ISIS Bans Madrid, Barca Shirts as Citizens Face 80 Lashes>> read more!!!

The terrorist group known as Islamic State (ISIS) has made a list of Nike and Adidas football kits that it prohibits repressed citizens from wearing, according to The Mirror.

The regulations, established by ISIS’ Hisba religious police in Al-Furat province in Iraq, rule that anyone caught wearing sportswear made by the sports manufacturers, including replica tops of La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be sentenced to 80 lashes.

Other tops that ISIS has banned are those of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and several other Premier League sides. England, France and Germany’s international shirts are also among the forbidden memorabilia.

The laws were highlighted by MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM), which scrutinises global Islamist terrorism and violent extremism.

Buhari Invites UN to Mediate in Release of Chibok Girls>> read more!!!

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, that Nigeria will welcome intermediaries from the global body.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the decision to invite the UN negotiators was to demonstrate Buhari’s commitment to swapping the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to bend backwards to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.

“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of the Boko Haram sect to discuss with,” the president said, adding that “the split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.”

The president reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak and innocent.

“The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is Great) shows that they do not know that Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood,” Buhari said.

He thanked Ban Ki-Moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which he said had enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing her.

In his response, the UN Secretary General congratulated Buhari on the anti-corruption war, declaring: “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image.”

He said the UN recognised the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, urging that human rights be upheld always to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.

Ban Ki-Moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change, adding that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens.

Buhari signs Climate Change aggreement with France

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is committed to reversing the negative trend of climate change in the country.

He said this is the reason behind his signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The President said this while addressing the opening of the meeting on Taking Climate Action for Sustainable Development in New York, co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the Side Events of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71).

Buhari had earlier signed the Paris Agreement, where he committed Nigeria to reducing “Green House Gas Emissions unconditionally by 20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent” in line with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions.”

The President described the signing as historic. He had also expressed confidence that with support from development partners, Nigeria will meet the above targets.

The President also promised to ensure the ratification of the Paris Agreement before the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016.

According to Buhari, it was to demonstrate his personal dedication to the process of implementing the Agreement that he was hosting the side event on Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development.

The President expressed appreciation for what he called “genuine efforts by President Francois Hollande of France in drawing global attention to reviving the Lake Chad Basin,” and for galvanizing the political will that led to the global consensus in reaching the Paris Agreement.

The Nigerian President said his country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement articulated through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) “that strive to build a climate resilient society across the diverse terrain of Nigeria. We have instituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change to govern implementation of my country’s NDCs, thereby ensuring a strong cross-sectoral approach, coherence and synergy for Climate Action.”

President Buhari, while admitting that implementing the Roadmap will not be easy in the face of dwindling national revenues, however, indicated that both internal and external resources would be mobilized to meet Nigeria’s targets, adding that the 2017 Budget will reflect Nigeria’s efforts to accord priority to realizing its NDCs.

“In addition, we are set to launch our first ever Green Bonds in the first quarter of 2017 to fund a pipeline of projects all targeted at reducing emissions towards a greener economy,” he said.

President Buhari, who thanked the Presidents of Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger for attending the event, also called on the international community to “give special recognition to the plight of Lake Chad and support our effort to resuscitate the livelihoods of over 5 million people in the region. This will reinforce our efforts to reintegrate the thousands of Boko Haram victims and returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

The President noted that the Niger Delta region was a unique coastal environment that is highly prone to adverse environmental changes occasioned by climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, exacerbated by poverty and many decades of oil pollution leading to loss of livelihoods and ecosystems.

“Through an integrated approach, implementation of the NDCs, and our efforts to clean up Ogoniland, we will improve livelihoods, protect the environment and take climate action, and ensure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.

Why we’re fighting corruption headlong –Buhari>> read more!!!

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the international community that his administration is fighting corruption headlong because it denies the nation resources required for development.
This was even as he reiterated his call to development partners to support the fight by returning ill-gotten assets and halt future illicit financial flows into their countries.
Buhari said this at a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement said President Buhari stated that such collective action “will guarantee a stronger international defence of the right to development.”
The president further said illicit financial assets stashed abroad deprive developing countries, including Nigeria, of their national wealth and resources needed for development. He cautioned that non-repatriation of illicit financial assets could impinge on the determination of States to achieve an all-inclusive 2030 sustainable development.President Buhari, called on the United Nations “to remain vocal and active in addressing the negative impact of non-repatriation of illicit financial assets on their countries of origin,” adding that “as soon as stolen assets are legally established, they should swiftly be repatriated.”
Buhari welcomed the commemoration of three decades of the Declaration which he observed, coincided with the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and said “it reminds us all of the essence of development and provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm commitments to converting this right into the policies and operational activities of relevant actors at the national, regional and international levels.”

Nigeria new war ship departs China for Lagos>> READ MORE!!!

The second Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS UNITY which was under construction in China has been completed and has commenced her journey to join the Nigerian Navy fleet.
A statement from the Nigerian Navy Spokesman Commodore Chris Ezekobe said the vessel has been handed over to Nigeria and has commence her 9719 nautical miles back home.
At the Handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of the Naval Staff represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani conveyed the appreciation of the Navy to the C-In-C, President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS UNITY.
He stated that NNS UNITY upon joining the NN fleet would strengthen the efforts against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general. He also added that areas hitherto that were unable to be covered by other NN ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY which will no doubt enhance the NN’s effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria’s waters.
NNS UNITY enroute Nigeria will pay ‘port calls’ on some ports of friendly nations before arriving Nigeria. This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular. He concluded by soliciting the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and the respective China Ship building corporations further beyond the departure of NNS UNITY.
The ceremony which was adjudged a success was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy Senator Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on the Navy Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, Representative of the Honourable Minister of Defense Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul General of Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy. NNS UNITY departed China today 21 Sep 16 and expected to arrive Nigeria in the first week of November 2016.

Govs endorse sale of assets>>> read more !!!

Twenty four hours after the Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu, called for the sack of Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma Udo Udoma and Finance, Kemi Adeosun, state governors have passed a vote of confidence on them, praising their efforts, competence and capabilities.
Ekweremadu had Wednesday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to remove  Udoma and Adeosun, even as Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) said sacking the two ministers will not solve the current economic crisis.
Ekweremadu said the Buhari administration “should not put square pegs in round holes.”
The National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, expressed support for the plans and proposals of the Federal Government to steer the country out of recession.
The NEC is an advisory body on the economy, comprising  of all 36 states governors and the Central Bank Governor.
While acknowledging the current economic challenges and difficulties, the governors  endorsed the measures taken by the Economic Management Team to get the country out of recession and also commended the Budget and Planning and Finance Ministers.
Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governors of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi and Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga, said they were briefed by the Economic Management Team, Udoma, Adeosun and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emiefele on measures put in place to get the nation out of the woods.
On measures for economic revitalisation, Bagudu said, the EMT, was working on plan to generate immediate larger injection of fund into the economy through, asset sales, advance payment of license renewals, infrastructure concessioning, use of recovered funds among to reduce funding gaps in the economy. He also listed the, Implementation of Fiscal Stimulus/Budget Priorities, Fast-track procedures through legislation and implementation of Strategic, Implementation Plan (SIP) of the budget, though meaningful diversification of the economy and a cut down on importation.
Bagudu said, “Council members in response commended the Economic Management Team and generally welcomed the presentation and expressed support for the plan to steer the nation out of recession”.
Ajumobi said the council was briefed on the Land Use Act of 2013, which seeks to make provisions to Streamline mortgage transactions and clearly delineate the rights, duties and obligations of a mortgage
“Other aspects of the draft are Conditions for disposal of proceeds of sale and subsequent mortgages and implied terms of a mortgage; Rights of redemption and remedies and issues on mortgage by companies; Power of Assignment by mortgage and right of transfer and application of insurance money by the receiver”.
The Oyo governor also said the council was briefed on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative on affordable housing by Adesoun.
He said. ”Target of N1billion fund to operate PPP (N500 billion initial) to create a blended pool of long term funds to intervene in housing development finance and mortgage provision.
“Funds aims to deliver family housing priced from as low as N2.5 million up to N18 million delivered in a ready to occupy condition with essential services (water and power connected).
“The delivery target is 400,000 to 500,000 housing units per annum. The ultimate aim of the programme is to channel funds from savers to borrowers, so that builders have the required capital to construct and prospective buyers can access credit to purchase.
“The fund will attract low cost local and international capital, including from domestic pension and insurance funds, FG funding, as well as contributions from State Governments and other agencies”, he said.
Onanuga on her part said the Minister of Finance reported to the council the balance in Excess Crude Account in US dollars which stood at $2.453 billion as at September 2016.
“Also at the council meeting another presentation was made on best options for managing the flow train forex policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria. This was a joint presentation by the Governor of Central Bank and the Minister of Finance, the highlights are that the CBN should introduce special monetary policy in the nation as dictated by consumer price and exchange rate.
‎”Adoption of policy tax measures for flexible forex rate to address persistent pressures occasioned by statutory and speculative demands.
“Improving market dynamics by CBN
“Interventions to states in the area of salaries and commercial agriculture,the presentation also noted the following, controlling inflation is key to stabilising other macro economic indices and the current stance of monetary policy is expected to continue to help macro inflation expectations.
“Also an update on Budget support loan facility was discussed at the council, the Minister of Finance reported to council that N50billion has so far been disbursed and the facility is ‎ongoing”.

Give Buhari more time, Kalu begs Nigerians>>> read more!!!

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has appealed to Nigerians to give President Muhammadu Buhari more time to deliver on his campaign promises, saying that one year was insufficient to judge an administration that has a four-year life span.
Kalu, who spoke on Tuesday night, when he hosted Catholic Bishops and the diplomatic community at his Abuja home, also revealed Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation was already discussing with credible international organisations and governments on how to end human trafficking and come to the aid of Nigerians languishing in foreign prisons over drug-related offences.
While acknowledging the current economic downturn and its effects on Nigerians, Kalu, however, absorbed President Buhari and recalled that the country entered recession in 2014.
He said:”Im calling on Nigerian youths to be of good use to themselves. Let me be honest with you, I cannot judge Buhari. He has a four-year mandate to turn things around. He still has time and I expect that he will do something.
“Young people might be feeling frustrated. Government must not do everything. The only thing is that government is not paying enough attention to the manufacturing sector. If I am government, I will pay attention to manufacturing and agriculture.
“You pay attention through the entrepreneurs by giving them single digit loans and opportunities. All the enterprise done by government will not work until they see us as partners. When Dangote was starting his cement factory, he was encouraged by the government. Today, he is all over Nigeria.
“The problem is people are envious and jealous; they see Orji Kalu who is rich, but they do not know what I have gone through to get to this level. They want to be like me, and that is not possible.
“Government should grant more incentives to the entrepreneurs. In June 1999, I told President Olusegun Obasanjo how to solve the power sector by doing something differently. We brought people and they promised to fix the power problem up to 75 percent. But Obasanjo refused. The amount needed was N14 billion. If Nigeria can fix power and insecurity, the country will move forward”.
On his effort to come to the aid of Nigerians in foreign prisons, Kalu said: “I’m concerned about human trafficking. That is why my foundation is working with Caritas to ensure that we are able to put in more efforts. I have already discussed with the Secretary-General of Caritas worldwide.
“I’ve been working with Ford and Clinton Foundation on the logistics. You see need to how our young girls in Italy and Spain are being maltreated.
“There are many Nigerians in jail in foreign countries as a result of drug trafficking. Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation has visited seven countries, namely, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Turkey and Indonesia.
“We pleaded with the President of Indonesia on behalf of those Nigerians that were killed as a result of drug trafficking. This is the first time I am saying this. I was in China few days ago and I spoke with Chinese authorities over the plight of Nigerians in their prisons.
“Many Nigerians have taken to drugs. This gives me concern as a Nigerian. They are not driven like I was when I was a young man. The youths are withdrawn these days. They are not doing enough to help themselves.”