President Robert Mugabe lavished his sister-in-law with $60,000 on her birthday, state-owned media reported Monday, at a time when the country is running critically short of cash.
According to a news24 report, Mugabe, 93, and his wife Grace gave Junior Gumbochuma the money at her birthday celebrations, while the couple’s children gave her $10 000.
“The gift was to thank Mrs. Gumbochuma, a pastor, for the pivotal role she played in raising the First Family’s children.”
Gumbochuma, who is Grace Mugabe’s elder sister, celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday as Grace celebrated her 52nd at one of the Mugabes’ farms in Shamva, northeast of Harare.
Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downturn for over a decade with many banks running out of cash, forcing people to queue for hours to make withdrawals often limited to only $20 a day.
Zimbabwe’s public salary wage bill uses up 91% of total revenue and the economy has halved in size since 2000.
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria says he is “making good progress” in his health condition.
In a letter to President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, Buhari says he is getting better and will return to Nigeria as soon as his doctor clears him for that.
He praised Guineans for taking time to pray for him.
“I thank you for your kind and thoughtful action in organizing nationwide prayers for my good health. It is a gesture that I will forever cherish and treasure.
A statement by Aso Rock spokesperson, Femi Adesina, says, the President also accepted to serve “as leader of the “2018 AU Theme on the Fight Against Corruption”, which came from African leaders at the 29th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 4, 2017.”
The Aso Rock statement
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to thank the President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, for the nationwide prayers held last week by Guineans for his recovery and good health.
In a letter dated July 24, 2017, President Buhari, who had earlier made a phone call to Conde, who is the current Chairman of the Assemblies of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, stated:
“I thank you for your kind and thoughtful action in organizing nationwide prayers for my good health. It is a gesture that I will forever cherish and treasure.
“Your Excellency will be pleased to hear that I am making good progress, and as soon as doctors advise, I shall return to my duties and continue serving the Nigerian people who elected me and are daily praying for my recovery.”
In an earlier letter, President Buhari had also accepted his nomination as leader of the “2018 AU Theme on the Fight Against Corruption”, which came from African leaders at the 29th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 4, 2017.
“While thanking you for the kind words and for the nomination,” the President wrote to Conde, “I wish to express my readiness to accept this new important role and to reiterate my commitment to contribute towards our collective efforts to strengthen good governance and development on the continent. I, therefore, look forward to working closely with you in the realization of this objective.”
FEMI ADESINA Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) July 25, 2017.
The Nigeria Police Force has again approved the dismissal of three police officers attached to Area ‘N’ Command Ijede-Ikorodu under the Lagos State Command over corruption and unethical practice.
They are F/No 136005 – Inspr. Okelue Nkemeonye; F/No 355897 – Sgt. Braimoh Sunday and F/No 359928 – Sgt. Yusuf Olukoga.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), Abayomi Shogunle in a statement noted that their dismissal followed an Orderly Room trial at the Zone Two Command Headquarters, Onikan-Yaba, Lagos in which the men were found guilty by the Adjudicating officer on two charges of offence against discipline as provided for in paragraphs C (ii) Corrupt Practices and E (iii) Discreditable Conduct of the First Schedule of Police Act and Regulations Cap. P19, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
According to Shogunle, on the 21st June, 2017, PCRRU, received a complaint via WhatsApp number 0805 700 0003 which states thus: “My name is (withheld), I went to the bank this morning to deposit money to a Company’s account (name withheld) but there was no network so I deposited the money into my personal account to do the transfer to the account later. When I came out of the bank, a car packed full of some SARS policemen wearing black cloth with anti-robbery squad written at the back.
“I was told to enter the vehicle with a gun pointed at me. They collected my mobile phone and asked me what I do for a living I told them that I had just finish my youth service and I am leaving with my brother and I pointed my brother shop for them to stop by and see him because he was the one that sent me to the bank, they refused to wait and they did not allow me to pick my calls and call out.
“I received an alert on my phone with the money I went to deposit they search my phone on seeing the alert they started roping that am a yahoo boy telling me that I would pay them 1Million, one of them slapped me, they drove us around places in Ikorodu, ijede, gberigbe, ibeshe, igbe, ikpakodo, itaelewa, agric and first gate harassing people, moving them in the car and collecting huge amount from them.
“They collected N50, 000.00 from me but I notice that each junctions that we reached people were hailing there leader by his nickname (OJ. Ojewunmi) and one by name Austin slapped me. They picked me up around 9am and dropped me 6pm in the evening after collecting money from me. They even use my account to collect money from the guys that I met in the car and used my ATM to withdraw from them.”
Upon the receipt of the complaint, a case with Tracking Number PCRRU637624 was registered and acknowledgment of complaint sent to the complainant. PCRRU Investigation team was dispatched to Ikorodu where all the three dismissed policemen including AP No. 98199 ASP Bayo Obadia who led the team were apprehended.
The statement further pointed out PCRRU preliminary investigation reveals that all the allegations contained in the WhatsApp message actually happened. Also the four police officers who were armed on the day of the incident falsely paraded themselves as operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) despite not being posted to SARS by police authorities.
Investigation also shows that the officers extorted a total sum of N200,000 from the young men who they tagged “Yahoo Yahoo Boys”, the money was force from them via N90,000 ATM withdrawal and N110,000 mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen.
All the extorted N200, 000 was recovered by the PCRRU Investigators. All the arrested officers, witnesses and recovered exhibits including the N200, 000 cash and printed bank statement of account were handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Lagos for further detailed investigation and necessary disciplinary measures. The approval of the punishment of dismissal from service as recommended by the Adjudicating officer is part of the outcome of the disciplinary measures.
The Lagos State Government on Sunday ordered owners of properties erected on drainage channels and impeding the free-flow of water to immediately vacate or risk being removed.
The Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, expressed dismay that the lawless activities of some people was constantly putting the lives and property of residents at risk.
He listed some of the areas where properties were erected on drainage channels to include Illubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota, Ogombo, Lekki, among others, noting that the massive investment of public fund into drainage clearing and de-silting had been compromised by structures hindering the free-flow of water.
The Commissioner said the State Government was seriously concerned that man-made causes, particularly impediment of free-flow of storm water through indiscriminate erection of buildings on drainage alignments/ right of way and water courses, have played a major role in the recent experience of flooding in the State.
“Therefore, it is now of paramount importance that owners of buildings or structures impeding the free-flow of storm water, wherever they exist in the State, are advised to voluntarily quit forthwith in the overriding public interest or risk being removed by the State Government as no responsible government will allow the interest of a few to jeopardize the wellness and wellbeing of the generality of its people.
“In view of the grievous consequences of compromising drainage right of way and alignment, Lagosians are hereby warned to henceforth refrain from this illegal act, report perpetrators and cooperate with the Lagos State Government in its bid to achieve a flood-free, clean and livable State,” Adejare said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the State Government has resolved to reestablish the right of way of drainage infrastructure across the State also to stem the tide of flooding. He said the decision became necessary to enhance the ability of the drainage channels to effectively discharge storm water into the rivers, lagoon and other water bodies and relieve Lagosians of the incidence of flood.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Lagosians are once again reminded that the right of way for primary unlined (without concrete) channel is 25 meters and 15 meters for primary lined (with concrete) channel, while the right of way for secondary/connector channel is seven meters. The right of way for tertiary channel is three meters from the fence of the house.
“Primary channels such as canals are those emptying directly into the river, lagoons and other water bodies, while secondary/connector channels connect water from channels in the frontage of the house (tertiary channels) to the primary channel,” the Commissioner noted in the statement.
The Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Operation Safe Haven, in charge of Zango Kataf, Jema’a, Sanga and Kaura local government areas in Southern Kaduna, Maj. General Rogers Nicholas, has vowed to shoot any Fulani herdsman found rearing in the night.
The STF Commandant stated this at the Southern Kaduna Peace gathering (parley) organised by Citizen Monitoring group in Partnership with the STF Commandant Operation Safe Haven with the theme, “Critical and Needful: Peaceful, Conflict Action and Building Structures for Sustainable Peace.”
“What we have done to ensure peace in Jos will be reciprocated here in Southern Kaduna. Night rearing will not be allowed. If any Fulani man is caught rearing in the night, we’ll shoot him,” Rogers assured.
According to him, “We’ll soon have a surveillance helicopter that will be hovering around to help strengthen our operations here. Justice must be done to ensure peace is restored.”
He called on the Fulanis to always notify their Chiefs whenever there are foreign Fulanis, “If not they will be held responsible for any breach of security.
“We’ll not allow the circulation of arms and drugs abuse, if we catch anyone with this, by the powers of STF, we have the right to arrest you and detain as long as investigation is going on,” General Rogers promised.
In order to enhance better security, the STF Commandant advised, “Every Community must generate their local intelligence security that will be reporting directly to the STF.
He further maintained that the STF would embark on re-opening of Cattle route, stressing that herdsmen will be held responsible for any farm damage.
He urged the Fulanis not to send underage children for rearing who cannot control the cows when they derail into people’s farms.
While fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the meeting, the STF Commandant said, “Special operations have been designed to accompany farmers to their own farms by the personnel to ensure they are safe from any form of attacks.”
In his remark, the convener for the partnering bodies, Bishop Gideon Para-Mallam said that in ensuring peace, government was limited, adding that it must come with humility to work with credible bodies to promote peaceful co-existence among its people.
“What practical steps should we take to end the un-abated attacks and injustice in our land,” Bishop Gideon ask?
Member representing Jema’a/Sanga constituency Nicholas Garba Shehu, commended the resilient and practical steps taken by the STF adding, the Police must begin to act fast whenever they are called upon for any security breach before it escalates.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative (FHANI) has called for urgency in the release of N100 million naira appropriated for child spacing services in the 2017 budget of Kaduna State Government.
Speaking at an advocacy visit on Kaduna State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Manya Dogo the group said, with the first-half of the year gone, there was need for government to expedite action in the procurement of child spacing items specified in the budget.
Communication Officer of the Organisation, Hauwa Saulawa, said, the advocacy was premised on the need for government to take proactive steps in curtailing the high maternal deaths rate, of which Kaduna ranks high in the country.
She said with the scientific prove that child spacing reduces maternal death by almost 40 percent, there was no need for government to waste time in implementing its budgetary provision that seeks to address that.
Also speaking, Assistant Secretary of FHANI, Iliya Kure, praised the role played by the Ministry under the leadership of Dr. Dogo in the campaign for the budget line for child spacing in the state.
“The Ministry of Health and Human Services under your leadership has played a very vital role in ensuring the creation of child spacing budget line for procurement of commodities and consumables. So we came to say thank you for the role you played.
“We are also here on a follow-up for implementation, as we are already in the third quarter of the year.
“We understand that child spacing is key to maternal health, as what some of these women need is a simple rest; if their womb can rest, you are doing a lot of work in saving them; but even after CS, you see within 4 months or 3, there will be another pregnancy, which is very risky.
So, what we are promoting is for men to look through the risk of frequent pregnancy of their wives, for women to regain their strength after delivery, and for their children to grow to some reasonable level before another pregnancy — this is what we are advocating for” he added.
Mr. Kure said the Organisation is concerned that the budget process for 2018 has commenced without the release of a kobo from the child spacing money budgeted for in the 2017 budget.
The Organisation according to him wants the child spacing budget raised to N300 million in 2018, but first, “let us secure the N100 million allocated in this year’s budget.”
Responding, the Commissioner, Dr. Dogo assured that the Ministry is working tirelessly to see that as much as possible, the Ministry accesses the entire money that is budgeted for the child spacing services.
“If you look at the demand and the amount budgeted for child spacing, which is commendable, you can agree with me that it is inadequate. So we should be able to access all, so that we can demand for more in next year’s budget line.
“The Ministry will do what they can to scale the budget line which will be better justified if we have exhausted the approved budget line, so that we can be able to scale up the next budget line for family planning. It took us this long to be able to put up a request, our target is to see that no woman will be asked to pay for anything at the health facilities before she could be attended to or access health services.
“The first thing is for us to push for the release of the budget line fund, and once there is a release then we push for the cash backing.
Gombe (Nigeria) – The Leader of Hajj Delegation (Amirul Hajj) of Gombe State, in northeast Nigeria, Senator Haruna Garba has warned intending pilgrims to Hajj, to desist from peddling drugs, kola nuts and other related offences, which have severe penalty in Saudi Arabia.
Sen. Garba made the call Sunday while speaking at the induction course for 2017 intending pilgrims from the state.
He also advised them to ensure they abide by all the rules and regulations for a successful and acceptable Hajj by Allah, and urged them to be good ambassadors and prayerful for the state and the county at large while in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“I urge you to be worthy ambassadors of Gombe State and our great country Nigeria, by exhibiting high sense of responsibility and dedication to the Almighty Allah.
“You should pray for peace, unity, and prosperity of Gombe state in particular and the county in general and I urge you not to engage in rioting, demonstration or disobedience or disregard to constituted authorities”, he said.
According to him, the state had secured befitting accommodation with good facilities for them in Mecca, close to the holy Mosque.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board called on the intending pilgrims to be patience at all the times and cooperate with the officials for the success of the exercise.
He advised them to be prayerful for themselves, state, North- East and the country at large especially on the economic challenge in the country as well as the inflation in the market.
According to him, state government had contributed positively for the success of the exercise by securing accommodation close to haram at Mecca among other assistance.
US President Donald Trump has insisted he has the “complete power” to pardon people, amid reports he is considering presidential pardons for family members, aides and even himself.
A Democratic Party spokesman has called the reports “extremely disturbing”.
The US authorities are probing possible collusion between the Trump team and Russia. Intelligence agencies think Russia tried to help Mr Trump to power.
Russia denies this, and the president says there was no collusion.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Mr Trump and his team were looking at ways to pardon people close to him.
Presidents can pardon people before guilt is established or even before the person is charged with a crime.
Describing the reports as disturbing, Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, said “pardoning any individuals who may have been involved would be crossing a fundamental line”.
On Saturday, Mr Trump tweeted: “While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us. FAKE NEWS.”
Mr Trump also attacked “illegal leaks” following reports his attorney general discussed campaign-related matters with a Russian envoy.
The Washington Post gave an account of meetings Attorney General Jeff Sessions held with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak. The newspaper quoted current and former US officials who cited intelligence intercepts of Mr Kislyak’s version of the encounter to his superiors.
One of those quoted said Mr Kislyak spoke to Mr Sessions about key campaign issues, including Mr Trump’s positions on policies significant to Russia.
During his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Mr Sessions said he had no contact with Russians during the election campaign. When it later emerged he had, he said the campaign was not discussed at the meetings.
An official confirmed to Reuters the detail of the intercepts, but there has been no independent corroboration.
The officials spoken to by the Post said that Mr Kislyak could have exaggerated the account, and cited a Justice Department spokesperson who repeated that Mr Sessions did not discuss interference in the election.
But the Post’s story was the focus of one of many tweets the US president fired off on Saturday morning.
“A new INTELLIGENCE LEAK from the Amazon Washington Post, this time against A.G. Jeff Sessions. These illegal leaks, like Comey’s, must stop!” Mr Trump said.
Earlier this week, Mr Trump told the New York Times he regretted hiring Mr Sessions because he had stepped away from overseeing an inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.
Mr Sessions recused himself in March amid pressure over his meetings with Mr Kislyak. He says he plans to continue in his role as attorney general
Several other regular targets for Mr Trump featured in his series of tweets.
He accused the “failing” New York Times of foiling an attempt to assassinate the leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
It is not clear what Mr Trump was referring to, but on Saturday a US general complained on Fox News that a “good lead” on Baghdadi was leaked to a national newspaper in 2015.
A New York Times report at the time revealed that valuable information had been extracted from a raid, but the paper stressed on Saturday that no-one had taken issue with their reporting until now.
President Robert Mugabe lavished his sister-in-law with $60,000 on her birthday, state-owned media reported Monday, at a time when the country is running critically short of cash.
