10 things you need to know this Friday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers: 1. Afro-pop act, Davido, has released a statement, through his lawyers, stating that his late friend, Tagbo Umeike, never entered his car. He also released CCTV footages of the night’s events leading to Tagbo’s death. The statement by the lawyer, Norrison Quakers (SAN), entitled The Unfortunate Death of Tagbo Umeike; Davido’s Story, also claimed that the police was aware that his client was not behind his friend’s death. 2. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has clarified that he approved financing loans for NNPC and not contracts as reported in the media. He said that the law actually provides for such authorisation, hence he did grant two of the loans and those were specifically for financing joint ventures and that they were loans not contracts. 3. The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Mr Anthony Ogbizi, has said that lethal weapons, including petrol bombs and one double-barrel gun, were recovered during Sunday’s raid on the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Ogbizi said this on Thursday during a chat with with newsmen in Umuahia. He said the items were recovered during a joint operation by security personnel, including the Police and the Army, in the state. 4. The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the continuous attack on journalists by security men at the Kogi State Government House. The Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement described the assault on journalists by security men attached to the Kogi state government house, as a great concern to the press and all its stakeholders. 5. Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in South West geopolitical zone on Thursday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has not informed them he will re-contest in the 2019 general elections. The APC stalwarts shortly after a stakeholders meeting held behind closed doors for about two hours, thirty minutes at the Executive Chamber in the Governor’s office, Secretariat Ibadan, remarked that anyone who is qualified for the post is free to contest. 6. The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has disclosed that the EFCC has recovered at least N29bn based on tips from whistleblowers. He urged Nigerians to continue to help in the fight against corruption by providing information to the anti-corruption agencies. He spoke on Thursday in Abuja. 7. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday, filed a suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, seeking an order to restrain the Senate and the Senate President Bukola Saraki from going ahead with their plan to investigate allegations of malpractices against him. 8. The House of Representatives has said it will investigate the deplorable state of the State House Clinic in Abuja and its inability to deliver basic medical services. The investigation will look into how the clinic utilised the N10.98bn budgeted for its operations since 2015. This follows a motion moved by a member, Mr. Henry Archibong, at its plenary session in Abuja on Thursday. 9. The President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, has said that the bank was concentrating on the northern region of Nigeria in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s request. Kim and the Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, who spoke at separate press conferences in Washington DC, United States, on Thursday also advised Buhari to invest in things that would enhance economic growth. 10. A landlord in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Paul Oparaugo, and five of his six children allegedly stabbed to death their tenant, Udochukwu Iwuoha, on Wednesday. Iwuoha’s traditional marriage was scheduled for today. Report says the entire family had already fled their home.

Okorocha lists qualities his successor must possess

Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, on Thursday listed qualities those willing to succeed him in 2019 must possess. Addressing newsmen at the State’s Government House in Owerri, the state capital, Okorocha listed those qualities to include, vision, good temperament and unbiased nature. According to Okorocha, “I have looked at those with me and I have seen what they can do. I look at their qualities. But I am likely to narrow it down to one person. “The qualities are, One, I want that person to have vision. You must see what I am doing now and think far how to take this state to next level better than what I have done. “Another one is the temperament of the person, he must be somebody that will be able to control his anger, so that he will not cause damages in the state. And that person must not be one sided. He must not be greedy. Finally, he must have fear of God. “Just like Ifeanyi Araraume has met me and told me, he wants to contest for governor. The most important thing, we are looking at are the qualities.” The governor also disclosed that the state will play host to the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, on Friday. He said: “I want to announce to you people that the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, will arrive Imo state tomorrow (Friday). This time around it is going take a bigger arrangement. “This time around, we are looking at partnership of Egbema industrial park, we are also looking at the African Union University, partnership with Rochas Foundation. The AU has a lot to do with Rochas Foundation. We are also looking at partnering with Zuma foundation. “We are hoping that the arrangement will go half way into the management of Imo International Cargo Airport, which the South Africa Airline has indicated interest. “Let me tell you that, the Chairman of South Africa Airline is also coming. My dream is to see this Airport kicks off. “By the time, our green farm project kicks off, which is coming up now with the Mexicans including the industrial park, then the state has gone far.”

I don’t deserve deposition threat – Olubadan replies Ajimobi

​ The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 has said that he has not committed any crime to warrant deposition threat repeatedly bandied against him by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. Oba Adetunji stated this on Thursday while receiving the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olaniyan and members of his entourage who paid him solidarity visit at his Popoyemoja palace. The monarch said “There are checks and balances in our traditional chieftaincy system for any monarch or chief who goes against the run of play. “As I speak, I cannot see how mere, peaceful opposition to the controversial chieftaincy review by the Oyo State Government could be misconstrued to mean incitement against the government. As the matter is pending before the court, I do not want to comment on it. “But, let nobody make mistake about it, where Ibadan people stand, is where I must stand for me to be relevant as king and custodian of our customs and tradition.” The monarch commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern over the security situation in Ibadan, stating that it was to reduce tension that he decided to seek legal redress, stressing that contrary to speculations in government circle, the matter at hand was not political. Speaking on behalf of Ibadan kinsmen who were also present at the meeting, Mr. Muhammed Oladejo, a former National Secretary of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), noted that the battle at hand was a battle of wits and not of guns. He stated that it was as a result of dissatisfaction of Ibadan people to the chieftaincy crisis that led to the emergence of their new group, noting that the group was irrevocably committed to joining hands with Kabiyesi to ensure the preservation and protection of Ibadan heritage. Also speaking on behalf of the Association of Ibadan Authentic Mogajis, Alhaji Abass Oloko stated that the founding fathers of Ibadan who came from different places to settle down in Ibadan did not make any mistake in bequeathing the traditional chieftaincy system that has been working since 1851on us. In his own contribution, a member of Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan South East Constituency II, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige stated that review of any declaration was a major responsibility of government but with input from the house, adding that there was no such bill before the State House of Assembly. The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Olaniyan had earlier conveyed the message of solidarity and support of the entire people of Osogbo to Olubadan and Ibadan people, saying as the forces of light often triumphed over darkness, no power and principality would be able to destroy Ibadan heritage, which was widely respected because it was rancor-free. He stressed that Ibadan and Osogbo have historical affiliation and stated that “whatever happens in Ibadan has a way of reverberating in the entire length and breadth of Yoruba land,” adding that this is why he had decided with the support of his chiefs to show solidarity with the Olubadan.

Buhari’s ministers differ on 2018 budget

​ Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed ​has stated that the 2018 budget ​will be presented to​ the National Assembly in October. Ahmed said this at the news conference at the end of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#23) on Thursday in Abuja. But her assurance contradicts the statement by Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning, who had noted that the 2018 budget proposal will be sent to the federal legislature in January. Udoma spoke in September in Abuja during the public presentation and capacity building on 2017 agriculture budget. Represented by Mr Aso Vakporoye, Deputy Director, Economic Growth in the ministry, the minister said that with the effort of relevant stakeholders, the issue of late passage of budget would be addressed. His words: “For 2018, the Federal Government part of it has been concluded with hope that it will be submitted to the National Assembly in January. However, Ahmed has insisted the budget proposal would be presented to the in October as planned. “That is what we said and we are still on course and target to do that, the budget is ready. “It will be going to the Federal Executive Council first of all for approval before Mr President will convey it to the National Assembly. “We are on course to deliver the 2018 budget in October.​ ​We hope that working together with National Assembly​.​ it will be passed on time in December​”,​ the minister said. Ahmed ​added that the government was working to push the implementation of Presidential Executive Orders to boost economic growth and development. “We have started producing a monthly and evaluation report that is measuring the performance of ministers’’. ​She, however, said that the government would fast-track the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). “We have just received the recommendations and we are going to review it. “One of the recommendations says the lab for the implementation of the ERGP must be done quickly in the next two weeks. “That is what we are committed to doing, we will review the recommendations and plan the implementation with the view of fast-tracking the growth we are aspiring​”.​

I gave approval for NNPC loans not contracts – Osinbajo clarifies

Drop Your Brooms and Take Shade Under The Umbrella-Makarfi tells Apc

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, on Thursday called on Nigerians to come into the “umbrella” because the “broom” is no longer sweeping well. He said this while lamenting on the sufferings of Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress, APC administration. Senator Makarfi said the ‘Broom is no longer sweeping well’, thus the reason why Nigerians should come and take shade under the ‘Umbrella’ PDP. He said this during the presentation of N250 million scholarship to 66 indigent undergraduates sponsored by Senator Ademola Adeleke in Osun State. He said, “Nigeria has suffered enough; the broom is no longer sweeping well. Come and stay under the umbrella. “In PDP, it is going to be promises made, promises kept. We are going to have a full-time governor in PDP. “No doubt, we have our problems, we have made efforts to correct it, we are not like the government that doesn’t take to corrections or listen at all. “We apologise to those the party has offended and we call on those that have not joined to come and join.”

Why Buhari’s presidency will end in defeat, shame – Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will end in “defeat and shame” and “his wickedness shall not go unpunished”.