Fed Govt is biggest Boko Haram, says Buhari

By The Nation: Tony Akowe, Kaduna

 

  General Muhammadu Buhari

Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in last year’s presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday described the Goodluck Jonathan administration as the biggest Boko Haram in the country.
Buhari said he would make up his mind on the 2015 presidential election when his party reorganises.
Addressing Niger State CPC members, who visited him in Kaduna, the former military leader noted that “since the leaders do not listen to anybody but does whatever they wish, there is nothing the North can do”. 
He added: “I will like to quote Prof. Ango Abdullahi, who said there are three Boko Harams, including the original one, led by Muhammed Yusufu, who was killed and his supporters tried to take revenge in attacking the law enforcement agencies and politicians.
“There is another developed Boko Haram of criminals, who steal and kill. The biggest Boko Haram is the Federal Government.” 
On his political future, Buhari said: “God willing, something will happen in 2015.”
Buhari said the government has two options to conduct free and fair elections in 2015 or face humiliation from the people. 
He said: “If what happens in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon will all be soaked in blood.”
The former Head of State said whether or not he contests the presidential election in 2015, the party should be well organised while he re-considers his stand.
Buhari said: “That’s what I told those who have visited me in the past, but the press wrote that I said I have changed my mind about re-contesting.”
The former Head of State noted that the Jonathan administration has destroyed the petroleum industry, saying what is happening in the industry can only happen under the type of the leadership Nigeria has now. 
He said: “There’s nowhere in the world where such things happen. There’s nowhere in the world where a government can increase the cost of petroleum product by more than 120 per cent. It is most insensitive. Besides the air people breathe, the next important thing to them is petroleum. 
“Unfortunately, I know more about the petroleum industry than others in the government, because I was there for over three years as a leader. We started with Port Harcourt refinery producing 60,000 barrels per day. It was upgraded to 100,000 barrels per day. Another one was built there, also in Port Harcourt, producing over 150,000 barrels, making a total of 250,000 barrels per day. These were slated purely on Nigeria’s crude oil. 
“I personally asked the owner to sign the contract for Warri and Kaduna refineries, 100,000 barrels each. There were more than 20 depots, more than 3,200 pipelines and there was even a time we were exporting 100,000 barrels per day of refined products. But the current leadership has destroyed the industry.”

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Mikel declares I'll give 100% to Nigeria

By Our Reporter

 

Mikel Obi

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has again declared 100% effort and commitment to Nigeria ahead of a hectic month of qualifiers.
Mikel told MTNFootball.com he will be available for all the Super Eagles qualifiers against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda, if picked by coach Stephen Keshi.
Nigeria host Namibia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 3 in Calabar and a week later they are away in Malawi in continuation of the qualifying tournament. They will then welcome Rwanda in a second leg qualifying match for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on June 17 after both teams played out a 0-0 draw in Kigali in February.
Keshi has demanded for assurances from the Chelsea midfielder before he would be picked for these games.
"I am always happy to play for Nigeria and my commitment should never be in doubt,” said Mikel, who has yet to feature for the country under Keshi.
“I am 100% ready to play for Eagles under new manager Stephen Keshi, who has been doing well since he took charge.
“I am ready to honour all the call-ups and give my best on the pitch."
Mikel informed MTNFootball.com he was delighted to meet with president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari in London recently.
"It was a great honour for me that my country’s federation president was in London to watch me play in the FA Cup final,” he said.
“We were together after the match, had a great time and discussed at length on how to move the Eagles forward so that we will return to the good, old days.
“I gave him my word that I will do my best to see that the Eagles are great again."
Mikel has also allayed fear surrounding his ankle injury, saying he will be fit and ready for Saturday’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
"I am okay now. I trained on Friday, so no cause for alarm. I will play the final of the Champions League," he told MTNFootball.com.

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Airport revenue: EFCC operatives move to arrest FAAN MD Uriesi

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, and Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

 

EFCC Chairman Lamorde

•’It’s not true’

Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the row between the agency and Maevis Nigeria Limited on collection of revenue at the nation’s airports. 
But the officials of the anti-graft agency however could not effect the arrest of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi.
His whereabouts was unknown as of press time.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the EFCC team went to FAAN Headquarters following the refusal of Uriesi to appear before the anti-graft agency in connection with the ongoing face-off between FAAN and Maevis. 
The source said: “We got a petition from the MD of FAAN against Maevis and two banks but since we commenced investigation, he has refused to appear before the EFCC team. 
“At a point, we sent a letter of invitation to him and he did not honour it again. Yet as the petitioner, he needs to substantiate allegations tabled before the commission. 
“We also require some documents from FAAN to enable us get to the roots of the matter. But FAAN has not been forthcoming. 
“Our team then decided to visit FAAN to conduct some search but we could not locate the MD not to talk of effecting his arrest. We hope he will turn up at our headquarters in Abuja .” 
When contacted, the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Our operatives were at the FAAN headquarters on Monday over some issues.” 
The Federal Government had in March terminated Maevis concession contract which it secured in 2008 
FAAN alleged it is disadvantaged in the concession thus had to wield the big stick. It also said Maevis turned down all overtures to renegotiate the agreement.
FAAN immediately announced another service provider, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) to take over the revenue collection at $1.40 per passenger processed through airports hitherto managed by Maevis. 
It was however learnt that it was FAAN that had actually requested the ICPC and EFCC to investigate the activities of two banks used by Maevis Limited. 
It alleged the diversion of funds belonging to FAAN into the coffers of Maevis Limited during the same period.” 
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had some weeks ago quizzed a former Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Azuka Onyia and other management staff over the same row with MAEVIS on airport revenue. 
But FAAN has denied the planned arrest of its Managing Director. It said it was a rumour
Its spokesman Mr Akin Olukunle, said at no time did officials of the EFCC visit FAAN to arrest Mr Uriesi, describing the rumour as the handiwork of  mischief makers.
Olukunle urged those who are bent on distracting the efforts of FAAN management to engage themselves constructively, rather than spreading false information that will engender bitterness and disharmony in the system.

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French new president sworn in

  By Agency Reporter

 

France's outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) looks at newly-elected President Francois Hollande (R)shaking hands with the outgoing First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (C) on the steps of the Elysee Palace on Tuesday. Photo:Reuters

Francois Hollande became French president on Tuesday in an official handover ceremony that makes him the country's first Socialist leader since Francois Mitterrand.

Outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted Hollande on the steps of the Elysee presidential palace, and took him inside to transfer nuclear codes and other secret files ahead of a short swearing-in ceremony attended by around 400 guests.

Reuters gathered that Hollande was due to fly to Berlin later in the day for his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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