Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, accused of

Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, accused of withdrawing $1.3b from NNPC accounts to fight kidnapping, oil theft in Niger Delta

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dieziani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of withdrawing $1.3 billion from the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC to fight kidnappings in the Niger Delta region. The Nation reports that the withdrawal was made when she was in office and had no approval from the National Assembly nor the Federal Executive Council.
Dieziani is alleged to have sidelined the then Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and was taking orders directly via a memo from ex-President Goodluck Jonathan without recourse to the board of the NNPC.
A former Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts of NNPC, Bernard Otti, has been quizzed by  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC detectives. Otti is said to have also made available to the EFCC some documents, including approvals to withdraw the $1.3billion by Mrs Alison-Madueke.
In two other instances, Jonathan wrote on two other requests mandating the former minister to take part of the cash from either NNPC Security Vote Account or from the “Gas Fund”.
According to sources, EFCC operatives were almost closing up the probe of the ex-Minister when the withdrawal of the $1.3billion was uncovered.
About $1.4billion was requested by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) via three memos, for “Intervention for Urgent National Security Projects.” About $1.3billion was released from NNPC accounts but it was unclear what became of the $100million balance as at press time. The Office of the National Security Adviser that was headed at the time by Namadi Sambo, had requested for $1.4billion between March 27th 2014 and May 5th 2014 when approval was given and cash backed.
About three memos were sent to ex-President Jonathan on March 27th 2014, 31st March 2014 and May 5, 2014.
In the first memo of March 27th, 2014, the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, requested for $1billion to fight kidnapping, crude oil theft and petroleum pipeline vandalism.
The memo to Jonathan, which was titled “Request for intervention for urgent National Security Projects”, said

“Your Excellency, apart from the insurgency in the Northeast, the country is also contending with some other security challenges, such as crude oil theft, sea piracy, kidnapping as well as petroleum pipeline vandalism. These challenges have greatly affected revenue profile of the nation and our international image. Our gas pipeline network has also come under serious threat as the scourge of vandalism has spread to the gas sector. Apart from the volatility of gas and its potential for collateral damage, especially environmental degradation, shortage of gas will constitute a serious setback to Government’s power generation efforts. Additionally, Mr. President had promised during the 30th meeting of NEPAD Heads of State and Governments Orientation Committee that the Trans-Saharan Pipeline Project from Nigeria to Algeria will be completed in 2015. The security of the Nigerian end of this pipeline network is critical to the success and smooth running of this gas project. Further to Mr. President’s support so far in our fight against terrorism, there is urgent need to raise our intelligence gathering efforts to more strategic levels. It is therefore pertinent that a holistic approach is applied to solving these challenges highlighted above. To ameliorate the above mentioned challenges, some reputable companies have been identified to provide the following:

(a)     An integrated maritime domain awareness platform that can be integrated into enforcement platform of the Navy and other agencies to help check crude oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping as well as Offshore pipeline vandalism.
(b)     An Onshore petroleum and gas pipeline surveillance and monitoring solution.
(c)     Unmanned aerial platforms for strategic intelligence gathering.
(d)     Mobile radars for aerial coverage by the Nigerian Air Force
(5) In view of the foregoing, Mr. President is kindly requested to approve the provision of $1billion intervention funds to enable the urgent provision of the above-mentioned services. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Commenting on the ONSA memo, ex-President Jonathan on March 31, 2014 approved the release of $1billion. He said: “HMPR, NSA, Paragraph approved.”
A follow-up memo on March 31, 2014 to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and the ex-NSA conveyed the approval.
The memo, signed by a former Senior Special Assistant (Admin) Matt Aikhionbare, said: “RE: Request for intervention projects for urgent National Security Projects.” Reference: (A) Letter NSA/SH/600/A dated 27th March 2014 on the above subject matter. I am directed to forward Reference A to you and to convey to you Mr. President’s approval of Paragraph (5). Humbly submitted for your further action sir.”
In spite of the initial approval, ONSA on April 9, 2014, via a memo NSA/SH/600/A asked for a fresh $200million.
The second memo said:

“Your Excellency, please refer to your letter PRES/88-3/MPR/716/149/NSA/ 634 of 31st March 2014 on the above subject. During our review of the process, we realised  a few gaps in the assessment of the protection of the gas pipelines, which will likely render the entire protection plan incomplete as the inland gas network was not considered. In view of this, I crave the indulgence of Mr. President to please approve an additional $200million only to enable a thorough security of the pipelines. Please, accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Following the receipt of a second memo, the ex-President wrote: “Approved. Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources to release funds from the “Gas Fund”.
In  a third memo of May 5,2014(NSA/SH/ 600/A), the ex-NSA applied for additional $250million to be sourced from the account of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), which is a subsidiary of NNPC.
The memo states:

“Your Excellency, in our efforts to continue building capacity for our counter-terrorism efforts, it is pertinent we appropriately and  speedily respond to challenges thrown up by the insurgents. This is in addition to several proactive measures already in place by government through the security forces. In view of the above, there is need for urgent intervention in the following areas:

(a)     Provision of at least 15,000 ballistic vests and helmets to be issued to all troops in the operations
(b)     Provision of 15 mobile scanners to cover entrances to Abuja and strategic cities in the North.
(c)     Purchase of urgently needed ammunition for the Nigerian Air Force.
(d)     Purchase of ammunition for the Nigeria Police
(e)     Purchase of Night Vision Goggles for both the Army and the Air Force.
“To achieve the above-listed objectives, it is estimated that the sum of $250million only will be required. The money could be released from the security funds held by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).
“In view of the above, Mr. President is kindly requested to direct the release of $250million only for the above-mentioned subject. Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.”
In his response, the ex-President directed as follows: “Please, release US$200m only from NNPC Security Vote.”

An EFCC office who spoke on condition of anonymity,  said
Investigation so far confirmed the withdrawal of the $1.3billion from some accounts of the NNPC abroad. But there are sufficient clues of suspected  money laundering by the ex-Ministers of Petroleum Resources and some government agencies who used ONSA as a platform. There is no evidence of projects executed with the cash. Instead, some of the cash were wired into a few banks by these individuals. We have also grilled a former Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts of NNPC, Mr. Bernard Otti who has cooperated with our investigators by making necessary documents available. We will keep you posted on this case

Nigerian pastor/farmer writes about his cordial relationship with herdsmen, says some persons are................

Nigerian pastor/farmer writes about his cordial relationship with herdsmen, says some persons are out to dent the image of Fulani herdsmen

A Nigerian pastor, Tay Martins, has come out to share his experience with herdsmen who come around his farmland to graze their cattle. In a post shared on his Facebook page, Pastor Martins says a group of people are orchestrating the recent crisis between herdsmen and farmers in different parts of the country to manipulate Nigerians into believing it’s Fulani herdsmen. Read what he wrote on his page below

Let me start by saying i used to be a big supporter of President Buhari. I still like him, but my approval rating of him has dropped; and this has nothing to do with the ongoing killings by herdsmen. I have been trying to assess the herdsmen situation from several point of view. If you carefully engage the sixth sense, you will agree with me that certain things concerning this menace does not add up.
Few days ago, it was published by a very popular Nigerian pastor that credible intelligence report has reached his desk about those actually involved in the ongoing Benue killings. To me: I think this an insinuating that the killers are actually not Fulanis or herdsmen but some perpetrators that were not disclosed to the public. But few days later, a letter was written to this very same pastor -the contents, which he shared in a video that has gone viral. The letter was written by a group claiming to be on behalf of Fulanis, seeking grazing colonies and would not stop until they viciously achieve what they seek, all over the nation.
My opinion of the above: One: the pastor received an intelligent report about those who were behind the killings. In my belief: that intelligence report was credible and genuine. But someone somewhere, who wants the pastor to disbelieve the credibility of the report wrote him the letter purporting to be from Fulani herdsmen. Purpose of which to steer up religious sentiments in this killing saga and to consolidate our thinking that the killers are Fulani herdsmen, contrary to what the report might have stated.
What i see here is a manipulation. There is a group of a vicious and sinister nature that are orchestrating these killings and trying to manipulate Nigerians into believing it's Fulani herdsmen. As for me, the letter they sent to the pastor just gave out their schemes. This manipulation is the handy-work of a group of syndicates, somewhere.
Come to think of it: could Fulani people be that stupid? The President is their tribe's man and they have chosen 2017/18 -close to 2019 election year to intensify killings and chaos? For what purpose would that be? To jeopardize President Buhari, their tribe's man chances of a second term in office? Does that make sense? If the grazing colony agenda is to happen, don’t you think Fulanis are smart enough to wait for the outcome of 2019 election? Engage your sixth sense and you can agree with me that certain things does not add up.
A group of people somewhere, of a sinister nature are manipulating Nigerians and 2019 is the agenda. I am not insinuating that there are no killings by herdsmen. Truly there had been clashes between farmers and herdsmen not only in Benue State but at other regions in Nigeria. But I also believe that the recent escalation and sophistication of violence has to do with a hijack of this menace by an underground group with the intention of steering national hatred, phobias and unpopular public opinions towards the president and his tribe’s men.
It is very important to be truthful; that I fault the president for being too quiet in dealing with this herdsmen killings. The situation has gone too bad before serious action was taken. I think his “go slow” method created the needed loophole his distractors were seeking to cash-in. The impression the public are having about the president is that: he feels too relaxed or comfortable with the Herdsmen killings because they are Fulanis. If that is not the case; that is what it seems like. But should we have expected the president to take drastic decision or make reckless statement like OBJ did with OPC: “Shoot herdsmen at sight?” No. What we have on ground is an ageing President, in a very difficult situation. The actions taken now could have been taken earlier. Better late than never –shall we say? May God grant him the wisdom to sail Nigeria out of this dangerous storms.
I am a Pastor and Farmer. I share a river from which I irrigate my farm with Fulani herdsmen. There they bring their cattle to drink water. There is a large stretch of my land that are yet to be cultivated. Sometimes I see these herdsmen feed their cattle of that part of my land. At first I was worried and apprehensive of them bringing their cattle on it but from the distance where I watch, I saw them standing guard, preventing any in the cattle from coming onto the cultivated farmland. I saw how they speak languages (like a warning) at the cow and the animal obey by stepping back. I also watch how they beat (with their staff) the hell of out of any cow that dare step into my farm. One day I walk to them. As they saw me coming, they came towards me smiling like they already knew my worries. They greeted and spoke to me in fluent Yoruba language. They told me not to worry about my farm; that they would secure it from the cattle. Then they begged me for water. I realize they could not drink of the river when and after the cattle steps in. So I took them to one of the surface tanks on my farm and told them they could come for drinking water as much as they need. They just took enough in a water bottle and left. At another time I engaged them in further discussions, where they told me that cattle belongs to one popular Yoruba –my tribe’s man. That they are only workers skilled in the keeping of cattle, working for my tribe’s man. I was amazed to hear that.
I don’t stay in the farm 24hrs but I have never return to find them destroyed my crops. But there was a time their cattle, while drinking stepped on and broke my water irrigation pipe. I called their attention to it, they apologized sincerely and offered to pay for the replacement, which I refused. They promised to take extra measures to prevent it from happening again. At another time, I realize that they usually hang a scabbard (cover of sword or large knife) on their shoulder. Very funny, but then I asked: what is that sword for? I was expecting them to say something like: it is for protection against thieves that might want to steal their cow. But no, they told me they carry it around in case any in the cattle would die of sudden illness or snake bite, they would quickly slaughter it and sell the beef. That it is unethical for them to sell beef of cattle that died before being slaughtered.
PICTURES
(a) In the river where the cattle comes to drink.
(b) Broken pipe, after cattle stepped on it,
(c) After it was mended.
(d) By the river with the pumping machine.
(e) Arriving the farm.
(f) Irrigation pipeline.
(g) Irrigation in progress
(h) The surface tank
(i) With my Hausa brothers/workers.
(j) With the locals.
(k) More workers at work.
(l) Myself at work.
Sometimes they wave at me by the road side when I drive home from the farm, seeking a lift. Then I stop my car to pick them but won’t even recognize who they are. In the car they would ask: sir, don’t you recognize me? I am the cattle man. Amazingly I will shout wow! You’ve changed. We both laugh and they tell me: we are going to town to make some purchase and that is why they are not in herdsman clothing. No conflict or violence with Fulanis has ever been recorded in that village community to my hearing.
This is my own story with Fulani Herdsmen. I keep picture records of events on my farm because I don’t know when I may qualify for grant. Those are pictures that reflect some activities on my farmland. In the ordinary I would not have shared them for now. But if it could promote peace; why not? Maybe herdsmen are not the enemy here; because I think about this all the time. Herdsmen attack? How are we sure they are Fulani Herdsmen? Is it because they come with their cattle when they attack? I just don’t understand.
My message: let’s be very careful on what we think and what we say. I have noticed that a lot of unconfirmed videos and contents are flying around on our electronic devises. Let us employ the wisdom to verify all things and hold strong which is the truth. The first question you should ask yourself when you receive a content (video, image or text); would this promote peace or generate hate? Think twice before you share. Let us resist the powers that are trying to bring us into strife and divide. I know that many region (if not all) has a reason to be very angry. But the battle to win Nigeria back into her glorious destiny is not of bullet but of the mind. We need to be at peace with one another. Check at all the nations in conflict with their selves. No one is talking about development but about relief and humanitarian situation & solutions. What they continue to get in place of development is death and destruction, until peace if first achieved. Peace is the platform or vehicle by which every good thing comes. Peace is not for free, we sacrifice for it. Peace does not stay or wait; we pursue after it.
How do we sacrifice for peace? I know many of us has lost so much or even too much already. Both Christians and Muslims, this nation mourns with you. But remember that every precious thing you have lost can only be regarded as sacrifice when you forgive. Forgiveness is the sacrifice of peace; and your sacrifices towards the unity and progress of this nation shall never be in vain. If not in your lifetime, your children shall speak of your good story. I plead with you; let us give peace a chance to survive –meaning: we are just about to kill peace.
A light in the tunnel: hope is very near. I can see God raising the next generation of liberal minded leaders. We (our generation) are younger and has seen better things and so shall do better things. If this generation of leaders that has ruled us since the beginning of Nigeria refuses to step off the mantle; I hope they are seeing the writing on the wall that their time is almost up. But if they refuse to retire and pass leadership to the next generation, nature is just about to retire them. As the next generation prepares, let us learn from their mistakes and not wallow in the same folly. God bless Nigeria

''President Buhari is healthy enough to seek re-election in 2019''

''President Buhari is healthy enough to seek re-election in 2019'' Femi Adesina

Special Assistant to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, says President Buhari is medically fit to contest the 2019 presidential poll. Speaking to state house correspondents over the weekend, he said President Buhari is presently in a better state of health than he was when he contested in 2015. He said though the president was yet to decide on whether to re-contest or not, his health would never be an issue as he had been improving tremendously since his return from medical vacation last year.

Yes, health is wealth. The president is not a frivolous person. If he thinks that his health cannot carry anything, he will not do it. So, of course, his health will matter a lot. It will be very important but we need to give glory to God for the way he is now. Every day you see the president you see a glow about him, you see freshness about him. I think he’s even in a better state than when he came in 2015. It’s all to the glory of God. So, once he assesses that his health can carry it, there’s nothing wrong if he steps into the fray. But he has the final decision.’’ he said

Eldee the Don loses his mum

Lanre Dabiri, popularly known as Eldee, has lost his mum. The rapper shared the sad news via Instagram
"Rest well mom," he wrote with love and crying emojis.