CUNCNews: The Inefficiency of Nigeria Police Was Spotted Dur...

CUNCNews: The Inefficiency of Nigeria Police Was Spotted Dur...: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says he noticed some of the shortcomings of the police ...

The Inefficiency of Nigeria Police Was Spotted During My Kidnap - Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says he noticed some of the shortcomings of the police force when he was kidnapped.

In an interview with THISDAY, Ekweremadu opined that a decentralised police system is suitable for a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria.

He said if the country continues to practice the federal police system it is operating, there will be a serious problem.

“I was once taken by armed robbers or kidnappers if you like. They took me for like two days. I saw the deficiencies of our police, because we passed several checkpoints. The type of policing we have is not sustainable and it is not good for the type of our structure. So, we need to find the type of police that can suit our purpose. If we do that, we will be able to secure the people and their properties,” Ekweremadu said.

“Remember that the constitution says that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. The first thing we need to do is to make sure we are secured, even if you don’t provide them with jobs they can look for their own job. But if you provide jobs and then you don’t provide security, then nobody goes out for the job.

“So, if you have a multi-ethnic society, the usual recommendation is to run a federal system for which decentralised policing, not just the state police, decentralised policing goes beyond just having police at the state level. You may have to have police at the local government level, in some critical institutions like the universities and the national assembly.

“The important thing is how we coordinate it, to make sure that nobody is abusing it, that it is well coordinated, that there is a database where everybody keys in. This is what we should be talking about, but if we continue to do what we are doing, we are going to run into problem.”

He said state police “is the best way to go” but that it’s pertinent to come up with measures so that it would not be abused.

“Our colleagues in the national assembly said the governors will use it against them and stuff like that. Sometime some of them will move from being a member of the national assembly and become governors so when they become governors they become champions of state police, because it is convenient for them,” he said.

“We therefore need to find a way to make everybody understand that it is not about the temporary gains we have today.”

On September 10, 2000, Ekweremadu was kidnapped and released after two days in captivity.

Source: -  Dyepkazah Shibayan | The Cable | July 30, 2017.

CUNCNews: Saraki Blames Nigerians For Failure Of Passage Of ...

CUNCNews: Saraki Blames Nigerians For Failure Of Passage Of ...: Senate President, Bukola Saraki Following widespread backlash over the failure of both houses of the National Assembly to pass some sign...

Saraki Blames Nigerians For Failure Of Passage Of Bills; It May Resurface

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Following widespread backlash over the failure of both houses of the National Assembly to pass some significant amendments which form part of the essence of a restructuring agenda, Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday gave some insights into why the devolution of powers bill failed to scale through the constitution review process.

Saraki spoke while hosting a delegation of the Not Too Young To Run advocacy group in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

In what many may interpret to be the usual political-speak after a major anticlimax, Saraki left the window of possibility open that the bill may resurface in the future, without specifying any clear plan or strategy to that effect, or estimating a time frame.

He went further to attribute the failure of the bill to the current climate of hate and fear from intense agitations for restructuring and separation, as well as misconceptions regarding the intent of the bill.

He stated that there was enough blame to go round, from agitators, to advocates, to politicians, and even the media.

These comments might come as a real shock to many Nigerians who were repeatedly assured of the National Assembly’s unalloyed commitment to key recommendations such as devolution of powers, state creation and boundary adjustment, indigeneship and citizenship reform, as well as deletion of the Land Use Act from the constitution, which all failed in both houses.

Saraki’s comments were conveyed in a statement from his media office, thus:

“As you know, we have three senators representing each state and one from the FCT and they all represent their constituencies and whatever they do there, they must engage with and get feedback from their constituencies. I believe that if this constitutional amendment had come maybe eight months ago, the devolution of powers bill would have passed easily.

“But I think we must be honest with ourselves that presently there is a lot of mistrust in the country at the moment; the air is very polluted and let us be very frank, that blame must go all round; whether it be the politicians, or opinion leaders, socio-cultural group leaders and some others who are running commentaries and even some of you in the media who sometimes write stories that amplify hate speeches and points of view that are inaccurate.

“And I think what happened was that a lot of of our colleagues misread or misunderstood or were suspicious of what the devolution of powers to states was all about; whether it was the same thing as restructuring in another way or attempt to foist confederation on the country or to prepare the ground for other campaigns now going on in the country. And they made a lot of appeal that they had not consulted with their constituencies and you can see what is happening; there was a meeting in Kaduna yesterday where it was clear that certain parts of the country wanted more time to understand what restructuring is all about before joining the discussion.

“So it is clear that not all Senators were on board. My own advise; we have spoken a lot with the Senators because we cannot bully them or stampede them, because at the end of the day, this country belongs to all of us. You cannot hassle me out of the country. Neither can I hassle you out. What we must do is dialogue; reassure each other and let people understand that this concept is for the purpose of making a modern Nigeria; that it is not going to in any way undermine any part of the country.

“Nothing is foreclosed in this exercise; you don’t foreclose passage of bill. We must have a good understanding of how parliament works. It is not foreclosed. It has been defeated as at today but it does not mean that it would be defeated when it comes tomorrow. The gender bill was defeated in the bid to include it in the constitution but what was not reported in the media is that the sponsors got a victory in that they got an undertaking from members that what was defeated would be included in the Gender Opportunity bill. That was something that would not have happened before. So the fact that devolution of powers to state lost that day does not mean that after the recess, if a lot of consultations are done again it will not scale through.”

Many Nigerians may read Saraki’s comments as a failure to take responsibility.
Some will argue that Saraki is only seeking soft landing after failing to deliver on the high expectations of Nigerians especially on the issues most central and relevant to the wellbeing of this challenged nation at this time of its existence.

It might strike many as paradoxical that while they had expected the National Assembly to brave the odds and intervene in the pervasive divisiveness tearing the country apart through targeted amendments, the National Assembly, having shirked that responsibility, is instead blaming the divisiveness for the failure of the amendment.

Have the supposed rescuers become bound by the same malady? Many will wonder.

Source: -  Ripples | July 30, 2017.

CUNCNews: APC Is Not A Political Party, But Amalgamation Of ...

CUNCNews: APC Is Not A Political Party, But Amalgamation Of ...: PDP National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye Dayo Adeyeye, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the All P...

CUNCNews: APC Is Not A Political Party, But Amalgamation Of ...

CUNCNews: APC Is Not A Political Party, But Amalgamation Of ...: PDP National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye Dayo Adeyeye, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the All P...

APC Is Not A Political Party, But Amalgamation Of Desperate People - PDP Spokesman

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye

Dayo Adeyeye, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a group of desperados who united to seize power.

According to Adeyeye, the APC has not made any significant impact on the society on which it could base its 2019 campaign.

The national public secretary of the PDP said this in an interview with The Sun.

“What legacy would Lai Mohammed say that APC has bequeathed to Nigerians since 2015,” Adeyeye asked.

“What will the APC use to campaign? Will they say that they have improved the economy? Will they say they have stabilised the polity,  when there are now centrifugal forces pulling the polity apart?

“We are confident because the APC is not a political party. It is just an amalgam of very desperate people.  What I will call an amalgam of desperadoes whose sole purpose was just to push the PDP out of power.

“Now that they have achieved that, we have seen that they have no plans for Nigerians.

“Nigeria was the number one investment destination in Africa. Today,  we are not even among the first 20. Youth unemployment has sky-rocked.  The economy is in a parlous state.

“Look,  at the time we left government,  the exchange rate was N170 to one dollar. Today,  the exchange rate has increased because of incoherent policies.

“Since they assumed power,  they have been borrowing money without caution. And they have increased the debt profile of Nigeria so much so that they have said they are going to put a break to borrowing.

“The question we are going to ask Nigerians in 2019 is whether they are better off now, than they were in 2015. That is just the simple question.”

Speaking on the supreme court’s ruling of Ahmed Makarfi as the bonafide national chairman of the PDP, Adeyeye said the end of the party’s crisis marks the beginning of APC’s.

He further said the PDP was ready to face the APC, adding that those who defected from PDP are remorseful and wish to retrace their steps.

“We are ready! We are ready!!  We were in power for 16 years.  Then we had this setback in 2015 and this prolonged party crisis,” Adeyeye said.

“With the crisis behind us,  we are ready any day, any time to face the APC.  

“I want to tell you that with the problem of the PDP coming to an end,  that of the APC is just starting.  It is inevitable.  

“They know that once PDP solves its problem,  they will have their own problems because they are not a party. Those who left PDP and joined them are beginning to regret their actions and they want to come back. That is the truth. You can quote me.

“Even though they came together to fight the election of 2015, they didn’t have a common ideology. They don’t have  a common set of values and ideals.

“So, they are not a party. That is why it has been impossible for them to fuse together. Each of the groups is still on its own – ACN,  ANPP, CPC,  New PDP. They are still in their various groups. They are not able to fuse into one united party.  That is very clear.

“So,  because of that,  many of them are going to retrace their steps back to PDP because they know there is nothing they are going to use to campaign in 2019.”

Source: -  Jamilah Nasir | The Cable | July 29, 2017.

CUNCNews: Local Government Autonomy; NLC, NULGE Proposes To ...

CUNCNews: Local Government Autonomy; NLC, NULGE Proposes To ...: NLC President Ayuba Wabba Plans are underway by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (...

Local Government Autonomy; NLC, NULGE Proposes To Engage Governors

NLC President Ayuba Wabba

Plans are underway by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to engage state governors and the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure that state Houses of Assembly approve autonomy to local government in the country.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, speaking in Abuja on the inclusion of autonomy for local government councils in the proposed amendment to the constitution, lauded the leaderships of both chambers of the National Assembly for listening to the yearnings of Nigerians.

He, however, said the labour movement remained opposed to granting immunity to lawmakers outside of the present immunity granted them to carry out their oversight responsibilities.

Wabba stated that the labour appreciates the level of work needed to be done before the Bill can sail through the state assemblies, adding: “There are plans to engage our governors with a view to getting their buy-in into the Bill.

“We are going to engage them both individually and collective at the Governors Forum level. We are optimistic that the governors are also desirous of seeing development taking root at the local government level, which can only be guaranteed by efficient local government administration.”

He said the labour believes that if passed into law, the amendments would free the local governments from the stranglehold of state governments, widen the democratic space and restore the lost glory of local governments.

“Until progressive decline and bastardisation set in, the local government represented the centre of administrative excellence, clinical efficiency, training, education, development, tax administration and effective commodity boards.

“Local governments also represented maintenance culture of infrastructure, including roads, environmental sanitation, functional health facilities, low incidences of corruption and violent crimes.

“The singular reason for this magical performance was that local governments were close to the people and ministered to their needs,” he recalled.

Wabba insisted that autonomy of local government would ensure that the local government system develops as a third tier of government with the capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities to its constituents; strengthen democratic decentralisation of power and put power back in the hands of the citizenry at the grassroots level of governance; give a voice to the voiceless, especially the minorities who have been short-changed at the state and federal levels of government; make local governments training ground for leadership at state and federal levels of power; deliver development to about 180million Nigerians; stem rural-urban migration; lower crime rate; and quicken payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

He urged members of the 36 state Assemblies to be on the side of the people and history by displaying the courage of the colleagues at the National Assembly by giving their unqualified support to the autonomy of local government councils in the country.

Wabba stated that the labour appreciates the level of work needed to be done before the Bill can sail through the state assemblies, adding: “There are plans to engage our governors with a view to getting their buy-in into the Bill.

“We are going to engage them both individually and collective at the Governors Forum level. We are optimistic that the governors are also desirous of seeing development taking root at the local government level, which can only be guaranteed by efficient local government administration.”

He said the labour believes that if passed into law, the amendments would free the local governments from the stranglehold of state governments, widen the democratic space and restore the lost glory of local governments.

“Until progressive decline and bastardisation set in, the local government represented the centre of administrative excellence, clinical efficiency, training, education, development, tax administration and effective commodity boards.

“Local governments also represented maintenance culture of infrastructure, including roads, environmental sanitation, functional health facilities, low incidences of corruption and violent crimes.

“The singular reason for this magical performance was that local governments were close to the people and ministered to their needs,” he recalled.

Wabba insisted that autonomy of local government would ensure that the local government system develops as a third tier of government with the capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities to its constituents; strengthen democratic decentralisation of power and put power back in the hands of the citizenry at the grassroots level of governance; give a voice to the voiceless, especially the minorities who have been short-changed at the state and federal levels of government; make local governments training ground for leadership at state and federal levels of power; deliver development to about 180million Nigerians; stem rural-urban migration; lower crime rate; and quicken payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

He urged members of the 36 state Assemblies to be on the side of the people and history by displaying the courage of the colleagues at the National Assembly by giving their unqualified support to the autonomy of local government councils in the country.

Source: -  Collins Olayinka | The Guardian | July 29, 2017.

CUNCNews: Aewa Youths Air Their Doubt On Osinbajo’s Ability ...

CUNCNews: Aewa Youths Air Their Doubt On Osinbajo’s Ability ...: Arewa youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), on Thursday said that it was now left with no option than to doubt the abil...

Arewa Youths Air Their Doubt On Osinbajo’s Ability To Preside Over The Affairs Of The Country

Arewa youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), on Thursday said that it was now left with no option than to doubt the ability of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to successfully preside over the affairs of the country.

This was as the group called on the acting president to order the immediate arrest of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, over threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“This level of lawlessness has left us with no option than to doubt the ability of our Acting President to successfully preside over the affairs of our country. Our Acting President seems to be under the control of some cabals when it comes to decision-making.”

This was stated by the Speaker of the group, Mohammed Salihu, and the Clerk, Desmond Minakaro, when they addressed a news conference in Abuja.

They accused the Federal Government under Acting President Osinbajo of aiding Kanu to breach the bail conditions handed him by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The group said, “The Leadership of Arewa Youth Assembly has observed with keen interest the high level of lawlessness exhibited by Nnamdi Kanu since he was granted bail in June this year and the conspiracy of silence displayed by the federal government and its security agencies in the face of such affront by the IPOB leader. No doubt, this lawlessness is capable of disintegrating this country.

“The level of insecurity and youth agitations calls for concern by all well meaning Nigerians. These threats have turned our country in a place of uncertainty and now a laughing stock within the international communities. Nigerians now live in a state of fear and trauma for the fear of the unknown.

“Any nation or institution which cannot abide by its own laws, rules and regulations is bound to fail and not worthy of being a nation or institution. It is on record that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided by Honourable Justice Binta Nyako on the 28th April, 2017, granted bail to one Mr. Nnamdi Kanu on health grounds with about 12 conditions attached to his Bail.

“Gentlemen of press, you will all agree with us that the said Nnamdi Kanu has openly violated his bail conditions, chief among which are that he should not address a press conference; a rally and should not be in a gathering of not more than ten persons.

“The most surprising and amazing of this is that the Federal Government is watching while Nnamdi Kanu is creating a state within a state, threatening to stop Anambra State gubernatorial election by holding rallies in South South and South East states and using provocative and inciting words, granting interviews to the press, which pose a threat to national unity and security.

“We therefore, wish to advise the Acting President to sit up and be in firm control of the government of Nigeria and begin to address the myriads of issues threatening the unity of this great nation.”

They further disclosed that they will be holding a national peace summit in Abuja early next month as a way of bringing youths from all parts of the country to brainstorm on the way forward for Nigeria.

Source: -  Ebere Ndukwe | Ripples | July 28, 2017.

CUNCNews: Former Minister Of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala In New a...

CUNCNews: Former Minister Of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala In New a...: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala The Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Nigeria’s former Minister of...

Former Minister Of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala In New appointment With Standard Chartered With Annual Pay Of £130,000

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

The Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as an independent Non-Executive Director with effect from November 1, 2017.

A statement from the bank said Okonjo-Iweala would also join the Board’s Brand, Values and Conduct Committee of the bank.

With the appointment, Okonjo-Iweala will receive a fee of GBP100,000 per annum for her services as an independent Non-Executive Director, with an additional fee of GBP30,000 per annum as a member of the brand, values and conduct committee of the international bank, in accordance with the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

The independent non-executive Directors do not participate in any of the Group’s incentive arrangements.
Aged 63, Okonjo-Iweala has 30 years of economic development and financial expertise. She is an internationally renowned economist and a prominent African leader, who twice served as Finance Minister in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of our largest African markets. She has played an important role in public finance transparency and has in-depth knowledge of Africa and international affairs.

Ngozi spent 25 years working at the World Bank in various positions. After leaving in 2003, she served as the Finance Minister of Nigeria from 2003 to 2006. She returned to the World Bank in 2007, serving as a Managing Director until 2011, when she was appointed to the role of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy in the Nigerian government, a position she held until 2015.

“During her time in government, she spearheaded Nigeria’s successful program to obtain debt relief and is credited with developing reforms that helped improve governmental transparency to stabilise and grow the Nigerian economy,” it added.

Okonjo-Iweala sits on a number of prestigious international advisory boards including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and as Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI). She has a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a Masters and PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Commenting on the appointment, the Group Chairman of the bank, José Viñals said: “Ngozi is a globally recognised African and international figure. She has significant geopolitical, economic, risk and development experience and expertise at a national governmental level and in international organisations, which will provide significant insight and value to the Board. She also has deep knowledge of Africa as well as emerging and developing markets. I am delighted to welcome her to Standard Chartered.”

The statement stressed that Okonjo-Iweala has no relationship with any other director, member of senior management or substantial or controlling shareholder of Standard Chartered.

“Okonjo-Iweala does not have any interests in shares of the Company.”

Source: -  Obinna Chima | This Day | July 28, 2017.

CUNCNews: Okagbare, Amusan, Brume Amongst 2000 Athletes From...

CUNCNews: Okagbare, Amusan, Brume Amongst 2000 Athletes From...: Oluwatobilola Amusan A total of 2000 athletes from 200 different countries, including Nigeria, will battle for honour in the 16th IAAF ...

Okagbare, Amusan, Brume Amongst 2000 Athletes From 200 Countries For London World Athletics Championship

Oluwatobilola Amusan

A total of 2000 athletes from 200 different countries, including Nigeria, will battle for honour in the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championship holding in London from August 4 to 13.

The championships will hold at the stadium that hosted so many memorable events during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

According to IAAF Newsletter to The Guardian yesterday, athletics fans can look forward to intense competitions highlighted by head-to-head duels and record-breaking performances, scintillating sport, which will be relayed around the world to an accumulated 10-day audience of six billion viewers in more than 200 territories.

The 51st IAAF Congress will also be hosted in London. Congress begins with an opening ceremony and dinner on the evening of Tuesday, August 1, at the Great Hall, Guildhall.

“There will be two full-day working sessions (Wednesday 2/Thursday 3) at ExCel London; the first of those days is IAAF Athletics Connect, a day which is designed to inspire, inform, create discussion and provide opportunities to network,” the IAAF newsletter stated.

The 210th IAAF Council Meeting will be held on Monday July 31, at the Marriott West India Quay. In the same location on Friday August 4, as is traditional prior to every IAAF World Championships, a joint meeting will be held between the IAAF Council and the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee. The 211th IAAF Council Meeting will be held on August 31, the final day of the IAAF World Championships.

Nigeria is parading a 12-man man team in London with some athletics analysts saying that the country has bright chances of picking three medals at the games.

They are tipping female 100m hurdler, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, sprinter Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, long jumper Ese Brume and the 4x400m women team as likely contenders for medals.

While Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, who will be making her fourth competitive appearance at the championships, will compete in the 100m and long jump, Amusan, the second fastest Nigerian/African woman with a time of 12.57secs in the 100m Hurdles will be making her debut at the championshi

Source: - Gowon Akpodonor | The Guardian | July 28, 2017. 

     

CUNCNews: More Nigerians (262) Return 'Vouluntarily' From Li...

CUNCNews: More Nigerians (262) Return 'Vouluntarily' From Li...: Two hundred and sixty-two more Nigerians voluntarily returned home from Libya on Wednesday with the help of the International Organisati...

More Nigerians (262) Return 'Vouluntarily' From Libya

Two hundred and sixty-two more Nigerians voluntarily returned home from Libya on Wednesday with the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian embassy in that country.

NAN reports that the returnees arrived aboard a chartered Libyan Airlines aircraft with registration number 5A-LAR, which landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 10pm.

The returnees, who had been stranded in Libya, were made up of 108 males, 135 females, eight children and 11 infants.

They were received by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the police.

Also on ground to receive them were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Addressing journalists, Mustapha Maihaja, the director general, NEMA, said the agency in collaboration with the IOM was working to ensure that Nigerians stranded in Libya are brought back home.

The director general who was represented by Suleiman Yakubu, zonal coordinator, South West, NEMA, said both the federal government and state governments had initiated various programmes to rehabilitate and reintegrate the returnees into the society.

He further advised Nigerians, especially the youth, to take advantage of the enormous opportunities available in the country.

NAN reports that thousands of Nigerians have been flown back home from the North African country with the help of the IOM.

Source: - The Cable | July 28, 2017. 

     

CUNCNews: Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder; Tops Bill Gates as the...

CUNCNews: Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder; Tops Bill Gates as the...: Jeff Bezos A surge in Amazon.com Incorporated’s shares thursday ahead of the online retailer’s earnings report briefly propelled its fou...

Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder; Tops Bill Gates as the World’s Richest

Jeff Bezos

A surge in Amazon.com Incorporated’s shares thursday ahead of the online retailer’s earnings report briefly propelled its founder, Jeff Bezos, past Bill Gates as the world’s richest person.

According to Bloomberg, shares of the online retailer traded at $1,055.37 at 2:17p.m. in New York, after climbing as high as $1,083.31, which gave Bezos a net worth of $92.3 billion. Gates had a net worth of $90.8 billion as of the Wednesday close. In afternoon trading, Bezos was ranked second on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, behind the Microsoft Corp. co-founder. Gates, 61, has held the top spot since May 2013.

Investors and analysts, in addition to watching Amazon’s progress in taking market share in categories such as apparel and groceries, would be scrutinising how many new subscriptions the retailer sold for its $99-a-year Amazon Prime service, which offers delivery discounts and video and music streaming. Prime shoppers spend more than customers who don’t have a membership.

“Amazon Prime is why so much physical retail is going away,” said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Securities Incorporated analyst who has a buy rating on the stock and a price target of $1,250.

“Anyone who joins Prime shops in retail stores 10 percent less, and that number will keep accelerating as Amazon adds more inventory.”

Investors also monitor Amazon’s cloud-computing division, Amazon Web Services, a fast-growing and profitable business that accounts for about 10 percent of revenue. Amazon leads the cloud-computing industry, but faces increasing competition from Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet Inc.

Amazon is expected to post quarterly revenue of $37.2 billion, a 22 percent jump from a year earlier, according to the average estimate of 34 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, and earnings per share of $1.42.

Bezos, 53, owns about 17 percent of Seattle-based Amazon, which has surged 40 percent this year through Wednesday, helping to add $24.5 billion to his net worth. He started 2017 as the world’s fourth-wealthiest person and has since surpassed Warren Buffett and Inditex SA founder Amancio Ortega, 81, who ranks third with $82.7 billion.

Source: -  This Day | July 28, 2017. 

     

CUNCNews: Obi Of Onitsha, Ohanaeze, Others, Can't Dictate Ou...

CUNCNews: Obi Of Onitsha, Ohanaeze, Others, Can't Dictate Ou...: Nnamdi Kanu The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday said that neither the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, nor the Ohanaez...

Obi Of Onitsha, Ohanaeze, Others, Can't Dictate Our Agenda - IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday said that neither the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, nor the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders, has the power to set agenda for IPOB in respect to its call for the boycott of Anambra governorship election.

IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu, has called on the South East to boycott all elections beginning with Anambra State governorship election until Biafra referendum is approved.

But Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, was said to have, while addressing Anambra State chapter of Ohanaeze, warned that IPOB had no right to stop election in the state.

In its reply in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said that though it had respect for Igwe Achebe, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders, they had no right to decide for them what to do.

The statement read in part, “IPOB is a well-known peace loving organization around the globe which has not been involved in violent activities in Nigeria, but have been violently attacked by the Hausa Fulani dominated security apparatus in Nigeria, who derive joy in killing the innocent members of IPOB.”

“We respect our elders and traditional title holders, like Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and others who are making different statements regarding the IPOB decision to boycott elections in Biafra land starting from Anambra state election unless they give us a date for Biafra restoration.

“We believe they are entitled to their opinion but they cannot intimidate or set agenda for IPOB members from carrying out our decision. And they should know that they are human beings and cannot challenge IPOB worldwide.

“However, anybody who wants to come out and vote is free, but IPOB will not stop to fulfill the promise of boycotting the Anambra State governorship election, come November 18, 2017 and we promise Igwe Achebe to come out and vote.

“IPOB will prove its formidability to Igwe Achebe and his likes on that very particular day that we are not politicians and we are not playing politics with Biafra restoration project because Biafra independence is the future of our children and unborn children.”

Source: - Ebere Ndukwe |Ripples | July 28, 2017. 

     

CUNCNews: Northern Govs Assemble Days After South-West Govs ...

CUNCNews: Northern Govs Assemble Days After South-West Govs ...: The governors of the 19 states of the North have said that it was wrong to say that the region was opposed to the restructuring of Nigeri...

Northern Govs Assemble Days After South-West Govs Met To Express Position On Restructuring

The governors of the 19 states of the North have said that it was wrong to say that the region was opposed to the restructuring of Nigeria and promised to publish its final position on the contentious matter on Friday.

This was disclosed on Thursday by Borno State Governor and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Ibrahim Shettima, in his address at a meeting of the nineteen northern states governors and traditional rulers in Kaduna State.

This meeting is coming only days after South West governors met in Ogun State, in what has been viewed by close political watchers as strategic collaboration towards fortifying South West regional interests and putting up a united front on issues central to the South West agenda, at a time when an intense national debate on restructuring rages on.

Govs of South-West Nigeria

Shettima said, “It is also my expectation that at the end of this meeting today and, God willing, tomorrow’s meeting of the Governors, the Forum and our esteemed royal fathers will adopt a consensus position on restructuring of the country that will be reflective of the general overall interest of the people of Northern Nigeria and which will attract popular acceptance.

“It is of vital importance to arrive at such consensus position because it is crucial to dispel the erroneous impression created and disseminated by certain interests in this country that the North is opposed to restructuring.

“Secondly, it is important to do so not only to accommodate the mainstream of Northern public opinion, our primary constituency, but to also counter the specific versions of restructuring which generally seek to place the North in a position of strategic political and economic disadvantage, but portrayed as the only versions that can work for the nation.

“Without pre-empting the outcome of our interactions over the next two days however, permit me Your Excellencies and Your Royal Highnesses, to embark on a short reflection on the matter before hand. Agreed that being citizens of a democratic country, Nigerians are entitled to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and association, and the clamour for the restructuring of the country falls within the purview of these freedoms. However, the exercise of such rights outside the confines of responsibility is not acceptable.

“The resort to shenanigans, hate speech, and sometimes, incitement to violence by organizations such as IPOP and MASSOB must be unconditionally condemned as they are inimical to national unity, stability, peaceful coexistence and national security. In this regards, I call on all constituted authorities and responsible leaders of thought in the South East and other parts of Nigeria to rise to the occasion and call these purveyors of hate speech and inflammatory and provocative statements to order.

“These elements must be encouraged to pursue their agitations within processes enshrined in our constitution and with the full and willing participation of all parts of our nation.”

It is not clear how the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in the north will reconcile the northern position with the party’s position.

Recall that the party only recently set up a panel chaired by Nasir El-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor, to details and enlighten Nigerians on its unique definition of restructuring.

The southern regions of South-West, South-East and South-South have over the years been more vocal and forward in pushing for restructuring.

It remains to be seen whether the North, which many believe has been largely overtly opposed to restructuring, will make a fundamental shift in its somewhat consistent position of maintaining the status quo or only acceding to limited changes.

Source: - Ebere Ndukwe | This Day | July 28, 2017. 

     

CUNCNews: Obasanjo Used Me Against Atiku, Markafi, Kalu - Fa...

CUNCNews: Obasanjo Used Me Against Atiku, Markafi, Kalu - Fa...: Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose Alleges former president knelt down to beg Ghaddafi for third term. Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele F...

Obasanjo Used Me Against Atiku, Markafi, Kalu - Fayose Narrates

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

Alleges former president knelt down to beg Ghaddafi for third term. Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has made some of the most far-reaching revelations yet about the years in office of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Fayose said in the current edition of The Interview that Obasanjo used him to wreck the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the chance of former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Markafi, becoming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2007.

He said in his naivety, Obasanjo also used him to attack former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu, among other political foes.

In a statement, the MD/Editor-In-Chief, This day, Azu Ishiekwene, described the edition as “a window on a dark and troubling past, and a must read for any important political figure who has crossed Fayose’s path in the last 18 years.”

Fayose told The Interview that the scale fell off his eyes when on a trip with Obasanjo to Tripoli, Libya, where the then president had gone to ask Moummar Ghaddafi to support his third term bid, the former Libyan president treated Obasanjo like a serf.

Recalling the encounter, he said: “It was such a pathetic scenario, so shameful. Obasanjo was speaking rapidly like a parrot. I was shocked beyond words. I never knew Obasanjo would be that humble.
“He was on one knee till the end of the conversation. Gadaffi kept quiet and was just watching Obasanjo. When Obasanjo stopped rambling, Gadaffi said: ‘Have you finished? Just know that I will not attend that meeting. I have other engagements.”’

He also revealed how on two major occasions when he went to visit Atiku at the height of Obasanjo’s third term bid, security details promptly reported him to the former president, even before he left the venue, leaving him feeling spooky and vulnerable.

On the Obasanjo-Atiku saga, Fayose said: “Obasanjo told me that when you capture a general and you don’t kill him, he’ll come back and kill you; that since Atiku tried to stop him and failed, he must pay for it. And he (Atiku) is still paying for it.”

In a statement that could reverberate beyond Nigeria’s shores, Fayose said he knew, as an insider at the time, that Obasanjo betrayed former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, to induce United States support for this third term bid, after promising Taylor safe haven in Nigeria.

He revealed how the current Chairman of PDP was sidelined in favour of a sick and reluctant Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and his role in it as Chairman of the Presidential Selection Committee.

Fayose warned Kalu against “selling” the Igbo down the river “for cheap politics” and blamed President Muhammadu Buhari’s government for making the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, popular.

He also spoke on his attempts to reach Buhari directly; former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s relationship with APC leader, Bola Tinubu, and futile attempt to discourage former Governor Peter Odili from accepting Obasanjo’s dummy that he was his heir apparent.

Also in this edition, the Executive Director of Neem Foundation, a not-for-profit NGO, Dr. Fatima Akilu, said she foresaw problems even after the shooting war with Boko Haram.

Akilu, a psychologist, warned that except there is a plan to deal with post-war stress and build inclusive communities, the gains of the military campaign could unravel.

The edition also contains interviews with the first Nigerian in the Belgian parliament, Collins Nweke; conversations with poet, Dike Chukwumerije, and inside information in the corridors of power in Interview Confidential, among others.

Source: - This Day | July 28, 2017.