Actor, Femi Adebayo, has revealed his close shave with some gunmen on Thursday in Lagos.

On his Instagram page, the son of veteran actor, Adebayo Salami, revealed that his vehicle was accosted by gunmen at 7UP bus stop close along Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

He said that two men bearing guns came down from their vehicle and tried to force his car down open and when they were unable to, they bashed his vehicle with the butt of the AK47s, they were holding.

In the post, which showed no photos of the allegedly damaged vehicle, Adebayo said he was grateful for safety on the road.

See the caption of his post:

“I thank God for his protection over me and mine. I know my job comes with its risk. Working as an actor and politician requires regular movement.

“Today, just at the U-turn coming from CMD Magodo around 7UP heading towards Ojota, my vehicle was accosted by men in a Toyota corolla. They crossed my vehicle at the U-turn. Two men alighted from the vehicle bearing AK47s. They tried to force the doors open. They kept hitting my car with the butt of their guns. In the process, they broke the door handle and left dents on different parts of my vehicle.

“All these happened in full view of other vehicles and other individuals passing by. In the short time, that this happened, no one came to help. The guys were obviously not policemen, they didn’t wear any insignia of the force. They wore plain clothes and had extra guts to perform this act during the day at about 12 noon.

“Their assumption will have been that I was in the vehicle but my driver was the only one enroute to my location.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice-President and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi have  been nominated for the 2018 edition of the prestigious African Value Awards(AVA).

Amb.Daniel Obah, Chairman Planning Committee of AVA 2018, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, other Nigerian nominees for the continental award, which will hold on Nov.17 in Abuja, include Nigerian Business mogul and Philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Gesi Asamaowei and Hon. Davematics Ombugadu.

Obah said the names were among the list of nominees made available by Value Re-orientation and Developmental Initiative Africa (VARDIAFRICA), the organisers of the annual award.

He said the nominees would be honoured, among other Africans drawn from different countries, for their outstanding leadership roles and selfless service in peace building, economic and youth development in Africa.

He noted that the award was based on recipients’ commitment to building African values, economic development, youth empowerment, community and Educational, development, humanitarian services and efforts at building peaceful coexistence.

“The award is for men and women from different spheres of human endeavours, who through innovation, hard work and exemplary leadership, ensure peace and development across the continent.”

“Prof. Osinbajo, as the Vice President of Nigeria is a tested and trusted leader who has shown commitment to the comprehensive change programme of the Buhari administration, especially in the fight against corruption.

“He has always shown leadership values of character, strong will and commitment to peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, which is in consonant with what the AVA represents.

“He is a bridge builder and a symbol of loyalty and patriotism in the service of the fatherland, “he said.

Obah explained that the Ooni of Ife would be honoured with the “African Tradition Icon of the Year” award, for his commitment to preserving African culture and values with his exalted throne.

“He is a unifier and a true representative of African values and cultural heritage, who has attracted deeper respect to the traditional institutions in Nigeria and Africa at large.”

The planning committee chairperson said that since the initiative was non-political, it recognised service to humanity in which every capacity was the benchmark that earned the recipients nomination space.

“We believe that this recognition will always be the push for them to achieve more in their various fields in building a better society.”

“Service to humanity and making society a better place for everyone is the essence of leadership.

“Anyone who has notably used his office or profession to serve and touch society positively is a leader that needs to be recognised.”

He added that there were entrepreneurs and corporate bodies that were also listed on the honour roll for their contribution to the economic growth of the continent.

“The Heritage Bank, Stanel Group, CCECC, Spectranet, Ethiopian Air, and Airpeace, as well as the Nigeria’s FIRS will be recognised, among others.”

According to Obah, the 2018edition of the award will also feature a dialogue on peace and security, climate change and youth empowerment in Africa.

He said that the event is scheduled to hold at Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.

Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has failed to appear before the committee constituted by the state’s House of Assembly to investigate alleged $5 million bribery against the governor.

Rather, Mr Ganduje was represented at the committee sitting on Friday by Kano State’s commissioner of information, Muhammad Garba.

Addressing the panel after submitting a written statement to the chairman of the committee, Bappa Dan’agundi, Mr Garba said the bribery allegation was damaging to his personality.

“His Excellency has categorically and unapologetically denied collection of bribe as alleged by Daily Nigerian. His Excellency has not collected and will never collect bribe. The allegation is injurious and damaging to his personality,” the commissioner said.

He advised the committee to exercise caution in handling the allegation, in view of antecedents of the Daily Nigerian’s publisher for publishing similar allegations against former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, and Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll.

“We were able to read the invitation extended to His Excellency. After analysing the content of the letter critically we were able to identify three options. Either His Excellency responds in writing, sends representative or appears himself.

“Because of (the) high respect His Excellency has (for) the committee and the assembly, he opted for the second option. That is why I am here to represent him,” Mr Garba told the panel.

About four videos are online, allegedly showing the governor receiving dollar bills believed to be bribe, from contractors.

In his remarks, the attorney general of Kano State and commissioner of Justice, Ibrahim Mukhtar, commended the committee for being just and fair to the accused and accuser.

“The way the invitation to the governor was crafted, shows fairness by providing multiple options to His Excellency either to appear himself, send representative or (a) written statement,” Mr Mukhtar said.

The counsel to Mr Ganduje, Ma’aruf Yakasai, said his client has the option to sue the publisher for defamation but opted to honour and allow the house to handle the matter.

The chairman of the committee, Bappa Dan’agundi, said the committee will invite graphic experts to watch the video clips on Tuesday, along with lawyers of Messrs Ganduje and Jaafar at an undisclosed location.

He assured to be just and fair to the parties involved.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says corruption would have reduced in Africa if western countries do not help in keeping looted funds. 

He said this at the African non-governmental organisation (NGO) forum held in Banjul, Gambia.

The lawyer accused the western media and Transparency International (TI) of failing to join the campaign for the repatriation of the looted wealth of Africa.

“If the western countries do not warehouse such loot, corruption by criminally minded politically exposed persons will be greatly reduced,” he said.

He charged African NGOs to challenge the narrative on corruption by rejecting the “western propaganda peddled by the Transparency International which has continued to paint Africa as the most corrupt continent on earth”.

Falana asked why TI has deliberately refused to classify Switzerland, UK US and France as corrupt when the bulk of the billions of dollars stolen from Africa by corrupt rulers has been traced to banks and other financial institutions in these countries.

Calling on NGOs to lead the battle against corruption in their countries, Falana said majority of African governments are wallowing in impunity to the detriment of the development of the country.

He said: “Despite initial pessimism about its potential and relevance, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has over the years contributed significantly to the development of human rights law through its expansive case-law and jurisprudence. In some respects, such as those involving economic and social rights, the commission’s jurisprudence has been ground-breaking, leading to some effective remedies for victims of violations of human and peoples’ rights.”

He urged African NGOs to shift attention and focus to the promotion and defence of socioeconomic rights which are enshrined in the constitutions of African countries and African charter on human and people’s rights. 

“This only way to seriously wage the battle against the menace of corruption in Africa is to mobilize the masses who are the principal victims of corruption to demand accountability from the governments,” he said.

Founder of Living Faith Church worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned Nigerians and politicians over the killings in the country.

Oyedepo gave this warning in a satellite telecast of the church’s prayer session for the nation monitored by NAN on Sunday.

The Bishop, while urging politicians to repent and have value for the lives of citizens, said if they do not repent after this warning, they would fall down for the sake of the nation.

“Politicians be warned, whether in power or not in power. There is no day Nigeria will become an Islamic nation and this nation will remain one nation,” he said.

“Allow the Christians to go to church, allow the Muslims go to their mosque and let the traditional worshippers do their thing.

“God is giving Nigeria peace by all means, the peace of those promoting this wickedness, God is taking away, if they refuse to repent. Their supplies shall dry up because Nigeria shall not see war.”

He said every leader is just a caretaker and God remains the creator and owner of every Nation including Nigeria.

“When a caretaker starts behaving like a landlord he will be removed. God is the permanent landlord of the earth,” Oyedepo said.

“The God of heaven has given you authority and power. He has given you might and glory. Pride makes us think that we do not need God. Pride separates us from God. Nebuchadnezzar did not give credit to God, and God had enough.

“God had warned Nebuchadnezzar and had been very patient with him. But finally, the prophecy came true. All of the things that he was so proud of were taken away.

“Nebuchadnezzar had to eat grass just like the goats and cows! He was used to living in a grand palace, but now he had no shelter over his head; For 7 years, the great King Nebuchadnezzar lived out there in the wilderness like an animal.

“He lost his mind; he became crazy without God, he was helpless because he refused to listen to the warning from the Lord.

“Politicians are not extraordinary people, they only have grace, if they don’t harken to this warning of the Lord they will suffer disgrace.

“Too many arrogant foes, who pose to own this nation, be warned because the day of God’s judgement is here. God enthrones kings and removes kings.”

Oyedepo cursed the killers of Maiwada Galadima, Agom Adara, a Kaduna traditional ruler who was kidnapped and later found dead.

He described those behind the cruel act as enemies of humanity and the Almighty God.

“All those involved in the killing of Galadima and his aides! Their generation will be forgotten. Everyone of the perpetrators they will end up in shame,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement in which he said Nigerians “who feel they have another country may choose to go.”

The PDP described the statement as unpresidential, defeatist and characteristic of what it called failed leadership.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said President Buhari, in saying that Nigerians, “who feel they have another country may choose to go”, had further confirmed that “he is completely insensitive to the plight of our citizens and has no solution to the myriad of problems his incompetent and disorganized administration has caused our nation.”

He described the President’s comment as “unfatherly” and a direct slap on the sensibilities of millions of Nigerians, who he said, had been painfully bearing the economic hardship, hunger and starvation which he said was allegedly caused by President Buhari’s administration.

Ologbondiyan said these were the problems that were forcing Nigerians to embark on what he called suicide missions and slavery as survival options.

He said, “Such comment is a spit on the graves of thousands of compatriots killed by marauders in various parts of the country, while the Buhari Presidency and the  All Progressives Congress remained aloof without decisive actions to end the carnage and bring the perpetrators of the bloodlettings to book.

“Mr. President’s comment is also a mockery on millions of Nigerians who have lost their businesses and whose families have been wrecked by the anti-people policies of the Buhari-led APC administration.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Gombe Zonal Office, has arrested Mr Ambore Enoch, the Commandant, Nigerian Peace Corps, Gombe over alleged extortion of money for employment purposes.

Mr Bello Adamu, Public Relations Officer of the anti-graft agency in the zone, who made this known in a press release on Wednesday, said the financial impropriety amounted to N54m.

Adamu said the arrest followed a petition by some aggrieved members of the corps who called on EFCC to investigate their claims.

According to him, the suspect had already withdrawn the sum of N3.5m for personal use from the deposits, believed to have been paid for issuance of employment letters, uniforms and other kits.

The press statement said, “Gombe Zonal Command of EFCC has arrested one Ambore Enoch, Commandant Nigerian Peace Corps, Gombe State Command for financial impropriety bordering on employment scam and extortion of money from the general public.

“The extortion was done under the pretext of offering them appointment into their organisation and provision of training kit amounted to N54million.

“The arrest was prompted following a petition written by some aggrieved members of the Corps of Gombe State Command after which the Commission did their preliminary investigation before inviting the state commandant for questioning.

“Investigation into the case by the commission revealed that the victims (mostly youths) were deceived to pay various sums ranging from N3,000 to N60,000 into the Corps’ account.

“Based on investigation, the money was paid into one of the new generation banks amounting to N54 million. This happened between December 2016 and March 2017.

“It was discovered that out of the money realised from the corps account, the Commandant withdrew the sum of N3.5m for personal use.

“He also transferred the sum of N20 million into his personal account and remitted the sum of N18.7m into Corps account at the Headquarters, Abuja,’’ he said.

(NAN)

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has commiserated with the people and government of Abia over the pipeline explosion which killed scores of people in the state.

He also donated N10m for the rehabilitation of survivors.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office on Wednesday in Abuja.

The pipeline explosion claimed some lives and destroyed properties on October 12, in Umuimo and Umuaduru communities in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

The vice presidential candidate and former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, representing Atiku, visited the affected communities in company with Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and other officials of the state.

Atiku said the news of the explosion was very devastating and that it was particularly touching that so many lives were lost in the incident.

He said that the fatal incident should raise the red flag for proper safety measures along all pipeline beds across the country.

The presidential candidate condoled with the government and people of Abia State, praying for families that lost their relations in the incident.

According to the statement, Atiku also donated N10m to the government and people of the affected communities.

Other dignitaries who welcomed Obi include the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Solomon Adaelu.

The Nigeria Army on Wednesday presented 13 suspects arrested in connection with missing Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali (retd) to newsmen in Jos.

Brig.-Gen. Umar Muhammed, Garrison Commander, 3 Division, Nigeria Army, Rukuba, near Jos, told newsmen that the suspects would be handed over to the Police for full investigation.

Muhammed said that the people were arrested in the area where the General’s missing car was found.

Alkali, the immediate past Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja, was declared missing on September 3.

He was said to have gone missing on his way to Bauchi on the day of his disappearance.

Consequently, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, set up a search operation for the missing General.

The Army authorities said that after a thorough investigation, they narrowed the search to a mining pond in Dura-Du in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau. And, after two weeks of draining water from the pond, Alkali’s car and two other vehicles were recovered from the pond.

Muhammed stated that a “cordon and search’’ operation was conducted in the community and some people were apprehended.

He said, “They were moved to the barracks where they were screened, profiled and interrogated.

“These suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.

“The persons to be handed over to Police include those who were in possession of firearms without licence.

“Those who heard and saw the criminals that stopped the retired senior officer and those that pushed his vehicle into the pond but failed to report these criminal acts to the security agencies will also be handed over.”

Muhammed added that the troops conducting the search exhibited high level of professionalism and best practices according to the rules of engagement in arresting suspects.

He also stated that the actors involved in the criminal act who were still at large were known to the Army.

According to him, efforts are being intensified to arrest them, as their photographs and personal details are with relevant security agencies.

He urged members of the community who had deserted the area and had nothing to do with the disappearance of the General to return to their homes.

Muhammed assured that no harm would come to them, but vowed that those who had anything to do with the incident would be brought to book.

(NAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to have interrogated Ayodele Fayose, ex-governor of Ekiti state, over allegations of N4.7 billion fraud.

Vanguard reports that the commission accused Fayose of retaining a part of the money which he allegedly received from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) during the past administration.

He was alleged to have received the money in the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti, through Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence.

The former governor reported at the commission’s office in Abuja on Monday.

He was said to have been grilled for hours by a special investigative panel, in the company of Mike Ozekhome, his lawyer.

Vanguard quoted an EFCC source as saying: “Fayose has a lot of issues to clear with us and we hope he can clear them on time. He is to write a voluntary statement on all that he knows about the N4.7 billion that he allegedly received from the former Minister of State for Defence.

“Interrogators also confronted him on the choice property he allegedly used fronts to acquire in Lagos, Abuja and other places and the allegation that he collected kickbacks from some contractors.”

Reports had emerged that long before he vacated office, the EFCC begun investigating Fayose and his associates, including his wife, over the fraud allegations.

The EFCC had also said it will reopen its case file on the governor over the Integrated Poultry Project Biological Concepts Limited N1.3bn “fraud”.

Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, were conspicuously absent at the Eagle Square, Abuja, during the 2018 Independence Day parade.

Since 2015, this is the first time that both men would miss the programme orgamised on an annual basis.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), all attended the event.

Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, was also in attendance.

Saraki and Dogara fell out with the government of Buhari and subsequently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fellow Nigerians,

Today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. It is the anniversary of the day Nigerians realised one of the most cherished of human desires – the desire for freedom. We, therefore, give thanks to and remember our founding fathers who laboured so hard and sacrificed so much to build and bequeath to us this wonderful nation. It is our duty to consolidate this great legacy.

2. On this first October date and on the eve of the start of the general election cycle, we should do well to reflect on what binds us together and the great strength our diversity bestows on us. Ours is an ambitious nation, and, as citizens we have every right to look forward to the future with confidence and optimism which are well founded, considering where we find ourselves today.

3. There has been a steady improvement in the security situation in the North East. We remain committed to ending the crisis and make the North East safe for all.

4. Our thoughts and prayers are always with the victims of the Boko Haram’s atrocities and their families. Beyond that, we know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed.

5. I want at this point to pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces, the Police and other security and law enforcement agencies, who have been working under the most difficult conditions to keep the country safe. In the process, many have made the supreme sacrifice.

6. As their Commander -In- Chief, I assure these our gallant men and women that I will continue to empower them by deepening their professionalism and providing all the necessary force multipliers and enablers required for them to prevail on the field. I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their entitlements, their welfare and those of their families.

7. We are diversifying away from reliance on oil to increased manufacturing capacity, solid minerals development, and agriculture.

8. Efforts are on course in the Niger Delta to clean up polluted lands, restore hopes of the youths in the region and re-establish livelihoods, and strengthen their capacity to guarantee for themselves and for our country a brighter future.

9. The age-long conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst our people, is being addressed decisively. We will sustain and continue to support the commendable efforts by all including civil society organisations, local and states governments and our traditional and religious leaders in finding durable solution to this problem.

10. This being a transhumance issue, we are working with countries in our region that are also facing similar difficulties to complement our common efforts. In this context I must warn that the perpetrators of murder and general mayhem in the name of defending or protecting herders or farmers will face the full wrath of the law. Meanwhile, we urge all peace loving Nigerians to reject any simplistic portrayal, at home or abroad, of this conflict as either religious or ethnic based.

11. We are one of the countries in the world most affected by environmental degradation, as a consequence of climate change. We are signatories to almost all conventions and agreements aimed at slowing down the effect of climate change and mitigating its now evident consequences.

12. The consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on us to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment. We will continue to mobilise international support for our efforts in this regard.

13. We are making progress in the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance. The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more. Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.

14. Consequently, and this is very evident across the country, we have done more with less in infrastructural developments. Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.

15. There is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria. We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries. This is the cornerstone to help genuine investors and honest consumers, and the platform that will allow for the real reforms that we intend to deliver over the coming years.

16. We are gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate. We are building an economy that is moving away from over reliance on oil. Consequently we have witnessed massive return to farms and seen bumper harvest, despite recurrent floods across the country.

17. These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999.

18. At the forefront, have always been our youths. They have been at the vanguard of the struggle for independence. They fought in the war to keep the country united. And it was they who kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights in our country at times when these were at risk, especially following the June 12th 1993 election and the historic 2015 election process.

19. Even today, our youths play a central role in Nigeria’s continuing progress and developments in all fields of our national endeavour –technology, agriculture, mining, engineering and especially the creative arts. Together we are building a more diverse, inclusive and self-reliant economy.

20. In the past three years we have introduced many policies and programmes targeted at youth development and youth empowerment. We support the ‘not too young to run’ legislation aimed at giving the youths greater say in our national politics and governance.

21. The school feeding program in primary schools is aimed at encouraging enrolment and attendance. We are building on what we have already introduced to support schools and universities to which funds have recently been released for upgrade of facilities, training programs for our entrepreneurs, and rehabilitation schemes for victims of terrorism and human trafficking.

Fellow Nigerians,

22. Now we have in our hands technology that is a powerful tool that we can and should use for knowledge and understanding. As with other countries, we must also learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions.

23. Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts. Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake.

24. I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name.

Fellow Nigerians,

25. Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.

26. At the international level, we remain a responsible and respected member of the international community, playing active positive roles within ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations as well as all other regional and international organisations and institutions of which we are members.

27. We will continue to support initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of our times: global and regional crises and conflicts, terrorism, trans-border crime, climate change, human rights, gender equality, development, poverty and inequality within and between nations, etc. In this context, we are working hard to achieve both the AU 2063 Agenda for socio-economic transformation of our continent; and the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which together aim at addressing these challenges

Fellow Nigerians,

28. As we celebrate the 58th Anniversary of our independence, we know we are on the right path. Although we have our differences, they count for far less than the values, virtues and common aspirations that unite us as a nation. We have so much for which we should be grateful, and in which we should rightly take pride. Our journey is not finished but we have come a long way.

29. I want to assure you that as President, I will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve what really matters: a united, peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of background, can aspire to succeed.

Thank you. I wish you a memorable independence celebration.

Jang gave his verdict on the current disposition of the information minister in a statement he released on Wednesday to react to the inclusion of his name on the list of alleged looters released by the federal government through Lai Mohammed.

He said, “I know Lai Mohammed in our National Democratic Coalition days when we fought for the return of democratic rule to the country, putting an end to military dictatorship. I know him to always stand for the truth. Alas, I can finally say that he is not that same person these days.

“In Nigeria today, it would seem that once you join the APC, you become baptized into the order of lies, falsehood, deception, and propaganda. Nevertheless, Lai Mohammed must make amends by recanting the phantom allegations he made against my good person within a reasonable timeframe or face the consequence of his indiscretion in the foreseeable future."

The former governor denied claims that he stole N12.5bn while he was in power as alleged in the list of looters.

According to him, the list of looters is a testament to the desperation of APC to hold on to power.

He also noted that unlike for the others on the list, the source of N12.5bn he allegedly stole was not indicated.

“If their allegation is anything to go by, it falls short of the lowest standards of believability; otherwise, they would have noticed that the allegation of getting N12.5bn from an unknown source isn’t the same as looting the said amount,” Jang added.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed claims that clashes between farmers and herdsmen started as far back as 1948.

The minister revealed this on Thursday when he received a delegation of permanent secretaries led by Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of the service of the federation.

Mohammed said though the misunderstanding is a result of “an environmental situation”, politicians are trying to make gains out of it.

“The farmers-herders clash is neither religious or ethnic, I think politicians and other people who don’t understand it are trying to make it look like Christian-Muslim, north-south. It is simply an environmental situation and we must see it in that light,” Mohammed said.

“The farmland that belongs to one person will have to be shared by three of four persons. Today, Lake Chad has shrunk to 2,500 kilometers before then (1963) Lake Chad used to support 35 million lives from Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria – they were farming, fishing and doing irrigation on the same water. When that water lost 90 percent of its surface people had to move south.

“This is the whole issue of the farmers, herdsmen clashes, it is not Christian or Muslim. It has nothing to do with religion, it has nothing to do with ethnicity. The earlier we realise that the better. The first herdsmen, farmers clash was in 1948, it didn’t start yesterday, so please let us change this narrative.

“Frankly speaking we cannot repair the damage that has been done in over 16 years in three years.”

While listing achievements of the Buhari administration in various sectors of the economy, the minster said the country exited recession because of the growth of the agriculture and mining sectors.

He said the government had already diversified the country’s economy.

“We have diversified the economy, we went out of recession not because of the increase in the price of crude but because of agriculture and mining, these are things you need to share regularly if not they will accuse you because you are the government,” Mohammed said.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, says successfully holding the 2019 elections in Nigeria will be "one of the greatest miracles"

Kukah revealed this in an interview published in the April edition of The Africa Report magazine.

“It will be one of the greatest miracles if we pull through the election successfully,” he said.

“I do not see how we are going to conduct these elections if nothing urgent is done to increase a sense of national cohesion.”

He said there is heightened tension in virtually all states in the country, which would make it difficult to have a peaceful election.

“It would be difficult to find out single state where you do not have tension that could boil over,” Kukah said.

“If you multiply this by the number of states in Nigeria and the little sense of urgency, it would be difficult to talk about 2019 without a sense of foreboding.

“I have never felt this way. I prayerfully hope the government will wake up to appreciating how bitter people feel.”

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has to do an “extraordinary work” to convince Nigerians of its readiness to be neutral during the general election.