4 Low-Cost Marketing Strategies Every Business Should Know

Let’s be real. Marketing can get expensive. With such a strong emphasis on digital marketing, it can seem like the only way to be successful is through buying ads or paying for SEO. While both of those are very popular and useful ways to market a business, there are also many marketing strategies that come at a low cost, if not for free. These four low cost marketing strategies create organic traffic and exposure for your business, and they all place an emphasis on the most important factor of marketing: the people you’re targeting.

1. Network
Networking is one of the most effective marketing strategies that everyone has access to, and there are plenty of ways to do it. First and foremost, LinkedIn is a platform entirely devoted to networking. As a rule of thumb, you should be adding everyone you shake hands with or speak with, including customers, similar business, and more. In building a personal brand through LinkedIn, you can promote your business brand. To make networking even easier, you can make a group page for your business, or join a local business group and participate with the existing members and audience to boost the exposure of your business.

LinkedIn is far from being the only way to network. Networking is a mindset and an approach that prioritizes people rather than positions and businesses. In putting people first, you can determine who matters most that you need to get to know and what you can do for them. Then you can market your business to a broader audience in a less obvious, more effective manner. The best part about networking is that you can essentially do this anywhere, at any time, with anyone. Is there a local business association that holds meetings? Join it. A chapter of a marketing association in your city? Join that, too. Start utilizing any and every opportunity that brings you in contact with new people.

2.Build a partnership.
Ever heard the saying “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine”? That’s exactly how a partnership works.  Let’s say you own a car dealership and there’s an auto detailer and repair shop down the road. If you partner with the auto shop, you can refer people there for maintenance and keep their business cards or flyers in your dealership. In return, the auto detailer can refer people to your dealership when they need to buy, sell, or trade their vehicle and they can also keep business cards or flyers in their shop. Maybe there’s even a discount if they mention that the partnering business referred them.

Related: 6 Essential SEO Strategies to Incorporate in 2016

Building a partnership can market your business to the customer base of another business, and vice versa. This works especially well for local businesses, as it fosters a sense of unity and support within the community. People are exceptionally receptive to recommendations that come from businesses they already trust and have had positive experiences with, and you can use that to your advantage through a partnership. It’s cost-effective, marketing-savvy, and will build your reputation.

3.Ask for reviews.
The only things people pay attention to more than what it says about your company on Google are the reviews that previous customers have left you. I once found a rental property I was interested in, and upon searching for reviews of the real estate agency I found an entire Facebook page dedicated to very passionately written bad reviews about the company (and that was in addition to a low Yelp score). I was horrified after reading all the negative experiences other customers had with the agency, and have since warned many friends to avoid renting or buying any properties from them solely based on those reviews.

What your customers have to say about you is the clearest indication of the kind of experiences future customers will have with you. By asking customers who have had positive experiences to write a quick review on Facebook or Yelp, you can accumulate endorsements and vouchers. Plus, if someone is willing to take the time to write a review, it’s likely that they’ll recommend your business to their friends and family for future needs. All of this comes at little to no cost and lets your customers to do the marketing for you.

Related: The 3 Steps to Building a Winning Brand Strategy

According to Carlos Fearn, a Marketing Consultant at Rankology, “Consumers trust online reviews nearly as much as if it were a recommendation from a friend. It is imperative in today’s online society that a business encourages their customers to leave reviews on the major social networks and portals to show their satisfaction with your company.”

4. Blog.
Helping people before they actually need anything from you is a marketing tactic that A) might not even be a “real” marketing tactic and B) has great returns. An easy way to do this is by adding a blogging component to your company’s website where you can offer useful tips and insights about things related to your business. The only thing it will cost you is time, and by blogging about the topics you’re already knowledgeable about, you can market a friendly credibility that’s in the interest of the customer.

For example, if you’re a bakery, share some easy recipes around the holidays, or offer tips on baking for people with food allergies. By providing a real utility to the kind of customers who have use for the information you’re providing, you create a relationship that establishes your business as a helpful authority. People tend to value helpful over pushy and if someone has used tips or recipes from your bakery’s website, you’ll probably be their first thought when they need a sweet treat on their lunch break.

Kemi Adeosun lied - PDP

– PDP has described a statement credited to the Minister of Finance, Ms. Kemi Adeosun on Airport Terminals Counterpart Funding false, misleading, malicious.
– PDP said APC is “consistently disregarding and denying all the obvious achievements of the 16 years of PDP era and collective successes of Nigerians.”

Erstwhile ruling party, People Democratic Party (PDP) has described a statement credited to the Minister of Finance, Ms. Kemi Adeosun on Airport Terminals Counterpart Funding as false, misleading, malicious.

The PDP in a statement signed by Prince Dayo Adeyeye said that APC was “consistently disregarding and denying all the obvious achievements of the 16 years of PDP era and collective successes of Nigerians.” PDP further said that APC government should “concentrate on governance and stop deceiving Nigerians with their constant lies’ saying that what Nigerian need from the government in this period of harsh economic recession was not meaningless and misguided lamentations from government of “Change” but good governance demonstrated by at least providing food on their table.

The statement read thus Re: Airport Terminals Counterpart Funding – The Facts And The Lies Of The APC…Kemi Adeosun Confused… “Once again, our attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Minister of Finance, Ms. Kemi Adeosun during the Channels Television Live Programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’ of Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in which she stated that “Nigeria has not paid the Airport Terminal Counterpart Funding of $100 million”.

This information like many of her previous statements is false, misleading, malicious and was deliberately made with the intention of blackmailing previous PDP led administration which have been the Hallmark of the APC Government.
We are pained that the All Progressive Congress (APC) under President Muhammadu Buhari is bent on sacrificing our hard earned democracy on the Slab of Falsehood by consistently disregarding and denying all the obvious achievements of the 16 years of PDP era and collective successes of Nigerians.

Why is that? You will recall that the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in 2014, awarded the Contract of Remodelling and Building of International Airport Terminals in Lagos. “Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu on a ‘Built, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) basis, financed by Chinese EXIM Bank with counterpart funds from Nigeria.
The Contract Total Sum was $500 million with Counterpart Funding of $100 million from Nigeria. The fact of the matter is that, Nigeria paid her own sum of $100 million on the 29th of January 2014 through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the beginning of the Projects.

“You will also recall that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Bello corroborated our position during her interview with Thisday Newspaper on the 14th of September, 2015, where she stated that, “Finance was not an impediment, and Nigeria government counterpart funding of $100 million has been paid at the commencement of the Projects”. 

She went further to assert that the projects will be completed and delivered at the first quarter of 2016. In the light of the above, the claim by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun is not only standing the truth on its head but depicting the habitual lies and deceit the All Progressive Congress (APC) is known for.
“For the Record, the previous PDP Government entered into an agreement with the Chinese Government to construct terminals in five Airports, and in January 2014, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wrote the Debt Management Office informing them of effecting the Payment of $100Million to the Chinese Firm, CECC which was remitted as directed by the CBN. “In another thought, could it be that this needless confusion from the Minister regarding the already Paid Fund is to represent the Voucher again for payment? It is however unfortunate that a Minister that is expected to know better on this matter would deliberately deceive the public in order to continue scoring cheap political points.

“To this end, we want to further advice the APC led Administration to concentrate on governance and stop deceiving Nigerians with their constant lies. What the people of this Country need in this period of harsh economic recession is not meaningless and misguided lamentations from a Government of the so called “Change” but good governance demonstrated by at least providing food on their table.



NAIJ.com

Probe of Patience Jonathan: PDP vows to battle EFCC

– PDP senators have vowed to back the Patience Jonathan in her suit against the EFCC over the freezing of about $19.8 million in her accounts
– Mrs. Jonathan is also reported to be in Abuja where she is strategising on how to win her case against the anti-graft agency.

Some senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vowed to battle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of about $19.8 million in the accounts of former first lady Patience Jonathan.

According to The Nation, there were indications on Friday, September 23 that some senators of PDP held a meeting on Thursday, where they vowed to back the former First Lady in her suit against the EFCC over the freezing of about $19.8 million in her accounts. Mrs. Jonathan was also reported to be in Abuja where she is strategising on how to win her case.

A source said: “Some PDP Senators have been meeting on a daily basis on how to give support to Mrs. Jonathan. They even met on Thursday and the battle will involve a bit of propaganda too. “At the appropriate time, we will reveal the identities of the affected senators based on intelligence report. The corrupt will always protect their own. “Some of these senators are even the ones bankrolling a part of this  battle between the former First Lady and the EFCC.” A report of the EFCC investigative team had implicated the former first lady over the opening of four questionable companies’ accounts in Skye Bank with a balance of $15,591,700.

The report stated in part that: “Based on the investigation so far carried out, it has revealed that the four fraudulent VISA Platinum USD Card accounts used by Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan  has a cumulative balance of $14,029.881.79 which has been swept Post No Debit Card category. “Again, her personal account, different from the four fraudulent VISA Platinum USD Card accounts, bears the balance of $5,841,426.17.

“Considering the above stated findings, we can safely conclude that a prima facie case of conspiracy to retain proceeds of unlawful activities, retention of the proceeds of unlawful activities, money laundering contrary to Section 15(3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and forgery contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act,  Cap M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004 have been established against the aforementioned suspects.”

The EFCC claimed that all the funds traced to Patience Jonathan’s accounts were proceeds of gratification. The report said: “The intelligence revealed that Dr. Dudafa Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel fraudulently received various sums of money, being proceeds of gratification and retained same on behalf of the then First Family and for himself .” Meanwhile, former first lady, Patience Jonathan whose bank accounts have been frozen by the EFCC has revealed the alleged owner of the frozen accounts.

Mrs Jonathan claims that two of the accounts belonged to her late mother, Madam Charity Fyneface Oba. Counsel to the first lady, Charles Ogboli who disclosed, this on behalf of his client on the Channels Television discussion programme, Sunrise, said that only three of the five accounts in dispute could be traced to the former first lady and her mum.


NAIJ.com

Militants attack Nigerian soldiers, lives lost

A Nigerian soldier has been killed following an attack on the troops by some militants in Bakassi local government area of Cross River state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian troops also retaliated by killing two of the dare-devil militants during the raid.

Confirming the incident was the spokesperson of the Nigerian military, Sani Kukasheka Usman, revealed that Benjamin Simplee, also known as G1, a suspected militant leader, was responsible for the coordinated attack.

While other militants escaped with gunshot wounds, it was gathered that they ensured a military pick-up vehicle was burnt in the process. He said: “The troops’ location has been reinforced with more gunboats and air component. The clearance and pursuit operation is ongoing. “We would like to assure the public that this singular act would not deter us from the discharge of our duties.

“Therefore, the perpetrators of this dastardly act would be found and brought to justice. “The Nigerian Army wishes to send an unequivocal warning to all the criminal elements in the society that intend to attack any of its locations to have a rethink.” Only yesterday, rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers bombed the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line.

According to the militants in a statement issued on its website, it strike team took out the export line at about 8:40pm on Friday, September 23.
Avengers said the action is a signature to “the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.”




NAIJ.com

Edo polls: Oshiomhole declares public holidays.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has declared Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28 as public holiday for the conduct of the gubernatorial election. The governor announced the holiday at an event organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in his honour, for making the labour movement proud.

He stated that the purpose of the holidays is to enable workers travel to where they registered as voters to exercise their franchise. All attention will now be shifted to the state for the rescheduled polls moved from September 10, to September 28.



NAIJ.com

HISTORY: Focus: Californa's native Americans.

Today is Native American Day. To celebrate, we take a look at California’s Native Americans.

HEADDRESS

Ceremonial headdresses were worn during dances, according to specific cultural protocols and ceremonial practices that were unique to each tribal community. The materials used to create the headdresses have deep spiritual significance.

Jump Dance Headdress

Historically worn during the Jump Dance by three Northwest tribes, the Yurok, Hupa and Karok. Last year, the Yurok brought this dance back for the first time since the 1800s, when the U.S. outlawed the ceremony as part of a federal effort to forcibly colonize the remaining Indian Territory in the Northwest.

Daniel Wozniak sentenced to death for killing 2 friends to fund his wedding

SANTA ANA – For the families of Samuel Herr and Juri “Julie” Kibuishi, it was the end of a six-year wait for justice.

Daniel Patrick Wozniak, a 31-year-old former community theater actor from Costa Mesa, was sentenced to death on Friday for killing the two in an attempt to fund his 2010 wedding.

Dozens of those close to the victims filled the courtroom. They hugged and wiped away tears after Judge John D. Conley handed down the death sentence in a case delayed for years after it got swept up in an Orange County informant scandal.

“It’s a relief,” said Julie’s mother, June Kibuishi. “We’ve been waiting more than six years for this day to come.”

A jury on Jan. 11 deliberated for one hour, 14 minutes before recommending the death penalty, one of the shortest death penalty deliberations in Orange County history.

Jury forewoman Jenny Wong was one of several jurors who came for the sentencing.

“I’m just glad we were able to in some small way provide closure for the family,” she said.

Sitting quietly next to his attorney, Wozniak stared straight ahead as the judge read the sentence. He will join more than 740 other inmates on San Quentin’s death row. “We’re happy for the family that justice was finally done,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy, who prosecuted the case.

Wives of terrorists reveal shocking things.

– While the Nigerian army intensified its efforts in the war against insurgency, the families of the Boko Haram members are transported into safe houses
– The wives of the terrorists, who speak with social workers, narrate how they fall in love with their husbands
– The women reveal that the terrorists use charms and have a sort of mystical tea with the insurgents – One of the vigilantes, who also spoke about Boko Haram secrets, said that the members of the group are eating human flesh and using magic charms.

The women participate in Quran classes at the safe house. Photo credit: Chika Oduah, Al Jazeera 

The Nigerian army claimed it has defeated the deadly Boko Haram sect while the militant group’s leader, embroiled in a split in the group, Abubakar Shekau said he will fight on. While the troops continue to arrest the terrorists, a lot of their wives and children became also liberated and carried out from the Boko Haram hideouts. The federal government put the wives of the terrorists in a comfortable safe house while thousands of displaced people are starving and falling ill in overcrowded, lice-infested camps.

Panic as Boko Haram threatens to bomb University of Ibadan.

There is panic at the University of Ibadan following the circulation ‎of a letter purportedly written to all staff by the Boko Haram group threatening carryout ceaseless bombings at the institution.

According to the circulation, on Friday afternoon, September 23, the terrorist threatened to wreck monumental havoc through ceaseless bombings of the institution, beginning from Saturday, September 24.

This Day reports that the institution was threatened by the terrorist for being the first university in the country that brought in and entrenched western education in Nigeria. The threat has thrown the university in a state of confusion as both teaching and non-teaching staff were in panic mood as they discussed the messages which was now widely circulated within the university community. It was gathered that while some lecturers got the mail through their institutional e-mail addresses, others were copied through social platforms such as WhatsApp.

BREAKING: Niger Delta Militants bombs Bonny export line.

– Rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers have bombed the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line.

– Avengers said they cannot be continuously fooled adding that the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths while glorifying on these  victimization of law abiding citizens of the region.

Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)

Rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers have bombed the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line. According to the militants in a statement issued on its website, it strike team took out the export line at about 8:40pm on Friday, September 23. Avengers said the action is a signature to “the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.”

In a statement signed by Brig.Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, it spokesperson, the group said “since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the PAN Niger Delta Elders and stakeholders team, the Nigerian government and her agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Delta to shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts and as well intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters. This is only a wake up call; we may not have other way to say it better. The avengers said it is still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations process “but we are warning against ” the peace of our time! We want the peace with honour”.

Toyosi Craig Wins South African Award.

A young, passionate Nigerian, Toyosi Craig was recently honoured with the YOUNG RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2016 in South Africa. The award, which is dubbed Renewable Energy Research Excellence Award (RERE), is jointly organised by Renewable Energy Centre of Research and Development (RECORD), and South African National Energy Association (SANEA).

According to the organisers, the award “recognises the contribution of young upcoming researchers to renewable energy in South Africa”, and it is given on the basis of merit, innovation, novelty and applicability.

Elevated Sight Magazine caught up with Toyosi Craig, who opened up on a number of issues bothering on his experiences in South Africa and some of the challenges young people are confronted with in Nigeria. Read, enjoy and don’t forget to share!

ESM: Can we meet you?

Toyosi: My name is Toyosi Craig. I am a Nigerian. I am an engineer. I do innovation management and systems analysis. I am currently doing a PhD in engineering management with a special focus on solar energy, in Stellenbosch University, South Africa. I am more of an advocate for good governance and good citizenship and helping others help themselves.

ESM: Why South Africa?

Toyosi: Like a friend would say, I left Nigeria without combing my hair. I initially came here for a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering in 2014 and I have been around since then. I have led a lot of inventions and innovations in Nigeria, for which I couldn’t find any support or funding. I initiated a lot of Startups. Some of them include: a pounded yam making machine that pounds two man-size meal in 20 seconds; conversion of Jatropha seed oil to make diesels; making of tiles from sawdust and used pure water sachets, among many others. But as you know, no one was ready to support. Nigerian society and multinationals only fund upcoming dancers, musicians, models and the likes.

ESM: Tell us about your experiences so far in South Africa


Toyosi: The truth is I never expected what I met in SA. I initially wanted to go to Canada or UK, which my parents couldn’t afford. But I really thank God I am here. Getting to know that some of the schools here are world class; I am fully funded, my research group for example invented some solar heliostat ahead of Google engineers. We have jet fighters that we work on. There are innumerable drones, a micro satellite in the space, what else do you want as an engineer. The computers available are almost 80% of the student population in number, just to mention a few.

ESM: Tell us about the recent award you received

Toyosi: To God be the glory, I was honoured as the young researcher of the year in the energy sector of South Africa.

My Master’s degree project was an innovation, which was widely appraised around the world. It is a parabolic solar cooker that tracks the sun and can cook at night or when there is no sun because it saves heat. The system was adapted for African conditions and can be used to set up small heat based factories in rural areas. Also, it eliminates the solar cooker users’ exposure to sun as the cooking section is separated from the heat receiver.

ESM: What would you consider as significant difference in studying in South Africa as against Nigeria?

Toyosi: SA takes education as a priority and their educational system is highly funded and all research have focus and applications, either industry based, public sector based or for the societal good. They have structures and great research policies.

The truth is SA is far ahead when it comes to Research, because the government, the industries and the universities are on top of their games and working together. I promise you, we have the population who are willing to go to school in Nigeria but there is very little support. The reverse is the case in SA.

ESM: Are you looking forward to contributing to the development of Nigeria and in what area?

Toyosi: Contributing to Nigeria and Africa as a whole is not just my dream but my destiny. I believe my calling is to wipe out hunger from Africa, which can be achieved through several approaches.

The first thing I am passionate about is giving identity to all Nigerians. It has failed many times, but without it we cannot plan. I have the model and I hope I can implement it someday, so that we can know each Nigerian and each person’s life can be valuable.

The second is electricity; we have made a lot of headway in Solar Energy and other renewable energies in South Africa. I am looking forward to helping in that area back home. I have actually sent a lot of documents home.

Lastly, some of our citizens are losing focus and are really depressed; you may not know but it is the truth. I hope I can inspire many to rediscover themselves. I was also frustrated sometimes ago, but I didn’t give up. We just need an enabling environment and we can be all we are meant to be. I believe Nigerians are the smartest people God made.

ESM: What do you think we can do to improve our educational system?

Toyosi: First thing, government should start giving university scholarships to as many students as possible to study AT HOME. We don’t have an education sector goal. As you can see, companies don’t trust our graduates because most lack required skills. It is fundamentally wrong for a high school graduate willing to study more, to not be able to, because there are no enough spaces in schools or because he/she cannot afford private schools. We are yet to get it right yet. It’s not supposed to be difficult for a high school student to graduate and proceed to higher institution for his/her primary discipline of interest. In SA, if you do well in your matric (equivalent to our WAEC and NECO), you will not only study your dream course, you will also be funded 100%.

Education is expensive no doubt, but we have to decide whether or not we want the best for our people. We need proper structures that would encourage research. There is a lot to do. And we haven’t started yet.

ESM: What are your plans for the future?

Toyosi: My plan is simple; wipe hunger out of Africa. This has to start with Nigeria. We have the largest population, abundant natural resources, an amazing weather, and fertile soil. Whatever would help reposition Nigeria, and for Nigerians to achieve their maximum potentials, that I am committed to doing to the best of my ability and capacity.

http://www.elevatedsightng.com/nigerian-student-wins-a-prestigious-south-african-award/

Couple Having Sex Bathed With Acid In Kano.

Lovemaking turned sorrow for a Kano couple after an unidentified person poured acid on them during sexual intercourse. According to sources, the incident occurred penultimate week at the couple’s house in the Gyadi Gyadi /Karkasara area of Kano.
It was gathered that the unidentified perpetrator fled before neighbours responded to the couple’s distress call.

Although the husband has since been admitted in an undisclosed hospital, it was gathered that the wife, Amina Moses, was the worst hit. Amina, according to a source, was first admitted in Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital, where she spent some days and was treated.

One of the eyewitnesses who asked not be named said that the closeness of the couple’s bed to the window of their apartment made it easy for their assailant to carry out the dastardly act.

She said: “Amina and her husband called Moses were making love in the evening of the unfortunate day, when they suddenly raised the alarm that someone had poured a liquid substance on them through their window.

“We rushed into their room only to find them in pains. Amina was the one that was badly hit by the liquid substance suspected to be acid. She was treated at the Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital and their assailant has not been apprehended as we speak despite the fact that the matter was reported to the state police command.

“The closeness of their bed to the window made it easy for their attacker to successfully carry out his mission and escape without being apprehended.”
Our correspondent made fruitless efforts to reach the spokesman of Kano Police Command, Mr Ubayi Ringim Raubilu, as calls to his mobile phones did not go through, while he did not answer a text message sent to his phone line, at press time.





SOURCE

Blogger Jamil Mabai Remanded In Prison

JAMIL Mabai, Katsina State blogger who was arrested allegedly on the orders of Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has been remanded in prison custody.

Mubai was remamded in prison for inciting public disturbance and causing disaffection to government by a Katsina Magistrate Court.

Social Times had reported on Wednesday that the blogger was arrested for criticizing the decision of the governor to purchase 3000 coffins and distributing them to mosques in the State.

The blogger had frowned at the rationale behind such venture when salaries of civil servants in the state are yet to be paid.

The prosecuting police officer Isa Liti told the court that Mabai actions are contrary to section 416 of the penal code.

He applied for time to enable him prepare his prosecution properly.

Defending his client, lawyer to the accused, Sada Abdullahi, argued that his client was not properly arraigned and as such, sought for the relief of his client.

In his rulling, the presiding Judge Abdul El-Ladan adjourned the matter to Monday 26th September for continuation.

http://www.socialtimesng.com/2016/09/arrested-katsina-blogger-remanded-in-prison/

PHOTOGIST: Vanguard wants you to caption this Photo

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/caption-this-photo/

Buhari’s Anti-graft War Scaring Away Investors – Ben Bruce

Ben Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to adjust his approach to the anti-corruption crusade, saying the policy was scaring investors.

Bruce, who disclosed this while contributing to the senate’s debate on the economic recession in the country, said Nigeria should not expect foreign investments as even local investors had stopped investing.

He said people who had money to invest were no longer doing so because the anti-graft agencies were harassing any person with cash transactions running into millions.

“Buhari’s approach to anti-corruption is wrong: let us forget the foreign investors, what about the local investors?” he said

“If people are afraid, they will not invest; fear will not be a policy to grow the economy.

“Money is a coward; it only goes to places where there is peace and tranquillity.

“I have a friend who paid legitimate N50 million into his account and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came and picked him up.

“We cannot be afraid to be Nigerians; we cannot be afraid to live in our country.”

Bruce recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo also fought corruption but that his anti-corruption fight did not put fearin the minds of real investors.

He expressed support for Buhari’s anti-corruption fight but insisted that the approach should be changed to encourage investments.

University Of Ibadan Ranks 978 In Top World Universities Ranking By Times Higher.

University of Ibadan has secured a spot in the top 978 ranked universities in the world.

In the ranking ranking released by the Times Higher Education, Nigeria’s premier university was ranked 801 on the list.

UI was the only Nigerian university to make the list.

Earlier in 2016, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (AWRU) and the Center for World Universities Ranking (CWUR) released a list of the top 500 and 1000 world universities respectively and no Nigerian university was on the list.

CWUR said that Nigerian universities were not considered for the ranking because of lack of quality research.

AWRU, who did not give a reason for Nigeria’s absence, made it clear that the criteria for ranking was the number of alumni and staff publishing journals in Nature and Science, number of alumni and staff winnng Nobel prizes and Field medals.

South Africa and Egypt had the highest number of universities on the list from the black continent.

63 universities from the United states made it to the top 200 while 32 from the United Kingdom also made the cut.

United States (U.S) had 63 universities among the hundreds of schools considered.

Source

PHOTOGIST: Patience Jonathan & EFCC: Protest In Rivers Over Alleged Victimization

Niger Delta Youths in conjunction with Civil Liberties Organizations and other Voluntary Youths Bodies -are currently protesting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. According to them, they are against the "victimization of former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC...

Patience Jonathan’s personal account, titled ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan’, which is domiciled in Skye Bank Plc with a balance of $5million was frozen by the EFCC.

Following claims that she owns the four companies’ accounts in Skye Bank with a balance of $15,591,700, the anti-graft body reportedly said it had been able to establish that the monies were proceeds of crime, hence the need to freeze her personal account.

SOURCE

CBN: Anambra Has The Potentials To Be Food-basket Of Nigeria & African Continent

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that Anambra State has the potentials of becoming not only Nigeria’s food basket, but also providing food for the African Continental and beyond.
Consequently, the apex bank charged the state to bring to bear its excellent performance in commerce to agriculture to make the dream become a reality.

Stating this in a speech he delivered on behalf of the Director, Development Finance Department of the CBN, during the flag-off of Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) in Anambra State, the bank’s Branch Controller, Awka Branch, Mr. C.M. Sokari, assured the state that the ABP would contribute in no small measure to realizing the goal of the state becoming a food basket.

He noted that several intervention programmes have been floated by the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Government to diversify the nation’s economic base away from crude oil, adding that ABP was launched by the apex bank to reposition agriculture in the scheme of things in the country.

“To fund the programme, the CBN had set aside N40 billion from the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund for farmers at a single-digit rate of nine per cent.
“…Nigeria, as we may all know, is a mjor rice producer with over 20 key rice producing states in the country most of which cultivate during both wet and dry seasons. Rice is one crop in which the country has comparative advantage to easily become self-sufficient, given the huge potentials that exist.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria has set the ball rolling and shown commitment to this programme and, therefore, expects that farmers and all relevant stakeholders in Anambra State would reciprocate by contributing their very best towards ensuring the successful implementation of this laudable programme,” he said.

Sokari commended Governor Willie Obiano and his team for the laudable achievements the state has made and his support for agriculture and agricultural developmental programmes, including taking a bold lead in the export of vegetable to Europe and other Western countries.

“I, therefore, enjoin us all to embrace this programme and collaborate with both the CBN and the state government in ensuring that in the next few years our great country Nigeria will no longer be one of the world’s highest importers of rice, but a net exporter of the commodity,” he said.

Micro Finance Expert with Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN), Mr Adamu Ibrahim, in his remarks said the main focus of RUFIN was on the people at the bottom of the pyramid, noting that 70 per cent of the Nigerian population live in the rural areas and are mostly famers.

“The ABP for rice in Anambra is peculiar in the sense that all the partners have interest in RUFIN. First of all Anambra State is a RUFIN participating state, not only participating, also financially. In fact, in all our states only Anambra State is current in payment of its counterpart funding,” he said.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization, Processing and Export, Mr Afam Mbanefo, in his speech described the Anambra governor as an agro friendly executive, stressing that Governor Obiano had supported all the innovations being put in place by his ministry.
He disclosed that the position of the government was to make sure there was a safe playing ground for the farmers in the state to participate in the programme, to retain the state brand and heritage, which is the Anambra State rice, to engage the youths and empower the farmers.
Mbanefo assured the CBN of the cooperation of the farmers and urged the apex bank to extend the ABP to other agriculture sectors

http://sunnewsonline.com/food-basket-you-can-feed-africa-cbn-tells-anambra-govt/

PHOTONEWS: Corps Member In Osun Commmissions Borehole In This Recession Period

Corps Member In Osun Commmissions Borehole In This Recession Period
the face of persistent increase in price of basic goods and domestic commodities in Nigeria’s Economy, it is incredible for a Corps Member to initiate the rehabilitation of a project as fundamental and magnanimous as this.

Left-Right. Mrs. Babatunde, Mr. Oguntade, Chief Thomas Owolabi, Mr. Abel O. Julius, and Mr. Peter Nwaje.

A gentleman serving his father’s land in capacity of National Youth Service Corps, initiated the rehabilitation of a dysfunctional borehole facility. Corps Member ABEL, Olushola Julius with state code number OS/15B/2464 serving in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State initiated, harmonised and mobilised effort of the community towards the successful bringing to life a dysfunctional borehole facility to ameliorate the suffering of the residents towards access to portable water.
Mr. ABEL, in his speech thanked the National Youth Service Corps scheme for creating such avenue to in fact keenly serve humanity according to her motto. He was moved towards the selfless service to humanity having observe the stress and suffering of the community residents, especially children and women towards accessing portable water during dry season. Some rather give in to usage and consumption of unhygienic water that is within their reach and ‘easily accessible’ which is dangerous to their health. Mr. ABEL made known his love for public service and disaffection to non-functional and abandoned facility which he likened to economy sabotage.
In attendance were the N.Y.S.C Local Government inspector, Mrs. Babatunde O.A and the State Coordinator, Mrs. Regina Illuebey ably represented by Ikirun Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Peter Nwaje. They all applauded the project executed, charged the community members to adopt maintenance culture, and other corps members present to emulate such and write their names in sands of time. Mr. Oguntade of Water and Environmental Sanitation official of Odo-Otin Local Government introduced modality towards maintenance with adoption of a committee. Oba of Okuku, HRM, Samuel Oluronke Oluboye was ably represented by Ojomu of Okuku, Chief Thomas Owolabi.

SOURCE

VIDEO NEWS: Desmond Elliot Celebrates The 6th Birthday Of His Twin Children.

Desmond Elliot Celebrates The 6th Birthday Of His Twin Children.

Nigeria’s Currency Woes, A Blessing For Top Palm-oil Producer - Bloomberg

Nigeria’s Currency Woes, a Blessing for Top Palm-Oil Producer

- Presco sales up 60% in first 6 months on rising local demand
- Company to increase palm-kernel oil exports to secure forex.

Nigeria’s ban on importers accessing foreign exchange for certain products is proving a boon for the country’s biggest palm-oil producer as it stokes demand for domestic goods.

Profit at Presco Plc, a Benin City-based manufacturer of the edible oil, more than doubled in the six months through June as sales jumped 60 percent to 7.5 billion naira ($24 million), according to results published in July.

The outlook for the next four years is a 10 percent annual profit growth, Managing Director Felix Nwabuko said in a phone interview on Sept. 19 from the southern city. “The policy is bringing a boost to us in the sense that people who would ordinarily have imported, using government foreign exchange, are not doing that anymore,’’ he said.

Nigeria’s central bank stopped importers of 41 items, including palm-oil and textiles, from accessing official foreign-exchange markets in June 2015. The measure was part of a plan to prop up the naira after it plunged against the dollar following a drop in the price of crude, the country’s biggest source of foreign-exchange. A 15-month dollar peg that ended on June 20 caused a foreign currency shortage that contributed to West Africa’s biggest economy contracting in the first two quarters and drove inflation to the highest rate in more than a decade.

The peg removal led the naira to weaken 37 percent against the dollar. That hasn’t improved the availability of U.S. currency and most foreign investors are yet to return. Presco also faces challenges from the dollar scarcity as it imports fertilizers, chemicals and equipment including spare parts for plants, to increase output. Obtaining foreign-exchange “is tough -- some months you don’t get, sometimes you get a little bit of what you need,” Nwabuko, 61, said. “Twenty percent of our cost is foreign currency driven.”

Kernel-Oil Exports

The company, which operates 16,900 hectares (41,761 acres) of palm-oil plantations and sells its output locally, plans to increase the export of palm-kernel oil to Europe, mainly the Netherlands, to enable it access dollars and cushion the impact of the scarcity in Nigeria, Nwabuko said. “Looking into the situation we are in now and into the future, it makes good business sense to do that.”

Exports contributed 5 percent of revenue from January to August and the company plans to increase palm-kernel crushing capacity to 100 tons daily by 2018, from 60 tons currently.

Presco doesn’t plan to export palm-oil as “it has enough market locally and price comparison-wise, there is no real advantage in exporting palm-oil out of Nigeria,” the MD said. The company plans to increase oil-palm plantation to 31,400 hectares by 2021 from 16,900 while it targets to raise palm-oil mills capacity to 120 tons per hour from 60 tons, Nwabuko said. It will start work on a 500 tons per day palm-oil refinery and fractionation plant next year, which will be completed by 2018 to increase current capacity of 100 tons, he said.

‘Strong Demand’

Nigeria’s demand for palm oil is greater than its output. It consumed 1,405,000 tons in 2013 while it produced 930,000 tons, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite the economic downturn, its population of 180 million remains an attraction for Presco, the MD said. “The demand for our products is there, whether for food or industrial use,’’ Nwabuko said, adding that the company supplies fats and oils to some of Nigeria’s biggest manufacturers including PZ Cussons Plc, Dangote Industries Ltd. and May & Baker Nigeria Plc.

Nigeria produced 930,000 tons of palm oil in 2013 and the forecast for the 2016-2017 season is 970,000 tons, making it Africa’s largest producer and the world’s fifth, behind Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Colombia, according to data from the USDA.

You Are Respected Worldwide, Ban Ki-moon To Buhari

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his war against corruption and terrorism. He also told Buhari that leaders across the world respect him for giving Nigeria a positive image.

Buhari’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement quoted Ban Ki-Moon as saying this during a bilateral meeting with the President on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York.

The UN scribe said, “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your person 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,” for the good of its citizens

President Buhari and Banki Moon at the UN general Assembly

Punch

Shettima Relocates To Bama, Town Liberated From Boko Haram

Mr Shettima and members of Vigilante Group of Nigeria

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday temporarily moved his office to Bama, a town badly destroyed by the Boko Haram.
The governor did that as part of commencement of the reconstruction of the liberated communities.
Mr. Shettima, who arrived Bama on Wednesday afternoon, said the destroyed city, the third largest in the state, would from Wednesday become the seat of Borno State government till he is done with his supervision of the reconstruction job.
“My office is now here”, Mr. Shettima said. “I decided to relocate here to live here and supervise reconstruction works. I will administer Borno State from here.
Though the governor was not specific about how long he intends to stay in the unsecured community around which Boko Haram attacks were recorded regularly, he indicated that he would not be returning to the state capital in the next few days.
“I am fully prepared to be here for days to come, one week, two weeks or even more.
“I will not leave until we are able to rebuild a good number of private houses, municipal buildings, markets, schools and clinics. I want the reconstruction work to take proper shape before I leave.
“We cannot wait till forever before we reclaim our destiny. Bama is one of the worst affected areas and we will move from here to other parts of the state.

Governor Kashim Shettima in handshake with newly recruited operatives of Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Bama

"While I am here, we have a full structure of Government in place operating in Maiduguri so that activities of managing IDP’S, civil service, implementation of government policies and programmes will continue while I am here. I will be in constant touch with Maiduguri, I came prepared,” Mr. Shettima said.
Justifying the governor’s relocation to Bama, 74 kilometres from the state capital, his spokesperson, Isa Gusau, explained that “insurgents had attacked the town killing dozens, destroyed ‎more than 80 per cent of the thousands of houses in the town, sacked the Emir and took over his palace after declaring it as sovereign territory with set of laws and ‘constitutional’ leader.
“The military toppled the insurgents and recovered the area by the end of 2015, months after President Muhammadu Buhari took over affairs,” Mr. Gusau said.
“The Governor departed Maiduguri at about 12:10 p.m. and arrived Bama at about 2:18 p.m. and he went straight to supervising reconstruction works on private residential houses, police stations, stores, schools, hospitals, the Emirs palace among others.
“The Governor had deployed construction equipment and hundreds of trucks of variety of building materials which are already in Bama for the reconstruction works.”
The spokesperson said the governor did not embark on the trip to Bama without providing enough security to safe guard his life and that of those deployed to commence the reconstruction work in the ancient city.
According to Mr. Gusau, “the governor also commissioned 500 newly recruited civilian JTF and vigilantes employed from locals in Bama to use community intelligence in working with the military to strengthen security in the area so as to forestall unanticipated attacks”.
Briefing the governor upon arrival in Bama, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Babagana Zulum, said the reconstruction activities have created nearly 1000 direct jobs beside stimulating the economy of the state through procurements of different building materials and payment for services.
The Commissioner said the governor was “bound to see new developments every day,” he goes out for inspection.
However, should Mr. Shettima’s resolve to stay in Bama for one or two weeks be followed to the latter, the road to Bama could be the busiest in the next few days as government officials who need his attention would have to visit him there.

THE BAMA ATTACKS
Bama currently hosts over 20,000 internally displaced persons who are camped within the precinct of the town’s General Hospital under the direct care of military officials.
The city was first attacked on April 25, 2013 when about 17 persons were killed and Boko Haram insurgents burned down over 500 houses.

Destroyed Emir of Bama Palace

On May 7, 2013, the gunmen returned to the town and staged one of the biggest prison breaks during which inmates of the Bama minimum-security prison were freed. At least 14 prisons officials, 22 police officers, and two soldiers were killed in the shootout that left many of the insurgents dead as well.
On August 4, 2013 the insurgents returned to Bama where they attacked various security formations and civilian residential areas killing at least 33 persons.
On August 24, 2013, the insurgents attacked Bama during which they slaughtered three persons and injured 8 others.
On September 1, 2014, after other attacks, Bama finally fell under the control of Boko Haram as the insurgents dislodged the Emir and his subject from the city.
On Augusts 21, 2015 Boko Haram attempted to retake the liberated town of Bama, during which a soldier and 33 members of their group were killed.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/210980-borno-governor-relocates-to-town-liberated-from-boko-haram.html

PHOTONEWS: Amaechi Inaugurates Governing Board Of NIMASA & NPA

Inauguration of Governing Board of NIMASA & NPA

Governing board of NIMASA and NPA were today inagurated.Pictured above are Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, presenting latter of appointments to the new Governing Board Chairman Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Major Gen. Jonathan India Garba,new Governing Board Chairman Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye.

Also present at the inauguration were Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transportation, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman and Dakuku Peter side.

Governors Pass Vote Of Confidence On Adeosun And Udoma.

Nigerian governors today passed a vote of confidence on the minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and her finance counterpart, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, saying they were not responsible for plunging the country into recession.

The governors’ position rubbishes the National Assembly’s call for the removal of the two ministers, whom they accused of not knowing what to do in order to bail the nation out of the economic straits.

The governors, who passed their implicit confidence on the two ministers, absolved them of any blame in the declining economy during the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, presided over by Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House.

The state governors reasoned that if anything, the two ministers should be commended for their sagacity in reviving the ailing economy occasioned by failing oil price, Nigeria’s major income earner, over the years.

Vanguard

My Husband Sacked Me For Refusing To Terminate 6 Months Pregnancy’

A 40-year-old housewife, Amudalat Afolabi has told an Ilorin Area Court that her husband,Tajudeen, sent her out because she refused to terminate a six month-old pregnancy.

Amudalat made this known when she testified in a divorce petition filed against her by Tajudeen in Ilorin on Thursday.

“My husband sent me away from our matrimonial home because I refused to terminate the six pregnancy am carrying,” she said.

Amadalat, 40, did not oppose the dissolution of the 20-year-old marriage, but described Tajudeen as “an irresponsible man”.

She said that was tired of being enslave by a useless man.

Tajudeen,50, a residence of Edun Area, Ilorin, had prayed the court to dissolved for his wife’s alleged infidelity.amorous behaviour.

He said the marriage was contacted in 1996 and had produce five children, Monsurat,18; Ibrahim,16; Mohammed,12; Lateefat, 10; Fatimoh, eight; and they were all living with him because their mother had left the matrimonial home.

“I am fed up with her waywardness. She is not stable and always frame excuses for her actions. I pray the court to put an end to this union because my wife can kill me as she move around town like dog,”

He, therefore urged the court to dissolve the marriage and award him custody of the children.

The Area court judge, Mr AbdulQudri Ibrahim, dissolved the marriage between the two parties and issued the certificate of divorce to the complainant.

Joshua Dariye Decamps To APC

Former Plateau state Governor and current Senator representing Plateau Central in the upper legislative chamber, Senator Joshua Dariye on Thursday decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Dariye announced his decision during Thursday’s plenary.

His defection was announced on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Reports had it that Dariye who gave his reasons for decamping the Opposition party said his supporters have all abandoned the party which he claims is in crisis.

Vanguard

Blogger Jamil Mabai Arrested For Criticising Governor Masari For Buying Coffins.

THE police in Katsina said yesterday that it arrested Blogger, Jamil Mabai for criticising the purchase of 3000 coffins for distribution to mosques by the state governor, Aminu Masari.

Mabai had criticised the rationale behind the purchase of 3000 coffins at N40,000 each when the governor is yet to pay outstanding salary to civil servants in the State.

He wondered whether the governor wants the people of the State to die with the purchase of the coffins.

Justifying his arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Usman Abdulahi said the blogger was detained for posting that the government bought the coffins because it wanted people to die.

He said: “The state government complained that Jamil wrote that it had bought 3,000 coffins and distributed to mosques and may be it wanted Katsina people to die.

“Any reasonable person will ask one or two questions. This is why we had to invite him to assist the police.”

This is coming barely two weeks after Emenike Iroegbu who publishes Abia Facts Newspapers was arrested over offences bordering on “defamation”.

”He recently published an article saying the governor buried a 9-year-old in the Government House in Umuahia,” Abia State Government said.

Within the past one year, Nigeria has witnessed an upsurge in arrests of citizens over their activities on the Internet.

In August 2015, three bloggers —Demond Ike, Seun Oloketuyi and Chris Nwandu— were arrested and charged for offences that allegedly contravened Cybercrime Act in Lagos.

Mr. Ike spent six months in custody, parts of which were in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

A month later, Emmanuel Ojo, was arrested in Abeokuta allegedly on the orders of Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, after posting some “offensive” materials on Facebook. The charges preferred against him remained stalled in the Abeokuta Division of the Federal High Court.

Mr. Ojo said he had since fled Nigeria to another West African country after “threats from powerful people became unbearable.”

On August 8, 2016, Abubakar Usman, a pro-government blogger, was also arrested and detained for nearly two days for apparently publishing a report critical of the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

Patience Jonathan's arrest will lead to blood shed - NDPPVF

– The militant group, Niger Delta Peoples Professional Volunteer Force (NDPPVF) has warned against prosecution of ex-First lady, Patience Jonathan who is being investigated by EFCC
– NDPPVF has threatened to attack the nation if Patience Jonathan is for any reason Patience Jonathan is arrested
– A criminal investigation has been launched, one which could see to the arrest of the ex-president’s wife The militant group, NDPPVF has said its members are workers in the oil and gas industry, stressing that they will detonate a bomb at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

NDPPVF says it will blow up the NNPC if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrests former First Lady, Patience Jonathan. Vanguard reports that the militant group accused the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting the former first lady. The group, according to an online news portal, TheCable, advised EFCC to lift the No Debit Order imposed on her Skye Bank accounts. The accounts contain more than $15 million, but Jonathan’s wife has since explained that the money was meant for her medical bills. Last week, the EFCC filed money laundering charges against Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs, whom the former first lady directed to open the accounts Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer; and Damola Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.

On Tuesday, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, also told journalists that Jonathan’s wife was under investigation. But in a statement by Parkinson George-Amabo, spokesman of NDPPVF, the group warned Magu that investigating Patience could result into “bad blood, embarrassment and possible unrest in the Niger Delta.”

The group said it is not in support of corruption, but against the manner in which the agency is investigating Patience who has had an “impressive and fortuitous pedigree.” “As a matter of fact, the EFCC has launched a criminal investigation of Mrs. Jonathan and in the process, frozen her bank accounts domiciled with a Nigerian commercial bank without affording her opportunity to state her own side of the matter,” the statement read.

“Nobody is above the law. The NDPPVF does not support or condone corruption. If Mrs. Jonathan was found to be corrupt, we shall not hesitate to call for her prosecution. “We, however, have a grouse with the modus operandi of Mrs. Jonathan’s investigation, given her status as the wife of a former deputy governor, former governor, former vice-president, former acting president and finally, former president. 

She is perhaps, the only Nigerian woman – dead or alive – with such an impressive and fortuitous pedigree; which accounts for why the EFCC needs to thread with caution. “Recently, there have been calls on the Attorney-General of the Federation as well as the EFCC to arrest and prosecute the former First Lady for alleged money laundering.

“We shall simultaneously bomb the 4 wings of the NNPC Towers the day it is announced that Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan has been arrestedThe group added that before her husband emerged as vice-president in 2007, the EFCC investigated Mrs. Jonathan and cleared of any wrongdoing.”

 Meanwhile, Ibrahim Magu who is the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promised Patience Jonathan, that she would be investigated for the $15,591,700 she claimed belonged to her.

The anti-graft agency had placed restriction on the an account which the former first lady later claimed to be hers. The Guardian reports that the account is being fingered as one of those involved in an alleged fraud case before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos but Mrs Jonathan’s counsel, Gboyega Oduwole has filed a case before the court, informing that his client is unhappy with the EFCC over the recent move to freeze the account. Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, an ex-presidential aide; Damola Bolodeoku, a former Skye Bank official; Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited had all been charged to court over their individual involvement in the fraudulent activities with companies without address. The EFCC has taken more tough moves against Patience Jonathan by freezing her personal account with the account name: titled ‘Patience Ibifaka Jonathan’.

The former first lady has been under the radar of the anti-graft agency for financial-corruption allegation and had placed restrictions on account she claimed to be hers.


SOURCE

Ordinary Nigerians Not Among Those Saying ‘Bring Back Corruption’ - Osinbajo.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has observed that some Nigerians do not want the fight against corruption to continue, but pointed out that the ordinary Nigerian is not among those who want corruption to be allowed to thrive in the body polity.

The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is resolute in his anti-corruption fight, stressing that the President will go after anyone involved in corrupt practice. He stated that Buhari had made pronouncements that set the tone for anti-corruption agencies to go after anyone who had questions to answer, including members of his cabinet.

There had been posts in the social media suggesting that some Nigerians want corrupt practices to go on unchecked in the country, noting that under previous administrations, said to have been enmeshed in corruption, things were not as difficult for the masses as it is presently. Such posts are mostly tagged to aim at bringing back corruption.


Speaking while receiving a delegation of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, who paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Osinbajo said: “We’ve watched corruption fighting back. Some people even said bring back corruption, but not the man on the street.”

He harped on the need for Nigerians to insist that the problem of corruption be dealt with., saying that it is necessary to right the harm that has befallen the nation’s economy.

The Vice President, who observed that the nation had witnessed excessive corruption, added that “no economy can tolerate the level of corruption seen in Nigeria without consequences. Look at the North-East, while a war is going, Nigerian lives being lost, some local governments being taken over, yet people cannot account for $15 billion meant for purchases of security equipment.

“The corruption has been so much. Look at the sheer amount of money stolen and decisions taken that fuel corruption, decisions taken just with the sole aim of cornering national resources.”


While explaining the present administration’s approach to the fight against corruption, Osinbajo noted that, “we are not sitting down focussing on it, all we do is to empower the relevant agencies – EFCC and co – to do their jobs. Our main focus is the national economy.”

He asserted, “What catches our attention is the kind of discoveries we get and hear of daily.”