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Igbos Are In Charge Of Nigeria’s Economy – Buhari

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

President Muhammadu Buhari has described, the Igbos of South East Nigeria as the most enterprising people, trailblazing economic feats in Nigeria.

The President said so while conveying his heartfelt appreciation over the honor and reception accorded him by the Government and the people of Imo State.

“I thank the Government and people of Imo State for the very warm reception accorded me during my visit yesterday. It was a pleasure to visit Imo State and to be hosted by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The president said he was impressed with infrastructural development in Imo State and encouraged his host, Governor Hope Uzodinma to continue to pursue impactful policies that would benefit his people.

“I was pleased to see and commission his impactful infrastructure projects, and to note that he is giving infrastructure the same kind of priority that we are giving it at the Federal level.

“I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses. And the Igbos will especially benefit from this ongoing infrastructure revolution, because, as a group, they are truly the most enterprising.

“There is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbos being in-charge of economic activities. The evidence is there for everyone to see, that Igbos are in charge of Nigeria’s economy.

“It is therefore unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria.

“Let me again say that I was very pleased with what I saw in Imo State, and I would like to assure that I will support Imo State and the entire region within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Federal Government will complete all ongoing key projects in the South East, including the 2nd Niger Bridge, and other major highways, as well as the railway lines and routes linking the region with other parts of the country.

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Headlines

Buhari Appoints New Boss For Nigerian Immigration Service

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Idris Isah Jere a Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Finance and Account, will take over in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Comptroller General by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, has retired from service.

Babandede was appointed as the Comptroller General of the NIS on the 15th of May 2016.

He took over from Martin Kure Abeshi.

At a valedictory session on Friday, Babandede said; “I have left Immigration better than I found it.”

The retired CG, who promised to be an ambassador of the NIS, said he will always be ready to assist whenever he is called on by the Service.

Babandede spent five years and four months as the Comptroller General of the Service.

A valedictory service on Friday at the headquarters was attended by serving, retired officers as well as Babandede’s family/members and friends.

Babandede noted that tremendous changes were made under his leadership with the assistance of officers and men.

“I am very proud today. I am leaving the Service better that I met it. I have made my contributions and I pray that successive leaders will improve on what we have done,” he said.

Dr. Sam Nwosu, Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu of the ECOWAS Commission and Mr. Rafael Rois Molina of FIAPP /ATPSOM hailed Babandede for his efforts and achievements.

The former CG passed the baton of leadership to Deputy Comptroller General, Idris Isah Jere who becomes the acting CG.

Until now, Jere was in-charge of the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

A pull-out parade for Babandede will be held on Monday, 13th September at the parade ground of the headquarters in Abuja.

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Headlines

South East Group Berates IPOB Over Continued Sit-at-home Despite Cancellation In Imo

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL), has berated the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over its continued sit-at-home order in Imo.

COSEYL, a socio-political pressure group, is the umbrella body of youth organisations in the South-East geo-political zone.

This was contained in a statement co-signed by the group’s President-General, Goodluck Ibem, and Secretary-General, Kanice Igwe, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday.

The group called on IPOB to fully enforce the cancellation of its sit-at-home directives which the group said were negatively affecting social and economic activities in the state.

It added that observing the order on Mondays will disrupt students sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations.

It noted that families who survive on a daily income would be worst hit, and called on residents of the state to defy the order henceforth.

”It is not a hidden information that our secondary school students sitting for WAEC examinations will be writing English Language on Monday, September. 13 and we cannot afford to have them miss the paper.

”Asking these students to sit-at-home on Monday when other students in the country and other West-African countries will be writing the same examination is the worst disservice anyone can do to our students.

”Many persons depend on a daily income to put food on the daily and such persons are at the receiving end of this order and this is why the cancelled sit-at-home order should be duly enforced,” the group said.

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Headlines

2023 Presidency: Plans To Pair Malami With Jonathan Thickens

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters
.As APC Plans To Zone Ticket To South South Geopolitical Zone

2023 may seem far for some people, but to President Muhamadu Buhari’s political allies, popularly known as the “Villa Cabal”, now is better than never. 

This is because all efforts are currently geared towards pairing the current Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami as running mate to former President Goodluck Jonathan, LeadingReporters has learnt.

A source who is in the know confided in LeadingReporters that Malami is the preferred running mate to President Goodluck Jonathan, whom this platform learnt is being lobbied by the cabal to contest as President under the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC ticket come 2023.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan is being lobbied to contest under APC.  The “Cabal” has vowed to make it happen and to fund his campaign.  I guess the only thing they are perfecting now is how to convince Nigerians that the man they had previously labeled “most corrupt” and “evil” is now a saint to succeed Buhari”.

Malami, it was learnt had eyes for Kebbi State gubernatorial position before this new development.  A project the cabal is viewing to be near-impossible because Malami lacks the grassroots clout and may not have the support of the powerbrokers from Kebbi State.  Another factor that is believed to be going to militate against his governorship ambition borders on the influence of some political figures such as Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah Ali and Senator Adamu Aliero who are believed to have strong political structure and influence on the electorates and key political decisions makers in Kebbi State, the home State of Malami.

The source hinted that by the “cabal” calculation, someone trusted is needed to protect their interest in the next political dispensation.  They feared that losing grip of power in the next presidency may spell doom for them and their business interests as they may be subjected to untamed investigations by the new government in power. They believe Jonathan may not tilt towards investigating his predecessor, and in the event that happens, Abubakar Malami may be the anchor the “cabal” needs to hinge their political structures and economic achievements.

Towards achieving that, it was learnt that Malami, on the instruction of the cabal had to source for a loyal, dependable and trusted person to head the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC.  By their calculation, a close ally would help nail every perceived opponent come, 2023.  In addition to that, the EFCC henchmen would help weed off every allegations that may be used against their interest come 2023.  The current EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, fell within the description of the preferred candidate.  Mr. Bawa hails from Kebbi State as the Attorney General for the Federation.

It was reported that part of the plan is to use the anti-corruption agency to go after former President Goodluck Jonathan and his allies in the event he turns down the offer to run for Presidency with Malami as his running mate.

“Coercion is plan B”

How did Abubakar Malami become so powerful as to be ‘favoured’ with Nigeria’s Vice Presidency come 2023 by the “cabal”, people may ask?  Malami was Bullet Nigeria Limited company’s attorney.  Bullet Nigeria Limited was owned by one of the strongest ally for President Muhammadu Buhari, the late Ismaila Isa Fantua. It was leant that Mr. Fantua had so much trust in Abubakar Malami that he single-handedly ‘marketed’ him to the “cabal” and President Buhari as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.  Since then, Malami has been wielding the scepter of ‘justice’ on behalf of his benefactor and other members of the inner caucus in the Presidency.

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HeadlinesOpinion

Expert flays NNPC N287B profit; describes it as a manipulated balance sheet full of deception

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

A financial expert, public issues commentator and good governance advocate, Dr. Nnaemeka Obiareri has described as deceptive,

manipulative and sheer distortion of standard accounting standards the recently announced profit of N287billion by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, from its perennial operational losses.

He said that when the figures brandished by NNPC leadership is interrogated, it would be discovered that NNPC did not engage in any extensive or extra-ordinary productive or trading activities in 2020 to generate and report such huge profits in 2020 from a consistent six years loss (2015-2020). 

“From my desktop review and analysis, I knew straight away, that it is either they reported bubble paper profit to enable them debit a ledger for a particular nefarious game or they engaged in unwholesome balance sheet engineering games.

“What Melee Kyari presented as profit from direct  NNPC operations and activities is actually a retention  of 20% of the profits and dividends paid by independent entities,  which the NNPC   received on behalf  of the federation ( FGN, States and LGAs). This is the first time they are allowed to retain such.  

“According to a reliable source, before now,  the FGN and the states used to collect 100% of all the dividends paid by these independent entities . 

“However, in 2020, the NNPC decided to retain the 20% from the dividends paid the the NLNG, the NGC, the West African Gas Pipeline ( Operated by Chevron) etc and consolidated same in their balance sheet.  

“So, what they reported were retained portions of the dividends  paid by other entities for the Federation.  All the poppycock by Melee Kyari of improving efficiency at the NNPC and cut cutting cost  measures  over the last one year are just hogwash . NNPC as an entity under him,  its operations  and that of  the three  refineries are cesspool of losses and perfidy . Don’t be deceived by their tales by moonlight . 

”It is a grave affronts to our sensibilities and intelligence for these guys to receive about $2.5billion/N1trillion (using CBN official rates)  as combined dividends on behalf of the federation from independent entities established by acts of Parliament for the benefits of the federation,  consolidate the retained  20% portion of  dividends meant for the Federation accounts and then report it (N287bn)  as profits made from the activities of a  corporation that did nothing,  other than , import PMS at a loss under subsidies and ignorant people clap away without asking questions  

“The most painful thing here is that these people understand that IGNORANCE walks on all four in Nigeria.  So, they assumed rightly, that a majority of us have no common sense , capacity , competence and ability to dig beyond the surface.  They also realise that investigative journalism built on deep knowledge is absent in this clime. THEY ALSO realise that we do not have many people with the discipline, knowledge,  good conscience and integrity in the NASS to probe, dig , uncover and recover as we have it in the US Congress.  So, they  corner our resources,  throw pittance at us  and then rub it on our faces  ..

“For those,  who have the discipline,  knowledge, ability and time,  kindly fish out the 2019 audited financial reports of the following independent entities set up by acts of Parliament for the benefits of the federation: 

  • The  NLNG; 2. The West African Gas Pipeline Company ( Operated by Chevron);  3. The Nigeria Gas Company(NGC);  4. Duke Oil;  5. The NPDC; 6. C. 7 Wheel Insurance ; etc 
  • When you add up all of the dividends  for the year ended 2019, which was declared,  paid and  transferred to the NNPC accounts in 2020 on behalf of the federation , you will get in excess of over $2.5bn/N1trillion (using the CBN official rate). 

“These guys at the NNPC are not sincere one bit . It is the height of deceit and manipulation of numbers, for them to gleefully consolidate the profits and dividends of independent entities, with independently audited balance sheets , who have been making and reporting  consistent profits over the last 10 years retain 20% of such dividends,  use them to cover the huge losses and pillaging at the NNPC and report same as profit for the NNPC, for the first time over the last 43 years . 

“Honestly, if the misappropriation and cornering of our national resources at our MDAs like the  NNPC, Petroleum Ministry,  FIRS, Customs,  NIMASA, NPA, are checkmate and  the leakages plugged , Nigeria will not need to borrow to fund our critical infrastructure needs .

“This is why we clamour for urgent and  total constitutional, fiscal,  administrative,  socio-economic and autonomous RESTRUCTURING of this jungle to stop the ongoing  bleeding,  destruction and destitution of the masses.  

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Headlines

Attack on NDA: Nigeria’s intelligence network has collapsed

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Northern elders have attributed Tuesday’s morning attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna, by bandits leaving two military officers dead and an officer abducted, to failure of Nigeria’s intelligence network.

Recall that the Nigerian Army had earlier confirmed the killing of two of its officers and abduction of a senior officer at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Afaka, Kaduna State.

Witnesses said the bandits came in a large number in the early hours of Tuesday, adding that apart from the officers killed and kidnapped, some others sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the NDA hospital.

The organisation,which said the development was an indication that no Nigerian no matter his or her status was safe in the country, therefore, demanded immediate review of security architecture.

According to the group,the entire security formations were to be blamed.

The group under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development (CNEPD), in the statement by its national coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni, while blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for leaving Monguno behind at the time he replaced service chiefs, however, expressed unflinching support to the president and his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC

Noting that their position was based on patriotism to the country,the elders insisted that it was time for the president to do away with Monguno following the worsening insecurity in the country.

The deteriorating security situation, according to the Coalition,is a sign that Monguno,who manages the nation’s security situation was not on top of his game.

The statement berated stakeholders in the region over what  the group described as “their long silence in the face of unbearable criminal acts by armed herdsmen across the country ‘thereby giving a bad image of the region.”

“We find it once more expedient to comment on the worsening security situation in the country, especially the latest attack on a military formation,the Nigerian Defence Academy,which is the training institute of military personnel.

“We woke up to the sad news of the attack on the NDA, leaving two officers killed and another abducted by bandits with heavy hearts. If it was not the confirmation of this unbelievable action by the Academy’s spokesperson, Bashir Jajira, we would have still been in doubt.

“The fact that a fortified military institute could be so easily invaded by armed militias without maximum resistance has left us with the conclusion that no part of this country and no citizen,no matter his or status is safe again.

“Without mincing words,we wish to attribute this ugly development to intelligence failure. We wish to strongly say here that the attack is a slap on the Nigeria intelligence community.

“The retention of the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno, at the time the president listened to the voice of reason and replaced service chiefs, may be contributing to the continuous deteriorating security situation in the country.

“Given the situation, we wish to humbly and respectively appeal to our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of urgent national importance, replace the NSA, whose tenure since his assumption of office, has been characterised by heightened Boko Haram activities, banditry, kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes without end in sight.

We reinstate unequivocally that Monguno has failed to provide useful advice to address the scourging insecurity in the country and therefore,does not deserve continuous stay in office.

As Northern elders,we have found it very important to call on President Buhari to remove the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd), whose office and responsibilities are critical to the achievement of comprehensive security all over the country but hasn’t used the high esteem of his office in any productive ways since his appointment as NSA.

‘The reason for this call is not farfetched. We believe that Major-Gen Monguno was part of the gross failure associated with the tenure of the former security chiefs and his continued presence in office will make the success Buhari intended to achieve with the changes very difficult, if not completely impossible.

‘It is important that the NSA be replaced so that the process of injecting fresh blood can be completed.

‘We believe that the service chiefs need a clean slate to succced as to avoid being tied to the springs of the past fatal failures. This call is both patriotic and totally apolitical as a responsible group of elders in our dear region.

‘It would be to the highest interests of Nigeria for the president to heed this call and act on it immediately, ”the group said.

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Headlines

1 Dead As Bandits Attack NDA in Kaduna

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Bandits have attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka in Kaduna 

The bandits invaded the barracks killing a naval officer, Daily Trust reported.

“It was a terrible experience, the bandits took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks,” Daily Trust was told. “At this time, the barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the bandits would not leave the barracks… it is believed that they are still within.”

The report also said that one of the officers injured is in the hospital responding to treatment.

Details later…

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EntertainmentGeneral

SOB unveils ‘Entertainment Company’ Targeting the Global Space

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

A fashion company, ‘Shaper of Beauty’ on Monday, launched an entertainment company.

A press statement jointly signed by its founder, Taiwo Hassan Alli and Kehinde Hussein Alli, stated that the company will be aimed at galvanizing the enormous talents in the fashion and music industry across Nigeria.

“SOB entertainment was established to bring solutions to the lingering problems in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

“In view of the recent Afrobeats revolution, there is a need for more hands in the entertainment industry”

The duo who are also Tai Solarin University Of Education (TASUED) undergraduates further revealed that two of their upcoming projects – SOB International Beauty Pageantry and SOB Talent hunt competition would be held later in the year.

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Exclusives

Exposed: How Gen. Buratai Thwarted Nnamdi Kanu Peace and Dialogue Offer To FG

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The arrest of the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has stirred different reactions from different quarters in Nigeria. 

In the South East Region, the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu came as a shock to the youths and Kanu’s teeming followers.  In the Northern Part of Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest has been seen as one of the greatest achievements of the President Muhadummedu APC-led government. 

hIn the midst of all these, most Nigerians did not know that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has at one point accepted to switch his separatist agitation for a dialogue and greater peace-building. This followed a patriotic move by two Nigerians – Mr. Allen Onyema of Airpeace and Mr. Danjuma Mohammed. The question arises, why did that peace move fail?  And who benefitted from all the war-like military activities across all parts of Nigeria, especially the Southern part?

Information has it that at the peak of the separatist agitation led by Nnamdi Kanu some years back, two patriotic Nigerians took the burden upon themselves to mediate.  They were not sent by the Federal Government, but they believed that a more humane approach could bring the healing hand of time.  Towards this, Mr. Mohammed Danjuma and Chief Onyema Allen (The Chairman and CEO of AirPeace) embarked on a dicey visit to Nnamdi Kanu’s home town Isiama Afara Ukwu in Abia State to meet with him on possible ways on playing down the separatist agitation which was already creating tension in the country.

According to a source who was in the know about the visit, seeing Nnamdi Kanu was like the camel passing through the eyelet of a needle as the duo of Mr Danjuma and Onyema were severally tossed around by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s security protocols. Nonetheless, they met with Nnamdi Kanu and appealed to him to go for negotiation with the Federal Government, instead of agitation to separate from Nigeria. All the cons and pros of the agitation were put down on the table.

“They arrived Afara Ukwu at about 2pm and only succeeded in seeing Nnamdi Kanu around mid-night.  His followers and bodyguards wouldn’t easily give away his location because they were not sure of the motive behind the visit.  But after several persuasions, including making pledge to pay with their lives if anything happens to Nnamdi Kanu in their course of their engagements and discussions.  These gentlemen lived to their promises and did the unexpected.  They convinced Kanu to toe the peace and negotiation path with the Federal Government”.

After the visit, several arrangements were put on ground towards addressing some of the immediate demands of IPOB.  Reconciliation meetings were initiated to be held among some youth leaders drawn from Arewa Youths, IPOB (represented by Nnamdi Kanu younger brother) and others from South West and South South Regions. 

The whole idea was to use the youths to push for a more united Nigeria.  While that was going on, the selected representatives were gathered in Lagos to be tutored from mentored on peace-building and cohesive strategies by selected resource persons drawn from some International Non-Governmental Organizations, including those from King Martin Luther Jnr Peace Institute, USA.  Part of the arrangement was to fly these selected regional youth leaders to USA to be trained on peace-building.  Nnamdi Kanu and some of his key policy makers were involved in this understanding.  They consented to it and sent delegates for the training both in Nigeria and in USA.

The source said that the former Chief of Army Staff, General Turkur Yusuf Buratai on learning about the peace initiatives deployed his men who in turned arrested the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu from among others who were at that point lodged in a hotel in Lagos.  Other participants in the peace building course consisting of Arewa and some Southern youths protested the arrested and clarified that the training had nothing to do with IPOB but about a way of building synergy for promotion of peace and unity in the country. 

The source said that Buratai-boys turned deaf ear to the plea and picked up Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother.  This action irked attempts was made to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother.  But Gen. Buratai tactically killed the initiative and peace-moves and within weeks, launched his Operation Python Dance which saw a lot of Igbo youths being maimed, killed and manhandled.  That was the straw that broke the camel’s back and sealed the peace path that have been mapped out.

“Buratai intentionally foiled the peace-building efforts in preference for war.  War is money.  Each Python or Crocodile Dance goes with huge budget. Gen. Buratai represented repression of the emergence of youths in leadership positions. He worked against all peace initiatives that would have seen a more united, inclusive government”.  The source concluded.

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