Aero Contractors Airline Sacks 100 Workers

NAIJA NEWS

Airline operator, Aero Contractors, has sacked at least 100 workers outsourced by Skyborne Ltd, due to its decision to review its relationship with the company.

Confirming the sack in a statement issued on Friday, April 29, the airline said it the decision was reached “in the course of reorganising and repositioning its business”.

“In the course of reorganising and repositioning its business, Aero Contractors has reviewed its relationship with Skyborne by cutting down some of the services required from the company.

“This will help the company to invest more resources to enhance customer service. For the records, Aero has not sacked any of its staff,” the statement released by Aero’s media consultant, Simon Tumba, said.

A letter to one of the affected workers which was obtained by NAN claimed that the sack was as a result of the ongoing restructuring in the airline.

The letter reads: “Dear colleague, in the light of the ongoing restructuring at Aero, we regret to inform you that your services are no longer required and employment with SBL terminated with immediate effect.

“Please, return all company property to your manager/supervisor by 8am on April 28. We regret any inconvenience caused.”

We recall that allegations of corruption and diversion of funds had trailed the past management of the airline.

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), which owns 60 per cent of the airline’s shares, had dissolved the previous management and appointed Fola Akinkuotu, former director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as its Managing Director.
Akinkuotu has been given the task of rebuilding the airline and helping it to regain its position as a key player in the industry.

First Bank had just on Thursday, April 28, revealed that it intends to lay off 1,000 workers.

source: Naijaoaded

Nigeria, France sign pact on military equipment, training

The High Defence Committee was set up as part of agreements reached during the last visit of President Mohammadu Buhari to France.

The French and Nigerian governments on Thursday signed a ‘letter of Intent’ on defence cooperation to include acquisition of military equipment and training for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces (NAF).

This was made known in a communiqué on strengthening cordial bilateral relations on Security and Defence after the maiden meeting of the High Defence Committee made up of Nigerian and French officials on Thursday at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

The Communiqué was read by the permanent secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Defence Ambassador Danjuma Sheni in the presence of the Nigerian Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali and the Minister of Defence of France Jean Le-Drian.

The High Defence Committee was set up as part of agreements reached during the last visit of President Mohammadu Buhari to France.

Sheni explained that the two days deliberations focused on four areas of strategic dialogue, military technical cooperation, intelligence sharing, and equipment procurement.

He said the committee agreed that identifying credible manufactures, capacity building and negotiations with French equipment manufacturers would be offered to the armed forces of Nigeria.

They also agreed that France would provide technical advice on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), to the Nigerian military while promoting multi-lateral intelligence sharing in support of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

They also agreed that France would explore the possibility of providing the armed forces in liaison with French Forces in Senegal with operational updated maps under the premises of Document for Operational Cooperation.

They also agreed that France would share experience with Nigeria in the organization and processes of establishing an Imagery Centre, and deliberated on how the list of defence equipment presented could be procured at good value for money.

In their remarks, both Defence ministers agreed that the defence cooperation demonstrates both countries determination to check the menace of terrorism in the West African region and global terrorism.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/international/nigeria-france-sign-pact-on-military-equipment-training/144499.html#TBImxpKXMXsaeu8Z.99

General

FG pleads with W/Bank on $320m loot

President Muhammadu Buhari with the MD/CEO World Bank Group, Ms. Sri Mulyani at the State House in Abuja yesterday

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the World Bank to do all within its powers to facilitate the speedy repatriation of stolen funds being held by Swiss authorities.  
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba  Shehu, quoted Buhari as making the call at the State House in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with the visiting Managing Director of the World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

The president noted that the repatriation  of the additional $320 million in Switzerland identified as illegally taken from Nigeria under the administration of late former Head of State, Sani Abacha would help to ease the current economic hardship facing the nation.
Buhari assured Indrawati that his administration was taking appropriate steps to ensure that public funds are no longer stolen or misappropriated by government officials.
 “We need the support of the World Bank for the repatriation of the funds.
We are as concerned as the World Bank about accountability. If such repatriated funds have been misapplied in the past, I assure you that the same will not happen with us. $320m is a lot of money and we will not allow it to be misappropriated or diverted,”   Buhari said.
According to Shehu, one of the conditions given by the Swiss authorities for the repatriation of the funds is that it should be expended on the implementation of social programmes for the benefit of Nigerians.
Indrawati told Buhari that the World Bank was ready to use its knowledge, expertise and resources to help Nigeria achieve faster growth and development.
 

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/fg-pleads-with-w-bank-on-320m-loot/144459.html#6yalP2VQ3aKFQoKA.99

Buhari to sign budget next week

President Muhammadu Buhari accompanied by the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff Mallam Abba Kyari, Minister of National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, SSAP (Senate) Sen Ita Enang and SSAP (House of Reps.) Suleiman Kawu meeting with the leadership of National Assembly among whom are President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other principal staff last night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja

The executive and the legislature have resolved that the 2016 budget be signed not later than next week.
Senate President Bukola Saraki disclosed this to State House correspondents last night shortly after a meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with the leadership of the National Assembly.

The Senate president said the meeting agreed on the way forward to the budget impasse and that the process would be completed in few days’ time.
“We just finished a meeting with the president and the vice president. We came to let them know some of the solutions that we found in moving the budget process forward and we are happy to say that we have agreed on the way forward and we believe that this process will be completed in matter of days rather than weeks. So it is good to Nigerians and all of us, we have found a way forward; and in a meter of days, the budget will be ready for president’s assent,” he said.
On what he meant by the way forward, Saraki said: “We have committed that have been set up on our side and also on the executive side, we will engage over the next few days, to just tidy up a few loose ends here and there, and the outcome will be satisfactory to everybody.”
Budget and National Planning Minister Udoma Udo Udoma also said both arms of government had agreed to work together to resolve all issues in the next few days.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/buhari-to-sign-budget-next-week/144297.html#mjYMfSZbgUrWzu8S.99

Boko Haram fighters have new uniform- Army                   

The Nigerian army says ‎troops of 22 Brigade Garrison and 3 Battalion on long range fighting patrol on Monday around  Gima village  in Ngala Local Government Area in Borno state discovered that Boko Haram fighters now have new uniforms.

Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman in a press statement on Tuesday said: "the patrol came in contact  with some elements of the Boko Haram that started escaping in disarray on sighting the team."

He said troops were able to apprehend two terrorists in their new styled uniform of green colour with rope as bracelet around their legs and necks. 

Usman explained that this is a new development in the ongoing clearance operations of the remnants of the Boko Haram in the north east. 

He added that the patrol team recovered one Isuzu Canter lorry, five motorcycles and two bags of guniea corn.

Other items recovered  include three Dane guns, a Solar panel and three bows and arrows, Usman stated.

He said the arrested terrorists are currently being interrogated to further assist in the clearance operations.

source: Dailytrust

Tired Of Calling 180? You Can Reach MTN Customer Care Via Whatsapp (See Numbers)

TECH

In a way of satisfying customers, MTN now extends their customer services to WhatsApp messenger.

Now they have launched 5 dedicated Customer Care Whatsapp contact numbers for their subscribers to reach out and get their issues solved.

Here are 5 Mtn Dedicated WhatsApp Number to add:

09033000001
09033000002
09033000003
09033000004
09033000005

To chat with MTN customer care representatives via WhatsApp, simply add any of the above numbers to your WhatsApp list and start chatting immediately with MTN available customer care representative.

‘FG To Commence Payment Of N5,000 To Poor Nigerians,’ – Buhari

NAIJA NEWS

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on media, Garba Shehu, has revealed to newsmen that plans to disburse N5,000 monthly stipend to 1 million poor Nigerians is in its final stages.

Shehu said President Buhari feels the pains of the poor Nigerians, and is constantly working out ways to better their lives.

He said “For example, one million poor and vulnerable Nigerians will soon receive monthly payments of N5,000 to allow them live decently,” he said, noting that the programme was designed to recognize the need for ordinary, poor Nigerians to also benefit from the resources of the country.

“President Buhari believes that the resources of our country should be spent also on the vast majority of our people who are poor and vulnerable, and not squandered by government officials or the elite.”

He also revealed that the social investment plan has been included in the 2016 budget.

Shehu said “About seven to eight states have been completed already. Now the Presidency is working with the World Bank and the Bill Gates Foundation on how to identify the people to be paid the N5,000 and how they will be paid.

“This is the first time that the federal government of this country will be spending this much on social welfare for poor, bearing in mind that the money will go directly to the beneficiaries.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has also refused to devalue the Naira, adding that he is not convinced of its benefits to Nigerians.

Diversification Of Nigeria’s Economy Now A Matter Of Urgency – Buhari

NAIJA NEWS 

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Guangzhou, China, said that his administration will take urgent steps to restructure Nigeria’s economy by encouraging new investments in mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

Speaking at a reception in his honour by the Communist Party of China, President Buhari said that Nigeria will welcome the support of the Chinese government, foreign investors and local businesses for efforts to diversify the nation’s economy.

He noted that the diversification of the Nigerian economy was long overdue as continued reliance on crude oil exports had always made the economy vulnerable to shocks.

‘‘This time we will be more deliberate. The government and businesses will be involved,” President Buhari said.

In his remarks, the Secretary of the Communist Party, who is also the Governor of the Guangdong Province, Mr. Hu Chinhua, pledged that the region will support the implementation of all the bilateral agreements reached with the Chinese government during President Buhari’s visit.

President Buhari also visited the Sino-Singapore Knowledge City in Guangzhou, which showcases advancements by China in medical, science and technological inventions.

Navy destroys illegal refineries, arrests vandals

A large warehouse with drums of stolen crude oil discovered by the Navy at Ogbogoro Uzoba waterside, around Choba in Port Harcourt Rivers Stat
e

Nigerian Navy patrol teams in the Niger Delta have arrested six persons suspected to be operating illegal refineries and vandalising NNPC pipelines.
A statement from Navy spokesman, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, yesterday said a patrol team arrested the suspects who are now undergoing interrogation.

He said they were picked up from a large warehouse at Ogbogoro Uzoba waterside around Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Ezekobe said the raid was in continuation of the Chief of Naval Staff’s resolve to eliminate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries and other unwholesome activities that affect security and economic development.
He said: “The warehouse is suspected to have served as a storage facility for illegally refined products. Also discovered in the facility were three wooden boats containing about 20,000 litres of diesel suspected to be illegally refined.
Ezekobe said another Navy patrol team deployed from the NNS Delta discovered and destroyed two illegal refineries in Jones creek in Warri South West local Government Area of Delta State. 
He added that items destroyed in the site, include a Cotonou boat laden with about 66,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 4 GP storage tanks measuring 500 litres each.

source: Dailytrust
 

Federal Govt Delegation Visit Chibok Parents In Borno (Photos)

NAIJA NEWS

A Federal government delegation led by the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Social Investments Maryam Uwais, Minister of state for Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed and Ministr of state for Power, Works and Housing Mustapha Shehuri, visited Chibok community in Borno state yesterday to commemorate the 2nd year of the kidnap of 219 Chibok girls.

See more photos below:-

 

Fake Soldier Who Wears Full Military Camouflage To Extort Money From Residents Arrested In Kaduna (Photo)

NAIJA NEWS

Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a fake army officer who has been extorting money from residents.

The suspect identified as Abdul Mohammed was arrested by a surveillance patrol team along Zango road in Tudun Nupawa area of Kaduna.

According to Daily Trust, the suspect is said to have dressed in full military camouflage to extort money from residents pretending to be a soldier.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna state police command DSP Zubairu Abubakar who confirmed the arrest said: “The suspect was spotted on 11th April, 2016 at about 10.30pm in full military camouflage with a bullet proof jacket and tried to conceal himself in suspicious manner on sighting policemen.

When the policemen asked him, he could not satisfactory account for himself. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Tudun Nupawa, Kaduna and that he is not a genuine soldier but wears the military uniform to aid him in commiting crime,” Abubakar said.

Source: Daily Trust

Buhari Gets Offered Special $6bn Infrastructure Loan In China

NAIJA NEWS

China has offered Nigeria a loan worth $6bn to fund infrastructure projects in Africa’s biggest economy.

“It is a credit that is on the table as soon as we identify the projects,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told reporters who traveled with President Muhammadu Buhari to China.

“It won’t need an agreement to be signed; it is just to identify the projects and we will access it.”

Also, the President’s man on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, offered $15m agricultural assistance to Nigeria for the establishment of 50 demonstration farms.

The deal was in response to Buhari’s vow to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

The offer, according to Shehu, was made during talks between Buhari’s delegation and high-ranking Chinese government officials led by Jinping.

During the talks, China and Nigeria also agreed to strengthen military and civil service exchanges as part of a larger capacity building engagement.

In line with this, China offered to raise its scholarship awards to Nigerian students from 100 to 700 annually, while 1,000 other Nigerians would be given vocational and technical training by China annually.

Shehu quoted Jinping as applauding the war against corruption being waged by Buhari and assured him that Nigeria would always have a special place in the affairs of China.

Buhari, after the talks, directed that technical committees be immediately established to finalise discussions on new joint Nigeria/China rail, power, manufacturing, agricultural and solid mineral projects.

Buhari Orders Immediate Establishment Of Technical Committee On China/Nigeria Joint Projects

NAIJA NEWS

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that technical committees be immediately established to finalize discussions on new joint Nigeria/China rail, power, manufacturing, agricultural and solid mineral projects.

The President gave the directive Tuesday in Beijing after talks between his delegation and high-ranking Chinese government officials led by President Xi Jinping.

The technical committees are to conclude their assignments before the end of next month, a statehouse release signed by SSA to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu stated.

President Buhari had at the talks welcomed China’s readiness to assist Nigeria in her bid to rapidly industrialize and join the world’s major economies.

President Jinping agreed that Nigeria’s chosen path of development through economic diversification was the best way to go.

To help Nigeria to achieve this, China promised to fully support the country through infrastructural development and capacity building.

China also expressed an interest in setting up major projects in Nigeria such as refineries, power plants, mining companies, textile manufacturing and food processing industries as soon as the enabling environment is provided by the Federal Government.

In response to President Muuhammadu Buhari’s desire to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production, President Jinping offered 15 million U.S. dollars agricultural assistance to Nigeria for the establishment of 50 Agricultural Demonstration Farms across the country.

China and Nigeria also agreed to strengthen military and civil service exchanges as part of a larger capacity-building engagement.

In line with this, China offered to raise its scholarship awards to Nigerian students from about 100 to 700 annually. In addition, 1,000 other Nigerians are to be given vocational and technical training by China annually.

President Jinping applauded the war against corruption being waged by President Buhari.
The Chinese leader assured President Buhari that Nigeria will always have a special place in the affairs of the Peoples Republic of China.

After the talks, President Buhari and President Jinping witnessed the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding by Nigeria and China.

The agreements include a “Framework Agreement Between the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples Republic of China.”

Others were a “Memorandum of Understanding on Aviation Cooperation between the Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China” and a “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on Scientific and Technological Cooperation”.

A “Mandate Letter Between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria on Renminbi (RMB) Transactions was also signed.

Buhari Speaks At The Opening Ceremony Of The China-Nigeria Business Forum (Photos)

NAIJA NEWS 

President Buhari this morning spoke at the opening ceremony of the China-Nigeria Business Forum in Beijing this morning.

See more photos below:-

EFCC Reveals How Ex-Governor Lamido Secretly Took N1bn From Contractors

NAIJA NEWS

0

This is why most government jobs are poorly done and they collapse within weeks or months; the man who is giving out the contracts usually collect a large part of the money through the back door.

The EFCC has presented more witnesses in the trial of ex-gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

They are being prosecuted on a 27 counts bordering on the abuse of office and money laundering.

Prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas, an operative of the EFCC, who testified as PW18, said Lamido, his sons, and cohorts received kickbacks from contractors in Billions.

He told the court that investigations into the alleged fraud started in 2007 through to 2015.

He said, “We discovered that Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, which executed over 21 contracts (for the Jigawa State Government) totalling almost N30bn, had paid over N1bn into the accounts of Speeds International Limited and Bamaina Holding Company – both accounts whose sole signatory is Alhaji Sule Lamido.”

The witness added that N100m was paid into the bank account of Speeds International Ltd., believed to be owned by Mustapha, a son of the ex-governor.

The money was paid under the pretext that it was meant for the payment of a subcontractor.

Wetkas added, “Investigations also revealed that about N100m of third party cheques were cleared into the Access Bank Account of Speeds International Ltd., where Mustapha Sule Lamido is a signatory.

“These revelations resulted in the invitation of the Managing Director of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, one Mr. Udo, to the commission, where Udo claimed that the monies paid were for sub-contracts awarded by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company to the defendants’ companies for supplies of bitumen, diesel and steel iron rods – construction consumables used by the company.

“A close inspection of Dantata and Sawoe’s electronic records, physical books, financial statements, consumable journals, and waybills by the investigators and the forensic team revealed discrepancies which could not be explained.”

The case is still going on with more witnesses to testify with evidences.

Kidnapping: Police Declares State Of Emergency In Kaduna

NAIJA NEWS

3 

The Kaduna state police command has declared a state of emergency to stem rising cases of kidnapping in the state.

Zubairu Abubakar, the command’s spokesman, disclosed this in an interview with NAN, saying that a special team of anti kidnap squad has been formed to track and dislodge criminal gangs.

He said the declaration of the state of emergency was on the orders of Solomon Arase, inspector general of police.

In the last three months, several people have been abducted across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Samaila Inusa, a colonel in the Nigerian army, was abducted while driving with his wife, and his corpse was found two days later.

Similarly, Iliya Anthony, vice-president of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, died in the hands of his abductors.

He was kidnapped along with the two other clerics who later regained freedom.

Mansur Ahmed, a former executive director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was also abducted recently.

The police spokesman acknowledged the cases and said several arrests had been made, while prosecution of some suspected kidnappers had commenced.

He said 13 suspects had been charged to court, while 15 others were under investigation.

Abubakar said the deployment of the new squad was to heighten the search for the criminal gangs and make the state safe from their nefarious activities.

Former Italy And AC Milan Legend Cesare Maldini Dies At 84

SPORTS

At club level, Maldini won 4 Serie A league titles and 1 European Cup with Milan. Internationally, he played for the Italian national team, earning 14 caps and participating in the 1962 World Cup.

As a coach, he had a successful career in charge of the Italian Under-21 side, winning the European Under-21 Football championship a record three consecutive times.

He was Married to Maria Luisa bearing six sons, one was Paolo a defender who once held the record for the most caps for the Italian national team (now third behind Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro).

Paolo Maldini captained Milan to the UEFA Champions League title in 2003 and 2007. Maldini’s grandsons, Christian and Daniel also play football in Milan junior teams.

Milan said in a statement: “AC Milan sends its condolences to the Maldini following the passing of Rossoneri great Cesare Maldini.

Cesare skippered the club to its first European Cup triumph in 1963 at Wembley and the loss of such a key figure in Rossoneri history has left everyone at AC Milan moved and saddened.

Cesare had recently turned 84 and he left his mark at the club not only as a player, but also as a coach and scout.

The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile.”

Kaduna Refinery To End Fuel Scarcity In The North In 2 Weeks – NNPC

NAIJA NEWS

Officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on Saturday stated that the crippling fuel scarcity in the northern part of the country will be over in the next two weeks following the completion of repairs on the vandalized pipelines supplying crude oil to Kaduna Refining and Petro-chemical Company (KRPC).

The officials also said the KRPC is ready to commence production.

The Group Executive Director (GED) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Off-Stream sector, NNPC, Alhaji Bello Rabiu Barbuda, gave the assurance when he embarked on a facility tour of the KRPC Plant.

He disclosed that the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries were also set for adequate fuel supply in the country, saying the era of shortage of the petroleum product supply will soon be over.

”As you can see, the whole country is under siege because of fuel supply. We are looking at the entire value chain to solve the problem.

“I come here to see the readiness of this refinery to be back on stream. We were actually having problem with the supply of crude oil to this place from Warri. It is about 640 kilometres line. That line is almost ready so that we would start pushing the crude here.

“At least in ten days, we would bring the crude to Kaduna, and about two or four days we would make everything ready.

“We want to make sure that in the next two weeks this refinery will be ready to start producing fuel. If that is done, the entire (northern) part of this country will be serviced with fuel.”

Babura told journalists in an interview shortly after touring the KRPC plant.

He noted that the plant is in good condition, adding that production will begin and nothing will stop it again.

“They will be ready to receive the crude soon and if the crude comes, we believe that everything will run smoothly”.