EFCC INTERCEPTS $2.8M FROM TWO MONEY LAUNDERERS AT ENUGU AIRPORT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday intercepted $2.8million from two people suspected to be money launderers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the EFCC acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, and made available to newsmen.

He said, “the suspects, namely Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, allegedly working for a company: Bankers Warehouse, were nabbed based on intelligence report.”

EFCC said upon their arrests, they were caught with consignments of two suitcases, containing $1.4 million each, totalling $2.8 million, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air evening flight to Lagos.

The statement read, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been in the business of conveying cash for “some notable banks”, for over six years and were in the process of doing same for Union Bank Plc, located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were caught.

“the suspects further confessed that they had so far carried out such assignments, “four times this year.

“They are presently giving useful information to operatives of the Commission, and will be charged to court soon.”

POLICE DECLARES MELAYE WANTED OVER ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE

Senator Dino Melaye, has officially been declared wanted and placed under arrest by the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, for attempted culpable homicide.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP, Jimoh Moshood, which was sent to Post-Nigeria, on Friday evening.

The statement reads in full:

SENATOR DINO MELAYE IS BEING ARRESTED BY THE POLICE, TO ANSWER TO THE CASE OF ATTEMPTED CULPABLE HOMICIDE, ON THE SHOOTING OF A POLICE OFFICER, SGT. DANJUMA SALIU, WHILE ON DUTY, BY SENATOR DINO MELAYE AND HIS ARMED THUGS, IN KOGI STATE, ON 19th JULY, 2018.

The Police Operatives currently at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye, are to effect his arrest, to answer to the case of attempted culpable homicide, on the shooting of a Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF), while on duty at a stop and search point, along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa road, in Kogi State.

The above offence was committed by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs, in Kogi State, on 19th July, 2018, when they shot and wounded a Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF), while on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa road, in Kogi State. The Police Officer is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack, and still under intensive medical care.

The Police Investigators have written the Clerk of the National Assembly, for Senator Dino Melaye to report at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja, for him to answer to these offences against him under investigation at the Kogi State Police Command, but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.

The Police Operatives will continue to be in wait at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye, until he surrenders himself for arrest. The offence for which Senator Dino Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature, and not compoundable.

The Force will not tolerate attack on its Personnel, by any individual, no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course.

Members of the public will be kept informed on further development in the investigation of the matter.

Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA.

Arik Air Notification of Flight disruption 

Posted by Lateef Lawal

Arik Air said that there would be a slight disruption of its flight during the Christmas period.

This was contained in a statement issued by the airline yesterday.

The development has been attributed to some operational issues and adverse weather conditions in the coastal areas, especially Benin, Enugu, Asaba and Warri.

The airline said:"Therefore some flights may either be rescheduled or cancelled, subject to aircraft and airport closure time constraints". 

"We regret the inconveniences this disruption will cause our customers and want to assure them of our sincere efforts to reducing the impact to the barest minimum. 

"Our staff shall contact customers affected by this disruption, making alternative arrangements for them or refunds as the case may be. 

"Arik wishes to assure that it considers the safety of customers and crew as paramount. Arik will therefore only operate safe and secure flights. All hands are also on deck to make all flight experiences pleasurable", the statement concluded.

Tina Beloveth Powerful: Fraudster forms new college in Nigeria.

Tina Beloveth Powerful has been on the run since she failed to turn up for sentencing after being found guilty of fraud at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court.

A fraudster who skipped court bail after being found guilty of running a bogus business school has started a similar venture in Nigeria.

Tina Beloveth Powerful, 50, who was found guilty of fraud and false advertising in July 2015, claims the case against her was later expunged.

She unexpectedly contacted the BBC to back Theresa May in the Conservative leadership contest on Wednesday night.

Thames Valley Police confirmed a warrant for her arrest was outstanding.

Nothing had been heard of Powerful since June 2016 when she claimed she wanted to be Nigeria's first female president.

On Wednesday, she contacted a BBC reporter on Facebook from Nigeria, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" and saying Mrs May should be given time to "finish what she has started".

Powerful then claimed she had been given a "police discharge certificate" clearing her of her case.

She added she would return to Milton Keynes, where she was "one of the builders of the local community".

When Powerful sent the BBC a copy of the document, it was actually a "notification of decision to release without charge" relating to her arrest for failing to turn up at court for sentencing.

Powerful said she was now "championing the cause of good leadership in Nigeria and beyond".

The BBC discovered she is running a new business school in the Nigerian city of Enugu.

Powerful ran her fraudulent Everest School of Transformational Management from her flat in Milton Keynes

Powerful first came to prominence in 2013, when her Havard School was sued by American university Harvard.

The case was settled out of court, but a BBC investigation found the school, which changed its name to the Everest School of Transformational Management, was offering courses without the correct accreditation.

Milton Keynes Council Trading Standards launched its own investigation, resulting in Powerful being found guilty of "dishonesty".

She failed to turn up to court for sentencing three times before leaving the country.

The BBC discovered she formed another business school in Bedford while on trial.

The BBC asked Thames Valley Police what was being done to bring Powerful to justice, but the force had not replied at the time of writing.

President Buhari warns Governor Amosun against anti-party activities

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly warned Governor Ibikunle Amosun to desist from anti-party activities as details of their meeting have emerged. 

The duo met on Monday, December 10, in Abuja and according to Daily Independent, the president sternly warned the Ogun governor not to engage in activities that may affect the party. 

The president reportedly frowned at Amosun’s statement that while he would support the All progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election, he will not support the candidate of the party, Dapo Abiodun, in the gubernatorial contest. 

President Buhari reportedly told Amosun that he requires total loyalty from him urging him to learn to sacrifice personal interest for the collective interest of the party.

Abdulsalami Abubakar Adekunle Akinlade who is Amosun’s preferred governorship candidate left the APC for the Allied People’s Movement (APM), a move Governor Amosun endorsed. 

According to source, “From the feelers we got, the president did not mince words in telling Governor Amosun that as the national leader of the party, he will not support any form of anti-party activities. 

He told the governor that he cannot put one leg in APC by saying he will support him, while putting another leg in APM declaring support for another governorship candidate.

“The president told him he cannot claim to be working for the APC while all his foot soldiers have left for the APM and the governor also gave them maximum support.

“From what we are getting, this is the president’s final warning to Governor Amosun as the party’s campaign will kick off soon. Don’t also forget that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has since penciled down the governor for punishment after rebuffing the reconciliation meeting set up to reconcile aggrieved members.”

Another source said Amosun was in a dilemma about whether to support APC or APM. “I believe the governor is in a dilemma now and we expect him to make a very important decision in the coming days." 

Meanwhile, the APC governorship candidate in Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, December 11, said Governor Ibikunle Amosun will be part of his campaign team, in spite of his (Amosun) grouses against the party. 

Abiodun stated this while addressing a press conference at his Iperu-Remo home, where he presented his running mate, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and his manifesto for the 2019 governorship contest. 

He said: “Of course, the governor of Ogun state is the leader  the party. And when I am flagging off my campaign, it is the incumbent governor that would help me flag it off. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that the issues of misunderstanding would be resolved soon. 

“I am sure the governor of Ogun state will help me in flagging off my campaign. And I am sure he will raise my hands up as the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”

 

OPC NEC ENDORSES OSINBOTE, NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Prince Osinbote, New National President, Oodua People's Congress(OPC).

The National Executive Council(NEC) members of the Oodua People's Congress(OPC) yesterday formally endorsed Prince Osibote Oodua as the new President of the  sociocultural group after the demise of the erstwhile founder and life president, Dr Frederick Isiotan Fasehun last Saturday, 1, December, 2018.

His endorsement came about after members of the NEC exhaustively his candidacy and his antecedents in the development of the Congress in the past. 

The NEC meeting held at the Century Hotel, Okota was Chaired by the Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi, who national executives on the choice of Prince Osinbote, popularly called " Osin-Koboko " by the late Dr Fasehun.

It was after the discussions that a motion for his endorsement was moved by the 1st Vice President of the Congress, Comrade Lateef Lawal and seconded by the National Financial Secretary, Alhaji Kazeem Lawal. All NEC members subsequently adopted the motion and the Deputy President, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi a.k.a Askari, proclaimed Prince Osinbote as the new National President of OPC.

Prince Osinbote who is a native of Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State is an astute businessman.

He was later introduced to State Chairmen and their executives from Lagos State, Ogun State, Oyo State, Osun State, Edo State, Kwara, Ondo state, Ekiti State and Kano State including other members of the Congress who were present.

In his short acceptance speech, the new President commended members of the national executive council of OPC who believed in his leadership capability by endorsing him to lead the Congress after the demise of Dr Fasehun last Saturday.

He enjoined all the leaders of the Congress from Zonal, Local Government, States and National levels to ensured the continued entrenchment of discipline among the rank and file of the Congress including respect for contituted authorities at all levels as laid down by the late founder, Dr Frederick Fasehun.

He also assured that with the support of all members of OPC, in pursuance of the ideals of the organization, he would not rest on his oarse in taking the Congress to higher heights.

Press Release by Comrade Lateef Lawal, 1st Vice President (Administration), OPC

Young African Business Leaders Converge in Lagos for Under 40 CEOs Forum

Young entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the African continent will gather in Lagos for the 3^rd edition of the Under 40 CEOs Forum holding at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Thursday, 6^th December 2018.

Under 40 CEOs Forum—a live interactive event—is an extension of the Under 40 CEOs television show. The forum offers a unique opportunity for current and aspiring CEOs to meet, share ideas and collaborate to create economic value across the continent.

Convened and hosted by Familusi Akin Babajide (FAB), Executive Director - Africa, Under 40 CEOs, this year’s forum is themed “Wealth Creation, Management and Inclusion - Innovative Strategies To Induce Economic Prosperity.” 

The 2018 forum will also include the launch of the book “Under 40 CEOs: How We Made It In Africa - Volume 1.” It is a 220-page book featuring insights from the stories of 52 young African business leaders from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

According to FAB: “About 500 young aspiring business leaders are billed to attend the event, and an additional 10,000 young people will be joining the conversation via Facebook live on www.facebook.com/under40ceosafrica and also on Twitter.”

Like previous editions, the 2018 Under 40 CEOs Forum will feature an array of notable speakers, including established professionals and technocrats, as well as emerging young business leaders from both the public and private sector.”

Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili is a chartered accountant who served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Federal Minister of Education. Dr Oby also served as the Vice-President of the World Bank's Africa division. Ezekwesili was a 2018 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prizefor her work in transparency in the extractive sector.

Dr Ola Brown is the CEO of Flying Doctors, an emergency air ambulance service with a pool of 20 aircrafts and 44 doctors who deliver care en route to one of Nigeria's hospitals. The company is the first air ambulance service in West Africa.

Adeola Azeez is a seasoned banker with over 20 years of professional experience, more than half of which has been as Deputy Country Representative/Deputy Managing Director of Deutsche Bank Nigeria.

Victor Ndukauba has a broad experience in investment research, Capital Raising, Financial Advisory and Asset Management. He began his career with the Corporate Finance Business Unit at the Lagos office of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Victor is the Deputy Managing Director at Afrinvest West Africa.

Akin Oyebode is a former banker, strategist and social commentator. He is the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. Before his appointment, Akin was the head of SME at Stanbic IBTC Bank.

About Under 40 CEOs

Under 40 CEOs launched on TVC Entertainment and TVC News on the 9^th of October, 2015 and subsequently launched on Silverbird Television Network on the 13^th of January, 2017 and has spotlighted inspiring young business leaders aged 40 and under from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

Business leaders that have been featured on the show include Aisha Pandor of Sweep South, South Africa, Adebola Williams of Red Media; Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Group; Tony Usidamen of Uburu Solutions; Noble Igwe of 360 Group; Bola Ray of EIB Networks; Alex Brahm of SMSGH; Oluyomi Ojo of Printivo whilst discovering inspiring CEOs like lawyer Aderemi Oguntoye of Oguntoye and Oguntoye; Senyo Hosi of Ghana Chambers of Bulk Oil Distributors; Abiola Adekoya of RMB Stockbrokers, Ran Neu Ner of The Creative Counsel, South Africa and  Ade Adegoke of Oando Foundation amongst others.

With over 87 episodes till date, and serial entrepreneur, Familusi Akin Babajide (Mr FAB), as the host, Under 40 CEOs has since gone on to inspire and motivate millions of would-be young business leaders across Africa to take action and join in the rebuilding and re-shaping of the African continent.

Under 40 CEOs currently reaches  7,500,000 viewers every week with a social media following of over 150,000 and growing with a cumulative social media content reach of over 8.6million.

Oba Akiolu of Lagos reveals why Obasanjo is Nigeria's major problem of today

The Oba of Lagos, His Highness Oba Rilwan Akiolu has said Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the major problem of Nigeria today.

The monarch in an interview with Vanguard, said the former president was “running after” Lagos when in government, instead of focusing on the country’s investments.

"The major problem of Nigeria today is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. When he was in government, he was running after Lagos while someone was cornering all the blue-chip companies that belong to the country.

He cannot win election in his ward in Abeokuta. He ignored all Supreme Court judgements which were in favour of Lagos State.

He told me that ‘Tinubu is stubborn, each time he goes to court even if he wins, I will make the condition of the court unenforceable’.

I told him, it is true Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stubborn but his stubbornness is based on popular support. Tinubu is a good man and an achiever, but stubborn to a fault; if I tell him he’s stubborn, he will say he is taking after me,” he said.

Akiolu speaking about the 2019 elections, advised Nigerians to vote for candidates based on their manifestoes and not for money.

He said: “It is unfortunate, many Nigerians are deceiving themselves. The kind of politics we play here is ‘money politics.’ Politicians should bring their manifestoes and their followers should make sure they deliver on their promises.”

“But for some people to line-up somewhere and be collecting $20,000, $25,000 to pick a presidential candidate is wrong. If the person gets there, he will first recoup his money. I pray those people should not get there.”

Oba Akiolu praising President Muhammadu Buhari for not being “materialistic”, labelled other politicians as theives, adding that if they came to visit him he would tell them to their faces.

“It’s unfortunate that Buhari did not stay long as Head of State in 1984, Nigeria would have been better. Buhari is one of the few, politicians who are not materialistic.”

“Majority of them are ‘grab –grab’ politicians. Let me use this medium to tell all those politicians moving about because election is coming, that if they are not ready to hear the truth, they should not come to my palace. “I will tell them that they are thieves, Nigerians know them, and youths should not allow politicians to use them.,” he said.

source:Legit

President Buhari summons Service Chiefs over killing of soldiers along Nigeri-Chad boarder

President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned service chiefs to an emergency security meeting over the reported killing of some Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram sect along the Nigeria-Chad border on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably gathered that the urgent meeting was necessitated by the latest security development across the battle fields in the North East region of the country.
A reliable source, who preferred not to be named, confirmed this development to NAN in Abuja on Friday.
NAN learnt that Federal Government pronouncement on the latest victims of Boko Haram insurgency was being delayed because families of the victims were being identified and contacted.
“The president has called an urgent meeting with the service chiefs.
“And the families of the latest victims of the Boko Haram are being identified and contacts made before a government pronouncement on the tragic attacks.
“This, we understand is the reason for the silence of the government over the incident,’’ the source added.
It would be recalled that Buhari had earlier dispatched the Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, to Chad for an emergency meeting with the Chadian President, Idris Deby, on the insecurity at the Nigeria-Chad border.
Dan-Ali had on Thursday briefed the president on security development across the country including the recent killing of some Nigerian soldiers by the Islamic West Africa Province, a breakaway Boko Haram sect, operating along Nigeria-Chad border.
AFP had quoted security sources on Nov. 21, saying no less than 44 soldiers were killed during the attacks, which occurred at Metele, a remote village bordering Nigeria and Chad.
Diplomatic sources, however, told NAN that the minister of defence would also be meeting his Chadian counterpart during his mission to Chad, to identify what had led to the recent increase in Boko Haram terrorism in the area.
The sources, who preferred not to be named, said: “Nigeria has a Chad problem in the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The source said that force was put together to secure the Lake Chad Basin area and repeal the Boko Haram terrorism attacks against all the countries neighbouring the lake.
According to the sources, Chad is believed to have its own internal security challenges and this has reportedly led to pulling away the troops manning that country’s border around Lake Chad.
“That lacuna is being exploited by the Boko Haram terrorists, who go in and out of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon to launch terrorist acts.
“This is a clear illustration of the fact that terrorism is beyond national borders,” the sources added.
Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said he was aware that the defence minister would be going to Chad, adding, “I’m unaware of his mission there’’. (NAN)

Headache for Atiku, huge jubilation in Aso Rock as APC win by-elections in two states

The ruling APC is currently making huge strides towards the 2019 general elections after the party secured significant wins in two by-elections in Kwara and katsina state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as winner of the Katsiba by-election into the House of Representatives.

The election was conducted in the Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal constituency in Katsina state on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kusada was the speaker of Katsina state House of Assembly before his election on Saturday. Prof Adedayo Hamza, the returning officer who announced the result on Saturday in Kankiya said Kusada scored 48,518 votes to emerge winner.

Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up. Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency is 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes 2,331.

The total number of votes cast was 73,073. Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner, advised political parties to intensify voter education and management of polling units.

He commended the political parties, security agencies, mediamen and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the by-election.

APC’s OPERATION CLIP SARAKI wings record first major success.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has recorded its first post-Saraki success in Kwara State, an indication that the party’s move to reduce the Senate President’s influence in the state is taking shape.

Winner of Kwara bye-election, Mr Tunji Olawuyi, has said that his victory at Saturday’s Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero and Irepodun federal constituency bye-election in Kwara State as a victory for the people of the state.

Olawuyi said that the success was a sign of more victories to come for the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 general elections in Kwara.

He said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday at Omu-Aran, Kwara, while reacting to the outcome of the poll.

Olawuyi polled 21,236 to emerge winner, while his closest rival, Mr Saheed Alatise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 18,095.

“This is a happy moment for me because we have been doing this for a long time. When your time has come, no one can stop you but at the same time, I give glory to God, because it is the best time Allah has created for me.

“My party believed in me to put me forward for the assignment and I thank God I have delivered,” he said.

Olawuyi, who described his party as the best in Africa, said he was never scared of the opposition because he is a grassroots politician that is loved by his people.

He said because of the fact that his people love him and follow him with passion, he will always defeat his opponents in a free and fair election.

Olawuyi said the state government’s statement that the election was between the PDP and the security agencies was laughable because it was what they were used to.

2019 presidency: Full text of Buhari’s speech as APC unveils “next level”

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the All Progressives Congress, APC, Road Map for 2019 Campaign.

The road map is tagged “NEXT LEVEL.”

In accordance with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s regulation, campaigns for the 2019 elections officially kicked off on Sunday.

The APC roadmap is geared towards seeking re-election across all thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

President Buhari said:

Four years ago, we promised Nigerians real change – in what we do and how we do it. Nigerians sent a clear message in the last election, and our platform offered a new, ambitious plan for a secure, prosperous and corruption-free country.

We have worked hard to fulfil our promises – and while the road may have been difficult, over the last three and a half years, we have laid the foundations for a strong, stable and prosperous country for the majority of our people.

Foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous – but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire.

Judging by the prior depth of decay, deterioration and disrepair that Nigeria had sunken into, we are certain that these past few years have put us in good stead to trudge on the Next Level of building an even stronger nation for our people.

We were a nation at war – but we delivered on our commitment to secure the territorial integrity of our nation in the face of a raging insurgency that devastated many parts of the North East.

We liberated 17 Local Government Areas from the grip of insurgency. Brokering and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta has also been crucial to stabilising the polity.

Despite the difficult circumstances presented by weak oil prices and reduced oil production, we delivered on our commitment to make public investments to spur economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity.

Agriculture continues to expand our economic base, as do our investments in deficient infrastructure across the length and breadth of this nation.

We implemented a responsible and transparent fiscal plan for the challenging economic times that saw us doing more even with lesser oil revenues.

Grand scale corruption perpetrated at the highest level of government is now a thing of the past, just as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has made it more difficult for ministries, departments and agencies to exercise the unrestrained liberties that helped foster a climate conducive to corruption.

The nation’s wealth is now being invested in capital projects to expand infrastructure and connect people, goods and opportunities by rail, road and air. Also, the Federal Government supported state governments with bailouts that enabled them to pay workers on their payroll.

We took an unprecedented step towards creating a fairer and more equitable society by implementing Africa’s biggest social investment programme.

Through the National Social Investment Programme, we are providing direct support to over 13 million Nigerians who need it by giving relief and assistance to unemployed youth, our children, the weak and vulnerable as well as small and medium businesses.

But even as we lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous nation, we acknowledge there is still much to do. The Next Levelof effort focuses on job creation across various sectors.

From an enlargement of the N-Power programme to investing in technology and creative sector jobs to agriculture and revolutionising access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans, there is scope for over 15 million new jobs.

The march away from a mono-economy must continue with our industrialisation plan coming to fore. With specific plans underway to exploit the comparative advantage of the geopolitical zones and different states by developing 6 Industrial Parks and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) across each senatorial district, our incremental move away from oil dependence is assured.

In addition, our development of the Special Economic Zones will quickly concretise our Made in Nigeria for Export (MINE) plan. To sustain food production and value addition, our mechanisation policy for agriculture will make tractors and processors easily accessible and available for farmers across Nigeria.

We will continue a wide scale training policy, prioritising technology to reach the demography of young people within the productive sector on a massive scale even as we create jobs and growth within our economy.

We believe that our people who are still in poverty have a direct way out and up through our expanded National Social Investment Programme. We believe we can implement the painstaking and comprehensive policy and work we have done to bring an end to the perennial conflict between farmers and herders – a conflict which is heightened by a struggle for land, water and pasture and the effects of climate change and every now and then, opportunistic and cynical manipulation by political actors. We are implementing a blend of measures that ensures that justice, order, modernisation and new economic paradigms emerge.

Perhaps our biggest ambition yet is the overhaul of our education sector. Every child counts – and simply, whatever it takes to prepare our teachers, curriculum and classrooms to attain the right educational goals that grow our country, will be done.

We will remodel 10,000 schools every year and retrain our teachers to impart science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics using coding, animation, robotics to re-interpret our curriculum.

We know that to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of our nation and its leadership. Corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria. Despite the gains we have made in closing the gates, we know that there is still much ground to cover to stop systemic corruption.

We are committed to deepening the work we started this first term such that the nation’s assets and resources continue to be organised and utilised to do good for the common man.

The next four years will be quite significant for our country. Nigeria is faced with a choice to keep building a new Nigeria- making a break from its tainted past which favoured an opportunistic few. Our choices will shape us – our economic security and our future prosperity.

Nigeria, more than ever before, needs a stable and people-focused government to move the agenda for our country forward. Join us on this journey to the Next Level of a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria!

Nigerians, we are all going higher!

Vote against Governors seeking second term over their opposition to minimum wage, says NLC Vice President

The Vice President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni admonished workers in the country to vote out all state governors seeking second term that are opposed to the payment of the new minimum wage of N30, 000.

Speaking in Lagos over the weekend at the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council NAC of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) , Comrade Asugwuni revealed that there was no reason for governors not to pay the new minimum wage as soon as all processes have been concluded.

According to the NLC vice president, some governors have officially written to the NLC that they will be able to pay the new minimum wage saying that there was no governor that will be able to stand before the state workers to decline payment.

"Am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermined the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors forum not to pay but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage"

"N30, 000 is not even the money that can be take anybody home. The president as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly"

Asugwuni said there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to gear up for the great battle ahead in order to ensure that the struggle continued without hindrance should they refused to pay.

He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead saying, that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC hence the president of the NLC visited the new NUATE President within a month after election.

Comrade Asugwuni said he has confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody be carried along in decision making.

He noted that there were unions after elections will disintegrate but stated that NUATE has remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

The NLC boss urged all the elected officers to continue to work with the president as he alone can not do it for NUATE.

The new president of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue responding after the inauguration, promised to carry everybody along by remaining focus in executing his programmes.

Nnabue assured that no worker will be victimised warning that issues affecting members will be handled with care. He remarked that with the inauguration of NUATE NAC that the union was set to commence action on its activities.

While thanking the NLC vice president for honouring the invitation and assured that the executive will strive to play according to rules saying that he will not betrayed the confidence reposed in them and urged all workers to cooperate with the new team in order to lift the aviation industry and the union.

Tourism: Opening of Africa’s Largest Suspension

The opening of the spectacular Maputo-Catembe Bridge on 10th November 2018, the largest suspension bridge in Africa and one of the 60 largest in the world, will bring major change for visitors keen to explore the rare, untouched stretches of coastal wilderness in Southern Mozambique.

Thanks to the new Maputo Bay river crossing and a new tarmac road the transfer from Maputo International Airport to White Pearl Resort, a private and exclusive beach hotel located 100km south of the capital Maputo, will be shortened from a bumpy 5-hour ride on muddy dirt roads into a cushy 90-minute drive, making White Pearl the most accessible luxury beach resort in the country.

This new access, combined with the availability of 30-day tourist visas on entry, means a Mozambican tropical beach holiday has never been easier.

The coastal region southeast of Maputo, which includes Mozambique’s most southern national park, is set to become the hottest beach destination in southern Africa. The new infrastructure will also link Maputo with the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal.

Cordelia Masher, Managing Director at White Pearl Resorts, comments: “Until now a time-efficient transfer to White Pearl has only been possible by chartering a private helicopter.

The improved infrastructure means that it will not only be much quicker and easier to access Mozambique’s coast but also much more affordable. The potential to lure more tourists is high given the unique wildlife experiences and eco attractions this part of the country has to offer.”

The new road comes at a time as the region is being developed for tourism. Rolling a bush and beach break into one, White Pearl Resort not only offers unique ocean-based adventures such as diving and ocean safaris but also game drives at the adjacent Maputo Special Reserve, a spectacular wetlands and coastline biodiversity hotspot and the newest wildlife destination in Mozambique.

Guests may enjoy the raw natural beauty of a pristine piece of paradise: see elephants and hippos, swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat, witness endangered loggerhead or leatherback sea turtles or see majestic whales on their annual migration.

Accommodation
Guests stay in one of 22 exclusive oceanfront suites that are nestled in the canopy of the coastal forest just a few steps away from the secluded white sand beach. Natural materials blend with elegant furnishings over a small footprint. The resort offers several stylish guest areas including a beach bar with boma, various pool decks, a reading room and a restaurant serving authentic Mozambican cuisine.

Climate
Southern Mozambique has a tropical savannah climate. Winter months (June to August) are dry and mild, with average temperatures between 58°F (14°C) and 77°F (25°C). The summer months (December to March) are noticeably hotter and wetter with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons. January is the hottest month with highs averaging around 86°F (30°C).

Getting there
Accessibility is key in making White Pearl an easy choice for time-pressed travelers. Fly daily from London to Maputo via Johannesburg with British Airways, South African Airways or LAM. Tap Air Portugal has flights via Amsterdam. Arriving in Maputo, White Pearl is a 90-minute transfer away.

Guests can also access White Pearl Resorts from Kruger International Airport or Kwazulu-Natal and combine a bush safari with a relaxing escape to the beach.


Source: travelpulse.com

U.S Mid-Term Election results

Here are the results in Tuesday’s races that matter most to Jews

Ron DeSantis, shown at a rally at Freedom Pharmacy in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 5, 2018, was elected the state’s next governor. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

This is a developing story.

(JTA) —  Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections held Tuesday, with Jewish Congress members poised to take key leadership roles. Republicans looked to increase their majority in the Senate.

Five Jewish Democrats are set to chair key House committees, including three representatives from New York: Jerrold Nadler, the Judiciary Committee; Eliot Engel, Foreign Affairs; and Nita Lowey, Appropriations. Adam Schiff of California will head the Intelligence Committee and John Yarmuth of Kentucky will lead the Budget Committee.

Democrat Jared Polis will be the first Jewish and first gay governor of Colorado, and J.B. Pritzker, a Jewish Democrat, will be the next governor of Illinois. And two Jewish military veterans won upset Democratic victories in House races: Max Rose in New York and Elaine Luria in Virginia.

In the Senate, U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat and a former synagogue president, defeated the incumbent Republican, Dean Heller.

Here are more results in races of significance to Jewish voters:

House of Representatives

In Michigan, Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American, handily won her race in District 13. Tlaib favors a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has opposed U.S. aid to Israel. She will also be one of the first Muslim women in Congress, along with Ilhan Omar, who won in Minnesota.

Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who was raised on a farm and worked for the CIA, edged Rep. Mike Bishop by a 49-48 percent margin to win a seat that had been considered a lock for the Republicans. Bishop conceded in a phone call at about 1 a.m.

And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive millennial from New York City who won an upset primary win earlier this year, will become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Ocasio-Cortez, 29, has criticized Israel’s West Bank occupation and called its clashes with protesters in Gaza a “massacre.”

Leslie Cockburn, the Democratic House candidate who wrote a book sharply criticizing Israel, lost her race in Virginia.

Republicans who charge that the Democratic Party has departed from its pro-Israel bona fides pointed to Cockburn, Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez and Omar as proof.

Rep. Lee Zeldin, one of two Jewish Republicans in the House, fended off a challenge in his New York district by a Jewish Democratic challenger, Perry Gershon. The race on Long Island pitted Zeldin, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, against an opponent who reviled the president.

The two Democratic military veterans flipped Republican districts. Rose, 31, who won medals for his service as an Army officer in Afghanistan, unseated Republican Rep. Dan Donovan in the New York City borough of Staten Island.

J.B. Pritzker shown Oct. 1, 2018 at an event in Chicago. He will be the next governor of Illinois. (Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

Luria, a Jewish former Navy commander, won her race in a coastal Virginia district that encompasses the Norfolk U.S. Navy base. She once organized a Passover seder on an aircraft carrier.

Dean Phillips, a Jewish Democrat in Minnesota whose father was killed in the Vietnam War before he was born, won his race in a Republican district.

Susan Wild, a Jewish Democrat in Pennsylvania, flipped her Republican district. She became involved in Jewish activism after her son urged her to join a local synagogue. She is on the local Jewish federation’s board of directors.

Lena Epstein, a Jewish businesswoman who invited a defrocked Messianic rabbi to address a rally headlined by Vice President Mike Pence, lost her House race in Michigan. The result is a Democratic pickup of a House seat. Epstein, a Republican with roots in the suburban Detroit Jewish community, chaired Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in Michigan.

In North Carolina, Democrat Kathy Manning, a philanthropist and longtime Jewish organizational leader, lost her House race. She was the first woman to chair the Jewish Federations of North America and was a founder of Prizmah, an umbrella association for Jewish day schools.

In Washington state, the votes in the race between Democrat Kim Schrier, a Jewish pediatrician, and Republican Dino Rossi were still being counted on Wednesday morning. With 64 percent of the vote counted, Schrier was leading 52.9 percent to 47.1 percent to fill the seat of  retiring Republican Rep. Dave Reichert. Schrier has said she was partly inspired to run after seeing the 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Arthur Jones, the neo-Nazi who won the Republican nomination on Chicago’s South Side, lost his race, as expected. He had won his nomination unopposed and was repudiated by his party, but still managed some 30,000 votes.

And Steve King, the Iowa Republican who has made headlines recently for his associations with and support of white supremacists, won re-election in a close race. The National Republican Campaign Committee had said it would not support him.

Senate

Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a Democratic pro-Israel stalwart, beat back a challenge from businessman Bob Hugin. Menendez voted against the 2015 agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, going against President Barack Obama and his own party. Menendez had been hampered by a corruption trial that ended in mistrial last year.

For Rosen, a former software developer, her only elective experience prior to winning her House seat was as president of Ner Tamid, a Reform synagogue in suburban Las Vegas.

Governors’ races and ballot initiatives 

Pritzker, a centrist Democrat, is a billionaire venture capitalist, handily won the governor’s race in Illinois, unseating Republican Bruce Rauner.

Polis, 42, a former tech mogul, will succeed John Hickenlooper as governor of Colorado. His campaign has focused on renewable energy, education and income inequality.

In Florida, Republican Ron DeSantis narrowly beat Democrat Andrew Gillum for the governorship. DeSantis, a close ally of Trump, was a leading voice urging the president to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. He also accused Gillum of being anti-Israel — a charge Gillum denied — and Israel featured prominently in one of their debates. An anti-Semitic group also ran a robocall on behalf of DeSantis, which he denounced.

Also in Florida, voters passed a ballot initiative to restore voting rights to 1.5 million former felons, which could work to Democrats’ advantage in future elections. Jewish groups led the charge to pass the initiative.