POLICE ARREST FOUR MORE PEOPLE INDICTED BY COMMISSION.

Four more persons indicted by the Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of Inquiry for alleged looting of the Benue State treasury have been arrested by the Police and taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Those arrested are former Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Pension Board, Andy Uwouku, former Accountant of the Board, Paul Chile, former Accountant, Local Government Service Commission during Richard Gbande's tenure, Moses Burya and former Cashier of SUBEB, Jacob Ageva.

The leader of the investigation team from the police headquarters who did not want his name mentioned, explained that the Police arrested Andy Uwouku over illegal withdrawal of millions of naira at Keystone Bank Plc, Makurdi branch - an account he opened for the Pensions Board to which he was sole signatory.

He said the police were investigating Uwouku for alleged diversion of pensions money and converting it to personal use.

The former Accountant of the Pension Board, Paul Chile is being investigated for allegedly conspiring with Uwouku to convert pensioners' money to their own use.

The leader of the investigation team further explained that the former Accountant, Local Government Service Commission, Moses Burya who was arrested with many fake receipts and receipts of a non-existent consultancy firm was said to have defrauded the Benue State Government of millions of naira under the pretext of training of local government staff.

The former Cashier of SUBEB, Jacob Ageva was arrested over alleged fraud in the payment of teachers' salaries from 2011 and 2015.

When contacted, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama confirmed the arrest, adding that the matter was being handled at the Force Headquarters.

Also speaking, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa who similarly confirmed the arrest, explained that the State had reported those indicted by the Kpojime Judicial Commission of Inquiry to EFCC, ICPC and the Police, pointing out that the arrest was in continuation of investigation as the affected persons will later be arraigned in court with a view to recovering the looted funds.

He urged the people of the state to support the Ortom administration to recover Benue's wealth stolen by the immediate past administration as the funds would help in the development of the rep

WHY NIGERIA'S ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE-BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained to Nigerian professionals in America how and why the Nigeria economy got into trouble.

The professionals, including top flight aeronautics engineers, physicians, I.T experts, a Judge, a top policewoman, entrepreneurs, an Import Specialist at Customs and Border Protection, professors, two straight A students, and many others, had converged from different parts of the United States of America.

President Buhari had the assurance that with all hands on deck, including the best brains in the Diaspora, the country would bounce back in the shortest possible time.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said: “I am very pleased with this meeting. Wherever you go in the world, you find highly competent and outstanding Nigerians.

“They not only make great impact on their host countries and communities, their financial remittances back home also help our economy, particularly at a time like this, when things are down.

“We got into trouble as a country, because we did not save for the rainy day. For example, between 1999 and 2015, when we produced an average of 2.1 million barrels of oil per day, and oil prices stood at an average of $100 per barrel, we did not save, neither did we develop infrastructure.

“Suddenly, when we came in 2015, oil prices fell to about 30 dollars per barrel. I asked; where are the savings? There were none. Where are the railways? The roads? Power? None. I further asked; what did we do with billions of dollars that we made over the years? They said we bought food. Food with billions of dollars?

“I did not believe, and still do not believe. In most parts of Nigeria, we eat what we grow. People in the South eat tubers, those in the North eat grains, which they plant, and those constitute over 60 per cent of what we eat. So, where did the billions of dollars go?

“We did a lot of damage to ourselves by not developing infrastructure when we had the money.

“Talking of our military, they earned respect serving in places like Burma, Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, and then, suddenly, that same military could no longer secure 14 out of 774 local governments in the country. Insurgents had seized them, calling them some sort of caliphate, and planting their flags there; till we came, and scattered them.

“We raised the morale of our military, changed the leadership, re-equipped and retrained them; USA, Britain, and some other countries helped us, and today, the pride of our military is restored.

“Boko Haram ran riot, killing innocent people in churches, mosques, markets, schools, motor parks, and so on. And they would then shout Allahu Akbar. But if they truly knew Allah, they would not do such evil. Neither Islam, nor any other religion I know of, advocates hurting the innocent. But they shed innocent blood, killed people in their thousands.
“Now, we have dealt with that insurgency, and subverted their recruitment base.” He said

Buhari continued: “Those who stole Nigeria dry are not happy. They recruited the militants against us in the Niger Delta, and began to sabotage oil infrastructure. We lose millions of barrels per day, at a time when every dollar we can earn, counts. It is a disgrace that a minimum of 27 states, out of 36 that we have in Nigeria, can’t pay salaries.

“But I prayed so hard for God to make me President. I ran in 2003, 2007, 2011, and in 2015, He did. And see what I met on ground. But I can’t complain, since I prayed for the job. In the military, I rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Major-General. I was military governor in 1975 over a state that is now six states. I was head of state, got detained for three years, and headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), which had N53 billion of that time in Nigerian banks.

“God has been very good to me, so I can’t complain. If I feel hurt by anybody, I ask God to help me forgive. He has done so much for me.

“After 16 years of a different party in government, no party will come and have things easy. It’s human. We need quality hands to run Nigeria, and we will utilize them. I will like to welcome you home when it’s time. But I’ll like you to be ready.” He added

All the Nigerian professionals pledged to contribute their quota towards re-launching their fatherland to a new dawn.

LOOTERS FIGHTING US-BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said those who stole Nigeria dry are angry with his government and so have recruited the services of militants in the Niger Delta to fight his government.
President Buhari in a group photo with Nigerians professionals residing in the US.
He said this while addressing a group of Nigerians professionals residing in the US.
He added “We got into trouble as a country, because we did not save for the rainy day. For example, between 1999 and 2015, when we produced an average of 2.1 million barrels of oil per day, and oil prices stood at an average of $100 per barrel, we did not save, neither did we develop infrastructure.
“Suddenly, when we came in 2015, oil prices fell to about 30 dollars per barrel. I asked; where are the savings? There were none.Where are the railways? The roads? Power? None. I further asked; what did we do with billions of dollars that we made over the years? They said we bought food. Food with billions of dollars? I did not believe, and still do not believe. In most parts of Nigeria, we eat what we grow.” Buhari noted
People in the South eat tubers, those in the North eat grains, which they plant, and those constitute over 60 per cent of what we eat. So, where did the billions of dollars go? We did a lot of damage to ourselves by not developing infrastructure when we had the money.
Talking of our military, they earned respect serving in places like Burma, Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, and then, suddenly, that same military could no longer secure 14 out of 774 local governments in the country. Insurgents had seized them, calling them some sort of caliphate, and planting their flags there; till we came, and scattered them.
We raised the morale of our military, changed the leadership, re-equipped and retrained them; USA, Britain, and some other countries helped us, and today, the pride of our military is restored”he said

CASHIERS ARRESTED FOR PAST MISDEEDS-SUBEB

Our Attention has been drawn to a  fallacious story published  on page 13 of the Punch Newspaper ofThursday, 22nd of September, 2016.

In the report, it was alleged that two officials of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have been arrested in connection with Fraud in the Award of the 710 contracts at SUBEB.

No official of the Benue SUBEB has been arrested in connection with the N7.6billion contracts at SUBEB, the ongoing investigation at SUBEB is in connection with the teachers’ Salary account at SUBEB, between January, 2011- January, December 2015.

On Tuesday this week, men from the police headquarters stormed the headquarters of the Board in connection with an investigation into the salary account of the Board, within the period of January 2011- January, 2015.

The reason for the presence of the police at the board is due to the failure of Mr Paul Mella(Cashier 2) and Jacob Ageva (Cashier 1)  to furnish the police with details concerning the account, despite the Directive of the Chairman, Dr Philip Tachin to the cashiers to cooperate with the police.

The police have extracted useful information from the two cashiers concerning the account under the last administration.

So the claim that the Arrest is in connection with the  N7.6b contracts is mischievous and  blatant falsehood.

On the claim that Due process was not followed in the award of the contracts for the Renovation and construction of 710 primary schools at SUBEB,  those who are aware of events at Benue SUBEB and the state can recall that on the 4th of March, 2016, the Benue SUBEB publicly Advertised the Pre-qualification Notice and  Invitation for Tender for the 4th Quarter 2011- 4th quarter 2015.

This was advertised in three National papers, and one local paper.

Pre-qualification notices were submitted, and not less than 1500 companies were qualified to bid for the 715 contracts.

The opening of bids for the contracts was also done in the full glare of the public for the first time in the state on the 27th of may, 2016.

Since the number of companies that bidded for the Contracts was more than twice the number of  available contracts, there was no way every company will be awarded a contract at SUBEB.

For one to now relate the ongoing investigation into a Bank Accounts at SUBEB under the last administration to the current Renovation/Construction of primary schools amounts to blatant falsehood and mischief, and must be dismissed by members of the public.

Signed:
Sar Erdoo,
Information Officer, Benue State universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)

ATTENTION, BSU STUDENTS.

BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY

PRESS RELEASE

DIRECT ENTRY

This is to inform all Direct Entry (DE) candidates who applied for admission into the Benue State University for the 2016/2017 academic session that a time-table has been released for the conduct of the 2016/2017 Direct Entry screening exercise.

According to the time-table, the screening exercise will take place as follows:

S/No Subject Dates/Time
1. Commencement of Online Registration Friday, 23rd September, 2016
2. Commencement of Screening Exercise  Monday, 26th September
3. End of Screening Exercise  Friday, 7th October, 2016

Candidates are expected to report to their faculties for screening from 9:00a.m to 4:00p.m daily.

Mrs. Catherine Terlumun Bur
Ag. Registrar

IAM NOT A BOKO HARAM SPONSOR-IHEJIRIKA

A former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Oyeabo Ihejirika, has told an FCT High Court that he is not involved with the Boko Haram Sect.
He told the court on Thursday that he fought the Boko Haram sec. using his commanders in the field.
Ihejirika sued Nduka Obaigbena, Leaders and Company Limited, and Stephen Davis, an Australian who claimed to be a hostage negotiator working for the release of Nigerian women taken hostage by the Boko Haram sect at Chibok, Borno State in 2014.
The former army boss is claiming N100bn for damages from the defendants for defamation in the interview granted by Davis to Arise TV and then published in ThisDay
He also asked for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defamatory comments concerning him.
Ihejirika wants the defendants to publish a full retraction and apology in the front page of ThisDay Newspaper for the said false and libellous publication
Ihejirika who was cross examined by counsel for the defendants, Frank Chude, said that Boko Haram were terrorists and the. Nigerian Army is fighting the group.
On whether his duties as General is of public consumption, Ihejirika said he was a public figure and issues related to him were for public consumption.
The former COAS said he did not have personal issues with Boko Haram but fought them as terrorists.
He admitted that he had heard about the tape of the interview and his name was not mentioned.
But Ihejirika said he was the only Chief of Army Staff that retired in January 2014 as mentioned in the tape.
He also said he had never granted ThisDay Newspaper any interview but read the said publication when his attention was drawn to it.
His Counsel, A.B. Anachebe (SAN), had raised objection that his client would not answer the question by the defence if the story published in ThisDay Newspaper about Ihejirika was true.
Anachabe said that the question and false publication was the reason why they were in court
Justice Valentine Ashi adjourned the case till Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 for continuation of cross examination and defence.
Recall that the former Army boss was arrested in June in connection with the with alleged misappropriation of the arms funds under former national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

BUHARI 'S ADDRESS AT THE UN.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE UNITED STATES – AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM, NEW YORK, USA, 21st SEPTEMBER, 2016

1. I am delighted to be present here today at the 2nd edition of the United States–Africa Business Forum. I wish to thank the United States Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies for organizing this event and for giving me this opportunity to address this august gathering of Political and Business Leaders from the United States of America (USA), Africa and other regions of the World. I believe all of us will take advantage of this Forum to establish and strengthen business relationships; share valuable experience; and collaborate for mutual benefits.

2. The United States has historically been one of Nigeria’s top trading partners; for decades, the US was the biggest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil. In the last two years, however, the sharp decline in US imports of our crude, on account of rising domestic production of Shale, has altered the trade balance between our two countries. But it has also thrown up opportunities for Nigeria to increase its non-oil exports – especially in agricultural products – to the U.S.
3. Today, Nigeria enjoys a mutually beneficial trade and investment relations with USA. This relationship has culminated in massive inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria. There are several US Companies doing business in Nigeria, including Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, General Electric, IBM, Microsoft, Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, Pepsi Company, British-American Tobacco Company, UPS Courier Company, BCG, Johnson Wax Nigeria Ltd, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, to name a few.

4. These are no doubt challenging times for the Nigerian economy. But let me use this opportunity to boldly affirm our conviction that there is no crisis without an accompanying opportunity. In our case, we see Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges – occasioned mainly by the fall in oil prices – as an opportunity to set the economy firmly on the path of true diversification, sustainable economic growth, and shared prosperity.

5. Since the inception of my Administration in 2015, all efforts have been aimed at ensuring that all Nigerians enjoy rising standards of living. We campaigned for and came into office on the back of three fundamental issues: One, Securing Nigeria from terrorism and banditry, Two, Fighting corruption and ensuring that public funds work for the public good, and Three, Revamping an economy that was dangerously dependent on crude oil, and afflicted by rising inequality and jobless growth. We are pleased to note that our efforts are yielding fruit.

6. (On Security) – Hundreds of communities and thousands of people have been liberated from the clutches of the terrorists, under our watch, and are now getting a chance to, with support from the government and the international community, rebuild their homes and their lives.

7. (On corruption) – Our quest is to ensure, through a combination of institution-building and judicial efforts, that public funds work for the public good, and that persons responsible for overseeing the use of these funds come to this task with the utmost sense of transparency and accountability. Earlier this year we signed up to the Open Government Partnership, a clear demonstration of our commitment to a radical departure from a past characterized by large-scale state-enabled corruption. Let me also assure that we will continue to strengthen Government institutions established to address investors’ concerns.

8. (On the economy) – We are weaning ourselves from a historical dependence on crude oil, diversifying our economy, and putting it on the path of sustainable and inclusive growth. To this end, we have embarked on policies aimed at establishing an open, rules-based and market-oriented economy. We will continue to actively engage with the private sector at the highest levels to listen to your concerns and to assure you of our commitment to creating enabling policies in which your businesses can thrive. Indeed, we have constituted a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, which is working on a wide range of business environment reforms, ranging from making our planned visa-on-arrival regime a reality, to ports reform, to improving the speed and efficiency of land titling and business registration. We aspire to make Nigeria one of the most attractive places to do business.

9. Let me now focus on the priority investment sectors for our administration: Infrastructure, Industry, Agriculture, Mining and the Digital Economy.

10. Infrastructure: For far too long Nigeria has under-invested in the critical infrastructure necessary for a modern economy. Now, that is set to change. We are working hard to bridge an electricity deficit of several thousands of megawatts, which will require substantial private sector investment, especially in Transmission. Our railway system is being opened up after decades of a government monopoly that has hindered the needed private sector investment. We are well on course with a concessioning deal that will see General Electric take over hundreds of kilometers of existing rail assets, and invest billions of dollars to upgrade assets and services.

11. On Industry, there is the Nigerian Industrial Plan that is being implemented. The implementation is directed at interventions to improve productivity and output in five industry groups, namely: agri-business and agro-allied; solid minerals and metals; oil and gas; construction, and light manufacturing. Currently, investments and partnerships are being directed to leather and leather products; sugar; palm oil processing; food processing, specifically tomato and fruit processing. Automobile assembly and manufacturing are important to the diversification of the Nigerian economy. Industrial zones and parks are being established. This is work in progress.

12. In Agriculture, through our Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP), we are prioritizing the improvement in domestic production of rice, wheat, maize, fish, dairy milk, soya beans, poultry, fruits and vegetables, and sugar, as well as the export of cowpeas, cocoa, cashew, cassava (starch, chips and ethanol), ginger, sesame, oil palm, fruits and vegetables, beef and cotton. To achieve these goals, we are ready to partner with and support willing private investors, by creating an environment that is stable, safe, and competitive. I am pleased to note that Coca Cola has recently invested substantially in one of Nigeria’s best-known dairy and fruit juice companies, and is looking to increase its stake over the next few years.

13. In Mining, Nigeria is determined to build a world class minerals and mining ecosystem designed to serve a targeted domestic and export market. To accomplish this, we are prioritizing exploration, local processing and beneficiation of our mineral assets with provision of generous incentives including favorable tax regimes and royalties to investors interested in our market. We have as part of this identified mineral resources, which exist in commercially viable quantities, and designated them as strategic priorities for Nigeria’s domestic Industrialisation and Infrastructure requirements.

14. In the Digital Economy, which, like Infrastructure, has a multiplier effect that touches every part of the economy, opportunities abound. We have welcomed and continue to welcome investors willing to take a stake in one of the world’s largest and fastest growing telecoms markets – a market which has attracted more than $35 billion in FDI over the last decade and half. The Nigerian Communications Commission will shortly commence a licensing process for the deployment of broadband infrastructure across metropolitan areas in the country.

15. Young Nigerians are increasingly demonstrating that they have the talent and the passion to leverage the digital economy for solving our most pressing challenges. We are seeing a lot of activity in that space, and not just in Lagos, but even in cities further afield, from Uyo to Abuja. There are currently 150 million active mobile phone lines in the country – sixty percent of which are connected to the Internet. I can confidently say that Nigeria is in the early stages of a domestic technology revolution, and the government is paying serious attention and offering its full support.

16. Three weeks ago I hosted Mark Zuckerberg, the Founder and CEO of Facebook, which is now used regularly by 17 million Nigerians, more people than in any other country in Africa. A few months ago Mr. Zuckerberg invested $24 million in Andela, a technology company that has Iyin Aboyeji, a 25-year-old Nigerian as one of its co-founders, and maintains its main campus in the city of Lagos. On the same day that Mr. Zuckerberg visited I also welcomed and interacted with 30 of the most exciting technology startups in the country; among whom lie tomorrow’s billion-dollar corporations.

17. In terms of Trade, Nigeria is keen to more effectively leverage the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) opportunities to boost exports to the US Market. In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) we have developed an AGOA Response Strategy to boost exports under AGOA. We are willing to collaborate with willing development partners to address some of the constraints to accessing the US Market under AGOA, such as our inability to comply with US requirements. With our U.S. counterparts, we are also working on a post-AGOA framework. Nigeria will continue to work closely with the U.S. to ensure that trade works for development.

18. I urge the American businesses present here to take advantage of the investment opportunity that Nigeria represents. Nigeria remains the number one investment destination in Africa, with total FDI inflow of about US$3.64 billion in 2015. Apart from our domestic market of 170 million, the largest in Africa, we are also the main gateway to a combined West African consumer market that is about as large as ours. With a median age of 19, and with 70 percent of the population below the age of 35, Nigeria’s greatest potential lies in the talent and energy of her youth.

19. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we recognize that the economic benefits of our trade and investment relations with the United States and other partners are unambiguous. In order to encourage private capital inflow, we have packaged some fiscal investment incentives which include the following: up to 5 years of tax holiday for activities classified as ‘pioneer’; Tax-free operations; no restrictions on expatriate quotas in Free Trade Zones; Capital Allowances (Agriculture, Manufacturing and Engineering); a low VAT regime of 5 percent; among others.

20. Let me use this occasion to announce the commencement of the latest in a series of bilateral engagements between the United States and Nigeria: the U.S. Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue. This Dialogue, which will focus on Infrastructure, Agriculture, the Digital Economy, Investment and Regulatory Reform, will be jointly led by the Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the US Commerce Secretary, and will include business executives from both countries. By strengthening existing trade and investment ties between our two countries, as well as opening up new vistas, it will complement the work currently being done by the US-Nigeria Binational Commission, the US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Framework, and similar initiatives. We very much look forward to the mutual benefits that will accrue from this Dialogue.

21. On this note, I enjoin investors here today to take advantage of this Forum to build synergies that would translate to increased trade and investment flows between Nigeria and United States of America. Nigeria welcomes you.

22. I wish you a fruitful deliberation. Thank You for listening