussed At National Economic Council Meeting

Osinbajo

Below are the main highlights of the 76th meeting of the National Economic Council (composed of all the 36 state governors, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) held on Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Abuja. 

NEC (3RD IN 2017) 76TH NEC MEETING –THURSDAY, 27TH APRIL, 2017

 

NATURAL RESOURCES FUND AND ECOLOGICAL FUND

 

The Accountant- General of the Federation briefed Council on the Development of Natural Resources and Ecological Funds as follows:

 

• That the Natural Resources Fund balance as at 31/3/17 – N70.9 billion

 

• Ecological Fund balance as at 31/3/17 – N33.645 billion

 

• States and Local Governments now to keep their share of Resources Fund and Ecological Fund for use of intervention as the need arises in their respective jurisdictions.

 

• Council also decided that an audit of the Ecological Fund be carried out by an Committee of governors and federal ministers.

 

• The Committee is comprised of the Governors of Oyo, Borno, Imo, Kaduna, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue States, and the Ministers of Finance and Environment.

 

This Committee will audit the Ecological Fund and come up with policy recommendations on how the fund should be managed and disbursed.

 

PARIS CLUB REFUND

 

• The Honourable Minister of Finance gave an update on the disbursement of the Paris Club refunds and addressed issues about the next round of the payments to the States after the first disbursements.

 

• State Governors at the meeting expressed appreciation to the President for the previous disbursements of the refund, which is more than 10 years overdue, and noted their expectations for the next round of refund from the FG.

 

EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT

 

• The Honourable Minister of Finance also told Council that the Balance in the Excess Crude Account as at April 26, 2017 stands at US$2.2billion.

 

FAAC BUDGET ESTIMATE

 

• The Honourable Minister of Finance presented a Budget Estimate for the operation of the Committee and Council approved.

 

OPERATION OF EFFICIENCY UNIT – FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE

 

• The Ministry of Finance also made presentation to Council on the Operations of the Efficiency Unit located in the Federal Ministry.

 

• Council was informed that the Unit has been able to save the FG a whopping of N17 billion since it was established.

 

• Council appreciated the presentation and urged that States also should establish Efficiency Units in order to entrench systems that will improve efficiency, reduce cost and block leakages in line with the fiscal sustainability plan.

 

SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME OF THE FG

 

• The Vice President updated Council on the progress of four of the Social Investment Programmes of the Administration, namely: N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Homegrown School Feeding Programme and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), for micro –credits.

 

• Council was also briefed about certain impediments and programme implementation delays noticed in the FG/States Government’s collaboration and resolved to end such obstacles to the successful implementation of the SIPs.

 

• Council therefore resolved to upgrade the States coordination units for the FG’s SIP to the Governor’s offices for better and more effective FG/State collaboration

 

UPDATE ON MENINGITIS

 

• Honourable Minister of Health made a presentation to Council on the update on the Meningitis Outbreak as follows:

 

• That there have been 9,646 suspected cases of Meningitis affecting 6 States in the country, namely Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna

 

• As at April 25, 2017, about 767 deaths had occurred, representing 9% of the infected population

 

• About N46.7 billion is required to vaccinate the valuable population

 

• Council expressed grave concern over the ravaging effects of the meningitis epitome in parts of the country and directed the Federal Ministry of Health to intensify its intervention efforts to contain the embarrassing epidemic, while advocating for increased funding for Health.

 

• The Minister in his presentation called for the establishment of a National Health Emergency Fund to be domiciled in the Presidency under the supervision of NEC Chairman.

 

ARMED HERDSMEN/FARMERS CONFLICT

 

• The National Security Adviser (NSA) today briefed Council on the security situation in the country, particularly as it has to do with conflict between armed herdsmen and farmers, especially in Kaduna, Taraba and Benue States among others.

 

• He told Council that security agencies have commenced a nationwide crackdown on armed herdsmen, gun runners, cattle rustlers, militants, militias and others perpetrators of violence.

 

• Governors gave a robust response to the presentations, commending efforts of the FG so far in tackling the security challenges and advocated for more collaboration between the FG and States.

 

• Council resolved that there is need to have an extraordinary session dedicated to discussing security issues in the country as a means to deepening the issues and effectively addressing the menace.

Short Note On Senator Isiaka Adeleke's Death

By Adetilewa Adetomiwa 
Let me pokenose to Osun...

Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke became Senator in 2007 defeating house of Rep member who was representing Oshodi/Isolo in Lagos State, Hon.Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein.
He lost in 2011 to the man he defeated in 2007, Hon. Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein.

He joined same party with the incumbent, he defeated him again to get APC ticket in 2015. Later won the general election.

The man he defeated, Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein was said to be a strong member of Oranmiyan group. He was sacrificed for Adeleke support toward Aregbesola second term bid.
Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke started mobilization to succeed Aregbesola in 2018.
Aregbesola is the leader of Oranmiyan group. He is governing without commissioners for 16 months, suddenly nominated Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein few weeks ago as one of his commissioners. People alledge it was a plot to checkmate Adeleke in his district.
News came out about Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein ridiculous appointment, which painted him as broke ex senator (ipada seyin). Some people in his group blamed supporters of, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke for the smear campaign.
Now that Adeleke is dead, we will be watching if Senator Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein will contest the special election to replace Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
I am not insinuating anything, just investigating as usual.

Painful Exit: Prominent Nigerians We Lost This April

Onuora Nzekwu: Author of “Eze Goes to School”. He was 89 years old

Senator Isiaka Adeleke: first civilian governor Osun State; Senator representing Osun West in National Assembly. He was 62 years old
Olumide Bakre:

 A veteran actor and popular face on our screen for decades. He battled heart and lung related ailment for quite a while before his death in UCH Ibadan yesterday. He was 65 years old

Dapo Famakinwa:  The Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Dipo Famakinwa. He died on Friday morning. He was 51.

Professor Olu Akeushola; Provost, Micheal Otedola college Of Education, Epe

Ahmadu Chachangi: Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines. The Taraba-born, Kaduna-based billionaire died along Kaduna-Abuja road while on the way to a hospital in Abuja on Wednesday morning. He was 81.

May their souls rests in perfect peace!

Amosun, Akeredolu on Condolence Visit to Famakinwa's Family

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, on Monday, paid a condolence visit on the family of the late Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, in Lagos.

During the visit, the governors took turns to speak glowingly of the late Famakinwa describing him as someone who was hardworking and passionate about the development of the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Governor Amosun narrated how he received news of the death of Famakinwa with shock.
The Ogun State governor also spoke of how much the late DG of DAWN Commission would be missed by him and his other brother governors in the South west geopolitical zone.
Governor Amosun added that it was in the honour of the late Famakinwa that the governors of the Southwest decided to postpone a meeting earlier scheduled for Abeokuta, on Monday.
Governor Amosun commiserated with the wife and children left behind by the late Famakinwa.
The governors also signed the condolence register.

FG To Reward Whistle-blowers On Illegal Weapons – Presidency

The National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Munguno (rtd) has began work on a template for the discovery and recovery of illegal weapons through a reward system.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.


According to the presidential spokesman, the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) is adopting the whistle-blowing approach so as to eradicate mass shooting incidents and remove the harassment of law abiding citizens by holders of illegal weapons.


He said the proposed adoption of the whistle-blowing policy on illegal weapons by the Federal Government followed the success of the policy in the recovery of huge amount of questionable and stolen funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Shehu, therefore,said the presidency had started drawing up the rules of a whistle-blower mechanism to throw a spotlight on the regime of gun ownership and control as a bold move to prevent and eradicate illegal ownership of small arms and light weapons in the country.
He said that this would be a sort of searchlight on weapons ownership in the country, adding that the aim was to disarm communities especially those with proclivity to violence.


“In the last few days, we had discussed the efforts the administration is making to strengthen the whistle-blower mechanism in the Ministry of Finance, which to date has proved to be very effective in bringing the attention of the government to stolen assets and unexplained wealth.


“The ONSA initiative may be an independent line of inquiry or in active collaboration with what the government is doing in Finance. This will be a sort of searchlight on weapons ownership in the country.


“Whatever form or shape it takes, the administration wants to take a tough line to curtail the large number of illegal weapons in circulation used in intra and inter-communal conflicts,’’ he said.


Shehu disclosed that the ONSA had already inaugurated a committee saddled with the responsibility of the recovery of small arms and light weapons in the country.

The blowing policy, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is meant to expose fraud and other related crimes in both the public and the private sectors.
The policy was devised by the Ministry of Finance aimed at encouraging anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacts negatively on Nigerians and government to report it.


“If there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistle blower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5 per cent (minimum) and 5.0 per cent (maximum) of the total amount recovered,’’ Minister of finance Kemi Adeosun said.

The policy has recorded appreciable success as it has led to the discovery of billions of Naira in the last few months since it started.

Source: Vanguard

Lionel Messi Scores 500th Goal For Barcelona

Lionel Messi struck his 500th Barcelona goal with the last kick of the game to blow the La Liga title race wide open with a thrilling 3-2 win at Real Madrid on Sunday.


Messi had broken a three-year goalless drought against Madrid to cancel out Casemiro’s opener for Madrid in the first-half.

Ivan Rakitic’s stunning strike and a red card for Madrid captain Sergio Ramos for chopping down Messi 13 minutes from time put Barca on course for victory before James Rodriguez came off the bench to level four minutes from time.

However, fittingly, Messi had the final say with a brilliant finish deep into stoppage time to lift Barcelona’s hopes of a third straight La Liga title.

Fresh from dumping Bayern Munich out the Champions League in a 4-2 thriller after extra-time in midweek, Madrid had started confidently in another breathless encounter at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo had strong appeals for a penalty waived away inside two minutes after he appeared to have been clipped by Samuel Umtiti.

Barca grew slowly into the game and had their first big chance when Luis Suarez dragged wide Jordi Alba’s fine cut-back from the edge of the box 11 minutes in.

Shortly after Messi was left floored and bloodied after being caught by a stray elbow from Marcelo.

The Argentine was still down by Ronaldo drilled another fine effort towards goal that Marc-Andre ter Stegen did well to parry to safety.

Unsurprisingly given both Madrid’s potency and Barca’s inability to defend set-pieces, the opener arrived from a dead ball.

Marcelo picked up the loose ball from a corner and when Sergio Ramos volleyed his cross against the post, Casemiro was on hand to tap into an unguarded net.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, as with a handkerchief still mopping the blood from his cheek, Messi danced past Dani Carvajal and Nacho to fire home his first goal against Madrid for three years.

Ter Stegen was called into action again to prevent Real immediately retaking the lead as he flew to his left to save from Luka Modric’s long-range effort.

However, Barca ended the half feeling hard done by when referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez didn’t show Casemiro a second yellow card for upending Messi as he led a promising counter-attack.

Madrid were rampant at the start of the second period, but were met with a wall of resistence in Ter Stegen.

The German dived low to his left to turn international teammate Toni Kroos’s effort behind before diverting Karim Benzema’s goalbound header to safety with his outstretched foot.

However, Keylor Navas was also busy at the other end as he came to Madrid’s rescue on three occasions.

Firstly, he got a foot to Paco Alcacer’s prodded effort before pulling off acrobatic saves to deny Gerard Pique and Suarez.

Ronaldo then missed a guilt-edged chance to put Madrid back in front as he somehow turned the ball over from point-blank range after unselfish play from Asensio.

There was nothing Navas could do to deny Barca 17 minutes from time when Rakitic took aim from 25 yards and drilled into the top corner.

The match seemed to have swung decisively in Barca’s favour four minutes later when Ramos scythed down Messi to be shown the 22nd red card of his career.

However, even with 10 men, Madrid rallied and levelled when substitute James Rodriguez swept home Marcelo’s cross four minutes from time.

There was still time for one huge twist in the title race, though, as Sergi Roberto’s lung-bursting run led a Barca counter-attack to feed Jordi Alba and his cross was smashed into the corner by Messi.

(AFP)

Unfulfilled Promises: Niger Delta Militants Threaten To Resume Attacks

Militant groups in the Niger Delta are threatening to resume attacks due to :of the Federal Government.

A statement issued by the militant groups said, “There is no more time; the Federal Government must act now and show seriousness and commitment to the plight of Niger Delta or we will be forced to resume attacks.

“We must make sure we liberate our people from the slavery of the Nigerian state. We believe that the Federal Government will not be surprised to see another crisis in the Niger Delta and they should not blame anyone if such happens.

“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is not sincere in resolving the Niger Delta crisis.”

“We know very well that the visit of the Vice-President (then Acting President) to oil producing states was a big scam, camouflage, deceit and delay tactics by the Federal Government to achieve its normal daily crude oil production.

“We want to state here clearly that we are tired of all unfulfilled promises; we are tired of developing Niger Delta in the media, we are tired of the Vice-President’s unending meetings without follow-up actions,” they added.

The statement was authorised by leader of Niger Delta Watchdog, ‘General’ John Duku; ‘General’ Ekpo Ekpo of the Niger Delta Volunteers, ‘Commander’ Henry Etete of the Niger Delta People’s Fighters and ‘Commander’ Asuquo Henshaw of the Bakassi Freedom Fighters.