'It's no longer business as usual', President calls for speedy prosecution of 'govt thieves'

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Britain and Switzerland to speed up 'the processes of investigation, prosecution and repatriation of Nigerian funds stolen by corrupt public officials and their accomplices'.

He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, at separate audiences with the new British and Swiss Ambassadors to Nigeria, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence.

He applauded the renewed support from Britain and Switzerland for the recovery and repatriation of public funds stolen from Nigeria. Buhari noted that British, Swiss and other foreign anti- crime agencies had already given his administration much help with relevant information and intelligence on public funds that were stolen and illegally transferred to personal bank accounts by officials of past administrations.

‘‘Switzerland and Britain have been very helpful indeed in the recovery of our assets. But we must build on what we have started.

‘‘It is also important to send a signal to the elite that it is no longer business as usual.

"I personally appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister David Cameron on this issue.

"He has honoured his commitments to us. He promised to support our government to build a strong and dynamic economy and he has been faithful to his words,’’ the President told the new British High Commissioner, Mr Paul Arkwright.

In his remarks, Arkwright assured him of Britain's
preparedness to give Nigeria the fullest possible support and assistance in the recovery of its looted resources. ‘‘We are most ready to help. We have a good team at the National Crime Agency (NCA) working with your Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

"Tell us where and how we can help and we will provide the assistance,’’ the British High Commissioner assured the President.

President Buhari also welcomed assurances from the new Swiss Ambassador, Mr Eric Mayoraz , that his country would expedite action on the repatriation of millions of dollars stolen by Nigerian public officials and still held in Swiss Banks.

‘‘I am very pleased and we will get our Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with you to ensure that all the stolen funds are returned safely to government coffers as quickly as possible,’’ the President added.

The President also received the letters of credence of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Mr Saleh Fhied Saleh , the Ambassador of Myanmar, Mr Tha Aung Nyun and the Ambassador of Slovakia, Mr Peter Holasek.

Dangote's daughter dies in UK after 2-yr battle with brain cancer

Adoptive daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote , Fatima Bello Dangote, has died after a 2-year battle with brain cancer.

According to reports, Fatima died on the 2nd of October, at a private hospital in the United Kingdom where she was being treated.

BiggieBlog gathered that the deceased was the daughter of Dangote's younger brother, Alhaji Bello Dangote , who died in 1996 alongside the son of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Abacha, in a plane crash on the 17th of January 1996.

The billionaire reportedly adopted his late niece after her father's passing. Fatima has since been buried in London according to Islamic rites.

Pope Francis backs the new synod process in an unanticipated speech

In an unexpected speech at the synod on
Tuesday, Pope Francis has stated that this gathering is in continuity with 2014 synod, which he said never called into question the Church's teaching on marriage.

He also emphasized that the official documents of the 2014 synod are his two speeches, and its final report. The full text of the Holy Father's intervention has not made public, but Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See press office, reported about it in his Oct. 6 press briefing. Pope Francis' speech came after Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, had taken the floor to give a long explanation about the synod’s new methodology, as there had been on Monday several synod fathers asking for explanations about the new process, which had alarmed not a few of them.

According to Fr. Lombardi, Cardinal Baldisseri explained the synod’s new method, presented the 10 member commission the Pope appointed in order to assist in drafting the synod’s final report, and underscored that the procedure was approved by the Pope Sept. 7, during one of the sessions of the Council of the Synod.

After Cardinal Baldisseri’s intervention, the Pope wanted to take the floor, Fr. Lombardi recounted.
According to Fr. Lombardi, the Pope wanted “essentially to clarify two issues.”
The first is that “this synod must be lived in continuity with last year’s extraordinary synod.” The Pope then stressed – ‘with these very words,’ Fr. Lombardi said – that “from the extraordinary session of the synod, three are the official documents: the Pope’s inaugural speech, the Pope’s final speech, and the final report.”

The final report was controversial because it also included the midterm report paragraphs that had not gained the supermajority of two thirds – that is, they did not reach a consensus. Customarily, the propositions that do not reach a consensus have been removed from the final documents of synods.

However, the Pope underscored – Fr. Lombardi recounted – that “the Council of the Synod looked into the 2014 synod’s final report in the time between the extraordinary and the ordinary synod, and that the report has been integrated with other contributions,” and that the Synod’s working document is a result of this effort taken between the 2014 and 2015 synods.

“The Pope said the working document has been approved by the Synod’s Council in meetings in which the Pope himself took part,” Fr. Lombardi stressed. Then Pope Francis wanted to clarify a second issue: that “Catholic teaching on marriage has not been put into question by the previous synod, and that synod fathers should not be conditioned to circumscribe the Synod to only the issue of access to Communion for the divorced- and-remarried,” said Fr. Lombardi.

While it is not unusual for the Pope to take the floor during a synod – Benedict XVI having done so in those held in 2008 and 2012 – it is however the first time the Pope's speeches at the synod are considered the official documents of the synod itself.

These contents will then be the guidelines of the
upcoming discussions at this year's synod. The synod fathers are now divided into small groups by language, to discuss particular issues, having been so divided the afternoon of Oct. 6. In these first two days, 72 synod fathers took the floor. Fr. Lombardi said there were 10 interventions from Latin America, 7 from North America, 26 from Europe, 12 from Africa, 8 from Asia and Oceania, and 6 from the Middle East. Italian and English have been the most used languages.

What Does It Take To Speak Like Buhari

Naij.com analysed all the official speeches delivered by Muhammadu Buhari since his inauguration on 29th May, 2015. It turned out that the President of Nigeria is not so eloquent. Check out what you need to know to speak like Buhari – or at least to be a presidential speech-writer.
Muhammadu Buhari repeated these words in his official speeches many times since his inauguration.

Muhammadu Buhari’s official speeches are based on frequent using of just 37 words. Not surprisingly, “ Nigeria” is the most frequently repeated word in his speeches. He repeated the name of the country 86 times in his official speeches since his inauguration. “ People” is the second most often used word in Buhari’ speeches, while “ government ” is the third most frequently used word.

Talking about himself, Muhammadu Buhari used the word “ president ” 30 times since May 29. It’s the eight most frequent term in his speeches along with the word “ security ” also repeated 30 times. Surprisingly, Buhari talked far less about corruption – he used that word only 17 times since inauguration. Buhari talked much more about campaign against Boko Haram insurgency
together with regional allies. Thus, the average presidential speech consisting only of the most frequently used words would sound like that:

One of the president’s main challenges today is
supporting the international campaign of such countries as Chad and Niger against Boko Haram insurgents. Nigerian federal republic’s administration promotes peace for Nigerians and African youth. After the election the national union against the system of corruption and the insurgency will bring appreciation of every Nigerian as well as the whole Africa. ”

Read the 37 of favourite presidential words and their frequency of use below:
1.Nigeria 86
2. people 54
3. government 47
4. must 44
5. development 35
6. country 32
7. economic 31
8. security 30
9. president 30
10. national 28
11. African 28
12. insurgency 27
13. Niger 25
14. Chad 25
15. youth 23
16. international 22
17. Boko Haram 22
18. work 21
19. republic 21
20. challenges 21
21. today 19
22. Nigerians 19
23. union 18
24. support 18
25. system 17
26. peace 17
27. insurgents 17
28. federal 17
29. countries 17
30. corruption 17
31. young 16
32. election 16
33. campaign 16
34. appreciation 16
35. Africa 16
36. administration 16
37. Nigerian 15

The blogosphere exploded three months ago with reactions after President Muhammadu Buhari referred to the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, as “President Michelle” of “West Germany”. Speaking on Channels TV after the meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission presidents yesterday, President Buhari referred to “ the G7 meeting in West Germany” and “consultations with President Michelle”.

Paul Okoye Hilariously Prays For Nigeria

One of P-Square’s music duo, Paul Okoye who recently gushed about his love for his amiable his wife, Anita prays hilariously for Nigeria.

Paul took to his Instagram page few hours ago, sharing his thought about the state of his country Nigeria and hopes his children and grandchildren would witness the new Nigeria in years to come.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Music Artist LKT Marries Long- One of P-Square’s music duo, Paul Okoye who recently
gushed about his love for his amiable his wife, Anita
prays hilariously for Nigeria.
Paul and son Andre
Paul took to his Instagram page few hours ago, sharing
his thought about the state of his country Nigeria and
hopes his children and grandchildren would witness the
new Nigeria in years to come.

He posted the prayer saying “ Dear God even if I know I will never see my country like this….But at least let my children or grandchildren see my country like this one day…na beg I dey beg…..this na wickedness Haba!!! Asin I taya!!!”

See post below:

Ken Nnamani wants President to investigate the $182m Halliburton bribery scandal

To who much is given much is also expected. One of his electoral promises was that he was going rid the country of the cankerworm of corruption.

A former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani, has called on President Buhari to investigate the $182m Halliburton bribery scandal, and prosecute those found guilty.

According to Vanguard Newspapers, Nnamani said “To who much is given much is also expected. One of his electoral promises was that he was going rid the country of the cankerworm of corruption but when I read in papers that his searchlight would be beamed on those that
participated in Government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which if it is correct, that will be inappropriate in my view.”

Adding that “Key issues that brought us international disrespect such as Halliburton scandal cannot be swept under carpet. Some people have gone to Jail in Britain and United States of America on the same matter.”

NCA refuses to reveal names of former petroleum minister’s accomplices

NCA said it does not confirm the identities of individuals it arrests unless there was specific operational requirement to do so.

Reports say the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) has refused to reveal the names of Diezani Alison- Madueke’s accomplices.

This was revealed in a report by Vanguard Newspapers. Vanguard Newspapers reports that the NCA said

“it does not confirm the identities of individuals it arrests unless there was specific operational requirement to do so.”

The crime agency also said “We can confirm that £27,000 was seized from Diezani Alison-Madueke at Westminster Magistrate’s Court along with smaller sums from two other individuals. But we are not providing any further detail at this time.”

Adding that “Cash seizure in the UK does not need to be related to an arrest. The NCA does not confirm identities of individuals at arrest, unless there is a specific operational requirement to do so.

“There is no further information we are offering at this time.”

Amazing Moments At DJ Xclusive's White Wedding

DJ Xclusive and his bride, Tinuke Ogundero, were
officially man and wife at their white wedding ceremony on October 3, 2015.

Rotimi Alakija who had his traditional marriage on
Thursday, October 1, had his reception at the popular Landmark centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The DJ and his wife made a grand entrance into their reception with a white Hummer jeep.
Congratulations to the couple.

View images below...

Troops repelled Boko-Haram's attack this morning

During the encounter our gallant troops successfully repelled the attacked and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed.

News just in reveals that Boko-Haram members attacked the 120 Task Force Battalion, Goniri, Yobe State, Wednesday morning, but they were repelled by the gallant soldiers.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman. The statement reads "The fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, at the early hours of today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State.

"During the encounter our gallant troops successfully repelled the attacked and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed. On the last count over 100 terrorists bodies were seen. Unfortunately however, 7 of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our fatherland, while 1 officer and 8 soldiers were wounded in action. "During the encounter, the troops have recovered a sizeable arms, ammunitions and other equipment from the terrorists.

These include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 9 AK-47 rifles and Belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunitions. Others were various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 7 Primed IEDs, different types of Spanners and a Torch Light.

"The troops have consolidated on the encounter and more determined to defend their location and continued to serve as blocking force to any fleeing terrorists from the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardments and other troops artillery fire.

"In a related development, troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye, have destroyed Boko Haram terrorists camps along that axis. While on patrol, the brave soldiers came across some of the terrorists
hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and the terrorists’ training area. Another patrol along Bama- Kawuri axis discovered and exhumed IEDs and wires for detonation.

"It is important to reiterate that the Nigerian Army along with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other Security Agencies would not relent in its determined effort of defeating Boko Haram terrorists."

Former INEC boss gets another award

The awards are still coming in for the former Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for successfully conducting the just concluded 2015 general elections.

An international non-profit organisation, based in
Washington D.C, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) nominated Jega for the 2015 International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award.

Connect Nigeria reports that the award was presented to him at Washington D.C on September 29, 2015 for his outstanding performance as the chairman of INEC.

UNIABUJA Postpones 2015/2016 Resumption Date

University of Abuja, UNIBAUJA resumption date for the commencement of the 2015/2016 academic session has been re- scheduled.

The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) SUG transition committee regrets to inform you that the school resumption date which was earlier anticipated to be on the 19th of October, 2015 has been postponed to the 2nd of November, 2015.

The postponement of the resumption date was as a result of the directive given by the Federal government that all ministries, departments and agencies operate a Treasury single account. This directive has made the process of accessing funds for the university to be difficult due to the incomplete implementation of such directive.

The transition SUG Transition committee therefore plead with our great students to make effective utilization of the postponement as the school management looks forward to creating a conducive atmosphere of learning.

We wish to use this medium to urge us all to continue praying for God to guide our leaders and for everlasting peace in our great country
Nigeria.

Long live Uniabuja Students!
Long live University of Abuja!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Signed:
SUG Transition committee
MSG Team.

Chewing stick wears out teeth surface – Dental Surgeon

A Dental Surgeon with Bethel Dental Clinic, Abuja, Dr Isikwei Uche, has said that the constant use of chewing stick to clean the mouth can wear out the surface of the teeth and the gum.

Uche told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the use of chewing sticks was a practice some people had imbibed as a result of their socio-cultural background.

He said the use of chewing sticks implied that pressure had to be exerted to ensure proper cleaning of the teeth which was detrimental to the gum and teeth.

“People who use chewing sticks apply lots of pressure on the teeth so as to clean well but this practice over a period of time wears away the surface of the teeth and the gum.

“When you apply pressure, you bruise the gum, wear the gum and it causes gum recession.

“Chewing stick cannot be used to clean the inner part of the teeth because it is just straight and does not have the ability to reach the inner parts of the mouth,” Uche said.

He further explained that chewing sticks control mouth odour due to some anti plague effect it had but lacked the mint readily available in most toothpastes. Uche noted that the mint in toothpastes assist to produce fresh breath for the mouth. The Dental Surgeon added that chewing sticks were not something patients would be advised to use anymore, adding that there were good toothpaste and toothbrushes available.

He, however, observed that the use of chewing sticks had no clear cut health implications on the users, adding that it had some components that helps protect the mouth and teeth from decay.

“The use of chewing sticks does not have any health issues but the issue is that it is poor in management of the oral environment.

“For some people that use it, it is easy to carry about, it is readily available, it is less expensive to purchase. “When using chewing sticks, it helps the user to exercise the jaw and can as well induce the production of saliva in the
mouth. “Some chewing sticks that are bitter have components like chloride, sodium which also functions in toothpastes as plague indicators and can prevent holes in the teeth,” Uche said.

He also pointed out that some people who would rather dump the use of chewing sticks entirely preferred to combine it with toothbrush and pastes.